Because if they lived on the Bay, they’d be bagels!
At Baykeeper, we're promoting a little bit of Bay humor to keep things light. These days, with the stress of sheltering at home, caring for loved ones, and taking extra caution on the rare occasions when we head outside—whether to take a hike or hunt for toilet paper—we can all use a little smile.
And we're staying busy. Baykeeper is still on the job, defending the Bay and holding polluters accountable. We're fighting the Trump administration’s attempt to divert the Bay’s water to industrial farms in the Central Valley, we're encouraging two South Bay cities to upgrade their polluting sewer and stormwater systems—and we're using this time for program and financial planning so we can face the future stronger and even more focused.
We also miss being shoulder to shoulder with you—our fellow protectors of the Bay. We can stay connected on social media, and we’d love for you to post your favorite pictures of the Bay on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #beautifulSFBay.
To make this time apart more bearable, our staff is staying connected online. We begin each Monday with a virtual coffee/teatime, when we share highlights for the upcoming week. On Fridays we have a happy hour via Zoom with the beverage of our choice to recap the week's successes and discuss movies we like.
So as we forge ahead with another week of social distancing, we'd like to share some of our favorite Bay-themed libations, as well as additional ideas for passing the time. And as always, we'd love to hear what keeps you inspired -- [email protected].
Stay safe and healthy,
Sejal-Choksi Chugh
Executive Director
Happy Hour with Baykeeper
We hope you enjoy these Bay-centric libations created by Baykeeper’s barkeeps!
Bayrita
2 oz Baykeeper IPA by Anchor Brewing (chilled)
2 oz ginger ale (chilled)
1 oz tequila
1 T fresh pressed lime juice
Mix and serve in a sugar/salt rimmed cocktail glass.
-- Sejal Choksi-Chugh, Executive Director
Ben's Backyard
2 oz whiskey or bourbon
1 oz sweet vermouth
1/2 oz Cointreau
2 dashes orange bitters
Orange wedge
Shake with ice, then serve either up or on the rocks. Garnish with an orange wedge. Inspired by the oranges from the tree in Baykeeper staff attorney Ben Eichenberg’s backyard.
-- Chris Len, Managing Attorney
Golden Gate Bridge
1/2 fresh pineapple (chilled)
1 whole mango (chilled)
1 frozen banana
1 cup coconut milk
Spiced rum
Vodka
Combine fruits and coconut milk in a blender. Stream in liquor to taste--using a blend of two parts vodka to one part rum--or until the drink is blending smoothly. You can replace the liquor with an equal amount of water to achieve a smooth drink without the alcohol.
-- Cole Burchiel, Field Investigator and Science Associate
Salt Pond
Bloody Mary Mix
Baykeeper IPA by Anchor Brewing
Lime wedge
Take a pint glass from your freezer and rim it with a mixture of coarse salt and chili powder. Fill the glass halfway with your favorite Bloody Mary mix, then top it off with Baykeeper IPA. Garnish with lime wedge. The finished drink looks remarkably like the Cargill salt ponds, right down to the pink spume floating on its surface. Try it with your favorite NA beer for a non-alcoholic version.
-- Mark Westlund, Communications Director
Bay Fog
6 oz chilled earl grey tea
2 oz oat or almond milk
1 tbsp agave nectar
Dash or two, lavender bitters
Lavender buds (optional)
Mix well over ice, strain, and garnish with lavender buds. You can replace the oat or almond milk with your favorite cream-style liqueur if you're looking for something more. The lavender bitters give the drink a blue Bay color and lovely taste!
-- Kayla Karimi, Legal Fellow
International Ocean Film Festival Student Film Competition
Our friends at the International Ocean Film Festival have launched a student film competition. Rather than cancel or postpone the event, organizers moved the whole thing online. This year, everyone is invited to be part of the judging panel!
Each environmentally oriented film from around the world is five minutes long or shorter, and can be viewed at the student film competition website. Voting will be open until midnight Sunday, April 5. Winners will be announced on Monday, April 6. A great kid-friendly activity!
Enjoy the Outdoors Safely!
It's important to get out of the house and enjoy the healing power of the outdoors, but it’s also important to do it safely and without impacting nature. For those wishing to take a break outdoors, health officials in California are now asking us to stay close to home and stick to nearby parks.
We don’t want health authorities to further restrict access to our public lands, so if you decide to go outside, please keep these pointers in mind:
- Take your situation into account. Are you feeling well? Is coronavirus spiking in your area? If so, act responsibly and stay home.
- Avoid overcrowding and make sure you’re able to put six feet between you and the person next to you (unless you live together).
- Services may be limited, so closures of restrooms, parking lots, and more should be expected. Check your park district’s website for live updates about closures.
- Avoid popular places at times of high use. Find the offbeat trail. Avoid gathering in large groups. If you see that a place is crowded, go someplace else.
- Stay close to home, and walk or ride a bicycle to your destination, if possible.
- Be safe. Don't put additional stress on our healthcare providers and first responders by taking unnecessary risks.
- Be considerate to others. And pack your trash to be kind to nature, too.
Photo of Sejal by Gail Odom