Random local greeness

The city's Environmental Advisory Committee met today, and as they kind of rambled through the meeting, several tidbits emerged that locals might be interested in.

First, the official business of the committee involved voting to discuss at their next meeting the names of people they want to recommend to city commissioners to fill some spots possibly soon going vacant because of lack of attendance at meetings. They also voted to begin writing a strategic plan to guide their work over the next year.

One topic that drew emotional comment was participation in community events as promoters.

"I don't think we're in any position to do events," said committee Chairwoman Kim Vincent. "There's this many of us (motioning to the few in attendance) the Web site was hard enough to pull together and we have no money."

Committee member Jacob Breeden chimed in, "I think we should avoid like the plague having any money."

Now to the tidbits: Earthfest will be April 17 at Wildcat Bluff (it attracts thousands for educational fun), hits to the committee's new Web site totalled 2,124 since Jan. 5, Travis Middle School has a "Green Team" of students and there will be a house made of bales of compressed trash at Mariposa ecoVillage.

Is that random enough?

From the Ground Up

Eco-party promises fun and smarts

Wildcat Bluff Nature Center and some partners are hosting Earth Fest 2009 April 18. The family event will have exhibitors educating on energy conservation; clean air, water and soil and recycling.

The event kind of coincides with Earth Day on April 22.
According to a news release, there will be "environmentally friendly" games (I have no idea what that means) and arts and crafts for the kids, guided hikes and other events.
Bring cardboard, newspapers, magazines and aluminum cans for recycling.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsors are Xcel Energy, B&W Pantex and Allied Waste. I know, a coal burner, nuclear weapons processor and a landfill operator, but they're making the effort here and it's not their only one.
The center is about three miles north of Interstate 40 on Soncy Road.
For more on the center, go to http://www.wildcatbluff.org/.