Around Town: Book club for environmentalists Around Town: Book club for environmentalists (August 17, 2005)

Book club types who would like to meet and talk about environmental books are invited to join a new book club being launched by Acterra, the conservation center in Palo Alto.

At the first meeting, participants will discuss Al Gore's "Earth in the Balance" while drinking coffee and eating goodies at the Prolific Oven on Thursday, August 25, from 7 to 9 p.m.

The Environmental Book Club will continue meeting the last Thursday of each month at different cafes to discuss books selected by the group.

To sign up for the free event, call Yuliya Schmidt at 962-9876, ext. 306.
Restoring salt ponds topic of USGS lecture

The delicate balance between salt ponds, restoration of wetlands, and wildlife in San Francisco Bay will be the subject of the monthly public lecture at the U.S. Geological Survey on Thursday, August 25. The program starts at 7 p.m. in Building 3 on the USGS campus at 345 Middlefield Road.

Wildlife biologists A. Keith Miles and John Y. Takekawa will talk about the challenges of restoring 15,000 acres of salt ponds in the South Bay to tidal marsh. Problems include: managing toxics and concentrated salts as levees are opened; controlling invasive species that threaten native grasses; and maintaining water for migrating and wintering birds who may depend on salt ponds.

For more information, call 329-5000.
Sequoias open house for square dancers

Square dancers, ahoy!

The energetic folks at The Sequoias retirement complex in Portola Valley invite novices and experienced dancers alike to join them at an open house Monday, August 22, in Hanson Hall, at 501 Portola Road.

Jim Osborne is the popular caller.

"You do not have to be an experienced dancer. The only requirement is to be able to walk," says Jennifer Harris.

Couples and singles are welcome. For more information, call 424-4427 or 424-4233.

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