Every year on April 22nd, we celebrate Earth Day, honoring environmentalism and making efforts to learn about and save our home on the big blue planet. Do you know the history of Earth Day?
Senator Gaylord Nelson, the junior senator from Wisconsin, had long been concerned about the deteriorating environment in the United States. Then in January 1969, he and many others witnessed the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, Senator Nelson wanted to infuse the energy of student anti-war protests with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution. Senator Nelson announced the idea for a teach-in on college campuses to the national media, and persuaded Pete McCloskey, a conservation-minded Republican Congressman, to serve as his co-chair. They recruited Denis Hayes, a young activist, to organize the campus teach-ins and they chose April 22, a weekday falling between Spring Break and Final Exams, to maximize the greatest student participation. This year's theme is "Invest in Our Planet."
Enjoy these upcoming Earth-related events at our libraries:
Outdoor Family Storytimes – Tuesdays 10:15-10:45am, Los Altos Library
All April and May storytimes will be held at the Los Altos History Museum, with the exception of the April 26, 2022 storytime, which will be held at Hillview Soccer Field, next to the Library parking lot. The Los Altos History Museum is located directly behind the library. No registration necessary.
Tai Chi – Fridays, 10-11am, Milpitas Library
Respected Tai Chi Master Roy Wong teaches the elegant, healthful and spiritual exercise, Tai Chi, in our beautiful Auditorium. Tai Chi runs in two six-month sessions, starting in January and June. New students must register. No drop-ins, please. If you have previously attended, please re-register.
DIY Dried Floral Wreaths – Wednesday April 20, 4-5pm, Morgan Hill Library
Learn how to arrange and make a dried floral wreath for decorating your space or giving as a gift. We are excited to have professional florist and librarian Hylary to instruct the class! Supplies provided but feel free to bring any additional items you would like to use. Registration encouraged to guarantee your space. Please register.
Spring Clean Your Medicine Cabinet – Saturday April 23rd, 10:30am-12:30pm, Saratoga Library and Thursday, April 28th, 11am-12pm, Gilroy Library
Bay Area Older Adults (BAO) staff will be at the Saratoga and Gilroy Libraries to provide free mail-back envelopes for over-the-counter and prescription medicines, that are past their expiration dates. Leftover medicines in your home make it easy for you to take mistakenly take expired medicine, the wrong dose, or the wrong drug. This can be harmful to your health. Flushing medications down the toilet, sink, or putting them in the garbage contaminates our drinking water. BAO will help you cross out your personal information and pack your medications in special medicine disposal envelopes for safe disposal. Please do not bring sharps, inhalers, supplements, or personal care products. No registration necessary.
Virtual Film Discussion: A Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps – Monday, April 25th, 6-7pm
Narrated by Annette Benning, A Towering Task tells the remarkable story of the Peace Corps and takes viewers on a journey of what it means to be a global citizen. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy gave young Americans the opportunity to serve their country in a new way by forming the Peace Corps. Since then, more than 200,000 of them have traveled to more than 140 countries to carry out the organization's mission of international cooperation. Nearly 60 years later, Americans - young and old alike - still want to serve their country and understand their place in the world; current volunteers work at the forefront of some of the most pressing issues facing the global community. Please register.
Great Decisions Foreign Policy Discussion – Wednesday, April 27th, 6:30-8pm, Morgan Hill Library
Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs. The program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year and serves as the focal text for discussion groups across the country. No registration necessary.
Enjoy these Earth Day events taking place in SCCLDs member communities:
Earth Day – Friday, April 22nd, Gilroy Premium Outlets, 681 Leavesley Rd, Gilroy
On April 22nd, stop by Building A and speak with two local organizations and learn how to make a positive impact this Earth Day! Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park and the Gilroy Beekeepers Association will be on property from 12pm-3pm.
Earth Day – Saturday, April 23rd, 10am-1pm, Milpitas Civic Center Plaza, 457 E. Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas
Join us for a celebration of the City’s latest smart infrastructure program and Earth Day Resource Fair on Saturday, April 23 from 10a.m.-1p.m. Participate in tours and demonstrations to learn about the City’s newest solar and battery microgrid systems and other energy and water savings projects. Resource fair will include activities and information that can help you make simple changes at home that can save you money and protect the plant. Don’t miss this opportunity to do your part for the Earth!
Earth Day & Arbor Day Festival – Saturday, April 23rd, 11am-3pm, Cupertino Library Park, 10400 Torre Ave, Cupertino
Cupertino's Annual Earth & Arbor Day Festival is an interactive event that invites community members of all ages to learn about environmental issues and solutions in a family-friendly, interactive atmosphere. Consistently attracting over 7,000 attendees and 75 partner organizations, the festival features hands-on activities, live entertainment, electric vehicle demos, and delicious food served by local food trucks.
Community Earth Day Festival – Sunday, April 24th, 10am-3pm, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill
Join this community Earth Day festival to learn how to protect our planet. Hands on youth activities.
Los Altos Hills Earth Day Celebration — Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society - Sunday, April 24th, 1-4pm, Westwind Community Barn, 27210 Altamont Road, Los Altos Hills
Join us as we celebrate Earth Day in Los Altos Hills! We’ll be tabling at this event that includes Santa Clara County Fire, Grassroots Ecology, and other local environmental groups. Grassroots Ecology will lead a nature hike at 2:00 pm through Byrne Preserve Open Space and discuss restoration, plant, and animal species. Grassroots’ nursery staff will provide information about native plant care and have plants from their native nursery available for sale. Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society will be sharing information on nest boxes and local birds. The Los Altos Hills Youth Commission will be sharing winning ideas from their “Make Everyday Earth Day” program. Reduce your carbon footprint and walk, bike or carpool and bring a reusable water bottle.
