Cover Story
Palo Alto area to celebrate Earth Day Events range from film festival to garden tours
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everal cities and nonprofit organizations are hosting nature and conservation activities this week and next in honor of Earth Day, April 22.
Friday, April 20 Clean Green Street Scene 4-7 p.m. at Lytton Plaza (corner of University Avenue and Emerson Street, Palo Alto) The Downtown Business and Professional Association is hosting this event, which will feature an art walk of artwork by school children displayed at merchants throughout downtown; informational booths; demonstrations; test rides on electric bicycles; giveaways including Seventh Generation products. Participants include SunPower, Lyfe Kitchen, LiveGreene, PA Bikes, EMW, Canopy, Green Citizen, Drive Less Challenge. Information at 650-223-4334.
Saturday, April 21 Earth Day Celebration at the Los Altos History Museum Noon-4 p.m. at 51 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos Cost: Free Participants can experience the exhibition, “Shaped by Water: Past, Present & Future” and pick up educational materials about conserving and caring for our water resources. Children can play in the play river by Riveropolis creator. More information is at losaltoshistory.org. EcoHome Ribbon Cutting 2-4 p.m. behind Lucie Stern Community Center (next to the Girl Scout House), 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto Unique demonstration home filled with the latest efficient, sustainable and conserving technologies will be on view. Dozens of innovative ideas will be on display including blue-jeans insulation, recycled-glass countertops and clover-leaf solar panels. Signs will provide details about actions, costs and savings. “Ugly Lighting” contest winners will be announced. The EcoHome will continue to be available throughout the year for guided tours. Information at www. cityofpaloalto.org.
Sunday, April 22 Top: Brittany Sabol, education and training director for the nonprofit Environmental Volunteers, stands beside the mudflats at the Palo Alto Baylands, a point on the nonprofit’s audio tour. Sabol calls the tours “augmented reality.” Above: Renee Fitzsimmons, docent programs manager for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, tests a device used for audio tours at Alpine Lake at the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. as and Strether Smith. She does the plugged into their phones and iPods, recording outside, picking up the Hamilton said. (continued from page 25) sounds of nature — and an occaBut audio tours could have a sional airplane — and adds voice- downside. “There is a danger that people she realized there wasn’t anything overs in her studio, she said. Hamilton assembles interviews may put on their headphones and to teach people about the outdoors, and creates an outline of the story fail to listen to the nature around she said. them. But that risk is worth taking She has created a tour for Save she wants to tell. “I will go to a place several times, because the information is there Mt. Diablo and an auto tour of the Avenue of the Giants for the Save take photos and record sounds to get with you,” she said. the Redwoods League. Users can an accurate soundscape,” she said. rittany Sabol, education and Audio tours that can be predownload the redwoods podcast training director of the nonand listen to the tour as they drive, downloaded to portable devices profit Environmental Volunoffer an advantage in remote areas, she said. “I try to find people who know the Fitzsimons said, where streaming teers, calls the tours “augmented place best,” Hamilton said. For the an audio file or calling up a phone reality.” Instead of simply seeing “a pretty Skyline Ridge tour, she interviewed application might not work due to vista and nice-looking birds,” the Fitzsimons, district biologist Cindy variable cell-phone coverage. The medium particularly appeals Roessler, area superintendent Brian Malone and docents Sharon Thom- to young people, who are already
Audio tour
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Mary Davey plaque dedication 10:30 a.m. at entrance to Byrne Preserve (off of 27210 Altamont Road, Los Altos Hills) Dedication of plaque in honor of the late environmental leader and activist for social causes, Mary Davey. Earth Day Celebration & Water Lilies Reception 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve, 2775 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto Cost: Free The City of Palo Alto Earth Day event features a mini environmental fair; the debut of environmental artist Judith Selby Lang’s “Water Lilies,” her latest work for the Art Center’s On the Road program; art and science activities, including hands-on crafts, Baylands critters and more; and tours of the Regional Water Quality Control Plant at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Information at the www.cityofpaloalto.org. Earth Day Peace and Social Justice Fair 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1140 Cowper St., Palo Alto Cost: Free Fair-goers will find ideas for reducing their carbon footprint; learn (continued on page 28)
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