Jane Bogner
Solano Group

VALLEJO NEWS:
by Kenn Browne

B/S Hit the Wall!!!

Bechtel/Shell Withdraw Proposal
for LNG on Mare Island

In January 2003, Shell and Bechtel saw the writing on the wall (more like the writing in the Mare Island Reuse Plan) and quit the process of locating a power plant/liquefied natural gas off-loading facility in Vallejo! Faced with a groundswell of community opposition and with the Mayor and City Manager of Vallejo coming out against the project, B/S withdrew their proposal for a feasibility study. The City Council voted unanimously to end any relationship with Bechtel! In addition the City Council reaffirmed the Mare Island Reuse Plan and its designation of the South Shore/Mare Island Hill area for a Regional Park. The city is in the process of setting up a task force (in which Sierra Club will participate) to look into the formation and operation of the Regional Park. Solano Group is proud of its participation in this issue, having participated in the planning for Mare Island since the announcement of its closure as a Navy Base in 1994. If you want to view this special area for yourself Solano Group is sponsoring a hike to the top of Mare Island Hill on March 29 from 9:30am to 1:00pm. Info: (707) 553-1653.

The Flyway Festival on Mare Island was a great success. Thanks to all the Solano Group members who helped clean the building and get things ready for the big day. I want to personally thank Phil McCullough, Doris and Rollye Wiskerson, Jean and Sabina Yates, Sam McGee, Doris Klein, Anil Comelo and Kenn Browne. Kenn Browne also led a successful political hike to the top of the Mare Island hill. Special thanks to Lalaine Guevarra, Nicole Bobetsky, and Sabina Yates for staffing the VALCORE Recycling table and all the Solano Group members who came out to enjoy the day.

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RIO VISTA: More BS in Solano County!
The Solano Group passed a Resolution asking the Solano County Board of Supervisors to ban the spreading (dumping) of Biosolids (BS) on county farmlands. This toxic sludge masquerading as fertilizer has caused human and animal illnesses and is polluting the soil, water and air in Solano County. There is a hearing in the Board Chambers in Fairfield on March 11 at 2:00 pm. For more info: (707) 374-1389.

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BENICIA: For information on the VALERO expansion, contact Jerri Curry at 751-0314 or winpubs@msn.com.

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VALCORE COMMUNITY RECYCLING: Check out www.VALCORErecycling.org. Solano Group events and hikes are linked on the FUND-RAISING page by the Sierra Club listing.

VALCORE RECYCLING 2003 WORKDAYS: April 19, July 5, Aug 23, Oct 4, Nov 15 and Dec 27. We work from 9 am to Noon. $50 is offered to volunteer supervisors for their favorite classroom. Thanks to all for bringing their valuable recyclables to Vallejo.

A big thank you to Matthew Hoffman, Nancy McCoy/Vallejo, Nancy McCoy/Benicia for working on Jan 25. Thank you Debbie Surani for helping at Farmers Market on Mar 8. A belated thanks to the Nov. 16 Adopt a Street crew of James Beavers, Monte Simons, Roger Lambert and Nancy McCoy.

We need help at Benicia Farmer's Market from 3:30 to 8:00 on Thursdays in June, July and August. We give out Benicia Recycling information and enjoy the market.

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EARTH DAY: Celebrations are in the planning stages for events in Vallejo and Fairfield on Saturday, April 26. Check www.VALCORErecycling.org for more information. E-WASTE Recycling will take place in Vallejo on Earth Day. Check out the web site or call 644-9183. For Vallejo Residents only.

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Solano Group is proud to announce the 2002 winner of their Sierra Club Scholarship at Solano Community College. Congratulations to Laura Gallegos of Vacaville. Laura graduated high school in 1991 and after 10 years decided to return to school. At the end of this semester, she will have earned three associate degrees; liberal arts, general science, and office technology. Laura will transfer to UC Davis this fall where she is considering a degree in environmental science, biological science (ecology and evolution), as well as biological psychology. Laura is a single mother of Chase, her 3 year-old son. Laura writes: "I am extremely concerned about what the world will be like when he grows up. I want to do as much as I can to help encourage people to be aware and take responsibility for the environment; our role is not that of owners but that of guardians. Our children deserve to grow up safe and healthy. They need to be taught the value of our natural resources and of our environment so that they will take responsibility for it and care for it when it is their turn." Laura received the sixth scholarship that has been sponsored by the Solano Group at Solano Community College.

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Graphic Artist wanted to put together a traveling exhibit about Solano Group. Call Anil at 649-0830 or email solanobreeze@yahoo.com. Budget available.

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Think Sustainable. Our challenge to all this year is to save water and resources and to begin converting a corner of our yards to less thirsty plants. Think California Native Plants or drought tolerant landscaping instead of grass and 'color spots'. Visit these two plant sales:

• April 19 - Ulatis Resource Conservation District Plant Sale. 8am to 1pm. 6390 Lewis Road, Vacaville. 707 678-1655 ext 101.
• May 3 - California Native Plants - Jepson Chapter. 9:00 am at the Community Garden on East 2nd at Military behind the Heritage Presbyterian Church in Benicia. 707 745-5461 or mfpoh@pacbell.net.

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SKETCHING HIKES: Sabina Yates, a Painting and Drawing Teacher for many years at Santa Rosa Jr. College, will be leading a Sierra Club sketching hike. Beginning sketching techniques will be taught. Anyone and everyone with an interest in learning to see more and learning to draw will be welcome. We'll see wonderful oaks and vistas along an easy trail. The emphasis will be lots of quick sketching as we take a short hike. Call (707) 746-6428 or email redfoxred@earthlink.net for more info and a list of supplies.

• Lynch Canyon. April 12th, 9 to noon. From I-80 north of Vallejo, take American Canyon exit and follow frontage road to underpass and follow signs.
• Ridge Trail in Benicia. May 10th, 9 to noon. Meet at Gateway Park on Barton Way.

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HIKES AT SWETT/KING RANCHES IN SOLANO COUNTY Dates: Apr 12 & 29, May 3 & 22, June 14 and July 5.

Class M 8 A. Explore these recently optioned (but not yet open to the public) lands. There are no trails and star thistle is very common, so long pants, water, snacks and good boots are recommended. Parts of these lands will soon be part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and excellent views of bay, marsh, creeks and grasslands abound. We are assured of seeing some wildlife. Each hike will go to another corner of these ranches. Heavy rain cancels. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Park and Ride at the Hiddenbrooke Parkway exit of I-80. We will carpool to the trailhead. Info/Reservation: 707-864-2108 or keva@castles.com.

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