June 2005
Welcome to e-Sierra
The email newsletter of the Sierra Club North Star ChapterJune 2005 / Issue 36
ACT NOW TO STOP TRANSIT CUTS AND FARE INCREASES
If a compromise on the final Minnesota transportation bill is not reached by June 30th, bus fare increases and devastating service reductions to our transit system will inevitably result. Only the state legislature and Governor can avert the proposed threats to our transportation choices. We must pressure them now to adopt a compromise package to save transit in Minnesota. Click here now to take action.
CONDITIONING HIKE
Get in shape! Join Outings Leader Dawn Wilson (, 952-285-4370) for a conditioning hike at Afton State Park on June 25th. The hike will be 8-10 miles along the hilliest and steepest trails the park has to offer, all at a quick pace, with a stop for lunch. Please email or call Dawn with description of your current conditioning and hiking experience to obtain details and sign up for the hike. Enjoy the summer and check out other Nature Outings.
ST. CLOUD COMMUNITY MEETING
What is the future of the St. Cloud area's environment? Join other community members in a gathering to find out about new environmental efforts in St. Cloud and share your own concerns and ideas. Our future depends on us! When: Thursday, June 30th 7:00pm. Where: Unitarian Fellowship Hall, 3226 Maine Prairie Road, St. Cloud, 56301. For more information or to RSVP contact Cesia (saysha) Kearns at (612) 659-9124 or email .
EJAM COMMUNITY RECEPTION FOR NEW ORGANIZER
Thursday,
June 23, 4 - 7 p.m. Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N, Minneapolis
The members of Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota
(EJAM), the Minneapolis Urban League and the Sierra Club North Star
Chapter are hosting this reception to announce and introduce their
new environmental justice community organizer to the Twin Cities
community. Please come meet Alecia Carter, who will be working for
environmental justice in our community. This event is free and open
to the public. Free food will be provided. For more information,
contact the EJAM office at 612-436-5402
WAYZATA COMMUNITY MEETING: GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING FOR WATER QUALITY
Join local environmentalists for the Wayzata Sierra Communities "kickoff" event on Wednesday, June 29th, 7:00 - 8:30pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church (605 Rice Street, Wayzata). Learn about how your lawn and garden impact the quality of local lakes, and simple ways you can dramatically improve water quality, including: selecting safe gardening products, the benefits of native plants, and building your own rain garden. Feel free to bring a friend! For more information contact at 612-659-9124.
IS CLEAN AIR IMPORTANT TO YOU?
The Sierra Club North Star Chapter's Clean Air Committee cordially invites you to join us at the next Clean Air meeting (Tuesday, June 28th 7:00pm at the Sierra Club Office.) The committee is a great group of citizens, parents, young people, activists, sportsmen, and experts dedicated to education and public policy on clean air issues. Right now our top priorities include reducing mercury pollution from coal plants and supporting renewable energy. We meet the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7pm at the Sierra Club office, 2327 E. Franklin Avenue Minneapolis MN 55406. Whether you're brand new to the issue or an old pro, we need your help, be it as a spokesperson or a graphic designer (and everything between), to reduce pollution and clean up the air! If you can't make the meeting but want to get active, contact Michelle Rosier at . For more information on the Clean Air Committee's campaign, visit northstar.sierraclub.org/air.
MINING WITHOUT HARM CAMPAIGN
Protecting our clean air and clean water, join the new Sierra Club Mining Without Harm Campaign. Call Clyde Hanson at (218) 387-9081 or email: .
SIERRA NEIGHBORHOODS: SEE WHAT'S BLOOMING IN SEWARD!
Check out our wonderful calendar of summer events that promote good water quality in the Seward Neighborhood. There will be stenciling & door to door outreach, a landscaping for water quality event, and other neighborly activities. Live in Seward? Want to host your own activity? Contact Cesia Kearns at 612-659-9124 or email . Find out more about Sierra Neighborhoods and our upcoming events at northstar.sierraclub.org/campaigns/water/stormwater/.
CELEBRATE THE 10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOUR DE SPRAWL
Mark your calendar for September 17, 2005. The special route for this year's 10th Anniversary Tour de Sprawl route has been determined! This unique "conference on (bicycle) wheels" will explore the communities of St. Paul West Side, South St. Paul, West St. Paul, and Mendota Heights. Look for more info in the next North Star Journal or contact at 612-659-9124.
WANTED: YOUTH AGENCIES
Sierra Club Minnesota Inner City Outings is looking for youth agencies to partner with to provide quality outdoor experiences to underprivileged youth. This community outreach program provides opportunities for urban youth and adults to explore, enjoy and protect the natural world. If you have ideas or contacts, please email or call 612-659-9124.
JUNK MAIL BE-GONE!
Did you know most forest-gobbling paper mills in Minnesota produce
the coated paper that you consume in junk mail, catalogs, and
magazines? Do your part to protect forests by getting your name
off junk mail lists. Go to these two web sites to get off some of
the major junk mail lists:
http://www.optoutprescreen.com
and
http://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglistdave.
HELP STOP CAFTA
Tuesday, June 28, 5pm-9pm - we'll be joining forces with friends from the Steelworkers to call Sierra Club members and urge them to contact Congress to oppose the Central American Free Trade Agreement. Check out the chapter website for more info on CAFTA at http://northstar.sierraclub.org/campaigns/global/trade/index.html. We'll be phoning at the SEIU offices, located at 2233 University Ave. W., Suite 422, in St. Paul. For more information call Tara Widner at 612-623-8003.
INTERESTED IN LOCAL ST PAUL POLITICS?
We need members for a St. Paul Political Committee to consider endorsements in the St. Paul mayor's race. The minimum commitment is five hours, consisting of generating questions for a written questionnaire and/or interview with each candidate. Please contact Mat Hollinshead, 651-698-0260 or .
BIRCH CLOTHING OPEN HOUSE/SIERRA FUNDRAISER
Friday, August 19, 6-8pm @ Birch Clothing. Exclusively
for Sierra Club members.
15% of all purchases will go to the Sierra Club. Refreshments will
be provided.
Birch Clothing is located at 2309 West 50th St. (50th and Penn Ave.)
Mpls. 612-436-0776
Stay tuned for more updates on the
website and the August North Star Journal issue. If you have
questions, please contact Jessica Willey (Communications Committee
Chair) @ .
VISIT SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST
Camp and bike in Superior National Forest July 8-10 with Outings Leader Angie Hong ( or 952-261-9599). Contact Angie for more info and to RSVP. Enjoy the summer and check out other Nature Outings.
FAKE LAKE TOUR - JULY 15-17
Lake Bronson and Hayes Lake State Parks (approximately 6 hours north of the Twin Cities) are both man-made lakes in the ancient Lake Agassiz area in NW MN. Both are known for their wildlife. We will spend a day at each park hiking and learning about the area. Both sites will give us an opportunity to learn about the ancient Lake Agassiz. RSVP required. Contact Outings Leader George Sawyer or 612-743-5253).
SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Wed June 23: Population
Mon June 27: Sierra Neighborhoods 5:30pm
Mon June 27: Forest Watch 7:00pm
Tues Jun 28: Clean Air 7:00pm
Wed June 29: Wayzata Water Quality 7pm
Fri June 30: Sierra Neighbors Steering 6pm
Fri June 30: St. Cloud Community Meeting 7pm
Mon July 11: Transportation Sub-Committee 5:45pm
Mon July 11: Land Use and Transportation Committee 7pm
Tues July 12: New Volunteer Orientation 5:30pm
Tues July 12: Conservation Committee 6:30pm
Tues July 12: EJAM 6pm
Wed July 13: Wetlands 5:30pm
Wed July 13: Forestry 7pm
Wed July 13: Communication Committee 6:30pm
Sat July 16: Sierra Neighborhoods Landscaping Matthews Park
Wed July 20: Outings 7pm
Tues July 26: Clean Air 7pm
Wed July 27: Excom 7pm
Sept 17: Tour de Sprawl
For More Calendar Information or for Interesting Submissions Contact: .