You've probably read that Nancy Pelosi may be changing her stance on off-shore drilling. I'm partial to Jon Stewart's historical analysis of the whole drilling issue.

Here are some of the other environmental stories circulating about our Bay and beyond:

• Surfrider, guardian of beaches, is asking people to take a little action toward saving the Endangered Species Act -- something the Bush Administration is seeking to undermine through the Department of the Interior. Read more on the issue and, if you're inclined, sign a letter at the Surfrider website.
• Baykeeper posted an editorial by Sejak Choksi on proposed oil spill bills making their way through the state Legislature. These bills arose in response to a report following the Cosco Busan oil spill debacle.
• Save the Bay is keeping tabs on the Redwood City/Cargill development plans (and opposition) at the salt flats on the Bay.
• The Natural Resources Defense Council just filed a lawsuit against the EPA to obtain records on honeybee colony collapse disorder. The NRDC is convinced that the EPA has evidence showing a connection between pesticides and the mysterious honeybee die-offs. (If you're interested in local resources, read more about beekeeping in the Bay Area).
• Starting in September, Friends of the Urban Forest is offering Citizen Forester training. For volunteers experienced in tree care, the classes and guest speakers will help enhance existing nature, leadership and community skills.
• Golden Gate Audubon is asking people to help protect the Western Snowy Plover. You can volunteer for special programs, or just do your part by staying out of habitat areas on beaches, walking near the water line (instead of close to nesting sites), and keeping dogs on leash, walking them only in authorized areas. At the above link, you can also read about proposed plans to build a trucking terminal adjacent to Oakland's Martin Luther King, Jr. Shoreline, a vast habitat for a variety of birds.

^{Photo © Ingrid Taylar}

If you've ever wondered what would happen if you dropped your iPod into liquid nitrogen, the Ask a Scientist lecture series is for you. Held monthly, the series brings experts from various fields into a comfortable and informal cafe environment. Past topics have included human genome research, clean car technology, the secret lives of ants, sea urchins, and forensic science.

This month Ask a Scientist celebrates its fifth birthday with Zeke Kossover -- who will bring a crew of sideshow scientists to perform a new set of demonstrations illustrating physical principles (including iPod tricks). Kossover is a physics teacher at Jewish Community High School of the Bay. He'll be joined by Tucker Hiatt, physics teacher at The Branson School and director of Wonderfest, plus Leif Steinhour of One Off Shoppe.

The talk is on Tuesday, August 19 at 7:00p:

• Axis Cafe (on Potrero Hill)
  1201 8th Street (between 16th & Irwin)
  San Francisco, CA
  Axis Cafe Website

The Ask a Scientist website features Frequently Asked Questions and links to previous discussions and speakers.

^{Pictured: Eddy Rubin, Director of the JGI
Photo © David Gilbert - Courtesy of Ask a Scientist}

September 27 is the date -- with a grand opening weekend celebration that includes free attendance on Saturday the 27th and special events on both Saturday and Sunday.

So what's been happening since the various aquatic people (i.e. fish, penguins, and others) were moved to and from Howard Street, then back to Golden Gate Park?

The New Renzo Piano Building

The Academy website has some great, interactive previews of what you can expect.

There's a photo time lapse of the building's construction as well as a video explanation of the living roof -- created with native flora.

The exhibit spaces look stunning. And you can take a virtual and visual tour with images that pop up to show each section of the floor plan. Also check out the video tour of the building showing some familiar appointments from the old Academy of Sciences.

You can also see some San Francisco Chronicle images of the penguin's new home at the Academy.

Golden Gate Park

If you're new to San Francisco and have yet to explore the byways of the park, here's an overview to get you started -- a Map of Golden Gate Park with photos and map markers pointing to attractions.

Jennifer Alpeche also has a Guide to Golden Gate Park describing some of the park's more popular destinations.

^{Pictured: New California Academy of Sciences Building
Photo © Ingrid Taylar}

We've had our share of air quality issues, owing to the thousands of Northern California fires sprung upon us early in the season. When our pollution exceeds federal standards, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District steps in with Spare the Air informational campaigns.

To help employers enhance their clean air programs -- to "blue" their businesses -- Spare the Air hosts the 2nd Annual Employer Summit on Tuesday, August 19. The summit is all about sharing ideas on how to better implement clean-air policies and practices at work.

The event is free and includes breakfast. Register at Spare the Air. The summit happens from 8:00a to 10:30a at Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean in Oakland (111 Broadway in Oakland, 19th Floor). Take BART to the 12th Street/Oakland City Center Station.