Coalition Notes 02-20-2012

1. Name that Turtle. Dr. Kim Reich of the Sea Turtle and Fisheries Ecology Lab at Texas A&M University at Galveston is carefully watching a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle in the new Ocean and Coastal Studies Building at the University. Now others can watch, too! The Turtle Cam link is http://www.galveston.com/turtlecam/. The Sea Turtle Restoration Project is sponsoring a Name-the-Turtle Contest. An elementary or middle school class may send its choice of one name in a letter to Name the Turtle Contest,  P. O. Box 681231, Houston, Texas 77268-1231. The letter should include the name and mailing address of the school with the teacher’s name and e-mail address. A winner will be announced by April 1, 2012 with a prize for the school.
2. Complete Streets Expert Dan Burden. Dan Burden, the nation’s most recognized authority on walkability, bicycle & pedestrian programs, street corridor & intersection design, traffic flow & calming, road diets, and other planning elements that affect roadway environments, will be speaking in Houston at Texas Southern University on February 21, 2012. Discover how walkability and liability benefits a community, find out how Houston’s current infrastructure impacts mobility, and learn how an active, healthy community environment can be achieved in any community. For more information or reservations, visit the facebook page or contact AARP Staff member Marla Turner @ 832-325-2236 or Elizabeth Haroun at 832-325-2228.
3. “Beyond the Box” with Dan Phillips. On February 21 from 6:30-8:30pm at Rico’s Grill (314 Sawdust Rd), Dan Phillips, a builder of creative and unconventional houses in Huntsville, will be giving a lecture. Phillips creates homes by using recycled, donated, and salvaged building supplies. He will be sharing his perspectives on building “beyond the box.” More at http://www.harc.edu/.
4. Organic Landscape & Gardening Fair. The Organic Landscape & Gardening Fair will be on February 25th from 8:30am-4:30pm at United Way (50 Waugh). Fourteen speakers will present and lead discussions on important organic topics. Topics include growing food organically, organic landscape programs, organic pest control, water conservation, drought tolerant plants, soils and mulch, creating wildlife habitat, and permaculture. More at http://ohbaonline.org/.
5. The Progressive Forum: Alice Waters. Alice Waters, a restauranteur, author, and activist, will be speaking at the Cullen Theater in the Wortham Center on February 27th at 7:30pm. Alice Waters is a pioneer of the sustainable-local food movement, encouraging others to use the freshest, local organic products. She also created a national program called the Edible Schoolyard that teaches students about the food cycle by integrating a nutritious lunch and a gardening experience with the curriculum. To learn more about the event and to purchase tickets, visit http://theprogressiveforum.com/.
6. Houston Green Film Series: Homeland: Four Portraits of Native Action. The Houston Green Film Series will be screening a film on February 29th from 6:30-9pm at the Rice University Media Center. The film, Homeland: Four Portraits of Native Action, follows Native American leaders in their struggle against powerful energy companies and government agencies to protect the environment for all Americans. There will be a panel discussion following the screening. To learn more, visit http://www.houstontomorrow.org/.
7. ScrapDaddy donates fish for Air Alliance Houston & Earth Day. Air Alliance Houston is pleased to announce that Mark Bradford, also known as ScrapDaddy, has donated a sculpture of a fish for public education to its Earth Day Houston 2012 event. It is an art piece to show people what may become of the plastic they discard on our streets and along our bayous. This giant fish will be stuffed with the plastics which fill our bayous! The fish will make its debut at the gallery showing for Mark David Bradford’s art on February 29, 2012, at the Deborah Colton Gallery. Please RSVP to RSVP:  713-869-5151 or to info@deborahcoltongallery.com. The fish already has quite an impressive possible public schedule. It will travel to Trash Bash, Earth Day Houston, Earth Day at The Houston Arboretum, Art Car Parade, Kid’s Day along Buffalo Bayou in October.
8. The Lorax visits the Children’s Museum. One of Dr. Seuss’s most beloved characters (and the star of a the movie opening March 2), The Lorax will be helping the Children’s Museum celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday March 1-3. “I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.” More information at www.cmhouston.org/seuss.
9. Baytown Marsh Matters. The latest edition of Baytown’s Marsh Matters is now available. In it you will find information about spring break camp and summer science camp. Mark you calendars for the monthly Nurture Nature Series the first Saturday of each month at the Baytown Nature Center at 10:00 am. The topic for March 3 is “Green Animals.” Bring the family and enjoy the morning program, then stay to picnic, walk the trails, go birding or just relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Read all about it at www.baytown.org.
10. Sustainable Communities Regional Plan Community Meetings. Around 4 million additional residents are expected to move to the Houston Galveston region in the next 30 years. Therefore, the Houston Galveston Regional Plan is important for ensuring sustainability. The 13- county plan explores opportunities to improve the region’s most important resources, including clean air and water, good jobs, safe and attractive neighborhoods, affordable housing, transportation choices, and open spaces and parks. In February and March of 2012, meetings will take place in different parts of the region to discuss the plan and allow residents to provide input. To find a meeting near you, visit  http://www.ourregion.org/events.html.
11. Central City Co-op welcomes Woodland Organics & Travis Co-op.  Central City Co-op is partnering with two new partners. Woodland Organics will bring Co-op shares to the Woodlands, and is offering home delivery service. Travis Co-op is making shares available in the Woodland Heights. More more information, visit www.centralcityco-op.com.
12. 2012 Tours to the Heart of Texas and Brazil. Rice Design Alliance has announced two 2012 Hometown tour destinations: Brazil and San Antonio. BRAZIL: The Escola Carioca: Modern Architecture in Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia, June 12 – 19, 2012. SAN ANTONIO — March 8-11, 2012. For more details about the trips, visit http://ricedesignalliance.org/ or contact Lynn Kelly at lynnkellyrda@gmail.com.
13. Save the Date: 
    • 2012 Buffalo Bayou Regatta. The Buffalo Bayou Regatta is quickly approaching on March 10th, starting at 7700 San Felipe and finishing at Sesquicentennial Park. This regatta, a 15-mile USCA-sanctioned race, is Texas’ largest canoe and kayak race. All ages are encouraged to participate, whether entering competitively or paddling for pleasure. Register online at http://www.buffalobayou.org/regattabayou.html.
    • Mercer March Mart. Mercer Arboretum is excited to announce the 2012 March Mart Plant Sale scheduled for Friday, March 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, March 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Members of The Mercer Society (TMS) can shop early at a March Mart “Members Only” sale on Thursday, March 22. VIP members can shop from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and TMS members can shop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information on becoming a TMS member, and to learn the varying levels of membership, visit Mercer’s website at www.hcp4.net/mercer/marchmart.
    • Trash Bash March 31. One of the state’s largest waterway cleanup events is just around the corner! River, Lakes, Bays, ‘N Bayous Trash Bashâ is celebrating its 19h year and you’re invited to join the party. More than 6000 Texans will gather at 17 locations across the Houston-Galveston area to participate on Saturday, March 31. More at www.trashbash.org.
    • Green the Prairie. Volunteers are needed to plant 3,000 native coastal prairie grasses. This event will continue the restoration of 400 acres of farmland to native prairie habitat and reestablish the diverse wildlife that it once had. Located on the NE edge of Houston, the Sheldon Lake Environmental Learning Center is visited by over 6,000 children and adults each year who take guided nature walks, study ecosystems, go fishing, experience pond ecology, and see alternative energy in action. To register and for more information, e-mail sheldonlake@tpwd.state.tx.us.