Learn more about, contact, and join BPFP and its partner groups
Live Oak Park Community Center.
AGENDA:
0. Mailing party (all)
1. Treasurer’s report (John C.)
2. Donation acknowledgements: status (John S., John C.)
3. Update on current status of Website (Lisa? Lee?)
4. Status of proclamation for Steve & Zaza Swanson (Mark?)
5. Plan for Holiday Party, Mon. Dec.12 at home of John S. (all)
6. Report/discussion by UC Landscape Arch class on their open-space surveys
7. ANY OTHER ITEM YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD HERE???
The striking transformation of the southwest corner of Virginia and Curtis has been made possible by a coordinated effort between the staff of the Berkeley Unified School District and 150 neighbors of the Adult School who have given time and/or money to Schoolhouse Creek Commons. The late Karl Linn also provided his wisdom and guidance in the initial design and development of the Commons. The School District provided the funding to tear out the old asphalt and playground equipment, contour the land, create the entrance and pathways, and plant the grass area in the center of the Commons. The neighbors have been creating the Commons by fundraising, bringing in soil, mulch and compost, placing rocks and planting trees and plants (most native Californian) throughout the Commons. For more information on how you can get involved, call Brad Smith at 524-1938 or e-mail at brad_smith AT earthlink.net.
The United Pool Council (UPC) was formed with the help of BPFP to support Berkeley’s community swimming pools. BPFP and UPC have worked to expand swimming opportunities for citizens of all ages, physical abilities and income levels throughout the city. UPC has focused on private-public collaborations to offset cutbacks in local government funding. For example, UPC oversaw a successful full-day renovation of one of the older city pools in conjunction with the City of Berkeley’s Aquatic Department and the local chapter of Rebuilding Together. Similarly, UPC has worked to retain swimming as a vital life skill in local schools through an innovative “Schools to Pools” program. Solar panels to attract the sun and conserve energy, as well as colorful marketing pieces to attract swimmers and preserve the pools, are additional ways UPC strives to keep these unique resources available to all. To take a splash and get involved, contact Charlie Banks-Altekruse at 510-913-3669.
YAWS was created over ten years ago to provide Berkeley’s children, ages one to fourteen, with low cost, high quality fine art classes. At a time when arts curriculum in schools has been dwindling, YAWS has stepped in to hold weekly after school art classes for children and families who recognize the importance of artistic expression — through painting, drawing, sculpting, and printmaking. Classes are held throughout the academic year in four sessions of eight classes. For more information, call Jennifer Burke at (510) 204-YAWS (220-8408)
Nearly two years after two dozen volunteers painted a demonstration labyrinth near the Greening Project at Willard Middle School (see photo), the EBLP has won approval from the Waterfront Commission and the Berkeley City Council to install a beautifully crafted paving stone labyrinth at the Berkeley Marina (on the East Lawn of the South Basin across the water from the Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge). EBLP is now engaged in raising $100,000 for the engineering and construction. Contact Nina AT NinaHam.com or 526-7377 to find out about its monthly labyrinth walks.
For upcoming Peace Walks and other Peace Labyrinth events, be sure to check the BPFP calendar