Community Notes 05-28-2012

1. Green Building Tour: PDR. Planning Design Research, LEED Certified Green Building. As one in a series of free tours of green buildings in Houston, you are invited to see the LEED for Commercial Interiors Platinum PDR Offices, on Friday, June 1, 2012, in an “open house style” guided tour approximately every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Tour will take place at 2 Houston Center, 909 Fannin Street, Level 39, Houston, Texas 77010. Please visit www.houstontx.gov  for more details and a map.
2. 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.
3. Free Fishing Day – June 2. Texas’ annual Free Fishing Day is June 2nd. Anglers can catch fish anywhere in the state’s public waters without a license. Also remember, every day is Free Fishing Day inside the boundaries of Texas State Parks where no fishing license is required.
   
4. Georgia Bost 1950-2012. Her bright smile matched only by an even brighter spirit, Georgia Bost left an indelible mark on everyone she met. She left this world a better place than when she found it, but now, her work is done. From husband and Georgia’s Market owner, Rick Bost: “Her spirit lives on through us. Her life-long passion for the Earth and God’s creations lives on through those she touched and with whom she shared her flowers, love of farming, gardening, cooking, singing, dancing and celebrating. Please carry on her mission. This would be her wish. Eat healthy today. And help others to live and eat healthy while protecting the world for future generations.” Georgia and Rick Bost have been generous supporters of CEC. For more information about Georgia, please click here.
5. Texas Nature Challenge 2012. The Texas Nature Challenge in Houston has started and will last throughout the summer. It is designed to encourage people to spend their time together outside, active and learning about their local nature spots. The goal of Texas Nature Challenge is to get families and kids outdoors by visiting as many participating parks and nature areas in Texas as they can this summer. Families visit designated nature sites and complete challenges at each site. Participating families are eligible to win prizes. Learn more at http://naturechallenge.tamu.edu/.
   
6. Coastal Paddling Trails. Anglers can use numerous paddling trails to access some great coastal fishing spots. The trails vary in length and number of access points. The trails in the Houston-Galveston region are Christmas Bay, Armand Bayou, and Galveston Island State Park. Friends of Galveston Island State Park offers weekly kayak outings during the summer, and occasionally, various groups offer organized paddles on all of the trails.
   
7. America Is Your Park. Coca-Cola is holding its 3rd annual America is your park campaign. Your vote can help your favorite park win the title of “America’s Favorite Park” and a $100,000 recreation grant from Coca-Cola. Many people have decided to vote to help Bastrop State Park, which is still recovering from the wildfires last fall. Visit https://apps.facebook.com/ to learn and to vote. You can vote everyday until July 15th.
   
8. Campus RainWorks Challenge. The U.S. EPA’s Office of Water is offering the Campus RainWorks Challenge for undergraduate and graduate students at universities and colleges across the nation. Student teams are invited to create an innovative green infrastructure design for a site on their campus showing how managing stormwater at its source can benefit the campus community and the environment. Winning teams will earn a cash prize, as well as research funds for their faculty advisor to conduct research on green infrastructure. Learn more at http://water.epa.gov/.
   
9. TCEQ Moves Air Quality Monitor Stations. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is announcing the move of the ozone and sulfur dioxide monitors at the Houston Regional Office location (5425 Polk Avenue, Houston, Texas) to a new location in the Baytown area. The US Environmental Protection Agency has requested that TCEQ make this move in order to better understand ozone formation in East Houston. TCEQ is in the process of setting up a new site near Victoria Walker Elementary School (7726 ½ Eastpoint Boulevard, Baytown, Texas) and expects to start collecting data from this location by July 2012. The TCEQ remains committed to ensuring safe air quality for the citizens of Texas. Even though data will no longer be collected at the Houston Regional Office site, enough data is collected by nearby monitors to adequately continue our evaluation of air quality in the Central Houston area. This fact is confirmed by both modeling and historical monitoring conducted near the Houston Regional Office location. The Park Place, Clinton Drive, and Texas Avenue sites will remain in place and the data can be accessed online at: www.tceq.texas.gov. An interactive map of all statewide monitors is also available at: http://gis3.tceq.state.tx.us. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this move, please contact Lindsey Jones via email (lindsey.jones@tceq.texas.gov) or (512) 239-1784.
10. 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:
    • Action for the Oceans
    • Lone Star Land Steward: Clear Creek Ranch
    • Palmetto State Park
    • The Brigades
11. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html
    • May 29: 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.
    • Because of the holiday, TCEQ has not issued additional forecasts.