David Escobar just sent us the link below to the “An Organic Conversation” Radio Show, with Helge Hellberg. It is a great show with “juicy” conversations. Check it out:
http://www.helgehellberg.com/340/the-future-of-food/
Have a healthy weekend! Ericka
Filed under: civic engagement, community dialogues, community issues, general, partners | Tagged: organic conversations, radio show | Leave a Comment »
Mill Valley considers banning Styrofoam
Jim Staats
Posted: 06/12/2009 05:01:46 PM PDT
MILL VALLEY may be giving the boot to Styrofoam.
On Monday, the City Council will consider a ban on containers made from polystyrene foam, a nonbiodegradable product, used in many restaurants for takeout items.
The new law, if adopted next month, would go into effect in early October and apply to all restaurants, retail food vendors and city facilities that currently use such products.
“Our ban is almost exclusively on takeout food items,” said Carol Misseldine, the city’s sustainability director.
Sausalito and Fairfax have similar bans. The county has banned polystyrene foam in internal operations and is working on a ban for private restaurants and food vendors, Misseldine said.
Michael Rock, Fairfax city manager, said his town’s polystyrene foam ban was a limited ban on takeout food packaging.
“We banned it years and years ago,” he said.
Paper, cardboard or other natural-fiber products, as well as certain plastics, can be used to replace polystyrene foam containers, according to city officials.
Violators of the proposed ban would be fined $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense and $500 for each additional offense.
Bans on polystyrene foam in the past have focused on ozone-depleting gases used to make the products. Recent bans, however, have been enacted over human and environmental health concerns and litter and marine impact.
via Mill Valley considers banning Styrofoam – Marin Independent Journal.
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Golden Gate Transit ‘bullet bus’ debuts Monday
By Mark Prado
Posted: 06/12/2009 03:37:46 PM PDT
Golden Gate Transit on Friday announced a new route in San Rafael, the 101 express bus. (IJ photo/Frankie Frost)
Golden Gate Transit will launch a new express bus Monday that could cut the commute by up to 30 minutes for some Marin riders.
Bus passengers traditionally have taken the Route 80 out of Santa Rosa and through Marin to get into San Francisco. But beginning Monday, some of the commute service will be taken over by the new Route 101 express service.
“We are taking advantage of the new HOV lanes on 101, which is a real time-savings opportunity,” said Ron Downing, chief of bus route planning for the transit district. “We believe people will save between 20 and 40 minutes. We will evaluate it as it goes.”
Earlier this year widening work on Highway 101 was completed, creating complete north and southbound lanes through the county. Previously, the carpool lane disappeared between Lucky Drive in Corte Madera and North San Pedro Road in San Rafael that clogged the freeway during commutes.
The Route 101 now will run in the carpool lane in Marin. Beginning in Santa Rosa, it will then stop in Petaluma and then only at Redwood Boulevard at Grant Avenue in Novato, the San Rafael Transit Center and Spencer Avenue in Sausalito before serving a full complement of stops in San Francisco. In doing so 10 stops in Marin will be bypassed, speeding the trip for passengers on the 40-seat bus.
Read more at:
via Golden Gate Transit ‘bullet bus’ debuts Monday – Marin Independent Journal.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: bus, tpublic transit, Transportation | Leave a Comment »
We just put the finishing touches on a new Pamphlet on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. This resource will help you to ensure that EECBG funds are used to create green-collar jobs for people that need them the most by the June 25th deadline.In this edition, you’ll also find: an announcement about our new Frequently Asked Questions for the Recovery Package, an update about prevailing wage labor standards for weatherization funding, resources on green job training grants, and more.
1. RESOURCE: Use our new EECBG Pamphlet to ensure green jobs now!
June 25th is the deadline for cities, counties and states to submit their plans for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds ($3.2 billion nationally) to the Department of Energy. The new EECBG pamphlet includes recommendations to present to your local officials on how the funds should be spent, advice on how to influence these investments, and general information about the block grants program. Download the guide and take the recommendations to your local officials.http://www.greenforall.org/resources/eecbg-pamphlet
2. RESOURCE: Frequently Asked Questions about the Recovery
How do I find out how much money my city or town can get from the Recovery Act for green jobs? What should I ask for? What program should I focus on? What opportunities are there for small businesses? What is the timeline for when funds will be available? Get answers to these questions and more in Green For All’s new Recovery FAQ.http://greenforall.org/resources/recovery-faq
3. RESOURCE: Green Job Training Resources & Call Recording
On June 4th, Green For All hosted a conference call on the topic of “Green Pathways out of Poverty”. The call focused on building pathways out of poverty through green job training, partnerships, and recovery funding. This month, the U.S. Department of Labor will begin accepting grant proposals to distribute $500 million towards green job training programs. If you are involved in green workforce development and think your program might qualify for Recovery funds, we recommend you listen to the call recording and download presentations and resources.4. RESOURCE: Timeline of Recovery Programs
We’ve put together a timeline for 28 key Recovery Act programs related to the environment. The document also indicates which department or agency is in charge of each program.http://www.greenforall.org/resources/timeline-for-green-arra-programs
5. NEWS: Applicability of prevailing wage labor standards defined for Weatherization Assistance Program
On Monday June 1st, the US Department of Labor sent a letter clarifying how prevailing wage labor standards apply to Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) funding. The letter explains the process for awarding and implementing work under WAP grants and clarifies how to apply prevailing wage standards.Some important points from the letter (Warning: Technical language ahead!):
A) Governmental agencies are not considered contractors or subcontractors when the construction is performed by their own employees.
B) Repair crews performing the duties of laborers or mechanics and employed by a private, non-profit Community Action Agency or its contractors are covered under Davis-Bacon labor standards requirements. They must therefore be paid at least prevailing wage when performing ARRA-assisted weatherization work.
C) Certain activities such as energy audits and inspection work are not usually viewed as construction work performed by laborers and mechanics within the meaning of the Davis-Bacon Act. Thus, technicians conducting energy audits are not subject to Davis-Bacon requirements.http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/recovery/AdvisoryLetterDOE.pdf
6. NEWS: $80 million in Weatherization funds distributed
This week the Department of Energy released the first $80 million of the Weatherization Assistance Program to Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi and Oregon. This means that thousands of struggling families will see lower energy and heating bills, more energy efficient homes, and real job opportunities for those who need work.http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=177
That’s all for now. If you have a story, a resource, or a question to share, just hit reply and lay it on us.
At your service,
Josh LynchCampaign Manager
Green For All
http://www.greenforall.org/recovery
Filed under: partners, resources | Tagged: conservation, energy, grants, green collar jobs, green for all | Leave a Comment »
One key element of Smart Growth (and, consequently, healthy communities) is housing that can be afforded by local workers:
“Creating homes that are affordable to local workers would also help reduce long commutes and enable people to live in the community they serve.”
More workforce housing units would provide our families and children more quality of life, increase use of local public transportation, and stimulate the local economy! It is important that we also resource alternative models of housing such as community land trusts, and housing co-ops to support affordable first time home ownership opportunities. In this way, we will promote upward economic mobility and address poverty in our County.
One great opportunity to influence the development of our cities and the county is the Housing Element Update processes. Contact us if you would like more information on how to participate : info@maringrassroots.org
EE
Smart growth urged along SMART rail line in Marin
Mark Prado
Posted: 06/10/2009 05:17:49 PM PDT
SAN FRANCISCO – Growth in Marin over the next 25 years should be funneled into areas along the planned Sonoma-Marin Rail Transit corridor to curb sprawl and cut greenhouse gases, according a plan released Wednesday by the Greenbelt Alliance.
The report by the land conservation and urban-planning organization titled “Grow Smart Bay Area” is an initiative to get Bay Area cities and counties to plan for the expected additional 2 million people and 1.7 million jobs that will come to the region by 2035.
“Traditionally Marin has been anti-development and environmentalists have been anti-growth,” said Whitney Merchant, a Greenbelt Alliance field director who lives in San Anselmo. “But now environmentalists and the sustainable community realize we can’t be sustainable until we start to build more and better housing that allow for more biking and walking and access to transportation.”
The report cites downtown Novato and San Rafael, where growth can occur in existing lots that are now empty or unused, so called “in-fill” housing, along the SMART rail corridor.
The report looks at the entire Bay Area, and estimates that 5 percent of the new homes and 6 percent of new jobs coming to the region will end up in Marin and Sonoma over the next 25 years.
Read more at:
http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_12563663?IADID=Search-www.marinij.com-www.marinij.com
Filed under: community issues, housing, partners | Tagged: greenbelt alliance, report, smart, smart growth, Transportation, workforce housing | Leave a Comment »
At least Marin City now has at least three initiatives to increase residents’ access to fresh produce: the Marin City Farm Stand (initiated by EECOM), the potential Marin City Flea Market, and the Marin Farmers’ Market. A real grocery store would be event better, as it would provide access to healthy foods 7 days a week, like the residents have been wishing for many years. Ericka
Marin City flea market on hold as new market emerges
Jim Staats
Posted: 06/11/2009 04:21:48 PM PDT
Organizers of Marin City’s re-emerging flea market have put this weekend’s scheduled opening on hold indefinitely over what they described as an “unfair” process for another market proposed nearby.
Meanwhile, the competing market in question, a new Southern Marin farmer’s market earmarked for the parking lot of the Gateway Shopping Center, recently was given the go-ahead by center management and tenants. It’s not set to begin until April and has yet to receive county approval.
The Marin City Community Services District would run the region’s first open-air market since a well-known flea market shut down more than a decade ago.
“If we were to spend money and have our market run second fiddle to someone else, I see that as unwise until we know the outcome of the agreement,” said district board member Robert Fisher.
The Marin City flea market, given county approval for a six-month use permit, was planned to run 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays at the Manzanita Center near Phillips Drive. Fare including organic vegetables, flowers and crafts would be sold among 25 vendors to raise funds for the district.
The farmer’s market proposal at Gateway, which rests on the site of the former Marin City flea market, was given a verbal approval by property manager, Blake Hunt Ventures, to offer 30 or 40 stalls of produce from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays as well. The venture would be run by local nonprofit Marin Farmers Market along with support from the Milagro Foundation.
Read more at:
http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_12571842
Filed under: marin city | Tagged: marin city, Milagro Foundation, farmers' market, flea market | Leave a Comment »
We just received this invitation from Moira Brennan, from California Clean Money Campaign. If you are interested in the improvement of our democracy, this is a great event to attend! Ericka – ericka@maringrassroots.org
Please join us for an afternoon to benefit public campaign financing in California and the California Fair Elections Act ballot measure with
Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey &
Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker
California Democratic Party Vice Chair
Saturday, June 13, 2009 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
at the home of Jonathan Frieman and Moira Brennan
170 Oak Drive San Rafael, CA 94901
Yes! I support public financing in California and would like to make a contribution. _____$100 _____ $250 _____$500 _____ $1,000
Californians for Fair Elections, ID#1317708 11844 W. Pico Blvd., Ste. 200 Los Angeles, CA 90064
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Annie Eagan at anneeagan@yahoo.com or 415-269-5105
Filed under: Elections, civic engagement, general, partners | Leave a Comment »
We received this information from Senator Leno’s office yesterday. Great opportunity to have our questions about the State Budget answered.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: June 8, 2009 Alicia Trost (Steinberg): (916) 651-4188
Ali Bay (Leno): (916) 651-4550
Steinberg & Leno to Answer Budget Related Questions During Live Town Hall Forum Webcast Californians Encouraged To Submit Questions
SACRAMENTO – As California’s elected leaders work on the difficult choices of resolving an unprecedented state budget crisis, our state’s residents have growing concerns and questions about how severe the consequences will be in order to balance a budget where the deficit has now ballooned to more than $20 billion.
Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), member of the Conference Committee on the Budget, are planning an open platform for the public to ask those questions.
That opportunity will come in the form of a live Internet Town Hall forum on Monday, June 15, 2009 from 6pm-7:30pm. The Senators will answer budget questions emailed by the public. Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor from the nonpartisan LAO office will also participate during part of the program.
Anyone is welcome to submit his or her question prior to the program through the Senate Majority Caucus website http://democrats.sen.ca.gov, Steinberg’s website www.sen.ca.gov/Steinberg or Leno’s website www.sen.ca.gov/Leno. The Senators will also field questions which viewers email in live during the Internet Town Hall broadcast itself.
The webcast can be viewed via livestream at http://democrats.sen.ca.gov/townhall/ and will also be available for viewing on The California Channel, which is carried on cable television systems around the state.
Details:
Live Webcast: Monday June 15th, 2009. 6pm-7:30pm
Submit Questions: http://democrats.sen.ca.gov www.sen.ca.gov/Steinberg www.sen.ca.gov/Leno Watch Webcast: http://democrats.sen.ca.gov/townhall/ Cal Channel Archived version will be available through Majority Caucus website as well as Steinberg’s and Leno’s websites.
Filed under: civic engagement, community issues, events, general | Leave a Comment »
Hello, Novato community members!
This is a great opportunity to have your voice heard on the importance of affordable workforce housing in Novato and really influence public decisions on this issue ! This Monday, the Planning Commission will be reviewing the options of potential sites for future housing units. You don’t want to miss this one!
Let us know if you are planning to attend the meeting! Click here to RSVP
Join us! Ericka - ericka@maringrassroots.org
CITY OF NOVATO
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE, CHAPTER THREE OF THE NOVATO GENERAL PLAN
CONSIDER INVENTORY OF HOUSING OPPORTUNITY SITES AND INPUT ON REZONING OPTIONS
Notice is hereby given that the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 15, 2009, at 7:30 pm in the Novato School District Board Room at 1015 Seventh St., Novato, California to discuss and provide direction to City Planning Division staff on a preliminary inventory of housing opportunity sites for the Housing Element Update, chapter three of the Novato General Plan. The Planning Commission will also be asked to provide input on rezoning options to allow increased housing density(s) that facilitate affordable housing (multi-family housing etc) on sites included in the inventory of housing opportunity sites. The inventory of housing opportunity sites is a key component of the overall Housing Element Update.
Comments received on or before the June 15th hearing date will be considered by the Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission’s direction on this matter will be further addressed through the preparation of a draft Housing Element Update that will be subsequently reviewed by the Planning Commission for its recommendation to City Council, which has final decision authority.
If anyone wishes to challenge this project in court, they may be limited to raising only those issues they or anyone else raised at or prior to public hearings, including the hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the Community Development Department at, or prior to, the public hearings.
Information on the above proposal is available at the City of Novato Community Development Department, 75 Rowland Way, #200, Novato, CA 94945. All inquiries should be directed to Hans Grunt, Principal Planner, at (415) 899-8989, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Community Development Department. Please note the City of Novato offices are closed every other Friday including June 12, 2009. Community Development Director Last updated: 6/3/2009 2:56:14 PM
For more information, visit the City of Novato’s website
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The People’s Budget MeetingThe Social Justice Center of Marin invites every one affected by the State budget cuts to come to a meeting on Monday June 8, at 6:30 pm., in the basement of the First United Methodist Church at 9 Ross Valley Rd. San Rafael. (corner of Ross valley Rd. and 4th st.)Those familiar with state constitution law and our rights are encouraged to come.The agenda will include ways to generate revenue so that children’s health insurance will continue, schools will remain open, mental health programs will stay intact, disabled people can receive care in their homes, and Cal grants will be available for students to attend college.Call Emily for 415 388 2821 for additional information.
Filed under: Elections, civic engagement, community issues, partners | Leave a Comment »
