Cesar Chavez Park; The Interim Solar Calendar

Monday, December 20th; 4:15 to 5:15 pm; Sunset: 4:50

Gathering will be led by Alan Gould, Lawrence Hall of Science

Special Event – weather permitting:

Near Simultaneous full moon rise/sun set around 4:50 pm

Total Lunar Eclipse later than evening (beginning 10:33 PM).

New Installation at the Memorial Solar Calendar Site:

Earth Cycle – Sun Shadow

Cesar Chavez Memorial Solar Calendar

The Meridian Calendar

37° 52′ N Lat / 122° W Long

Light & Shadow Observations: Earth Cycle – Sun Shadow is a temporary installation that combines art, science & cultural education.

Rather than utilizing the horizon as a calendar, a light spot or shadow crossing a noontime meridian also served as a calendar among many ancient civilizations. For example, The Sun Dagger in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, functions when the sun is near the meridian, rather than on the horizon. Also 17th century European cathedrals utilized a carefully located hole in the roof that would cast a spot of light on the floor of the cathedral along a meridian over the course of a year. At the Solar Calendar site, the shadow from the gnomon will cross the meridian at solar noon. The meridian calendar will allow the observer to witness the movement of the earth by watching the shadow move from west to east. It also has markings indicating shadow length for each month, the beginning of each season, differential seasonal shadow patterns, and the commemoration of the birth of Cesar Chavez.

And here’s one of egrets feeding at the north end:

Join us Sunday, Jan 18th from 11am to 2pm at the historic Berkeley Aquatic Park to help us restore and revive this precious local resource. Bring your family, friends and neighbors for an afternoon of landscaping, cleanup, trail reclamation, habitat restoration and a bit of history. The Aquatic Park is Berkeley’s largest park and was built in 1935 as part of the original WPA project. Join us in renewing our commitment to our community as we embark on a NEW New Deal!

To sign up for this event go to: http://www.pic2009.org/page/event/detail/4jtbr

If you would like to sponsor a tree planing (for $20) in honor of MLK, the Inauguration, or a special person in your life, please email aquaparkcleanup@gmail.com .

This cleanup event is part of the Nation Weekend of Service (Jan 17-19) in honor of MLK and the upcoming Inauguration. Citizens like you are hosting dozens of community service events all weekend long. To see more events near you, or create your own event go to: http://www.usaservice.org/

Berkeley Path Wanderers: New Year’s waterfront walk , Saturday, January 3, 10 a.m. View wintering waterfowl and discover how Berkeley beaches are rebuilding themselves. Binoculars are recommended. Walk is leisurely and level but not wheelchair accessible. Optional coffee/tea stop at Sea Breeze Deli. Meet at Shorebird Nature Center, 160 University Ave. (South side, west of Adventure Playground). f5creeks@aol.com , 510 848 9358, www.berkeleypaths.org

FREE HOLIDAY EVENT! Sunday, December 14th, 12-5pm at Waterside Workshops! Make your own wooden toys and fleece hats from recycled materials! Free food! Local Music! Bring the whole family! This is a free event due to the generous support of the City of Berkeley , the San Francisco Foundation, and Grocery Outlet.

http://www.watersideworkshops.org/

Make Your Own Bike Bag Beginning class for those with little or no sewing experience. We will cover the basics of sewing on the home machines, several important bag making techniques, an intro to bag design, as well as a brief look at the industrial machines. From noon to 4 p.m. at Waterside Workshops, 84 Bolivar Drive, at Berkeley’’s Aquatic Park. Cost for beginning and advanced class is $85. To register call 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org

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Winter Solstice
Sunday, Dec 21st
Begins @ 4:10 pm
Sunset @ 4:55 pm
Ends @ 5:10 pm
Led by Alan Gould, Lawrence Hall of Science

• Mini-work shop on the Reasons for the Seasons
• Cesar Chavez & Tolerance
• Two brief introductions to Winter Celebrations:
  • Kwanzaa – Michael Miller
  • Yalda – Mojgan Saberi

Dress Warmly – The weather is part of the experience

While the Interim Solar Calendar site is primarily set up for citizen self inquiry and informal learning, a series of four seasonal gatherings are held at the site each year on the solstices and equinoxes.

These gatherings, led by interpretive specialists, will provide an explanation of how the site operates along with the overall educational purposes of the project. Each gathering will also include some aspect of the homage to César Chávez.
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Saturday, June 07, 2008 , 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Learn to row at Berkeley Paddling and Rowing Club’s free drop-in clinic for community members of all ages and skill levels. On- and off-water training, safety tips, lingo and etiquette included, along with light refreshments. Information at 510-913-3669, caltekruse@caconsult.org . Berkeley Paddling and Rowing Club is a community-based non-profit established to promote rowing and paddling fitness in Berkeley.

Recommended to bring: comfortable clothes (not baggy), shows to slip out of, extra socks, sun protection, hat and sunglasses, and a lawn chair.

Location: 2851 Bolivar Dr., south end of Aquatic Park, Berkeley (full directions at website)

URL: http://www.berkeleyrowingclub.org

On Friday afternoon, November 9, the tide tubes that connect Berkeley’s Aquatic Park with the SF Bay were closed to minimize intrusion of oil into Aquatic Park. City officials are also concerned with pollution reaching the Marina and other Berkeley aquatic facilities.

More details on the “Cosco Busan” oil spill can be found on the California Department of Fish and Game’s website.

See also SFBaykeeper.org for other volunteer opportunities and updates.

For more information conact: Gene Herman, (510) 548-9840

Remember to weat comfortable shoes. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat, and a friend!
Relan, enjoy, and stretch your legs on a one-hour walk with potential to see many local and wayfaring birds and fantastic views of San Francisco Bay. Three routes along scenic Berkeley shoreline. Do Tai Chi exercise with Gene after the walk, “On demand.”
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: #9 bus stops directly across University Avenue from Seabreese market; it runs every half-hour and can be picked up at Shattuck and Center Street (A transfer location in downtown Berkeley.
In partnership with USOAC (United Seniors of Oakland and Alameda County) and Walkable Neighborhoods for Seniors
www.USOAC.org