Community Notes 9-15-2010

1. Kleb Woods Junior Birding Program. Kleb Woods Nature Center is offering workshops for students 8 to 18 who have an interest in basic ornithology, bird identification, and would like to experience field work with birds. Students should be nominated for pateicipation by the parients, teacher, bird watcher / naturalist friend, or wildlife professional. To nominate a student, send an email to fred_collins@hctx.net. For more information, visit http://www.houstonaudubon.org/default.aspx?MenuItemID=621&MenuGroup=Reference&&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1.
2. Buffalo Bayou ArtPark Rain Barrels. Buffalo Bayou ArtPark is offering great deals on rain barrels and compost bins. Through the event on October 16, they will be half price. You can order online to guarantee that you get the rain barrel or compost bin that you want. The purchases will support public art in Houston. For more information, visit http://www.bbap-houston.org/.
3. Galveston Island State Park planning. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will be hosting a public meeting Sept. 21, 2010, at 6:30 at the Texas A&M Galveston Campus. The department is seeking public input for the Galveston Island State Park Master Plan. This master plan will develop a new vision for the park and will provide the guiding framework for its rebirth after being severely damaged by Hurricane Ike. More at http://www.rjrivera.com/Galveston/PublicMeeting.html.
4. Earthdance Houston. Join over 200,000 people in over 200 locations and 50 countries around the world in the largest synchronized dance celebration for peace and sustainability! The Earthdance Global Festival for Peace has converged annually since 1997, enabling the growth of an international community addressing peace, sustainability and social justice through the universal languages of music, art and dance. For the thirteenth year in a row and across the Globe, the “Prayer for Peace” will be played simultaneously at 6 p.m. Central Time (morning in the Australian rain forest, midnight in London and afternoon in California). From 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 18 at the Gauranga Hall (North Loop Krishna Center), 1320 W. 34th St., Houston 77018. http://www.earthdancenetwork.com/group/earthdancehouston
5. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/air/monops/forecast_today.html or http://www.ghasp.org/air-quality-aqi/

• September 16: Yellow–Moderate. Background levels may be high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” levels with enough afternoon sunshine in the afternoon and early evening.
• September 17: Yellow–Moderate. Winds may be light enough and background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher levels.
• September 18: Yellow–Moderate. Winds may be light enough and background levels high enough for ozone to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher levels.
•  On August 13, 14 and 15, TCEQ issued Air Pollution Warnings – Level Orange for ozone levels unhealthy for sensitive groups in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area. On August 15, TCEQ issued warning for Unhealthy Ozone Levels (Level Red).