Community Notes 09-21-2011

1. The Center for Recycled Art’s Teacher Warehouse. The Center for Recycled Art’s Teacher Warehouse is not just for teachers, but to nonprofits as well! It offers a great mix of reusable materials for art projects and inventive creating. The Center is open one Saturday each month at the old Dow Elementary School. The next shopping date is September 24th, from 11-3pm. For more information, visit http://www.recycledarthouston.org/teachers.
2. Net Impact Houston Professional Chapter Kickoff Event. Net Impact – Houston Chapter is hosting a kickoff event on September 28th from 6-8pm at T’afia Restaurant and Lounge (3701 Travis Street). There will be drinks, food, fun, and good conversation with other sustainability-minded individuals. This is an opportunity to learn about Net Impact’s future events and projects. To find out more, visit http://www.facebook.com/groups/.
   
3. Bicycle Friendly Community Designation. The League of American Bicyclists announced Wednesday that The Woodlands has received a “Bicycle Friendly Community” designation at the Bronze Level. David Hitchcock (a Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) staff member) and Ronald Keichline (Huntsman Associate and The Woodlands resident) participated in the application process. They believed the community should be congratulated on their efforts to provide safer and healthier transportation. To view a list of all 2011 Bicycle Friendly Communities, visit http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/.
4. Youth Fishing Event. There is a fishing event for youth, age 16 and under, on September 24th from 10am-noon at Sea Center Texas (300 Medical Dr., Lake Jackson, TX 77566). Participants need to bring their own gear and bait with barbless hooks. Volunteers and staff will be on hand to assist first-time anglers. For more information, visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/.
5. National Public Lands Day. National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands in the United States. It will be held on September 24th. The event is designed to help keep parks open for the public to enjoys hikes, biking, and more. To find an event in your area, visit http://www.publiclandsday.org/.
6. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/air/monops/forecast_today.html
   • September 22: Orange–Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” on the south and southwest side of the Houston area in the afternoon and early evening.
   • September 23: Orange–Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” on the south and southeast side of the Houston area in the afternoon and early evening.
   • September 24: Orange–Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” in central portions of the Houston area in the afternoon and early evening.
   • On September 15, 20, and 21, TCEQ issued Air Pollution Warnings – Level Orange for unhealthy levels of ozone in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria areas. During a Level Orange warning, active children and adults as well as people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exposure.