John Muir Birthday–Earth Day Celebration

April 18, 2009
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
John Muir National Historic Site

Free Admission!

Featured Speaker
Pet and Wildlife Columnist
Gary Bogue

Join us for another great John Muir Birthday–Earth Day Celebration at the John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez, California.
Enjoy activities and exhibits for children and adults, live entertainment, self-guided tours of the historic Muir Home and the California Native Plant Garden—and much more. Learn earth-friendly tips for a healthier planet. Michael Muir (John Muir’s great grandson) will bring his magnificent horse and carriage to welcome guests.

Columnist Gary Bogue will speak on Wildlife in the Urban Wilderness. John Muir will celebrate his birthday, as portrayed by National Park Service ranger Frank Helling, by sharing true tales and his birthday cake with guests.

Lunch and beverages will be available for purchase. The Celebration is presented by the John Muir Association and the National Park Service.

See the Schedule of Events below and watch this website for more information as the date nears. For more information, call (925) 229-3857. Heavy rain cancels; call the John Muir National Historic Site the day of the event if weather is uncertain: (925) 228-8860.

Directions, Transportation and Parking. John Muir National Historic Site is located at 4202 Alhambra Avenue in Martinez, 94553 (visit www.nps.gov/jomu for directions) Take public transportation (visit www.511ContraCosta.org information) or park at the Alhambra High School lot (Alhambra Avenue at D Street) or the Martinez Adult Education lot (600 Alhambra Avenue at F Sreet). Shuttles to the Celebration will be available.

 

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PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Note: Program subject to change

John Muir Birthday–Earth Day Celebration

FREE ADMISSION     April 18, 2009      FREE ADMISSION

10.00 a.m.	Gates Open
10:00 a.m	First Silent Auction opens ~ bidding closes at 12:30 pm
10:30 a.m.	Front Gate ~ Horse-Drawn Carriage and Bagpiper Procession
10:30 a.m.	Back Gate ~ Bay Area Ridge Trail Council-sponsored mountain bike ride on a nearby portion of the Ridge Trail
10:45 a.m.	Back Gate ~ Bay Area Ridge Trail Council-sponsored hike on the hills overlooking Martinez
11:00 a.m.	Stage ~ Piedmont Highlanders Pipe Band
11:30 a.m.	Mt. Wanda Nature Walk ~ led by Ranger Cheryl Abel. Meet in front of the Adobe
11:30 a.m.	Stage ~ WELCOME ~ Igor Skaredoff, Master of Ceremonies Martha Lee, Superintendent, John Muir National Historic Site JoAnne Dunec, President, John Muir Association John Muir (Ranger Frank Helling)
Noon	Stage ~ Recycled Fashion Show presented by John Swett Elementary School
12:45 p.m.	Stage ~ Music by Extended Roots
1:00 p.m.	Second Silent Auction opens ~ bidding closes at 3:00 pm
1:15 p.m.	Stage ~ Piedmont Highlanders Pipe Band
1:45 p.m.	Stage ~ Guest Speaker Gary Bogue
2:00 p.m.	Stage ~ John Muir Birthday Celebration John Muir Stories by Ranger Frank Helling Muir family members Martha Lee, Superintendent, John Muir NHS Contra Costa County Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema Martinez Mayor Rob Schroder John Muir Birthday Cake
2:45 p.m.	Stage ~ Piedmont Highlanders Pipe Band
3:15 p.m.	Stage ~ Music by Extended Roots
4:00 p.m.	John Muir Birthday–Earth Day Celebration Ends

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Other Activities

At the Muir House:	Self-guided tours with Patty Helling at the piano Spinning Wheel musical group Cal Revels musical group
At the Visitor Center:	California Native Plant Garden Bookstore Junior Ranger Activities (see the board at the Entrance for schedule)

• Collect stamps for a chance to win a National Parks Pass!

• Food by Classic Catering and drinks available for purchase

Please bring your own re-usable water bottle!

CLICK HERE: View and print the
John Muir Birthday-Earth Day Celebration
program (in PDF format)!

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John Muir Association

The magic of John Muir lives today in our public parklands and wilderness areas, the orchards and vineyards of Contra Costa County, sunsets atop Mt. Wanda, and in writings and teachings that spread the word about nature and our place in it.

The mission of the John Muir Association is to support the National Park Service in making the John Muir National Historic Site a center for education, inspiration, and advocacy of the legacy of John Muir.

Located in Martinez, California, the John Muir National Historic Site preserves the home where Muir lived the last 34 years of his life.  The home features Muir’s “scribble den,” as he called it, where he wrote about many of the ideas that are the bedrock of the conservation movement today.

The John Muir Association is a member supported non-profit organization that
              •  Sponsors educational events and a summer day camp that offers a “Muir immersion” to children;
              •  Supports rehabilitation and renovation projects at the site; and
              •  Is raising the funds to build an education and visitor center at the site.

Be part of the magic . . .  be part of the John Muir Association

Please join with us as we celebrate John Muir's contribution to the conservation movement and work to pass on to a new generation Muir's passionate defense of the wilderness - an idea as relevant today as in Muir's time.

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Please join Us! - Print and mail our membership application form, or: