April 24^th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Albert H. DeWitt Officers’ Club, 641 West Redline Ave.

Join us on April 24th to see how much progress Alameda has made in efforts to reduce carbon emissions and find ways you can get involved either at home or in the community!

The City of Alameda and Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA) are hosting a forum to celebrate Alameda’s progress towards meeting the goals of Alameda’s Local Action Plan for Climate Protection.  It has been 5 years since the city adopted its local action plan, and there is exciting progress to report. The forum will highlight:

• Results of the recent Green House Gas Emissions Inventory Baseline Update

• Inspiring presentation by Cece Reinhardt and Brenda Daugherty, two Alamedans making a big commitment to live with a small carbon footprint. Cece and Brenda will talk about their journey along the path to small footprint living including their travels in their Green RV and their recent purchase of a 483 square foot house in Alameda. EXTRA BONUS – Cece and Brenda will have their RV on hand for tours after the forum!

• Local heroes who step up to help reduce the city’s carbon emissions

• Opportunities for residents and businesses to discover ways to reduce their own carbon footprints and to get involved in community efforts

Participants include: Alameda Backyard Growers, Alameda Green Schools Challenge, BikeWalk Alameda, Alameda Municipal Power, Alameda County Green Business Program, CASA, City of Alameda, and Miss Alameda

Background: In 2008 the City of Alameda adopted a Local Plan for Climate Protection, the goal of which is “to reduce Alameda’s carbon emissions to 25% below 2005 levels by the year 2020”.

In September 2008 CASA was formed to help achieve that goal and to fulfill one of the top 7 goals of the Local Plan for Climate Protection which is to “Develop a multi-faceted community outreach program to increase public awareness and participation in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions”.

Contact Information: David Burton, President of CASA: 510.593.9998 or dburton@burtonarchitect.com

When: City Council Meeting, February 21st, 7:00pm

Where: City Council Chambers, 2263 Santa Clara Ave.

On February 21st, the City Council will hear a recommendation to “opt-out” of the countywide plastic bag ban. We need folks to come to the meeting and tell the City Council NOT to opt out. On January 25th the Alameda County Waste Management Authority adopted a countywide plastic bag ban (which includes a ban a plastic and fee on paper at large grocery stores and pharmacies) and has given cities the opportunity until March 2nd to “opt out” of the countywide ban.

The Public Works staff report says that staff needs more time to conduct outreach to residents and businesses in Alameda who would be affected by the ban and that the City can consider “opting-in” to the ordinance later this year.

CASA encourages the City Council NOT to opt out.

• This is a countywide ordinance and to be most effective it needs to be implemented countywide.

• The Alameda County Waste Management Authority will be providing staffing for the implementation of the ban countywide. If Alameda opts out it will not get the county-level staff support needed to implement the ban and this will fall on Alameda staff to conduct.

• The affected retailers (large grocery stores and pharmacies) have all been made aware of the countywide ordinance and there is general acceptance of the approach (ban on plastic, fee on paper) among the retail community.

• Coming late to the party will be more trouble than it is worth. The Alameda County Waste Management Authority is providing outreach, education and enforcement of the ban and they need to know who is in and who is out in order to move forward with their outreach.

Please contact the mayor and council and let your neighbors know that Alamedan’s want to participate in the countywide ban.

At this meeting, the City Council will also consider the staff recommendation to NOT “opt out” of the mandatory recycling ordinance. CASA has been very active in supporting the City in moving forward with its own mandatory ordinance and we must also encourage the City Council to accept the staff recommendation not to “opt out”.

Thanks for your help!

Three dates – Sun. Oct. 23rd, Sun. Nov. 6th, and Sun. Nov. 13th

BikeAlameda is pleased to announce three bike safety classes for all ages this Fall. These classes teach riding skills and traffic rules that can help you be safe, aware and visible while riding. Becoming confident in how to share the road with other vehicles can greatly increase your enjoyment of your ride. It feels great to choose your bike as your primary means of transportation or to ride with your kids to their activities, but it is no fun to be nervous in traffic. Let us help you feel safe, supported, and ready to choose your bike whenever you can.

Family Cycling Workshop

Sunday, October 23rd from 10:00am to 12:30pm

Ruby Bridges Elementary School (351 Jack London Ave., Alameda)

This fun filled morning of activities teaches kids of all ages how to ride steadily, use hand signals, start and stop smoothly and ride without training wheels. Parents learn about rules of the road and tips for riding with children in traffic. Everyone learns how to check a bike before you ride and fit a helmet so it can best protect you in case of a fall. Refreshments provided and a free blinky light set for all participants.
The workshop is free but preregistration is required – FREE REGISTRATION HERE

Bike Skilz Workshop for Teens ages 12-18

Sunday, November 6th from 12:30pm to 3:30pm

Lincoln Middle School (1250 Fernside Blvd., Alameda)

This workshop is specially designed to be fun and informative for teens. Participants learn bike handling skills, rules of the road, techniques for riding in traffic and what you and your bike need to enjoy your ride and be safe on the streets. The class will address the unique challenges teens face while riding and empowers them with their rights and responsibilities on the road. Refreshments and a free bike $wag for all participants.

Immediately following this workshop will be a group ride in memory of Brandon Sorensen, a Lincoln Middle School student, who died this spring while riding his bicycle on Santa Clara Ave. He loved to ride his bike and all are welcome to ride along with the group in honor of him.

The workshop is free but preregistration is required , FREE REGISTRATION FOR THE WORKSHOP AND/OR MEMORIAL BIKE RIDE HERE

Traffic Skills 101 for Adults and Teens ages 14 and up

Sunday, November 13th 1:00pm to 4:30pm

Alameda Southshore Center (next to Payless shoes)

This is a 3.5 hour presentation of a variety of information you should know while sharing the road with other vehicles. You learn the traffic laws designed to protect you, the ideal road positions and signaling techniques to communicate with other vehicles, how to equip your bike for its best performance and avoid crashes and what to wear to protect yourself if you do. The best promotion of a bicycle commuting lifestyle to others is for them to see you in action. So take the class. be safe, aware and predictable, and enjoy at least part of your day, everyday. Refreshments and a free Road Skills manual for all participants.
The workshop is free but preregistration is required – FREE REGISTRATION HERE

For more information about these classes, BikeAlameda’s nonprofit work, and membership benefits please visit the BikeAlameda Website

These classes are fun and attending one will give you great new confidence on the road.  Here is a testimonial from a delighted class attendee:
“I’ve ridden a bike all my life, using it for recreation, commuting, errands, etc. I thought I was a knowledgeable street rider, but when I took the Bike Education and Safety Class, I learned so much more. I ride more confidently and safely now in high-traffic areas with complicated intersections, as well as on quiet, narrow streets. When I was a kid, bicycle helmets were unheard of, and I was resistant to them. I started wearing one when I began to ride into areas of Oakland where the drivers weren’t very accommodating of cyclists and the pavements were really potholed and bumpy. I’m a confirmed helmet wearer now – mine has saved my life a couple of times, ironically, here in Alameda.” – Shelley Reed

MASC Restaurant Crawl flyer

Over the past year, Jessica Robinson, Miss Alameda, has been helping schools and restaurants in Alameda to recycle and compost. The restaurant program is called “Miss Alameda Says Compost!” or “MASC” for short. The MASC program has been quite successful in the last year recruiting 30 restaurants, diverting 473 tons of resources from the landfill, avoiding 546 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and saving participating restaurants $33,800 annually!

CASA, through a grant we received from the Altamont Education Advisory Board, has been supporting the MASC program by providing free recycling and composting bins to participating restaurants.

To celebrate the restaurants who are now participating in the MASC program Jessica is sponsoring the following event:

MASC Restaurant Crawl
When: Sunday, October 16th from 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: Participating restaurants on Park St. & Webster St. (see list below)

Tickets are $25 in advance (purchase here through Brown Paper Tickets) or $30 at the door. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Alameda Schools.

Check in for the event will be at the following locations:

East side (Park St) location:
Alameda Theater
2317 Central Ave
Alameda, CA 94501

West side (Webster St) location:
Hawthorn Suites
1628 Webster St
Alameda, CA 94501

Please come out to reward the recycling and composting efforts of our local restaurants! Enjoy some great local food and help support our local schools at the same time!

See the attached flyer for additional information about the event and below for a list of participating restaurants.

Go green!

Here is a partial list of the participating MASC Restaurants:

New York Pizza
Habanas Cuban Cuisine
Churchward Pub
Ole’s Waffle Shop
Taqueria Viva Mexico
Taqueria Ramiro and Sons
Angela’s Bistro
Cera Una Volta
Scolari’s Good Eats
Zen Restaurant
Yellow Tail Bistro Restaurant
Tucker’s Ice Cream
Speisekammer Restaurant
Rock Wall Wines
McDonald’s
Subway
Dragon Rouge- will be on MASC program shortly!!!

Plus more…. soon to be MASC participants!!!

Check with EBMUD for more details

Are you interested in making your home more energy efficient?  Come join us to hear about the Energy Upgrade California Program and find out how you can get assistance to make it happen!

Learn how you can receive up to $4,000 in rebates on a home energy efficiency upgrade and hear the story of a local homeowner who went through the process.

Date: Thursday, October 13th

Time: 6:30 – 8 pm

Location: Alameda City Council Chambers

2263 Santa Clara Ave, 3rd Floor, Alameda

RSVP for this event HERE

Participating Contractors who are trained and ready to work on your home will be there to answer your questions.

Did you know?

• The average home loses approximately 40% of their energy through leaks in the home

• Indoor air quality is 2-5x worse than outdoor air quality according to the EPA

• You can get up to $4,000 or more in rebates on energy efficiency work from PG&E and other sources, and your contractor will do the paperwork.

For more information, please contact Edie Irons at (510) 891-6528 or info@energyupgradeac.org

BikeAlameda and the City of Alameda are very happy to introduce a new transportation choice between west Alameda and Oakland. Now bicyclists and pedestrians will be able to travel quickly and safely between Atlantic and Webster and Lake MerrittBART/Laney College.

Sign up to receive status updates HERE.

Here is the information you need to know:

• Stops: Atlantic & Webster and Lake Merritt BART (near Laney College)

• Targeted Riders: General public, bicyclists and students, faculty and staff from the College of Alameda and Laney College

• Cost: Free to users

• Hours: Weekday peak commute hours every 30 minutes

• Bus Capacity: 24 passengers and 12 bicycles

• When: late summer 2011

Stay tuned for specific route, schedules and stop locations!!!

Background

Today, bicyclists and pedestrians traveling between the west end of Alameda and Oakland’s downtown must use either a bus with a bicycle rack that carries up to two bicycles or a narrow path in the Posey Tube with two-way pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Also, students who are enrolled simultaneously at Laney College and the College of Alameda do not have a direct transit route between these two schools.

The City of Alameda, in cooperation with the City of Oakland, the Peralta Community College District and BikeAlameda, won a Bay Area Air Quality Management District Transportation Fund for Clean Air Regional Fund program grant to operate the Estuary Crossing Shuttle for one year with an option to apply for future year funding.

Click HERE for more information.

We encourage all Alamedans to attend the Sustainability Workshop being hosted by the city next week at the base. Let’s all get out and make our voices heard for a future community that is:

• Pedestrian and bike friendly
• Well served by public transportation
• Energy efficient (maybe even zero-energy!!)
• Water wise
• Resource efficient
• Zero waste

Here are the details you need to attend:

ALAMEDA POINT SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOP
Tuesday, June 14th, 6:30pm
Albert H. Dewitt O’Club
641 West Red LIne Drive

Here is the text of the announcement from the city:

To All Alameda residents, business owners, and organizations interested in the future of Alameda Point:

In our efforts to move ahead with the reuse and redevelopment of Alameda Point, on June 14, 2011, the City will host a Sustainability Workshop at 6:30 p.m. at the Albert H. DeWitt O’Club, 641 West Red Line Drive to explore innovative sustainability concepts that could become part of the future of Alameda Point.

All community feedback provided at these workshops will assist the City in evaluating development alternatives for Alameda Point and in preparing a preferred development concept. Please contact Jennifer Ott, Deputy City Manager, at jott@ci.alameda.ca.us or (510) 747-4700 with any questions.

We look forward to seeing all of you Tuesday at the O’Club!

• Thursday, May 26, 2011, at City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Third Floor, Council Chambers from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

• Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at the Main Library, 1550 Oak Street, Meeting Room A, from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

If you are an owner of a business or multi-family residential property we STRONGLY encourage you to attend one of these meetings to learn more about the plan and provide input on implementation.
If you are not an owner, but know one or more, please forward this information to them and encourage them to attend.
The Zero Waste Implementation Plan is a critical element in Alameda meeting the goals of the Local Action Plan for Climate Protection. Please help us make this program a success and do right for our community as well as the planet.

For more information regarding meeting details, please call the Public Works Department at (510) 747-7930, or visit the City’s websites: www.CityOfAlamedaCA.gov or www.PlanetAlameda.com

Spring is here and it’s time to get that bike out and get rolling!  Next Thursday is Bike to Work Day (and Bike to School Day) and the outstanding folks at BikeAlameda have a great day planned.  You can find out all the details by reading the BikeAlameda Newsletter.

On Thursday they will have “Energizer Stations” at Peet’s Coffee on Park Street, Hawthorne Suites on Webster St., and at the Bay Farm Island Bridge.  Stop by on your way to work, get some refreshments, and meet your fellow cyclists.  On your way home you can celebrate the day at the Bike Away from Work Party being held at Barceluna.

Because one day just isn’t enough to celebrate cycling, BikeAlameda has planned events throughout the month.  In addition to activities next Thursday they also have planned the following events:

• May 14 – Tour de Tracs – a bicycle tour of Alameda’s historic light rail stations
• May14/15 – Bike to Services Weekend – bike to your place of worship!
• May 15 – Chicken Coop Tour – a bicycle tour of Alamada’s Backyard Chickens
• May 15 – Bike to the Movies
• May 21 – Bike to the Market
• May 28 – FREE Bike Safety Class

For more details see the BikeAlameda Newsletter.

May is shaping up to be a fantastic month to be out there on your bike.  Why not check out a couple of these events and start getting into the habit of making your way around town on two wheels.  It’s easy, and it’s fun!