Community Notes 10-12-2011

1. FarmFest 2011. The Last Organic Outpost, a non-profit that focuses on creating an urban green belt in low income areas throughout the city of Houston will be hosting FarmFest 2011 at Emile Community Farm (711 N. Emile) from 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, November 5th. This is a free festival. There will be many demonstrations; seed saving, bee keeping, composting, water harvesting, etc. There will also be a fitness walk beginning at 10 AM. The festival will have music, fresh nutritious food, and plenty of children’s activities. Please bring your pocket book for the many jewelry and art vendors and Wheel of Farming. See a Certified Picker to help you pick your very own Farm Fresh Food for purchase from the Farm! www.lastorganicoutpost.com
2. 2012 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards Deadline Extended. The 2012 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards will be accepting applications until October 14th. The Texas Environmental Excellence Awards recognize the state’s highest achievements in environmental preservation and protection in 9 diverse categories, including agriculture, community, education, individual, innovative operations, pollution prevention, technology, water conservation, and youth.. To download an application, visit http://www.teea.org/apply.
   
3. Sustainable Fisheries Grant. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has made $2 million available in grants to fisheries managers, fishermen, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders through its Fisheries Innovation Fund. The fund promotes the development of safer, more profitable fisheries that meet catch limits and eliminate overfishing. For more information, visit http://foundationcenter.org/.
4. Nissan LEAF. The Nissan LEAF “Drive Electric Tour” will be arriving in Houston this weekend. The event will be set up at the Ellington Airport as part of Wings Over Houston. A full fleet of 14 Nissan LEAF vehicles will be on hand for all interested parties to actually get behind the wheel of one for a test drive. To read more about the Nissan LEAF, visit http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/.
5. Outdoor Recreation Economic report now available. The Economics Associated with Outdoor Recreation, Natural Resources Conservation and Historic Preservation in the United States report has been released for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The report measures the economic impacts of several variables including jobs and tax revenue broken down in statistical terms and sound bites. The report is available through the NFWF’s site at www.nfwf.org.
6. Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge to have its own headquarters. After 18 years in rented space, Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge is finally having its own headquarters office and maintenance shop on Refuge property. These new buildings will be an asset to the community and mission of the Refuge. Please save the date of January 4, 2012 at 11:00 am for a ribbon cutting ceremony and tour of the new buildings. This is a special date as the Refuge was created on January 4, 1994. We will soon be located at 601 FM 1011 Liberty, directly across the street from the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center. Details will follow as we get closer. Spread the word and hope to see many of you there.
7. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/air/monops/forecast_today.html
   • October 13: Green–Good–moderate winds and low background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
   • October 14: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone–Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone levels to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher on the west and southwest side of the Houston area.
   • October 15: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone–Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone levels to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher on the west and northwest side of the Houston area in the afternoon and early evening.
   • On October 9 and 11, 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.