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.
Young Artists Workspace: November 2005
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)
East Bay Labyrinth Project
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
Friends of Five Creeks: November 2005
Friends of Five Creeks volunteers continued to remove harmful invasives and plant natives at three sites on Codornices Creek: at Live Oak Park, where the creek crosses the Ohlone Greenway, and between 10th and 9th Streets. F5C worked especially with school groups at the mouth of Strawberry Creek, and partnered with Save the Bay in maintaining the mouth of Schoolhouse Creek, both in the Eastshore State Park. The group also continued its outreach work, especially at fairs, festivals, and the How Berkeley Can You Be Parade, where they dressed as frogs, fish, and “litter man” and handed out thousands of bookmarks listing “Ten Things You Can Do for Creeks.” Call Susan Schwartz at 510-848-9358 if you’d like to get involved.
Westbrae Commons- Ohlone Greenway & Peralta/Northside Gardens: November 2005
This year, representatives of the four projects formed a new umbrella organization, the Friends of the Westbrae Commons. The group hosted an exciting party and raffle in August and is working to raise funds to benefit the gardens and greenway. At the end of 2004, the Ohlone Natural and Cultural History Interpretive Exhibit dedicated it’s latest addition, the Ohlone People’s Exhibit. The installation features an artful bench and “Hairpin” sculpture collaboratively designed and built by local and Native American artists. A memorial bench in honor of Karl Linn has been added to the Peralta Garden, and planning is progressing on the future plaza at the corner of Gilman Street and the greenway. For more information call Nicole Becker at 510-798-8148.