November, 2012: In This Issue. . .
General Meeting Program -
November 13 7:00 pm - Refreshments at 6:30
We have two great programs lined
up for our November General Meeting. Don't miss them!
Population
What does human population growth have to do with the environment? Everything! The Sierra Club's
National Global Population & Environment Program's mission is to protect the global environment and
preserve natural resources by advancing reproductive health and sustainable development initiatives
domestically and internationally. Gayle Loeffler will give a brief PowerPoint presentation on the
interrelationships between environmental degradation and human population growth, the connection to
the solutions, and how each of us can help to affect change.
As a member of the national
committee, Gayle Loeffler travels frequently to Washington D.C. for activist training and to lobby
representatives on environmental and reproductive health initiatives. She was one of 9 activists
selected to attend a study tour of the UN and USAID health & family planning program sites in Ecuador,
and one of 4 activists to attend the United Nations Conference on Population, Health & Environment in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She is a frequent speaker at university, church, and civic organizations.
Wind River Mountains
Last September, 10 Dallas Sierrans headed for Wyoming for a 10 day loop through the Bridger Wilderness
in the Wind River Mountains. For our November program, come see what 10 days in "The Winds" is like.
The Winds feature some of the most
unique scenery around. Lakes of all sizes are everywhere, and recent glaciation leaves polished rock
faces that are a favorite of climbers. Steep, rocky, trails are the price of admission to all this
scenery. These rocky trails killed 2 pairs of boots out of the 10! This 10 day loop included 5 nights
in the famous Cirque Of The Towers. The group entered The Cirque over the "infamous" Jackass Pass and
left via Texas Pass. One member of the group described Texas Pass as "the rock pile from Hell" and
opined that Jackass Pass was so named because anyone who thought it was a pass was a jackass!
The group was led by Bill Greer,
current Outings Chair. Bill has led many Winds trips since his first in the 80s and it's still his
favorite mountain range to explore.
Everyone is
welcome. You don't have to be a Sierra Club member. Just
show up. We'd love to meet you.
Our General
Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. but come at 6:30 for snacks,
information and fellowship. Our meeting takes place at REI, 4515 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway,
Dallas, TX 75244. Click over to our
General Meeting
page of our website for more information and a map.
Sierra Club Annual Holiday Party - Sunday, December 9
  Our
annual Holiday Party will be held at El Fenix Restaurant at 255 Casa Linda Plaza. We'll
party on Sunday, December 9 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.
Here is a
Google map.
Club members and guests will share the holiday spirit,
some great Mexican food, and the company of others at this annual event. Join us for some
camaraderie, door prizes, silent auction, and perhaps some surprise speakers, you never know.
We'll celebrate some of our outstanding volunteers and have plenty of time to mingle. There's
bound to be talk about issues of the day -- air, water, veganism, fracking, coal, nuclear, whatever strikes
your green fancy. The entire menu will be available so you can order whatever you want to eat or
drink, including liquid spirits. We'll provide a free round of margaritas. Support the Club by getting a 2013 Sierra
Club Calendar or Planner!. Invite your family and friends. So come on out for a great party,
low price, no clean up, and lots of like minded people.
What could be better? See you there, and bring
your appetite. Happy Holidays!!
Energy Roundtable at SMU
On Thursday, Nov.
15th, at 7:30 pm there will be an Energy Roundtable at Georges Auditorium located on the SMU campus
(Hillcrest/Mockingbird Ln) in Dallas. The roundtable entitled "Dimming or Dawning: Prospects for
Texas' Energy Future" will focus on where various energy sources are in their production today in
Texas and what energy sources are possible for meeting the future energy needs for Texas.
Speakers will include Mark Armentrout, former ERCOT chairman; Maria Richards, SMU Geothermal Lab
coordinator; Dr. Al Armendariz, former EPA Administrator; James Smith, Maguire Chair, SMU's Oil and
Gas Management department, and Jim Duncan, solar design specialist and spokesperson for the North
Texas Renewable Energy Group.
The free event, open to the public, is sponsored by the Dallas Sierra Club and the Lone Star
Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Memnosyne Foundation, the Engaged Learning Center, and SMU's
Geothermal Laboratory and other departments.
Sierra
Club Calendars for Sale
Get your award winning 2013 Sierra
Club Wilderness Calendar or 2013 Sierra Club Engagement Calendar at the November, December and January
General Meetings and at our Holiday Party. Both calendars have been nation-wide best sellers for 30
years. They come in mailing boxes and make perfect gifts. Both calendars are $12 each.
Buying
Stuff from Amazon.com?
Do you buy stuff from Amazon.com?
If you do, you should use the link below. The Dallas Sierra Club makes 5% on every purchase you make
and it doesn't cost you a cent. Just click the link (the Amazon.com logo) and bookmark it on your
favorite browser and you'll help the Sierra Club with it's goal to "explore, enjoy and protect the
planet" every time you shop.
Calendar
Here is our calendar for the next two months. For complete listings, visit us at
www.dallassierraclub.org.
 Nov
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
Send Email 214-824-0244
 Nov
13 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Everyone is invited to the Dallas Sierra
Club's General Meeting. Full details will be on our
home page about a month before the meeting.
 Nov
15 (Thu) Energy Roundtable at SMU
On Thursday, Nov. 15th, at 7:30 pm there will be an
Energy Roundtable at Georges Auditorium located on the SMU campus (Hillcrest/Mockingbird Ln) in
Dallas. The roundtable entitled "Dimming or Dawning: Prospects for Texas' Energy Future" will focus on
where various energy sources are in their production today in Texas and what energy sources are
possible for meeting the future energy needs for Texas. Speakers will include Mark Armentrout, former
ERCOT chairman; Maria Richards, SMU Geothermal Lab coordinator; Dr. Al Armendariz, former EPA
Administrator; James Smith, Maguire Chair, SMU's Oil and Gas Management department, and Jim Duncan,
solar design specialist and spokesperson for the North Texas Renewable Energy Group. The free event,
open to the public, is sponsored by the Dallas Sierra Club and the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra
Club, the Memnosyne Foundation, the Engaged Learning Center, and SMU's Geothermal Laboratory and other
departments.
Nov
17 (Sat) Upgrading Trails at Cedar Ridge Preserve
Howdy everyone. Its fun and its helpful
to get out to the Cedar Ridge Preserve in Dallas to help upgrade some of the beautiful walking trails
just south of Dallas. The address is 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249. Its a great morning
workout, and the scenery is exceptional. No tools are required, (maybe gloves) just show up and be
ready to lend a hand or two. We'll work from 9 AM to 12 or earlier, and then walk around the preserve
and admire the wildflowers and fauna! Bring some water for sure. Its on Saturday the 17th of November,
and please see their website at www.audubondallas.org/cedarridge.html for directions and info.
Their number is 972-709-7784 See you then! If you wish to carpool, then let me know, and
we'll arrange a meeting spot. Come on out and stay green, people! Coordinator: Ginger Bradley
Send Email 469-223-7902
Nov
21 (Wed) Outings Committee Meeting
Meet in the upstairs program room at REI (on north side
of LBJ between Midway and Welch), at 6:30 PM. Bring your ideas for the Dallas Sierra Club Outings
program. We will be planning local outings and bus trips. All outings leaders, future outings leaders,
and interested Sierrans welcome. Ask Bill to be placed on the email list for an agenda. Contact: Bill
Greer
Send Email 972-247-0446
Dec
5 (Wed) Dallas Sierra Club Executive Committee Meeting
The Executive Committee (or Excom)
is the elected governing body of the Dallas Sierra Club and meets at REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Farmers
Branch, TX 75244 (north side of LBJ between Midway and Welch). Contact the
Dallas Group Chair for more information.
Dec
8 (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
Send Email 214-824-0244
 Dec
9 (Sun) Sierra Club Holiday Party
Our annual Holiday Party will be held at El Fenix
Restaurant at 255 Casa Linda Plaza. We'll party on Sunday, December 9 from 6:00 pm until 9:00
pm. Here is a Google map. See above for details.
Dec
11 (Tue) Dallas Sierra Club General Meeting
Everyone is invited to the Dallas Sierra
Club's General Meeting. Full details will be on our
home page about a month before the meeting.
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