Environment

East Bay Parks: In 2016, get outdoors and get healthy

Published

9 years ago

January 6, 2016

By Ned McKay

Communing with nature can boost your resistance to diseases, according to an article referenced in the January issue of Consumer Reports.

The article cites work by Ming Kuo, director of the Landscape and Human Health Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana.

“Nature doesn’t just have one or two active ingredients, “ she said. “It’s more like a multivitamin that provides us with the nutrients we need to protect us from different diseases.”

With that in mind, consider the variety of free, immunity boosting outdoor activities offered in the East Bay Regional Parks this upcoming weekend.

You could start out at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley, where the naturalist staff will lead a walk from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9 to view deciduous and evergreen trees, ducks, and mushrooms among other winter flora and fauna.

Big Break is at 69 Big Break Road off Main Street in Oakley. For general information on the park, call 888-327-2757, ext. 3050.

And there’s always something going on at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley. Three programs are on the agenda during the weekend.

First, you can make your own rain stick and learn how to conserve water, with help from interpretive student aide Sharona Kleinman. The program is from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9.

There’s a walk on the wild side from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. the same day with naturalist Trail Gail Broesder. It’s a trek to the top of Wildcat Peak, looking for wildlife along the way and enjoying panoramic views at the summit. Bring water and snacks.

Then from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 10, Sharona will organize a bingo game with a wildlife theme. At the end, you get to keep the cards.

All three programs meet at the Environmental Education Center, located at the north end of Tilden’s Central Park Drive. For information, call 510-544-2233.

Speaking of rain, weather is the theme of Family Nature Fun hour from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 9 and 10, at Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda.

The staff will lead activities based on the science of clouds, storms and extreme weather. Then it’s fish feeding time at the center’s aquariums from 3 to 3:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.

The aquariums contain many varieties of fish that inhabit San Francisco Bay. Crab Cove is at 1252 McKay Ave. off Central Avenue. Call 510-544-3187.

Ducks are on the agenda at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. Naturalist Kristina Parkison will lead a stroll on a boardwalk through the park’s marshes from 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9 to view our overwintering web-footed friends.

Kristina’s program is for ages six and older and parent participation is required. Meet at the visitor center at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway.

Coyote Hills has a Family Fun Hour, too. It’s from 2 to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, Jan. 10 a tour of the visitor center nectar garden is planned.

Oakland Post

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Activism

LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

2 weeks ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/PostNewsGroup
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/blackpressusatv
X: twitter.com/blackpressusa

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Business

Gov. Newsom Issues Executive Order to Tackle Rising Electric Bills

Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to help alleviate the financial burden of skyrocketing electric bills on residents. This directive instructs the state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Energy Commission to identify strategies to lower electricity costs and prevent rapid increases in the future.

Published

3 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

Oakland Post

iStock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Among the key actions proposed, the governor emphasized a closer examination of utility expenditures related to wildfire mitigation, which accounts for about 13% of residential electric bills.

Newsom underscored the state’s commitment to balancing affordability with environmental goals.

“We’re taking action to address rising electricity costs and save consumers money on their bills,” said Newsom. “California is proving that we can address affordability concerns as we continue our world-leading efforts to combat the climate crisis.”

California now has the second-highest electric rates in the country, trailing only Hawaii, with residential bills having surged as much as 110% over the past decade. The largest utilities, including Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric, have seen rate hikes of 20% to 50% in just the last three years, approved by the state’s regulatory bodies.

The executive order also directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to explore increasing the California Climate Credit, which provides some relief on energy costs for residents. Additionally, the PUC is urged to pursue federal funding opportunities to further reduce electric expenses.

While consumer advocates welcomed the governor’s focus on lowering costs, concerns were raised regarding potential cuts to essential clean energy programs. CALPIRG, a consumer group, pointed out that the real issue behind high utility bills is wasteful spending by utilities and urged greater accountability.

Oakland Post

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Bay Area

California Ports to Receive Over $1 Billion in Federal Funds to Decarbonize

Last week, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will allocate over $1 billion to seven California ports for zero-emission (ZE) infrastructure and climate management plans. In an Oct. 29 press release, Padilla said this funding, part of the EPA’s Clean Ports Program and supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality at ports nationwide.

Published

3 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

Oakland Post

iStock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

In an Oct. 29 press release, Padilla said this funding, part of the EPA’s Clean Ports Program and supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality at ports nationwide.

Among the grants, the Port of Los Angeles received over $411 million, the largest award in the country. California ports are vital to the national economy, handling about 40% of containerized imports and 30% of exports.

“California’s ports move the goods that power our economy. This historic investment in our ports is a major step forward in accelerating the zero-emission infrastructure transition,” said Padilla.

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka and fellow port officials echoed Padilla’s sentiments, with plans to acquire over 400 pieces of ZE cargo handling equipment, reducing emissions by 41,500 tons annually.

“This transformative investment will be a tremendous boost to our efforts to meet our ambitious zero emission goals, improve regional air quality, and combat climate change while accelerating the port industry’s transition to zero emissions across the country,” said Seroka.

Other ports, including Oakland, Stockton, San Diego, and San Francisco, will also use their grants to transition to ZE operations, improve regional air quality, and create job opportunities.

The EPA’s funding will support various projects, from electrifying cargo terminals to establishing the first high-speed zero-emission ferry network in the U.S. Ports will collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure these investments benefit their surrounding communities.

The port of Hueneme in Ventura County and the Port of Redwood City on the Southern San Francisco Bay will also receive funding, respectively.