Sunnyvale Cool Newsletter: September 2011

Sunnyvale Cool Newsletter
September, 2011
 
There's something green for everyone this month! Gardeners can check out the California natives class, the monthly composing class and/or the food forest film. Those interested in sustainable transportation can drop in on a talk about Sunnyvale's expanding Safe Routes to Schools program, the BPAC meeting, and/or the Bus Rapid Transit Outreach Meeting. Policy wonks can learn how Regional Housing Needs are determined. Bay lovers can help clean up Sunnyvale's piece of the shore.  Those who just want to have fun while making a statement can participate in not one, but two international events--Park(ing) Day and/or Moving Planet. September sends many invitations to be part of the solution!
 
Upcoming Events.

• Sunnyvale Cool General Meeting with Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Presentation by Alice Kawaguchi (Santa Clara County Department of Public Health).  Thursday, September 8; 7-8:30 PM; Toyota Sunnyvale, 898 W. El Camino Real (between Mary and Hollenbeck/Pastoria), second floor classroom.  Free.  Ms. Kawaguchi discusses implementing an expanded SRTS program with the help of a substantial grant to Sunnyvale from the Metropolitan Transportation Committee and ways we can help.  http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/saferoutes/
• Housing Action Coalition Meeting. Friday, September 9; 11 AM-1 PM; Santa Clara Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Road.  Free. A panel discusses the methodology being developed for setting the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for the nine Bay Area Counties. The panel includes Justin Fried with the Association of Bay Area Governments; Kevin Riley, City of Santa Clara Planning Director; and Laurel Prevetti, City of San Jose. 
• Films of Vision and Hope, Food Connections:  Establishing a Food Forest.  Friday, September 9; 7:30-9:30 PM; World Centric, 2121 Staunton Court, Palo Alto (behind JJ&F Market). Back by popular demand! In this fascinating film, famed permaculturist Geoff Lawton shows how to turn even the most unpromising ecosystems into thriving, productive food forests.  Discussion follows film.  Free http://transitionsiliconvalley.org/event/films-vision-and-hope-food-connections-free-Friday-night-films-series-world-centric-palo-alt-1 
• Gardening With California Native Plants Class. Saturday, September 10, 10 AM-1 PM; Sunnyvale. http://bawsca.org/docs/Fall2011_LandscapeClass_Shedule_WebPosting.pdf  Registration required: please e-mail landscape@bawsca.org  or 650-349-3000  Free
• Composting Class.  Saturday, September 10, 10 AM-noon, Orchard Heritage Building, Sunnyvale.  Please register:   http://ecityhall.sunnyvale.ca.gov/contact/pwsignup.aspx Free
• Water Pollution Control Plant Tour. Saturday, September 10; 1-2; 1444 Borregas Avenue, Sunnyvale. Free. The plant is located adjacent to the Bay where it can be windy and cool. Tours are conducted outdoors, so appropriate clothing and sun protection are recommended. Shoes with flat or low, broad heels and non-skid soles are also recommended. No open toed shoes or sandals are allowed.  For more information or to sign up call (408) 730-7717 or e-mail wpcp@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us.More info on the WPCP:  http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/Departments/PublicWorks/WaterPollutionControlPlant.aspx
• Green Building Ordinance Update goes to Council.  Tuesday, September 13.  Meeting starts at 7 PM, Council Chambers, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Avenue.  Draft staff report:  http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/Portals/0/Sunnyvale/NonCouncilReports/pc/2011/pc-2011-7543.pdf
• Healthy Communities Forum:  Resilient Economies. Thursday, September 15; 5:30-8:30 PM; School of Arts and Culture, Mexican Heritage Plaza,  1700 Alum Rock Avenue, San Jose.  Free.  Light supper provided. Kim Walesh, Director of Economic Development for the City of San Jose, will discuss some of the changes our cities face in the coming decades and their positive impact on our local economies if we respond effectively. Walesh will highlight strategies cities can take to not only ensure they are healthy and resilient economically but also environmentally and socially. Facilitated discussion follows. Free.  Please RSVP:  http://lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/bcfc/events 
• Park(ing) Day.  Friday, September 16. Information: http://parkingday.org/, Short video: http://www.streetfilms.org/san-francisco-parking-day-2009/
• Films of Vision and Hope, Food Connections: Locavore. Friday, September 16, 7:30-9:30 PM; World Centric, 2121 Staunton Court, Palo Alto.  Free  http://transitionsiliconvalley.org/event/films-vision-and-hope-food-connections-free-Friday-night-films-series-world-centric-palo-alt-1 
• Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off.  Saturday, September 17; 8 AM-1 PM.  http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/Departments/PublicWorks/GarbageRecyclingandWasteReduction/HazardousWaste/Household.aspx
• Coastal Clean-up in Sunnyvale. Saturday, September 17; 9 AM-noon; Guadalupe Slough, a popular spot with lunchtime and weekend joggers/walkers. (To sign-up call (408) 730-7717 or e-mail wpcp@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us  Those under 18 will need a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.    
• City-wide Garage Sale, Saturday, September 17; 9 AM-4 PM.  http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/Departments/PublicWorks/GarbageRecyclingandWasteReduction/Events/GarageSalesandDonations.aspx 
• Sustainability Commission Meeting.  Monday, September 19; 7 PM; West Conference Room, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Avenue. http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/CityGovernment/BoardsandCommissions/SustainabilityCommission.aspx
• Mercury Fever-Thermometer Exchange and Med Drop-Off.  Wednesday, September 21; 11 AM-1:30 PM; Sunnyvale Senior Center.  Mercury fever-thermometers MUST be contained in a closed, unbreakable container such as the original case, a plastic toothbrush holder or a soda/water bottle with screw-on cap. The closed container must also be placed in a sealable plastic bag.  Only fever-thermometers will be accepted.  For more information, please call Environmental Outreach at (408)730-7717.  Bring un-needed prescription and over-the-counter medications for proper disposal.  No sharps or illegal narcotics.  More info:  Department of Public Safety--(408) 730-7100.  http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/Portals/0/Sunnyvale/news_releases/2011/NR%2008%2004%2011%20MercuryExchange.pdf
• Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Meeting.  Thursday, September 22; 6:30 PM; West Conference Room, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Avenue. http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/CityGovernment/BoardsandCommissions/BicycleandPedestrianAdvisoryCommission.aspx
• Energy Upgrade California Presentation: Thursday, September 22; 7-8 PM; Laurel Room, Senior Center.  https://energyupgradeca.org/overview  Free
• Films of Vision and Hope, Food Connections! 100 Mile Potluck and Discussion.  Friday, September 23; 7:30-9:30 PM; World Centric, 2121 Staunton Court, Palo Alto.  http://transitionsiliconvalley.org/event/films-vision-and-hope-food-connections-free-Friday-night-films-series-world-centric-palo-alt-1  
• Moving Planet:  A Day to Move Beyond Fossil Fuels--A Worldwide Rally to Demand Solutions to the Climate Crisis.   Saturday, September 24.  San Jose Moving Planet: 11- AM-2 PM. Meet at Discovery Meadow Park, Woz Way and San Carlos Street at 11 AM with bike. Assembled cyclists ride to the Luna Park Chalk Festival (Bakesto Park).  Enjoy Festival and Lunch (from vendors or your own.)  Then to Happy Hollow Park and Zoo and back to starting point by 2:30.  Family-friendly.   Endorsed by Sierra Club's Loma Prieta Chapter, San Jose Bike Party, San Jose Bike Soiree, the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, the City of San Jose's Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, SJSU’s Transportations Solutions group, TransForm, Silicon Valley De-Bug, San Jose's Kidical Mass, San Jose City Councilman Oliverio's Office, Toys in the Glen and the Green Party of Santa Clara County.  https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=225058397524436, http://bikesiliconvalley.org/content/2109 
• Full Circle Farm Monthly Garden Share.  Sunday, September 25, 11 AM-noon, Full Circle Farm, 1055 Dunford Way.
• Valley Transportation Authority Outreach Meeting on Bus Rapid Transit on El Camino Real.  Tuesday, September 27; 7 PM(?)  Details TBA
• Horizon 2035 Meeting:  Thursday, September 29, 7-9:30 PM; West Conference Room, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale. http://www.pmcworld.com/client/sunnyvale/index.html

 
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