BPFP’s president, environmental “alchemist” John Steere, was interviewed by Willi Paul, publisher of online Planetshifter magazine. John founded or helped found local groups and efforts including East Bay Citizens for Creek Restoration, Berkeley Partners for Parks, Halcyon Commons, Livable Berkeley, Green Music Network, and Samavesha — all ways of building local environmentalism, arts, and community.
Read about John’s thoughts on bioregionalism and localization here.
Aquatic Park walk
Saturday, Sept. 22, meet at 10 AM at Waterside Cafe, 84 Bolivar Drive (between Addison and Bancroft)
, for a clockwise loop walk around the beautiful manmade lagoons. Leaders Mark Liolios and Aquatic Park EGRET and Toni Mester of Citizens for Eastshore Parks will talks about upcoming public processes that could affect the park: Landmarking some of the WPA-era structures as historic, changes to hydrology under the Aquatic Park Improvement Program, and zoning of adjacent land along Bolivar Drive.
This is a 2-mile, level loop suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, except for a few off-road stops. Fall migrant birds are returning to the park — though it’s not a bird walk, bring binocs if you have them! Information at 510 848 8234.
Help Path Wanderers and BPFP win $10,000; honor Charlie Bowen
The one that gets the most on-line votes by Sept. 24 will get $10,000 for their chosen nonprofit. Please click here to see short videos on the finalists and vote!
For 10 years, Charlie has worked tirelessly to restore and expand Berkeley’s historic network of public pathways. More than 20 Berkeley paths, formerly overgrown or fenced off, are now open — and with Charlie’s guidance volunteers in four other cities are pursuing similar efforts. Re-opening these beautiful paths and steps, many wooded and with beautiful views, also helps create a heathy, environmentally friendly, walkable city.
Besides enlisting literally thousands of volunteers for what is often heavy pick-and-shovel work, Charlie has planned carefully, recruited surveyors and contractors, and worked positively and respectfully with the city and with neighbors. Many initial skeptics have become enthusiastic supporters.
The runner up will receive $2500 for their nonprofit of choice. The online vote decides which group gets an additional $7,500. Berkeley Path Wanderers, a partner group of Berkeley Partners for Parks, needs funds to pay for handrails that make steeper paths safer, especially for senior citizens.
Rose Garden 75th Anniversary Celebration Sept. 23
The City of Berkeley and Berkeley Partners for Parks invite everyone to a glorious day celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Berkeley Rose Garden, Sunday, September 23, 2012 from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm. Tours, advice on roses, garden expo, music including the Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble, dance, great food, Navarro Vineyards wine garden (21 and over). For kids of all ages, juggling, games, face-painting, and balloon animals.
Before the festival, at 10 AM, Berkeley Path Wanderers lead a walk exploring the garden and its area; meet at the Rose Garden entrance, Euclid between Eunice and Bay View Place (information: walks@berkeleypaths.org).
What’s historical in Berkeley? Plaque project wants your ideas!
The small group of dedicated volunteers who make up the Berkeley Historical Plaque Project has passed two big milestones: They have placed 100 of their handsome green-and-cream plaques around the city, enriching experience in city with the added dimension of time. And they have launched a web site that invites your ideas on people, places, and events that deserve a “virtual” online plaque. Ideas so far range from Don Donohue, who launched the underground comics movement with publication of R. Crumb’s Zap #1 from the Dakin Warehouse on Adeline St., to the now-closed Buttercup Bakery on College, where finance guru Suze Ormann started her career — as a waitress. Take a look at send in your ideas!