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April 2013 Students for the Advancement of Global Education
Serving the Lafayette Community Earth Day Celebration in Lafayette
When Budd Mackenzie first started Trust In Education in 2002, he wondered if a California community would support a rural village half a world away. Eleven years later, the answer appears to be a resounding “yes.” The grass-roots organization, which provides educational, economic and health care assistance to villages in Afghanistan, has continued to garner assistance through the years from a variety of local groups. One of MacKenzie’s key support groups is SAGE – Students for the Advancement of Global Education – an Acalanes High School club focused on educating women and children and promoting healthy living conditions in Afghanistan.
For the eighth year in a row, residents of Lafayette and surrounding communities are welcomed to attend our own Earth Day celebration, hosted by Sustainable Lafayette, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, and Lafayette Library. Mark your calendar for Sunday, April 21st, and join the festival at the library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., from 11am to 3pm. There will be activities and displays for every member of the family. This year’s theme is WASTE – or more precisely, what we can do to reduce, or even eliminate, waste of all kinds. Did you know that the city’s goal is to reach a 75% diversion rate? Lafayette is a very green city, but we can do even more to cut down on the food, plastic, paper, and glass that we send to the landfill every year. At the No-Waste Zone, you can find interesting displays about how to reduce waste, hear Girl Scouts give presentations, and sign a commitment at the pledge wall to make one or more waste-reducing actions.
By Fran Miller
Featuring a “No Waste” Zone
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The Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society SAGE members.
SAGE originated three years ago as a “Three Cups of Tea” club - an homage to author Greg Mortenson’s best-selling book. When the book’s and author’s credibility was called to question, the students re-branded their group, changed their name, and hitched their wagon to MacKenzie’s incredibly successful efforts. “We were also inspired by Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner and especially A Thousand Splendid Suns because it focuses on the plight of women in Afghanistandepicting their lives realistically and revealing the oppression that they have endured for over 25 years,” says SAGE’s 16-year-old president, Briana Grether.
The Stars Belong to Everyone By Jim Scala
Drive up Mt. Diablo on April 20th to the lower summit parking lot to arrive by about 6:30PM for an inspiring evening with the stars. Thanks to the Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society (MDAS), you’ll see the universe as
Jupiter showing small storms that might be visible on April 20th.
Making wapi’s (a device used to determine when water has reached 150o.
SAGE raised more than $3,000 last year through car washes, calendar sales, bake sales, speaking engagements, and other events. They donate all the funds they raise and
See SAGE continued on page 20
Local Postal Customer
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never before, and the night sky will take on new meaning. Many men and women will be standing by their telescopes and at the club’s observatory to show you celestial objects. You’ll see craters of the Moon, the rings of Saturn, Jupiter’s many colored markings along with its moons, and possibly a comet or Volume VII - Number 4 galactic nebulae. The views will capture 3000F Danville Blvd #117 your imagination, and the night sky will Alamo, CA 94507 Telephone (925) 405-6397 never be the same again. Every visitor Fax (925) 406-0547 says, “Wow!” at least once during a editor@yourmonthlypaper.com viewing. At twilight, before observing starts, you’ll be treated to a short talk Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher which this month asks, “Are we alone?” The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of LaTo make the point, some scopes will be fayette Today. Lafayette Today is not responsible set on another solar system – a sun with for the content of any of the advertising herein,
See MDAS continued on page 5
nor does publication imply endorsement.