 
January, 2011: In This Issue. . .
Notes From
the Chair
The
Move is On for February
After several
years of meeting at the Center for Spiritual Living, the
general meetings are MOVING to the recently renovated
Guadalupe Peak Room at REI on LBJ Freeway (between Midway and
Welch) in North Dallas. The first meeting in our new
location will be on February 8.
 Already the
location for our Executive Committee meetings and many of our
clinics, this move will have the following benefits:
1) A central
and well-known location.
2) A meeting
room where our information boards can remain up during the
entire time we are there.
3) A meeting
room with increased space for our drinks and snacks to be
accessible before, during, and after the meetings. Also, we
will begin bringing ‘pot luck’ snacks to increase the variety
of available food.
4) We will
have the room beginning at 6:00 p.m. to accommodate more time
for socializing and discussion of current Sierra Club issues.
5) Our new
location will encourage even better cooperation and support
from REI.
Finally, we
all want to thank the Center for Spiritual Living for their
great support of the Dallas Sierra Club and their own ‘green’
efforts.
The FUTURE of
our Club is better than ever and the needs for environmental
protection have not diminished, so we look forward to seeing
every member at our new home the second Tuesday of every
month.
Your Dallas
Chair,
Wendel Withrow
General Meeting Program -
January 11, 7:00 pm - Refreshments at 6:30
We're starting
2011 off with a BANG with one of our most popular speakers
ever. Don't miss it!
Master
Naturalist
Are you fascinated with the outdoors?
When you see a strange insect, do you: A) jump on
a chair and immediately look for a rolled up newspaper or B)
run for your field guide (or Google) to identify it... and
then tell everyone about the experience? If you answered
B, then you might be an aspiring Texas Master Naturalist!
Through the Texas Master Naturalist program, you will learn
all about our amazing bio-region and have access to a wide
variety of exciting volunteer opportunities. And you
will meet many interesting people along the way. As
applications are now being accepted for the program, Robin
Sowton, our Conservation Chair, will provide a short but
timely talk on how you can get involved. Robin joined
the Texas Master Naturalist program in 2009.
The
Dirt Doctor
 Howard
Garrett, the Dirt Doctor, will talk about the organic approach
at our January meeting. Come and hear Howard's advice on soil,
lawns, gardens, pests, etc., and let him answer your
questions.
Howard Garrett
is a landscape architect by training, with extensive
experience in landscape contracting, greenhouse growing, golf
course planning and maintenance, and organic product
development. Howard has devoted his life to establishing a
leadership role in the natural organic marketplace. He
provides advice on natural organic gardening, landscaping, pet
health, pest control, and natural living.
He received his
Bachelor of Science degree in Park Administration and
Landscape Architecture from Texas Tech University in 1969.
After a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Howard started
his business career at Club Corporation of America where he
was a laborer and assistant golf course superintendent.
In 1985, the
birth of Howard's daughter Logan was the turning point in his
education into organic gardening, landscaping, farming and
ranching. By 1988 he had committed his entire career to the
research, education and promotion of organic products and
practices. In addition to teaching organics to homeowners, he
began the conversion of numerous commercial projects such as
the Frito-Lay National Headquarters in Plano. His work also
includes research on natural organic planting techniques, use
of native and well adapted introductions, and water saving
solutions. Organic projects in the studies have realized
40-50% cost savings in water use.
Consulting
clients include Carrington Labs and their aloe vera growing
operation in Costa Rica; Muenster Milling Company, a producer
of natural pet food; Greenway Parks - an exclusive residential
development; Radio Shack National Headquarters; Tierra Verde
Golf Club; Texas Instruments, Iscar Metals, and Sabre
Corporation. Product consulting clients include Alpha Bio
Systems and others.
Click on over to our General
Meeting page of our website for full details about our program. We also
have directions to the meeting, including a map.
Sierra Club Calendars
Get your new 2011 Sierra Club
calendars at the January General Meeting.
Support the Dallas Sierra Club - buy your calendars from us
(cash or check only please).
Conservation Corner
JAN 8
(SAT) Net Metering - Making Renewable Investment Profitable
This SATURDAY, Jan. 8th at 1:00 PM, you all are invited to
attend the joint meeting of the Texas Solar Energy Society and
the North Texas Renewable Energy Group for:
Net Metering -
Making Renewable Investment Profitable by David Powers, Public
Citizen Deputy Director Saturday, Jan. 8, 1:00 pm at the
Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 South Loop 12 in Dallas.
Net metering is
an important incentive in consumer investment in wind and
solar generation for your homes or business. Yet Texas is 1 of
only 6 states that doesn't have a statewide policy on net
metering so consumers are not adequately compensated or
credited for the excess energy their systems produce. Find out
more about net metering and what consumers can do in Texas to
make an investment on renewables profitable.
Free - Open to
the public. Door prizes and desserts.
JAN 12
(WED) Dallas City Council Will Hear Public Comments on Gas
Drilling
On Wednesday, January 12th the City of
Dallas will convene a city council meeting that should be of
interest to everyone who lives in Dallas. Beginning a 1 p.m.
that afternoon, a decision will be made as to approve or not
approve an application for the first of many gas wells
proposed within the city limits of Dallas on city owned land.
Even though this pad site is for as many as 14 gas wells,
hints have been slowly leaking out over the past few months
that there are other sites on the same land parcel that XTO
would like to explore.
Comments should
be ready to be delivered in a 3 minute format. If you want to
bring friends to speak or to warm seats, by all means please
do so. The city council has not heard from the public before
so please do not hold anything back. Please talk in facts, if
you have handouts, have enough for all (16). It does not
matter if you do not live in the affected neighborhood. The
more citizens we have from all over Dallas, the better. This
is about the Dallas environment, and not Oak Cliff or
Southwest Dallas.
You can read
the application
here:
Location: City
Hall Council Chambers in Dallas City Hall
Time: 1 pm
If you have a
Facebook and/or Twitter account, please start posting today
about the meeting next week. If you want to create an "event"
on Facebook, please do. The Dallas Observer is following this
story very close. If you happen to see a posting about this
matter on the UNFAIR PARK page, please make comments and refer
to the meeting.
If you would
like to email the individual council members, mayor, and city
manager, please do it before the weekend so that they have
time to read it.
JAN 14
(FRI) Important EPA Hearing 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
On
Friday, January 14, there is an EPA hearing by which to
comment on the proposed State Implementation Plan ("SIP") call
and Federal Implementation Plan ("FIP") rule which EPA has
called for to ensure that Texas takes greenhouse gases/CO2
into account into industry permitting.
As you may have
heard, Gov. Rick Perry and other Texas state officials have
been grandstanding against the EPA's authority on everything
from regulating greenhouse gases to the taking of TCEQ's air
authority on its lax permitting on coal plants. The state is
resisting the regulation of carbon dioxide, a big polluting
factor with coal-fired power plants, cement kilns, and other
large polluting facilities. New facilities, and facilities
conducting major modification and construction projects, are
now required to use the "best available control technology" to
limit their emissions, and to obtain permits containing these
limitations before they begin construction. These industry
preconstruction permits must contain greenhouse gas limits
beginning January 2, 2011, which Gov. Perry and Texas
regulators are resisting.
Come show your
support for the EPA rule, voice your support for clean air and
tell the Governor not to play politics with your community's
health. Email/or call the EPA now for this hearing to reserve
your spot:
Friday, Jan 14
from 10 am to 7 pm (or until last speaker finishes)
The
Crowne Plaza Hotel Dallas Downtown, 1015 Elm Street
Email Pam Long
now at EPA to sign up to speak: long.pam@epa.gov or call Pam
Long at 919-541-0641 or fax 919-541-5509 a request to speak.
We will provide talking points which we are developing now.
Outings Highlight
Taos Bus
Trip - February 17-21
HURRY, THERE ARE ONLY A FEW SEATS
LEFT
HavHave a memorable
President's Day weekend and come play in the snow! Mark your
calendars now so you can join us for this very popular annual
trip to enjoy the winter beauty of northern New Mexico. We'll
leave Dallas on our sleeper bus around dinner time on Thur.
Feb. 17 and return early morning on Mon. Feb. 21. The trip is
very economical and offers choice of great hotel in Taos with
hot tub or backpacking/yurt accommodations. Tentative activity
options include alpine snowshoeing, downhill skiing,
snowboarding, snow tubing, a visit to a local area of interest
(such as a cultural attraction) or you can just relax and
enjoy the galleries, museums, shops, food and beauty of this
scenic and historical town. Activity ratings range from easy
to moderately strenuous. Trip includes transportation to/from
Taos, Taos Ski Valley, trailheads and destinations to
activities included in the trip. Complete details, cost and
reservation information will be posted on our website soon. To
be sure to get a seat, send an email message to the trip
leader or sign up for our Outings News email list so you'll
receive notification when the trip write up is online and
reservations open. Bus trip leader: Liz Wheelan 214-368-2306(H)
For a complete list of our
outings,
visit our outings page.
Recycling Round-Up
by Rita Raccoon
Recent Recycling News -
January 2011
Top Four Items to Recycle This Season
1. Live
Christmas Trees
TreTrees are
biodegradable! Most municipalities offer free tree recycling
at drop-off sites. Cities include Dallas, Lewisville, Farmers
Branch and Grand Prairie.
Dallas tells
you to bring your Christmas Tree to one of the Christmas Tree
recycling locations from until January 11, 2008
between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (Remove all tinsel,
ornaments, lights, nails and tree stands before dropping off
the tree for recycling)
Dallas Christmas Tree Recycling Locations
Northwest (Bachman) Transfer Station
9500 Harry Hines Blvd. (Monday – Sunday)
Southwest (Oak Cliff)Transfer Station
4610 S. Westmoreland Road (Monday – Sunday)
McCommas Bluff Landfill
5100 Youngblood Rd. (Monday – Saturday)
Fair Oaks Transfer Station
7677 Fair Oaks Ave. (Monday – Sunday)
Flag Pole Hill
Buckner Blvd. at Northwest Hwy. (Monday – Sunday)
Lewisville offers free tree recycling through Jan. 15. Trees can be
dropped off at Lake Park and North Mill Street near the soccer
fields. Free mulch will be available starting Dec. 30.
972-538-5949.
Farmers Branch residents may recycle Christmas trees through Jan. 8 at
the parking lot of Oran Good Park, Tom Field Road and Valley
View Lane. Residents who want their trees turned into mulch
can take them there from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday or 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. Jan. 8. 972-919-2597.
Grand Prairie - Christmas tree recycling will start today and run
through Jan. 14. Trees can be dropped off at The Home Depot
parking lots at 3850 S. Carrier Parkway or 5280 State Highway
360; or the Grand Prairie Landfill, 1102 MacArthur Blvd. Trees
also may be left curbside on normal garbage collection day.
972-237-8061.
Check Earth911.com for other recyclers near you.
2. Used Electronics
Got new
electronic goodies for Christmas? Don’t throw away those old
model phones, gaming systems, or hardware. Recycle or donate
them. Options include trade-in websites, office supply or
electronics stores, and Goodwill collection centers.
3. Packing Materials
DonDon’t forget
the cardboard gift boxes, shipping boxes and other packing
materials! Recycle along with other paper goods. Got Styrofoam
peanuts? Take back to shipping stores to be reused.
4. Holiday Light
There’s a
movement afoot to replace old incandescent holiday lights with
LEDs. Some retailers are offering a trade-in program to
upgrade to LED lights. HolidayLEDS.com will accept your broken
or nonworking lights and give you credit toward your next
purchase of LED lights.
What Not To Recycle!
ThrThree items
create big problems at the recycling sorting center:
Styrofoam, plastic bags (they get caught up in the whirling
blades) and wire coat hangers. As a previous edition of
Recycling Round-Up pointed out, the cost of wire hangers has
gone up tremendously in the pasty 18 months. Many dry
cleaners/laundries will take back wire hangers and provide a
container to collect them.
Calendar
Here is our calendar for the next two months. For complete listings, visit us at
www.dallassierraclub.org.
 JAN
8 (SAT) WHITE ROCK LAKE CLEANUP. Walk and talk while
helping to pick up trash and recyclables at the Sierra Club's
adopted section of White Rock Lake Park. Meet at 8:15 AM at
the Love of the Lake office on the Northeast corner of Garland
Rd. and Buckner Blvd. Look for a crowd of people drinking free
juice and coffee. Gloves, trash bags, etc. provided. Our area
includes one of the wonderful prairie restoration areas, so
there are always birds and wildflowers to enjoy. The lake and
your karma will thank you. Brunch afterwards. Leader:
Carol Nash 214-824-0244(H)
 JAN 8
(SAT) NET METERING - MAKING RENEWABLE INVESTMENT PROFITABLE.
See the Conservation Corner above for details.
JAN 11 (TUE) DALLAS SIERRA CLUB GENERAL MEETING Everyone
is invited to the General Meeting of the Dallas Sierra Club.
See above for details.
JAN 12
(WED) DALLAS CITY COUNCIL WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENTS on GAS
DRILLING. See the Conservation Corner above for details.
JAN 14 (FRI) IMPORTANT EPA HEARING. See the Conservation Corner above for details.
JAN
15 (SAT) TRAIL CLEAN UP AT CEDAR RIDGE PRESERVE, 9:00 AM.
It's fun and it's great to get out to the Cedar Ridge Preserve
in Dallas to help "build" and upgrade some of the beautiful
walking trails at Cedar Ridge Preserve, in south Dallas. The
address is 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249. It's a
great morning workout, and the scenery is exceptional. No
tools are required (maybe gloves.) Just show up and be ready
to lend a hand or two. We'll work from 9 AM to Noon and then
walk around the preserve and admire the wildflowers and fauna!
Please see their website
http://audubondallas.org/cedarridge.html for directions
and info. Their number is 972-709-7784. See you then! If you
wish to carpool, call Ginger to arrange a meeting spot. Come
on out and stay green, people! Its good for the soul.
Organizer:
Ginger Bradley 469-223-7902(C)
 JAN
19 (WED) OUTINGS COMMITTEE MEETING. Meet in the upstairs
program room at REI (on north side of LBJ between Midway and
Welch), at 6:30 PM. Bring your ideas for the Dallas Sierra
Club Outings program. We will be planning local outings and
bus trips. All outings leaders, future outings leaders, and
interested Sierrans welcome. Ask Bill to be placed on the
email list for an agenda. Contact:
Bill Greer 972-247-0446(H)
 FEB
5 (SAT) 3RD ANNUAL SUPER WEEKEND 10K DAYHIKE Hike 10K (6
miles) on the Lake Ray Roberts Greenbelt Corridor. This is an
easy trail running along side the Elm Fork of the Trinity
River. No reservations required, just show up. Well behaved
dogs on a leash will be allowed. Bring water and a snack. Meet
at 9:00 AM at the Hwy 380 Trailhead Park. Admission to the
park is $5.00 per person or free with a Texas State Parks
Pass. There will be an optional lunch afterwards. The Park is
on US Hwy 380 2.1 miles west of Hwy 377 or 2.8 miles east of
Loop 288 in Denton. Hwy 380 can be reached from Central
Expwy,Preston Rd., or the Tollway. Bring extra shoes in case
the trail is muddy. The trip will be canceled if it is raining
at the trailhead. Leader:
Mark Adams 972-658-1281(C)
FEB
12 (SAT) WHITE ROCK LAKE CLEANUP. Walk and talk while
helping to pick up trash and recyclables at the Sierra Club's
adopted section of White Rock Lake Park. Meet at 8:15 AM at
the Love of the Lake office on the Northeast corner of Garland
Rd. and Buckner Blvd. Look for a crowd of people drinking free
juice and coffee. Gloves, trash bags, etc. provided. Our area
includes one of the wonderful prairie restoration areas, so
there are always birds and wildflowers to enjoy. The lake and
your karma will thank you. Brunch afterwards. Leader:
Carol Nash 214-824-0244(H)
FEB
16 (WED) OUTINGS COMMITTEE MEETING. Meet in the upstairs
program room at REI (on north side of LBJ between Midway and
Welch), at 6:30 PM. Bring your ideas for the Dallas Sierra
Club Outings program. We will be planning local outings and
bus trips. All outings leaders, future outings leaders, and
interested Sierrans welcome. Ask Bill to be placed on the
email list for an agenda. Contact:
Bill Greer 972-247-0446(H)
 FEB
17-21 (THU-MON) 2011 BUS TRIP TO TAOS, NM ONLY A FEW SEATS
LEFT! Have a memorable President's Day weekend and come play
in the snow! Mark your calendars now so you can join us for
this very popular annual trip to enjoy the winter beauty of
northern New Mexico. We'll leave Dallas on our sleeper bus
around dinner time on Thur. Feb. 17 and return early morning
on Mon. Feb. 21. The trip is very economical and offers choice
of great hotel in Taos with hot tub or backpacking/yurt
accommodations. activity options include alpine snowshoeing,
downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing, tour of the famous
Taos Pueblo and even an "Ice Concert". Or you can just relax
and enjoy the galleries, museums, shops, food and beauty of
this scenic and historical town. Activity ratings range from
easy to moderately strenuous. Trip includes transportation
to/from Taos, Taos Ski Valley, trailheads and destinations to
activities included in the trip. Complete details, cost and
reservation information is now online - see the outings page
announcement at this link for the
complete trip write up. Bus trip leader:
Liz Wheelan 214-368-2306(H)
 FEB
26 (SAT) BEGINNER BACKPACKING CLASS. This class is an
ideal way to learn about backpacking. Topics include:
wilderness ethics, outdoor clothing, boots, backpacks, tents,
sleeping bags, cookware, food, and preparing for a trip.
Instructors are experienced Dallas Sierra Club leaders. There
will be time for questions and a hands-on look at outdoor
gear. Lunch of backpacking food is included. You will also
have the opportunity to learn about, and sign up for, several
beginner backpacking trips. The fee is $20 for Sierra Club
members and $30 for non-members (cash or check) You can sign
up to be a Sierra Club member at the class. No reservations
are necessary, just show up. The class will be held at REI,
4515 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX 75244 (north side of LBJ between
Welch and Midway). The class will start at 10:30 AM and end at
about 5:00 PM. Leader:
Bill Greer 972-964-1781(H)
|
