The Midtown Office of Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Mason-McDuffie is sponsoring "Giving Day" to benefit the Sacramento Food Bank’s Mother-Baby Program. Kristina McBurney, an agent at the Midtown branch says, “Our office is taking donations now through March 4th. The most needed items include diapers, wipes, baby clothes, feminine hygiene products, personal care products or cash all going to this worthwhile cause.” The Sacramento Food Bank was founded in 1976 and provides various outreach services to the community. According to the Sacramento Food Bank’s website, the Mother-Baby program helps “guide and empower mothers to give their babies a bright and healthy future.” In addition

In their own words, “The 3/50 Project (is) saving the brick and mortars our country is built on.” Founded in 2009 the 3/50 Project asks simply that you identify three local, independent businesses you’d like to have stick around, then visit each and spend a total of (at least) 50 dollars. Voila! You’ve gotten the goods, helped support three deserving local business and helped your local economy all at the same time. Project 350 has supporters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Their Facebook page indicates the raison d’être of the 3/50 Project. To promote and strengthen independent brick and mortar businesses owned by people in the community and to expand local revenue stre

After almost six years in business as a ground-breaking retailer of environmentally conscious building materials, Green Sacramento is closing its doors on February fifth. Founder Josh Daniels explained reasons for closing, “it’s the economy (that) would be the easiest answer. We’ve also seen a round of closures of green building stores for the same reason nationally. He said the construction industry in and around Sacramento has been depressed and no relief was imminent. The closing sale is Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM at its location in the Green Living Center at 919 20th Street in Midtown. Daniels says Green Sacramento still has in stock “paint, primer, cleaning products, w

The Sacramento Tree Foundation is currently recruiting volunteer Acorn Harvesters to assist in the Fall 2010 acorn harvest. According to their website, "The Tree Foundation is committed to maintaining the natural heritage of the Sacramento region by growing locally adapted, genetically appropriate native trees. In October and November 2010 we will be collecting 50,000 acorns to be grown for tree planting efforts throughout the Sacramento region." Additionally acorns are one of the most important wildlife foods in areas where oaks occur. Squirrels and other small urban mammals depend upon acorns for nutrition as do some species of bird including jays and pigeons. Harvester Training will

August is a special month for fans of glass in general and Venetian glass in particular. Piece of Mind, a local bead and jewelry studio on Truxel Road, is presenting a Venetian Glass Bead Trunk Show and Sale from August 13th through August 20th at 4321 Truxel Road.  The phone number is 916 921-2323. Kicking off the Trunk Show and Sale is a special display of Venetian glass from the collection of Kim Osibin. "My collection represents Venetian works of art from the early 1800s to the present day," says the internationally-known glass artist. Kim Osibin has traveled extensively throughout Italy working for glass factories, teaching and demonstrating bead making in Venice and Murano. "The

The Business Environmental Compliance Center is an initiative focused locally that is another tool online and by other media in helping enterprise anywhere reduce its environmental impact. Starting in 1993 BERC has been providing "one-stop, non-regulatory permit assistance" enabling Sacramento County businesses "to understand and comply with federal, state, and local environmental regulations". Those words from the website. By the way BERC services are free. That is to say without cost. "Landmark project" is the phrase used by Duane O'Donnell, Sacramento Regional Recycling Market Development Zone Administrator for BERC in describing the organization. The staff bring a wide variety of con

Since 2002 the Sacramento Tree Foundation has been hard at work "building the best urban forest" in Sacramento and vicinity. The Foundation is openly looking for individuals to "get dirty" and to help in various tree planting activities. According to their website, "Volunteering is a simple, fun way to make a difference in your community and the environment." Since the organization manages a number of sites and many locations need attention the actual part of the urban forest needing work will not be determined until about a week before the event. One of the benefits of participation in tree-related activities sponsored by the Sacramento Tree Foundation is that volunteers will have acces

It took seven minutes for Sacramento fire fighters to extinguish a grass fire on Stoner Drive in South Sacramento Wednesday. No injuries and no reports that everyone went for pizza afterwards.

Among those exhibiting their green consciousnesses (sp) at Sunday's Earth Day in Sacramento was urban organic farmers Soil Born Farms. Saturday, May 2nd, they are staging their annual organic plant sale A Day on the Farms at American River Ranch in Rancho Cordova.

Earth Day at Sacramento State was a midday affair held in the Library Quad under sunny skies. Among the exhibitors were varied organizations, both political and scientific. Students Lisa Faulkner and Carlos Rojas staffed the table of the Progressive Students Association at CSUS. According to Lisa Faulkner progressives are vexed about the economy but other on-going concerns include giving voice to the disenfranchised globally and (in her words) “the earth is one of the disenfranchised” along with the poor and the otherwise voiceless. Olga Rosander, who is on staff at CSUS, was enthused about the recycling successes at the institution. She said last year the campus had an “87% recycling r

The public on Wednesday is invited to three free screenings of a new documentary film explaining how climate change will affect California. The 22-minute film, "A Climate of Change," was produced jointly by the state Department of Water Resources and the nonprofit Water Education Foundation. It aims to illustrate the challenges California faces as a result of global warming, and adaptation strategies being considered.  >>> The Bee.

A couple of bromides to ponder: In the nineties I interviewed activist Darryl Cherney, who lives north of here.  During an interview with me he said he appreciated the awareness that Earth Day engenders, but with the orgy of green consumerism each year, the day is not "Christmas for the environment." We cannot buy ourselves into sustainability. Amen! Earth Day in Sacramento will be observed on Saturday, April 26th from 11-6 at Southside Park. Organizers describe the Event as featuring "Over one hundred booths/vendors, good real food, interactive activities for all ages, and amazing performances, including Northern California reggae artists Zion Roots." The free event is brought to yo

Wednesday's national day of protest was a spirited affair in Sacramento. I attended most of the set-up before noon, recording video as I tried to control my production assistant, Keely, who was on a leash and trying to greet every other dog that was there. As others have commented the vibe at the midday event was surprisingly mild. The signs and placards were more angry and pointed than were those folks holding them. There was a child holding a sign reading "Obama is the 4th beast". I'm not sure of the reference (and didn't ask), but I don't think I like it. It was, how do you say, uh, nasty. I missed most of the speakers but heard the organizer, Mark Meckler, call the attendees "patriot

The Tax Day Tea Party at the State Capital in Sacramento Wednesday was colorful, festive, windy and there were no crumpets in evidence. There was at least one individual dressed in colonial garb. He may or may not have been looking for redcoats. The signage was varied in message and ranged from "Don't Take My Guns", "Keep your change" to "Take Back America" and several "Don't Tread on Me" banners. There were signs that were critical of the president and (apparently) his policies. There was a sign reading, "Obama is the 4th beast". A number of signs promoted small business in America. There was live music and tables at which you could register to vote. The Stars and Stripes was waved e

At the original Boston Tea Party the protesters pretended to be Indians. In April 15th's Tea Party many of the protesters will pretend to be Americans.  

What:  Tax Day Tea Party Where:  State capitol west steps When:  12 noon April 15th Who:  Those exercising freedom of assembly Why:  ??

Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode is benefiting from the proceeds of  A Taste of Italy, a wonderful evening of music, prizes and Italian dining. Material supplied by the organizers indicates, "The mortgage crisis has caused more pets to be abandoned and surrendered to animal shelters than animal rescue workers have ever seen before." Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode has taken in hundreds of cats from foreclosures. In 2008, the agency placed almost one thousand cats and provided low-cost spay/neuter services to 6,000 pets. Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode needs help to continue saving as many animals as possible in the coming year which promises to see even more pets lose their famil

Some Earth month events in and around the City of Trees: The NATURE team of the Sacramento Tree Foundation with the help of volunteers has planted hundreds of acorns and seedlings throughout the Sacramento area. The final tree-planting at Stone Lakes Wildlife Refuge is April 18th in a location not usually accessible to the general public. This is a special place to volunteer and see some of the great wildlife around here. Sacramento Earth Day 2009 is Sunday, April 26th at Southside Park at 8th and T Streets. It's a project of ECOS (Environmental Center of Sacramento) and Friends of ECOS. The Sacramento Zoo observed Earth Day on April 4th.   We will update the calendar; if you have an

American Rivers, a non-profit green group, annually identifies the ten most endangered rivers in North America.  This year the the Sacramento-San Joaquin River System tops the list. Material supplied by American Rivers indicates: The largest watershed in California is on the verge of collapse, threatening the water supply for more than 26 million people, placing the capital of the nation’s most populous state at high risk of flooding, and damaging a once productive and healthy ecosystem that supported the nation’s most diverse salmon runs. Climate change, population growth, water supply demands, and endangered species listings have brought this outmoded water and flood management system

Residents of Sacramento County (well, everyone, actually) are urged to be vigilant in the prevention of cruelty to animals.  The county animal shelter notes that the down economy is affecting some animals owners who may, as a result, be neglecting or abusing their animals. “People may have trouble paying for the care of their animals and may be getting in over their heads,” said Pat Claerbout, Animal Shelter Director. “We depend on the community to be our eyes and ears and report signs of potential animal cruelty and neglect, and we want to make sure that the animals are taken care of and are not suffering unnecessarily.” Through the “Critter Tip” program, operated by the Shelter’s non-p