CicLAvia October 2013

Environmental Department would like to invite you to--

First we'll explain what it is, then we'll give you the information about how you can get yourself there. 

CicLAvia - Heart of LA returns to the streets that started it all as we explore downtown Los Angeles on bike, foot, stroller and many more creative means of locomotion. The Heart of LA route follows in the footsteps of our first five events and helps Angelenos rediscover the origins of the City of Angels. Whether you’ve ridden these streets before or are new to CicLAvia, the Heart of LA route promises something new to discover.

Can I enjoy CicLAvia if I don't ride a bike?

Yes. At previous CicLAvias, individuals have been seen running, walking dogs, rollerblading, gathering together to play music, participating in impromptu tennis matches, picnicking, reading, conducting street theatre and dining at restaurants—just to name a few activities!

There are lots of activities along the route that don't require a bike. in the past there has been dodge ball, yoga classes, capoeira performances, parades, marches, etc. 

To learn more about the event, check out the official website. It has lots of helpful information, including the official rules of the road, where to rent bikes nearby (calling ahead is probably a smart choice!), and rules about using the bike in the metro system.

*There are 2 options for Soka students to get to LA for the event:*

1. A bus will be leaving at 11:20 a.m. SHARP  to arrive at Laguna Niguel Metrolink station soon thereafter with ample time for the entire group to purchase their $10 weekend round trip tickets. Retain these tickets for the return and any downtown LA metro or light rail travel. 

Train departure time for Metrolink train 665 from Laguna Niguel is noon, but the train sometimes leaves earlier, so again, it is important that folks be on time. 

Professor Deike Peters will meet the group in the ticketing area of Union Station, in front of the Starbucks. (From the platform, walk west towards the Alameda exit, NOT towards the East Portal/Patsouras Plaza.)

We will walk as a group past LA historic plaza, Olvera Street up towards the Chinatown hub and then turn around and walk south along the CicLAvia route, first down Broadway, then via Grant Park and Spring Streets, then head west on 7th street. Depending on how fast we walk, we will then take the Metro back from 7th/Metro center or walk further to Westlake/MacArthur Park station, making sure that we return to Union Station well ahead of the the scheduled Metrolink departure time at 4:40pm. Note that this is the LAST Metrolink train for the day, so if you miss this train, you would have to book an Amtrak Pacific Surfliner ticket at your own expense to get home ($18 one way).

We will return to Laguna Niguel Metrolink station via Metrolink train 664  leaving Union Station at 4:40, arriving in Laguna Niguel at 5:52pm. Bus pickup is scheduled for 6:15 just in case the train is a bit late. Return to Soka around 6:30pm.

Anyone who would like to join us needs to also contact Deike Peters immediately and hand in their waivers to her by TOMORROW (October 1, 2013) at noon. There will be a folder outside her office (434 Pauling) for waivers.
 

Unfortunately, we are not allowed to bring bikes/rollerblades/skateboards on the Soka bus. :(

If you are planning to bring your bike and RIDE CicLAvia before our group meets up, I suggest you figure out how to get yourself to the Laguna station for the earlier train (8:50, arrive Union Station 10:30), but this would be under your own liability. (It's about 9 miles, so doable for a more serious biker, but remember you have to come back uphill the same way you came in the afternoon!) 

2.  Anybody is of course welcome to join us join us just for the group walking tour in Downtown LA as long as they are able to arrange their own transportation. Carpool to the station!  Just remember to chip in and pay the driver gas money. And remember to be considerate when asking for rides--you're asking for a pretty big favor. The Metrolink (in Laguna Nigel) is $10 on weekends. Check out their bike policy!

We recommend bringing:

-water

-a camera

-a sweater

-money for lunch

-sun screen

*

Please comment on our FaceBook page (or on the SUA!! page) with any comments, concerns, propositions to lend out your bike, or carpool-starter lists! However, if you do not

contact Deike immediately and hand in their waivers to her by TOMORROW (October 1, 2013) at noon,

getting there is entirely up to you! Sorry for the late notice!

Kellog's Cereal Just Got Even Sweeter

Bon Appetit, with ED's support, has decided to partner with Kellogg's on their Eat, Share, Prosper program. This means that for the month of October, Kellogg's will donate one case of cereal to a local food bank for each case of cereal that Bon Appetit Purchases--at no extra cost to Bona Apetit or Soka.

This is the food bank we will be donating to this year.

Translation = each time you eat cereal this month, you are helping provide food to people in the local community who have poor access to food!

So here's your chance to eat as much cereal as you want without feeling guilty. :)

If you have any questions about this campaign, please contact one of your ED chairs or Michelle at the cafeteria.

Cheers!

Coastal Cleanup Recap

Last Saturday, 51,543 volunteers (including a group of 8 from Soka!) went out and removed trash from watersheds across the state of California.

Those volunteers picked up 471,218 pounds of trash
and an additional 30,530 pounds of recyclable materials,
for a total of 501,748 pounds or 251 tons.

-The California Coastal Commission

Here in Aliso Viejo, the Soka crew cleaned up some surprising items... Here are some of our favorite weird discoveries:
-PS2 game cases
-Many, many jars of mayonaise
-A wheel
-2 sleeping bags
-A rainbow umbrella

We also found a picnic table surrounded by heaps and heaps of...lord knows what.

Before:

After:

To see more pictures of Soka students at work on Coastal Cleanup Day, check out our album on Facebook!


Kiki Fong from the class of 2017 was kind enough to share her experience participating in the 2013 California Coastal Cleanup:

In the second week of my environmental ethics class, I learned about Sartre’s philosophy regarding man’s responsibility on every decision making. Every action that man choose to do is his own problem, so he should not point finger to others when he regrets them. However, in this contemporary society, there are many irresponsible people who create mess like littering and abandon their trouble for the future generation. I believe that I should apply Sartre’s theory in my generation or the society, to clean up the mess we make. We should be responsible over the pollution we created instead of leaving them to our children to solve these problems.

Coincidentally on the same week, there was a volunteer event at Aliso Viejo on Saturday to clean up the coastal side, and this was an opportunity for me to apply Sartre’s notion and be responsible for my generation. At first I was a little disappointed because we were not picking trash at the beach. However, it was an enjoyable experience for me because I never clean up at the trail park before. Who knew picking trash in the park was like hunting? Going inside the bushes despite getting dirty and cut just to get those empty liquor bottles was fun because after removing them from nature, I felt a sense of accomplishment. That feeling was priceless and amazing, and I would like to create more because these feelings would be the driving force for me to preserve a better environment for the future generation.

Chelsea Dugger from the class of 2014, who in addition to being one of this year's ED chairs has also done the Coastal Cleanup with Soka since her freshman year, also shared some thoughts on the subject:

This year was my eighth time participating in the California Coastal Cleanup event held annually in order to collect trash that has the potential to travel through our extensive watershed systems into the ocean. Being a self-proclaimed “ocean lover” I am very passionate in preserving the beauty of the sea as a space free of human-induced pollution. Having focused on the multidimensional problem of non-point source pollution that is marine debris, I know how essential prevention is in preventing this global crisis from worsening. As it stands right now we already have an island of trash floating in the Pacific Ocean, known as the GreatPacific Garbage Patch (check out the link for a video), measuring over 100 million tons of trash. This is why I felt the need to go and pick up the smallest pieces of trash/litter at the Aliso Viejo Ranch off 100 Park Avenue past Saturday.

 Just Fyi- The way our watersheds function is that all water sources running throughout Aliso Viejo, meaning the streams, creeks and natural rain drain patterns lead directly to the ocean. Our storm drains throughout the city also lead directly to the ocean which is why little gum wrappers or straw plastic or candy bar debris left on the street can go directly into the ocean threatening our access to clean beaches; as well as the detrimental consequence to marine animals and ecosystems. Since small pieces of trash are often overlooked as “not a big deal,” I made conscientious effort to climb deep into bushes (suffering a few scratches) to get every piece of trash visible. But I couldn’t help but think how unnecessary my actions would have been if people were simply more careful of guaranteeing that their trash is securely contained in closed bins where there are minimal threats of it blowing into the water stream going directly to the ocean. This is why I was equally as happy to be 9 miles inland compared to directly on the beach because I knew that I was getting the bits of trash often overlooked.

 This brings me to a personal issue I feel VERY strongly about- the waste of single-use plastic straws! According to the Coastal Comission website “Last year, over 20,000 straws were removed on Coastal Cleanup Day. Straws are the 6th most commonly found litter. Due to their durability, buoyancy, and ability to accumulate and concentrate toxins present in the ocean, plastic straws are especially harmful to marine life.” I found many of them this year and each time I get more and more frustrated! To me straws are a convenience not a necessity which is why I urge everyone to consider two great ways to reduce the risk of littered straws- Say “Please no straw, thank you” as many times as possible- just remember “That straw you used for one meal will be trash forever, so instead why not just skip it?” If you are in love with straws though consider buying a cheap set of sturdy, reusable metal straws ($14 for 4 on Amazon). I think the most important thing is to be active- as an advocate and activist… talk the talk and walk the walk by refusing to use straws (explaining why!) and volunteering to clean up those sadly left behind by others.
Please come talk with me at any time you ever want to know more about marine debris (I did a Busenburg paper on it; which is saying a lot!), straws or anything environmentally related!

Keep your eyes peeled for emails next September for the next California Coastal Cleanup Day so you can participate with us next time!

What You Might Not Know about Your Face Wash + Sugar Scrub Recipes

Last night, I was hiding from some homework I didn't want to do... when I stumbled upon this article.

Washington Post

Soka alumnus / past ED chair Nate Maynard added:









...

Meanwhile, in my bathroom....

Look at all those little micro beads up in there.

Busted.

No one wants to feel like they're creating “toxic junk food” for cute little fish and turtles, so I've decided to switch over. The article offers,

“How about just using some soap and a washcloth?”

I've got an idea you might like even better.

Two words: sugar scrub. 

Why? It smells delicious, you get the fun of making it yourself, and you get to eat it if you spill some.





**For more tips on how to clean things without feeling guilty about it (or spending as much $$$!), check out this blog post from last year's eco wing! 

Upcoming Events for the Month of September

Upcoming Events September 2013

Saturday September 21 - California Coastal Cleanup Day

When? 9 am - noon
Where? Registration for our local branch of this event will be at:
Aliso Viejo Ranch
100 Park Avenue
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Each year, the California Coastal Commission hosts a beach clean up. This year, Aliso Viejo is also doing a cleanup of its trails and creek.

Please Note:
• Wear appropriate clothes including closed-toe shoes or hiking boots (no sandals or open toed shoes)
• Bring gardening or work gloves if you have them
• Bring sunscreen and a hat

For more information and if you would like to preregister for the event, please contact the Environmental Division at (949) 425-2538

Sign up before 1 pm tomorrow (9/19)!

--

Sunday September 22 - Club Expo

When? 1-3 pm
Where? In and outside of the cafeteria

Clubs and departments will be strutting their stuff for you guys. This is your opportunity to sign up for official emailing lists...like for ED's emailing list, perhaps? This is the fastest, most organized way for us to share information with all of you about our meetings, events, protects, and policy endeavors. All the cool kids are doing it.

--

Monday September 30 -- Eco Film Screening, "Making Room for Koalas"

When? 7:30 pm
Where? Pauling 216

Q&A with co-producer after the film, who will be flying in from Australia!

September's Green Superstar: Leia Marasovich

Green Superstar

September 2013

Leia Marasovich

You may have seen Leia at a swim meet or a mixer involving the class of 2014, but did you know that she was also awarded a Pacific Basin Research Center grant to attend the 50th International Making Cities Livable Conference (IMCL)?

She put together a 6 page magazine spread based on what she learned there:

For easier viewing, we recommend asking her to send you the PDF version.

Next time you see Leia on campus, don't forget to tell her what a great job she did or ask her a question about green cities!

***

 If you know someone who deserves recognition as a GREEN SUPERSTAR in the coming months, please message us below, on facebook, or at SSU_EnvironmentalDepartment@soka.edu .

Yay Transparency: ED Leaders' Meeting Minutes!

~ED Leaders' Meeting~

Miscellaneous:

- Refuse: Need to reprint the recycle flyers for refuse

            - Unclear recycling

            - If one thing is misplaced, they throw it all out: must spread this info

- At least one Ecowing member at ED meetings

- Chelsea: will email Arch about who is on the Environmental Committee

- Any email sent to ED account will be forwarded to each of our personal emails!

- Owl Boxes

- Tupperware: Once a week pick up, Yona will talk to Jisoo

- Sort members by year and last name

Scheduling:

- Wednesdays or Fridays – best for meetings with Administration and Faculty

-  Sundays – ED meetings!

Brainstorming:

- Green Consulting!

            - Offer advice for a club or department that is interested in hosting an event
               in a sustainable way

- Blog!

            - Place where we share resources

            - Venue to showcase green activities on campus
            - Eco-warrior of the month!

- Outdoor Movies?

Submitted to EC: Services for other departments:

1)  Connection between any SSU body and the Environmental Committee
We can voice concerns for any department or person. We can also direct students and groups to    relevant administration.

2)  “Green Consulting”

We can offer advice for any department or club that is interested hosted an event in a more sustainable way. This could be as simple as what plates to buy or making your own making your own popcorn instead of buying premade.

3) The Environmental Blog is a venue for showcasing green activities on campus that are otherwise unnoticed or uncelebrated (e.g. students who work in Dr. Robert’s lab). WE also use it to promote various green events on campus.

First ED Meeting:

Sunday September 15^th, Gameroom, 7:11pm

Food: Samosas!

Email by Wednesday, September 11^th, reminder on Saturday

Agenda

            Share the mission and purpose of ED

            Video

            ED chairs: Share ideas/goals  

            Green Consulting

            Keep it Wild intro

            Open Brainstorming Sesh and Idea Sharing

Next ED leaders Meeting:

- Staircase painting

- Movies per month

- Charter

- Updating the Portal 

What does ED do?

People have certain ideas about what Environmental Department does....

Who is ED?

ED Leaders 2013-2014

Chair: Sarah Randolph

Fun facts: Track and field athlete, loves to design things, layout editor for The Pearl magazine, cries easily, enjoys singing.

Co-Chair: Chelsea Dugger

Fun facts: RA for two years, girl scout, self-made expert on HIV/AIDS, tends to wander away from the group, has been to every state in the US.

Co-Chair: Yona Yurwit

Fun facts: Loves beets and bees, enjoys writing and recycled crafts, vegetarian, a stickler about showing up for things on time.

All three of this year's ED chairs will graduate in May 2014, have traveled throughout Latin America, and are excited to get to know YOU!

E.D.