 
September, 2009: In This
Issue. . .
September General Meeting Program - "Sex in the
Garden"
 Our September speaker, Janet D.
Smith, is a recovering plantaholic who considers the Master
Gardener training to be her 12-step program. She now
restricts her plant selection to waterwise and Earth-Kind
plants that attract butterflies, bees and birds. As a
Certified Master Gardener, Janet has volunteered over 1500
hours as the coordinator of the Bath House Garden at White
Rock Lake, as a speaker and as the chair of the Speakers
Bureau. An avid nature photographer, Janet enjoys
sharing her photos in her presentations and as fund-raisers
for the Bath House Garden and the Texas Discovery Garden.
The "Sex in the Garden" presentation provides insight into
what the flowers, insects and birds are really doing and how
pollination occurs. People will learn how to be more
observant in the garden and appreciate the synergy (and sex)
that they may have been missing.
Visit our website for complete information about our
General Meeting, including a map.
Also, mark your calendar for next month's meeting on October
13, when we'll take you on photographic tour of Zion
National Park in Utah.
Watch Party for "The National Parks: America's
Best Idea"
RESERVATIONS NOW OPEN (required) and YOU-RE INVITED!
Sunday, September 27. Hosted by the Dallas Sierra Club. Join
us at the Studio Movie Grill (Dallas/Royal) with private
theater to view the two hour opening episode of this much
anticipated Ken Burns documentary. Experience the large
screen viewing to enjoy the amazing photography and
emotional in-depth look at the history, heritage and
magnificent beauty of these American treasures. For more
information/video clip, visit
http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/.
Food (including vegetarian options) and drinks will be
available before and during the program - purchase not
required but greatly appreciated since it offsets the
group's cost of the event. FREE ADMISSION but online or
phone RESERVATIONS REQUIRED by Monday, Sept. 21. Don-t miss
out on this spectacular event! Click
here for more details and to make your reservation.
For phone reservations (deadline Sept. 21) and/or
cancellations: leave a complete message at 972-369-5543 with
your name, number of reservations wanted/canceled and return
phone number. (Inaudible messages or those without a return
number will not be honored.
Outings Highlights
Beginner Backpacking Class, September 26
Aimed at beginners, this class is an ideal way to learn
about backpacking. Topics include: backpacks, tents,
sleeping bags, outdoor clothing, boots, socks, cookware,
food, water, wilderness ethics, and preparing for a trip.
Instructors are experienced Dallas Sierra Club leaders.
There will be time for questions and a hands-on look at
outdoor gear. Lunch of backpacking food is included. You
will also have the opportunity to learn about, and sign up
for, several beginner backpacking trips. The fee is $20 for
Sierra Club members and $30 for non-members (cash or check)
You can sign up to be a Sierra Club member at the class. No
reservations are necessary, just show up. The class will be
held at REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Farmers Branch, TX 75244
(north side of LBJ between Midway and Welch). The class will
start at 10:30 AM and end at about 5:00 PM. Leader:
Laura Kimberly 972-307-8364(H)
Annual Bus Trip to Big Bend National Park, November 25-30
The Dallas Sierra Club Thanksgiving Holiday tradition
continues with our annual bus trip to Big Bend. There will
be a variety of hikes that will visit different parts of
this very scenic National Park. If you've never been to Big
Bend National Park, you owe it to yourself to discover this
unique part of Texas. If you've been before, come on back
and explore another area! Our chartered sleeper bus leaves
Dallas around dinner time Wednesday and returns early
morning on Monday. Some backpacking experience is required.
Complete trip details, cost and reservation forms will be
posted on in a couple of weeks. Contact:
Arthur Kuehne 214-608-3210(C)
For a complete list of our outings,
visit our outings page.
 Roll Beyond Coal Bike Rally
on October 31
Bring your bike and your kids, have some fun and take a
stand for clean energy and clean air in Texas. We can roll
beyond burning coal for electricity in Texas! Join us
for a fun-filled event supporting renewable energy, green
jobs, and clean air with a brighter energy future beyond
coal! Bike the 9.4 mile route around White Rock Lake with
your family and friends starting at The Bath House Cultural
Center on 521 E. Lawther Drive in Dallas. Prizes to be given
for the best Halloween and Clean Air costumes! Registration:
8:30 am. Bike ride: 10:30 am. Cost: Adults-$10.00. Students
and children 12 and over-$5.00. Children under 12-Free.
Sponsored by the Sierra Club. Pre-registration information
and more details are available
here or call organizer Lori Peniche at 972-980-7176.
Calendar
Here is our calendar through
October. For more complete listings, visit us at www.dallassierraclub.org.
 SEP 6 (SUN) SUNDAY LUNCHEON BUFFET
Sustainable Sunday Lunch every first Sunday at Papaya
Garden, 1201 W. Airport Frwy #100, 817 684-9378, Euless on
the corner of Airport Fwy (Hwy 183) and Industrial (FM157).
Thai, plant-based, and all-you-can-eat buffet is served from
11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Larger restaurant means more room for
families and other groups. Ask for Sierra Club table at the
door. Organizer: Terry Jensen 972 251-1532(W)
 SEP 8 (TUE) - DALLAS SIERRA CLUB
GENERAL MEETING - 7:00 pm
Everyone is invited to the General Meeting of the Dallas
Sierra Club. Learn about Sex in Your Garden. Scroll up to
the top of this email for details.
 SEP 9 (WED) YOUNG SIERRANS HH/DINNER - THE
HACIENDA ON HENDERSON - DALLAS Please join us for a
Happy Hour/Dinner at The Hacienda on Henderson on Wednesday,
September 9th! Arrive anytime after 6:00 pm for happy hour;
dinner at 7:00 pm. Please RSVP by noon on 9/9 to the Pingg
invitation or the youngsierrans@dallassierraclub.org email
address so we have a rough estimate for seating. All 20s/30s
welcome; you don-t have to be a Young Sierran or Sierra Club
member to attend. See you there! **Address: 2326 N Henderson
Ave, Dallas, TX 75206 | 214.515.9990 ** Contact:
Candace Weinbergg
 SEP 12 (SAT) WHITE ROCK LAKE CLEANUP..
Walk and talk while helping to pick up trash and recyclables
at the Sierra Club's adopted section of White Rock Lake
Park. Meet at 8:15 AM at the Love of the Lake office on the
Northeast corner of Garland Rd. and Buckner Blvd. Look for a
crowd of people drinking free juice and coffee. Gloves,
trash bags, etc. provided. Our area includes one of the
wonderful prairie restoration areas, so there are always
birds and wildflowers to enjoy. The lake and your karma will
thank you. Brunch afterwards. Leader:
Carol Nash 214-824-0244(H)
 SEP 12-18 (SAT-FRI) SIERRA NEVADA BACKPACK
Backpack in the Sierra Nevadas from Virginia Lakes in the
Toiyabe National Forest to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite
National Park, via Virginia Canyon and Glen Aulin. The trip
is seven-days - six-nights out, with one layover day.
Overall trip length is 40-miles, including a 10-mile RT day
hike to the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. SIBBG
approved food storage containers (bear canisters) are
required. This trip is scheduled to be taken at a relaxed
pace, but due to elevation and duration it is rated
moderately strenuous. Leader:
Steve Longley 214-321-3881(H)
SEP 14 (MON) SIERRA SINGLES DINNER ON 14TH OF
SEPTEMBER Greetings everyone. Just wanted to let you
know that the monthly Sierra Singles dinner will be held on
the 2nd Monday this month, because of the holiday. So then,
on Monday the 14th of September, we will be meeting at
Cuquitas Restaurant in Richardson. The time is 6:30 PM ish,
and the location is 8076 Spring Valley Rd @ Coit Rd. Their
number is 214-575-3188 if you need directions. They have
killer Margaritas, and I highly recommend having one. See
you there. Organizers:
Ginger Bradley 469-223-7902(C) and
Paul Heller 972-620-1703(H)
SEP 16 (WED) OUTINGS COMMITTEE MEETING - 7:00
pm The Outings Committee meets at REI, 4515 LBJ
Freeway, Farmers Branch, TX 75244 (north side of LBJ between
Midway and Welch). All outings leaders, future outings
leaders, and interested Sierrans are welcome. Contact the
Outings Chair for more information. For a complete list
of our scheduled outings, check out our
Outings page.
SEP 17 (THU) SIERRA SINGLES TRINITY RIVER
AUDUBON CENTER WALK & TALK
Hello everyone. Would like to invite you all to visit the
Trinity River Audubon Center with me on Thursday the 17th of
September. Its completely free all day until 9 PM. We will
meet up at the front entrance at 6:45 PM, and then walk
around several of the trails. It is beautiful, well worth
seeing for yourself, and we'll get some exercise. Please see
the website for more info and directions. It is TrinityRiverAudubon.org. Or just google Trinity River
Audubon Center, and you'll get all the pertinent info. Bring
some water and snacks and bug spray! See ya there. Leader:
Ginger Bradley 469-223-7902(C)
 SEP 19 (SAT) WHITE ROCK CREEK TRAIL DAYHIKE
Come join us as we day hike 7 miles on the northern reaches
of White Rock Creek. This is a very urban, paved trail but
it is actually very nice as it follows the creek under all
the main thoroughfares of north Dallas. No pets, please.
Bring water and a snack as we will be walking all morning.
We will leave the trail head promptly at 9 AM. To reach the
trailhead from the intersection of I-635 and Hillcrest Rd.,
go north on Hillcrest a short distance turn right on Valley
View and turn right into the second parking lot. Remember
it's the second parking lot on the right. I'll be near the
restrooms and playground. Optional lunch afterwards. Leader:
Mark Adams 972-658-1281(C)
SEP 22 (TUE) INNER CITY OUTINGS MEETING - 6:45
pm Snacks and social starts at 6:45 pm, meeting starts
at 7:00 pm. Inner City Outings ("ICO") is an outreach
program of the Sierra Club comprised of volunteers who
provide wilderness experiences such as day hikes and camping
for disadvantaged youth. ICO meets on the fourth Tuesdays at
REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Farmers Branch, TX 75244 (north side
of LBJ between Midway and Welch). All volunteers and those
considering becoming an ICO volunteer are welcome. Contact
the
ICO Chair for more information. To receive future
announcements and meeting information you may sign up for
our
email list.
 SEP 25-27 (FRI-SUN) 10th Annual Renewable Energy
Roundup and Green Living Fair Come to Fredericksburg,
Texas and learn solutions to global warming: You can make a
difference! Full details at www.theroundup.org. (Not a
Sierra Club event)
 SEP 26 (SAT) BEGINNER BACKPACKING CLASS..
Aimed at beginners, this class is an ideal way to learn
about backpacking. Topics include: backpacks, tents,
sleeping bags, outdoor clothing, boots, socks, cookware,
food, water, wilderness ethics, and preparing for a trip.
Instructors are experienced Dallas Sierra Club leaders.
There will be time for questions and a hands-on look at
outdoor gear. Lunch of backpacking food is included. You
will also have the opportunity to learn about, and sign up
for, several beginner backpacking trips. The fee is $20 for
Sierra Club members and $30 for non-members (cash or check)
You can sign up to be a Sierra Club member at the class. No
reservations are necessary, just show up. The class will be
held at REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Farmers Branch, TX 75244
(north side of LBJ between Midway and Welch). The class will
start at 10:30 AM and end at about 5:00 PM. Leader:
Laura Kimberly 972-307-8364(H)
SEP 27 (SUN) WATCH PARTY - THE NATIONAL
PARKS: AMERICA'S BEST IDEA Online or phone RESERVATIONS
REQUIRED BY SEPT 21. Free admission. Event hosted by the
Dallas Sierra Club with private theater to view the opening
episode of this much anticipated Ken Burns documentary.
Experience the large screen viewing to enjoy the amazing
photography and emotional in-depth look at the heritage and
magnificent beauty of these American treasures. See Dallas
Sierra Club home page,
or scroll up to the top of this email, for announcement and
reservation information/link. For more information: Leave
message at 214-369-5543(H)
SEP 28 (MON) MID-SUBURBAN SIERRA SATELLITE
GROUP REORGANIZES After not meeting during the summer,
the Mid-Suburban Sierra Club will have a "reorganizational"
meeting at 7 pm at Sunflower Shoppe (formerly Healthy
Approach), 817 399-9100, 5100 Hwy 121, Colleyville, TX
76034. This will be an informal meeting to get to know other
Sierrans in the area around DFW Airport and to discuss plans
and ideas for continuing this satellite group. Please come
and bring your ideas and, hopefully, plans to help. After
the meeting those who wish will walk over to Rio Mambo's to
imbibe and eat. Organizer: Terry Jensen 972 251-1532(W)
OCT 3 (SAT) MAKE TRAC TIDY
October marks the one year anniversary of the Trinity River
Audubon Center (TRAC), a fabulous environmental learning
center in South Dallas. To mark the event, TRAC plans a
large celebration during the second weekend in October. To
help get ready for it, Sierra Club Dallas Group is
scheduling a service outing to the facility to help spiff up
the grounds and make the whole place shine in anticipation
of the large turnout they are expecting for the anniversary
event. We will be clearing brush, removing any trash, and
generally performing tasks that will improve the look of the
trails and the waterways encompassed by the center. No
special skills or tools required. Please contact Teresa
Wilkin for further details and to get on the crew list.
Leader:
Teresa Wilkin 214-693-1503(H)
OCT 3 (SAT) DAY HIKE THE TRINITY RIVER
GREENBELT 1ST ANNUAL Octoberfest 10K DAYHIKE Hike 10K (6
miles) on the Lake Ray Roberts Greenbelt Corridor. This is
an easy trail running along side the Elm Fork of the Trinity
River. No reservations required, just show up. Please, no
pets. Bring water and snacks. Meet at 9:00 AM at the Highway
380 Trailhead Park. Admission to the park is $5.00 per
person or free with a Texas State Parks Pass. There will be
an optional lunch afterwards. The Park is on US Hwy 380 2.1
miles west of Hwy 377 or 2.8 miles east of Loop 288 in
Denton. Highway 380 can be reached from Central
Expwy,Preston Rd., or the Tollway. Bring extra shoes in case
the trail is muddy. Leader:
Mark Adams 972-658-1281(C)
OCT 3-4 (SAT-SUN) BEGINNERS BACKPACK AT MCGEE
CREEK This very nice natural scenic recreation area is
just two hours north of Dallas. It features thick woods with
scenic bluffs, and interesting trails going down to the
lake. We'll do a short backpack over familiar trails and
then have the option for a couple of day hikes. You can
either leave home early Saturday morning and meet us at the
trail head, or drive up Friday night and stay at the state
park. This trip usually fills up, so please sign up several
weeks in advance to reserve a spot. No sign ups will be
taken after the Saturday before the trip. Leaders:
Laura Thornton 214-538-4105(H) and
Faith Mauk
OCT 4 (SUN) SUNDAY LUNCHEON BUFFET
Sustainable Sunday Lunch every first Sunday at Papaya
Garden, 1201 W. Airport Frwy #100, 817 684-9378, Euless on
the corner of Airport Fwy (Hwy 183) and Industrial (FM157).
Thai, plant-based, and all-you-can-eat buffet is served from
11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Larger restaurant means more room for
families and other groups. Ask for Sierra Club table at the
door. Organizer: Terry Jensen 972 251-1532(W)
OCT 7 (WED) DALLAS SIERRA CLUB EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE MEETING - 6:30 pm The Executive Committee (or
Excom) is the elected governing body of the Dallas Sierra
Club. Check our website for meeting location. Contact
the
Dallas Group Chair for more information.
OCT 10 (SAT) WHITE ROCK LAKE CLEANUP.
Walk and talk while helping to pick up trash and recyclables
at the Sierra Club's adopted section of White Rock Lake
Park. Meet at 8:15 AM at the Love of the Lake office on the
Northeast corner of Garland Rd. and Buckner Blvd. Look for a
crowd of people drinking free juice and coffee. Gloves,
trash bags, etc. provided. Our area includes one of the
wonderful prairie restoration areas, so there are always
birds and wildflowers to enjoy. The lake and your karma will
thank you. Brunch afterwards. Leader:
Carol Nash 214-824-0244(H)
OCT 13-15 (TUE-THU) WILDERNESS NAVIGATION
CLASS Learn the fundamentals of finding your way in the
wilderness in this two evening class. Among the subjects
covered are: purchasing maps, how to read maps, how not to
get lost, what to do if you do get lost, GPS, different
kinds of compasses, and how to use your compass. If you have
a compass, bring it to the class. If you don't have one, we
will show you what to look for when you purchase one. The
class will be held at REI (second floor program room). REI
is at 4515 LBJ Freeway, north side, between Midway and
Welch. This two-night class will start promptly at 6:30 PM
and will finish at about 8:45 PM. The fee for the class is
$15 for Sierra Club members and $20 for non-members (cash or
check). No reservations are necessary; just show up.
Leaders:
Arthur Kuehne 214-353-2927(H) and
Bill Greer 972-247-0446(H)
OCT 17 (SAT) DAY HIKE ON THE CROSS TIMBERS
TRAIL We will hike about 6 miles round trip on a dirt
trail along the south shore of Lake Texoma, and have lunch
at a favorite spot with a great view of the lake. An
optional longer version will add another 2 miles to the
hike. The hike is along bluffs that have great views of the
lake. The trail has a lot of ups and down, and will be muddy
if it-s wet. Take a lunch, water, trail snacks, and the 10
essentials. Spare shoes for the drive home will be a good
idea if the weather is rainy. There is a $5 parking fee if
you want to park at the marina. Parking is free if you park
along the street, but spaces are very limited. The trip is
limited to 12 participants. No pets please. Please contact
the leader for more information and to sign up. Carpool
information and directions will be provided after you sign
up. Leaders:
Marcos Jorge 972-394-2546(H) and Judy Cato
OCT 17-18 (SAT-SUN) BACKPACK OUACHITA TRAIL
IN OKLAHOMA Meet Saturday morning at Winding Stair
Campground on Hwy. 1. Backpack 4.6 miles to camp overnight
at Red Spring. Sunday morning hike 6 miles to Pashubbe Trail
Head. Eat at Mexican restaurant in Broken Bow afterwards.
Leader:
Greg Holman 214-398-8061(H)
OCT 24-25 (SAT-SUN) BACKPACK ALONG THE LITTLE
MISSOURI NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVER We-ll hike about
10 miles total distance in a beautiful narrow valley and
follow the Little Missouri River downstream. Because we will
be hiking along a stream, the trail is fairly flat and will
require a few stream crossings. Take your camera as there
are many scenic spots along the route. This trip is fairly
easy and is suitable for beginners. Priority will be given
to the “graduates” of the Sept. 2009 backpacking class.
Leaders:
Marcos Jorge 972-394-2546(H) and Judy Cato
OCT 24-25 (SAT-SUN) BEGINNER BACKPACK AT
CANEY CREEK WILDERNESS, ARKANSAS This popular trail is
justifiably famous for nice scenery, great campsites, and
easy hiking. Here-s your chance to hike the full 9.5 mile
length of this scenic trail, including a visit to the west
end cane breaks that give the area its name. With about 5
miles each day and modest climbs this is a moderate hike. We
will need to wade the knee-deep Cossatot River on the west
end and wade some crossings of Caney Creek. We will camp
Friday night at Shady Lake Campground and meet Saturday
morning for the car shuttle. The west end is lightly used
and very scenic. Some places on the trip will be reserved
for attendees of the Beginner Backpacking Class in
September. Contact Mark to sign up. Leaders:
Mark Adams 972-658-1281(C) and Laura Thornton
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