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FoTC Newsletter
April 2001
FoTC Quarterly Meeting: Wednesday, April 25, 7 p.m. Temescal Library
Come to Temescal Library community room, downstairs, door in back, 5205 Telegraph Ave., Oakland.
Attend Oakland's Environmental Expo
Wednesday, April 18, 11:30am -1:30pm In front of City Hall, 14th St.
and Broadway.
A Free Earth Day Environmental Forum showcasing local organizations (like FoTC!), businesses, and agencies (also Merritt
College
Environmental Studies Program.) Come visit at lunch. Volunteers
needed to
person the booth. Call 655-0341, or email: FoTemescal@aol.com.
Mark your calendar...
...for the following quarterly meetings: July 25, October 24, and January 23, 7 pm. also at the library.
A Special Thanks to Our Volunteers
Eliza Barclay: Project profiles, Pat Nagle & Sharon Joyer
Newsletter production: Susan Dembowski
Paul McGee: Vicente Canyon news
Margie Bowman: Thornhill reach rep. to Steering Committee, Vicente Canyon Neighborhood Assn.
Collaboration on Steering Committee
Creating a Steering Committee for FoTC
Call 655-0341 or email FoTemescal@aol.com
FoTC needs a membership organization structure, to perpetuate FoTC We
now
have over 400 members, dozens actively contributing, both within the
organization, and also in collaboration with the Merritt College
Environmental Studies Program. We are working on some 26 projects
in the
watershed!, Please volunteer to focus on one of the many types of
tasks:
Collaboration & Grantsmanship, Administration, Publicity, Clean
ups and
Planting, and Mapping. Your ideas are welcome !
You may volunteer within the context of a Merritt College
Environmental
Studies course in order to get affordable college credit.
Forming an East Bay Watershed Forum
In an effort to increase the number of watershed plans and amount of protection and restoration, FoTC is collaborating with Merritt College, the Environmental Science Institute (ESI), Alameda County Resource Conservation District, and Oasis to form the East Bay Fire And Watershed Convention funded by the California Department Of Forestry. You are invited to volunteer for this committee. Merritt college credit is possible through related workshops. We also have a paid part-time position for a multi-cultural intern to work on this project.
UPPER REACHES HAPPENINGS
NEWS FROM VICENTE CANYON
by Susan Dembowski & Paul McGee
Vicente Canyon, accessed by Vicente Rd. and Alvarado Rd. above Tunnel
Rd.
(Rte. 13), still retains much open land, open creek and many native
plants.
The canyon and Vicente Creek are increasingly threatened by new
housing
development.
In March, a group of neighbors led by Bill McClung of the Vicente
Canyon
Neighborhood Association, and by Jim McKissock, a naturalist, worked
on
enhancement and restoration of native vegetation and creation of frog
ponds
fed by natural springs at Willow Walk, a public pathway on Alvarado
Rd just
above Bridge Rd.
Some members of this group visited several sites on or near Vicente
Creek
which remain entirely or partly undeveloped, with a view toward
organizing
neighborhood work parties to eradicate invasive weeds and encourage
growth
of native plants, thereby reducing fire danger and increas-ing the
habitat
value and beauty of these sites. Permission from the land-owners is
being
sought.
Focusing on smaller sites offers immediate results and helps
residents
define goals for a canyon wide creek and green space preservation
plan.
A conservation easement is an applicable legal structure which
reduces
property owners' taxes, while protecting open space in which to
maintain and
enhance the creek, native vegetation, and wildlife habitat.
Trail Blazers: Lake Temescal to Sibley
A group of neighbors above the Caldecott Tunnel is working with
land-owners/developers and the City of Oakland to include existing
informal
trail system into area development plans. The approach relies on
good will,
that both open space and a fair return for developers can be achieved
by
openly discussing the opportunities and constraints to strike a
balance.
This effort will provide a major link in a future hills-to-bay
greenway
corridor.
For information contact Steve Renten, ren-ten@pacbell.net.
Claremont Hotel: Possible Landmark Status
Berkeley/Oakland Neighbors of the Claremont, BONC, is currently
working on
preparing the official Oakland Landmark Application document to
submit to the
Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board, possibly the first week of
April. The
Board may hear discussion of the Application at their May 14, 2001
meeting.
BONC will also be preparing the National Register Landmark List
application
soon. Neighbors of the Claremont are concerned about expansion plans
at the
hotel. Harwood Creek, culverted under the site, is the key natural
historical feature of the hotel. Landmark designation may provide
opportunities to commemorate and recreate the creek as part of hotel
improvements.
Email BONC: saveclaremont2001@yahoo.com. See their website: www.saveclaremont.org. Please Ask that Temescal Creek be part of the Landmark consideration for the hotel.
Donations are welcome. Please make a check to:
"Save the Claremont", and mail
c/o J. Lehman, #2 Tunnel Road, Berkeley, CA 94705
ROCKRIDGE TO TEMESCAL NEIGHBORHOOD REACH HAPPENINGS
Interpretive Plan for the Rockridge-Temescal Greenbelt
A Chain of Creek Info, History, and Natural History
Committee of neighbors is making a plan to integrate the many new
park
features and the landscaping to tell the local story surrounding the
creek.
The Greenbelt enhances and opens up public land along Temescal Creek,
the
neighborhood's only open space. It will add safe access, im-prove
vegetation, add play facilities, add artwork, more seating, and
inter-pretation. Friends of Park and Rec., FOPR is reviewing the
"Prop 12"
elements to begin construction drawings for the Rockridge - Temescal
Greenbelt project. Contact: Faith Fuller, FOPR, (510) 238-4719.
Completion of the Greenbelt still depends on individual and business
gifts,
which Friends of the Rockridge Greenbelt (FROGS) is soliciting. Over
$32,000 of the $75,000 goal has been raised. Please consider a
donation to
the Greenbelt. Contact: Bruce Douglas at (510)655-0341. For more
info, see
the Rockridge News, and website, www.rockridge.org.
Greenbelt Cleanup
Saturday, April 21 (Earth Day), 9am to noon, join your neighbors for a fun day of park care and information about the Greenbelt construction. Meet at the DMV parking lot, nearest corner of Cavour and Redondo streets., one block east of Claremont Ave., 2 blocks north of Telegraph Ave. This is where phase 1 of the Greenbelt project will soon be built, including a pathway, landscaping, water/sand play, and a play structure. Future creek cleanup dates for 2001, Saturdays: July 14, September 15 (Creek to Bay Day). Call Margaret Pinter for info: (510)655-1767.
TNT Community Gateway Project
Next Gateway planning meeting: Saturday, April 28, 2001, 10 am,
Temescal
Branch Library (downstairs).
Update from the March 17 planning meeting: about the former Pussycat
Theater
site, atop the creek at 51st St. and Telegraph Ave.: A development
Idea:
Children's Hospital would consider partnering in a child care
facility
development including open space accessible off hours for community
purposes
(a site for possible Temescal Creek commemoration?) The Northern
California
Land Trust, which helps develop affordable home ownership
opportunities and
helps community-based organizations to "take stewardship" of
neighborhoods
needing revitalization, could partner with the community to acquire
the
former theater site.
Community design "charette"* Saturday May 5, 9am - 5pm, Carter Middle
School,
4521 Webster St.
* A workshop to produce four to six quick, fairly detailed
alternative,
conceptual plans for a development project. Put your two (or more)
cents
into creating designs for the future development, commemoration and
recreation of Temescal Creek at the former theater site and parking
lot atop
the creek at 51st and Telegraph Ave. No design skills needed,
supplies and
refreshments will be provided. To register call Joan Marie Wood,
653-4576;
e-mail: joanmariew@earthlink.net. Please provide your name, address,
e-mail
address, and phone. For other info: Steve Costa, 655-4818; e-mail
sgcosta@earthlink.net.
Design "charette"* Results Presented: Saturday May 19, 10am - noon,
Carter
Middle School, 4521 Webster St.
Community Art for New Temescal Post Office
Public Review meetings: Saturday April 14, 10 - noon, and
Thursday, April
19, 7 - 9pm, Temescal Br. Library (downstairs), 5205 Telegraph Ave.
Proposed designs will be presented for the PostMark Temescal: A
Community
Commemoration Site permanent outdoor installation celebrating
Temescal's
history, culture and ecology, located on the Shattuck Avenue side of
the new
North Oakland Post Office. Look for the design proposals on public
display at
the Temescal Branch Library and in a 5000 block of Telegraph store
window
during the last two weeks of April. To find out more about PostMark
Temescal, call: (510)653-7190, email: marksearch@earthlink.com.
EMERYVILLE REACH HAPPENINGS
TEMESCAL CREEK GREENWAY PLAN
The Report For Emeryville Is Available. See and purchase a copy: $ 22 in color or $ 5 for black and white. Report outlines the basic features and contacts for turning Temescal Creek into a vibrant, urban, green corridor. Call (510)655-0341. Earth Day in Temescal Creek Park. Festival: Saturday April 28, Noon - 4pm, In the park mid-block between 47th and 53rd Streets, just west of Adeline St. Come down for fun, food, vendors, artists, community groups and eco-businesses. FoTC needs volunteers to "person" a booth. To Volunteer: 655-0341. For info: call Crystal Savage at Emeryville Recreation Dept. 596-4395.
Intertidal Study
FoTC is a partner with Environmental Science Institute (see above) and Merritt College to produce a guide on how to restore the creek as it enters the bay. Another volunteer opportunity! Call (510) 655-0341 or email: FoTemescal@aol.com.
Merritt College Environmental Program SPRING Semester courses
(Jan-May) You can still register! Call (510) 436-2600, or visit website: http://ecology@atmerritt.net and http://www.peralta.cc.ca.us.
Ecological Design Workshops in the Oakland Hills
Call (510) 848-5713.
May/June and September/October. Choose any or all evening or weekend
workshops: Introduction: May 8, 7:00 p.m. at the Self Reliant House
Environmental Center. Cost: $7.50 to $35. Scholarships available.
Energy Independence: Planning and installing solar electric, water
and
space heating.
Building for Green and Fire Safe Living
use of green materials to
design
fire safe buildings and landscape: a hands on workshop.
Local Community Planning: neighborhood control of decisions.
The Magic of Water in Ecological Design
Moisture and rainwater retention on-site. Hands on workshop to
design and
build a small urban garden rock, pool and drain swale recirculating
system.
Sierra Weekend and environmental assessment of an historic
ecotourist site;
mapping, building materials ecological footprint, and ecological
restoration
at Berkeley Tuolomne Camp. Food and tent cabin provided.
Intro/Advanced GIS/GPS, Mon. eve. Marshland Restoration,
some Thurs. eves, some Sats. & Suns. Environmental Geology, Mon, Weds, Fri. afts, or Weds. eve. Bay Area Field Studies, Thurs. 3/1 and some Suns.
Native Americans and the Bay Area Environment
some Thurs. afts, some Sats. & Suns.
Endangered Species of the Bay Area
some Thurs. eves., Sats. 4/21 &
4/28.
Creek Commemoration: Gateway Commons, San Pablo Ave.
The new owner-occupied live-work affordable housing development at 53rd St. and San Pablo Ave. is complete. Its four structures straddle Temescal Creek, and have creek-commemorating landscaping in the center, per Friends of Temescal Creek' recommendation! There is a cobble paved sidewalk section on San Pablo, marked "Temescal Creek", cobbles and boulders laid out along a creek meander, and murals symbolizing the creeks heritage at the tops of the buildings flanking the creek.
What About The Homeless? An Urban Park Reality
FoTC and Merritt College will interview the homeless park users, and investigate how to address their needs in park and greenway planning. Many friends have expressed interest. Thank you. We will contact you soon, as we proceed. If you are interested in this project call us! (510) 655-0341. (Also part of a Merritt College course, see above.)
Harwood Creek Area Residents In Berkeley Are Invited To Join FoTC
After flowing down Claremont Canyon, Harwood Creek, the northern most tributary of Temescal Creek, runs open past John Muir School and through some wonderful yards in Berkeley's Claremont Ave. and Uplands area. Please come to the meeting and let us know of your interests.
Bicycling watershed monitors
Tunnel road, Skyline and Grizzly Peak Road are very popular recreational cycling routes which roughly circumscribe the watershed. How about a group to watch for and report opportunities for restoration, and emerging problems in the watershed? Email: FoTemescal@aol.com.
Creek Markers for Telegraph Avenue
Jeff Norman and Beth Craven have produced 10 beautiful marker signs about the creek and its history. The 18" by 24" signs tell site specific stories and have images and maps locating the creek. We are working out a chain of prominent display locations atop the buried creek where it crosses Telegraph Avenue. We need volunteers to deliver/pick up printing, and help install the display. Info: 655-0341.
Thank you!
Thank you! If you can, please donate. Two dollars will help cover mailings. Send checks to:
Friends of Temescal Creek
448 48th Street, Oakland, CA 94609
510-655-0341 FoTemescal@aol.com.
Friends of Temescal Creek, has received assistance from the Alameda
Countywide Clean Water Program, the Strong Foundation, Emeryville,
Oakland
Public Works-Environmental Service Division, and the California
Trails and
Greenways Foundation, Merritt College, California Dept. of Forestry,
the San
Francisco Foundation, and Aquatic Outreach Institute.