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October 29, 2012

Community Notes 10-29-2012

  1. Last Organic Outpost’s FARM FEST 2012. The Last Organic Outpost, a 501(c)3 non-profit, will be hosting their annual FarmFest on Saturday, November 3rd from 10 AM to 4 PM at Emile Community Research Farm, 711 N. Emile, Houston, TX 77020. The festival will feature local music, arts, crafts, children’s activities, skill shares on aquaponics, bee-keeping, natural building and landscaping, yoga, hooping and much more. Heirloom starter plants and fresh produce will be on sale. This is a Pay-What-You-Can event. All proceeds benefit the local food economy. www.lastorganicoutpost.com
  2. Request for Pipeline Easement – Brazoria County: Two Hydrocarbon Pipelines at the Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area. In a meeting on November 8th, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will consider the granting of an easement to Enterprise Crude Pipeline Company LLC for installation of two (2) hydrocarbon pipelines of 30” and 36” diameter to be directional drilled under a portion of the Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Brazoria County. At this meeting, the public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed transaction before the Commission takes action. The meeting will start at 9am at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Headquarters, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744. Prior to the meeting, public comment may be submitted to Ted Hollingsworth, Land Conservation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744 or by email at ted.hollingsworth@tpwd.state.tx.us or through the TPWD web site at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us. More at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/.
  3. 2012 Beaming Bioneers Conference. Join Houston Bioneers for a two-day forum exploring the practical solutions and innovative social strategies that are revitalizing our community. Be inspired by local leaders sharing serious concerns and exciting solutions, including Dan Phillips of Phoenix Commotion on sustainability in the 21st century, Rick Bost of Georgia’s Market on healthy food for everyone, Linda Geffin on human trafficking in Houston, Jane Weiner of Hope Stone on unlocking creativity in kids, and Crystal Montanez on empowering women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. KPFT’s own Leo Gold will moderate a panel on Houston’s future in renewable energy. Connect with other on-the-ground innovators, change agents, and thought leaders from business, education, government, and the community. Houston Bioneers will take place November 9th-10th at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church (1900 Bering Drive). Learn more and register at http://www.beamingbioneershouston.org/.
  4. UH Megatrend Future Day. November 9th is UH Megatrend Future Day, presented by UH (main campus) in partnership with the Bertelsmann Foundation, a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization whose mission is to drive social change. One of the Foundation’s major projects has been to examine and provide an overview of the current state and potential future interactions of six “Megatrends” that will shape our future. The outcome of this project has been published this year in a book titled Megatrends in Global Interaction. The six Megatrends are: 1. Demographics and Migration 2. Global Security 3. Biodiversity and Climate Change 4.Energy and Natural Resources 5.Economic Globalization 6. Global Governance. The UH Future Day itinerary includes a Megatrends report overview by Jonathan Stevens-Garcia, followed by panel discussions about the interaction of the Megatrends with an emphasis on what the future energy might look like. The event is scheduled from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (7:30–8:30 a.m. breakfast and registration) includes lunch, and will be held in the Waldorf Astoria Ballroom, UH Hilton. There is no charge to attend but registration is required online at: http://www.egr.uh.edu/.
  5. How’s My Waterway App. EPA has launched a new app and website to help people find information on the condition of thousands of lakes, rivers and streams across the United States from their smart phone, tablet or desktop computer. Available at http://www.epa.gov/mywaterway, the How’s My Waterway app and website uses GPS technology or a user-entered zip code or city name to provide information about the quality of local water bodies. The release of the app and website helps mark the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, which Congress enacted on October 18, 1972, giving citizens a special role in caring for the nation’s water resources. More at http://yosemite.epa.gov/.
  6. President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA). The PEYA program promotes awareness of our nation’s natural resources and encourages positive community involvement. Since 1971, the President of the United States has joined with EPA to recognize young people across the U.S. for protecting our nation’s air, water, land, and ecology. It is one of the most important ways EPA and the Administration demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship efforts created and conducted by our nation’s young people. One outstanding project from each region is selected for national recognition. Projects are developed by young individuals, school classes (K-12), summer camps, and youth organizations to promote environmental stewardship. Thousands of young people from all 50 states and the U.S. territories have submitted projects to EPA for consideration. Deadline for applications: December 31st. More at http://www.epa.gov/peya/.
  7. 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:
    • The Gulf Wardens
    • Parks & Wildlife People: Wildland Fire Team
    • Lone Star Land Steward: Gibson Ranches
    • I Love a Mystery – Texas A&M’s SeaCamp
  8. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • October 30: Green–Good. Moderate winds and lower incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
    • October 31: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” levels on the east and southeast side of the Houston area.
    • November 1: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher levels on the north side of the Houston area.