"The origin of all wars is the pursuit of wealth."
Plato 427-347 B.C.
"Every gun that is made...Every rocket signifies
a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are not clothed."
Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953
"While honest people can disagree about the primary
reasons for this conflict,
no one can disagree that Iraq is strategically important
to our country and the world because of its oil reserves.
No matter how long the conflict lasts, we will find ourselves in a similar
situation again
unless the U.S. and other nations act decisively to cut our dependence on
oil and other fossil fuels."
Sierra Club 2003
* Environmental Award for Ginny: We will be presenting the 2003 Earl Thollander Environmental Award to Ginny at a dinner, Sunday, April 27th, for all her decades in promoting careful and intelligent City and county planning. (see below) Call Eve at 226-5072.
* Stanly Ranch: Have you read? Ginny Simms, Eve Kahn and Harold Kelly, from GGG just negotiated with the City for a reduction from fourteen down to six wineries (with tours) at Stanly Ranch. All 700 acres will be zoned Resource Area with an Agricultural overlay until 2020, a 600,000 case annual cap, tasting rooms limited to wine related items and logo items (no food), and 75% grapes from Napa County. The two most visible corner lots nearest the freeway still have to go through a new Master Plan before approval of the project.
* Constitution Attacked: The Sierra Club has endorsed a number of demonstrations in SF over the lasr few months and has allowed SC organizations to participate in anti war demonstrations. I have been at many of the weekly vigils in downtown Napa. Dennis Noble stood on the corner of Soscol and Third on Friday afternoon outside the Harley Motorcycle shop (3-21-03) with an anti war sign when a muscular man in a tee shirt with a large tattoo on his left upper arm said this corner was his and to leave. When Dennis didn't move quickly the man hit him in the face four times knocking him to the sidewalk and continued to kick Dennis in the head and then the back until he tired of it. A number of motorists driving by called the police on their cell phones to report the beating. Luckily Dennis did not require hospitalization. Dennis made out a detailed police report of the beating but in the Register Sgt. Steve LaVoy said Dennis was only knocked down and his sign was torn up. When I talked to Dennis on Sunday his balance was still shaky. This minimizing of attacks on dissidents exercising their freedom of expression by police must not be tolerated in a civil society.
* Alston Park: It was loud and clear. The voters wanted Alston Park kept for passive use like hiking, picnicking and dog walking. Tony Norris of Friends of Alston Park ran a convincing campaign ensuring, at least for the next 17 years, that the park will be safe from development.
* Singles Potluck: Bring $1 and your small dish and table setting to Gerda's. Lots of women, not enough guys. Great bunch of lively people. April 25, 6 PM. Call 944-8131 for directions.
* Silverado Hotel: The City will be having a hearing about Altamura's hotel again now that the election is over. The potential for flooding is past and it wouldn't look good if the hearing was held at the same time the site looked like a lake. The neighbors vow to be out in force again on April 15th.
* Chemicals: "According to the most recent tally, forty possible carcinogens appear in drinking water, sixty are released by industry into ambient air, and sixty-six are routinely sprayed on food crops as pesticides" from Living Downstream-An Ecologist Looks at Cancer and the Environment, by Sandra Steingraber
* Wildflower Show: Come and wonder at Nature's variety and beauty at the popular Native Plant Society's Wildflower Show at Skyline Park. It is both educational and eye opening. Hikes, propagation demos, and slide shows. Bring your guide book. April 12-13, 11 to 4.
* Oak Apples: Ever wonder what those hard woody balls are that you see on Oak trees? Several hundred species of insects have developed unique and fascinating relationships with their plant hosts. Come join the Native Plant Society and expert Ron Russo on a journey into the world of plant galls that will certainly stagger your imagination. Napa Senior Center 1500 Jefferson, April 3, at 7:30.
* Ever Been to Knoxville?: The Audubon Society will have a spring wildflower and birding field trip to Foley Creek at Long Canyon with hosts Jake Ruygt and Juanita Doran. April 26th Call Margaret at 257-8389. Also the second edition of Best Birding in Napa & Solano Counties is now available for $17. Call Margaret too.
* Water Saver: Napa's new waste water treatment recycling plant will go on line April 10th at an official ribbon cutting ceremony. A new pipe will extend service eventually to NV College, Napa State Hospital and possibly Soscol Springs vineyard for their irrigation uses.
The above is for reference only. John Stephens 251-0106
Next Membership & EC Meeting
April 1, 7:00 PM
Friends of the Napa River
68 Coombs
(Take driveway opposite the A-1 convenience store.)