Maria Shriver Knows What it Takes

Learning about proper tree staking from Tree Amigo Carol Arnoldy.

Tree Amigo Louie Urbina demonstrates proper planting depth.

First Lady Maria Shriver came to San José to help plant trees on October 3rd and left with an appreciation of the state-of-the-art methods and technical training required for success. The purpose of her visit was to launch CaliforniaVolunteers.org, a new program of the California Service Corporation (CSC). Our Tree Amigos made us proud showing Maria and the other VIPs how to plant and stake a 15-gallon tree. Maria noted that our volunteers are “shining examples” of volunteerism, which is why she chose Our City Forest to be the project site for this kick-off event.

With Maria’s presence, the media also was in attendance, helping get the word out about the new web site. Featuring a search engine, the site, www.CaliforniaVolunteers.org, allows prospective volunteers to search for opportunities by location and area of interest. Also available are resources for volunteers and non-profit organizations, including links to volunteer centers, disaster planning resources and volunteer recognition programs.

The event, located at Lee Matheson Middle School, included demonstrating various aspects of planting a tree, and included four stations staffed by Tree Amigos, members of the Lee Matheson Arbor Society, and Our City Forest staff. OCF President & CEO Rhonda Berry walked Maria to each station while describing the role of trained volunteers.

Maria Shriver, Executive Director of California Service Corps Karen Baker, and OCF President Rhonda Berry.

Tree Amigo Ken Hardy explains the importance of on going care to the health of urban trees.

Maria was attentive and ready to get her hands dirty, jumping right in to help “tickle” the roots, shovel dirt, and drive a tree stake. Even with the cameras rolling, the Tree Amigos kept their cool. What they best demonstrated, was showing Maria why we are so fortunate to have them. Special thanks to all Tree Amigos who helped out, including: Carol Arnoldy, Louie Urbina, Harvey Stray, Linda Littrell, Ken Hardy, Martin Renteria, Doris Livesey, Ed Lo and OCF Board Member Irma Balderas.

Visit the California Volunteers web site:
www.CaliforniaVolunteers.org

Celebrating NeighborWoods Month

San José City College volunteer Yolanda Torres helps stake a tree on Nisich Drive.

Residents at the Nisich Dr. planting, Left to right: Roger Mallorca, David Marshall, and Lou Nisich (The street is named after Lou’s family).

A somewhat clever combination of “neighborhood” and “woods” once again reminds us of the importance of the relationship between people and trees. Organized by the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT), the nation-wide NeighborWoods month was created to “celebrate the benefits of trees in the places people live.”Our City Forest participated with several October planting events, including the Children’s Discovery Museum, Nisich Drive, and Morrill Middle School. Thirty-one volunteers planted 41 trees. From schools to neighborhoods, Our City Forest helps facilitate the plantings from start to finish.

The Nisich Drive planting inluded an area next to a Highway 101 sound wall, as well as street trees for neighborhood residents. The trees will beautify the area as well as reduce auto noise and pollution from the busy freeway.

Thank you to Mike Palla, a teacher at Morrill Middle School, for his efforts in coordinating the planting at Morrill. The California native trees they planted are part of an environmental science project to simulate the variety of habitats found throughout California. Special thanks to Tree Amigos Julie Smith, Louie Urbina, Carl Ward, Bertha Ward, Morgan Chivers, Martin Renteria and, of course, all the other volunteers donating their time and energy to these projects.

Part of the Morrill Elementary planting crew, including Tree Amigo Morgan Chivers (back far left), teacher Mike Palla (back center), and Intel volunteer Nitin Kamble (back right).

Volunteer Spotlight: The Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley & Via Services

This month, however, we are showcasing the efforts of two volunteer groups, the Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley (VCSV) and Via Services. With a monthly distribution of thousands of bulletins, having many helping hands is critical. Over the last few months these lively groups have consistently volunteered for our bulletin preparation, ready and willing to help every month for as long as it takes to finish the job.

Bulletin folding, labeling, and sorting might sound less exciting than tree planting, but with the help of volunteers from VCSV and Via Services, bulletin preparation is somewhat of a celebration. Conversations during bulletin preparation range from in-depth questions about trees and urban forestry to Adan Bustos’ stories about the practical jokes he has pulled off. This very bulletin was prepared by these volunteers and be sure that conversation and many laughs were enjoyed in the process. Barring a printer malfunction, the bulletins are folded, labeled, and sorted within hours so that they can be delivered to you.

A big thank-you from the OCF staff, and from everyone who enjoys reading this bulletin, to VCSV volunteers Adan Bustos, Jessica Dorsey, Frank Gonzalez, Ingrid Bravo, Lenora Nelson, Eliza Riley, Rose Luerra, Tim Tom, Joel Herrera and Via Services volunteers Jessica Castaneda, Tracy Smith, Larry Olivera, and Curtis Lowrey. A special thank-you to Otila Salazar from the VCSV and Rob Galindo from Via Services for steering these groups to Our City Forest.

Eco-Silicon Valley - It's Easy to be Green - www.ecosiliconvalley.org

Spare the Fish, the Bay, and your Health

• Water that flows down driveways and streets into a gutter goes into a storm drain which flows directly to a creek, and then to the San Francisco Bay.
• These drains help prevent flooding of streets and highways by quickly transferring rainwater into creeks.
• Water going into toilets and sinks is treated, while water that goes into gutters and then into storm drains is not. Storm water picks up pollutants along the way and those pollutants end up in our creeks and in the bay.
• Don’t pour ANYTHING into a gutter, a street or a storm drain! It’s illegal! Only uncontaminated rainwater is allowed to go into storm drains.
• Don’t put natural stuff down the storm drains either. Grass clippings, dirt and leaves break down and draw oxygen from the water. This harms fish and ruins the natural balance of our creeks and the Bay.
• REMEMBER: Pesticides and oil leaked onto roads and driveways, and when washed from those surfaces goes
  directly into our creeks and ultimately the Bay. Please clean leaked oil with absorbents (such as kitty litter) that can be swept up and put into the trash. Also, consider not using pesticides - this is healthier for people, too.
• San José storm drain clogged? Call S.J. Department of Transportation (408)277-4373.
  See someone pouring oil or other contaminants into a storm drain? Please call (408) 945-3000

Give Green This Holiday

This holiday, consider gift memberships to OCF for your friends and family members. Donations of $50 or more will give you the choice of either:

1. Beautiful California Oak Poster (click for image)
• 36” x 24” Poster
• Printed on Recycled Paper
• Laminated version also available

2. Tree Magic CD (pdf file for use on a computer)
• 450 pages in color
• 169 poems & stories
• 115 photos & paintings

As a special bonus, donations of $100 or more will receive both gifts.