EAST BAY
During the rainy winter season, wild mushrooms pop up in great numbers throughout the East Bay Regional Park District. Mushrooms are an ecologically important part of the parklands and can look beautiful, but some of them contain dangerous toxins. The death cap (Amanita phalloides) and western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata) are two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms, and both can be found in area parks during the winter.
The death cap and western destroying angel mushrooms contain amatoxins, molecules that are deadly to many animals. Symptoms may not appear until up to 12 hours after consumption, beginning as severe gastrointestinal distress and progressing to liver and kidney failure if treatment is not sought immediately.
Both of these mushrooms can be lethal to humans and pets if consumed. Pet owners should contact a veterinarian immediately if they suspect their pet may have eaten a toxic mushroom. They are mainly associated with oak trees and can be found growing anywhere oak roots are present. Collecting any mushrooms in East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) is not allowed.
The best way to stay safe is to ensure that no mushrooms are consumed by humans or pets. As an added safety measure, learn to recognize poisonous mushroom species when encountering them in the EBRPD’s parks. The death cap is a medium to large mushroom that typically has a greenish-gray cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem and a large white sac at the stem’s base.
Though the death cap is mainly associated with oak trees, it has been found growing with other hardwoods. Not native to California, the death cap was accidentally introduced to North America on the roots of European cork oaks and is now slowly colonizing the West Coast.
The western destroying angel is a medium to large mushroom that usually has a creamy white cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem that can disappear with age and a thin white sac at the base. It fruits from late winter into spring and is associated exclusively with oaks. Unlike the death cap, it is a native California mushroom.
While the death cap and western destroying angel mushrooms are responsible for most cases of mushroom poisonings in California, deadly toxins can also be found in Galerina and Lepiota mushroom species, which also occur in the Bay Area. For more information about and photos of the toxic mushrooms, visit ebparks.org/safety/trails/toxic-mushrooms online.
The EBRPD is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline and more than 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and environmental education. The park district receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout the Bay Area’s Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
— EBRPD
PIEDMONT
Driscoll Playhouse celebrates Lunar New Year of the Snake
More than 300 people gathered for a recent evening at Piedmont’s Ellen Driscoll Playhouse for Lunar New Year of the Snake entertainment including cultural arts and crafts, delicious Asian foods and musical performances by Piedmont High School students.
The event commenced with a welcome by Piedmont Mayor Betsy Smegal Anderson and Piedmont Unified School District Superintendent Jennifer Hahn and ended with a rousing lion dance performance delighting the crowd. The Piedmont Asian American Club, which hosted the event, also provided special lanterns to the young children in attendance for lighting up the auditorium.
Community sponsors BakeSum, Tea on Piedmont, Sakura Bistro and Salisa Skinner served delicious Thai curry, artisanal treats, specialty drinks and puddings. While these events usually operate at a modest loss, this year was different with a profit of $4,105.43 that will be donated entirely to the Piedmont Education Foundation to support the city’s public schools.
— Amy Shen
OAKLAND
College Preparatory School’s 30th used book sale March 1-2
The College Preparatory School’s renowned used book sale will return soon for its 30th year! Join fellow Bay Area book lovers for this can’t-miss event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 1 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 2. Shop from thousands of gently used books for adults, teens and children, including many recent and popular titles in excellent condition.
With additional media, vinyl, puzzles and a selection of vintage/antique books, there’s something for every age and interest. Most books are $1 to $3 (special books are slightly higher). A sale $8 for a bag of books will take place all day March 2. The sale will be on campus in Buttner Auditorium at 6100 Broadway in Oakland, featuring ample free parking. Email bookfair@college-prep.org or call 510-652-0111 with any questions.
— Christa Laib
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