Foothill Collaborative

For Sustainability

Summer Celebration

SUMMER SUSTAINABILITY CELEBRATION

DATE CHANGED TO AUGUST 12

Join us for a day of picnicking, music, networking and high play. This gathering replaces the Table Mountain Garlic Harvest Festival – but there may well be some garlic available anyway!

Mark your calendars now for Sunday August 12, a fun day in the sun and shade with a swimming pond, food and music stage. FoCuS is hosting this season's gathering for both relaxation and to make and keep the connection with inspired folks envisioning a sustainable future for themselves and the planet. Music by Clan Dyken, Alma Melodiosa and more.

To be held from noon until 6:00 at the Bridges’ homestead and surrounding areas on Love Creek in Avery. Get onto Love Creek Road from Moran Road and follow the signs. Bring chairs, cups, plates, utensils, swim suits, drums and other toys, and a big smile!

GENERAL PLAN

FoCuS member Mickey Williamson continues to represent us on the Calaveras Planning Coalition. Here's what's new:

Mark your calendars again! The Board of Supervisors study session on the topic of Community Plans was due to take place on July 24. That morning's Board of Supervisors regular agenda flowed freely into the afternoon, pushing the study session to 4:00 PM. It was agreed by the majority of those still present at that time to reschedule the meeting for August 21 at 1:30 PM. A large attendance is important for showing the Supervisors that current, complete Community Plans for all county towns are crucial to the General Plan update process.
Lynn O'Connor has been hired by the county to lead the General Plan update process. The Planning Coalition met with Lynn on July 23 to get to know her and introduce all the groups that participate in the Coalition. It seems that a very good channel of communication has been opened with Lynn.
The Baseline Report that is being prepared by the General Plan consultants, Mintier and Associates, is scheduled for release at the end of August. However, the county is a couple of months behind in the process so it is likely that it will be seen in the fall.
The Calaveras Planning Coalition and its representative groups have truly begun to impact county planning decisions. This is a dedicated group of folks and would welcome smart planning groups representing Highway 4 communities. Most of the participants at this time come from the other sides of the county. At the moment, a small group from Murphys that is concerned about a particular development and Ebbetts Pass Forest Watch are the only specifically Highway 4 groups represented.
Please feel free to contact Mickey Williamson, mickeyw@goldrush.com, for any questions about these items or anything to do with the General Plan update."

SISTER COMMUNITY TO FoCuS

Sustainable Lawrence (New Jersey)

Visit the link to one of our sister sustainability NGOs in Lawrence, New Jersey. They have many initiatives similar to FoCuS interests. They are also doing some things that we have not yet looked into.

http://www.sustainablelawrence.org/

Update from the Transportation Seed Pod – Sandy Kasten

Transportation:

Tyler Summersett of the Calaveras Council of Governments (the county agency responsible for transportation planning) provided the following update on the bicycle and pedestrian plans:

"The Calaveras Council of Governments (CCOG) 2007 Bike and Pedestrian Master Plans are one step closer to being approved. The Plans document existing conditions and facilities in the City [of Angels Camp] and County in addition to making recommendations about future improvements and projects. The focus of both the Bike and Pedestrian master plans are improvements in the downtown areas of communities to assist in making utilitarian trips, ie, to schools, shopping centers, transit stops, and recreational destinations. A comprehensive snapshot of the County is also documented with an emphasis in these Plans on "share the road" signage for the heavily traveled county roads in response to the many surveys we received from the road cycling community.

The Plans also detail design guidelines, funding sources, provide (limited) mapping of both existing and proposed facilities along with a policy element to help with implementation of projects. For free access to both the Bike and Pedestrian Master Plans please visit the CCOG website at www.calacog.org. The CCOG will adopt both documents in September and will encourage the City and County to also adopt the plans so that Calaveras County will be eligible for State and Federal funding. For more information please feel free to the contact the CCOG directly at 209 754-2094."

Ridesharing works! Ebbetts Pass Rides is an online ridesharing group for occasional trips to the bay area, the central valley, or elsewhere. To join, contact Sandy Kasten at aldebki@yahoo.com. Foothill Commuter Services, serving Calaveras, Amador and Tuolumne Counties, provides a free matching service for those wishing to share a ride to work or school. Their web site is at www.foothillrideshare.com.

Health & wellness note: Sandy and Jano teach international folk dance at Kline's in Arnold. It's fun, it's easy, and it's a great way to exercise. No partner needed. Contact Sandy (aldebki@yahoo.com) to be added to the email list.

LOCAL FARMER’S MARKET

Murphys Farmers Market, Vina Moda Winery, Murphys

every Thursday, beginning July 12th - 4pm to dusk
(at intersection of French Gulch and Main St)

Arnold Farmers Market, Cedar Center
every Sunday, beginning July 15th, 10am to 1:30pm

Bear Valley Farmers Market, during the BV Music Festival
outside BV Adventure Company
Fridays 27th July, 3rd & 10th August only

Bag deliveries will begin Thursday, July 12th to Sonora and Columbia area;
Friday, July 13th to Bear Valley,
and Monday, July 16th to San Andreas and Angels Camp

please visit www.tablemountaingarden.com or phone 728-9112
Christine & Eric Taylor

Five Strategic Goals of FoCuS

FoCuS will present workshops, programs and develop working models of sustainability ranging in topics from health and wellbeing, food and shelter to lifestyle choices, energy resources and transportation alternatives.

FoCuS will develop a resource and consultation center that provides the public with information and resources of businesses and or events in the area that promotes sustainable living.

FoCuS will compose a directory and website listing individuals and businesses that are currently working towards sustainability.

FoCuS will host and sponsor special events throughout the year, with festivals, conferences and community gatherings.

FoCuS will create educational “sustainable apprenticeships” for junior and senior high school students

FoCuS Mission

FoCuS is a non-profit collaborative that educates groups and individuals about sustainable living and local community self-reliance. We promote collaborative relationships to achieve mutual well-being in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties.

FoCuS Vision Statement

FoCuS will inspire and empower individuals to take on the challenge and potential of creating a world in balance between human citizens and the local environment they inhabit

FoCuS will help cultivate deeper inter-connections between people and their environments in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties based on the principles of sustainability and will work towards local community self-reliance wherever there is interest and commitment.

FoCuS will encourage collaboration between businesses and individuals whose work is based on ecologically, socially and economically sustainable systems.