Community Notes 08-20-2012

1. Texas Coral Reefs: Today, Yesterday and Tomorrow. A public lecture, reception, and workshop will take place August 23rd-24th at the Baker Institute. The purpose of the Aug. 24 workshop on Texas coral reefs is to raise awareness of the reefs and banks on the Texas continental shelf with scientists and the public. At this event, scientists, policymakers and community leaders will take an integrated, interdisciplinary look at the past, present and future of these unique and uncommon features. Discussions will also address the reefs’ current and future condition over the next 50 years, in the context of global warming, ocean acidification, overfishing, general pollution and other possible environmental issues. Learn more and register at http://bakerinstitute.org/.
2. “Provident Design Strategies for New Homes and Remodeling.” At the Fall Home and Garden Show, which takes place August 25-26 at the Waterway Marriott in the Woodlands, LaVerne A. Williams of Environment Associates will be presenting “Provident Design Strategies for New Homes and Remodeling.” She will share and answer questions about how Environment Associates’ “Design for LifeTM” has created efficient, affordable homes where their owners are able to lead the life they desire, whether it is self-sustaining or community oriented. The presentation will be on August 25th at 1:30pm. For more information and tickets, visit http://woodlandsshows.com/.
3. Houston Sustainability Survey 2012. Take Rice University’s Shell Center for Sustainability survey to show what your business is doing to develop more green jobs in Houston. https://www.surveymonkey.com/.
4. United Way 2012-2013 Wage and Benefit Survey. The United Way of Greater Houston has launched the United Way 2012-2013 Wage and Benefit Survey. The only local nonprofit compensation study, the Wage & Benefit Survey provides a comprehensive overview of salaries and other benefits. Particpation deadline: Wednesday, August 22. Survey participants will receive a free copy of the printed report. More info at www.unitedwayhouston.org.
5. Harris County Pipeline Corridor at San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. On August 30, 2012, 9:00 am at TPWD headquarters in Austin, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) will consider a recommendation by staff to define the areal extent of an easement for an existing pipeline installed in 1969 at San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. Comment on the proposed transaction before the Commission takes action. More info at www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
6. Kleb Woods Hummingbird Festival. Commissioner Radack’s annual Kleb Woods Hummingbird Festival at the Kleb Woods Nature Center, 20303 Draper Road at Mueschke Road in Tomball, will be Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. This year’s event will feature hummingbird expert Sumita Prasad, who will be capturing and banding the small birds and giving patrons a chance to closely examine the unique creatures. Kleb Woods Nature Center naturalist Kendra Kocab will present a program on how to identify hummingbirds and how to document sightings. Gary Clark, a professor at Lone Star College-North Harris and the author of a weekly newspaper column on nature, will discuss local hummingbirds. His talk will be illustrated by his wife – professional photographer Kathy Adams Clark. Houston Audubon Society Education Director Mary Ann Weber will display live owls throughout the day and give patrons a chance to observe an Eastern Screech Owl, a Barred Owl and a Great Horned Owl. Kleb Woods Nature Center volunteer blacksmiths will also be demonstrating their skills on site and tours of the facility will be going on at the same time. Admission to the family-friendly event is free. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own drinks and snacks. None will be sold at the event. For more information, call (281) 357-5324.
7. Razoo Prizes for Charitable Causes. Razoo, a crowdfunding platform for charitable causes, has announced that its online community has raised a total of $100 million for some fourteen thousand nonprofits — more than half of it over the last nine months. To celebrate the milestone, Razoo is holding a $100 Million Celebration Sweepstakes on its Facebook page, in which supporters can help win prizes of up to $2,500 for a hundred nonprofits. “Like” the Razoo Giving Facebook Page for a chance to win money for the nonprofit of your choice. More at http://foundationcenter.org/.
8. 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:
   • Texas Bass
   • TPWD People: Billy Tarrant
   • Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area
   • The Invaders
9. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html
   • Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
   • August 21: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and background levels high enough for ozone levels to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher on the west side of the Houston area.
   • August 22: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and background levels high enough for ozone levels to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher on the west and northwest side of the Houston area.
   • August 22: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and background levels high enough for ozone levels to reach “Moderate” on the west and northwest sides of the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth area.
   • On August 20, 2012, 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.