Civic and national freshwater advocates are reminding us not to take tap water for granted. Instead, they say, we should take it as our drink of choice.

Jim Sullivan, tracker, artist, writer, at Salmon Creek Beach. KRCB photo by Danielle VentonTracking, the ancient art of detecting subtle signals left by animals, is alive and well today -- especially in the North Bay. Through local tracking clubs, classes and the Point Reyes Tracking School, launched this week, the opportunities are ripe for learning the ways of the outdoors. 

Jim Sullivan (right) organizes monthly classes and meet ups. The art of tracking, he says, is sort of like reading a novel. 

As the national debate over immigration reform moves from gridlock toward negotiation, members of the Dream Alliance in Sonoma County are both hopeful and concerned. Hopeful that action will finally be forthcoming this year, but worried that the final result may be too restrictive or otherwise flawed.

Before a final policy is adopted, there will inevitably be some back and forth and deal-making, acknowledges Jesus Guzman of the pro-immigration Dream Alliance of Sonoma County. But he anticipates that one of the bargaining chips now being cited by some conservative voices will be moot, as President Obama has already effectively taken it off the table.

A history of social activism in the bay area can be found in a Berkeley man's collection of thousands of political posters, newly documented in the book, All of Us or None by Oakland archivist Lionel Cushing. Today's North Bay Report takes a peek inside.

Lionel CushingIn the heyday of bay area poster art, says historian Lionel Cushing, there was an upwelling of interest and activism that often linked artists, activists, musicians and the community at large.

Lionel Cushing will present a slide show and talk about social justice posters on Thursday evening, February 7 at the Marin History Museum in San Rafael. He says he'll bring a specific local focus to the program.