pdf of entire issue - Loma Prieta Chapter Archives

Transcription

January/February - Issue 2009-01
Page 2
Updates
Tuolumne River; SC Fairgrounds;
saving the Bay
Thank God It’s Tuesday!
page 3
Gardening Green
page 8
“Bulk up” your garden this winter
page 5
Backpacking slide show, creeks conference,
Chapter holiday party, and adventure travel
To Kill a Termite
page 7
Local wetlands; cooling the planet;
Stanford in RWC
The Chapter’s successful
Third Tuesday program
Mark Your Calendar
Focus on Land Use
Meandering
page 9
Outings and Activities
page 9
page 6
Bioblast, microwaves, and more
The Newsletter of the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter
State Politics
San Benito, Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
Landmark Law Goes Where No Law Has Gone Before
by Irvin Dawid
Robert Campbell, Courtesy Army Corps of Engineers
The title of “Most Important Environmental
Bill to be Signed by Governor Schwarzenegger
in 2008” may go to Senator Steinberg’s SB 375
— a bill that promises to do for land use policy
what AB 32 (Global Warming Solutions Act of
2006) is doing for climate.
The significance of this law is highlighted in
an October 6th New York Times editorial: “[SB
375 is] the nation’s first [law] intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by curbing urban sprawl and cutting back the time people
have to spend in their automobiles,” and, as
such, is the “latest example of California’s originality.”
Governor Schwarzenegger seconded that theme
when he signed the bill: “When it comes to reducing greenhouse gases, California is first in
tackling car emissions, first to tackle low-carbon
fuels, and now with this landmark legislation,
we are the first in the nation to tackle land-use
planning. What this will mean is more environmentally-friendly communities, more sustainable developments, less time people spend
in their cars, more alternative transportation
options and neighborhoods we can safely and
San Jose sprawls beyond the camera’s lens. The groundbreaking SB 375 is intended to curb sprawl.
proudly pass on to future generations.”
Transportation accounts for nearly 40% of
greenhouse gas emissions in California, and vehicle miles traveled in the state have increased
50% faster than population. Even with green
building standards, renewable energy, and hybrid cars, the state stands little chance of tack-
SB 375 has a definitive means to relieve this
problem: design communities with greenhouse
gas emissions in mind, encouraging mixed-use
development, walkable/bikeable communities,
and public transit.
SB375 and “Sustainable Community
Strategy”
SB 375 is focused on regional transportation
planning, managed in the Bay Area by the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
(MTC). Under SB 375, each of the state’s 17
metropolitan regions would adopt a “sustainable community strategy” to encourage compact development.
The strategy would have to ensure greenhouse
gas reductions sufficient to achieve a regional
target set by the California Air Resources Board
John Muir Recycled
See SB375 Page 6
Essay
Endangered
by Snack Foods
The Making of an Activist
Soaring demand for palm oil is killing
orangutans and destroying their rainforest
home. See Cooking Green, page 8.
by Karen Maki, Chapter Chair
Chapter archives
After eight years as chapter activist, including four
as chapter Executive Committee chair, I want to
tell you about how I got involved, what my time
with the Chapter has meant to me, and what the
Obama win means to us in the Chapter.
Be Part of History
My father gave me a Sierra Club membership
when I was in my twenties. For years, I renewed
my membership, made occasional donations,
and hiked.
Do you have old photos, flyers, newsletters,
conservation or political materials or other
items related to Loma Prieta Chapter activities? As a continuation of our 75th anniversary celebration, we’re working on preserving
the Chapter’s historical records. Perhaps
you’ve saved something.
“My Whole World Changed”
My whole world changed in 2000 when my
father passed away, Al Gore was denied the
presidency, and the stock market crashed. As I
watched the recounts and courtroom battles on
CSPAN and saw the market fall and fall with
no end in sight, I became increasingly uneasy.
The initial actions of the Bush administration
did nothing to diminish my anger or calm my
fears. My energy needed a direction.
Chapter activist Rafael Reyes invited me to attend a Political Committee meeting. I went.
They asked me for a short-term commitment,
and I was soon helping interview candidates for
city, assembly, and congressional races and recommending endorsements. I was very impressed
with the Chapter’s endorsement process, which
includes written statements and interviews with
candidates, plus various levels of committee review. I was ready for the next commitment.
Shortly after that, a Club organizer had me
handing out postcards on Castro Street in
Mountain View for people to sign and send to
the governor. The cards asked him to stop the
Eloise Maki.
Courtesy Orangutan Conservancy
We are especially interested in items from the
Chapter’s founding in 1933 through 1980s.
The Bancroft Library in Berkeley has agreed
to accept our historical materials. If you have
items to add, please contact Ginny Laibl,
[email protected], or 650-329-8363 by
the end of February.
ling climate change if people have to get in
their cars just to buy a quart of milk.
In an August 21 Los Angeles Times article, Senator Steinberg emphasized the importance of
including land use decisions in climate policy:
“One issue everyone has been afraid to touch
is land use. Everyone understands about using
alternative fuel. But land use has been the third
rail. AB 32 changed the equation because now
land use has to be part of the solution to global
warming. You can’t meet our goal just with alternative fuels. You have to reduce the number
of vehicle miles traveled.”
Karen Maki: “The Chapter is a great place to
stretch your wings.”
clear-cutting of a million acres in the Sierra Nevada. The image of a million acres of clear-cut
really disturbed me.
Soon I co-founded the Forest Protection Committee. Prior to working with the Sierra Club,
I’d never met a politician. The Committee met
with local state legislators, showing them photos of the massive clear-cutting. Subsequent to
our meetings, Assemblyman Joe Simitian wrote
a bill, now law, to help prevent clear-cutting.
Now I know a number of politicians and have
even shaken hands with Al Gore.
30,000 Phone Calls
When the Sierra Club announced a campaign
to elect John Kerry, I really wanted our Chap-
See Making of an Activist Page 6
Updates
Page 2
loma prieta chapter information
Chapter Office:
Voice: (650) 390-8411
Fax: (650) 390-8497
3921 E. Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
lomaprieta.sierraclub.org
Chapter Coordinator:
Kristen Ohiaeri
(650) 390-8411 X332
[email protected]
newsletter information
The Loma Prietan (USPS 976820) is
published six times per year (1/1, 3/1,
5/1, 7/1, 9/1, 11/1) by the Loma Prieta
Chapter of the Sierra Club, 3921 E.
Bayshore Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303.
Nonmember Subscriptions
Send a check for $10.00 made out to
Loma Prietan to the Chapter office.
Periodicals postage paid at Palo Alto,
CA. Postmaster: Send address changes
to Loma Prietan, Sierra Club, 85 Second
St., 2nd Floor, San Francisco 94105.
Please mark envelope “Address change.”
For nonmember subscription changes,
send changes to Loma Prietan, Sierra
Club, 3921 E. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto,
CA 94303.
To join the Sierra Club
Contact the Chapter office. Annual dues
are $39, of which $1 is for the Loma Prietan. Membership is not tax-deductible.
Subscription/mail problems
Please report to the Chapter office.
Submissions
The Loma Prietan encourages members
to submit news, stories, reviews and
letters. See the submission guidelines
at lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/newsletter.
html. You can contact the editorial
board by e-mail at newsletter@
lomaprieta.sierraclub.org or by mail or
fax to the Chapter office.
Outings Listings
Listings must be submitted to the Chapter one month prior to publication.
Advertising
Contact Ad Manager (see below). Deadline for ad space is due two months prior
to publication.
Volunteers
The Loma Prietan welcomes volunteers
and new writers. Please e-mail
[email protected]
for information.
Loma Prietan Staff
Editorial Board
Nafeesa Ahmed, Diane Allen, Susan
Barkan, Lynn Gordon, Trish Kaspar,
Claudia Schweikert, David Simon,
Coryne Tasca, and John Velcamp
Designer
Shannon Corey
[email protected]
Online Editor
Paul Hsieh
Ad Manager
(650) 390-8411 X391
[email protected]
©2008 Sierra Club. No part of this
newsletter may be reproduced without
written permission.
Printed on recycled paper with soy ink.
www.lomaprieta.sierraclub.org
Updates
The Tuolumne Runs
Free
by Peter Drekmeier and Trish Kaspar
October 30th brought a well-earned wet success. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) agreed to cap water sales
from the Tuolumne River at current levels until at least 2018. The SFPUC had previously
proposed large increases in water withdrawals
from the river. The agreement is part of the
approval of the Water System Improvement
Program (WSIP), the approved Hetch Hetchy
Water System’s $4.4 billion upgrade to withstand a major earthquake.
Capping sales for 10 years allows SFPUC
and its wholesale customers to reexamine
water demand projections, increase conservation and recycling programs, and complete a
biological study of the Tuolumne, benefiting
downstream wildlife and vegetation.
The majority of the overflow crowd at the October 30th SFPUC hearing at which the decision was made supported seismic upgrades
and measures protecting the Tuolumne.
The Phased WSIP still diverts an additional 2
million gallons of Tuolumne water daily to fill
reservoirs after extended droughts. But Commissioners clearly want the Tuolumne protected and included strongly worded amendments minimizing additional diversions.
“The Commission heard our message loud
and clear…to protect the Tuolumne through
aggressive water conservation and recycling,”
said Clary. “[This is the] first time there’s been
a cap on water sales,” said Jennifer Clary, Water Policy Analyst for Clean Water Action.
“We’ve changed the way the SFPUC does
business.”
To Learn More
Contact Peter Drekmeier, Tuolumne River
Trust, (650) 248-8025 or Jennifer Clary,
Clean Water Action, (707) 483-6352
Peter Drekmeier is Bay Area Program
Director for the Tuolumne River Trust
and long-time Club member and vice mayor
of Palo Alto. Trish Kaspar serves on the editorial
board of the Loma Prietan newsletter.
New San Francisco
Bay Authority
Created
by Cynthia Denny
Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 2954
in October, establishing the San Francisco
Bay Restoration Authority. Now the Associa-
Deadline
Issue
Jan 26 for Mar/Apr 2009
Mar 30 for May/Jun 2009
tion of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) will
appoint seven board members to the new
Authority, which will explore, promote and
coordinate local and regional public fundraising mechanisms. The Authority could secure
much-needed regional funding for Bay wetland restoration by proposing assessments,
taxes or fees for local voter approval, or by
receiving public and private grants.
“This new Authority fills a large gap, by linking the supportive Bay Area population and
the urgent priority for funds to restore Bay
wetlands,” said Henry Gardner, Executive Director of ABAG. “It’s a creative solution to a
regional need.”
Today, only 5% of the Bay’s original wetlands remain. The Sierra Club looks forward
to working with the Authority, Save The Bay
and other partners to achieve the vision of
100,000 acres of healthy, thriving wetlands
around the Bay that scientists recommend for
a sustainable Bay ecosystem. The Authority
will help provide the consistent funding needed for land purchases, project planning, construction, and operations and maintenance,
including modifying levees and protecting
electric transmission lines and other existing
infrastructure.
Cynthia Denny is the chair of the Chapter’s
Wetlands Subcommittee.
Santa Clara
Fairgrounds Plan
Opposed
by Gladwyn d’Souza
Santa Clara County officials are considering
an expansive development project on the 150acre Santa Clara Fairgrounds. The County recently selected a developer to explore options,
which could include commercial, residential
or public use areas.
However, many residents are opposed to development which would change the character of the land. The Fairgrounds are the last
open space located in the central core of San
Jose, which desperately needs parks and open
space. The Fairgrounds have a rich agricultural history and are currently home to many
festivals, 4-H clubs, and a wide variety of outdoor activities. In addition, the Fairgrounds
are between two major creek trails that would
benefit from a trails connector across the present Fairgrounds. Development will also impact the water and air basins in the region.
A new group called Friends of the Fairgrounds
has formed to persuade the Board of Supervisors to slow down the current development
process, work with the County to establish
a task force to hear community-based input
before making a decision regarding develop-
ment, and ensure that the plan for the Fairgrounds reflects the needs of future generations.
Gladwyn d’Souza is secretary to the Chapter’s
Sustainable Land Use Committee.
Make a Difference
Weekly organizing meetings for
Friends of the Fairgrounds are
Fridays from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm at 5th
St. and Keyes in San Jose.
Contact Christopere Lepe
www.friendsofsccfairgrounds.org
(408) 425-4430
The Chapter Sustainable Land Use
Committee would like a member in
this area to watchdog the process
for us. If you are interested, please
contact us at [email protected]
Endorsed Candidates
Win in Pacifica
by Bill Collins
The Sierra Club endorsed incumbent Pete DeJarnatt and Mary Ann Nihart in Pacifica’s City
Council November election. Both won seats in
a five-person race for the two open seats.
The five candidates debated how to best manage growth: whether the focus should be on
enhancing revenue or preserving open space.
Their commitment to preserving the environment varied widely.
Incumbent Cal Hinton was more supportive
of growth than fellow incumbent DeJarnatt,
who listed environmental protection as the
first of his objectives in his candidate statement. Challenger Jeff Simons called for increasing the tax base and facilitating the flow
of auto traffic on Highway 1. He reportedly
blamed “radical environmentalism” in Pacifica for rejecting commercial development.
Nihart supported preserving open spaces and
a ban on polystyrene.
The Chapter’s Coastal Issues Committee invited the candidates to an interview. Three
candidates came to the interview, and based
on their responses to questions on sustainability, open space preservation and other
issues, the interview team recommended the
endorsement of DeJarnatt and Nihart. The
Chapter widely publicized its endorsement.
Thanks are due to the Coastal Issues Committee members who interviewed the candidates
and publicized the endorsements.
Bill Collins is a member of the Chapter’s
Coastal Issues Committee and former chair of
the Northern California Wildlife Committee.
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
With reference to the article, “Some like it
HOT”, in the last Loma Prietan: At first blush,
selling the unused capacity of carpool lanes
looks like a great idea — until one looks into
the history and ethics of their creation. Carpool lanes were created by taking a public asset
and diverting it to manipulate the habits of the
driving public. The shortcomings of this experiment are obvious. Carpool lanes are often
underused while traffic in the remaining lanes
is stop and go. The speed differential is so great
that lane changes have become dangerous.
Now this diverted public property is to be sold
to the highest bidder. The only equitable move
would be to return the carpool lanes to public
use, so that our highways can again be safely
used to capacity.
Deadline for submissions
The Loma Prietan - January/February 2009
I think timing lights are very useful, and should
remain the mainstay of congestion management, perhaps together with some preferential
access for buses and carpools.
Dietrich Fellenz
Loma Prieta Chapter member
San Jose
Chapter Transportation Committee chair Gladwyn d’Souza replies:
Public property, capacity, and safety are highly
contested terms. The air basin is public property, and polluting it affects the safety and capacity of my lungs. Roads, like most public
commons, are overgrazed, and building more
lanes is the worst possible solution in terms of
pollution and resource consumption,
The Club has taken a position against capacity building and freeway expansion. We focus
on management to increase capacity, reduce
pollution and resource usage, and decrease the
need for expansion. Tiered pricing leveled off
electricity demand in California; road pricing
works the same way. Equitably the whole road
would be priced. HOT allows for the most efficient use of the roadway, increasing capacity
without laying more asphalt. And let’s not forget that toll-paying motorists—and that could
be any of us on a hectic day—will be supporting public transit with our toll dollars.
Dear Editor:
I recently finished reading one of the books
recommended in the Book Review column of
your November/December issue, Cradle to Cra-
Write to Us
Share your views with fellow
Chapter members. The Loma Prietan
welcomes letters to the editor
of 150 words or less. E-mail
[email protected]
or write to 3921 E. Bayshore Road,
Palo Alto, CA 94303.
dle: Remaking the Way we Make Things. I want
to say that this is an extraordinary book. It is
one of the most hopeful and inspiring books
I have ever read, and a real paradigm shifter.
I believe it holds the seeds for how we could
actually resolve the crisis our planet is facing. I
never thought I would be able to say that about
any book.
Thank you so much for recommending this
book. It has been in print since 2002, but I
hadn’t heard about it before. It deserves to be
much more widely read.
Ruth Sheldon
Loma Prieta Chapter Member
Brisbane
Chapter news
Page 3
Clair Tappaan Lodge Reports Surplus
by Olivia Diaz
When the Sierra Club Board of Directors challenged Clair Tappaan Lodge to “break even or
be sold,” many who love the rustic, ramshackle
lodge perched atop Donner Summit despaired of
ever reaching that goal. Thanks to a successful
fundraiser and the new Outdoor Education Programs begun in 2007, the CTL Committee has
not only met the challenge but ended the summer with a $64,000 surplus. Bookings for the fall,
traditionally the slow season before skiing can begin, were up, and the overall outlook is bright.
Supplementing the income from rentals, the
Encouraging as it is to have brought the lodge
out of the red, this is just the beginning. We
must keep telling schools about the advantages
of taking students there on field trips--and
not forget to stop in ourselves. A soon-to-becompleted driveway to the right of the main
entrance will mean that visitors no longer need
to drag their luggage up the steep hill. Ski season is almost here, so take advantage of the best
deal around!
Faisal Zakaria Siddiqi
In 2007-08 more than 1000 students and their
chaperones spent the night at the venerable lodge,
hopefully creating a new pool of fans of outdoor
education at a reasonable price--not to mention
the opportunity to experience life at a slower pace
and a retreat from electronic gadgets.
fourth annual Fundraiser, held on a weekend
last August, brought in $21,000. That weekend featured a full moon, and general manager Peter Lemkuhl led hikes on Friday and
Saturday night to see Donner Peak by moonlight. Hikers were amazed that the reflection
of moonlight on granite made the night almost as bright as day.
Olivia Diaz is co-chair of the Clair Tappaan
Lodge Committee.
On the Trail of the “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”
by Nafeesa Ahmed
“The past and the present could not be more
closely joined than in China,” reminisces Katie Dunlap. Mary McVey Gill mirrors Katie’s
thoughts, calling China “a country of contrasts.”
The women, both active Sierra Club members
and volunteers for the Chapter’s Citizens Action Network, were part of an exciting tour
to China this fall. The tour was organized by
the Chapter, in association with the Angeles
Chapter. The group of 40 travelers flew from
Los Angeles to Beijing for a 10-day itinerary
of five major cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Xian,
Suzhou and Hangzhou.
The group had a few days to discover Beijing
and its rich cultural history. From luxurious hotels to ancient temples, from gourmet
“If civilization has risen
from the Stone Age, it can
rise again from the Wastepaper Age.”
—Jacques Barzun,
The House of Intellect, 1959
was a fantasy come true. According to these
two travelers, the weather was perfect, the local people welcoming, the hotels comfortable,
the travel well-arranged and the food, needless to say, ranged from the familiar to the
adventurous.
The next destination on the group’s tour was
Shanghai, which Katie describes as a “futuristic city with a distinguishing European flavor.” According to Katie, the city is bustling
with construction projects, luxurious shopping malls and the sparkle of the Bund. Mary
was especially encouraged to see the city taking steps to become green as it gears up for
World Expo 2010. Projects being undertaken
include solar heating, water recycling, urban
waste management and mass transportation
programs.
The group spent the rest of the tour visiting the beautiful temples, lush gardens and
serene lakes of Suzhou and Hangzhou. Suzhou, marked by waterways, is referred to as
the “Venice of the East.” The trip included
ventures for every taste: Katie found traveling on the canals to be particularly exhilarating, while Mary enjoyed shopping at the local
pearl-producing factory.
Chapter trips for 2009 to
Alaska and to Tibet/China
are described on page 5.
Each year, the Chapter organizes group trips
to select overseas destinations. For the traveler, these trips are a great way to explore new
places at reasonable prices, and, for the Chapter, the trips help raise needed funds.
Katie Dunlap
The first thing that struck Mary in Beijing was
the number of bicycles. The city, she recalls,
was filled with people riding bicycles and rickshaws to work. For Katie, it was the 30-story
skyscrapers that awed her — particularly because she had grown up on a ranch.
cuisine at chic restaurants to savory fare sold
by street vendors, from the grandiose Palace
Museum to Tiananmen Square and the thrilling Great Wall, Beijing was filled with adventures.
Katie and Mary enjoy a rickshaw trip in China.
Mary summarizes the trip as “one of the
best and most memorable” for her, and both
women agreed that many on the trip felt it
Readers Talk Back
by Nafeesa Ahmed
The Loma Prietan is overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response to our reader survey. Thank
you for participating and sharing your thoughts
with us.
Although it’s not statistically valid, the survey
gave us some insight into the reading habits
of our members. Articles on environmental
reporting and political endorsements are the
most popular pick of our 203 respondents. The
columns are also widely read. The cartoon on
the back page is a favorite, with 80% of respon-
Club book and has selected Walking Softly in
the Wilderness: The Sierra Club Guide to Backpacking as her prize.
The survey respondents offered a cornucopia of
fascinating ideas and suggestions. There were
calls for articles on green jobs, mountain medicine, and hikes with dogs. Some folks asked for
more illustrations, and quite a few said they’d
like to receive the newsletter via email.
Thanks again to all who participated. Your volunteer editorial committee will be working to
implement your ideas in future issues of the
Loma Prietan.
As promised, we entered responses into a raffle.
Mary Fran Miller of Los Altos has won a Sierra
The Chapter’s Membership Committee is
delighted with the enthusiastic response to
this relatively new program. The agenda usually includes a socializing session followed by
a presentation highlighting an area of the great
outdoors or preservation efforts. The monthly
meetings are held 6:30 - 8:30 PM in the charming old Adobe Building (157 Moffett Blvd., at
Central Expressway) in Mountain View. On
warm evenings you can socialize while enjoying appetizers and beverages in the garden, and
Attend an upcoming Third Tuesday event!
Jan 20 — Industrial Logging: The Threat to
California’s Forests, presented by
Joshua Buswell-Charkow.
Feb 17 — Jim Liskovec: Polar Bears of Churchill
Mar17 — Judy Irving, a documentary filmmaker best known for her
Parrots of Telegraph Hill
on cooler evenings, warm up the conversation
with hot drinks and munchies.
The first Third Tuesday season saw some very
engaging presentations about mountaineering
in the Sierras, the Farallon Islands, and local
conservation efforts in wetlands and habitat
restoration. As one member commented, it was
“extremely interesting and thought-provoking.”
The second season is now underway. So far,
speakers have given in-depth presentations on
global warming, Ohlone land management,
and the Valdez oil spill tragedy. The most recent meeting was attended by an eclectic mix
of people — from distinguished scientists
who have worked on clean-up efforts following the oil spill to high school sophomores
working on environmental projects.
So what are you waiting for? Just sign up for
an upcoming meeting and be prepared to
spend a delightful evening with like-minded
Nafeesa Ahmed is a Chapter member
and serves on the editorial board
of the Loma Prietan newsletter.
Get Involved
See the ad on page 5 for more information.
Dieter Fellenz
“This is one of the best programs that Loma
Prieta or, for that matter, the Sierra Club has
put on in a long time,” gushed Dick Oliver,
an attendee of a recent “Third Tuesday” event.
The Third Tuesday events are social and informative get-togethers offered to Sierra Club
members and the general public to give them
a chance to interact on environmental issues
and come together as a community.
Nafeesa Ahmed is a Chapter member
and serves on the editorial board
dents replying that they sometimes or always
make it a point to check it out! The newsletter
redesign has also been much appreciated.
Thank God it’s Tuesday!
by Suzanne Lowd
So, readers: What have you got to lose? Book
your next vacation with the Chapter and embark
on one of the most fascinating vacations ever!
Hye Jeong Kim, an environmentalist visiting
from Korea, contributes a comment at Dr. Riki
Ott’s presentation.
individuals, strike new friendships and learn
about conservation efforts.
Suzanne Lowd has recently chaired the Membership Committee and enjoys helping people
find their niche within the Chapter.
If you would like to go that extra mile,
participate behind the scenes. You can
volunteer to help with event planning and
management. Financial support — perhaps
sponsoring a single evening — would be
most appreciated and would ensure that
these programs continue. Please contact
Barbra Millin at Third.Tuesdays@lomaprieta.
sierraclub.org for more information. If you
want to help with publicity or are interested
in the broader topic of membership, Ajay
Kachwaha ([email protected] ) would
love to hear from you.
CHAPTER Events
Page 4
Classifieds
Beginning Backpacking
(April 14 - May 3, 2009)
Services
If you’re interested in backpacking but don’t
know how to get started, the Backpack Section’s
Beginning Backpacking Course is for you. The
course includes three two-hour evening classes
in Los Altos plus a weekend backpack trip to a
local park. Volunteer instructors will help you
get set up with the right equipment, plus basic
skills such as keeping warm and dry, “staying
found”, and cooking in the backcountry. $35.
Intermediate Backpacking (May 12 - June 9, 2009)
For those of you who have done a little backpacking and want to refine your skills, or beginners who want more after the beginning class, the Section offers the Intermediate Backpacking Course. This course includes 5 evening sessions and two trips; a weekender at a local
park and a 3-day trip in the Sierra. Volunteer instructors will cover a host of skills including
map & compass, backcountry hazards and emergencies, minimum impact, and techniques
to minimize your pack weight. $50.
Proceeds from both courses, after expenses, are donated to conservation and trail maintenance groups. For more information, including trip dates and how to sign up, see http://
lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/BPS/bbcourse.html.
Garden Escapes by Chris
Bring natural California beauty to your
garden habitat with ecologically sustainable, low maintenance garden design
and consulting
call Chris 408/530-0122
Spend the night at the
Magical Historic Hikers’ Hut
in Sam McDonald’s Park!
Mountain Retreat
in our backyard!
Special Rates for Sierra Club
members.
(650) 390-8411 x393
SQUARE DANCE LESSONS!
Mondays 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. starting January 19 at Loyola School, 770 Berry Ave.,
Los Altos Register in class on January 19
or 26. Adult Singles & Couples
Dance FREE in January!
Bows & Beaus
www.bowsandbeaus.org
Instructor: Keith Ferguson (408) 867-7715
Real Estate
FOR SALE – National Wildlife
Federation certified habitat in Santa
Clara, CA. Lovely, quiet cul-de-sac 4 B, 2 B
home in urban “Silicon Valley”.
Mature trees, walk or bike to many conveniences, including the S.C. train station.
Liz Berry 408-241-8146
For Sale – 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath Condo
in Oak Creek Commons Co-Housing
Community located in beautiful wine
country Paso Robles. Granite and
stainless kitchen, hardwood floors,
new carpet, paint and more.
See www.oakcreekcommons.org or call
agent: Liz at 805-464-1007 or Mark
at 805-674-0297.
Vacation Rentals
Trinity Alps
Charming, Updated Miner’s Cabin at the
foot of the Trinity Alps in Beautiful Weaverville. Pictures and Information
www.AvenEstate.com
888.279.9228
Page 5
CHAPTER EVENTS
Mark Your Calendar
Calendar Submissions If you know of events that should be listed
here, please inquire at newsletter@lomaprieta
.sierraclub.org or see the submission guidelines for
calendar listings at lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/
newsletter ✜ indicates that more information
about this event can be found elsewhere on
pages 4-5.
January Get out of the house and join the Wetlands Subcommittee for fun, education, and
environmental activism. Our 2009 planning
includes continued protection of the Cargill salt
marsh, speakers on wetland ecology, helping at
the Redwood Shores Library Wetland Interpretive Center, participating in the General Plan
process in Redwood City, and outings to places
of interest like the tide pools. Contact Cynthia Denny at 650-520-7954, cynthia.denny@
lomaprieta.sierraclub.org for meeting dates
and location.
Program: Industrial Logging: The Threat To
California’s Forests 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Historic
Adobe Building, 157 Moffett Blvd, Mountain
View. ✜
January 24 Guadalupe Regional Group New
Member Hike, Almaden Quicksilver County
Park. See historic buildings, old mines and rolling hills. Moderate hike, easy pace. See Outings listings for details or call Linda Barbosa
408-778-7122 and Shawn Britton 408-5510722.
January 24 Bair Island Canoe and Restoration Trip with Save The Bay (Redwood City)
9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Cost: $35 non-members
Register at www.savesfbay.org, outings. This
trip combines the best of both worlds-canoeing
and restoration! Includes canoe trips into areas
generally closed to the public and planting native species to revitalize critical San Francisco
Bay wetlands.
January 8 Sustainable Land Use Committee
11:45am, La Boulanger, 2226 Broadway, Redwood City, lunch and discussion of proposed
Stanford Redwood City Satellite Campus.
Contact Bonnie McClure (650) 591-5057 or
[email protected]
January 24 and January 31-February
1 Snow Camping Seminar and field trip.
$40. Contact Chris MacIntosh at 650/3257841, [email protected], or Steve Sergeant
at 408/937-8116, steve.sergeant@lomaprieta.
sierraclub.org . ✜
January 13 Chapter Executive Committee
(ExCom) meeting: 6:30pm Peninsula Conservation Center. Agenda available on our website
the week before the meeting.
January 26 Chapter Conservation Committee (ConsCom) meeting: 7:00pm Peninsula Conservation Center. For information:
[email protected]
January 15 Guadalupe Regional Group General Meeting 7:30pm Saratoga Library Program: Klamath Mountain Adventure with Bob
Groff. For information, contact David Dalton
408.257.6712, [email protected]
February 3 Chapter Executive Committee
(ExCom) meeting: 6:30pm Peninsula Conservation Center. Agenda available on our website the week before the meeting.
January 20 Third Tuesday Member Social.
For more information, see lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/wilderness_first_aid_Feb2009.asp ✜
February 12 Sustainable Land Use Committee 11:45am La Boulanger, 2226 Broadway,
Redwood City, lunch and discussion of possible project endorsements. Contact Bonnie
McClure (650) 591-5057 or bonniemcclure@
comcast.net
February 17 Third Tuesday Member Social
Program: The Polar Bears of Churchill, Manitoba 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Historic Adobe Building,
157 Moffett Blvd, Mountain View. ✜
February 23 Chapter Conservation Committee (ConsCom) meeting: 7:00pm Peninsula Conservation Center. For information:
[email protected]
February 26 Guadalupe Regional Group
General Meeting 7:30pm Saratoga Library.
Monumental: A documentary film about
David Brower and early years of the Sierra
Club. For information, contact David Dalton
408.257.6712 [email protected]
April 4-5 Lightweight Backpacking. Intensive
weekend class in advanced skills and gear for
low-impact, long-distance wilderness travel.
For details and registration, contact Steve Sergeant, [email protected].
org. See ad on page 11 for details.
April 22 Earth Day
May 1-4 Explore the wild, windswept islands
of Channel Island National Park. Cruise from
Santa Barbara; naturalist led hikes and programs. Fundraising for Sierra Club California
Political programs. July, August and September
cruises also. For information Joan Jones Holtz,
626-443-0706; [email protected].
May 1-16 Adventure Travel: Chapter (cosponsored with Angeles Chapter) trip to Tibet
and Southern China. For information, email
[email protected] with subject line of “Tibet
09.” For complete trip details and applications
www.lomaprieta.sierraclub.org ✜
May 23-30 Adventure Travel: Chapter Alaska
inside passage cruise, www.montrosetravel.
com/sierraclub-alaska-loma-prieta ✜
May 30 - June 7 Adventure Travel: Chapter
scenic rail adventure to Talkeetna, Denali Park,
and Fairbanks, Alaska. More information in
future Loma Prietans. ✜
February 7-8 16 hour Wilderness First Aid
Class taught by Bobbie Foster of Foster Calm.
See Alaska Cruise May 23 - 30, 2009,
Denali and more May 30 - June 7, 2009
Wetlands Subcommittee 2009 Kickoff
See Tibet and Southern China May 1-16, 2009
In collaboration with the Angeles Chapter we are offering the only Sierra Club trip to see Tibet and
Southern China. We will see Potola Palace, a massive, awe-inspiring structure, once the center of Tibetan government and the winter home of the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s holiest shrines, Jokhang Temple,
Barkhor, Tibetan Plateau, the “Roof of the World”, home to some of the tallest mountain ranges in the
world. For more information see page 3 of this issue of the LP or visit www.lomaprieta.sierraclub.
org/China_Tibet_tour_2009.asp Send questions to [email protected].
Get out of the house this winter and join the Wetlands Subcommittee for fun, education and environmental activism.
Our 2009 planning includes continued protection of the
Cargill Saltmarsh, speakers on wetland ecology, helping at
the Redwood Shores Library Wetland Interpretive Center,
participating in the General Plan process in Redwood City
and outings to places of interest like the tidepools.
We meet the second week of the month. Please call
Cynthia Denny at 650-520-7954 or email cynthia.denny@
People: Annette Giron,
lomaprieta.sierraclub.org for meeting dates and location.
Vidyut Lingamneni, Cynthia Denny,
Pat Walker and Ramona Ambrozic
Basic Wilderness First Aid Classes
Saturday & Sunday, February 7-8, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm both days
Peninsula Conservation Center in Palo Alto
The Sierra Club requires that outing leaders be trained in first aid. For simple
outings, 6-8 hours of training every three years is considered sufficient. For more
challenging outings, a 16 hour Wilderness First Aid class or 80 hour Wilderness First
Responder class is either recommended or required. Our Chapter is offering a 16 hour WFA class
taught by Bobbie Foster. For more information, see lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/wilderness_first_
aid_Feb2009.asp
Saturday, March 7, 2009, 8:30 AM to 5 PM
Peninsula Conservation Center in Palo Alto
This class meets first aid requirements for most outings leaders. (This class is not sufficient for
leaders who are required to have 16-hour Wilderness First Aid.) Packed full of interactive handson skills and scenario practice, it is designed to prepare leaders to recognize and avoid wilderness
hazards and do first aid outdoors with whatever equipment is available or can be improvised. For
further information, or to register, send a $52 check payable to Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra
Club, along with your telephone number and email address, to Bruce Rienzo, 10225 Danube Dr.,
Cupertino, CA 95014. Space is limited and registration should be completed before February 27.
Camping? In the Snow? Yes!
Jim Liskovec
Snow camping allows you to backpack in all seasons. By
snowshoeing or skiing far into the wilderness, you can visit
the Sierras with its thick layer of snow and enjoy the scenery
far from the crowds; no competition for the “best” campsites!
The skills obtained from the Loma Prieta’s Snow Camping
Seminar prepare you for camping in the snow, and give tips
for day skiers or snowshoers caught out overnight. Participants must be experienced summer backpackers.
One full day on Saturday, January 24, 2009, in the Palo Alto
area and one weekend field trip on Jan 31-Feb 1, 2009. Limited to 40 participants for the classroom
session, and 25 participants on the outing.
To sign up, send $40 check, payable to BSCS, to P.O. Box 802, Menlo Park, CA 94026. Include name of
each person, phone #, email, postal address, Sierra Club member number (if oversubscribed, preference will be given to members). Upon receipt, we will acknowledge and send info and directions.
Questions? Contact Chris MacIntosh at 650/325-7841, [email protected], or Steve Sergeant at
408/937-8116, [email protected]
Photo by Rick Raybin.
Photo courtesy Gary Bailey
Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club will be sailing the
Alaska Inside Passage on the beautiful Diamond Princess.
See immense glaciers, wildlife, and spectacular scenery.
There will be adventures ashore in picturesque Ketchikan,
fascinating Juneau, and gold rush Skagway. And check out
the optional special 8 day/7 night post cruise excursion to
Talkeetna, Denali National Park, and Fairbanks. See www.
montrosetravel.com/sierraclub-alaska-loma-prieta, Send
questions to [email protected].
Chapter news
Page 6
There’s More than One
Way to Kill a Termite
Election Scorecard: Green Winners
by Diane Allen
by Ruth Troetschler
Have you been thinking about termites lately?
Perhaps you noticed a flight of subterranean
termites on the first sunny day after the October soaking rain, or heard the persistent radio
ads pushing Orange Oil as the new safe way to
eliminate termites, and wondered if that claim
could be true.
I frequently get calls from people looking for
the “best way to eliminate termites.” Most callers want to avoid tenting and fumigation with
Vikane. Fortunately we can avoid that unfavorite method, but termite control is never easy.
Whole-House Techniques
According to the California Department of
Consumer Affairs only two methods are effective for whole-house termite eradication:
fumigation and heat. Heat can kill termites.
The ThermaPureHeat® process (http://tinyurl.
com/Therma) uses big heaters to heat the wood
to lethal temperatures. (This method also controls mold, bedbugs, and fungal rot.) I checked
http://www.thermapure.com/ and located a
Santa Clara company, Alliance Environmental
Group (www.alliance-enviro.com) offering this
service.
Spot Treatment Methods
Spot treatment methods affect termites that
are accessible and localized. Infested wood
can be replaced. Orange oil (with low-toxic
active ingredient d-limonene) is injected into
termite galleries to kill only in targeted areas.
Injection of B.I.O. BLAST 650 (Bioblast)
into the galleries, will allow Verticillium lecanii
fungus to penetrate and eventually eradicate
the colony. The electro-gun® requires drilling
to reach termite galleries and kill via electric
current. The microwave method kills termites
in the walls using microwaves. According
to an excellent article by Karen Lindell in
the Los Angeles Times (http://tinyurl.com/
treat-termites), this method is best used for
small spot treatments.
Subterranean termites can be controlled in
six or more weeks by baits available to pest
ter to join the fight even though California is
not a battleground state. Others did, too. The
Chapter hired me to organize the campaign.
We all have erroneous ideas about who we
are and what we can do. The Kerry campaign
pushed me past my personal limitations. I
spoke in front of 200 members at the campaign
launch rally. After my talk, folks signed up to
call and write Sierra Club members in battleground states. Volunteers on phones filled every room in the chapter office and the lunch
room downstairs. Others wrote postcards in
a large conference room while listening to
Mozart. Members hosted house parties where
people phoned or wrote postcards.
In all, 300 chapter volunteers — with help from
the San Francisco Bay Chapter — made 30,000
phone calls and wrote 8,000 post cards. We lost
the race, but I leaned something: in the Beat
Bush campaign I found out I was an organizer.
Working with the Chapter has been extremely
powerful for me. It’s engaged who I am more
than anything I’ve done in my life. It’s used
right brain and left brain. It’s been for something I care about. I’ve learned a great deal
about environmental issues, state laws, and
processes that effect change. I learned we can
inspire legislation and make 30,000 phone
calls. Taking concrete actions that garnered results has been immensely satisfying.
Winged subterranean termite reproductives
emerging from the soil.
control operators, and the process is environmentally safer than other methods. One toxicant is hydramethylnon a moderately toxic
slow-acting pesticide. Other baits containing
the fungal disease, V. lecanii, are used in a bait
station containing Bioblast. Soil pesticide barriers are designed to prevent subterranean termite access to the structure, but they do allow
movement of toxics into the water supply and
household air.
Termite Prevention
The following tips will help prevent termites
and expensive repairs or fumigation.
• Paint exposed wood, especially the ends of
rafters, porches, and decks;
• Keep soil away from the foundation;
• Remove scrap-wood from under the house;
• Ensure that sprinklers do not splash the siding; and
• Remove limbs which overhang the roof so
dead branches containing dry-wood cannot
reach the roof will prevent termites from
flourishing.
If you maintain wood-free dry soil beneath
your house, keep garden soil at least six inches
away from wood siding, and check the foundation annually to detect and destroy transport
tubes, most subterranean termites will be unable to colonize your home.
If you have a problem with a pest control
company, visit http://www.pestboard.ca.gov/
Ruth Troetschler chairs the
Chapter’s Pesticide Committee.
Be sure to share
your Loma Prietan
—Reuse then Recycle
Most important, I met people who care deeply
about nature and our world and work hard to
protect them. Working so closely with other
Club activists helped me survive the discouraging Bush years.
Big Strides Forward
Some might think that, in light of the recent
election, we can relax now, but this is a most
important time to stay engaged. Now is the
time to collect the rewards of the work we have
been doing for the last eight years. In hindsight, I know I should have been active a long
time ago; I shouldn’t have waited for the Bush
administration to cause a crisis.
The new president-elect and many national
legislators are more than ready to lead. They
will need us to counterbalance the inevitable
efforts to slow and derail our country’s progress. At state and local levels, our help is still
needed to push governments to act.
I invite you to join us. You can join one of our
Chapter’s many environmental campaigns. You
can start something new. We also have work for
those who want to help by building community, fundraising, or improving our communications. Or you can support Chapter work
through donations. The Chapter is a great
place to stretch your wings. I promise it will be
a great and fulfilling adventure.
After four years as Chapter chair, Karen Maki is
stepping down. She continues on the Forest Protection Committee and is a member of the Sierra
Club California Executive Committee.
Thirty-two Chapter-endorsed, local green candidates won in November. Additionally, the
Sierra Club’s positions on several state ballot
propositions were supported by the voters.
Over 30 chapter volunteers, coordinated by Political Committee Tri-Chair Rob Rennie, interviewed candidates and evaluated their answers
to questions about their environmental experience and goals. The endorsement process also
serves as a dialog between our chapter and these
local candidates: they understand our priorities
and expect to hear from us on a regular basis.
Diane Allen serves on the editorial board
Congressional Districts
District 11 Jerry McNerney
District 12 Jackie Speier
District 14 Anna Eshoo
District 15 Mike Honda
District 16 Zoe Lofgren
District 17 Sam Farr
State Senate
District 11 Joe Simitian
State Assembly
District 19 Jerry Hill
District 21 Ira Ruskin
District 22 Paul Fong
District 23 Joe Coto
District 24 Jim Beall, Jr.
Santa Clara County
Campbell City Council Michael F. Kotowski,
Jason Baker
Los Altos Hills Town Council Rich Larsen, Jean
H. “John” Mordo, Ginger Summit
Los Gatos Town Council Barbara Spector
Milpitas Mayor Bob Livengood
Morgan Hill City Council Larry Carr
Mountain View City Council
Mike Kasperzak, John Inks
San Jose City Council District 2 Ash Kalra
San Jose City Council District 8 Rose Herrera
Santa Clara City Council Seat 6
Jamie L. Matthews
Santa Clara City Council Seat 7 Jamie McLeod
Open Space Authority Directors District 1:
Alex Kennett, District 7 Kalvin Gill
San Mateo County
Menlo Park City Council
Kelly Fergusson, Andy Cohen
Pacifica City Council Mary Ann Nihart, Pete
DeJarnatt
State Propositions
Proposition 1A High Speed Rail: passed
Proposition 2 Prevention of Farm Animal
Cruelty: passed
Proposition 4 Parental Notification of Abortion:
failed
Propositions 7 and 10, Alternative Energy Plans:
failed
Make a Difference
The Political Committee needs volunteers to attend city council, planning commission, and county board
meetings as well as volunteers to
meet with state representatives
and senators. Political Committee
meetings are held monthly at the
Peninsula Conservation Center in
Palo Alto. For information contact:
John Cordes, Political@lomaprieta.
sierraclub.org; Ann Schneider,
[email protected]; or Rob
Rennie, [email protected]
SB 375
Continued from Page 1
(ARB). ARB is also the agency charged under
AB 32 with reducing greenhouse gas emissions
to 1990 levels by 2020. SB 375 represents the
first time a regional transportation plan in the
US has been subjected to such standards, which
explains why the bill has received national attention.
SB 375 aims to accomplish reductions through
high-density upgrades in already urbanized areas and through future planning that discourages sprawling, auto-dependent development.
Communities that favor sprawl over denser
growth along transit corridors and near commercial services will risk the loss of transportation infrastructure funding, so regional transportation agencies will need to work with city
leaders and planning boards to develop smart
growth policies.
The Chapter’s Sustainable Land Use Committee is hopeful that SB 375 can accomplish its
goals. If it does, expect to see fewer projects like
the sprawling, 6,800-unit San Benito development and more like the compact 280-unit San
Carlos transit-oriented village (both projects
were discussed in the Nov/Dec Loma Prietan).
Still, it will take many infill developments to
replace the massive greenfield projects historically seen in California. As recently editorialized in the San Francisco Chronicle, “[SB 375]
may take years to show its effects. As new
homes and apartments go up, there could be a
break from California-style sprawl as construction fills in city lots.”
Irvin Dawid is a member of the Chapter’s Sustainable Land Use committee and Co-chair of
the Bay Area Transportation Committee.
To Learn More
Combined editorial positions of The New
York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and
Sacramento Bee: “Three Perspectives on CA’s
‘Smart Growth’ Bill,” http://planetizen.com/
node/35474
Governor Schwarzenegger’s press release:
http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/10697
Sierra Club’s “Stop Sprawl” information site:
www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/overview/
State of California
Making an Activist
Continued from Page 1
Ruth Troetschler
Most of us shudder when we discover that our
home is termite infested. We may even have
visions of the building collapsing! And no
wonder. Termites and their protozoa allies are
major recyclers of dead wood. Obviously since
we use wood to build our houses, termites are
a threat. Do not panic, however. It takes many
years for termites to threaten a structure.
Our choices about land use affect many of the
slices of this pie.
A Landmark Law,
but not without Compromise
While there are truly landmark aspects of SB
375, the final version contains a number of
compromises that were necessary to gain support from affordable housing advocates, the
building industry, and local governments.
These compromises exempted certain residential and mixed use development projects
from the environmental review process. The
final bill also changed state housing law in
ways that could require local governments to
zone more open land for development.
After extensive review of these amendments
and weighing the impacts on existing environmental law, the Sierra Club’s California
Legislative Committee concluded that Sierra
Club California could not support the final
version of the bill. The Committee intends
to continue working with legislative leaders to
tighten the compromise language in upcoming sessions.
Sponsors of the bill are the California League
of Conservation Voters and Natural Resources Defense Council.
Page 7
Land use
Closing in on Open Space
by Cynthia Denny
The Loma Prietan Wetlands Subcommittee
— Marsha Cohen, Cynthia Denny, Gita Dev,
Marianna Raymond, and Pat Walker — worked
diligently, campaigning to raise money and inform the public. Literature drops at thousands
of doors, endless meetings, eternal emails, constant phone calls to Redwood City residents,
reams of research and billions of blogs were
just a part of the everyday life of these stead-
Scientists say we must establish 100,000 acres
of healthy wetlands around the Bay to protect
water quality, combat global warming, prevent
floods, and provide natural habitat for Bay
wildlife. Measure W’s results don’t mean Redwood City residents support Cargill’s massive
development scheme. Even many opponents of
the measure publicly stated they are opposed to
development on these salt ponds. They know
a healthy Bay is essential to our quality of life
and economy, and they want to see it protected
and restored.
Save The Bay, Sierra Club, Friends of Redwood
City, and thousands of supporters continue
John Gibson
The results of Redwood City’s open space vote
registered “Dismal” at the polls. Measure W
— the Charter Amendment that would have
guaranteed Redwood City voters the final say
on development of Cargill’s 1,433 acres of retired salt ponds and other open space — didn’t
pass in the November election. Because Cargill’s DMB Associates, an Arizona-based resort
and housing developer, spent nearly $2 million
to mislead and scare Redwood City voters,
Measure W’s failure is disappointing but not
surprising.
fast activists, as well as other members of the
Open Space Vote Coalition. Unfortunately,
Redwood City Mayor Roseanne Foust and the
City Council joined the corporate powers-thatbe to squash the measure. Even Chapter Director Melissa Hippard’s pressure on the mayor
didn’t turn the tide.
The fate of 1433 acres of salt ponds is still in the balance.
to fight against any development on Cargill’s
salt ponds along Redwood City’s shores. These
ponds were once thriving wetlands, and they
can — and should — be again.
If you’re excited about supporting the preserva-
tion of 1400 acres of Bay wetlands, jump in
and contribute your time and energy. Contact
Cynthia Denny, [email protected]
Cynthia Denny is Chair of the
Chapter Wetlands Committee.
Will Stanford Be an Icon for Sustainability in Redwood City?
by Gita Dev
Stanford’s prospective campus in Redwood
City presents a unique opportunity for the
University to demonstrate intensified land use
with a more sustainable footprint.
Stanford University has purchased 35 acres
of existing office park, and Stanford Hospital
purchased the 11-acre Excite@Home building
along Interstate 101 near Woodside Road. The
office park is slated for phased demolition as
Stanford builds 1.5 million square feet over the
next decade using several multi-storied buildings. Stanford Hospital is remodeling the
Excite buildings into outpatient clinics. The
goal is to keep all student functions at the main
Stanford campus by moving some administrative, lab and medical offices off-site.
Stanford could accommodate more than 5,000
university employees at full build-out over the
next decade.
It seems counterintuitive that such a major
development could be made a model of sustainable land use, but several key features could
make this achievable:
• Intensified land use within existing urban
area: Targeting an underutilized site for redevelopment
• Economic sustainability: Increase in employees can bring additional business to downtown
establishments, particularly those within walking, biking or shuttle bus range.
• Improved water quality: Using parking structures rather than lots will remove acres of pavement and allow natural site drainage.
• Air quality and open space: Enhancing the
site with trees and native plants will improve
air quality, reduce the heat island effect and increase urban green space.
• Sustainable expansion: A satellite campus on
an infill site will allow Stanford to grow without encroaching on open spaces adjacent to the
main campus.
• Sustainable identity: Given the location’s high
freeway visibility, Stanford can create an iconic
and educational image for passersby. One potential idea could be a display of working solar
or wind collectors, with an electronic graphic
demonstrating harvesting of clean energy.
However, there are serious challenges that need
to be addressed. These include:
Social concerns: The development borders on
a lower-income residential neighborhood. In
order to create a positive relationship with the
community and become an asset to the neighborhood, Stanford might consider:
• Funding and sharing such amenities as open
space, recreational facilities, and daycare.
• Buffering the campus from the residences,
possibly by widening Spinas Park, which lies
between the two.
• Providing new, affordable housing on the
campus site.
Traffic: Woodside Road exits and the
Dumbarton Bridge access road are both congested and will require modifications to expand capacity, but the neighborhood needs
protection from increased traffic flows. Stanford’s Traffic Demand Management program
will need to be intensified to reduce singleoccupant auto commutes through parking
fees, transit passes, shuttles, bike and pedestrian conveniences, local housing incentives and other creative approaches. Reducing traffic will also help reduce the air and
groundwater pollution associated with auto
commutes.
Make a Difference
If you are interested in encouraging smart growth on the Peninsula,
contact the Sustainable Land Use
Committee Chair, Bonnie McClure:
[email protected] or
attend the next monthly meeting
January 8, 11:45 am-1:15 pm at Le
Boulanger, 2226 Broadway,
Redwood City (one block from
the train station).
ance, so Stanford should consider promoting
or financing affordable housing, either on the
campus or in downtown.
City Water Shortage: Stanford is considering
the use of City-recycled wastewater for landscaping and flushing.
Parking: Multi-storied parking structures are
planned to accommodate increased commuter
traffic. These should be surrounded by other
structures, preferably with affordable housing.
Height: The 75-foot height limit allows for
five-story buildings. These will be more appropriate closer to the freeway than where it
merges with single-story buildings on adjacent
properties.
Job-Housing Imbalance: The development
exacerbates Redwood City’s existing imbal-
Gita Dev is an architect and a member of the
Chapter Sustainable Land Use Committee.
Workshop Focuses on Land Use to Cool the Planet
by Coryne Tasca
Land use issues were front and center at
“Building Climate-Friendly Communities,”
a public workshop hosted by the Chapter’s
Cool Cities Campaign in conjunction with the
Greenbelt Alliance and the Planning and Conservation League. The workshop was designed
to provide residents with tools to fight global
warming in local communities, particularly by
working with officials on land use and planning decisions.
The “built environment” has significant effect
on GHG emissions. A city’s design affects the
number of miles residents commute and the
energy use of buildings; factors that, together,
comprise at least 70% of GHG emissions in
California. Without abundant, affordable housing and well-designed urban centers, residents
travel greater distances for jobs and services.
Smart Urban Design is a Priority
Stephanie Reyes, Senior Policy Advocate with
Greenbelt Alliance, pointed out that although
people often think of technology, such as hy-
• Support smart development. By allowing well-designed plans to move forward, the
community will encourage similar, emissionsfocused projects.
Coryne Tasca
Julio Magalhaes, Chapter Global Warming Program Coordinator, opened with an overview of
Cool Cities, a national Sierra Club campaign
to address climate change through local action.
Cool Cities Teams identify goals for reducing
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions locally and
work with officials to meet those goals. The
Chapter has 19 Cool Cities teams.
brid
vehicles,
first, smart urban
design is as important, since living closer to one’s
work
reduces
emissions more
than does driving
a fuel efficient vehicle. Walkable
neighborhoods
reduce driving by
30%, and public
transit use increases tenfold
when transit is
located near jobs Julio Magalhaes tells
attendees that how and
and homes.
where we build is as important as what we drive.
Reyes identified
several ways planning can reduce emissions:
• Encourage density in the right places
• Encourage mixed-use development. Reyes
stressed that this doesn’t mean skyscrapers;
clusters of three- and four-story “downtown”
style buildings can accomplish the objectives
without “over-urbanizing” a city.
• Require less land for parking
• Offer easy access to green space, which reduces the need for private, resource-intensive
yards and provides recreation options residents
can access without traveling
• Ensure affordable housing near urban centers
Matt Vander Sluis, Global Warming Program
Manager of the Planning and Conservation
League, stressed that tools are available for
conservation in planning, but they rely on civic
engagement to be successful. He noted that
denser development not only reduces GHG
emissions, it can also benefit the economy by
creating green jobs and by reducing costs associated with sprawl-supportive infrastructure.
Residents can work with officials to promote
smarter community growth through environmental review processes, such as the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the
California Coastal Act, and through mandatory building standards.
an overview of the 2009 goals of the Chapter’s
Cool Cities Team. These goals include green
building initiatives for new and existing structures, adding climate metrics to General Plan
updates, encouraging cities to revise CEQA
guidelines to include GHG impacts in new
development, and continuing to build Climate
Action Plans throughout the region. Suozzo is
co-chair of the Chapter Cool Cities Core Team.
The program ended with a breakout exercise,
during which residents from each city teamed
up to identify an immediate, specific action
they could take to encourage smart growth in
their communities. Most identified General
Plans as the area in which they hoped to have
the most impact.
Coryne Tasca is a Chapter member, Cool Cities
San Jose Team Member, and serves on the editorial board of the Loma Prietan newsletter.
SB 375 will have an Effect
To Learn More
Residents can also influence General Plans,
Regional Transportation Plans (RTPs) and
Regional Blueprints. General Plans and RTPs
that focus on well-designed urban centers can
help reduce emissions. SB 375 (see article on
page 1) is expected to motivate the inclusion of
emissions-minded RTPs in General Plans. Regional Blueprints are not legally binding, but
they are another tool for merging emissions
reductions into planning.
To get more information about the Chapter’s
Cool Cities campaign and find a team in your
city, visit: http://lomaprietaglobalwarming.
sierraclub.org/coolcities.php or contact Margaret Suozzo, Loma Prieta Cool Cities co-chair, at
650-815-5479 or [email protected]
For information about Greenbelt Alliance and
a copy of the Smart Growth Scorecard, visit:
www.greenbelt.org
For information about the Planning and Conservation League and its work on environmental legislation in California, visit: www.pcl.org
Margaret Suozzo capped the presentations with
Green living
Page 8
Cooking Green
story and photo by Kay Bushnell
Macaroni and “Cheese”
Is That a Rainforest
in Your Cookie?
Most of us are consumers of palm oil. In China
and India it is used as a cooking oil. In Europe
and the US it is found in cookies, crackers,
spreads, pie crusts, energy bars, candies, trail
mix, margarine, cosmetics, and biofuels.
In 2006 the US government required food labels to list transfat, typically found in partially
hydrogenated vegetable oil and a causative factor in heart disease. The law spurred many food
manufacturers to use palm oil instead of hydrogenated oils in processed food. Palm oil is a
dubious improvement because it still promotes
heart disease to a greater extent than olive, soy,
and canola oils.
We should be even more concerned about the
way palm oil is produced in Malaysia and Indonesia. The areas covered with native lowland
forests in Malaysia and Indonesia provide perfect growing conditions for oil palms. In these
forests a tragedy has been unfolding for the last
30 years.
Rainforests Logged
One third of Borneo’s lush forests that were
standing in 1985 were cut down by 2005. Malaysia and Indonesia now produce 86% of the
world’s supply of palm oil. As demand for palm
oil soars, lowland forest is fast being replaced
with oil palm monoculture. Global production
of palm oil is expected to climb to 89.1 billion
pounds by 2020, up almost 100% since 2001,
according to Oil World, a trade publication.
Typically, rainforest rather than disused agricultural land is selected for new palm oil plantations. Once the forest is logged, oil palms
move in because “...agricultural crops [such as
oil palm] are short-term investments that increase cash flow quickly,” say Ellie Brown and
Michael Jacobson of the Center for Science in
the Public Interest in their report, Cruel Oil
(cspinet.org/palm).
Palm oil production in Malaysia and Indonesia
and the logging and fires that usually precede
it cause release of carbon into the atmosphere,
destruction of wildlife and wildlife habitat, and
pollution of soil, air, and water. A peat swamp
forest with up to 60 feet of peat below it covers 11% of Borneo and stores vast amounts of
carbon. When its forest covering is removed
the peat decays and releases carbon. Peat also
becomes highly susceptible to burning that releases even more carbon.
The Orangutan Connection
Numerous wild species that inhabit the fastdwindling lowland rainforests of Malaysia and
Indonesia are at risk of extinction. Brown and
Jacobson mention the Sumatran tiger (only 250
left), orangutans of Sumatra and Borneo (nearing extinction in the wild), Asian elephant and
Sumatran rhinoceros as examples of the “devastation to come.”
Orangutans are locked in a desperate struggle
to survive. They face death and extinction not
only from illegal poaching and hunting but also
from loss of food-bearing trees. Now viewed as
agricultural pests, many are killed by oil palm
plantation workers when they attempt to eat
oil palm fruit and when they flee forest fires. In
1997 alone, almost 8,000 orangutans perished
due to devastating fires.
Factors in the palm oil drama appear to be
similar to those found in other developing nations that have highly marketable natural resources: lack of environmental safeguards, embedded corruption and bribery, opportunistic
foreign investors and financial institutions, and
displaced indigenous peoples. An excellent article, “Borneo’s Moment of Truth,” in National
Geographic (November 2008) emphasizes that
You’ll enjoy familiar texture and comforting flavor
with this plant-based mac and “cheese.” The nuts
enrich flavor and nutrient content. For a special
treat sprinkle some chopped Tofurky Sweet Italian
Sausage over each serving. Serves 10.
3c. elbow macaroni
Lightly oil a
3-quart round
or oval ovenproof casserole
dish. Prepare
the
topping
and set aside.
Topping: In a blender chop bread, 1 slice at a
time, and empty crumbs into a mixing bowl; stir
in the olive oil and set aside.
3 slices whole-grain bread
3T. olive oil
Fill a large cooking pot 3/4 full of water and bring to a boil. Add
macaroni and lower heat. Simmer for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Rinse with
cold water, drain, and return to pot. Stir in 2 t. olive
oil to prevent sticking.
Vegetables for “Cheese” Sauce:
1 large carrot, grated
1 large Russet potato, peeled
and cut into 1” chunks
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 medium onion, chopped
In a medium sauce pan place carrot, potato, garlic,
and onion in about 3” of water. Cover, bring to a boil,
and simmer until vegetables are very tender, about
15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
“Cheese” Sauce:
3c. rice milk, soy milk, OR Eden soy/rice blend
1/3c. raw cashew nuts
4T. rolled oats
2T.EACH tahini and almond butter
OR 4 T. tahini (sesame seed butter)
2t. soy sauce
1-1/2t. Dijon mustard
1t. garlic powder
1-1/2t. lemon juice
1/8t.
1/8t.
4t.
black pepper
cayenne pepper
salt, or to taste
Preheat oven to 375°. While macaroni and vegetables are cooking, place “cheese” sauce ingredients
in a blender; blend until smooth. Add cooked vegetables and blend again until very smooth.
Pour “cheese” sauce over cooked macaroni, blend
well, and transfer to the prepared casserole dish.
Sprinkle with the topping. Bake at 375° for 3040 minutes or until bubbly and the crumbs have
browned.
Copyright Kay Bushnell
Recipes that have appeared in the Loma Prietan are
now available at http://lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/
newsletter_collections.asp
plans for saving Borneo’s diversity must include ways for residents to improve their lives.
An Indonesian official comments, “It is hard
for hungry people to appreciate nature.”
To Learn More
As unwitting participants in deciding the future of the Malaysian and Indonesian lowland
forest, we should be aware of the story behind
the words “palm oil,” “palmitate,” and “palmitic acid” on ingredient labels. Palm oil-free alternatives are almost always available.
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, www.
rspo.org (An association created by players in
the palm oil supply chain to promote sustainable palm oil production.)
Loma Prieta Chapter member Kay Bushnell
has taught plant-based cooking and appeared
as The Garden Gourmet in a community-access
television cooking series.
The Orangutan Conservancy,
www.orangutan.net
http://naturealert.blogspot.com (Startling images, reasons why there is currently no guaranteed “orangutan-friendly” palm oil)
Gardening Green
Books on Native Plant Gardening:
story and photo by Arvind Kumar
“Bulk Up” Your Garden this Winter
If you have lived in California for any length of time, you know
how different it is from the East Coast or Midwest or northern
Europe. California is warm and dry for the better part of the
year, with not a drop of rain for eight months. All our water
comes from the sky during the four short months of winter.
Our environment is rooted in this winter-wet, summer-dry
cycle. For our plants, winter is the time for rapid growth and
regeneration; summer is the time for dormancy.
Those who ignore this fundamental reality do so at great cost to
themselves and the environment. Those who recognize this reality and turn it to their advantage eventually succeed and thrive.
Successful California gardens are designed to absorb the winter
moisture, “bulking up” naturally and organically in order to
survive the dry season ahead.
Compost: Spread compost to add organic matter and nutrition
to the soil and to improve its capacity to absorb and hold moisture. Start a compost pile, if you don’t have one.
Reduce run-off: Build a bioswale, a shallow, level depression
in which rainwater can collect and slowly percolate through
the soil to recharge aquifers. Plant it with water-tolerant plants
such as rushes and sedges. In hardscape, use permeable materials
such as decomposed granite and porous tiles, so water can seep
through instead of running off.
Control pests: During winter, snails and slugs emerge from hibernation and devour tender seedlings at a mind-boggling rate.
Control the pests by hand picking at night or early in the morning; persistent picking is extremely effective. Use copper tape
barriers, or a nontoxic bait such as Sluggo or beer.
What can you do to help the garden bulk up this winter so it
will be more vibrant and resilient the rest of the year? Here are
some tips.
Plant natives: Native plants are naturally adapted to our climate and soils, have unmatched habitat value, and are beautiful in their own right. This is the best time of year to plant
them. Want ideas? Visit your local library or bookstore and get
a copy of California Plants for the Garden, by Bornstein, Fross,
and O’Brien.
Mulch: Any organic matter spread over the ground helps control weeds, retain moisture, and enrich the soil over time. Instead of using toxic herbicides, incorporate a two- to four-inch
layer of wood chips in plant beds. Ask for free chips from your
local tree service company.
Leave the litter: Allow leaf litter to decompose in place, an easy
way to return nutrients to the soil and help rebuild top soil that
was lost to bulldozing and grading.
• California Native Plants for the Garden, Bornstein,
Fross, O’Brien
• Designing California Native Gardens: The Plant
Community Approach to Artful, Ecological Gardens,
Keator & Middlebrook
• Gardener’s Guide to California Native Plants, Native
Revival Nursery, Aptos
• Native Treasures, M. Nevin Smith
• Growing California Native Plants, Marjorie Schmidt
• Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates of
the San Francisco Bay Region, East Bay Municipal
Utility District
Weed: Pull water-gulping weeds before they go to seed. Pay attention to the shape of leaves and flowers; with time you will be
able to tell weed seedlings apart from the garden plants. With
mulching and regular weeding, you can reduce the weed population in your garden.
This bioswale, planted with native sedges and rushes, collects
water during rainstorms and filters out pollutants.
Plant wildflowers: Start wildflower patches in your garden for
seasonal color and year-round habitat. Keep the patches small
and clear of mulch; hand weed as necessary. Clarkias, poppies,
and gilias will germinate and fill these spaces with color in
spring. Birds will feast on the seeds all year long. Once established, a patch will regenerate on its own year after year.
Dig up invasives: Plants like pampas grass and ivy have outlived their welcome in California. Winter is a good time to dig
these invasives up and dispose of them. They have done tremendous damage by invading California’s wildlands; do your part to
control them and educate your neighbors.
As you take these steps, one by one, your garden will become
more resilient and sustainable, thriving during California winters and better able to survive the long summers.
Sierra Club life member and California Native Plant Society
director Arvind Kumar grows native plants in his Evergreen
garden. He can be reached at [email protected].
Page 9
outings and activities
Meandering
by John Maybury
Obamanos!
We join the rest of the world in congratulating
Barack Obama on his historic election victory.
President-Elect Obama already has acquitted
himself well in making smart cabinet appointments and proposing important environmental and economic reforms. On the environmental front, Obama will have allies such as
Congressman Henry Waxman, the new chair
of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Meanwhile, the Washington Post and
other major newspapers report that the Bush
administration is trying to weaken as many environmental and consumer protections as possible before Obama takes over. This shameless
gutting of federal programs that exist to help
endangered species (including humans) will be
the final legacy of these crooks and liars who
have ruled us for the past eight years. Good riddance to them.
Tuolumne Rescue
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has approved a $4.4 billion upgrade of
the Hetch Hetchy Water System to enable it to
withstand a major earthquake. SFPUC also will
cap water sales at current levels until at least 2018.
This is a major victory for the wild and scenic
Tuolumne River, says Peter Drekmeier, Bay Area
Program Director for the Tuolumne River Trust.
A year ago we faced a proposal to divert an additional 25 million gallons of water per day from
the Tuolumne--enough to fill 1,000 swimming
pools. We’ve come a long way. We’re pleased to
see the SFPUC taking its role as a steward of the
Tuolumne River seriously. (See the Brief Update
on p. 2; also Tuolumne.org/bayarea)
fee waste and vegetable oil, and are packaged in
recycled materials (about $26 for six logs); and
Duraflame petroleum-free logs burn for three
hours and use 80% fewer resources than regular firewood (about $23 for six logs). The US
Department of Energy has online tips (energy.
gov) for getting the most out of your fireplace.
Avoid burning particle-board or treated wood,
which release toxic chemicals. (IdealBite.com)
Protect Pets
Future Green
Veterinarians warn that cocoa bean mulch and
avocadoes, both commonly found in homes
and gardens, are dangerous for animals to eat.
Visit the Animal Poison Control Center at
aspca.org for info on protecting your pets from
toxic substances found in everyday products.
Green Heat
Conventional fire logs contain petroleum byproducts, and store-bought firewood may
not come from sustainably managed forests.
Environmentally friendly logs and fireplaces
keep you warm using sustainable materials. EcoGreen and EcoSmart Fire Logs are easy-to-setup fireplaces that use clean-burning ethanol, no
chimney required ($500); Java-Log Fireplace
Logs burn for three hours, are made from cof-
Environmental Futures: A Contest for Public
Schools will hold a pilot contest for San Francisco public schools in 2009 to encourage and
reward teachers and students who devise inclass environmental lessons and projects based
on existing lesson plans and subject matter.
Prizes up to $5,000 for a winning class, plus
gifts, are offered. The contest will be judged
by leading environmental educators. Info: Jim
LeCuyer, [email protected].
Bees-Ness
Honeybees are in widespread decline due to
colony collapse disorder (CCD), although organically farmed honeybees apparently are not
affected. Other pollinators--including wasps,
flies, beetles, birds, and bats--also have decreas-
ing populations. Honeybees are essential for
more than 90 fruit and vegetable crops worldwide, and their economic worth is valued at
more than $14.6 billion in the U.S. Cherries,
blueberries, almonds, asparagus, macadamia
nuts, and honey, and royal jelly all rely on pollination. Native pollinators depend on healthy
native plant habitats, so if you don’t have a
garden, you can grow native plants in pots on
your balcony or porch. (Sources: Xerces.com,
LasPilitas.com, but not the Sacramento Bee!)
Educators Needed
Save The Bay’s Watershed Education Program
seeks energetic part-time field educators to lead
on-the-water Canoes In Sloughs and Discover
The Bay programs for middle school and high
school students, community and corporate
groups, and other Bay Area residents. Field educators co-lead educational programming on
wetlands, watersheds, and San Francisco Bay
while maintaining a fun and safe environment
for groups in canoes. (savesfbay.org)
Email: [email protected]
Surf: PacificaRiptide.com
Outings & Activities
All participants on Sierra Club outings are required to
sign a standard liability waiver. If you would like to read
the Liability Waiver before you choose to participate on
an outing, please go to: http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/, or contact the Outings Department
at (415) 977-5528 for a printed version. CST number
applied for #2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel
does not constitute approval by the State of California.
California has established a Travel Consumer Restitution
Fund (TCRF) under the California Seller of Travel Act.
The TCRF is not applicable to these Outings. The law
requires us to advise you that you would not be eligible
to make any claim from the TCRF in the unlikely event
of default by the Sierra Club. California law also requires
certain sellers of travel to have a trust account or bond.
The Sierra Club has such a trust account.
Backpacking
Explore the California/Nevada wilderness! Members
and nonmembers are invited to attend Section meetings. Meetings are held on the second Monday of
each month except July and August. Our default location, unless posted otherwise in our newsletter or on
our Web pages, is: Acterra Bldg, Peregrine Rm., 3921
E Bayshore Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303. A short review
of trip reports and trip announcements is followed by
a refreshment break, then a featured program, Section
business, and conservation issues. Steve Sergeant, Chair,
(408) 937-8116, mail to: Steve.Sergeant@lomaprieta.
sierraclub.org. Trip details are available at http://
lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/bps/ and in our monthly newsletter, Living It Up! To subscribe, send a $12 check payable to Backpack Section, c/o Katherine Greene, P.O.
Box 390578, Mountain View, CA 94039. Indicate your
preference for a print or e-mail copy.
Black Mountain
Group Hikes
The Black Mountain Group of the Sierra Club Loma
Prieta Chapter invites you to hike with us. Our activity
schedule is sustained by volunteer leaders. If you want to
lead a hike or other activity please contact our activities
coordinator, Paul Worden, 650-857- 1623, pworden1@
sonic.net for information. To subscribe to our mail-list
send a request to [email protected] with the
message INFO LOMAP-BMG-NEWS and instructions
will be sent to you. We prefer moderate hikes combining good exercise with good companions, appreciation
of nature, and plenty of variety. If you are unsure about
times, meeting places, or requirements for a hike, please
check with the leader for details. Always bring plenty of
water and lunch, unless indicated otherwise. Dress for
the weather and be prepared for changes. We recommend
boots for general hiking.
Jan 3 Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve Saturday, 3C (11+
miles, 2600+ feet). Join us as we explore the steep, rugged terrain of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District’s largest, wildest preserve (located near Hwy. 17,
south of Los Gatos). This is a strenuous loop hike in the
Kennedy-Limekiln area, with expansive views of coastal
mountains and the south bay. Carpool 8:30 AM at the
Los Gatos Municipal Northside Parking Lot, located on
Hwy. 9 (Los Gatos-Saratoga Road), between North Santa
Cruz Ave. and University Ave. Parking is quite limited
at the trailhead, so carpooling is necessary. Boots recommended. Bring lunch, snacks and 2 liters of water. There
is no water on the trail. Heavy rain cancels. For more
information about the preserve, visit: www.openspace.
org/preserves/pr_sierra_azul.asp Leaders: Bill Young and
Jenny Maida-Young 408-353-9488.
Jan 11 El Sereno Open Space Preserve Sun 2B (~9.5
miles, 1900 ft) Moderately paced out-and-back hike in
this secluded South Bay preserve. It offers panoramic
views of South Bay and Lexington Reservoir. On clear
days, you can see San Francisco to Monterey peninsula.
This fire road trail is mostly exposed but shaded in the
beginning at the lower elevation. There is no map, no
water, no facility in this preserve. Bring water, lunch,
hiking boots, sun protection and rain gear, if in forecast.
Meet at 9:15 AM at the Los Gatos Municipal Northside
Parking Lot, located on Hwy. 9 (Los Gatos-Saratoga
Road), between North Santa Cruz Ave. and University
Ave. Take Highway 17 south toward Los Gatos. Exit at
Hwy. 9-Los Gatos/Saratoga and continue west on Hwy.
9 (approx. 1/3-mile) to the parking lot, located on your
right just before Santa Cruz Ave. No host carpool. 9 AM
at Page Mill Road/280 Park& Ride. Heavy rain cancels.
For information visit www.openspace.org/preserves/pr_
el_sereno.asp, www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/elsereno.
html. Leader: Sharon Chuang 408-396-5484
Jan 17 Monument and Allison Peaks Sat 3C 12 miles,
2500 feet. Starting from Ed Levin County Park, we’ll follow the steep trail up Calera creek to Monument Peak
at 2594, then drop down to a saddle and up to Allison
Peak at 2658. Meet at Page Mill and 280 Park-and-Ride
at 9:00, no-host car pool at the corner of 1st and Hedding in San Jose at 9:30, or in the parking of the Sandy
Wool Lake area of Ed Levin County Park at 10:00. Bring
lunch, liquids, and clothes for wind and weather. Trails
may be muddy depending on recent weather. Heavy rain
cancels. Leader: Carol Drummond 650-814-2211 or
[email protected]
Jan 24 Natural Bridge State Park to Wilder Ranch State
Park Sat 3B (11mi, 1000) We will state from Natural Bridge State Park to look at Natural Bridge and the
Monarch Butterfly and we will walk along the coast to
Wilder Ranch State Park. Carpool at Page Mill and I-280
at 9AM or meet at Natural Bridge State Park Parking
at 10AM. Bring lunch, hat, at least 2 liter of water, and
jacket (weather can be unpredictable). Heavy rain cancels. Leader: Robbie Chung 650-281-4803
Feb 1 Almaden Quicksilver Sun 2A (6.5mi 600 ft) This is
a historic hike through an old mercury & cinnabar mine
in South San Jose. We will hike at a moderately fast pace
since there are not a lot of super steep hills. The hike route
goes through the cemetery, Powder House, the Mill, Spanish Town and English Town. Bring your camera because
there are sweeping views of San Jose and the surrounding
mountains. Also, pack water, a snack, and wear sun protection. Bathrooms are located across the street from the
Hicks Parking lot at the Sierra Azul parking lot. Meet at
the trailhead in the Hicks/Wood Road Parking lot at 9:30
AM. Parking is free. Email me if you want to carpool from
Campbell. Canceled if it is raining. Leader: Leila Dibble
(408) 583-7861 email: [email protected]
Feb 8 Foothill Dirca Sun 2B, 6 miles, 1300 feet. We’ll
walk the familiar route from Arastradero to Foothill Park,
then explore a piece of the Los Trancos trail in search of
Western Leatherwood (Dirca occidentalis). Meet at Page
Mill and 280 Park-and-Ride at 12:30 or no-host car pool
at the corner of 1st and Hedding in San Jose at 12:00.
Plan on a few minutes after the hike for a weather appropriate beverage; feel free to bring goodies to share. Rain
does not cancel (ok, heavy rain cancels!). Leader: Carol
Drummond 650-814-2211 or [email protected]
Feb.14 Montebello Ridge/Los Trancos New Member hike Sat, 2B (7 mi 1000 ft) Come find out what
it’s all about! Regular members, come welcome
our new members! Scenic figure eight through two
local parks in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District. Carpool at 10:00 am at Page Mill and I-280
park-n-ride. Bring lunch and liquids; boots recommended; rain cancels. Leader: Paul Worden 650/857-1623
[email protected]
Feb 28 Skyline Ridge/Russian Ridge Hike. Sat 3B
(11-miles, 1500 ft.) This hike will follow the Bay Area
Ridge Trail through the two preserves and then return on
a different trail. Featured highlights include two ponds,
spectacular vistas and the highest point in San Mateo
County. No host carpool 9:45 am at Page Mill/280 P&R
or meet at 10:15 am at the Skyline Ridge parking lot on
Skyline Blvd. (approx. 1-mile south of Alpine Rd.). Bring
layered-clothing and a hat, lunch, liquids and boots.
Leader: Jerry Peters (650)947-9494.
Mar 7 Point Reyes: Bear Valley to Mt. Wittenberg Sat 3B
(14 miles, 2000 ft.). We’ll start at the Bear Valley Visitors Center and hike up the steep trail to the top of Mt.
Wittenberg through forest. We will then descend to the
Coastal Trail across meadows and wooded sections and
hike along the ocean. Return will be by way of the rolling and shaded Bear Valley Trail. Dress in layers, weather
may be foggy and cool or sunny and warm. Bring ample
water and lunch. Meet for carpool at Edgewood/280
P&R at 8:00AM or at Bear Valley Visitors Center near
main Bear Valley trailhead at 9:30 AM. Optional dinner. Note: this is a strenuous hike. Heavy rain cancels.
Leader: Cynthia Bollinger, 650-226-3958.
Day Hiking
All hikes by the Day Hiking Section are open to the general public and Sierra Club membership is not required.
DHS activities begin and end at the trailhead. All participants on Sierra Club Outings are required to sign a
standard liability waiver. If you would like to read the
liability waiver before participating on an outing, you can
find a copy of it at www.sierraclub.org/outings/national/participantforms/liabilit.pdf or call the outings
department at (415) 977-5630 for a printed version. The
hike schedule is available on the DHS web page at www.
sierraclub.org/chapters/lomaprieta/dayhiking/. Hikers new to the group are required to call the hike leader in
advance. The hike rating system is as follows:
Distance
2 = 5 to 10 miles
3 = 10 to 15 miles
4 = 15 to 20 miles
5 = 20 to 25 miles
Elevation
B = 1,000 to 2,000 feet
C = 2,000 to 3,000
D = 3,000 to 4,000
E = 4,000 to 5,000
sion exits). OR, meet at Mitchell Canyon Trailhead, north
side of Mt Diablo, 9:00AM. Leaders: Landa Robillard and
Kelly Maas, 408/378-5311, [email protected]
Jan 17 Rose Peak, Sunol Park, Sat, 4D. Follow the famous Brogan Route for a complete loop to Rose Peak.
Rain cancels; bring wind protection just in case. Carpool:
7:30AM, Mission Blvd and Hwy 680 Park & Ride, across
from McDonalds; OR 8:00AM at far parking lot, Sunol
Park. Leader: Charles Rankin, W: 650/691-1142, H:
650/368-1530; [email protected]
Jan 24 Pacheco State Park, Sat, 3C. This park is on Hwy
152 at Dinosaur Point between Gilroy and Los Banos.
No drinking water at the park; must bring your own.
Heavy rain cancels. Carpool: No-Host 7:00AM, Cubberley Auditorium (Middlefield and Montrose), Palo
Alto; OR, 7:30AM, Hwy 85 and Cottle Rd Park & Ride,
San Jose. Leader: Ted Raczek, 408/532-7732; Co-Leader:
Aki Niimura, [email protected].
Jan 31 Almaden Quicksilver Park, Sat, 3/4C. A leisurely
hike through Quicksiler Park allowing time to see remnants of the mining days. Meet at the Mockingbird entrance to the park at 8:30AM. No-Host carpool at Page
Mill and Hwy 280 Park & Ride, 8:00AM. Leader: Bonnie Ruesch, 408/391-8323, [email protected]
Feb 7 Windy Hill and Skyline Area, Sat, 4C. We will start
at the Windy Hill parking lot on Portola Rd and hike up
to Skyline. We’ll do a loop before returning. Meeting
time at Windy Hill: 8:30AM. If it rains, the hike will be
shortened. Leader: Maia Pindar, H: 650/367-1256; W:
650/812-4019.
Feb 14 Mt Tamalpais Odyssey, Sat, 4D. We’ll visit the
three peaks of Mt Tam, drop off West Peak and hike out
toward Bon Tempe Lake. Heavy rain cancels. Please
contact the leader if you have not hiked with the DHS.
Carpool: 7:30AM, Edgewood Rd and Hwy 280 Park &
Ride OR meet at Mountain Home, 8:45AM. Leader:
Dot Reilly, 415/585-1380.
Feb 21 Arastradero to Black Mountain, Sat, 4D. Meet
at the Arastradero parking lot, 8:00AM. We will hike in
four parks: Arastradero, Foothills, Los Trancos and Montebello. Heavy rain cancels. Leader: Francoise Mertz,
650/494-8578.
Feb 28, Grant Ranch County Park, Sat, 4C. Enjoy earlyseason wildflowers during this hike through the grassy
hills near Mt Hamilton. No-Host Carpool: 7:20AM at
Cubberley Auditorium (Middlefield & Montrose), Palo
Alto; OR, meet 8:00AM, Grant Ranch County Park,
parking area near the visitor center ($6 parking fee).
Heavy rain cancels. Leader: Joerg Lohse, 408/542-1406,
joergDHS AT gmail.com; CoLeader: Chris Prendergast,
408/926-8067, [email protected].
Jan 3 Junipero Serra Peak, Sat, 3D. This is the 2nd highest peak in the Santa Lucia Range. On top, we’ll find exotic ponderosa pine, white fir, and other plants normally
associated with the Sierra. Nine miles round trip, 3750’
gain. Carpool: In Gilroy, off Dunne Ave exit at Carl’s Jr,
7AM; 150 mi drive to the trailhead. Rain cancels. [Traditional Peak Climbing Section daytrip] Leader: Lisa Barboza, [email protected]
Family Outings
Jan 10 Mt Diablo, Sat, 4D. From Mitchell Canyon, hike
up the north side of Diablo to the two main summits.
Heavy rain cancels. Carpool: 8 AM, Park & Ride at Hwy
680 and Mission Blvd in Fremont, across from McDonald’s
(NOTE: this is the NORTHERN of the two 680/Mis-
Family Hikes with or without Children - 3 mile hikes
within 1/2 hour drive of Palo Alto. For info, contact
Family Outings sponsors some weekend activities that are
not listed in this section. If you are interested in adding your e-mail address to a distribution list to receive
messages regarding late-breaking weekend outings, please
send your e-mail address to Jo Ann Cobb at [email protected] or call at (650) 631-9303.
Continued on next page
leader Sonya Bradski, (650) 856-9366, sonyangary@
yahoo.com
Gay, Lesbian Sierrans
We have a large variety of outings, day hikes and camping trips. Please visit our website for up to date listing of
hikes and outings at www.lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/gls/
calendar.html.
Jan 1, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. MISSION PEAK NEW
YEARS DAY HIKE. Rating: 2C2, Start the New Year off
with a GLS tradition, Mission Peak on New Year’s Day.
Mission Peak overlooks Fremont and the South Bay with
great views on a clear day including Mount Hamilton to the
south, the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west, Mt. Tamalpais
to the north, and Mt. Diablo and the Sierra Nevada to the
northeast. Wildlife includes Turkey Vultures, Hawks, wild
turkeys, deer and cows. It’s about 2.8 miles of mostly steep
up. The peak is at 2517ft. Since we’re not starting at sea level,
we’ll be hiking up a total of 2100 feet to get to the top. While
hiking up, you’ll generate plenty of heat, so dress in layers.
The top is almost always windy and cold, no matter how
nice it is at the base. Bring layers to keep warm, especially a
wind layer for the summit, a warm hat, plenty of water, sunscreen, sturdy boots, snacks and a lunch. Carpool: Tamien
Park and Ride, San Jose at 9:45 a.m. It is well serviced by
Light Rail, CalTrain and Santa Clara County bus connections. To get there by car, take Highway 87 going South, get
off at the Alma exit. Turn left after you exit and the Parkand-Ride will be on your immediate left. Or meet at the
Stanford Ave trailhead off of Mission Blvd. Carpooling is
encouraged. LEADERS: Cathy Roberts, cdrdash@yahoo.
com, Dave Ellison [email protected], Lynne Formigli,
[email protected], Ron Levesque, ronlevesqu@aol.
com
Guadalupe Regional
Group
Guadalupe Regional Group includes mid- and south Santa
Clara County and all of San Benito County, but any Sierra Club members and visitors are welcome. For a free
copy of our monthly newsletter, The Guadalupan ($6 per
year subscription), or info, call Chapter office, (650) 3908411 and leave your name and address; or write to Sierra
Club/Guadalupe Group, P.O. Box 541, Santa Clara, CA
95052-0541. Group meets monthly, usually 3rd Thursday,
7:30 p.m., in the Community Room of Saratoga Library,
Saratoga Ave. at Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, for slide program,
chit-chat; members and public are welcome at any meeting
or hike. Refreshments served; bring your own cup. Meeting and trip schedule below. For added trips, see The Guadalupan, published 1st week each month; or call editor,
Marj Ottenberg, (408) 867-4576.
Jan 15 Thursday 7:30pm. GRG General Meeting at
Saratoga Library. Program: Klamath Mountain Adventure w/Bob Groff
Feb 26 Thursday 7:30pm. GRG General Meeting at
Saratoga Library Program: MONUMENTAL A documentary film about David Brower and early years of the
Sierra Club
Jan 24 Saturday Almaden/Quicksilver Hike 2B 6 miles,
1000 ft elev gain. New Member Hike at Almaden Quicksilver County Park. See historic buildings, old mines and
rolling hills. Moderate hike at an easy pace. Bring lunch,
water, and hiking boots. Meet 10:30 AM at the park trailhead (call for location). Two car pool locations: 10 AM
at Los Gatos Municipal Parking Lot (Highway 9 between
University Ave & Santa Cruz Ave, behind Washington
Mutual bank). For south county car pool call Linda Barbosa at 408-778-7122. Hike leaders: Linda Barbosa and
Shawn Britton 408-551-0722.
Inner City Outings
Inner City Outings is a community outreach program
that provides opportunities for urban youth and young
adults to explore, enjoy and protect the natural world.
For more information or to join us on a trip, see http://
ico.sierraclub.org/sanjose/ or contact us at sanjose_ico@
yahoo.com
Jan 6 Monthly Meeting: Peninsula Conservation Center, 7:30. All are welcome.
Jan 10 Sequoia High School: It’s Elephant Seal season at
Año Nuevo again. We will join a docent guided tour and
witness this nature cinema take place right in front of us.
We have a possibility of watching males duel out for the
right to a female, couples procreate, pups being born. It
will be a drama.
Jan 24-25 Star House: It’s the snow season, time to start
praying for the fluffy white powdery dusting of snow
on the high sierra. We will spend a weekend up in cozy
Hutchinson Lodge enjoying nothing but snow fun. For
many of the youth, this will be the first time they see
snow. Come teach them the art of making snow balls,
snow forts, snow men or women, snow angels. With a
bit of engineering skills, we can make a sleigh run too.
Explore the trails around the cabin on cross country skis.
Jan 30-Feb 1 7-Trees Elementary: Snow trip, description as above.
Feb 3 Volunteer Orientation: Bill Wilson Center.
7:00pm. Come find out the rewarding work of a volunteer. Share, learn, and hone your outdoor skills.
Feb 3 Monthly Meeting: Bill Wilson Center, 8:00. All
are welcome.
Feb 21-22 Outing Leadership Training: Learn what it
takes to create, plan and lead a group of youth on an outing. It is a great way to inspire and influence a young generation of eager learners if given the chance. It is a great
Page 10
way to share and instill passion for the environment.
Mar 13-15 Cesar Chavez Academy: Snow trip, description as January 24-25.
mained, like what often happens to weary travelers of the
Taklamakan, a mirage in his altitude addled brain. Come
and find out for yourself if all this is really true or a yarn
worthy of Omar Khayyam, the Tentmaker! Please check
the Peak Climbing website, www.peakclimbing.org/, for
details on location.
Peak Climbing
Rock Climbing
Mar 3 Monthly Meeting: Peninsula Conservation Center, 7:30. All are welcome.
The Peak Climbing Section (PCS) is a group of mountain climbers who rally around the shared enjoyment
of being in the mountains and the thrill of climbing.
Climbs are usually in the Sierra and don’t require technical rock climbing. The PCS meets on the second
Tuesday of each month. We have a newsletter, Scree,
which contains reports of past trips, announcements of
future trips, and articles of interest. Current and past
Scree newsletters, meeting plans, trip plans, and other
useful information about the PCS can be found on the
web at lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/pcs. Notification of the
posting of the current Scree on the website, the program for the upcoming meeting, as well as last-minute
trip additions and changes may be obtained by subscribing to the Sierra Club listserve at http://lists.sierraclub.org/SCRIPTS/WA.EXE?SUBED1=lomap-pcsannounce&A=1. More PCS trips can be found listed on
our website: lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/pcs.
Jan 3 Junipero Serra Peak. (Southern Coast Range). This
is an annual January Loma Prieta Peak Climbing Section
tradition. It’s a 12-mile round trip to the summit of the
peak. We’ll be carpooling from San Jose for this trip as it
is a 150-mile drive to the trailhead. This peak is the 2nd
highest in the Santa Lucia range. On the summit, we’ll
find exotic ponderosa pine, white fir, and other plants
normally associated with the Sierra. We’ll start at the
trailhead at 10 AM, summit by 2 PM and be back at
the cars by 4 PM. This is a class 1 day-hike open to all.
Leader: Lisa Barboza, [email protected]
Jan 10 Mt. Diablo, 15 miles, 4000 ft. Too much food
and too little exercise recently? The holidays are over, so
now it’s time to get back into shape. From Mitchell Canyon we’ll hike up the north side of Diablo to at least the
two main summits. Heavy rain cancels. For carpooling,
meet at 8:00 AM at the Park & Ride at 680 and Mission
Blvd in Fremont, across from McDonald’s -- note, this is
the NORTHERN of the two 680/Mission intersections.
Or, meet at the Mitchell Canyon Trailhead on the north
side of Mt. Diablo at 9:00 AM. Leader: Kelly Maas, [email protected] (408) 378-5311.
Jan 13 at 7:30 pm. Peak Climbing Section monthly
meetings. “A Tale of Two Trips”. Emilie Cortes will
compare and contrast two climbing expeditions to the
high volcanoes of Ecuador. The first expedition in 2006
was guided by Alpine Ascents and the objectives were
Cayambe (18.3k ft), Cotopaxi (19.3k ft), and Chimborazo (20.5k ft). After unsuccessful attempts on all three,
Emilie returned in November 2008 with two friends to
test a new acclimatization schedule and continue to explore Ecuador. Emilie will share spectacular photography
of Ecuador’s highest mountains and countryside as well
as her lessons learned. Check the Peak Climbing website,
http://www.peakclimbing.org/, for details on location.
Jan 24 and Jan 31-Feb 1 Snow Camping Training
Course. The skills obtained from the Loma Prieta Snow
Camping Seminar prepare you for camping happily in
the snow. Participants must be experienced summer
backpackers as this course will give you winter information and tips but doesn’t teach basic backpacking. One
full day on Saturday, January 24, 2009, in the Palo Alto
area and one weekend field trip on Jan 31-Feb 1, 2009.
Limited to 40 participants for the classroom session, and
25 participants on the outing. $40 cost includes books,
instruction, and some common equipment used on field
trip. To sign up, send $40 check, payable to BSCS, to
P.O. Box 802, Menlo Park, CA 94026. Include name of
each person, phone #, email, postal address, Sierra Club
member number (if oversubscribed, preference will be
given to members). Questions? Contact Chris MacIntosh at 650/325-7841, [email protected], or Steve
Sergeant at 408/937-8116, steve.sergeant@lomaprieta.
sierraclub.org
Jan 31 – Feb 1 Backcountry Skiing near Ostrander Lake.
This will be an easy winter over-night - a good beginner
trip. Sat. we will meet at Badger Pass ski area at 8:30 on
Sat. morning. We will head out toward Ostrander Lake
and go about five mile before setting camp. After setting
up camp we will explore the area and look for good views.
Sunday morning we will make an early start which in
winter probably won’t be that early and go to Ostrander
Lake, climb to a high point and return to camp and cars
before 4:00. This trip can be done on snowshoes or skis.
To our camping site will be easy skiing and after that intermediate but without a heavy pack. Leader: George Van
Gorden [email protected]
Feb 10 at 7:30 pm An attempt on Mustagh Ata (7546m
/ 24751 ft) in the Chinese Pamirs. Translating to ‘father
of the ice mountains’ in the Uighur language, the native tongue of the original inhabitants of the Xingjiang,
Mustagh Ata is an enormous peak, 43rd in the world,
that sits in the geological knot formed by the mountain
ranges of the Pamir, the Tien-shan, the Kun Lun and the
Krakoram-HinduKush-Himalaya groups. It is in an extremely romantic region of the world, steeped in history,
conflict and intrigue, lying as it does just off the Karakoram Highway and near the junctions of China with Tajikistan, Kyrgyztan and Kazakhstan and is also very close
to the Silk Road city of Kashgar where the Russians and
the British played the ‘Great Game’. PCS member, Arun
Mahajan, lured by the wiles of the hourie wandered into
this region. He never really summitted but thinks that
he came away with a great story. However, the hourie re-
Due to insurance changes, the RCS no longer has Sierra
Club trips. Private trips are listed quarterly (or thereabouts) via e-mail. To get on the distribution list, please
contact the current chair Hal Tompkins at (650) 3648603 or e-mail [email protected].
San Mateo Hiking
Section
New Hikers Welcome! The San Mateo Hiking Section
offers moderate hikes two (always) and three (occasionally) times a week. Hikes start at 10:00 AM, unless otherwise specified. Bring water and lunch. Starred (**) hikes
are over eight miles and/or strenuous. Write for our sixmonth, Wednesday/Thursday/sometimes Saturday hike
schedule (schedule ends in June). Send a self -addressed/
stamped envelope and a $4.50 check, payable to San
Mateo Hiking Section, Sierra Club, to HIKES, P.O. Box
651, San Carlos, CA 94070. For specific hikes, call hike
leader at phone number given; for general information,
call either Sandra Cooperman 650-369-2004 or Margaret
Marshall 650-368-7385 Hike Co-Coordinators. Please
call the hike leader in advance for any Saturday hikes
Jan 1 Same hike as above. Restaurant lunch option.
Leader: Julie Barney 650-494-2020
Jan 7 SAWYER CAMP TRAIL –Crystal Springs Reservoir. Meet: South end of trail at Crystal Springs Rd. and
Skyline Blvd. Carpool: Edgewood Rd. 9:20 AM. Leader:
Doris McGuire 650-341-5275
Jan 8 Same hike as above. Leader: Margaret Marshall
650-368-7385
Jan 10 Same hike as above. Call for reservation. Leader:
Julia Bott 650-520-5673
Jan 14 ** FOOTHILL PARK –Palo Alto--Leader’s
choice. MUST CALL leader before 8 PM the day prior
to hike for reservation and carpool into park. Leader: Leif
Schaumann 650-856-6130
Jan 15 Similar to hike above but not starred. Leader:
Karen Sundback 650-494-0356
Jan 17 Similar to hike above but not starred. Call for
reservation. Leader: Pat Saffer 650-326-2429
Jan 21 ALMADEN QUICKSILVER CO. PARK. Meet:
Hicks/Wood Rd. entrance (Hwy. 85 south, exit Camden
Ave. south 1¾ mi. to Hicks Rd. on right for 6 mi. to
Wood Rd. Turn right on Wood Rd. to parking lot on
right). Carpool: Page Mill Rd. 9:00 AM. Leader: Sue
Swackhamer 408-227-5887
Jan 22 Same hike as above. Leader: Barry Swackhamer
408-227-5887
Jan 28 ** A. SAN FRANCISCO TELEGRAPH HILL-Leader’s choice. Meet: Fort Mason parking lot. Carpool:
Edgewood Rd. 9:00 AM. Restaurant lunch option. Leader: Charles Ammann 650-322-9832
Jan 29 B. PACIFICA PIER TO STATE BEACH AT
LINDA MAR. Meet: Pacifica Pier parking lot at 2212
Beach Blvd. Carpool: Edgewood Rd. 9:15 AM. Leader:
Alex Dezfouli 650-355-0648
Feb 4 **ARASTRADERO PRESERVE--Leader’s choice.
Meet: Preserve parking lot on Arastradero Rd. Carpool:
Page Mill Rd. 9:45 AM. Leader: Leif Schaumann 650856-6130
650/366-4511 for more information. For a one year subscription send $12, and proof of membership in Sierra
Club (label or copy of membership card) to the above
address. Make checks payable to Sierra Singleaires.
Jan 4 Sunol Regional Wilderness 12 Noon 1A- Join
a friendly group on a leisurely 3.5 mile walk near the
Alameda Creek to “Little Yosemite” on a service road.
Bring lunch. Heavy rain cancels. Leader: Lizette Kelleher 510/303-6880.
Jan 4 Wunderlich County Park 10 AM 2B+ Come on a
strenuous 10.5 mile hike with gradual 1900 foot elevation
gain through mostly wooded areas. We will maintain a
fairly brisk pace with short rest stops and lunch at the top.
Wear layered clothing and boots. Bring lunch and plenty
of water. Leader: Joe Dise 510/585-6289.
Jan 11 Butano State Park 11:00 AM 1A Smell clean
ocean air in the redwoods. See the sun beams exploding
colors hard to imagine while climbing up and down along
the beautiful Butano Creek. Sturdy footwear, parking
fee, lunch at the campground, and water. Leader: Bob
Segalla 650/962-1316.
Jan 11 Lower Fall Creek Park 10:30 AM 2B The trails
are forested with second-growth redwood, bay, and fir
trees. Hike for approx. 5.5 miles on the Fall Creek Trail
and visit the Lime Kiln area. Bring boots and water.
Leader: Dieter Fellenz 408/379-8764.
Jan 18 Santa Teresa County Park 10:00 AM 1 A+ Hike
7.5 miles over rolling hills with overall elevation gain of
1050 feet. Lunch at Pueblo Picnic Area.. Trail is rocky,
boots necessary, bring lunch and water. Heavy rain cancels. Leader: Merle Learned 408/264-0750.
Jan 18 Teague Hill OSP 10:30 AM 2B This is a 6 mile
hike through shady forest with 1600 feet elevation gain.
Trail is not maintained, is narrow, steep in places, with
brush, and has NO trail signs. You need boots, longsleeved shirts and long pants. Light rain OK. Heavy rain
cancels. Leader: Larry Stafford 650/ 493-7567.
Jan 25 Palo Alto Baylands 2:00 PM (Mini-Hike) Approx. 3-4 miles. An easy, level, leisurely-paced hike thru
the largest tract of undisturbed marshland remaining in
the SF Bay. No shade, but often a cool breeze. Snowy
egrets nest in the bird sanctuary. Rain cancels. Leader: Joy
Warrick 650/969-2816.
Jan 25 Sunol Regional Wilderness 11:00 AM 1 A- We
will hike up to the old Barn, a 600 foot gentle rise.
Heavy rain cancels, muddy trail changes it. Leader: Hedy
Schwarzl 408/263-0642.
Jan 25 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton
10AM 2B Hike approximately 8+ miles with a quick
pace through first growth redwoods and along the 8+ San
Lorenzo River. There is lots of history in this area. Heavy
rain around this event may cancel, check with leaders
the week before the event. Leader: Ed Lange 650/2197381.
Feb 1 Quarry Lakes Regional Park and Niles Garden
Sculptures 10:45 AM 1A 4+miles. Visit the comfortable informal garden of artist, Ed-of-Niles, 4+and meet
his whimsical Garden Saints. Join a level walk around
the lakes. Bring lunch, umbrellas. Leader: Bobbie Burri
510/793-0876.
Feb l Beautiful Pescadero Creek 10 AM 2B or 2A 7-9
miles depending on creek crossing. We’ll go on the Tarwater Loop and other trails west. No restrooms. Leader:
Paula Velsey 408/ 275-0626.
Feb 8 Black Mountain (Monte Bello) 11:00AM 1A+
It’s cool at the top! Find out how Mountain View got
its name, and have lunch at our OSP campsite. This 5
mile hike has a scenic 500 foot climb from the Monte
Bello Preserve parking lot. Leader: Bob Segalla 650/9621316.
Feb 7 Similar to hike above but not starred. Call for reservation. Leader: Nancy Welch 650-233-4348
Feb 8 Alum Rock Park 10:15 AM 2B This will be 7 to
9 miles depending on the weather and our inclinations.
There’s a great view of the Santa Clara Valley from Eagle
Rock. We can follow the old electric railroad bed into the
Park. Leader: Joe Dise, 510/585-6289.
Feb 11 COYOTE HILLS--from SF Bay Nat’l Wildlife Refuge. Meet: SF Bay Nat’l Wildlife Refuge upper
parking lot—south of east end of Dumbarton Bridge off
Thornton Ave. Carpool: Burgess Park, Menlo Park 9:30
AM. Leader: John Hunt 650-589-0435
Feb 15 Pacifica Shoreline 11:30 AM 2 A 6+ miles.
Enjoy the ocean from the fishing pier, hike over Mori and
Rockaway Points to Linda Mar Beach and return. Bring
water and lunch (fast food is available). Leader: Dan
Power: 650/852-9614.
Feb 12 Same hike as above. Leader: Karen Sundback
650-494-0356
Feb 15 Montara Mountain 10:45 AM 2B 6+ miles.
The highest mountain in San Mateo County. Some steep
and rocky sections. We hike up from San Pedro Co. Park.
Bring lunch, boots, and water. Light rain OK. Heavy
rain cancels. Leader: Ed Lange 650/219-7381.
Feb 5 Similar to hike above but not starred. Leader: Bob
Frost 650-493-8272
Feb 14 Same hike as above. Call for reservation. Leader:
Pat Saffer 650-326-2429
Feb 18 GOLDEN GATES HEIGHTS –Stair Hike.
Meet: Martin Luther King Jr. Drive immediately east of
19th Ave. in Golden Gate Park (park on right side across
from restrooms and playground). Carpool: Edgewood
Rd. 9:00 AM. Restaurant lunch option. Leader: Marsha
Oxsen 650-344-5032
Feb 19 Same hike as above. Restaurant lunch option.
Leader: Jan Simpson 650-368-1057
Feb 25 COALMINE RIDGE in Portola Valley--Leader’s
choice. Meet: Parking area on Alpine Rd. at Willowbrook
Dr. Carpool: None. Leader: Beth Beach 650-622-9193
Feb 26 Same hike as above. Leader: Marilyn Walter 650851-8181
Singleaires
Singleaires are friendly, active, single people mostly over
50, who enjoy outdoor activities and conservation. Hikes
are offered each Sunday (1A to 3 C) followed by a potluck.
For a one time free schedule, send SASE, ($.59 stamp)
to Singleaires, 4108 Thain Way, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
See www.sierraclub.org/chapters/lomaprieta/SA or call
Feb 22 Stevens Creek County Park (Tony Look Trail)
(Mini-Hike) 2:00 PM Mostly level, easy leisurely hike.
4 miles. Rain cancels. $5.00 parking fee. (Free with
Senior sticker). Boots advised. Leader: Joy Warrick
650/969-2816.
Feb 22 National Wildlife Refuge to Coyote Hills 1:00
PM 1A From one visitor center to another, and beyond!
We’ll meet at the parking lot of the S.F. National Wildlife
Refuge visitor center-explore- then walk to Coyote Hills
Park for a rest/snack stop. Then loop back to the refuge
center. Leader: Christine Potter 510/651- 8056.
Feb 22 Presidio of San Francisco Historic Trail 10:00
AM 2B This is an 8 mile walk through one of America’s oldest land most beautiful Army Posts (a Registered
National Historic Monument). Leader: Jan Yelland
650/328-1137.
Sierra Singles
With over 800 members, Sierra Singles excels at offering energetic, single adults ( 30s, 40s, and 50s) lots of
hiking, biking, volleyball, backpacking, skiing, danc-
ing, movies, rafting, dining, conversation, etc! We
host numerous events every week, and always welcome
new visitors and quests to try a few events. Membership is free for Sierra Club members, with free e-mail
delivery of our monthly newsletters. Our website is
lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/lpss (Snail mail: 3921 East
Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303).
San Carlos /Belmont
Regional Group
We meet monthly (except July and August) usually on
the 3rd Saturday. We emphasize hikes rated at 1A (less
than 5 miles and less than 1000 feet change in elevation) that are usually on the peninsula. Our evening
programs are usually on subjects relevant to our area.
Our events are open to all. Carpool for hikes: We meet
at the main entrance of the San Carlos Library, at the
corner of Elm and Cherry, San Carlos, unless otherwise stated. You may park in the underground parking
or on Chestnut Street. Bring water, day-hike items,
and gas money for driver. Pot Luck Meetings: Call
the host to make your reservation and for the meeting
location. Please bring your own table service and food
(main dish, salad, or dessert) to serve about six. We
customarily contribute $2 per drink serving at the social time to defray costs. Usually social time starts after
5:30 pm, dinner at 6:00, business meeting and program at 7:00 until 9:00. Visitors are always welcome,
but please call the host. Updates are posted on our web
site: http://sierra.club.home.comcast.net/
Jan 1, New Year’s Day hike Mt. St. Helena, Sonoma/
Napa counties. Please call hike leader Gladwyn d’Sousa
(508-8755) if you plan to do this hike. Carpool from the
Library; we leave promptly at 7:15.
Jan 17 Tour the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve with
Philippe S. Cohen, Ph.D. No host lunch after. Leader:
Eleanor Lewis (594-1615). Carpool from the Library; we
leave promptly at 9:30.
Feb 21 Tour and hike the Alviso salt pond with Jim Metropolis. No host lunch after. Carpool from the Library.
Note: we leave promptly at 9:30.
Ski Touring Section
The Ski Touring Section (STS) offers winter snow outings during a season which typically runs from November
through May. Trips range from skinny ski or snowshoe
tours on gently rolling terrain to fat backcountry ski or
split board adventures on steep mountain slopes. Lodging options include backcountry huts, tents pitched
on snow, private cabins, and commercial lodging. STS
holds monthly meetings, generally on the first Monday
Nov-May at the Peninsula Conservation Center, 3921
East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto. The monthly newsletter
TRACK lists upcoming trips (rated by difficulty), reports
and pictures from past trips, and other news of interest to
members. Our website is http://lomaprieta.sierraclub.
org/sts/
Jan 5 Monthly Meeting 7:30-9:00 PM. See above for
location. All are welcome. Guest Speaker Marcus Libkind. The evening will include two movies and a minislide show. Ski Memories and The Original Mugelhupf
Movie, The Lost People of Mountain Village, A Few New
Places – slideshow. See the STS website (address above)
for more details.
Feb 2 Monthly Meeting 7:30-9:00 PM. See above for
location. All are welcome. Presentation – Backcountry
Huts Throughout California. See the STS website (address above) for more details.
Ski Trips - The following trips are open for sign up.
Jan 31 - Feb 2, 2009 (Sat-Mon) Bradley Hut. Intermediate. Ski 5 miles and climb 1500 ft to Bradley Hut in
upper Pole Creek near Squaw Valley . The 3-day format helps avoid gridlock returning on Hwy 89 and I-80
and allows for a full day of skiing Sunday. $50 covers
hut fee, dinners Sat-Sun, and breakfasts Sun-Mon; you
bring lunches and snacks. For more information and application contact Leader: Dick Simpson. 3326 Kipling
St., Palo Alto , CA 94306. 650-494-9272. rsimpson@
magellan.stanford.edu
Feb 14 - 16 The Blessings of Benson Hut. Advanced
Intermediate. Friday night we will be staying at Clair
Tappaan Lodge; Saturday morning we’ll head to the
hut. The ski in from Donner Pass is about six miles
and includes over 2000 feet of cumulative climbing.
Sunday we’ll do a day tour. We may split up into two
groups that day depending on interests and abilities.
On Monday we’ll do some skiing nearby before returning. Metal-edged skis and climbing skins are required. $106 advance payment includes Friday night
lodging in a group room at Clair Tappaan, Saturday
breakfast and one bag lunch from Clair Tappaan (and
dinner on Friday if you get there early enough), and
Saturday and Sunday dinner and lodging at Benson
Hut. For more information and to check availability,
please call or email: Leader: Roy Lambertson, 408737-7200 extension 116 (day), 650-559-5634 (eve)
[email protected]
Feb 21-22 (Sat-Sun) Peter Grubb Hut. Intermediate. Ski 2 miles and climb 800 ft from I-80 at Donner Summit to Castle Pass , then go another mile and
down into Round Valley and Peter Grubb Hut. The
hut is 60+ years old, but has been equipped with solar
electric lighting. Enjoy good snow on the north side of
Castle Peak or tours to Sand Ridge Lakes. $30 covers
hut fee, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast; you
bring lunches and snacks. Trip leaders are Dave Marancik and Dick Simpson. For more information and
application contact Leader: Dave Marancik, 408-8873326, [email protected]
Page 11
Other Trips. The following trips are still in the planning
stages at the time of the Loma Prietan publishing deadline. Check the STS webpage, subscribe to TRACK, or
contact an STS officer for more information.
Jan 10-11 Bradley Hut - Leader: Steve Sergeant Skill
Level: Intermediate.
Jan 24-25 Clair Tappaan Lodge - Leader: Alan Hobbs
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Feb 21-22 Lassen Lake Helen Snow Camp -Leader: Dave
Erskine, Skill Level: Int.-Advanced
Mar 7-8 Kings Canyon Lodge Trip -Leader: Terri Michel, Skill Level: Intermediate
Mar 14-15 North Lake Tahoe Cabin Trip - Leader: John
Cordes, Skill Level: Intermediate
Mar 21-22 Sentinel Dome Snow Camping- Leader: Steve
Sergeant, Skill Level: Intermediate
Apr 2-5 Hut to Hut 10th Mountain Trail in ColoradoLeader: John Cordes, Skill Level: Advanced
Apr 19-25 Sierra Crest Tour- Leader: Dave Erskine, Skill
Level: Int.-Advanced
Loma Prieta Paddlers
Loma Prieta Paddlers share paddling interests (mostly
whitewater kayaking), trips, practice, conservation.
Meetings at 7:30 p.m. 2nd Wednesday of each month
(except December) at Sports Basement located at 1177
Kern Ave., Sunnyvale. Trip schedule is posted to our
website and listserv. For more information contact Pam
Putman, chairman of LPP, [email protected]
20s - 30s Activities
Interested in hiking, nature, socializing, eating... come
join a group of like minded people between the ages of
20 and 30. Our activities vary from casual city strolls
to 15 mile hikes in the local wilderness to group dining
experiences. For details please join our Yahoo Group at
groups.yahoo.com/group/LPSierraClub20s30s
Be sure to share
your Loma Prietan
features
Page 12
Moncrieff
Book Review
The King of California
by Mark Arax and Rick Wartzman
by John Velcamp
William Faulkner, in his acclaimed trilogy of
the Snopes family, created in Flem Snopes
the archetype for the exploiter of arcadia who
assumes a bourgeois respectability. In their
award-winning best seller, The King of California: JG Boswell and the Making of a Secret
American Empire, Mark Arax and Rick Wartzman recount the story of the Faulkneresque
Boswell clan and how they destroyed the environment of Tulare County.
This Gothic tale focuses on the draining of Tulare Lake, once the largest body of fresh water
west of the Mississippi, in order to plant cotton
on the lake bottom. By means of shrewd land
deals, and by circumventing federal and state
laws, the Boswell Company took control of the
Sierra snowmelt that flowed into the Kings,
Tule, Kaweah and Kern Rivers, over an expanse
of hundreds of miles.
JG Boswell became the world’s largest farmer
and the largest private landowner in California,
with up to 200,000 acres under cultivation.
His multinational company used the hamlet
of Corcoran as its headquarters, boosting the
town’s fortunes with its payroll, supporting
local suppliers, and making some admirable
civic improvements. The Boswell Company’s
self-serving treatment of their workers over
50 years singlehandedly brought forth a caste
Member Close-Up
What is The Power of
One Individual?
story and photo by Cheryl Hylton
Kurt was the Chapter’s Clean Air Committee
founding chair in 1987 and went to work addressing ozone depletion. The committee, together
with other environmental groups, was very influential in eliminating chlorofluorocarbons (CFC),
which damage the earth’s protective ozone layer.
Kurt helped enact CFC recycling regulations for
air conditioners in cars, homes, and commercial
buildings, and helped to pass the U.S Clean Air
Act of 1990 that phased out CFCs.
Warming and Energy Committee and he continues as a key volunteer in its work. The group
has seen significant success in decreasing solar
power installation fees following its 2005-2007
Bay Area solar permit fee study. Seventy-two
newspaper articles were published to report on
the Chapter’s solar permit fee campaign. Currently Kurt is working on removing barriers to
solar power use; for example, standardizing solar permit applications.
A favorite memory for Kurt was a meeting of
the Bureau of Auto Repair in 1989, where a
PhD scientist presenter proclaimed that the
earth heals itself and hence there was no urgent need for CFC regulation. Kurt spoke up
against this assertion during the public comment period. His clear message changed the
spirit and tone of the meeting completely,
demonstrating to Kurt his power as a single,
truth-telling individual.
So how does Kurt summarize in retrospect
and going forward? Focus on areas that have
solutions - like solar power. Stay mainstream
and work cooperatively with folks of all stripes.
Make friends with and use the media wisely.
And what’s his life’s goal? “Be a part of the process to solve global warming once and for all.”
You know, it seems possible when Kurt says it!
Cheryl Hylton is a Sierra Club life
member and a pro bono fundraising
consultant for the Chapter.
Chapter Election Results
Chapter Executive Committee
Deepika Gajaria
Catherine Cox
Michael J. (Mike) Ferreira Ginny Laibl
Megan Fluke
Black Mountain Group
Executive Committee
Mark Quontamatteo
To help you heed Karen Maki’s call to help
the Chapter, here is a list of the committees,
a little about what they’re working on, and
contact information.
Political Committee interviews political candidates and makes endorsements.
Contact Rob Rennie, 408-356-8534,
[email protected]
Conservation Issues
In 2001 Kurt formed the Chapter’s Global
Guadalupe Group Executive Committee
Joe Cernac
Bob Groff
Kerch Holt
David Dalton
San Carlos/Belmont Group
Executive Committee
Eleanor Lewis
Cecily Harris
Gladwyn d’Souza
From a conservation point of view, the Boswell
saga shows how a corporate mega-farm can operate with impunity, curry favor from all levels
of government and avoid making amends for
their massive polluting. Ultimately, they were
using 6,500 pounds of defoliants, insecticides,
herbicides and fertilizers for every square mile
under cultivation. As of 2003, JG Boswell was
planning to build a super dairy with 56,000
cows in the lake bottom, but lost out to environmentalists.
With 89 pages of footnotes and an extensive
bibliography, Arax and Wartzman’s ambitious
work presents enough material for two semesters of California Agrarian History. At times
The King of California may bog down with a
little too much about agronomy and petty local
politics, but overall it’s a lively read and a tremendous reference for understanding agrarian
water demands and the needs of other interests in our farm belt, and especially the restoration of the wildlife and vegetation of Tulare
County.
John Velcamp is a lifetime member
of the Sierra Club and a member
of the Mountain Lion Foundation.
Get Involved
Kurt sports
his favorite
shirt--with
Sierra Club
logo, of
course.
“How successful will I be if I don’t work on
this?” Pondering this question, a suggestion
from a respected friend, has spurred Kurt Newick on in good and challenging times during his two decades of volunteer effort in our
Chapter. Kurt wisely realized that what matters
is how he would feel remaining on the sidelines
in a world that so needs our stewardship. He
couldn’t abide that powerless feeling and his
achievements as a result of revisiting this question regularly are remarkable.
system within California rural society and promulgated what became the standard operating
procedures for Big Agriculture in the state.
Cool Cities Teams encourage cities to
adopt green building standards. Contact Julio Magalhaes, 650-390-8441,
[email protected]
Transportation promotes transportation
solutions that are cost-effective, equitable,
and aimed at reducing pollution and sprawl.
Contact Gladwyn D’Souza 650/508-8755
[email protected]
Water promotes water conservation,
stream and river restoration, and protection
of our water supply. Contact Mondy Lariz,
[email protected]
Wilderness promotes responsible management of designated wilderness areas and
public wild lands. Contact John Wilkinson
408/947-0858, [email protected]
Climate Action Teams engage members
and organizations they deal with regularly
to reduce their green house gas emissions.
Contact Julio as above.
Building Community
and Strengthening
our Chapter
Solar Energy Committee removes barriers to the proliferation of solar energy.
Contact Julio as above.
Membership Committee hosts Third
Tuesday talk/receptions, parties, and new
member events. Contact Ajay Kachwaha,
415-948-4197, [email protected]
Sustainable Land Use works to create
more livable communities near transit and
public services. Contact Bonnie McClure,
Zero Waste advocates for policies to
minimize waste that is not safely recycled.
Contact Ann Schneider 650-697-6249,
[email protected]
Forest Protection educates the public
about clear-cutting in the Sierra Nevada.
Contact Karen Maki, 650-366-0577,
[email protected]
Wetlands protects wetlands on the midpeninsula. Contact Cynthia Denny,
650-520-7954, cynthia.denny@lomaprieta.
sierraclub.org
Fundraising Committee raises funds
through fundraising trips, major donor, grants, and other creative means.
Contact Darren Ponce, 650-390-8494,
[email protected]
Loma Prietan (newsletter) Committee designs, edits, publishes the Chapter’s newsletter. Contact David Simon,
650-941-5672,
newsletter@lomaprieta.
sierraclub.org
Donations
Send a check to the Loma Prieta Chapter,
3921 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA
94303.
Coastal Issues protects the San Mateo
County coast. Contact Merrill Bobele,
Pesticide educates the public about least
toxic methods of pest control and laws
regulating pesticide use. Contact Ruth
Troetschler, 650/948-4142, rebugging@
batnet.com
Be sure to share
your Loma Prietan

pdf of entire issue - Loma Prieta Chapter Archives

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