Last night, we enjoyed co-hosting another sustainable workshop, "Healthful Home Fermenting: Kombucha and More" with Sustainable Contra Costa. Attendees of the workshop learned how two safely make kombucha at home from our fabulous instructor Jennifer Brennan, who gave everyone a SCOBI and starter to take home. Everyone loved tasting samples of pineapple and triple berry kombuchas as well as her delicious and healthy fermented cauliflower and zucchini. For more information on kombucha, please see this article from SCOCO's newsletter: 
sustainablecoco.ning.com/forum/topics/coffee-tea-or-kombucha.
We have one more workshop in the sustainable living series, "Green Your Holidays," on October 18, before we start a new series in January 2019. For more information and to register for workshops, go to www.sustainablecoco.org.
                                                                                                                                                                              Photos by Alison Clary

Last Friday, the board of RRHC welcomed friends from PH Chamber of Commerce, PH Park and Rec and PH City Council; friends and neighbors; and members of Rodgers Ranch to an annual celebration and ribbon cutting for our new brick pathway. President Denise Koroslev gave everyone an update on our continuing renovations and fundraising efforts to raise the new barn. Guests checked out our beautiful new pathway with engraved bricks and new drought tolerant eco-lawn; munched on chicken salad, cheese and crackers, homemade apple cobbler and sesame sticks; sipped wine and John's fabulous quinoa beer; enjoyed live music from Dave Carter; and learned about future events and plans to replace the roof and paint the house, all while staying true to our position on the National Register of Historic Places. It was a lovely afternoon, and we sincerely thank all our wonderful supporters.                                                                                Photos by Mark Jeffrey and Alison Clary

One of our partners, Sustainable Contra Costa, celebrates their annual gala next month. 
Join us for a wonderful night of inspiration and celebration!
Sustainable Contra Costa will present the Leadership in Sustainability and Green Building Awards at the 10th Annual Awards Gala on September 20th. This fun and inspiring event supports and celebrates local individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions and commitment to a healthy environment, economy, and society - so that Contra Costa remains a wonderful place for generations to come.
The awards program will also feature our Visionary Partner Central Contra Costa Sanitary District presenting their Pollution Prevention Awards, as well as our Benefactor Partner, the Contra Costa Green Business Program presenting new and re-certified green businesses. 
The Awards event is also the annual fundraiser for Sustainable Contra Costa. Become a SCOCO Partner (sponsor) and receive tickets and other benefits!
Bring friends and take advantage of the Four-For-The-Price-Of-Three ticket discount!
The event at the beautiful Pleasant Hill Community Center will begin with a reception where guests will enjoy food, wine and beer from our local, sustainable Partners, such as Sunrise Bistro, Mt. Diablo HS Hospitality Academy, Captain and Viano Vineyards, as well as live music and a silent auction featuring local goods and services. Cocktail attire.
The reception is followed by dessert and the presentation of awards.
This year our event theme is "Together We Thrive: Building A Sustainable World Across Generations", focusing on the strength that comes from multi-generational community connections. Sustainable Contra Costa is grateful for the generosity of our sponsors whose support makes our programs possible. 

Believe it or not, we're excited about our new recycling bin! In keeping with our mission of sustainability, visitors now have options for discarding their waste more "officially," either into our original metal barrels (for landfill) or placing their bottles, cans, and other recycles in the brown recycling bin at left. Thanks to RRHC Board Member Lynn Spatz, Anne Baker and Republic Services for the bin donation, and PH Park and Rec for arranging for waste/recycling pick ups. 
                                                                                                                                                Photo by Alison Clary 

Kelly Bradley's summer camp, "Little House at Rodgers Ranch," influenced by Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved book series "Little House on the Prairie," has been super popular with campers. Participants register through PHRPD, and there's one camp left this summer, July 23 - July 27 (Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm). Last week, kids played oak gall relay races, tried quill writing, created a tent fort out of branches, baked cookies from a solar oven, did embroidery on muslin cloth, tried laundry the old-fashioned way (by pumping water and using washboards and a wringer), met some furry friends, made shaved ice with fruit, and did lots and lots of other crafts and activities!                                                                Photos by Alison Clary