Community Corner
Earth Day Celebrations
Earth Day is April 22 and there are several local celebrations to choose from. Check out our list of options, large and small.
Celebrate all things green and sustainable at Earth Day events locally beginning this weekend.
Earth Day started in 1970, following a massive oil spill off the Santa Barbara coast. National demonstrations called for increased environmental protections, and are credited with leading to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the passage of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act.
The event is now celebrated worldwide, with several notable events nearby.
Find out what's happening in Dublinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
April 9-10:
Find out what's happening in Dublinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Presented by Green America and Global Exchange
When: Saturday, April 9-Sunday, April 10 (Sat.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun.: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Where: San Francisco Concourse Exhibition Center
635 8th Street (at Brannan St.), San Francisco
Now in its tenth year, the festival is part of a larger festival program across the country. The event celebrates all things green, and is designed to equip people to live more sustainably. It is the best opportunity to see the vast array of products, technology, and services that support the increasing greening of America.
Music, speakers, vendors, food, and a kids’ zone make this event a full day experience of fun and education (many people go both days).
Cost: One day passes are $10; two day festival pass is $15. When you purchase online there is also a small processing fee.
For more information: Visit their website or download their event guide.
Presented by the San Ramon Historic Foundation
When: Saturday, April 9 at 10 a.m.
Where: Forest Home Farms
19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon
(925) 973-3282
Celebrate Earth Day by pitching in to maintain a local historical resource. All ages are welcome, and will participate in gardening, wildlife, and other general farm projects. Please bring gloves and garden tools. Refreshments will be provided. Children under 13 years old must have an adult with them.
Cost: Free
For more information: Email sherscu@sanramon.ca.gov.
Event: Spring Cleaning 2011 Earth Day in Alamo Celebration
Hosted by the McDaniel Callahan Real Estate Team at J. Rockliff Realtors in Danville
When: Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Alamo Plaza Shopping Center
Parking lot located in front of Richard’s Arts and Crafts
Volunteers will be accepting e-waste, bicycles, household items, and clothing. Items collected will benefit Shepherd’s Gate, Bikes for Africa, and Sewing Seeds.
Cost: Free
For more information: visit the event website at http://www.springcleaning2011.com/.
April 16-17:
Event: 14th Annual California State Parks Foundation Earth Day Restoration and Clean-up
Presented by Pacific Gas & Electric
When: Saturday, April 16, 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Where: Mount Diablo State Park
(Meet at Lower Summit parking lot off of Summit Road at the top of Mount Diablo State Park).
Help preserve Mount Diablo State Park, and assist with trail maintenance, clearing vegetation from roads, painting buildings, installing fencing, and rehabilitating a campground.
Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and garden gloves
Registration is highly recommended.
For more information: Call Dan Stefanisko at (925) 855-1730 or email dstefanisko@parks.ca.gov. Also download the Earth Day Volunteer Handbook.
Event: John Muir Earth Day Birthday Celebration 2011
Presented by the John Muir Association and the National Parks Service
When: Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: John Muir National Historic Site
4202 Alhambra Ave., Martinez
Take advantage of a great opportunity to visit the Victorian home and estate where John Muir penned many of his influential works that are part of the environmental preservationists’ canon.
The event will feature more than 50 exhibitors, earth friendly information, hands-on activities for all ages, and music. There will also be a recycled fashion show, silent auction, and John Muir will be on hand to tell some tales and share his birthday cake.
Free parking will be available at Alhambra High School, and shuttles will be available.
Cost: Free
For more information: call the John Muir National Historic Site at (925) 228-8860.
Event: “The Real Dirt on Farmer John” Movie Presentation and Discussion
Presented by the Walnut Creek Library and Slow Food Delta Diablo
When: Saturday, April 16, 6 p.m.
Where: Walnut Creek Library, second floor (Oak View Room).
1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek
“The Real Dirt of Farmer John” is the first in the “Delicious Revolution” series of films. The film chronicles “what it means to be different in rural America.” The movie will be followed by a discussion on farming and sustainable living in America.
Cost: Free; reservations are not required, but encouraged.
For more information: contact Jana De Brauwere at (925) 977-3340.
Event: Sheep Shearing Day 2011
Presented by the San Ramon Historic Foundation
When: Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m.-3p.m.
Where: Forest Home Farms
19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon
(925) 973-3282
An annual local tradition, celebrate spring and come out to see the sheep lose their winter coats. There are also demonstrations of blacksmithing, lace making, and woodcarving, quilting and spinning. Special kids events include crafts, games, tractor rides and animals. Watch sheepdogs in action, and tour the property, including Glass House. Food will be available for purchase.
Cost: Adults (13 years or older) $7; child (3-12 years) $5; children 2 and under are free. If you pre-register early by emailing SanRamonHF@gmail.com, adults are $5, and children are $3.
Event: Oakland Zoo’s Earth Day and Adventures on Planet Earth
When: Sunday, April 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland
This year the zoo will highlight the adventure of living on planet earth during its Earth Day festivities. In addition to all the animals and attractions, the special program will include more than 50 hands-on educational earth stations and demonstrations, local environmental non-profit organizations, face painting, and the opportunity to play with a gigantic earth ball.
If you bring a cell phone to recycle, you will get a free zoo train ride.
Cost: Regular zoo admission rates apply.
For more information: call (510) 632-9525, ext. 122.
Event: Earth Day is Everyday
Hosted by Walnut Creek Sports Basement
When: Sunday, April 17, 1-4 p.m.
Where:
1881 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Walnut Creek
The event will feature live music, raffle prizes, local green businesses, a Kids’ Zone, and recycle center for clothes, shoes, and bike tires.
All attendees will receive 10 percent off purchases, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Sustainable Contra Costa.
Cost: Free
For more information: contact the store (925) 941-6100.
April 21-22:
Event: Celebrate the Earth … It’s The Only Planet with Wine!
Presented by Sustainable Danville Area
When: Thursday, April 21, 6-8 p.m.
Where: The Vine at Bridges
480 Hartz Ave., Danville
Celebrate Earth Day and Sustainable Danville Area’s first birthday at an organic and sustainable wine tasting.
Cost: $15
For more information: contact Cynthia Ruzzi at (925) 895-5001.
Event:
Presented by the Town of Danville
When: Friday, April 22, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: The Village Theatre
233 Front St., Danville
The Town will feature local youth art instructor, Mary Mello, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., who will lead three eco-friendly crafts for children 3 years old and older. At 1:30 p.m. there will be a screening of a contemporary British artist documentary in the theatre. From 3-5 p.m. the Dragonfly Design Studio will lead a resin ring workshop.
Registration is recommended (Barcode 23307).
Cost: $5 materials fee for the resin ring workshop.
For more information: call (925) 314-3460 or email amiller@danville.ca.gov.
Earth Day Weekend:
Event: 41st Annual Berkeley Earth Day
When: Saturday, April 23, 12-5 p.m.
Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park
2151 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Berkeley
Billed as the Bay Area’s largest Earth Day celebration, the event features speakers, performers, sustainable urban living demonstration, free electronic waste drop off, climbing wall, food court, and craft and community booths.
Driving is discouraged and there will be valet bike parking,
Cost: Free
For more information: download the event flyer.
Event: Earth Day San Francisco
When: Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Civic Center Plaza
355 McAllister Street, San Francisco
Described by organizers as a “multi-cultural music festival and sustainable living road show,” the event features international speakers, sustainability leaders and organizations, green businesses, and much more.
Cost: Free
For more information: visit their website www.earthdaysf.com.
** For a list of other San Francisco based activities, click here.
Event: Lafayette’s 6th Annual Earth Day Picnic and Celebration
Presented by Sustainable Lafayette, the City of Lafayette, and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
When: Saturday, April 23, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Where: Downtown Lafayette
Bring lunch, or buy a lunch for $5, prepared with food from local farmers. For a menu, click here. The event will also feature live music, an eco expo showcasing Lafayette’s green businesses and products, with local environmental groups on hand to provide green tips. From 9-11:30 a.m. there will be a bike rodeo and self propelled parade that starts at Stanley Middle School.
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit www.sustainablelafayette.org.
For a list of ongoing green activities and educational events visit the Ecology Center website, or Sustainable Contra Costa’s website.
