March 26 - Dept. of Toxic Substances Control Public Meeting, 7 p.m.at Redwood Elementary School, 324 South Lincoln Street, Fort Bragg. Under consideration are options for clean up at the Georgia Pacific Mill site, one of which is "capping" the dioxin, PCB, lead and arsenic contaminated soil from the proposed coastal trail area (1,000 truckloads worth) in a hole 6 ft. deep, 1.3 acres in size, on the Mill site in proximity to Highway 1, across from businesses and residences.Public comment period - March 13th to April 14th, 2008. Written comments or questions can be sent, or emailed, to: Edgardo Gillera, Project Manager, Dept. of Toxic Substances Control, 700 Heinz Ave., Berkeley, CA 94710-2721, ph.(510) 540 3826   fax. (510) 540 3819. Email: EGillera@dtsc.ca.gov

March 26 - MCDH To Sponsor Obesity and Cancer Talk from 6 to 7 p.m. John Rochat, MD, hematology & oncology medical director at Mendocino Coast District Hospital (MCDH), will discuss ³Obesity and Cancer² at the next MCDH Wellness Lecture Series in the Redwood Room of the hospital¹s new Outpatient Care Building. All programs are free. Continuing education units (CEU¹s) will be offered.

March 26 - An open meeting for Grange members and the public, 7:00 - 8:00 pm at the Garcia Grange in Manchester which has been a social hub providing various types of community support for more than half a century. We're looking for a few people who'd like to keep this important resource available. This past year the Grange Hall has been a public venue for many lectures and community potlucks, and it's also been an intimate setting for private weddings and family gatherings. However, one of our most important functions last year, and continuing this year, has been providing a safe place for the Manchester Elementary School 's after-school program, where our children can go each day to get help with homework and learn new things. To keep all these important community services going, we are looking for three people who can contribute one or two hours a week (or less) to fill the Grange officer positions. It would also be helpful to find a few folks who'd be willing to help out occasionally on weekends to maintain the building and make repairs. Please come to this meeting to find out more about what's needed to keep the Grange in operation. Even if you can't help, you might know someone who could. For more information, call the Grange at 882.3425.

March 29 - The Spring Garden Workshop Series begins with "What Does Your Garden's Soil Need?" from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Mendodino Community Gardens. This workshop concerns evaluating & enhancing your garden's soil. Topics: specific needs of coastal soil types, various soil tests, techniques for building healthy, balanced soil (composting, worm bins, green manures, soil amendments).Contact: Gerry York, 937-3177. The Mendocino Community Gardens is located on the east end of Pine St., Mendocino, next to the Rec Center. The class will be preceeded by at 10 am Seed Exchange. The Community Garden has both potatoes and seeds to share and we are encouraging local gardeners to likewise bring seeds to share.

April 4 - Envision our county's future. Meet Steve Zuieback of Mendocino Futures at Fort Bragg ’s town hall and find out how that group is working to connect residents of the county around common values and principles. Mendocino Futures (www.mendofutures.org) is a coalition of businesses and individuals dedicated to a healthy community that responds to ecological, economic and equity issues. The intention for the evening is to learn about this successful process and begin forming interest/action groups on the coast that will manifest our community's goals for the future. Come and help find our common ground and start creating our own future right now. Give your input about what is important to you for life on the coast and in the county. This free event (donations requested) is held from 7 to 9 p.m  and is sponsored by the Alliance for Democracy, Coast Economic Localization Link (CELL) and Institute for Noetic Sciences.

April 4, 5, 6, 11 and 12 - ENTHUSIASMOS- An Original Exotic Music Review written and produced by Lavender Kent. Come journey with the Mendo Folk Ensemble, The Rhythm Church of Albion and Trillium Tribe. Watch Luminesce Spark as she finds her way and finds her place in Mendo Bohemia Della Fringe. Guaranteed to Entrance and Elevate. This production endeavors to fuel and preserve our community through local musicians, dancers and poets as they practice and share their trade. Matheson Performing Arts Center in Mendocino. Showtime is 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets $20, Seniors/ Students $10 at Twist, Tangents & Ocean Dragonfly. 707.937.0274 www.lavendergrace.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbubAxwDZ6I.

April 5 - The Spring Garden Workshop Series at the Mendocino Community Gardens is offering Workshop #2 "Preparing Beds and Tending Our Soil" from 10:30 a.m. to noon. This workshop will focus on preparing gardens beds (no till, doubledigging, U-forking, rototilling) and tending the beds throughout the growing season (cultivation, top dressing, mulching, row covers,etc.) Contact: S.A. Ephraim, 937-3037. The garden is located on the east end of Pine St., Mendocino, next to the Rec Center. Each workshop will be proceeded by a Seed exchange at 10 a.m. The Community Garden has both potatoes and seeds to share, and we are encouraging local gardeners to likewise bring seeds to share.

April 10 - Making Nature Your Business - a workshop for businsesses, organizations and individuals interested in starting or growing nature-based businesses - will be held at the Ukiah Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The workshop is presented by the Nature Tourism Coalition of Mendocino County. Can nature tourism create economic stability for Mendocino County without destroying what we love about where we live? Learn how you can fulfill the needs of nature travelers and protect the character of our unique environment. Registration Information . Workshop fee is $25 and includes meals & materials.Space is limited to 40, so advance registration is recommended. Call (707) 462-4705 to register by credit card, or mail a check to Nature Tourism Coalition, c/o Greater Ukiah Chamber of Commerce, 200 School Street, Ukiah 95482 If you'd like to tell attendees about a resource you offer, or ask for something you need, when you register please tell us you'd like 2 - 3 minutes in the RESOURCES segment, and bring literature to share.Call (707) 937-1092 ext 3, or email naturetourism@mcn.org for more information.Sponsors: Nature Tourism Coalition, Mendocino County Lodging Association, Greater Ukiah Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development & Financing Corporation, Ukiah Conference Center, Mendocino Land Trust, Mendocino County Promotional Alliance, KOZT 95.3/95.9 FM "The Coast" For more information contact the Nature Tourism Coalition, Penny Greenwood, Coordinator, (707) 937-1092 Fax: (707) 937-9908, naturetourism@mcn.org.

April 12 - Spring Workshop Series at the Mendocino Community Gardens continues with Workshop #3 from10:30 am - 12 noon: "Propagation and Planting the Spring Garden". This workshop covers propagating seeds, planting out starts, and direct seed sowing. In the greenhouse (or kitchen window): types of propagating flats, soil mixes, sowing techniques. Planting out starts and direct sowing in garden beds: spacing concepts, initial fertilization needs, irrigation. Contact: Kerry Marshall, 937-5051. The garden is located on the east end of Pine St., Mendocino, next to the Rec Center.

April 18 - Bookbuilders West (BBW) Crash Course in Book Production Basics hosted by Bookbuilders Northcoast (BBNC) from 8:15 a.m.-4 p.m. Location: Abalone Room, Little River Inn, 7901 North Highway 1, Little River, CA 95456, www.littleriverinn.com, 888-466-5683, or 707-937-5942. Cost: $75.00 (Continental breakfast, lunch, and course materials included.) This course gives an introduction to the entire book publishing production process, including: editing; design; composition; art and photo preparation for 1-, 2-, and 4-color printing; binding; and paper selection. Interested in learning about new media technologies? Information about creating various media projects in conjunction with print projects will be presented as well.
Space is limited. Reservation deadline is Monday, March 31st. Registration form and additional event information available online: http://www.bookbuilders.org/bbwevents08/nc-crashcourse.html. For more information, contact northcoast@bookbuilders.org.

April 20 - The Noyo Food Forest will host “Earth Day 2008: Towards Local Solutions,” a one-day free festival to celebrate the local initiatives that are moving our community towards sustainability in the 21st century. The event will be held at The Learning Garden at Fort Bragg High School at 300 Dana Street from noon to six pm. This all ages, wheelchair accessible, drug and alcohol-free event will include live music by Soulevity and The Human Revolution, a spring plant sale, a solar basics workshop by PG&E, a kids’ tent, a re-usable bag “Sew-In,” hands-on art and garden activities, locally-grown foods, earth-friendly vendors and more. Get inspired, dance, eat, and connect with local organizations and businesses that are making a difference in our community and the world.Call Susan Lightfoot at 964-0218 for more information.

April 25 and 26 - Sherry Glaser presents two one-woman shows as a springtime benefit for the Baghdad Children's Shelter. Friday, April 25th, "Oh My Goddess," and Saturday, April 26th, "The BrEaST of Sherry Glaser," both at the Matheson Theater in Mendocino. The Baghdad Shelter is a humanitarian project created to offer shelter, protection & a future to orphans in Baghdad, Iraq. Currently the shelter houses 10 girls & 2 boys, and has been made possible by the donation of a house and funds by an exiled Iraqi family-- Ahmad Rustam & his wife, daughter, mother & sister, now living in Glasgow Scotland. The shelter has no political or religous affiliations. For more information, please contact Marguerite Lambert at korrinne@mcn.org

April 25 - Fundraising dinner for the Mendocino Coast Writers Conference at Mendo Bistro in Fort Bragg on April 25, 2008. A portion of the night's profits will benefit the scholarship and financial aid programs that allow area students to attend the writers conference in July. Join us for a fun evening of fine food, excellent camaraderie and possible writing exercises! For more information, please visit www.mcwc.org or call 962-2600 ext. 2167.

Ongoing 4th Sunday BREAKFASTS

COAST Whitesboro Grange. 4th Sunday every month 8AM-11:30AM 4th Sunday each month 3 miles up Navarro Ridge Road,just south of Albion Village

INLAND Little Lake Grange,4th Sunday every month 8am to 11am Little Lake Grange #670 291 School Street Willtis CA 95490 $5 for pancakes sausage bacon juice & coffee or tea. Thanksgiving coffee and real Maple Syrup.

Ongoing Events

Noyo Food Forest - Fridays, at the Learning Garden, Fort Bragg High School 1-5pm for hands-on learning experiences.

Saturdays, you can grow food for the Food Bank at the Mendocino Community Garden next to the Rec. Center 10:30 to 2.

Sundays The Caspar Community Garden at the Community Center is open on Sunday mornings and you can go home with food in hand.

Noyo CommUnity Garden at Thanksgiving Coffee in Fort Bragg, every other Sunday from 1pm til dusk.

Want to know more? Call Susan Lightfoot, Noyo Food Forest Program Coordinator, at 964-0218. Think global, grow local!