Livermore Sanitation

Don't fool yourself into thinking reducing food waste is no big deal. It fights climate change, while rescuing excess, still fresh food helps feed Californians in need. More about how to fight climate change right now: https://buff.ly/2qcApY9 #ReduceFoodWaste #AprilFoolsDay

When planting tomatoes, consider pairing them with basil! Basil pairs well with tomatoes, repelling whiteflies, mosquitoes, spider mites, and aphids. Basil also... attracts bees, which improves pollination, tomato health, and flavor. Learn more here: Almanac.com/companion-planting-chart-vegetables See more

The buzz is true: This After Dark Online will be the bees’ knees! They may be small, but the impact of bees is mighty, and the work of these flying insects play...s key roles in sustaining ecosystems as well as human life. At this After Dark, dive into the rich tradition of beekeepingand its outputas well as the fascinating biology of bees. Then learn more about which species of bees are at risk and why. This program features: What kind of bee species can we expect to encounter in the Bay Areaand how are their populations changing? Hear from Dr. Gretchen LeBuhn about her work studying the effects of human-induced landscape changes on pollinators. And learn about the Great Sunflower Project, a citizen science project that aims to gather data about pollinators and encourages people to plant pollinator-friendly gardens. In East Detroit, Tim Paule and Nicole Lindsey have worked to transform vacant housing lots into urban bee farms through their non-profit Detroit Hives. Tonight, we’ll share the short film Detroit Hives (directed by Palmer Morse and Rachel Weinberg) and learn more from Paule and Lindsey about their work to expand education around beekeeping and transform their community. Join Cameron Redford, founder of Nevada City, California-based Black Hives Matter as he shares his work to decolonize beekeeping, provide beekeeping education, and support local farms. What do bees have to do with ice cream? Find out with KQED’s Deep Look, a short video series that explores big scientific mysteries by going incredibly small. Tonight, hear from Deep Look’s coordinating producer, Gabriela Quirós, and check out an episode that gets up close to alfalfa leafcutting bees. Throughout the program, take a close-up look at a variety of bee genera as we share photoshows drawing from the expansive photo archive of the USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Program. After Dark Online: Bees is made possible with the generous support of Ghirardelli Square and Levi's Plaza. These properties maintain beehives on site to support a thriving ecosystem.

This is a before and after of a little coffee table I picked up off the side of the road.

DYK that when you add flocking to trees and wreaths they can no longer be composted? It's true! Skip the flocking this year and keep your decorations green instead.

This month: Join us for Storytime Science: the Shadow Episode on Wednesday, December 16 at 1 p.m. PST. Join the Exploratorium’s Vivian Altmann as she reads Moon...bear’s Shadow by Frank Asch, and leads a related activity (and a bonus mini-activity!). For this Storytime Science activity, you will need three things to make a shadow: a light source, an object, and a screen. For our main activity, you can use the Sun as a light source, any object that will stand on its own, and a piece of paper or the ground as a screen; you'll also need a clock or timer and a pen (if you're using paper) or some sidewalk chalk (if you're using the ground). For our mini-activity, you can use a flashlight as a light source, a clear glass with ridges or other texture, and a tabletop as a screen. You'll need to do this mini-activity in a dark room. Storytime Science for Kids: The Shadow Episode Wednesday, December 16 1 p.m. PST, Ages 3+ Free and online on the Exploratorium Facebook and YouTube Recommended for ages 3+; no prior registration required http://explo.me/9dPU30rm1wA

If you have the space, this is an interesting idea!

What a great repurpose! Whatcha think? made by --> Larissa Vanninen

Affordable ways to decorate your home for the Holidays!

It's okay if you need to unplug - to stop taking in so much news, or restrict your time on social media. Beware of doom-scrolling! Be mindful of your ab...ility to curate your social feeds! Take care of yourself and each other in these crazy modern times! @mynames_ellen

One more MeditOcean to end the week? Shore thing

What a genius idea from our friends SF Environment! Here's what they posted: "Can you believe #Halloween was a week ago! Here's a creative idea to reuse your pu...mpkins: #Reuse it as a plant pot! You can't ever have too many plants at home, right?" Have you done anything creative to reuse with your pumpkin? Show us!

Stress bakers: we see you. Get some veggies in your system this week with these easy brownies from our friend Flora & Vino the secret ingredient is butternut ...squash! Butternut Squash Brownies c butternut squash purée (or sub your favorite winter squash) 1 c nut butter c pure maple syrup c + 2 Tbsp almond flour (or your GF flour of choice) c + 2 Tbsp cocoa powder Heaping c mini chocolate chips + more for the top 1. Preheat oven to 350F and spray a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray or line with muffin liners. 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine butternut squash purée, nut butter, maple syrup, almond flour, and cocoa powder and stir until well combined. Fold in chocolate chips. 3. Divide batter between 12 muffin cups and smooth with the back of a spatula to even them out. Add chocolate chips to the top. 4. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until butternut brownies are firm to the touch and lightly browned around edges. 5. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before removing from the muffin tin.

Rotting jack o'lantern? Now THAT's scary. Fortunately, Binny can take care of it. #FeedBinny

I just wanted to share this with you guys!

Why am I just now learning about this?? I saw this on Etsy- someone has the pattern for sale. She called it a Dignity Bib. Use the front of a shirt. I won’t need the pattern but others might.