Community Notes 11-26-2012

1. “The True Cost of Environmental Injustice:” A Texas Observer Public Forum. The Texas Observer is hosting a panel entitled, “The True Cost of Environmental Injustice” at Rice University (McMurtry Auditorium, Duncan Hall) on November 28th at 7pm. Texans will greatly benefit from this in-depth and open panel discussion about the role that big chemical and oil refineries play in the health and environment of fenceline communities. Please RSVP to nelson@texasobserver.org. More details on Facebook!
2. Green Drinks Houston. Green Drinks Houston will officially launch in January 2013, but there will be an informal happy hour this month. Green Drinks is an international organization that brings together individuals, business owners, organizations and all kinds of people that like to talk green. The happy hour will take place on Thursday, November 29th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Whole Foods, 701 Waugh Drive, Houston 77019. Learn more at http://www.greendrinks.org/ and on Facebook.
3. 2013 Congress & Exposition Education Session Proposals. NRPA and the 2013 NRPA Congress Program Committee are seeking energetic and engaging speakers to submit education session proposals for the 2013 Congress & Exposition, October 8-10, 2013 in Houston, TX. Sessions should focus on: Changing the Way We Do Business: Collaborations, Privatization, and Partnerships; Parks and Recreation’s Role in Public Health Initiatives; Telling Our Story Better: Cultivating Community and Elected Support; Providing Services and Programs for Diverse Populations. Proposal deadline has been extended to Friday, November 30, 2012. More at http://www.nrpa.org/proposals/.
4. The Wild Mural Project, Unveiled. A 15ft by 75ft Wild mural will be unveiled on November 30, 2012, at M Squared Gallery during their Madmen on 19th Party (in conjunction with the Heights Holiday on 19th street event). The mural is dedicated to endangered and extinct Texas Wildlife created by Houston artist Stephanie Darling. Animals from ocean to sky, the daytime and evening dwellers, and the gentle and fierce will be represented. The Houston toad, Ocelot, Manatee, Whooping Crane, and Mexican Spotted Owl just to name a few, are included in the Mural. Come by and have a drink at M Squared Gallery, enjoy the festivities on 19th street, and celebrate the new Wild Mural for the Heights. More at http://www.kickstarter.com/.
5. Electronic Waste Recycling. The City of Houston Solid Waste Department and CompuCycle are providing monthly one day E-Recyclable collection events on the first Saturday of the month (next one: December 1st) at the Kingwood Metro Park & Ride lot. This is primarily for City of Houston residents, but CompuCycle says no one will be turned away. CompuCycle – Houston’s first R2 certified electronic solutions provider – guarantees that all data will be permanently destroyed and that electronic items will not end up in our landfills. More at http://cechouston.org/.
6. Webinar – The Path to Healthier, Happier, Smarter Kids: The Schoolyard Classroom. Texas Children in Nature is partnering with REAL Schools Gardens in Dallas/Ft. Worth and National Wildlife Federation to host a state-wide webinar on December 6th for Texas educators. The webinar, The Path to Healthier, Happier, Smarter Kids: The Schoolyard Classroom, will include the research supporting outdoor education, the importance of a team approach, outdoor classroom possibilities, instruction, professional development considerations and the components for long term success. Featured speakers include Irene Pickhardt of Texas Education Agency, Lisa Webber of STEMscopes at Rice University as well as educators from successful ISD programs across the state. The webinar is on December 6th, 4:00 p.m – 5:15 p.m. Central. Free! RSVP. More at http://txcinc.wordpress.com/.
7. Breakfast with the Sandhill Cranes. Nature lovers throughout the region await the arrival of Sandhill Cranes every year. A number of these large, majestic birds have already been spotted on the west end, and many more will be on hand for the annual Breakfast with the Cranes on Dec. 8. Enjoy a light breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Galveston Country Club, 14228 Stewart Road, and meet Joan Garland of the International Crane Foundation, who will talk about cranes in Texas, the organization’s worldwide crane studies and conservation efforts. Then off to the pastures and sloughs that are hot spots for a bird’s eye view of the visiting Sandhill Cranes. Cars will leave for birding sites immediately after the presentation and return to the County Club around noon. Some 145 cranes were sighted during last year’s event. Breakfast with the Cranes event ticket prices are $20 for GINTC members and $25 for non-members. More at http://guidrynews.com/.
8. 2013 Tree Planting Competition. The 2013 Tree Planting Competition will be held on February 9th, 2013. The planting competition once again will be held in partnership with Harris County Flood Control District, and will take place at the 11,500 blk of Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77067. As in years past there will be Professional, Amateur and Youth Divisions, and HCFCD will till the site beforehand. Register for the event by downloading the form at http://cechouston.org/.
9. 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:
   • Hunting Dogs 101
   • Davis Mountains State Park
   • Lone Star Land Steward: Double H Ranch
   • Crazy About Birds
10. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • November 27: Green–Good. Moderate winds, low incoming background levels, and cool temperatures should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • November 28: Green–Good. Moderate winds, low incoming background levels, and cool temperatures should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • Novmeber 29: Green–Good. Moderate winds, low incoming background levels, and cool temperatures should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.