West Contra Costa Group

Executive Committee meeting

Wednesday, July 28, 7:30 pm, Northminster Presbyterian Church, 545 Ashbury, El Cerrito.

Executive Committee meetings are open to all. You are welcome to come to learn about the Group's conservation and administrative issues or to volunteer your time and talents. For information contact Rita Minjares, (510) 528-2913.

General meeting - Make a difference!

Wednesday, August 25, 7:30 pm, Northminster Presbyterian Church, 545 Ashbury, El Cerrito.

2004 is the most important election year for the environment in decades. Are you concerned about how you can make a difference? Come and speak with Chapter staff and activists to see how you can get involved. Conservation manager Jonna Papaefthimiou and others will be there to describe the Sierra Club's election activities and opportunities, and to answer your questions.

We are preparing for our Group's Executive Committee election, and will certify candidates at this meeting. Be on our nominating committee, or be a candidate. Dream what you would like the Group to be; then help make it happen! There are open seats, and so there is room for you. We need nominations by mid-August.

For more information, or to volunteer for the nominating committee or to be a candidate, contact Rita Minjares, (510) 528-2913.

Annual walk and picnic - Pinole Creek

Saturday, August 28. For the Group's annual walk and picnic this year we will explore Pinole Creek (in where else - Pinole!). Follow an all-weather trail alongside a creek which is lovingly maintained by the city's residents. Afterward, we will picnic in Fernandez Park.

Carpool at 10:30 am from the west parking lot at El Cerrito Del Norte BART, or join us at 11 at the Pinole Senior Center, 2500 Charles Ave. Turn north from San Pablo Ave. east of Pinole Creek. For information contact Rita Minjares, (510) 528-2913.

Happenings in West Contra Costa

The initiative to protect Hercules' Franklin Canyon area from intensive development appears headed for the November ballot. On May 3, proponents turned in twice as many signatures as were required to qualify; please volunteer to help the campaign (see article). Meanwhile GreenPark's Franklin Canyon development proposal is still on hold until the company pays for a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (see article).

We now have a beautiful brochure describing Breuner Marsh on the North Richmond shoreline and the need to keep it as open space. Jonna Papaefthimiou, our Chapter's conservation manager, designed it. It is being distributed at public events and mailed out. The North Richmond Shoreline Alliance is planning a big event for September.

The Natural Heritage Institute is administering a grant to restore Rheem Creek at the edge of Breuner Marsh. They are planning a training session on monitoring the creek. For information, contact Jonna Papaefthimiou at (510) 848-0800, ext. 312, or email