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1000 Friends of Fresno is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of all the citizens of our community. We will strive to foster and support initiatives by other civic-minded groups to achieve this goal. We are committed to ensure that public officials and governmental agencies make decisions, especially those regarding land use and development, that work toward this goal by meeting these criteria:
they are the result of a planning and deliberative process that complies fully with the law and allows public scrutiny and participation;
they have no deleterious effect on the public's health;
they encourage the development and use of public transportation;
they preserve the community's architectural heritage and show respect for its ethnic diversity;
they do not contribute to urban sprawl;
and they serve to benefit the entire community rather than to enrich a few.
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If you would like to contribute information about events or issues, receive the online edition of the 1000 Friends of Fresno newsletter, or if you would like to be added to our Alert list, please click here to send your e-mail address. Write "News & Alerts" in the subject line. |
 NEW TO THE 1000 FRIENDS WEB SITE
- Air Quality: Information on current air quality conditions, and tomorrow's forecast for partiicles (PM2.5) and ozone and the American Lung Association's State of the Air for Fresno County in 2006. Fresno received an F for High Ozone Days, an F for Particle Pollution (24-hour), and an F for Particle Pollution (Annual). Also new to the Air Quality page are online interactive games for kids, with air quality recources for teachers and parents.
- Water Quality: Fresno, California, is the only community in the United States to have received a grade of F from the Natural Resources Defense Council for protection of our source water, and we received grades of D for Water Quality and Compliance, and for Right-to-Know Reports. Our watersheds have been rated as among the dirtiest/worst in the nation on the Environmental Scorecard.
Sources of Toxic Releases and Hazard Waste in Fresno
Freeway 168 south of Shaw.
Long stretches of Freeway 168 south of Shaw have no sound walls, no weed control, and poor landscaping. Residents who are affected by freeway noise, weeds, and unsightliness have no choice but to endure or move away, because they have no control over whatever lies adjacent to and beyond the fence.
The Fresno County Transportation Authority is responsible for administering Measure C funds to maintain our roads and freeways. The current Agenda and Minutes for the FCTA are given on the Transportation page, as well as information about Fresno Area Express routes, cost of passes, Fresno Airport information, Fresno and Clovis bikeways and maps and Fresno County parkways and trails.
- Livable Communities: List of positive options for everyday life, including sources for humane, vegetarian shoes and clothes, contributed by Tom Cotter (MySpace, Choix Du Jour). Also, information from 1000 Friends of New Mexico about the Albuquerque Alliance for Active Living (Take a Friend for a Walk for Your Health).
The Kid-Friendly Cities report by Population Connection ranked the top 100 cities and metropolitan areas on community, health and education criteria. Factors included percentage of impoverished children, rates of violent crime and number of environmental education programs. USA Today.
- Downtown Fresno Coalition
 To contact your Fresno City Council member about the proposed decisions affecting the Fulton Mall, please see the 1000 Friends of Fresno Elected Officials page, which provides addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and district maps of all City Council members. To listen live to the Fresno City Council meetings held on Tuesdays, click on the Listen Live icon. |
- FresCAMP, Fresno Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides: New information about their mission and meeting dates, contributed by FresCAMP member Judy Stege. FresCAMP has introduced policy changes and educated FUSD Board members and staff on the merits of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) which emphasizes awareness, prevention, and least toxic treatment.
- Recycling: New information about Fresno's recycling program, contributed by Patti Toews of the City of Fresno Recycling Program, including places to recycle E-Waste. Lots of sources of recycling games for kids and educational resources for teachers. Also, information about the E-Waste Recycling Program at California State University, Fresno.
- Elected Officials: Handy forms developed by the League of Conservation Voters and the Institute on Money in State Politics that allow a person to enter their zip code or their representative's name to see their voting record instantly, or to see who their contributors are, and the amounts contributed. City Council and Board of Supervisors maps are shown, and information about how to listen to the live audio of City Council and Board of Supervisors meetings.
- The Arts in Fresno: Information about ongoing events, including Arthop and Bikehop, with interactive maps of the galleries involved. Information about theatres, performing arts, venues, art organizations and communities; film, photography, and fine art was contributed by Mary-Frances Semsem.
- Media: Links for local newspapers, television, radio stations, Internet media sources, and major media.
- Community Calendar: Information and links to hundreds of Valley events in the categories of general events, events in the arts, and environmental events.
E-Waste Recycling at CSU, Fresno
Community Drop Off Dates Planned:
January 20, 2007
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Next e-waste drop-off: California State University, Fresno’s electronic waste (e-waste) recycling program will host a community collection day for e-waste on January 20, 2007. The collection will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the university’s Parking Lot S, just south of Bulldog Stadium on Bulldog Lane (west of Cedar Avenue). See 1000 Friends Recycling page for more info.
Central California residents may bring their old TVs, PC components, cell phones and other unwanted electronic products. It is against state law to dispose of those materials in regular trash bins.
TVs and computer monitors will be accepted without charge, while all other electronic waste will be subject to a fee of 25 cents per pound. Cash or checks with proper identification will be accepted. Drop-offs may not be left in the lot unless an attendant is present. E-waste loads greater than 500 pounds require prior notification and approval.
Fresno State’s e-waste collection program for Central California residents is in conjunction with Electronic Recyclers of America.
For questions, call 559.278.7422.
For more information contained in this release, please go to the following Web site:
Community E-Waste Collection Program
California State University, Fresno is partnering with Electronic Recyclers International to provide a convenient monthly e-waste recycling solution for the general community of the Central Valley.
Hundreds of thousands of computers, monitors, televisions and other electronic items are replaced in California every year. This “e-waste” contains valuable materials and can be hazardous if not disposed of properly. When you “e-recycle”, you’re helping to protect our environment and create new jobs in California. It will be against the law for households to dispose of these materials in the regular trash as of Feb. 8, 2006.
Past E-Cycle Events at CSU, Fresno
Saturday, April 29, 2006, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Roughly 30,000 pounds of e-waste accepted. 485 customers assisted.
Saturday, March 25, 2006, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Roughly 40,000 pounds of e-waste accepted. 350 customers assisted.
Saturday, February 25, 2006 Only from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Over 57,000 pounds of e-waste accepted! 439 Customers assisted with little or no waiting!
The City of Fresno Now Provides Free Trolley Service for Midday Customers in the Downtown Area!
RIDE FOR FREE!
Operates Monday through Friday,
from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
on 10-minute intervals.
Route Map
The City of Fresno Department of Transportation/Fresno Area Express (FAX) began providing free Midday Trolley service in downtown Fresno as of Monday, September 18, 2006.
The Midday Trolley service is being provided to enhance customer service and convenience in a viable, attractive, environmentally friendly transportation option for midday patrons in downtown Fresno.
Assistant City Manager, Bruce Rudd stated, “As is the case with the City’s investment in the downtown Wi Fi system, this is just another example of our commitment to revitalization efforts in the downtown area.”
The Trolley service, provided by FAX, operates weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on 10 minute intervals and will reach such destinations as Courthouse Park, the Galleria, City Hall, Amtrak Station, Convention Center, Fulton Mall, and area restaurants.
For more information on the new Midday Trolley service, contact FAX Outreach Coordinator, Judith Nishi, at (559) 621-1455. Midday Trolley Route.
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