By MARGE LEOPOLD

The non-profit Modesto Garden Project, long the effort of Tim Kilburn and Barbara Eniti, has a new director and a new direction. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Marge Leopold, a graduate of CSU Stanislaus in Anthropology, working on my Master’s thesis in Interdisciplinary Studies.

I came to the Garden Project via conventional agriculture. My parents grew almonds and Thompson grapes in Delhi, California. I watched my father die of cancer at the age of 62. I felt that his use of pesticides and herbicides hastened his demise. I then decided to use organic methods if I were to ever grow anything to be eaten. For 4 years I grew herbs organically in Aromas, California, then returned to the valley and thought I could make a living doing organic landscaping.

I was shocked when people looked at me as if I was crazy (this was 20 years ago.)

I went back to hospital work until I injured my back and returned to college. Last summer, as a graduate student, I worked at the Modesto Garden Project with Modesto City Schools and PIC [now DET] teaching "at risk" youth organic gardening techniques. I fell in love with the Garden. Barbara Eniti had been holding the Garden together by herself and wished for time to travel and relax. She had accomplished a difficult task for a very long time. Barbara held the space and the vision for an organic community garden to take root. The community is forever indebted to her for that.

The new board of directors and I have expanded on Barbara’s vision for the garden. We would like it to serve the Westside in particular, and the rest of Modesto as well, as a dynamic and exciting training site offering practical skills as well as training in various organic methods. We would like to see the garden become a true community garden, with the people of Modesto planting small plots to enhance food security. We plan to have classes in organic gardening, composting and a myriad of other garden, food and health related areas as well as opening the garden to art, music, and poetry events. A demonstration garden is already in the works.

We appreciate community input. What do you think a community garden needs to address? How can we help you? We welcome you to the garden to look around and give us ideas. Keep in mind that we are in transition and that the garden is looking a little out of control. We will continue to grow and harvest for our community supporters, and urge you to volunteer and/or to raise your voice in making this a garden and learning center of which Modesto and Stanislaus County can be truly proud.

By WILLIAM E. BISHOP

2 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 Cup basil
1 onion, medium sized
2 Bell peppers
3 stalks celery
2 cans fire-roasted tomatoes
1 1/2 lbs. catfish pieces
1/2 Cup water

Slice the celery and coarsely chop the Bell peppers. Dice the onion. Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized sauce pan (6 quarts or better). When hot, sauté the onion. When the onion is translucent, toss in the celery and pepper chunks. Add the basil and cover. Stir the pot occasionally while simmering for 5-10 minutes. Add salt, tomatoes, catfish and water, and stir while bringing up to a slow bubble. Cover and reduce temperature to low. Allow to simmer for 45 minutes.

By MYRTLE OSNER

Perhaps the most cogent statement made during a very long evening discussion on the Salida General Plan was this:

"It is inappropriate for county government to develop an unincorporated city (Salida) on the fringes of an incorporated city (Modesto)." This statement, made by a government worker residing in Salida, says it in a nutshell.

When I realized that Salida’s General Plan (if built out) envisions housing 38,000 people and encompassing 2100 acres of industrial/commercial development, I wondered about the Plan’s wisdom. Granted, the plan has been cut back by about 1000 acres by the Board of Supervisors, eliminating an area south of Murphy Road.

The planners made a number of changes from the original plan which were presented by staff input and maps but were not printed in the agenda for the County Planning Commission hearing. I presumed that at least part of those changes were in response to the unusual number of people who have attended previous community meetings. (Planning Commission meetings at both City and County levels typically draw two or three citizens besides the developers and their attorneys)

The heart of difficulty with this plan is in the details of how infrastructure will be provided. Presently, Salida is served only with county services (sheriff, fire district, the Salida sanitary sewer district, water provided by Modesto system) Recent incidents shown the need for a higher level of services for a city even of the size Salida is now. Without incorporation, services levels are very unlikely to meet the standards of an incorporated city. Infrastructure financing will have to be developed which may come as a shock to many residents. Being governed by the Board of Supervisors has its drawbacks, since the County is not equipped to provide city services. Fortunately, Salida has a very active community council.

Residents expressed their wants forcefully, saying they had been promised that downtown would be fixed up (it hasn’t been), and that they want the growth rate scaled back to 2 percent per year. Some speakers actually urged that the plan’s "no growth" option be adopted.

One of the most contentious items was the proposal to extend Pirrone Road farther east. Residents were very upset since this is a new residential area with many children, all of whom will have to cross Pirrone Road to get to school. Extension of Ladd Road was also viewed with suspicion because of the likelihood that it would become a thoroughfare from east of the county to Hwy. 99 (at the Hammett Rd. interchange) As it is, Kiernan is already slated to become at least 4 lanes, and Hwy. 99 is now at a level of service D (the county standard is level C). Level D means very crowded to most people, I suspect.

A future high school’s location was challenged, and staff was asked to eliminate a future location from the map, but instead to put on a legend indicating that a future high school will have to be built in Salida since no one knows exactly where it will be. The Modesto School District planner, Debbie Bailey, promised to work with the County planners on this but is very concerned that an indication on a map will be looked upon as "the" site location, though the schools have not even begun to look for a location nor has any financing plan been proposed.

Most who spoke were impressed that a lot of industrial and commercial land development is planned, since all mentioned the need for more jobs here (a continuing theme in Modesto plan hearings also)

Some "affordable" housing is planned as "Medium High Density" (read apartments). Speakers agreed this is needed but shied away from having it in "their" neighborhood.

By ALLISON BOUCHER

Friends of the Tuolumne, Inc. urges all who envision the Tuolumne River Regional Park as a natural showcase for riparian beauty to attend the next hearing scheduled for September 14 in the Stanislaus County Agricultural Complex, 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto.

Although Friends of the Tuolumne has been actively involved in the Tuolumne River Regional Park planning for many months, we believe the public is not being heard. The City of Modesto had an amphitheater for 15,000-20,000 people on the map before the very first public meeting was even scheduled.

At the first public meeting 44 percent of those completing a questionnaire wanted an informal amphitheater. We do not believe the desire is for a large amphitheater with amplified sound and night lights. Only 33 percent expressed interest in large scale special events. Fresno has an amphitheater in their river park that seats 250. The City of Modesto is developing the Gateway Parcel for a festival grounds, an activity that is in conflict with the desires of 71 percent of those completing the same questionnaire asking for natural areas and 51 percent who want family picnic areas. Large festivals are incompatible with picnics and natural areas.

The current amphitheater designed along Dry Creek leaves only 50 feet of riparian habitat and pushes heavy public use too close to the creek which will damage the creek and its vegetation. If the amphitheater is to be built, it should be reduced in size and moved away from both Dry Creek and the Tuolumne River. It is currently within 400 feet of the river.

At each public meeting the largest discussion groups have supported a natural park and have been critical of the over-development of the Gateway Parcel. Yet the City of Modesto declines to quantify the comments and treats them without regard because it is promoting a festival grounds, and not a natural park.

People attending the meetings are generally asking for a natural park with activities focused on the river, as recommended by EDAW, the consultants, in their Technical Memoranda. Modesto has chosen to ignore the consultant’s advice to develop the park only for activities focused on the river and continues to promote activities incompatible with a river park.

Of greatest concern to us is the loop road—a road that will automobile traffic from Tuolumne Boulevard to the river and back in a park that should be a natural place for picnicking, walking and bicycling. The road crosses the trails three times and thus interferes with walking and bicycling safety. It also accommodates parking 60 vehicles within the natural area. Disabled access should be provided with fewer parking spaces and the road should not be designed for sightseeing. The parking should be as close to the Ninth Street bridge as possible so that the natural beauty will not be marred.

We believe that our community will benefit the most from a park that takes advantage of its most precious qualities. A river park is a unique and special area and the design should enhance the beauty and not degrade the experiences of those who seek a taste of nature close to home.

Those who have taken the time from their busy lives to attend the public meetings deserve to be heard. They are demanding a natural park that allows them to enjoy the river in all its beauty.

ACTION: Attend the public meeting, Thursday, September 14, 7:00 pm, 3800 Cornucopia Way. Info.: 537-7533.

By TINA ARNOPOLE DRISKILL

"Personal responsibility must be the number one goal for each person on the planet," say Tirza Hollenhorst and Chris Johnson.

The young married couple has just returned to the United States from a year-long journey to Ecuador, Thailand and New Zealand as part of a hands on Watson Fellowship study of the human impact upon global ecosystems. Both are shocked by "how fast environmental change is happening worldwide, negatively and positively."

"Destruction is rapid, taking few men and little time," both agree, "but recovery is slow."

They see widespread and rapid trends to "plow under and pave over."

Each country Chris chose to study equal an area the size of the state of Colorado, although configured differently. He points out that populations vary greatly. Thailand has a population of 60 million, Ecuador includes 12 million residents and New Zealand is sparsely populated with 4 million. No matter what the population, Tirza stresses that human consumption plays the biggest roll in compromising global ecosystems.

Chris and Tirza each speak of a tendency for urban dwellers to point a finger at the poorest rural inhabitants, blaming them for destroying precious rain forests and other protected areas. They caution those who look outside their own sphere of responsibility to realize the poorest peoples move onto lands and clear them to grow cash crops like cacao and coffee in Ecuador or to grow rice in Thailand in order to survive.

"It is a dangerous oversimplification," says Chris, "to assign responsibility for environmental destruction solely to the poorest inhabitants of the planet. A starving person will have much less impact on the environment than you or I." Tirza goes on to quip, "My mother’s dog probably eats more meat than a million people in Thailand!"

The couple began their Watson travels in Ecuador, a rain forested part of the Amazon Basin with "unfathomable riches." They feel the people do not value the land’s natural wealth, but will burn down rain forest property because they can sell it for more money if cleared.

"This is some of the most bio-diverse land on the planet," they emphasize, "yet it is being exploited through inroads built for oil exporting by multinational and national interests."

While in Ecuador the couple was confronted by their own personal garbage, which had been dumped near their hostel in an open field. They are still haunted by that sight, and Tirza quotes, "When you throw something away, what does away mean?"

Ecuador brought them face to face with some of the world’s poorest children. Although the children are covered with festering sores, their families have no money to access medical care nor birth control.

They noticed families would grow and dry coffee beans and sell them for export at 10 cents a pound, then purchase a jar of instant coffee for 10 times the price. This, despite the fact they could grind their own beans for close to nothing and have a much finer cup of coffee.

One Ecuadorian experience left them with many questions and no answers, when strolling along a one mile stretch of beach near shrimp farms that were once covered in mangrove trees, they discovered 35 dead sea turtles.

The spirituality of the people is what most impressed the two during their visit to Thailand. The country is approximately 85% Buddhist and perhaps 10% Muslim. They found that spirituality, religion and superstition are an influential blend in the people’s daily lives.

They related with sadness and frustration that Thailand in the 1960’s had a 50% forestation cover, whereas today only 15% of the land is forested. Chris lamented that although Thailand is the world’s largest exporter of rice and some tropical produce, such as pineapples, its rural peoples still grow their own personal rice crops. This historic practice, along with a growing population including refugee camps along its borders and immigrants from less stable and relatively poorer surrounding countries (Burma, Cambodia and Laos), mean land is at a premium and the indigent rural farmers are now encroaching upon protected areas such as national parks.

Chris explains this encroachment of endangered lands by rural poor inhabitants equates to environmental inequity which is used to political ends.

In the urban areas the couple observed the massive automobile congestion and asked "How much space, money, consumption, pollution, death, congestion" can this planet take "due to the use of personal transportation?"

On a lighter side the two marveled that the Thai people "eat from morning to night -in small quantities-and don’t become overweight." They were fascinated to learn how and where foods are grown and produced and followed the production of rice from preparation of the land to harvest. Rice production is "so labor intensive," Chris impressed.

The lesson learned through their observations: "We are reticent to buy produce which has been shipped long distances. We would rather buy local fresher, tree-ripened seasonal produce."

In New Zealand Tirza and Chris witnessed some of the most evident examples of deforestation and destructive land management. As white settlers (Pakeha) immigrated from Great Britain, they exploited the land through plantation foresting and clear cutting. They also had a desire to make their new surroundings look like home, which led them to clear the lands for fruit trees and pasture.

The long two-island nation was originally interspersed by natural forests and arid ecosystems. The northern most part of the north island was dense with giant old-growth Kauri trees, says Chris. Now there are only a handful.

It was while enjoying the beauty and grandeur of these few remaining trees that the two observed a group of tourists who seemed blasé to their surroundings. "Money can buy any experience," they concluded, "but just because people pay the money and go someplace [with much to teach], it doesn’t mean they are truly experiencing [the full impact] of being there."

Sadly, they feel "people have lost the ability to be self-sufficient" through such indulgences as the consumption of goods and services and the entertainment media, whereas they are thankful their "whole experience" taught them to appreciate the beauties of nature "from the intricacies of a spider web to the sand patterns of a beach crab."

By SALLY MEARS

The Tuolumne River Preservation Trust is having a local coastal cleanup at Beard Brook at Dry Creek on Saturday Sept. 16th, 9 am to noon. All are invited to help especially teens and children. This is a national, yearly event, but the first time in Modesto. The Tuolumne Trust monitors the river, up to Don Pedro Dam.

This cleanup is also sponsored by the City of Modesto-Parks Division. National sponsors include Center for Marine Conservation (CMC) , Bank of America, Sees Candy, Brita Water filters, Starbucks Coffee, Oracle and others.

ACTION: Information, call Patrick Koepele, (209) 236-0330, or email him at patrick@tuolumne.org

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