Coalition Notes 08-13-2012

1. Houston Green Film Series: Minds in the Water. The Houston Green Film Series continues with Minds in the Water, an award winning documentary following the quest of professional surfer Dave Rastovich and his friends to protect dolphins, whales, and the oceans they all share. Through Dave’s journey—a five-year adventure spanning the globe from Australia to the Galapagos, Tonga, California, Alaska and Japan—we see one surfer’s quest to activate his community to help protect the ocean and its inhabitants. The film will be shown on August 22nd at 6:30pm at the Rice Media Center (6100 Main Street), followed by an expert panel discussion. A light dinner will be served. A $5 donation is suggested and very appreciated. Learn more at http://www.hpjc.org/.
   
2. Transitions – An Exploration of Recycled Art. The City of Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) and The Center for Recycled Art invite the public to view the art exhibit, Transitions – An Exploration of Recycled Art. The exhibit features local artists that specialize in using recycled material in their work, some of which came from the SWMD’s own facilities The Reuse Warehouse and the Environmental Service Center South. The exhibit can be seen at the Bob Lanier Public Works Building, 611 Walker, Ground Level Lobby, through August 24, 2012. The exhibit is free. More at http://www.houstontx.gov/ and http://www.facebook.com/.
3. Sunset Report on POHA embraces Air Alliance Houston Recommendations. Finding that the Port of Houston Authority (POHA) “has work to do to restore public trust and address the challenges ahead,” the just-issued Staff Report of the Texas Sunset Commission embraces most of the recommendations submitted by Air Alliance Houston (AAH). More information at airalliancehouston.org.
4. TAEP Extends Deadline for Abstracts. The Texas Association of Environmental Professionals Environmental Challenges and Innovations Conference: Gulf Coast 2012 (ECIC12) Committee has extended the deadline for submitting abstracts until August 31, 2012. More info about the October 11 event is available at http://taep.memberclicks.net.
5. Center for Recycled Art Shopping Day. Although back to school is in the air, the Center for Recycled Art’s Teacher Warehouse is also open to other nonprofits! This monthly shopping event offers a great mix of reusable materials for art projects and inventive creating, plus gently used office supplies like binders, paper trays and more. The next shopping date is Saturday, August 18th, from 11A to 3P. Representatives of all CEC member groups are welcome! Click here for info and to sign up to receive more details and announcements about future events.
6. Hermann Park – Top 10 Perfect Parks. Homes.com includes Hermann Park in its Top 10 Perfect Parks. The 445-acre park was cited for Houston Zoo, the Miller Outdoor Theatre, Japanese Garden, golf course, jogging trails, and playground. See the list at http://www.chron.com/.
7. H-GAC’s Draft Public Participation Plan. The Houston-Galveston Area Council invites you to comment on the Draft Public Participation Plan for transportation. The comment period will end on August 22nd at 5pm. More info is available at www.h-gac.com/taq/public_info.
8. Clean Waters Initiative: Local 319 Grants. The next Clean Waters Initiative Workshop will take place on August 23rd from 1:30-4pm at Houston-Galveston Area Council, Conference Room A (3555 Timmons Lane). The workshop will cover the Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program of the Clean Water Act. Projects to be presented include Sheldon Lake State Park, City of Dickinson and League City, Armand Bayou Campus Wetland at the University of Houston Clear Lake, and City of Houston projects. Register at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/.
9. GPRO: Green Professional Building Skills Training Scholarship. GPRO: Green Professional Building Skills Training is a series of courses and certificate exams that teach the people who build, renovate, and maintain buildings the principles of sustainability combined with trade-specific green construction knowledge. GPRO Certificate Holders will be poised to work in accordance with new regulations and to meet the expectations of owners and tenants who want healthier, environmentally sustainable, and energy-efficient homes and offices. The deadline for scholarship applications is September 1st at 5pm. For information on the application process, visit http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org/.
10. Save the Date: Float the Boat. Artist Boat is excited to announce its 5th Annual Float the Boat Event!  This year the event will be held at Galveston Artist Residency, 2521 Ships Mechanic Row, Galveston, TX 77550 on Friday, November 9, 2012 from 7–10:30 PM. Sea-Going Kayak to be featured at Popular Silent Auction and Raffle. Artist Boat promotes the well-being of the Gulf’s coastal and marine environments. In pursuit of that mission, the organization conducts kayaking tours for 9,000 youth and 2,500 adults annually.  Since 2003, the organization has helped students and teachers restore more than 35 acres of dunes, prairies and wetlands damaged by Hurricane Ike.  This year Artist Boat will acquire lands on West Galveston Island for conservation and preservation. More at www.artistboat.org.