Coalition Notes 10-13-2010

1. Bike Around the Bay. Bike Around the Bay is a fully supported two-day, 150-mile bicycle ride around Galveston Bay showcasing the natural beauty of Galveston Bay and benefiting the Galveston Bay Foundation. The ride starts in Anahuac, Texas, and continues along a scenic route that includes many fascinating sights and highlights. The ride will take place on the weekend, October 16-17. To learn more, visit http://www.bikearoundthebay.org/.
2. Half Price Rain Barrels and Compost Machines. There will be a sale on Rain Barrels and Compost Machines on Saturday at Minute Maid Park. Rain barrels offer savings in your water bill and compost machines not only are beneficial for your yard, but help divert organic waste from landfills. Visit http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/23952-half-price-rain-barrels-and-composters/ for more information.
3. Future of the Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve. The gifted architects and artists of the Rice Design Alliance (RDA) will share their ideas for the future of the Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve on Tuesday, October 19. People are encouraged to see and learn about their impressive, thought provoking work. The event is taking place at Westbury High School. To learn more, visit http://www.wwgc.org/.
4. Houston Wilderness: Partnering for Conservation in the 21st Century. Houston Wilderness is hosting a discussion with Dr. Benjamin Tuggle, Director, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Southwest Region and Jim Blackburn, Director, Interdisciplinary Minor in Energy & Water Sustainability, Rice University. October 20, 2010, from 8:30 am to Noon at Rice University. Please RSVP to vherrin@houstonwilderness.org by October 17.
5. A Material World with David Gresham. The series, called “A Material World,” focuses on innovative and cutting-edge uses and practices of materials in the built environment. The next lecture takes place on October 20 with David Gresham of Material ConneXion, New York. It will take place at 7pm in the Museum of Fine Arts. For more information, visit http://ricedesignalliance.org/2010/we-are-living-in-a-material-world-rda-fall-lecture-series.
6. TAEP Call for Abstracts. The Texas Association of Environmental Professionals is pleased to announce that we are accepting abstracts for the Fifth Annual Environmental Challenges and Innovations Conference: Gulf Coast 2011. In its fifth year, this one-day event will take place Thursday, February 10, 2011. The deadline for submitting abstracts is November 19, 2010. More on the TAEP website.
7. The Wind Alliance Fall 2010 Conference in New Mexico–special hotel rates. This is the last week to get the group rate for hotels at the conference featuring a lineup of wind industry speakers. Prices will increase on October 16th. Registration is still available online athttp://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=869153&memberID=pmne%20YXsxV5zE1MkN0crvQ==&jobId=163635&isTest=0.
8. City Council approves Mayor Parker’s preservation amendments. The Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, GHPA, has been providing and will continue to provide updates on this controversial issue. More information is available on the GHPA website.