Community Notes 09-07-2011

1. 2011 State of Transportation. The Greater Houston Partnership and Texas Transportation Institute are hosting the 2011 State of Transportation on Thursday, September 8th at the Intercontinental Hotel. This event will include a panel discussion with the State and Regional transportation leaders, as well as the 2011 Texas Transportation Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony and Luncheon. If you are interested in attending the event, or if you have any questions, please feel free to call or email Blanca Ortega at (713) 844-3695 or bortega@houston.org.
   
2. TCEQ Public Stakeholder Meeting. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is hosting a public stakeholder meeting on September 22nd in Austin at the TCEQ Headquarters (12100 Park 35 Circle, Room 201S, Building E). The meeting will discuss the agency’s activities to amend 30 TAC Chapter 60, Compliance History, to implement Article 4, House Bill 2694, 82nd Legislature, regular session, 2011. For more information, visit http://www.tceq.texas.gov/news/releases.
   
3. Comcast Community Partners Seminar. The Community Partners Seminar is designed to empower nonprofits in the Houston community. Topics include Creating successful partnerships, making the media work for you, and foundation and corporate partners. The seminar will be held on September 14th from 8:15am to 1pm at Hotel Derek (2525 W Loop S Fwy). To RSVP, call 713-375-7952 or send an email to shani_carter@cable.comcast.com.
   
4. Facebook: Japhet Creek Restoration Volunteers|Keep it Clean and Green! The Japhet Creek Nature Conservancy now has a Facebook page where it will post updates and links related to volunteering for creek clean-up events. If you already have a Facebook account, please go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/japhetcreekvolunteers/# and like the page.
5. Galveston Island Tree Conservancy NeighborWoods Project. The Galveston Island Tree Conservancy is the only Texas finalist in the Toms of Maine 50 States for Good Community Sponsorship. The conservancy is eligible to win funding that it would use to plant 700 trees in one day in Galveston Island Neighborhoods. The public is encouraged to vote online at http://www.tomsofmaine.com/. Voting ends September 13, 2011.
   
6. 2012 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. The 2012 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards are accepting applications for environmental projects that are new and noteworthy. Awards may presented in the following categories: technology, innovative operations, water conservation, pollution prevention, community, education, agriculture, youth, and individual. The application deadline is October 7th. To learn more about the Excellence Awards, visit http://www.teea.org/about.htm.
7. Lecture with Dr. Bryan W. Shaw. The University of Houston Law Center’s Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Center will host a lecture with Dr. Bryan W. Shaw, Chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, at the Law Center on Friday, Sept. 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Dr. Shaw’s research has concentrated on air pollution, air pollution abatement, dispersion model development and emission factor development. Please RSVP to jeberle@central.uh.edu by September 9th. To learn more, visit http://www.law.uh.edu/.
8. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/air/monops/forecast_today.html
• September 8: Orange–Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups–Ozone. Incoming background levels may be high enough for ozone to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” on the south and southeast side of the Houston metro area and well downwind along the coast. Smoke from wildfires may cause fine particulate to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher levels in parts of the eastern half of the state.
• September 9: Orange–Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups–Ozone. Incoming background levels may be high enough for ozone to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” on the south and southeast side of the Houston metro area. Smoke from wildfires may cause fine particulate to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher levels in parts of the eastern half of the state.
• September 10: Orange–Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups–Ozone. Incoming background levels may be high enough for ozone to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” on the south and southeast side of the Houston metro area and well downwind along the coast. Smoke from wildfires may cause fine particulate to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher levels in parts of the eastern half of the state.
• On September 6 and 7, 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.