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Friends of Coyote Creek Hey,
this month's RAC will have a fun new twist. Along with the usual PADDLE
we normally provide (FREE... for the outward bound portion of our RAC,
a nominal fee, billable on your credit card, for the return trip), we
will include a SHOVEL as we will be bagging up some really NASTY green
glowing stuff that's irritating the heck out of our geiger counter.
We're talk'en some REALLY HOT STUFF! He,
he... had ya going, huh? Nope, it ain't that bad yet. Despite all the
stories you've heard, we haven't reached that level. The paddles are
still free for the return trip. I
hope your 4th of July was worth missing out on the excitement of a RAC
on the Coyote Creek. As you know, we took the day off in July and
joined in on the Naglee Park Community 4th of July activities. Wow,
can't wait 'til the next one, is it still only twice a year?
Our
RMTs continued their work on the Creek despite the month's festivities.
As the saying goes, there's NO REST for the WICKED, so we had a rather
large turnout. If you're uninformed, RMT is shorthand for "Riparian
Maintenance Team." These dedicated... sputter, sputter... Sorry, ran
out of editorial juice. Anyhow, the pictures this month feature our RMT
team. Ask us about them when you get a chance, you just might fit in
with this exciting gang!
Before
I forget, this month we pick up trash JUST LIKE ALWAYS. (Here goes...)
The First Sunday of the Month, 9 am, at Spilmans' Landing (look below
for directions, AND DON'T MISS our What to Bring
section). This event will be different from our usual RAC, it will be
held on the ONLY first Sunday in August of this year (for what that's
worth). We try to finish by 1 pm, though we have been known to throw
caution to the wind and continue working until 1:05, pm, or so.
For
those wondering why our newsletter showed up late and very late (as in
twice) last month. Sorry, our ISP swallowed our first newsletter. That
gave it indigestion so when we realized no one received the newsletter
after several days, we resent. Our ISP, still doubled over with cramps,
let the second one go by. You received that one. Eventually, with the
aid of a little kaopectate, or something, our ISP recovered and days
later, in a fit of uncontrolled expectoration, coughed up the original
newsletter where it fled on its way to your mailbox (or something like
that, I dozed off during the explanation so had to improvise in a few
places).
Litter is essentially misplaced waste. Keep America Beautiful (KAB), Inc. has found that litter comes from seven primary sources: - Improperly bagged garbage
- Dumpsters used by businesses
- Loading docks
- Construction and demolition sites
- Trucks with uncovered or unsecured loads
- Pedestrians
- Motorists
Why do people litter? Littering
is behavioral in origin. This is why we (at KAB) believe littering
behaviors can best be changed with awareness, education and engagement
directed towards individuals in their communities. KAB research has found that People litter when common forms of behavior indicate that littering is OK. Here are two examples. For some smokers, it has become an "accepted norm" to throw used cigarette butts on the ground.
In
many theaters and arenas, it has also become an accepted norm to leave
wrappers and other waste under one's seat during and after the game or
show. KAB
research has found that People litter if they do not feel (or have not
been educated to accept) any share of personal "ownership" in, or
responsibility for, areas in the community we all share like streets,
parks, beaches, sidewalks, etc. KAB research has found that People litter when they believe someone else will pick up after them. This
is particularly true when individuals are not aware of the fact that
the cost of this kind of maintenance is eventually passed on to them in
one way or another. KAB research has also found that People litter when other litter has accumulated in a given place. Earth first, we'll trash the other planets later.
- I
don't think there is anything more important than conservation, with
the exception of human survival, and the two are so closely interlaced
that it is hard to separate one from the other.- Charles A. Lindbergh
- All of us have opted for environmental damage, albeit unwittingly, by voting for convenience with our dollars.- Russell W. Peterson
- Many people live in ugly wastelands but in the absence of imaginative standards most of them do not even know it.- C. Wright Millsi
Most
newsletters that attain the position this one has (I'm still
researching that, so bear with me) look with disdain on supplying its
readership with ACTUAL "things to bring" but instead mention
practically worthless items. WE BREAK THE MOLD. When we publish a list
of things to bring, OUR PARTICIPANTS RESPOND. They know our expertise
in this area is SECOND TO NONE. So here goes. Undershorts. We recommend
them. Women should select a comfortable brand with a reasonable balance
of cotton to nylon. Men, well, what ever works. Pants. This addition to
your supply kit has proved extremely popular and easily complements a
well selected pair of undershorts. Please apply yourself when matching
colors. Socks, though not a necessity, go a long way in increasing your
popularity among other participants, especially if you suffer from
unusual foot oder. Take our advise, do NOT rely on your own judgment
when deciding on this item, ask a friend to sniff your feet, you will
not be sorry (well, that's a judgment call, just be careful who you
ask). Women have usually responded well to the suggestion to wear an
upper garment, so we again endorse this item for the well supplied
adventure kit. Men, do us a favor, bring a shirt... not everyone will
be wearing sunglasses. The only other thing we recommend is that you
bring your smile. The last person who showed up without one didn't
particularly enjoy the event. Bring your supplies, and meet us at Spilmans' Landing... it will be an adventure!
Are you coming this Sunday (8/1/04)? Please RSVP with a "YES" or a "MAYBE" if you think you will be attending. (RSVP by clicking on the YES or MAYBE email links above or by calling Marley at 292-8171)
Spilmans' Landing is on the Creek behind Jack, Marley and Ruth's place. We will meet there for coffee and food at 9:00 am. - 70 South 17th Street, San Jose.
Park on the street, walk down the drive and find us out back.
Have a question..... Click here and send us an email
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