Back from vacation

I just had one of the best vacation ever in the Pacific NW-a must for all nature lovers!
But, back to work now so I want to get right to it and tell you about a great FREE event happening next month in Berkeley. The Ecology center is having a talk and slide show Thursday the 8th of September discussing how cities can follow the many examples from around the world on how to create communities that do not rely on automobiles for getting around. Walkable, bikeable, and good public transportation are all keys. You will leave with solid, concrete ways that you can implement into your life as well as ways in which you can encourage your city to take the needed steps towards becoming more eco-friendly. Check out the following site for further information:
http://www.ecologycenter.org/calendar/event.php?title=From+Auto-Cities+to+EcoCities%3A+Examples+from+Around+the+Globe&eventID=36171

An organization you should know about

I have recently discovered a wonderful non-profit called Generation Green that works with local Contra Costa County officials to help to create green practice examples for the city and their local businesses. They hold workshops, informative movie nights, seminars and work with both QUEST and PG and E to help cities benchmark their progress and communicate this progress to other cities in their district. Is sounds a bit dry,I know,  but what they are doing is really remarkable....city by city, they are helping to eliminate greenhouse gasses emitted in the Bay Area.  check them out at www.cccclimateleaders.org

Confessions.....

ok, so these past few days have not been such a fine example of successful purging. To be sure, I have been purging, but also, have made a run to Target and fallen prey to a few trinkets I surely did not need! Combined with the VERY kind neighbor who gave Carter about 20 super cool new construction vehicles that his son no longer plays with....well, we are in the net positive on "stuff" for sure. So, I have to double my efforts next week and get really tough-a lot of things are on the chopping block! I hope those of you who are trying this out had more success then I did this week.