EC users' idea for StepItUp07

(I only got a few replies in response to this idea, so I'm inviting everyone to the Mitchel Park event in Palo Alto. I will be bringing my xbike.)

StepItUp07.org encourages creative, community-oriented political action. On April 14th, 2007, folks across the nation will collectively put Congress on notice that they'd better "step it up" in dealing with global warming and the resulting climate change.

As the enthusiastically geeky side of EnergyConsumption shows, positive response to climate change can be lots of fun.

Here's the rough plan for next Saturday:

1. walk, bike, or take the bus to Rancho San Antonio
2. have a picnic near the main entrance to the park
3. chat a bit about interesting and fun ways to reduce our environmental impact
4. take a picture with the requisite "80% reduction by 2050" banner
5. for those interested, hike further into the hills (w/banners & cameras, of course)

This idea came from a desire to have fun sending a firm but positive message. We wanted to connect with nature and ideally to integrate sustainable (and perhaps techy) practices for the future. Not driving to the site is a start, but we also thought about bringing solar-powered gadgets or even hauling a windmill up Black Mountain from whence we would post our photograph(s) with wind power (and the hopefully-cooperative cell network). If anyone knows where to borrow a Hornet 600 or similar ... and how we might mount it on something we've carried ... let me know. I'm going to bring a (refillable) pen and some (recycled) paper so I can enjoy the simple pleasure of writing. :)

Details

• The current goal is to be at the picnic from 11-1 and then to hike, perhaps in multiple groups, for however long people are comfortable. The park closes around 7, though many of us will want to bike home before dark.
• VTA's #23 bus goes right by Rancho San Antonio. The #23 connects with Caltrain near San Antonio station and with light rail in downtown San Jose.
• I plan to bike to Foothill & 280 from my house near Bascom & Stevens Creek in San Jose. Others are likely to be biking from Mountain View. Biking together is more fun.
• The picnic wiill be do-it-yourself, but bring something to share. There may be a (very) small grill, but if we have more than 25 people, we can't mob the picnic area.
• If you would like to RSVP, feel free to email sspies+stepitup@bigw.org, though once we're on stepitup.org, we'll want you to RSVP that way.
• Please invite your friends. The more the merrier. :)

ToDo

1. email a few friends / lists
2. post our intent on the stepitup07.org site
3. email everyone we know and get them to email everyone they know
4. figure out how to make banners (maybe 2 in case we have multiple hiking groups?)
5. contact a columnist or three and see what pre, at, and post press coverage we can arrange
6. make sure we have people who like taking pictures
7. make posters / invitations
8. research any POST rules / make any necessary reservations
9. distribute paper ads to friends, neighbors, and bulletin boards
10. post our intent to various upcoming.org-like web sites (SJMN, craigslist, etc)

People who have offered to help

• Xinh
• Jonah

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