Sunday, September 2, 2012

September 2012 News & Events

Sierra Watch
The electronic newsletter of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Group of the Sierra Club

  
Sierra Club Philadelphia's Clean Air Campaign Happy Hour!
Please join us this Monday, September 3 for a fun, social, informative, and action-oriented happy hour.
Come connect with other Sierra Club supporters and hear about what we're doing to promote clean energy in the Philadelphia area. If you're interested in getting involved there are activist teams for outreach, clean energy, media and social media, and alliance building. Whatever your interest or skill level, there's lots of ways to get involved and free appetizers are provided! Or, if you just want to get together with like-minded folks, that's fine too!

Join us for an activist happy hour and free appetizers at the Public House in Philadelphia!

We'll also be writing letters to the editor in support of wind power, so come with your laptop and be prepared to spend a few minutes writing a letter. 
Food is provided and please feel free to invite your friends and family!
WHAT: Clean Energy Happy Hour
WHEN: Monday September 3, 5:30 PM-7:30 PM
WHERE: Public House,1801 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA

Chester County Members Events
Tuesday, Sept. 4 - Chester County Member Meetings are held the lst Tuesday of the month.  This month's meeting is a Happy Hour at Ram's Head Bar and Grill from 5:00 to 7:00pm. We are inviting Sierra Club members and friends to join us for food, beverage and talk about the environmental issues that Sierra Club of Chester County is focused on at this time: natural gas drilling (laws, pipelines, local impacts) and support for renewable energy (wind tax credits, solar). Ram's Head is providing us with our own room (downstairs), bartender, half price appetizers and $3 drafts.

The Ram's Head is located at the corner of Market and Walnut in downtown West Chester. We suggest you park in the Chestnut St garage (corner of Walnut and Chestnut), just a block and a half away - 1 hour parking validation courtesy of Hybrid Cycles.

No RSVP is required, but it would be great to have a feel for how many nacho plates to pre-order. Contact Leslie Siebert (siebertles@gmail.com) and let her know if you plan to attend. 

Thursday, Sept. 6 -  Visit the Clean Energy Alley at the Swingin' Summer Thursdays street fair in downtown West Chester on Sep 6 (6:30pm to 9:30pm), Sierra Club has organized a collection of clean energy and energy efficiency oriented vendors that will be available to help you make informed decisions about the energy you use. Products and services will include: renewable electric utility suppliers, residential solar systems, solar energy storage devices, home energy auditors and weatherization specialists, clean energy advocates and more. Come to West Chester to enjoy the food, music and fun - and see the latest in clean energy too.
 
For more information, contact Mary Ciarrocchi (italiangrden@comcast.net) or Leslie Siebert (siebertles@gmail.com), co-chairs of the Chester County Conservation Committee of Sierra Club SPG

SPG Executive Committee Meeting
Executive Committee meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month from 6 - 8  pm at the Clean Air Council offices, 135 S. 19th St. Suite 300, Philadelphia.  All members are invited to attend.   Next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, September 12,  6 pm.  Confirm date and location in advance by contacting Chair Mat Himmelein at mathew.himmelein@gmail.com in the event of a change.   
Nominations are now being accepted for the SPG Executive Committee 2013-14 Term.  The Executive Committee meets once a month.  It democratically decides all matters related to the group, including conservation policy, political endorsements, fundraising, and financial oversight.  If you are interested in becoming a member of the committee, send your contact information to Chair Mat Himmelein mathew.himmelein@gmail.com or call him at 215-815-7757 no later than September 15, 2013. 

 
Visit the Sierra Club Table at GreenFest Philly - Sun. Sept. 9
GreenFest Philly will be held on Sunday, September 9th, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.! GreenFest Philly is a one-day street fair that takes place in Philadelphia at Head House Square, 2nd & South Streets every September.  This free event is the largest environmental event in the area, drawing over 200 exhibitors (both non-profits and sustainable businesses), and a crowd of 20,000.  Features include vegetarian food, live music, arts, kids' activities, bicycle valet, yoga, local produce and composting/recycling.  New this year is a Green Scavenger Hunt for tree-huggers of all ages.  For more info on the event, visit www.greenfestphilly.org
While you're there, visit the Sierra Club table.  Representatives from Heat Shed, Sierra Club's Solar Partner, and volunteers from the Clean Air Campaign will be there. 

"Cradle of Birding" Wildlife & Conservation Festival                                                        at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge - Sat. Sept. 15, 7 am - 3 pm at   
Saturday, September 15, 7 am - 3 pm
This festival is a great event for the entire family and a terrific way for everyone to connect with nature. There will be dozens of exhibitors showcasing just about everything imaginable.  Live animal demonstrations including the "Raptor Show," plus environmental troubadour Glen Waldek will be on hand.  Free hot dogs and soft drinks for everyone.  Early morning bird walks and tours of the different habitats throughout the day.  Visit www.fws.gov.

Eastwick Community & John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Unite to Save Prized Greenspace

Wednesday September 19 at 6:45 PM
The Free Library of Philadelphia, 19th & Vine Sts, 4th Flr

 

This is the first of six lectures a year organized by the Sierra Club and presented at the Free Library of Philadelphia.   Topics are focused on timely and important conservation issues facing Southeastern Pennsylvania. 
Southwest Philadelphia's Eastwick community -- torn apart by a 1960s era redevelopment scheme that stalled and over-burdened by pollution and flooding -- faces the loss of its remaining 128 acres of greenspace to a 722-unit multi-family housing development and airport expansion.  Community members and the Friends of the Heinz Refuge have forged the Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition to work for a better solution that addresses multiple environmental challenges and saves this critical buffer to the Refuge.Coalition representatives will speak.  Sierra Club is a member of this Coalition.  Contact wbrainerd3@gmail.com

Shale Gas Outrage 2012
September 20-21, 2012
Join us on the Thursday, September 20th as we stand up for a clean environment, healthy communities, and true renewable energy solutions. On September 20th, the fracking industry elite descends on Philadelphia for their national conference. Industry will be rubbing elbows with some of our elected officials, their sights set on expanding toxic fracking throughout our region. Their "greenwashing" doesn't fool anyone: we've seen the damage, and even with a few new regulations, the damage is escalating out of control.
Join us in Philadelphia for Shale Gas Outrage 2012, going toe to toe with the industry!
Visit www.shalegasoutrage.org for a schedule of activities. 

Politics
The Sierra Club will be gearing up for the fall election.   One of the best ways to ensure our environmental future is to elect environmentally friendly candidates.  There will be many opportunities to work for Sierra Club's endorsed candidates.  If you'd like to be close to the political action from now through Election Day on November, contact either wbrainerd3@gmail.com or William Kramer at william.kramer@sierraclub.org 
Monthly Service Project at Ridley Creek State Park
lst Saturday of the Month - Ridley Creek State Park (Media PA) Volunteer Trail Work 
Time Assemble 9:00, work until no later than noon.
Place Park Office (Hunting Hill Mansion) Rear Entrance
Wear long pants, otherwise dress for the weather.
Bring Water, work gloves if you have them, insect repellant with 20-30% DEET, also bring friends & family.
RSVP Trails@FriendsOfRCSP.org
 SPG Hikes
Bill Brainerd, outings coordinator, organizes hikes in the SPG area. Send your e-mail address to wbrainerd3@gmail.com, and he will notify you of upcoming hikes.   












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