ABOUT SPG in 2007

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1. Spring Clean Keep It Green Event- In February Sustainable Pacific Grove held a community-wide event on alternatives to using toxic household products. This event included ten tables of information on cleaning products alternatives, proper way to recycle hazardous material. Two speakers also addressed the audience on the effects of toxics on humans and the marine environment. Click here to see the poster.

2. Sustainability Demonstration Area For Good Old Days – On April 21 & 22, 2007 Sustainable Pacific Grove hosted a sustainability demonstration area in Jewell Park.

    a. Parade - Under clear but windy skies we began the day with by participating in the parade. We rode electric bikes and carried signs with slogans regarding being car free and instead walking and biking for local trips.

    b. Table on Lighthouse Avenue - SPG had a table on Lighthouse located at the Bank of America parking lot. The purpose of this table was to direct people to the Park location to receive their free tree at the Trees for PG booth. A copy of the news release is attached here. It was decided that we will not be using paper handouts either at this table or at the Park, since it is contrary to the concept of sustainability. Information at all SPG tables will be conveyed by poster and/or tongue power.

    c. Tables/Stations at Jewell Park - The pancake breakfast at the Park ended at
    11am, after which SPG can set up its tables/stations. The tables/stations included:

      (1) Trees for PG table provided tree seedlings and provide information on Trees for PG program.
      (2) Compost and box garden station with worm composting display.
      (3) Food station Poster board listing foods that can be grown in PG.
      (4) Solar energy table exhibited information and equipment related to home solar energy systems.
      (5) Carbon Footprint station was planned but due to technical difficulties it was not functioning. .
      (6) Environmental Art station gave children a chance to work with clay to make tiles that will be used in our community garden. Kids were also given a chance to make an “Earth Day” flag to take home.
      (7) Waste Management Company station brought its education trailer parked on Grand Ave near the Little House.
      (8) Monterey Transit System station provided information on using buses.
      (9) Bicycle and alternative transportation station displayed electric bikes and carts
      (10) Green Building information table provided information on green building alternatives.
      (11) Library station displayed books on sustainability topics.
      (12) Water cistern display included a recycled 55 gallon container, mosquito screening, and faucet.
      (13) Toxic Household Products station presented information from February 17th Spring Clean event.
      (14) California Department of Conservation presented information on recycling.

    d. Music in the Gazebo – Music was provided in Jewell Park Gazebo, providing a major draw for people to come to the park.

    e. Movies shown at the PG Natural History Museum - A number of films on Earth Day and sustainability topics were shown throughout the two days. Click here to see a list of what was shown.

3.Polystyrene/Styrofoam Ban – We are working with the Monterey Surfriders to ban the use of polystyrene and Styrofoam where possible. This has included:

    a. Working with Monterey Regional Waste Management District to offer subsidies/incentives and PR for restaurants/businesses to eliminate polystyrene/styrofoam.

    b. Setting up a meeting with restaurants to regarding alternatives to use of polystyrene take-out containers.
    c. Asking PG citizens to communicate with Capitola City Council before June 14 meeting to urge them to keep their ban on polystyrene.

4. PG Farmer’s Market – Sustainable Pacific Grove is committed to the supporting the establishment of a weekly farmers market in Pacific Grove. Currently we are:

    a. Researching other markets in the area to learn what steps will be needed.

    b. Developing criteria for establishing a farmers market that would be based on sustainability principles. Click here to see the criteria developed.

    c. Urging the Pacific Grove City Council to begin a process to select a market manager for a sustainable Farmers Market in Pacific Grove ground at their June 6 City Council meeting.

    d. Taking part in a local television show on a potential PG Farmer's Market 5pm channel 24

5. A Community Garden - In addition to encouraging residents to plant their own gardens, we are interested in the development of community gardens in Pacific Grove. We are in the process of meeting with site owners to identify potential sites for Community Garden/demonstration garden.

6. Permaculture Class – We held an evening class on permaculture techniques. Click here to see the poster for the class.

A two day workshop is being planned for July. Click here to see the poster for this workshop.

7. Emergency Planning: As the next step in preparing for emergencies related to energy shortages, we met with County Office of Emergency Services manager. We presented draft material for his consideration and requested that the County sponsor a scenario planning workshop with all emergency personnel on a potential emergency related to gasoline shortages.

8. PG Tree Planting - In May and again in November SPG helped with tree planting in Washington Park.


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Updated February 15, 2010.