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President's Message
February 2026 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:
We've been pretty fortunate to have good weather the past several weeks for hiking considering the lack of rain we have been experiencing. However, we know that can change for it is still winter. Thanks to the hike leaders the past several weeks. Remember that the 2026 Annual Meeting is on March 12, a Thursday. Furthermore, mark your calendars for March 8 as we celebrate the indomitable Roberta O'Grady, who will turn 90. I want to thank the nominees who have volunteered to serve on the board from April 2026 through March 2027. The slate will appear in the Knapsack Newsletter and CCHC website. I want to thank Sharon Wang who has stepped up to be elected as our new recording secretary. Of course, my gratitude is extended to all of you who continue to serve in your volunteer positions. Lastly, a committee will be looking carefully at the club's archives to determine what to keep and what to discard. This will be a monumental task to say the least. Take care and see you on the trails, Stew Perlman ************************************ CCHC Board of Directors
The CCHC Board currently meets via Zoom on the second Friday of each month. CCHC members should contact Stew Perlman with any concerns so that they can be discussed at the meeting. The 2026 Board meeting dates are listed on the Board of Directors page.
Minutes of monthly Board Meetings: September 12, 2025 Board Meeting August 08, 2025 Board Meeting July 11, 2025 Board Meeting June 13, 2025 Board Meeting May 9, 2025 Board Meeting April 11, 2025 Board Meeting March 14, 2025 Board Meeting February 14, 2025 Board Meeting January 10, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes of earlier meetings are posted on the Board of Directors page. *********************************** Conservation Committee
California Trails Survey Trail users, advocates and professionals can share their experiences and insights by completing an online survey that will help inform the future of trail access and connectivity throughout California. This is your chance to help blaze a new path forward and guide critical trail investments included in the voter-approved Proposition 4 (Climate Bond). The online survey is open through February 2026, when virtual public meetings are scheduled for further engagement. Thank You notes were received in January for contributions by CCHC to the following: 1. Citizens for East Shore Parks To Tell the Truth This article from the National Parks Conservation Association (on the list of recipients that CCHC donates to) is eloquent in pointing out what the current administration is doing with the whitewashing of the history of the USA, a country built by immigrants, people of color, women who had to fight for voting rights and more. The cleansing of the National Parks has begun. In this political climate where one can be fired or Federal funds for the recipient Organization be withheld for being the messenger, NPCA and the writer, Alan Spears have displayed great courage I think in publishing this. Please read this. |
Announcements, Upcoming Events, and News
SAVE THESE DATES!!
Spring Luncheon
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026 Click HERE for more information ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CCHC ANNUAL MEETING
March 12, 2026 Lakeside Park Garden Center Lake Merritt, Oakland 10 am for lake hike, 11 am for meeting ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
SANTA CRUZ MULTI DAY OUTING
April 19-23, 2026 Outing information here. Signups: December 8-21, 2025 Signup information here. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
MINDEN/GARDNERVILLE, NV
MULTI DAY OUTING October 4-8, 2026 Outing information here. Signups: June TBA ********************************************* MONTHLY HARD COPY NEWSLETTER
Members may elect to receive a snail mailed newsletter and hike schedule at an additional cost. The most recent edition is available to download. The newsletter's content is based on information from this website and from the club's Groups.io social media site. ********************************************* OTHER NEWS and INFORMATION
OPEN HIKE DATES
1st Quarter - January - March Some Sundays still open. The open dates above are updated periodically. To check real-time open dates or sign up to lead a hike, please refer to the sign-up spreadsheets under the Lead a Hike page and contact Marilyn Vihman (Sunday) or Jim Baranowski (Thursday). ********************************************* WELCOME To our new members!
Ninh and Thao Dzoan Maureen Oboyle ********************************************* PAPER COOKIE BAGSPaper Cookie Bags, available at cost.
As a follow-up to Stew’s, the CCHC Conservation committee’s and our hikers’ support for using less plastic for optional hike treats, we now have environmentally friendly paper cookie bags at cost for cookies, trail mix, etc, These paper bags are made from natural Kraft paper stock and uses a chlorine-free manufacturing process and integrated soy blend eco-wax. There are no PFAs and are made in the US. Additional information here! |
Officers and Committees
2025-26 President
Stew Perlman Vice-President James Baranowski Treasurer Cameron Mitchell Recording Secretary Mindy Svorny-Moore Membership Secretary Connie Gee Corresponding Secretary Suzy Mark Board of Directors Mike Branning Roland Hebert Helen Johe Rosemary Johnson Lucy Perdichizzi Hiking Schedule Marilyn Vihman, Sunday Chair Jim Baranowski, Thursday Chair Hiking Schedule Editor Noël Siver Newsletter Mailing Connie Gee Newsletter Printing Fred Mock Extracurricular Coordinator Lois Switzer Groups.io Coordinator Rosemary Johnson Nominating Committee Cameron Mitchell, Chair Harry Fong Lily Ho David Jadeson Sylvia Kwan Social Committee Lucy Perdichizzi, Chair Overnight Outings Committee Edwin Osada, Chair Bill Chen Steven Chun Helen Wong Johe Pam Littlejohn Angela Toy Lynne Vogensen Conservation Committee Beryl Vonderheid, Chair Liz Howell Sue Lai Barbara Mow Roberta O'Grady Jo Anne Schultz Kate Steinel Audit Committee April McMahon Linda Margossian Herb Yonge Historian Yvonne Moss Website Committee Lewis Conner Liz Howell Sue Lai Fred Mock |
CCHC also contributes to Save the Bay, a regional conservation organization that advocates for policy changes, restores wetlands, and provides education to ensure a clean and healthy bay for people and wildlife in the Bay Area. Save the Bay recently published an inspirational message about "Power"
Power belongs to all of us.
When voices rise together, the tide turns.
When thousands of hands dig in,
the shoreline grows.
When we don’t back down, the Bay thrives.
Power isn’t distant. It lives here… in every hand, every voice,
every act of persistence that says:
Not today, Not this Bay, Not on our watch.
Power multiplies.
One act sparks another.
One stand becomes a movement.
It’s grit. It’s persistence. It's standing firm
when walking away would be easier.
The Bay is powerful.
And this is the moment to stand with it
Thank you!
When voices rise together, the tide turns.
When thousands of hands dig in,
the shoreline grows.
When we don’t back down, the Bay thrives.
Power isn’t distant. It lives here… in every hand, every voice,
every act of persistence that says:
Not today, Not this Bay, Not on our watch.
Power multiplies.
One act sparks another.
One stand becomes a movement.
It’s grit. It’s persistence. It's standing firm
when walking away would be easier.
The Bay is powerful.
And this is the moment to stand with it
Thank you!