July 9 talk on local pollinators — Bee there!

UC Professor of Entomology Gordon Frankie speaks on native bees and other pollinators and how to create habitat for them in your garden, at noon this Saturday, July 9, at Peralta Comunity Garden, 1400 Peralta Ave., Berkeley. Enjoy bee-related refreshments and this beautiful community garden, too! An added bonus for making your yard a haven for native bees: they don’t sting!

Free, all welcome. More information on native bees at //nature.berkeley.edu/urbanbeegardens/.

Harry Shearer’s “The Big Uneasy” at the Rialto Cinemas Elmwood (July 8th – July 14th)

“The Big Uneasy” is the first documentary by long-time “mockumentarian” Harry Shearer (of Spinal Tap and The Simpsons). The film follows three remarkable people–the leaders of two scientific investigation teams, and one whistleblower–as they reveal the true story of why New Orleans flooded, and why it could happen in other cities across America.

Shearer speaks to the tireless investigators and experts who poked through the muck as the water receded, and uncovers a courageous whistle-blower from the Army Corps of Engineers. His dogged pursuit of facts reveals that some of the same flawed methods responsible for levee failure during Hurricane Katrina are being used to rebuild the system expected to protect the “new” New Orleans from future peril.

To learn more about the film and watch the trailer you can visit www.thebiguneasy.com.

Volunteers on Codornices Creek for Green Day Across the World May 28, National Trails Day June 4

Green Day fans volunteer on Codornices Creek at 8th St. May 28
Green Day fans helping restore Codornices Creek for Green Day Across the World

On Saturday, May 28, fans of Green Day helped Friends of Five Creeks restore Codornices Creek, just two blocks from The Gilman all-ages night spot, where the East Bay punk-rock group got its first big break. They went on to sell 65 million records, win four grammies, and write a rock musical now on its way from Broadway to national tour. Fans declared May 28 Green Day Across the World, with environmental volunteering from Chile to Thailand and more.

Saturday, June 4, 10 AM – 12:30 PM, Friends of Five Creeks and Codornices Creek Watershed Council will again welcome volunteers, meeting at Codornices Creek and Eighth Street (1100 Eighth), two blocks north of Gilman, on the south edge of University Village. For National Trails Day, we’ll do light weeding to heavy pruning along the creekside trail. All welcome — tools, gloves, and snacks provided; work party will end with an interpretive walk along the creek. Information at 510 848 9358, f5creeks@aol.com, www.fivecreeks.org.

The Berkeley Paddling and Rowing Clubs Learn to Row Day Features a Fun-Filled Day For People of All Ages

NEWS RELEASE

May 16, 2011

BERKELEY, Calif. – The Berkeley Paddling and Rowing Club (BPRC), a non-profit organization, announces its annual Learn to Row Day on Saturday June 4, 2011, from 9am to 12pm, at the Aquatic Park in Berkeley. This is a free public event and no experience is needed.

The event will feature a drop-in Learn to Row Clinic, where participants will be taught the basics of rowing. Participants will also be given the opportunity to have time on the water. The clinic will cover topics such as: rowing safety tips, rowing technique demonstration, rowing lingo and etiquette, boat handling and dock discipline, and much more.

Anyone interested in rowing or learning more about this unique sport is encouraged to attend. All ages and skill levels are welcome. The event will include food, fun, facts about rowing and time out on the water. Participants are encouraged to bring items such as: sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a water bottle and an extra pair of socks.

Learn to Row Day

Information and directions can be found by visiting the website www.berkekeleyrowingclub.org or contact Charlie, the event coordinator, at (510) 913-3669. The Berkeley Paddling and Rowing Club is a non-profit community organization that aims to support, promote and educate the public about the amateur sports of rowing and paddling. This club was formed in 1968. The Berkeley Paddling and Rowing Club is open to the public and anyone interested may join.

Comments_or_questions: Berkeley Paddling and Rowing Club

Contact: Charlie, Event Coordinator

510.913.3669, caltekruse@caconsult.org

Los Amigos de Codornices are back! Join them May 21!

Congratulations to BPFP partner groups East Bay Green Parks Association and Los Amigos de Codornices for a very successful April 30 work party — more than 20 volunteers cleared a vast amount of ivy and broom in Codornices Park. While East Bay GPA has worked wonders in restoring the Codornices Creek canyon in the park recently, this was Los Amigos first volunteer activity in 15 years! The workers even “unveiled” some of the natives planted by Los Amigos a generation ago, when the group was a pioneer in nature restoration in Berkeley.

Join them 10 AM – noon Saturday, May 21, for another weed-pulling work party. Information at www.codornices.org.