Dallas Sierra Club News - September 2018

The Story of An Environmental Turnaround
Texas Nameplate Company Logo Texas Nameplate Company (TNC) manufactures metal and plastic labels and nameplates for many companies worldwide. For many years, TNC was on the environmental "bad guy" list. They were cited repeatedly by the City of Dallas for violations related to polluted water discharge. At one point, eight citations were issued, and the City threatened to turn off TNC's water. That's when TNC began changing their practices. In 1988, TNC won a "Dallas Blue Thumb" award for water quality, and they never looked back.

TNC now is a two-time time winner of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award which recognizes U.S. organizations for performance excellence. Texas Nameplate Company is the smallest company in America to ever receive this honor.

TNC is aiming to set an industry standard for environmental responsibility, and is challenging other firms to do likewise. They initiated an acid rejuvenation process, have gone paper-less, reclaim solvent, and invented equipment to reduce its impact on the environment in several ways. TNC has calculated that its annual environmental efforts save approximately 1,200 gallons of solvent waste, 450,000 gallons of water, 12 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 30 trees, and 25,000 rags each year.

Dale Crownover will talk about TNC's remarkable turnaround. Dale is CEO and President of Texas Nameplate Company and has worked at Texas Nameplate most of his life. He began by sweeping floors at age of 8 for his father, who was the founder of TNC. Dale became CEO and President of TNC in 1986, and is responsible for instituting the numerous environmental improvements within their firm. TNC is a family-owned business employing more than 40 people.

2018 Elections
Hear a short summary about the Sierra Club's campaign to help elect political leaders friendly to the environment.

Everyone is welcome. FREE! You don't have to be a Sierra Club member. Just show up. We'd love to meet you.

Our General Meeting starts at 7:00 pm, but come at 6:30 for snacks, information and fellowship. The meeting takes place at Brookhaven College. Click over to our General Meeting page for more information and a map.

Want to be adventuresome and explore amazing backcountry areas? Come to this popular, interactive class designed for never-ever backpackers and people who want to refresh backpacking knowledge and skills. Dallas Sierra Club trip leaders with decades of backpacking experiences will present a comprehensive overview of backpacking topics, including packs, boots, tents, sleeping bags, food and cooking, clothes, wilderness ethics, sanitation and more. We'll include tips we wish someone had told us sooner to make backpacking more comfortable and less expensive.

Place: Whole Foods Market, southeast quadrant of Preston Road and Forest Lane, Dallas, upstairs meeting room.

Time: Saturday, September 15. The class begins at 10:00 AM and lasts until about 4:30 PM, with a break for lunch. Please arrive early to sign in and get settled. Buy lunch at the deli downstairs or bring your own and eat in the classroom.

Price: $35 for Sierra Club members, $40 for non-members. Online pre-registration using a credit card is encouraged and appreciated (click here) or you can just show up and pay by cash or check at the door (you don't need to pre-register).

If you already have some gear and questions about using, packing or replacing it, bring it with you and we'll do our best to resolve your questions.

Mark your calendar to donate to the Dallas Sierra Club on September 20, 2018 as part of North Texas Giving Day.

Contributions will be matched at a rate of approximately 6% plus the Club will be eligible for special bonuses from North Texas Giving Day. For more information, click here. You can submit a donation prior to September 20 to be automatically charged on the 20th.

Reading a map Some walks in the woods are pretty easy, but journeys of all lengths can turn from amazing to catastrophic if you can't find your way. Learn the fundamentals of navigating your way in the wilderness in this fun and comprehensive two-night class. Among the subjects covered are: looking for and purchasing different type maps, how to read maps, how not to get lost, map use if you do get lost, different kinds of compasses and how to use your compass. There will be some discussion about GPS, but our main focus is learning how to use a map and compass so you're not trusting your navigation (and life) to something that takes batteries. If you have a compass, bring it. If not, we'll have extras you can use and will show you what to look for when you purchase your own. The class will be held in the upstairs meeting room at Whole Foods Market, southeast quadrant of Preston Road and Forest Lane in Dallas. This two-night class will begin at 6:30 PM and finish about 9:00 PM each night. The class fee is $35 for members and $40 for non-members. Cost covers both nights and handout materials. We encourage online signups before the class (click here) or you can pay with cash or check at the door. A half-day hike the following Saturday or Sunday with the class instructors Arthur Kuehne and Bill Greer will be offered to class participants who want to practice their new skills.

(replace this text with a short description of the image) Bring your friends, families, dogs, cats and whomever else you love to hang out at our twice-annual picnic at Churchill Park, 7025 Churchill Way, Dallas, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. New, recent and prospective members are especially invited. This time the picnic is pot luck. Come even if you have no pot or no luck. Here is a Google map.

This picnic will be a Pot Luck of sorts, so please bring whatever you think will go over in a big way, like salads, hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie dogs, veggie burgers and other side dishes, think vegetable related. But it's all good, and bring yourselves and a little sumpin for everyone.
Our fearless chef from past picnics has moved on to the badlands of New Mexico to break some hearts up that way, and he won't be back in time for our fall picnic, but wish him well, and he will be sourly missed.
The picnic will still have some awesome giveaways, some gift cards, goodies, random camping gear, and of course Sierra Club Swag!
There will be drinks and ice and chips and dips provided, and fun and games and good people all over the place. Also, the water balloon WILL be used this time, at various intervals.

The City of Dallas Quality of Life Committee unanimously supported a budget amendment to develop a climate/environmental plan for the City of Dallas. This plan would address climate change with measures to reduce Dallas' carbon footprint. The Dallas Sierra Club worked with other groups like Public Citizen, Texas Campaign for the Environment, and 350Dallas to help bring about this decision.

Please email or call the Mayor and certain Council Members today to thank them for their leadership on this issue (https://dallascityhall.com/government/Pages/contacts.aspx) . You can thank them even if you're not a Dallas resident because these actions affect everyone.

We need two people to share setting up our monthly general meetings. The two co-chairs will schedule speakers and will promote / advertise the presentations. This is an opportunity for you to get speakers on topics that you think are good. You will be given assistance during a transition period as you "learn the ropes" to ensure that things work smoothly. If you are interested, contact Kirk Miller at 972-699-1687 or Kirk@DallasSierraClub.org.

The Dallas Sierra Club has started a Outreach Speakers Program to provide outdoor and environmental education in the form of entertaining and informative presentations. To find out how the Dallas Sierra Club can provide a speaker for your group, please follow this link.

We have started posting videos of selected General Meetings on YouTube. Visit our General Meeting Page to find links.

October 9 - Fall Elections and The Environmental League
We devote this month's General Meeting to the November election. Our Political Chair, David Griggs, will talk about the competitive races and Sierra Club endorsed candidates.

We will also learn about the Environmental League, which was create to increase nature awareness and appreciation in urban youth.

November 13 - The Great Trinity Forest and Liveable Arlington
Learn about the largest urban forest in the United States, the Great Trinity Forest. We'll also hear how a citizens group works to make Arlington a better place to live.

There once was a man named Mel
Who used his cup for a bear bell
When the bear wanted a snack
He grabbed Mel's pack
Now there's no more Mel or bell.

By Bill Ingram

If you would like to submit an environmental limerick for our Limerick of the Month feature, send it to editors@dallassierraclub.org.

Sep 8 (Sat) White Rock Lake Clean-up
Walk and talk while picking up trash and recyclables at the Sierra Club's adopted section of White Rock Lake Park. Meet at 8:15 AM this second Saturday of the month at the For the Love of the Lake office, northeast corner of Garland Road and Buckner Boulevard. Look for the crowd drinking free juice and coffee. Gloves, trash bags, etc. will be provided. This event is conducted by For the Love of the Lake. Contact: Carol Nash Send Email 214-455-2115

Sep 8 (Sat) Drive Electric Rally in Grapevine
Come to Grapevine Mills Mall from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm to see and drive all types of electric vehicles. Register here for the event and a prize. The rally is held by DFW Clean Cities and Electric Vehicles North Texas. Email Chris Guldi if you plan to go.

Sep 8 (Sat) Dallas Rise to Action Rally
2:00pm at City Hall Plaza. Rally with others around the world for climate change action.

Sep 8-16 (Sat-Sun) National Drive Electric Week
Learn about electric vehicles at local and online events during National Drive Electric Week

Sep 11 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Hear about Texas Nameplate Company's environmental turnaround, and get a short summary of the November elections. Everyone is invited. Full details are on our home page now.

Sep 15 (Sat) Trail Maintenance at Cedar Ridge Preserve
Come to the hilly terrain of Cedar Ridge Preserve to help maintain one of the better trail networks in Dallas. The Sierra Club is responsible for the Possum Haw Trail. We work here on third Saturdays. Now that it's September, we'll start at 9:00 AM, working until about noon. The Preserve's address is 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas. For directions and general information about Cedar Ridge Preserve, click this link. If you need more information or want to carpool, call or email Ginger. Trail maintenance events are conducted by Audubon Dallas. Contact: Ginger Bradley Send Email 469-223-7902

Sep 15 (Sat) Backpacking 101 Class
Do you want to leave the crowds behind and venture into the backcountry? Or did you backpack years ago and want to update your gear or skills? Join us for a fun day discussing backpacking essentials--what it's like, what you need to bring and what to leave at home. Volunteer leaders with wilderness experiences will present backpacking topics with candor--packs, tents, food and menus, what to wear, hygiene, water treatment and tips to improve your comfort and keep gear affordable. We're not selling anything except our enthusiasm for helping others safely enjoy special outdoor places. This class will be particularly helpful for new backpackers on our fall trips and the February 2019 trip to Big Bend National Park. We'll schedule at least one fall outing designed especially for people attending this class. Location: Whole Foods Market, Preston Road at Forest Lane, Dallas (map). Time: 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. Food available for purchase downstairs for lunch. Cost: $35 for Sierra Club members, $40 for non-members. Includes handouts. We encourage and appreciate early sign ups. You may pay on-line here or pay at the door if space remains available. Coordinator: Liz Wheelan Send Email 214-368-2306

Sep 19 (Wed) Outings Committee Meeting
This third Wednesday of a month at 6:30 is time for our monthly gathering to plan outings. Come upstairs at Whole Foods Market, SE quadrant of Preston Road and Forest Lane, Dallas. Anyone interested in outings is welcome to attend and participate. Reply to Mark to be added to the advance agenda email list or to suggest an agenda item. Organizer: Mark Stein Send Email 214-526-3733

Sep 26 (Wed) Wilderness Navigation Class--Part 1
Want to hike or bushwhack off-trail but you're uneasy about finding your way? Join a highly respected two-night class to help you navigate with map and compass. Part 1 is Wed., part 2 is Thu., both at 6:30 p.m., upstairs at Whole Foods Market, SE quadrant of Preston Road and Forest Lane. The fee for the two-night class is $35 for Sierra Club members, $40 for non-members (best class price around). An optional nearby hike for class participants will be offered the following Sun. morning,weather permitting so instructors can help you practice what you learned. Pay in advance by clicking here or pay at the door. Bring a compass if you have one. If not, we'll have an extra you can use and we'll advise what to look for when you buy your own. Sessions will run until 8:45. Coordinator: Liz Wheelan Send Email 214-368-2306

Sep 27 (Thu) Wilderness Navigation Class--Part 2
Second night of a two-part class that begins Wed., Sept. 26. Both sessions are at Whole Foods Market, Preston Road at Forest Lane. See above for details and la ink to pay online. Coordinator: Liz Wheelan Send Email 214-368-2306

Sep 29 (Sat) Dallas Sierra Club Picnic at Churchill Park, 10 AM to 1 PM
Bring your friends, families, dogs, cats and whomever else you love to hang out with to a twice-annual picnic at Churchill Park, 7025 Churchill Way, Dallas, from 10 AM to 1 PM. New, recent and prospective members are especially invited. This time the picnic is pot luck. Come even if you have no pot or no luck. If your luck's been good, bring a salad, beans, chicken, dessert or other food to share. The Club will provide ice, drinks, chips, dips and water balloons. There will be giveaways, prizes and some random used camp gear selling at outrageously low auction prices. Organizer: Ginger Bradley Send Email 469-223-7902

Sep 30 (Sun) Day Hike on Prairie Creek Trail, Richardson
A day affter the Sierra Club picnic, meet at 9 a.m. at Frankie's Mexican restaurant at II Creeks, 2701 Custer Parkway in Richardson. We will walk 4 or 5 miles in total, at a leisurely pace, starting with a walk east on Lookout Drive to the Prairie Creek Trail. Please wear comfy shoes and bring water. There will be no water on the trail, only great scenery and no rain. We can go to Frankie's afterwards for a drink or some nachos if you want. I will! Kids are welcome. Leader: Ginger Bradley Send Email 469-223-7902

Oct 3 (Wed) Dallas Sierra Club Executive Committee Meeting
The Executive Committee (or Excom) is the elected governing body of the Dallas Sierra Club and meets upstairs at Whole Foods Market, southeast corner of Preston Road and Forest Lane, in Dallas at 6:30 pm. Contact the Dallas Group Chair for more information.

Oct 6 (Sat) Day Hike on Chisholm Trail, Plano
Meet at 10 a.m. at the Starbucks on 15th Street in Plano, near the Barnes and Noble store, outside, at the tables on the patio, 801 W. 15th St., Plano, to be exact. We will walk/hike the Chisolm Trail for about 5 miles, and it's pretty flat. Just bring your own water and comfy shoes, and we can head for a beer or a soda afterwards at On the Border. We will finish around 12:30 or 1, depending on the pace, which is leisurely, for the most part. Kids are welcome. Leader: Ginger Brdley Send Email 469-223-7902

Oct 9 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Hear about the Sierra Club's 2018 Electoral Campaign to elect political leaders friendly to the environment; and learn about the Environmental League, an organization that educates youth about environmental conservation. Everyone is invited. Full details are on our home page now.

Oct 13 (Sat) Dayhike White Rock Creek Trail from Moss Park
Meet at 8:30 am at Moss Park (SE corner of Greenville Ave and Royal Lane). Hike 5-6 miles along a paved trail. Bring water and a snack, as we will be hiking all morning. No reservations are necessary. Just show up. No pets please. Optional lunch at a local restaurant. Leader: Mark Adams Send Email 940-231-8482

Oct 19-21 (Fri-Sun) Fall Weekend at Beavers Bend State Park, Oklahoma
Celebrate fall by joining us for a weekend in scenic southeastern Oklahoma. We have a large group compound reserved, complete with your choice of rustic cabin or tent camping, bathhouse (flush toilets and hot showers!) and dining hall with kitchen. We'll offer Saturday hike options with Dallas Sierra Club leaders, ranging from a one-mile nature trail to a 7-mile trail over multiple ridges. The park offers additional activities, including paddling (rentals available), horseback riding and more. We also offer a Saturday night catered dinner option. This weekend is for singles, couples, families, friends and all ages, EVERYONE. Details and reservation information is in this PDF document. Coordinator: Liz Wheelan Send Email 214-368-2306