November 2005
Welcome to e-Sierra
The email newsletter of the Sierra Club North Star ChapterNovember 2005 - Issue 41
ANNUAL SIERRA CLUB SOLSTICE AND VOLUNTEER CELEBRATION
Come join other Sierra Club activists to celebrate a year of great activism and volunteer efforts to protect this beautiful planet and our very special state. Keep the evening of Saturday, December 17th open for the annual potluck and celebration at the Izaak Walton League Lodge, 8816 West River Road in Brooklyn Park. For details and to RSVP please contact Vicki Munson at 612-659-9124 or .
WILL STEGER GLOBAL HOUSEWARMING PARTY
Warm your spirits, not the planet! Join us at the home of new Seward residents for a global housewarming party on Thursday, December 8th. What is the real state of climate change, and what can we do about it? Hear highly acclaimed arctic explorer Will Steger share first hand accounts of the melting polar ice caps, and learn about local solutions to global warming. Refreshments at 6:30pm. Will Steger's presentation at 7pm. Home of Joshua Houdek and Kristi Papenfuss, 2820 37th Ave. S, Minneapolis. To RSVP, contact Cesia (saysha) Kearns at 612-659-9124 or email .
RESTORE THE ROADLESS RULE
This spring, the Bush administration repealed the widely supported Roadless Area Conservation Rule, opening nearly sixty-million acres of America's last wild National Forests to commercial logging, road construction, mining, oil exploration, and other forms of development. A law called the Administrative Procedure Act allows us to challenge the Bush rule with a petition. Take the next step to protect our wild forests — Sign our petition, which will be delivered to President Bush and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://www.net.org/petition.php?partner=SCSW
WHAT SHOULD MINNESOTA'S ENERGY PLAN BE?
Join Michael Brakke from the Sierra Club and J. Drake Hamilton from Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy as we discuss an energy future without pollution like mercury and greenhouse gases. The event will be held at the Eden Prairie Library at 565 Prairie Center Drive on Thursday, December 15 from 6:30-8pm. Be a part of a cleaner energy future. For more information contact .
CALLING SHOREVIEW RESIDENTS - WORK FOR A GREEN COMMUNITY
Attend the next Shoreview Green Community Campaign meeting on Wednesday, November 30th at 7:00pm at the Shoreview Community Center. Help us plan the next steps to make Shoreview a truly Green Community. For more info or to RSVP contact Margaret at 612-659-9124 or or http://northstar.sierraclub.org/campaigns/sierracommunities/shoreview.
ALL ABOARD IN NORTHERN DAKOTA COUNTY
The Light Rail Campaign in N. Dakota County will meet on Tuesday, November 29th at 7:00pm at Wentworth Library in West St. Paul. Join us for a training on best ways to talk about light rail and transportation, report on recent tabling events, door to door outreach, meetings with officials, and to plan upcoming events. For more info or to RSVP contact Margaret at 612-659-9124 or .
STOCKINGS FULL OF COAL
When it comes to coal plants and public health, who's been naughty and who's been nice? Come to this fun and informative event to learn about the health effects of coal fired power plants, and options for a new energy future. We'll also take action in a fun activity for kids and parents- creating stockings full of coal with a message inside about mercury, public health, and the desire for a clean energy future to send to decision makers. Wednesday, December 7th, 6:30pm. For details contact Cesia (saysha) Kearns at 612-659-9124 or email .
BIG RIVER SIERRA COMMUNITIES - ST. CLOUD
St. Cloud's Big River Sierra Communities group will meet on Wednesday, December 7th, 7:00pm to discuss their work to protect Environmentally Sensitive Areas and improve transportation choices in the St. Cloud region. For more info or to RSVP contact Margaret at 612-659-9124 or .
GLOBAL WARMING, HIGH GAS PRICES, RENEWABLE ENERGY, OH MY!!
What do all these issues have in common? The North Star Chapter Clean Air Committee's efforts to stop dirty coal and move into a new energy future! Join us for the next Clean Air meeting on Tuesday, November 22nd at 7:00pm at the North Star Chapter Office to see how you can be a part of these exciting and timely efforts. For questions or more information, contact Cesia (saysha) Kearns at 612-659-9124 or email .
WANT TO WALK OFF A LITTLE OF THOSE HOLIDAY VITTLES?
Join us on December 3rd for a walk through the hilly trails of Lebanon Hills Park located in Eagan (Johnny Cake Rd). Enjoy the posted descriptions of native plants and trees. The park is spread over a large area in Eagan and a part of Apple Valley. A visitor center contains information on the environmental aspects of the park. Besides hiking, there are wonderful cross-country ski trails considered among the best in the Twin Cities. Lunch can be purchased or bring your own. Heavy rain cancels. Leave from Sierra Club office at 9:30am. For more info/RSVP, please contact , 651-645-1662.
PROTECT THE GRIZZLY
The Yellowstone grizzly bear was first listed as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. Now, the Bush administration is proposing to remove ESA protections by de-listing the bears. While recovery of the Yellowstone grizzly in the past 30 years has been heartening, threats to the bears have only multiplied. Today, sprawling development, oil and gas drilling, logging, road building, and off-road vehicles are crowding grizzly bears out of the last pockets of wilderness they need to survive. Tell the administration to keep the grizzly protected.
SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Tue Nov 22: Clean Air Committee Meeting 7pm
Thu Nov 24-27: Office closed
Tue Nov 29: Water Activist event 5:30pm
Tue Nov 29: N. Dakota County Light Rail Campaign 7pm
Wed Nov 30: Shoreview Green Community Campaign 7pm
Mon Dec 5: Transportation Subcommittee 5:45pm
Mon Dec 5: Land Use Committee 7pm
Wed Dec 7: St. Cloud Sierra Communities 7pm
Wed Dec 7: Forests Committee 7pm
Thu Dec. 8: Global Housewarming Party 7pm
Tue Dec 13: New Activist orientation 5:30pm
Tue Dec 13: Conservation Committee 6:30pm
Wed Dec 15: Wetlands and Water Committee 6:00pm
Sat Dec 17: Solstice Party and Volunteer Celebration
Wed Dec 21: Outings Committee 7pm
Mon Dec 23-Jan 2: Office closed
For More Calendar Information or for Interesting Submissions Contact: