Sacramento's Earth Day 2009 image
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The idea of a global celebration dedicated to the Earth and to environmental issues sprang from multiple roots. The United Nations recognition of Earth Day coincides with the annual Spring equinox--often March 20--and was created in 1969 by peace activist John McConnell. The April 22nd celebration started as an environmental teach-in that first took place in 1970, and was founded by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson. Other influential figures in the early ecology movement of the 1960s and early 1970s that led to Earth Day include Rachel Carson, author of the seminal bestseller "Silent Spring," and consumer advocate Ralph Nader. Today, with increased focus on issues such as climate change and toxic pollutants, Earth Day and Earth Week festivities are growing, and take place in numerous communities and countries around the globe. An estimated 1 billion people are observing Earth Day this year.
In the U.S., Earth Day 2009 is officially on Wednesday April 22, but many Northern California locales are saving their primary festivities for the weekend. Some noteworthy events:
On Wednesday April 22 from 1p-5p, San Francisco Center for the Book is having a family-friendly Earth Day Extravaganza Open House where visitors are encouraged to letterpress print and bind an Earth Day journal, create collograph prints using natural materials, and print unique postcards to send to elected representatives.
Beginning at 6:00p on Wednesday, San Francisco’s unique Red Vic Hotel and Peace Café will host an Earth Day Banquet featuring a vegan menu that integrates elements of land, water, and firmament. Afterward, you can settle in for a seminar on generating wealth in unprecedented times.
Berkeley, San Rafael, Belmont, Napa, and West Contra Costa County are some of the cities presenting a wide-range of Earth Day festivities on Saturday April 25. Sacramento’s Earth Day celebration happens on Sunday April 26, and includes food, music, and interactive activities. Wildwood Farm in Sonoma County will also celebrate on Sunday, featuring Wendy Johnson, one of the founders of the garden program at Green Gulch Zen Center.
There are more Earth Day-related activities than can be listed here, but as many environmentalists say, we should make every day Earth Day!
For more info: Earth Day history
Comments
Hi Ms. Lewis;
Pete Dowan here !
I realize that there is very little chance that this e-mail will result in anything, but that's better than the zero chance if I didn't try.
I was in the midst of trying to find (via Google) who to contact when I discovered the site with your article, and since you are endeavouring to convince the citizens of Planet Earth that we must look after our only place to live, I thought I'd attempt to contact you.
I am a medically disabled songwriter and have written well over 650 songs about many subjects and in several different styles.
One specific song is called "WHY DON'T WE STAND ?", and is in reference to people banding together to help our planet. The US EPA is presently discussing uses for it, as is GreenPeace (and a couple of others), though both are occasionally playing it "in the office" as a sort of morale enhancer. So far I have been informed that there will be at least two Earth Day events that will be playing it occasionally during their celebrations, plus several other Earth Day organizations who are playing it "internally" for their staff and volunteers. Others have said that they will use it next year. Hopefully some day the song will apply all year round.
I was wondering if you'd like to give it a listen with the thought of possibly considering using it somehow ... AT NO COST TO YOU ... even if it's only to play for staff members once in a while in the office.
I mention my disability because various factors of my condition stop me from being able to use professional studios to record my songs, so I have to do them at home, in my basement, on donated equipment from musicians I used to work with. For the same reason, I also am unable to perform my music live.
I just thought I might be able to do a small part in support of this venture.
I would be glad to send you an MP3 of the song for an "audition" or, alternately, it can be checked at myspace.com/petedowan (add the www). No expectations on my part, and no obligations on yours.
I DO understand if you'd rather not, but I'd really appreciate it if you answer this and tell me that fact, just so I know this was read.
If you should know of anyone else who might be interested in this, please pass this message on to them ?
And in that regard, I thank you for reading this.
Musically Yours,
Pete Dowan {:-)
pdowan@aol.com
cool
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