Welcome to Monitor Notes, a weekly roundup of news items, event announcements, and updates on past Bay Area Monitor articles.
All Hands on Tam
Help remove weeds and improve habitat for coho salmon this Saturday, February 2 during the annual Hands on Tam outdoor workday at Bald Hill and Muir Beach starting at 8:30 a.m. The winter is when important restoration work can be completed, according to One Tam, a Tamalpais Lands Collaborative community campaign. Learn about the projects and RSVP for this rain-or-shine, family friendly event.
Electrical Outlet
As the state pushes toward greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, city officials are reminding residents there’s a lot you can do to fight climate change in your own home or apartment. Find out about new clean energy approaches during the East Bay Electrification Expo on Thursday, February 7 in Berkeley. You can get a look at efficient heating and cooling systems, attend workshops led by electricians, and talk to residents and contractors electrifying homes. Space for this free event is limited, so the hosts — the Ecology Center, StopWaste, and the City of Berkeley — recommend registering early.
Conservation Conversation
Water and labor shortages, increasing regulation, and rising costs are among the issues California growers have faced in the last 10 years. So the folks at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) headed to the Pajaro Valley to tour the research facility of Driscoll’s, a leading berry company. The majority of fields where its fruit is grown are irrigated with groundwater. Pick this link to read EDF’s interview with Driscoll’s senior manager of global environmental impact and find out about the company’s water management efforts.
Inside Baseball
Details about a proposed Oakland A’s gondola serving the planned new ballpark at Howard Terminal were recently posted on the team’s website. A three-minute gondola ride would take fans to Water Street at Jack London Square from the Oakland Convention Center/12th Street BART station area. Construction of the half-mile-long gondola, with two stations, is estimated at $123 million, according to preliminary analyses. This zero-emission transit line could move about 6,000 people per hour, per direction. The cost for fans to ride has not yet been determined. Touch base to learn more.
New Chief in Town
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has named a new executive director. Therese McMillan (pictured here speaking at LWVBA’s 2008 Bay Area League Day) is replacing Steve Heminger, who’s retiring in February. McMillan also will be the top exec for the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), which merged with MTC in 2017. McMillan’s career spans federal and regional transportation agencies. Read more about her background and plans for housing and transportation in the region.
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