December 11th 350 Vigil

Liza Xavier's photograph, from The Weekly Calistogan's website

A hardy group of Calistogans braved the weather on Friday night, December 11th, to hold a vigil for climate change at Pioneer Park. Carl Sherrill, center, led everyone in song to remind us of our love for and dependence upon the earth. While the rain pelted the roof of the park's gazebo, everyone lit candles in support of the climate change conference at Copenhagen, and then shared refreshments.

Pictured, from left to right, are Jaimes Alsop holding Buddy the dog, Heidi Ticen, Shelly Boudinot, Carl Sherrill, Charlotte Devorak, and Bruce Hitchko. The photograph was taken by Liza Xavier.

We'll post more photos once we get some technical problems worked out.

Candlelight vigil on December 11th

Candlelight Vigil

Friday, December 11, 2009

6:30 to 7:00 P.M.

PIONEER PARK, Calistoga

by the redwood trees

Come join us in support of national and international leaders who are trying to create strong climate protection agreements in Copenhagen. This weekend is in the middle of the two-week conference. As Bill McKibbon said, in a November 26th blog post at 350.org, "We need to send a signal to say that speeches and prizes are good, but action is what's really required--enough action to head us back towards 350 parts per million."

Wear warm clothes and bring a candle. We will gather, sing a little (Carl Sherrill will lead us in song), and light the night with our hopes for a brighter future for the earth. We will post photographs (and possibly video) from our vigil at the 350.org website, to join those from vigils all over the world.

Further information from Bill McKibbon can be had at 350.org

Updates from CRC and City of Calistoga

Update from Karen Chang, Community Resource Commission (CRC) chair, and Erik Lundquist, Associate Planner, city of Calistoga, from their presentations to Calistoga 350:

* SB375, AB32, and SB32 have provided MAJOR incentives for communities to pursue sustainability - to combat Climate Change and install green initiatives

* Our city (through the efforts of Erik and Karen) wants to reduce local emissions below the goal set by state legislation (15% of 2005 levels)

* The Napa County Public Transit Authority devised 53 action items to meet the above goal in the following sectors: Transportation; Buildings and Energy; Solid Waste; Agriculture, Natural Resources and Urban Forests; Community Engagement; Local Govt. Operations.

* Calistoga city council is the first local body in the county to vote in support of these 53 items

* The CRC amplified the above sectors in a year long fact finding process, and the city council enthusiastically supported this effort, called the Calistoga Climate Action Plan (CCAP), "This is our starting point," said Ms. Chang.

* The city has won a $60,000 grant for CCAP Section T1, "Enhance our commitment to urban-centered growth, adopting policies, zoning, and design standards in each jurisdiction to encourage mixed-use, 'walkable', and 'bikeable' neighborhoods." We, as a city, are exploring ways to invest these funds in the goals of the CCAP.

* The CRC enthusiastically encourages local residents to become involved, beginning with their "every third Wednesday" meeting (Nov 18), 5:30, at the Community Center, and their Making Cents of Solar presentation from the Napa Valley Solar Partnership (7:00). The NVSP is a project of Community Action of Napa Valley, and is partly funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Making Cents of Solar

Making Cents of Solar presentation

Wednesday, November 18, 5:30 p.m.*

The Napa Valley Solar Partnership (NVSP) and the

Calistoga Community Resource Commission (CRC)

invite you to attend a brief free presentation

designed to help simplify the sea of information about residential solar systems and to answer your questions about the current favorable economics that make now a great time to invest in solar for your home.

* CRC meeting: 5:30; Making Cents of Solar 7:00

As the Wall Street Journal recently opined, “…for anyone thinking about putting solar panels on their roof, there probably hasn’t been a better time.” – WSJ, 9/8/09

What's next

Calistoga 350 Committee invites you to join us; find a role, and let's help each other reach 350 ppm!

Let's meet for tea, java and action:

Thursdays at Yo el Ray Roastery, Washington Avenue, at 7 p.m.

Oct 29, featuring YOU and Calistoga 350 in a meet-and-greet for action

Nov 5, featuring Eric Lundquist, Calistoga's Climate Action Coordinator

Nov 12, featuring Karen Chang, Chair, Community Resources Commission

Calistoga's web-site describes the roles of Mr. Lundquist and Ms. Chang and our city's approach to climate change:

In 2007, Erik V. Lundquist was staffed as the City's Climate Action Coordinator to, with the help of the Community Resources Commission (CRC), create a comprehensive program to address climate disruption.

While the City is committed to addressing its local contributions to climate change, City initiated actions alone will not meet our community wide reduction goals.

Successful Green House Gas reduction strategies must include participation from the residents and businesses of Calistoga as well as the municipality.

Let us JOIN the efforts of our city officials to reduce carbon levels below 3...5...0!

Joining Hands for Climate Action!

Joining hands, nearly 100 people took a stand against climate change in Calistoga on Saturday in the first International Day of Climate Action. Please see the picture in the Blog Archive post titled "Calistogans stand with millions..."

Furthering their stand against climate change, more than three dozen people joined the new citizens group, Calistoga 350, the group behind today's local action.

Calsitoga 350 formed in early October in order to support the international efforts of 350.org, the main organizing group behind today's actions. Millions of people rallied in more than 180 countries spanning the globe today.

Stay tuned to this site for more breaking news on our efforts to build a sustainable community and planet!

Calistogans stand with millions around the earth for climate action