Sustainability
by John M. Zukoski on June 22, 2010 | 
9 Comments | Topics: Development · Public Works · Sustainability
Dublin residents may have noticed patches of sidewalk being pulled out along Dublin Boulevard. These targeted sidewalk removals are part of the new bus stop construction for the Tri-Valley Rapid, an innovative mass transportation initiative. Through the use of technologies like bus signal priority, the Rapid will not get held up at every light, so bus riders can go through the Tri-Valley in record time. In addition to offering riders a significantly shorter average commute time, the Rapid is environmentally friendly. Powered by low-emission electric hybrid technology, the Rapid is an effective way to get cars off the road, reduce the Tri-Valley region’s carbon footprint, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption.
The Tri-Valley Rapid project will cost a total of $13M, with $11M coming from the Federal government, $1M from sales tax proceeds, $700K from California’s Proposition 1B funds, and $400K from the Transportation Fund for Clean Air. Once in operation, Tri-Valley Rapid will cost an estimated $1.4M per year to maintain for an estimated 6,400 average weekday riders.
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by Around Dublin Team on June 19, 2010 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Sustainability
Recycling just got more rewarding in Dublin, CA, where StopWaste.Org announced the start of a recycling contest that gives residents a chance to win prizes for keeping their trash free of recyclables and compostables.
During regular garbage collection days from June 21–July 31, the prize crew will select random garbage carts and separate the contents into three categories: recyclables, compostables, and garbage. Five households in each city with the least amount of recyclables and compostables in their garbage relative to the whole cart will be declared the winners. They will receive their choice of $50 in cash or gift vouchers for BART or Safeway, with the best of the group in each city being named the grand prize winner. A grand prize winner from Dublin with the least amount of recyclables and compostables in overall garbage will receive an additional $250 in cash and the title of being Dublin’s best recycler.
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by Around Dublin Team on March 9, 2010 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Sustainability · Things To Do
The Around Dublin Team is happy to report that this year’s Dublin Pride Week Volunteer Day activities qualify for Disney’s “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.” Program. Volunteer Day will be on Saturday, April 24th, from 8:00AM to 12:00 noon. The City of Dublin still needs over 300 volunteers to help out with Senior Assistance, School Beautification, and Tree Planting Projects. Disney is only accepting one million volunteers for this special offer.
Disney’s “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.” is a program that celebrates and inspires volunteerism. Disney is working with HandsOn Network to promote amazing volunteer opportunities in local communities everywhere. As a way of thanking volunteers for their good work, Disney will give a free ticket good for one day admission to a Walt Disney World® or Disneyland® theme park.
HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute, is the largest volunteer network in the nation and includes more than 250 HandsOn Action Centers that reach more than 83% of the nation’s population. These affiliates act as community hubs—places where people can get connected, get involved, and make change happen in their communities. HandsOn Network focuses on helping people plug into volunteer opportunities in their local community, helping nonprofit organizations manage volunteer resources, and developing the leadership capacity of volunteers.
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by John M. Zukoski on March 7, 2010 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Sustainability · Things To Do
The 2010 Dublin Pride Week will start Saturday, April 24th, and run through Saturday, May 1st. Dublin Pride Week is an annual event that promotes a positive image for the City of Dublin. The goal is to demonstrate ways in which individuals or groups can act to improve the community.
“Volunteer Day” will be on Saturday April 24th from 8:00AM to 12:00 noon. Please note that volunteers are needed to help with Senior Assistance, School Beautification, and Tree Planting Projects. Volunteers will be invited to a BBQ at Shannon Park following all volunteer activities.
The City of Dublin has planned a wide variety of activities with the environment as the central theme this year. A water-wise workshop on drought tolerant gardening techniques will be held on Saturday April 24th from 2PM to 3:30PM in the Dublin Library Community Room. Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection and Compost Give-a-Way Day will be held on Saturday, May 1st. Other fun activities include the Guided Nature Walk and the Planet Dublin Poster Contest. The Guided Nature Walk will take place on Saturday, May 1st, along the Martin Canyon Creek Trail. The Planet Dublin Poster Contest is open to all the K-12 students. Winners will receive gift certificates and City Council recognition.
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by John M. Zukoski on February 28, 2010 | No Comments | Topics: City Hall · Sustainability
The City of Dublin, CA, recently joined the CaliforniaFIRST program to assist in financing energy projects for private property owners. Coordinated by California Communities and launching in Summer 2010, the CaliforniaFIRST program will provide residential and commercial property owners with a lower-cost option to finance renewable energy, energy efficiency, and water efficiency improvements on their properties. Dublin property owners can borrow $5K to $75K for projects over a 5 to 20 year period. Property owners will be able to repay the loan through a parcel-specific assessment on their property tax bills. California Communities will issue bonds to provide the financing for these projects.
Qualified residents can benefit from the CaliforniaFIRST program in many ways. CaliforniaFIRST will likely offer property owners a lower financing rate than they otherwise would get through private financing companies. Additionally, payment for the CaliforniaFIRST loans will be collected along with the property tax, so property owners will enjoy the convenience of making semi-annual payments for their energy efficiency projects. The CaliforniaFIRST financing program is also unique in that assessment obligation transfers with the sale of the property, so the loan does not have to be paid in full as part of the property sale process. In fact, CaliforniaFIRST will assess a 5% prepayment penalty to discourage property owners from paying back their loans early.
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by John M. Zukoski on January 14, 2010 | 5 Comments | Topics: Development · Sustainability
Maranello at Positano, a new home community in Dublin, CA, has managed to sell well in an otherwise challenging new home market. With more than 50 prospective homebuyers on the interest list, this project has just over 10 lots remaining in the current phase.
Maranello’s developer, Braddock & Logan, has recently rolled out the ECO+ (Energy Conscious Owner+) program to attract homebuyers looking for sustainability features. Responding to market demand, Braddock & Logan has made low-e dual-pane windows, drought-tolerant landscaping, low-use water system, extensive use of recycled materials, and ENERGY STAR appliances all part of the standard features of the Maranello community. The ECO+ program will help position Maranello against Lennar’s environmentally-friendly Sonata community in Dublin Ranch.
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by Around Dublin Team on January 6, 2010 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements · Sustainability
The City of Dublin is currently recruiting community members for the newly formed Green Initiatives Task Force in Dublin, CA. The duration of this assignment will be approximately two months.
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by John M. Zukoski on December 30, 2009 | No Comments | Topics: Sustainability · Things To Do
When people visit the Oakland Zoo during the last few days of December, they will not only be able to participate in an innovative benefit for the Zoo, but they will also help save area landfills from processing approximately 30 tons of old pots and pans thanks to Cook’sware àFaire’s “Ultimate Cookware Event” – open from 10AM to 7PM until December 31st. ADMISSION IS FREE.
The first ten(10) visitors to tell the cashier the city that they are from and that they follow the “Around Dublin Blogger” will get one(1) Rachael Ray 12″ orange skillet (retail value of $44.95) for FREE!
This environmentally-focused event is being held during the Zoo’s annual ZooLights festival and will give Bay Area residents an opportunity to purchase a wide assortment of brand-name cookware from Rachael Ray, Paula Deen, KitchenAid, and many more at huge discounts, while turning in their old pots and pans for recycling by Aaron’s Metals of Oakland. In addition to a catered lunch that includes hot dogs from Katz’s Deli of New York and drinks from local beverage companies, guests will also get the chance to see cooking demonstrations by local chefs like Paula LeDuc, Amy Klein, Mike C, Chef Oliver, Jo Jones, Kevin Bressani, Renee King, Emily Dellas, Gregg Man, and Mieko Ramyer, Twyla, and Caitlin Carnes.
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by John M. Zukoski on August 7, 2009 | No Comments | Topics: Sustainability
The Altamont Landfill in Livermore is on the forefront of green fuel technology. Waste Management is nearing completion of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility that will reduce annual CO2 fuel emissions by 30,000 tons.
How will they do that?
Waste Management is able to capture the methane gas produced through the natural decomposition process of trash that has been buried underground for extended periods . It’s the modern day equivalent of extracting oil but without having to wait millenia for organic material to convert into fuel. Waste Management is able to extract the methane gas without having to build new pipes and wells in the ground.
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