Community Notes 05-21-2012

1. 2012 Mini UP Experience. The 2012 UP Experience is an engaging and intellectually stimulating event that brings together extraordinary thought leaders, creators, and innovators behind the technologies, the trends, the ideas, and the global movements that shape our existence. The main event will take place on October 25th, and a Mini UP Experience will happen on May 24th at 6pm at 303 Jackson Hill St. The speakers are Sasha Strauss and James Pennebaker. Reserve your seat today by emailing sheryl@theUPexperience.com. More at http://www.theupexperience.net/.
   
2. The 2012 United Way Board Fair. The 2012 United Way Board Fair seeks to connect area nonprofits with a broad spectrum of interested candidates looking for ways to connect with nonprofit organizations in a meaningful way. The fair will take place on May 24th from 5-6:30pm at United Way (50 Waugh Drive). For an organization to participate, an application must be filled out and submitted by May 11th. Space is limited. For more, visit http://www.unitedwayhouston.org/.
3. Environmental Solutions for Communities Grants. The Environmental Solutions for Communities is a new grant program to help communities in the United States create a more sustainable future through responsible environmental stewardship. Projects sponsored by this program will promote a sustainable future for communities by supporting sustainable agricultural practices and private lands stewardship; conserving critical land and water resources and improving local water quality; restoring and managing natural habitat, species, and ecosystems that are important to community livelihoods; facilitating investments in green infrastructure, renewable energy and energy efficiency; and encouraging broad-based citizen participation in project implementation. Pre-proposals are due July 2nd. More at http://foundationcenter.org/.
   
4. National Trails Day on June 2. “America’s Largest Trailgating Party” is happening on June 2nd and many Texas State Parks are holding events. To celebrate Trails Day, many state parks across Texas will host guided or staff-led hiking, biking or paddling events to encourage folks to get outside, exercise and enjoy the great outdoors. There are events at Brazos Bend (Needville), Galveston Island SP (Galveston), Jones Park (Humble), and Huntsville (Huntsville). Visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ to learn more.
   
5. Get To Know Your Wild Neighbours Contest. American youth are invited to get outdoors and celebrate the biodiversity in their own communities through the Get to Know Contest, this, of course, includes aquariums and zoos! All “Rivers to Oceans” neighbours are highlighted, so every entry that features a water or marine species will be showcased in a special online Gallery and the entrant will be entered to win additional water themed prizes. Learn more at http://www.get-to-know.org/. “Early bird” rewards and dates can be found at http://s3.get-to-know.org/. Please direct questions to Jeff Ramsden at jramsden@gettotknow.ca.
6. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife. Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 PM each Saturday and on cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Seabrook, and on HCC. More info on the TPWD website (* indicates a segment about the Houston area). This week’s broadcast will include:
   • Climate of Change
   • Lone Star Land Steward: A Country Life Ranch*
   • Purtis Creek State Park
   • Shooting for State – Shooting Sports
   • Epitaph – Geraldine Watson
7. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html
   • May 22: Orange-Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups–Ozone. Winds should be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” on the east and southeast side of the Houston area.
   • May 23: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher levels on the northeast and north side of the Houston area.
   • May 16: Green–Good. Moderate to strong winds and lower incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
   • On May 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.