Upcoming Events in the Greater Bay Area

Sacred Mountains of the Bay Area - October 26-27, 2013

Living in earth-honoring ways calls for an integrated approach to ecology, culture, and relationship with the Sacred. If you live in the Bay Area, chances are you live between the Estuary and a ring of prominent mountains. How can relating consciously with these mountains support a sense of home and nourish your relationships and inner life? On Saturday, October 26th over 15 presenters will guide our approach to the mountains from five disciplines:
• Natural science (inc. geology, flora, and fauna)
• Bay Area cultures past and present
• Storytelling, song, and creative expression
• Public policy and advocacy
• Spiritual practice focused on relating with mountains
On Day Two join one of three smaller circles led by conference presenters on or near local mountains. Cost is $75 for both days (ask about work trade). For more info see: CONFERENCE FLYER. To register visit: sacredmountains.brownpapertickets.com.


Growing Edible Mushrooms - October 27, 2013 from 1-3pm
Graze the Roof, Glide Memorial Church, 330 Ellis Stret, SF

A FREE Community Workshop on :::
'GROWING EDIBLE MUSHROOMS!'

Come help build Glide's mushroom garden with two types of Oyster mushrooms : Blue and Phoenix.

Upcoming Events in the Greater Bay Area

October 19, 2013  Tree Fall by Andy Goldsworthy  10am-4pm

Tree Fall is the first Presidio Goldsworthy installation to be created indoors. Its backdrop is the historic Powder Magazine, constructed on the Main Post during the Civil War. The petite structure protected gun powder and munitions and is made up of four-foot-thick stone walls. The building was used to store the blank rounds for the daily 5 pm evening gun salute until 1994 when the Army departed the post.

While Spire articulates the space into which trees grow and Wood Line investigates the relationship of a tree to the earth, Tree Fall explores what occurs beneath the ground. The sculpture is comprised of a tree trunk removed as part of the Presidio Parkway project, suspended inside the building so that the sculpture does not touch or alter the historic walls. The trunk and the domed ceiling were covered with clay, also from the Presidio, that dried and cracked into a beautiful organic pattern.The sculpture illustrates the relationship between the natural and built environments.

Tree Fall Hours: October 19 to December 1, 2013
The public is invited invited to docent-led tours on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm through December 1 (no reservations required). Tree Fall is also open weekdays by appointment. Call (415) 561-5300.

October 19th 11am-2pm  International Archaeology Day
49 Moraga Ave in the Presidio

Visit the Presidio Archaeology Lab and discover the exciting field of archaeology. There will be hands on activities for kids, information on current projects at the Presidio, volunteer information, a peek inside the collections and more. Free.

October 19th  11am-5pm
9th Annual Alemany Farm Harvest Festival
700 Alemany Blvd, SF

Gather with us for...

Food:  BBQ & potluck (we'll have BBQ, beans & greens, and tossed farm salad) --                             please bring a side dish or dessert to share

Fun:  T-shirt stenciling (bring your own shirt); farm tours & vineyard tour; face painting, nature crafts, & scavenger hunt for kids courtesy of BranchSF
Farm tasks:  Garlic planting, fruit tree planting & more
Music:  Live acoustic music by The Knuckle Knockers
...and Community!
We hope you will join us for this annual fall gathering!

October 19th 11am-3pm
India Basin

 "Youth Day on the Bay": India Basin Shoreline Park, Hunters Point. Youth will be able to go out in kayaks with experienced adult instructors -- life jackets and BBQ lunch provided! 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., sponsored by America True, India Basin Neighborhood Association, Recology and many more!

October 19th  10am-12pm

San Francisco Nature Education.
Birding El Polín Spring in the Presidio.
Led by Logan Kahle, 10 am–noon. Adults $10, children free. Meet at parking area on McArthur
Avenue. With its charm, nature, and history, El Polín Spring is an “outdoor classroom” welcoming school
groups, birders, history buffs, and picnickers. It is ocated at the heart of Tennessee Hollow, the park’s
largest watershed, just off the Ecology Trail. Map: http://goo.gl/maps/3aeib

Photo credit: Nancy DeStefanis
California Towhee

Hike Ideas

Try Castle Rock State Park above Saratoga on Skyline Boulevard.
A wonderful mix of shade forests and coastal chaparral with ocean views. Great sand stone rock formations and even a waterfall! Lots of rock climbers to watch and rocks to scramble on.

8th Grade at The Headwaters School

In late September the Eighth Grade spent four nights at The Headwaters School near Mt. Shasta. The students had many memorable experiences: night sits, sweat lodge, nature crafts, shelter building, medicine stick carving, fire building (without matches!), and nature stories.

Upon their return, the Eighth Graders wrote notes of appreciation to the director, Tim. The letters were enthusiastic, some are excerpted here.

"The Headwaters Outdoor School is such an incredible and exciting place that it was probably one of the best experiences I've ever had. I especially enjoyed the bonding experience in the sweat lodge and when we all built the shelter together. You taught us the ways of the Native Americans and your stories were wonderful."

"Thank you so much for teaching us and working with us on how to know the right time to be quiet. I really enjoyed all the nature activities and I want to come back with my family some time. The sweat lodge was very challenging but I told myself I could do it and then I loved it.It's like life: you may think something is scary but you should try it anyway because if you don't you will never know what you missed. Thank you for teaching me this and many other lessons."

"Thank you for sharing your wonderful land with us. I especially enjoyed the night sit and learning how to make fire without matches. The sweat lodge was very intense and I only made it half-way through but I am glad I could try.The food was great, especially the burritos. I also like learning about nature camouflage and sitting out at night all by myself. I really enjoyed my stay because I could just let go. I felt like a different person after leaving and I hope I can come back. You made me think of the world in a completely different way."

"Thank you so much for welcoming us to your beautiful outdoors school. I am so glad to have been taught Nature skills by such a caring and helpful group of teachers. You helped me realize how important it is to fight and care for Nature and that is a lesson I will never forget."

"I can't even describe how grateful I am to have been at the Headwaters Outdoor School and to have been taught so many very important and extraordinary things. I learned so much from you and all the teachers at Headwaters. For instance, I never really thought about how much Nature means to us until you showed us and told us all the wonderful stories about Nature and animals. Among the many activities we did, the sweat lodge was my favorite. I liked it so much because of how our class bonded  to support each other. I also enjoyed how every evening we sat around the fire describing our feelings about the experiences we had had that day. Lastly, everything you told us really sank in. I am so grateful to have been on that trip and I will strive to be more cautious and aware of my actions and how much they affect Nature."

Grade 4 Visits Hill of the Hawk at Big Sur

Two weeks ago Grade 4 went to visit Hill of the Hawk Farm in Big Sur to learn about native coastal peoples' traditions and skills. Upon their return the children summarized their trip in their main lesson books. Below you'll find some highlights of their stay.

"After our welcome circle we made shelters to sleep in. Every group's shelter turned out very well. It was funny because every shelter was very unique. When it was time to go to sleep I was very cold but then I warmed up. On the second day we went on a hike to the farm. Along the way we were looking for animal tracks. I found bay nuts and acorns. When we got to the farm there was a lot of work to do. We picked strawberries, fed the goats, fed the cows sticks and a lot more. My favorite activity was picking strawberries. That night I was a lot warmer because my tent group put more French Brooom on the shelter."








"The next morning we woke to see the sun rising in the East. It was a fairly warm day. After we ate breakfast we gathered in a circle to meet two new people Tamara and Lewis...Tamara and Lewis were Heather's good friends. Tamara is a paleotechnologist and taught us how to throw spears, shoot arrows, and play games. Later that evening we made beads out of soap stone and also learned to make fire. I really appreciated shooting arrows and was grateful for all the things we did."


Photos courtesy of Jan Hammock

Special Event October 9th at 5:30

Come join several of us from the Outdoor Classroom at the kick off event for the Greater Good Film Series.

Wednesday, October 9th at 5:30pm.
Matter of Trust: 3338 17th between Mission and Valencia
Free, donations welcome

Film: Ingredients

We are delighted to begin with reception appetizers from Namu Gaji. Dennis Lee, parent in grades 1 and 3, is the chef/co-founder of Namu Gaji. Namu Gaji sources much of its produce from its own farm located in the Sunol Ag Park. A perfect example of the farm-to-table food movement profiled by the film Ingredients.

Ingredients will show at 6:30. Following the film, Jered Lawson, farmer and co-founder of Pie Ranch, will speak about the work at Pie Ranch and the farm's commitment to helping people know the source of their food.

Second Grade Outdoor Adventures

El Polin Springs

After a number of Native American Coyote tales, the second graders began hearing the little adventures of Mr. and Mrs.Coyote who live in the Presidio of San Francisco. These adventures take place in special spots in the Presidio where the class is scheduled to go on an outing. Each time there is something to discover that was highlighted in the story.

Upcoming Events in the Greater Bay Area

Be the Change... from Daily Good

Instead of pulling out your cell phone or other device when you have some spare moments today, choose to deeply take in your surroundings and notice the beauty in the ordinary that is all around you.


Saturday, October 5 from 11am-2pm at Herz Playground
1700 Visitacion Avenue

Saturday October 6 from 9am-3pm and Sunday October 7 from 12-3pm

Annual Merritt College Horticulture Club Plant Sale. Excellent sale and knowledgeable staff!

Sunday, October 6 from 10am-12pm

Ocean Beach clean up across from the Beach Chalet
Bring your own buckets and gloves if possible.

Monday, October 7 from 7:30-9:00pm in Dakin Hall at the Grade School

Gloria and Stephen Decater from Live Power Farm, Mendocino County

In this presentation, the Decaters will explore both biodynamic farming principles and how their practical experience on a farm have provided educational opportunities for nearly three decades to students of all ages. Through their educational program, students encounter and begin to form a relationship with the earth’s life, as expressed by the many different plants and animals that constitute the farm, and to afford them an opportunity to develop hands-on skills that give them a sense of the meaning of practical, productive work.

Beginning Tuesday, October 9th through October 24th

The Greater Good Film Series

All films at 6:30 at Matter of Trust in the Mission District except Symphony of the Soil on October 24th. Symphony of the Soil airs at 6:30 at the Randall Museum.

Ingredients  Tuesday, October 9th
More than Honey Wednesday, October 10th
The World According to Monsanto Friday, October 12th

October 11-14th, 2013. 
Women's Tracking Conference
Point Reyes National Seashore (Due to government shut down, this program might not operate as scheduled. Please contact them)

A gathering of women trackers, biologists, herbalists & artists. Come explore a detailed and broad perspective of tracking through animals, trailing, landscapes, watersheds, flora, dance, and art.

Beginning Friday evening and running through midday Monday, dynamic speakers will offer multiple classes and workshops simultaneously. This conference style format allows participants to design their days to best suit their interests.

Given the beautiful weather of California in October, most classes will be taught outdoors, although different formats will reflect the diverse teaching style of our presenters. Field classes, indoor lectures, and experiential workshops characterize each day.

Early morning yoga and bird watching will be offered and evening sessions will meet after dinner. Be prepared for long full days of new information and stimulating conversation as well as relaxation.

We welcome participants of all skill levels to join. We have each been beginners and continue to be so as we are introduced to new concepts, patterns, and skill sets. Participants have as much to offer as presenters.

LOCATION: Clem Miller Environmental Education Center sits in the heart of Point Reyes National Sea Shore, located in secluded Hidden Valley just two miles from the expansive white sands of Limantour Beach. The National Seashore encompasses over 70,000 acres of open space and woodlands with 30 miles of protected coastline along the shores of the Pacific Ocean and Tomales Bay. Surrounding habitats offer exploration of oak woodlands, coastal chaparral and grasslands, riparian corridors, sand dunes, estuaries, tide pools, and beaches

ACCOMMODATIONS: Participants will lodge in one of 4 pine cabins that are equipped with comfy bunk beds. A central bathroom facility houses toilets, basins and hot water showers. The main gathering cedar lodge is complete with wood stove, dining hall, science library, natural history center , and fully equipped kitchen. Laundry facilities are available.

MEALS: Organic and local foods provide the ingredients for the vegetarian and vegan options served each day provided by dedicated chefs hired specifically for the purpose of providing nutritious and delicious meals for our gathering. Please notify us if you have any special meal needs and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Learn more and register: http://womentracking.org/

The first ever Building Resilient Communities Convergence, Oct 11 - 14

A unique opportunity for all of us who dream of a more sustainable and resilient future to come together from diverse backgrounds and habitats to explore and practice strategies to make our shared vision a reality.  Whether you are a seasoned permaculturalist, hardcore community organizer, or just excited to learn about a new way of living in greater harmony with people and the planet, there is something for everyone! This fun and fantastic conference will bring together the BEST of the Northern California Permaculture Convergence (our 9th!) and the (2nd annual) NorCal Regional Transition Network for an action-packed weekend designed to build a powerful movement for community resilience.