Loma Prieta Chapter Statement on Shooting in Half Moon Bay
The Sierra Club's Loma Prieta Chapter volunteers in the Half Moon Bay area have been, and will continue to be, supportive of the Ayudando Latinos A Sonar (ALAS) non-profit organization uniquely focused on providing mental health counseling and food for farmworkers on the San Mateo County coast. On Monday night, January 23, their mission was tested by the murders of 7 members of the farmworker community. Because there were families in proximity to the carnage ALAS sprung into action in cooperation with the County of San Mateo and the City of Half Moon Bay. Initially, workers and families from the affected settlement were taken to the local Portuguese community hall where they were provided with immediate counseling, blankets and food - then moved into hotel rooms because the crime scenes were untenable.
There were many supportive and praiseworthy actions by County and City officials as well. ALAS could not have accomplished this alone. Over ensuing months and years, though, ALAS will have a very big task to deal with the ongoing impacts of this traumatic event on the farmworker community. If you are interested in contributing to an organization dedicated to hands-on beneficial impact you would do well to access the ALAS website at: https://www.alasdreams.com |
YOU Can Make a Difference; Read How in This eNewsletter
► Learn the basics of backpacking to get closer to nature.
► Have a Trust? Learn to avoid the 7 biggest mistakes trustees make
► Webinar: Planning for Life Sciences in Bay Area Communities (Save the Date: March 2, 2023, 2pm)
► See what your support of Loma Prieta Chapter made possible in 2021 (and previously)!
► Take a hike! Here's what's available with your chapter.
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From Les Kishler, formerly Chair of Guadalupe Regional Group (1982 - 1986), Chapter Executive Committee Member, Chair of Chapter Conservation Committee, and Chair of Family Outings Section
To: Paul Chavez, Cesar Chavez Foundation
Re: Cesar Chavez Plaza light project in San Jose. The magnitude of the lighting runs counter to Cesar Chavez's environmental legacy.
Dear Paul,
"you know we are also environmentalists" Cesar Chavez, San Jose, 1984
In 1984 there was a meeting at Saint Patrick's Church on Santa Clara Street in San Jose between environmentalists and Cesar Chavez and members of the United Farm worker's Board to preserve agricultural land in San Jose's Coyote Valley.
After the meeting Chavez told a Sierra Club representative "you know we are also environmentalists". This quote is a watershed moment in the history of the labor movement and the environmental movement. At this moment a sometimes perceived conflict between these two movements was being transcended. The UFW was and is one of the most important labor organizations in history. Chavez was declaring the labor movement and the environmental movement are not always or necessarily at odds. He was saying both movements can be compatible and can both strive for a sustainable economy and environment.
Unfortunately the proposed light project at Cesar Chavez Plaza near the Guadalupe River would be a major source of light pollution affecting the wildlife and the otherwise peaceful ambience of the plaza in the heart of downtown San Jose. The naming of the plaza after Cesar Chavez is culturally and historically significant. Chavez's environmental legacy is an important part of this. Its best that Cesar Chavez Plaza is protected from this major light impact on the area which would detract from his legacy. |
Peninsula Conservation Center (PCC), home to the Loma Prieta Chapter, has become the first non-residential building in Palo Alto to have traditional, natural gas fired, roof-top HVAC units replaced with all-electric Heat Pumps for both heating & cooling.
At the Peninsula Conservation Center, on Wednesday, January 25, four units were lifted onto the roof and installed.
The PCC already had electric hot water heating, so now the building is all-electric. Building electrification is a key strategy in Palo Alto’s newly updated Sustainability/Climate Action Plan, and has been heavily promoted by Loma Prieta Chapter.
The PCC Board and its tenants are proud that the PCC is a leader in this important work.
Read the full press release
Read the article in Palo Alto Online |
Above Image of Planet Earth by Nasa
Climate Change: How Do We Know it is Us?
By J. Campbell Scott, Ph.D., Climate Reality Project Silicon Valley
February 8th – Wednesday at 7:30 PM
Click here to learn more and register.
The first presentation in this series begins two hundred years ago, with the French scientist Jacques Fourier puzzled by the question of why the earth is so warm. The talk summarizes, in lay terms, the solution to this mystery and the evidence accumulated since Fourier, that leads to the conclusion that human activities, mainly the burning of fossil fuels, have resulted in the global warming that now threatens our existence on the planet. |
Basic Backpacking Course 2023
Wed, Apr 5, 2023; 7:00 PM
Click here to learn more and register.
Join the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club for our 2023 Basic Backpacking Course. The course is offered as a four-part online symposium followed by a day of outdoor instruction, demonstration, and hiking. You’ll learn the essentials of backcountry travel that make it safe and enjoyable for you, and sustainable for the places you visit. We will place special emphasis on the gear, skills, and planning required to be responsible stewards of our precious wilderness ecosystems. |
Do you have a Trust? Learn the 7 Biggest Mistakes Trustees Make.
Free webinar on Thursday, February 16, 10 am PST
Click here for more details and to register.
Family trusts often unravel due to time, circumstance, improper planning and implementation. Proper planning &
education can help ensure that your desires become reality for future generations. Sadly, most trustees fail to adequately understand the significance of their responsibilities. Learn how not to fail as a trustee. This entertaining workshop series will provide essential training for trustees & trustors of living trusts. |
Flood Walls Can’t Protect Against the Hidden Threat of Groundwater Rise
Sea level rise will push up underground water tables, creating new flood risks inland of any shoreline protection. A new report by the San Francisco Estuary Institute, Pathways Climate Institute, and Dr. Kristina Hill from UC Berkeley provides critical new mapping data highlighting current and projected risks from rising groundwater due to sea level rise in four Bay Area counties. Join our Bay Alive campaign to help build awareness of sea level and groundwater rise threats: from surface and basement flooding to infiltration and damage to underground pipes, to the spread of toxic, soil-born contaminants well inland from the shoreline.
1/17/23 LA Times Article https://www.latimes.comenvironment/story/2023-01-17/new-sea-level-rise-maps-show-hidden-flood-risk-in-bay-area |
Free Webinar: Planning for Life Sciences in Bay Area Communities
Save the Date: Thursday, March 2, 2023, 2pm
Decision makers and agency staff will hear from seasoned professionals on what issues need to be considered for successful development of projects in their communities. Many Bay Area cities are currently considering life sciences lab development and can learn about early planning considerations, the bio safety measures that are taken to regulate labs and special measures needed to protect communities and the environment.
Details and registration to follow in next Newsletter. Your Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter is joining with local agencies to sponsor this educational event. |
Have you received our special package?
Only twice a year our Chapter mails a special postal package inviting you to become a local environmental changemaker, and I hope that by now you have received it. If you have already responded, we thank you. If not, please take a minute to do it now. Please remember that only a sliver of your Sierra Club membership dues is returned to Loma Prieta to support our work for a healthy environment, but 100% of your gift made directly to the Chapter will be spent locally.
See donation options, including employer matching opportunities. |
"San Jose Has Eliminated Parking Minimums ...
... easing the way for new housing construction and lowering the cost of building in the formerly car-oriented city. Now, new rules will require developers to include bicycle parking—“including one bike for every two lanes at bowling alleys and at least one bicycle spot for every 800 square feet at restaurants."
Note: Parking minimums are local laws that require private businesses and residences to provide at least a certain number of off-street parking spaces.
Read the entire article
Are you interested in making your city more sustainable? Contact our Sustainable Land Use Committee |
CNPS Santa Clara Valley Chapter's annual Growing Natives Garden Tour
Saturday - Sunday, April 1 - 2, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Are you interested in gardens that are waterwise, low maintenance and attractive to humans as well as birds and butterflies? Click here to learn more about Native Gardens |
Environmental Book Club Reading List
To join contact Gladwyn d'Souza
January: Water Always Wins- thriving in an age of drought and deluge, by Erica Gies
February: Nomad Century- How climate migration will reshape our world, by Gaia Vince
March: Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
April: The Intersectional Environmentalist- How to dismantle systems of oppression to protect people plus planet by Leah Thomas
May: Regenesis- Feeding the world without devouring the planet by George Monbiot
June: Euphoria by Lily King
July: The Flag The Cross, And The Station Wagon by Bill McKibben.
August: Rescuing the Planet- protecting half the land to heal the earth by Tony Hiss.
September: The New Wilderness by Diane Cook
October: There Are No Accidents- the deadly rise injury and disaster, who profits, and who pays the price by Jessie Singer
November: Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman
December: How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue |
Where does your recyled material go? The answer may not be pretty.
"Palo Alto found that some 60% of its recyclables got shipped abroad, with little transparency as to their fate."
Read here the full article about recycling
To volunteer on zero-waste issues in your city, contact Gladwyn d'Souza |
Voice Your Input on the Development of the San Mateo County Consolidated Plan with a 5-7 Minute Survey
Your input is valuable to inform housing and community needs in San Mateo County.
Click here to read about the development of the San Mateo County Consolidated Plan and learn about upcoming community workshops.
Click here to take the 5-7 minute survey.
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Tell the Metropolitan Transportation Commission how to Improve Community Outreach
Take the 2023 Public Participation Plan Survey by clicking here.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission makes decisions on how hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent. We encourage those who take the survey to select the option for "provide online/telephone options for participating rather than in-person events", as some in-person meetings are difficult to attend. |
Looking to Electrify but Don't Know Where to Start? Begin Here!
The Switch is On provides the resources you'll need to electrify your home, click here!. Explore the benefits of an all-electric home and learn about how you can swap from gas to electric!
Incentives are available! Click here to learn more. This tool allows you to find the right incentives that apply to you. |
YOU Can Make a Difference for Local Environmental Protection!
Our Environmental Legislative Action Team and Climate Action Leadership Team will show you how.
Your Loma Prieta Chapter is organizing a network of advocacy teams at the city level.
These are city-focused teams with the twin goals of spearheading actions to combat climate change and to conserve and restore natural habitats.
You will be working with city council members, key city staff, county officials, and other environmental activists. We welcome and educate those who are new to climate policy.
For more information contact Loma Prieta Chapter's Conservation Organizer dashiell.leeds@sierraclub.org. |
Securities and Exchange Commission Climate Rules
Financial regulators are hoping to force big companies and investment managers to disclose climate information. If you'd like to join local grassroots effective work to make these changes happen, please contact Sue Chow, sue2042@gmail.com
Loma Prieta Chapter, Chair of Environmental Legislative Action Committee |
Take a hike! Here's what's available with your Loma Prieta Chapter.
Note: regardless of the name/origin of the outing section, all are welcome!
Fri 2/3/23,8:15 AM, POLE Hiking Training for Veterans, Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Sat 2/4/23, 11:00 AM, Don Edwards SF Wildlife Refuge Hike (front country)
Wed 2/8/23, 9:30 AM, Hike El Corte de Madera Open Space
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Peninsula Clean Energy rebates
Peninsula Clean Energy is providing homeowners in San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos interest-free financing and new rebates to install electric appliances and make other energy-efficiency upgrades.
The agency’s new Zero Percent Loan program will provide interest-free financing for up to $10,000 per home for projects that include installation of electric heat pump equipment, including water heaters and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) units. Gas-powered equipment will not be eligible for the financing. |
Do You Need Space to Spread Your Wings?
Donate a Vehicle to Support the Critical Local Environmental Work of Your Chapter.
It’s easy to give and the pick-up is free; just call 844-6-SIERRA or 844-674-3772 or give online at https://careasy.org/nonprofit/Sierra-Club-Foundation-Loma-Prieta-Chapter.
If you would like to donate a Mazda Miata, please contact your Chapter Director personally.
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In Case You Missed It
Previous volumes of our Chapter eNewsletter can be found here.
IN THE NEWS
Exxon Accurately Predicted Global Warming, Years Before Casting Doubt on Climate Science (Would you like to become involved in Climate Action locally? If so then email Dashiell.Leeds@SierraClub.org)
This longtime Berkeley business worried the pandemic would be its end. Then sales surged
Join the campaign to protect 30% of California Lands and Waters by 2030
Earthjustice and Sierra Club Release Comprehensive Guide to Environmental Impacts of Cryptomining
Photographers, help protect local nature with your images! Share with us your high-resolution photos of local nature, with or without people, to inspire local residents to support Loma Prieta Chapter work. Please contact Chapter Development Coordinator Justyna Guterman, justyna.guterman@sierraclub.org
Too much Sierra Club email? You have control! See this simple tutorial.
How can local cities and residents use nature-based adaptations to sea level rise? Watch recordings of our recent webinar series with SF Bay experts and share with your local elected officials!
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Your Loma Prieta Chapter was founded in 1933, at Hidden Villa
What other important events happened in that year?
Keep reading the Loma Prieta Chapter eNewsletter this year to discover much more!
If you know of important local events that happened that year, then please let us know.
1933, January 2: birth of Chita Rivera, actress and dancer
1933, January 5: construction of the Golden Gate Bridge began
1933, January 16: birth of Susan Sontag, novelist (died 2004) |
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We're just mistreating Mother Nature. That's like being ugly to your mama.
Dolly Parton, born Jan 19, 1946
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Thank you to our 2022 Guardians on Nature Benefit Sponsors
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Sierra Nevada Sentinels
Mary Buxton and Ron Hess
Anonymous
Yosemite Heroes
Alan and Irene Adler
Lisa Barboza and Brian Roach
Anonymous
Sequoia Champions
Patricia Borga Suvari
Sue Chow
Nancy and David Crabbe
Gladwyn D'Souza
Joe Simitian, Santa Clara County Supervisor
and 2018 Guardians of Nature Honoree,
and Mary Hughes
Richard Simpson and Ann Reisenauer
Sid and Linda Liebes
Larry L. Lundberg |
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Baylands Stewards
Lisa and Shawn Britton
Brian Carr
Peter and Melanie Cross
Ruth MacDonald-Degener and
Martin Degener
Rick and Karen DeGolia
Susan DesJardin
Katie Dunlap
Susan Dunn
Rebecca Eisenberg
Susan Ellenberg, Santa Clara County
Supervisor
Mary Gill
Jerry Hearn and Rebecca Reynolds
Wayne and Judith Hooper
Caroline Horn
Sergio Jimenez, Councilmember, San Jose
Kristine Karnos
Arthur Keller
Ginny Laibl
Ruth Stoner Muzzin
Kevin Mullin, Assemblymember
Enid Pearson, 2019 Guardians of Nature
Honoree
Lucas Ramirez, Mayor, Mountain View
Emily Renzel, 2019 Guardians of Nature
Honoree
Bruce Rienzo
Lennie Roberts, 2016 Guardians of Nature
Honoree
Charles and Jaime Schafer
Johanna Schmid and Ed Reed
Tara Sreekrishnan, Santa Clara County
Board of Education Trustee |
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| The COVID-19 crisis has not passed and continues to disproportionately harm Black, Indigenous, and Latinx people and other communities of color. The pandemic has revealed how the communities hardest hit are often the same communities that suffer from high levels of pollution and poor access to healthcare. The fight for environmental justice cannot be separated from the fight for racial justice. |
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