FOUR YEARS AGO, as part of a commitment I made as a commissioner of the then-newly formed Community Sustainability Commission, I began writing this weekly article, “Crewmember Report.” Looking back at my notes for my first Forum article, I talked about how I was inspired by my hero, R. Buckminster Fuller, and his lifelong work […]
Crewmember Report: Benicia, California, Spaceship Earth: Incredible endeavor!
SUE JOHNSON, ONE OF OUR MANY CREATIVE GENIUSES IN BENICIA, took the time to pick up an extra copy for me of the newly published book, “Breeding Birds of Solano County.” What an incredible endeavor by the members of the Napa-Solano Audubon Society and the book’s authors. Beyond “incredible endeavor,” it is an incredibly rich […]
Crewmember Report: Benicia, California, Spaceship Earth: Data points
I HAVE A COUPLE OF DATA POINTS that I track on a personal level. I watch for new installations of solar panels in my neighborhood, and I look to make sightings of electric bicycles. I’m happy to see solar panels blossoming all around me. I’m not happy, however, to see that some installers just cobble […]
Crewmember Report: Benicia, California, Spaceship Earth: How lucky is that?!
LAST TUESDAY, DEC. 30, BENICIA experienced winds between 50 and 60 mph, with some resulting damage. What continues to inspire me and deepen my appreciation for the people of Benicia was represented in the email “chatter” I monitored from members of the Benicia Amateur Radio Club (BARC) during this wind storm. These dedicated men and […]
Crewmember Report: Benicia, California, Spaceship Earth: Bits and pieces
I’M NOT SURE HOW TODAY WILL TURN OUT. As I write this, the weather forecast anticipates a beautiful sunny Christmas Day for us. I truly hope that is the case, but whatever the weather, my hope is that I’ll see a lot of you out for a long walk on Christmas Day. Over the years, […]
Crewmember Report: Benicia, California, Spaceship Earth: For the birds
COMING BACK FROM MY MORNING WALK, I heard an unusual call above me. Looking up there was the beautiful pattern of . . . Canada geese, or was it snow geese? I couldn’t tell, but the call wasn’t the usual honk of Canada geese. It was more of a two-note call. For a moment I […]
Crewmember Report: Benicia, California, Spaceship Earth: I wonder as I wander
I’VE NOTICED THAT A LOT MORE PEOPLE are walking in Benicia, at least in the areas where I walk, just a little above and below Military. My Scotties, Jesse and Rory, take me out twice a day for a walk. We do the upper circuit, Shirley Drive, in the morning and the lower circuit, West […]
Crewmember Report: Benicia, California, Spaceship Earth: Salt
WHAT AN INTERESTING TOPIC, SALT! The Morton Salt website states that salt is referenced in the Book of Job (approximately 2,250 BCE) and in at least 31 other references in the Bible. I didn’t know this, either: “Roman soldiers were paid ‘salt money,’ salarium argentum, from which we take our English word, ‘salary.’ About 4,700 […]
Crewmember Report: Benicia, California, Spaceship Earth: Chance favors the prepared
LAST WEEKEND I HAD A CHANCE TO FILM Denise Rushing at Benicia Public Library. She was the fourth and final presenter in the comprehensive introduction to permaculture gardening and farming presented by the Benicia Community Gardens. Denise’s presentation was substantive and filled with practical and philosophical advice that extended beyond farming and gardening. I’ll put […]
Crewmember Report: Benicia, California, Spaceship Earth: Enlightened self-interest
I WAS LISTENING TO NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO’S SCIENCE FRIDAY last week and I heard a guest mention the name Naomi Oreskes and her book with Erik Conway, “Merchants of Doubt.” The authors had studied the distraction tactics of the tobacco industry to cause uncertainty about the dangers of smoking and cancer. They found that the […]