RAIL-VOLUTION 2007 CONFERENCE: BUILDING LIVABLE COMMUNITIES WITH TRANSIT
Date: Wed, Oct 31 – Sat, Nov 3
Time: Wed 8 am – 9 pm, Thu 8 am – 7 pm, Fri 8 am – 5:30 pm, Sat 7 am – 2:30 pm
Location: Loews Miami Beach Hotel, 1601 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (866-563-9792)
Fee: $425 by Sep 30, $475 after; pre-registration required
Contact: Register at www.railvolution.com or (800) 788-7077

Complete Description:
Workshops include: Building Livable Cities, Transit-Oriented Development, Sustainability and Design, Streetcars, and Green Development. Mobile Workshops include: (Wednesday) Everglades Eco Tour, Fort Lauderdale Walking Tour; (Thursday) Coral Gables Walking Tour, City of South Miami Downtown Walking Tour, Florida East Coast Railway Tour, Metromover Miami Skyline Tour, Renaissance of the Miami River, Metrorail Tour; (Friday) Bicycle Tour of Miami Beach, Miami Streetcar and Midtown Miami Mobile Workshop, Dadeland South Metrorail Walking Tour, Miami and Miami Beach by Water Tour, Transit-Oriented Development along the Busway, Henry Flagler’s Coach Tour; (Saturday) Downtown West Palm Beach Walking Tour, Biscayne National Park Eco Tour, and Walking Tour of the Miami Beach Art Deco District.

HOUSTON AUDUBON SOCIETY – SPECIAL SENIORS BIRDING BUS TRIP (AGE 50 AND OVER ONLY)
Date: Wed, Oct 31
Time: bus will depart at 8 am sharp; bus will return at or around 4 pm
Location: bus will depart from Bayland Park Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet (at Hillcroft)
Fee: $5 per person; reservations are required and space is limited; 2 release forms must be signed
Contact: RSVP to Bill Saulmon of HAS at (281) 537-6924; information at www.houstonaudubon.org

Complete Description:
We will be visiting the Mayes Wildlife Trace along the Trinity River and the Cedar Hill Park on Lake Charlotte. These have easy to walk nature trails, boardwalks, picnic pavilions, and restrooms. Bring your lunch in a soft sided container as well as drinks (ice chests and water will be provided). The bus will be at the parking lot near the park entrance on Bissonnet by the ball fields and tennis courts.

BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP – KAYAK TOUR ALONG BUFFALO BAYOU
Date: Sun, Dec 2
Time: Earlier Tour: 1 – 3 pm, Later Tour: 3- 5 pm
Location: Earlier Tour: Paddle from Shepherd to Allen’s Landing. Meet at 5000 Memorial Drive just west of Shepherd Drive. On street parking is available. Later Tour: Paddle from Sabine to Bagby to Allen’s Landing. Parking is available at City Parking Lot H (next to Fonde Recreation Center at Sabine Street and Memorial Drive).
Fee: $55 per person (includes kayak rental, paddles, shuttles, and guided tour). Reserve your space by Thursday, November 29.
Contact: Register at (713) 752-0314, ext. 3; information at www.buffalobayou.org

Complete Description:
Buffalo Bayou Partnership recommends a kayaking experience on Houston’s historic waterway, Buffalo Bayou. Paddlers will venture into the lushness of the bayou, exploring the urban oasis of Houston. Join us for one of our unique afternoon guided paddling trips.

BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP – NIGHTS ON BLUE BAYOU: CITY SOUNDSCAPES ON DOWNTOWN’S SABINE PROMENADE – DEKAM VS. NALEPA
Date: Thu, Dec 6
Time: 7 pm
Location: parking available at City Lot H (next to Fonde Recreation Center at Sabine Street and Memorial Drive)
Fee: none; bring money for refreshments
Contact: www.buffalobayou.org or www.mitchellcenterforarts.org or (713) 743-5548

Complete Description:
Experience sounds and images under the stars and the downtown skyline. Tonight, enjoy the music and moving imagery of Johnny DeKam and Steve Nalepa. Stroll beneath the bridges of the Sabine Promenade to experience DeKam’s abstract moving geometries and architectural juxtapositions against Nalepa’s electro-ambient “Left Coast Liquid” music. Pontoon boat rides will be offered, and refreshments will be available for purchase. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged.

BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP – NIGHTS ON BLUE BAYOU: CITY SOUNDSCAPES ON DOWNTOWN’S SABINE PROMENADE – SONA: WIND, RAIN, AND TRAINS
Date: Thu, Nov 15
Time: 7 pm
Location: parking available at City Lot H (next to Fonde Recreation Center at Sabine Street and Memorial Drive)
Fee: none; bring money for refreshments
Contact: www.buffalobayou.org or www.mitchellcenterforarts.org or (713) 743-5548.

Complete Description:
Experience sounds and images under the stars and the downtown skyline. Tonight, enjoy the multi-media piece Sona by Alfred Guzzetti, Kurt Stallman, and Enso String Quartet. Sona fuses environmental sounds and images based on Houston’s surroundings: freight trains juxtaposed with rain sounds and sounds of wind gusts of passing storms. Pontoon boat rides will be offered, and refreshments will be available for purchase. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged.

HARRIS COUNTY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENT – CROSBY
Date: Sat, Nov 10
Time: 8 am – 3 pm
Location: Crosby High School, 14703 FM 2100, Crosby, TX 77532
Fee: none
Contact: www.cleanwaterclearchoice or Cheryl Burton-Fentress at (713) 290-3000

Complete Description:
By bringing unwanted and out-of-date hazardous products to an event, citizens ensure the items will be properly disposed. In addition, participants will receive information on less toxic alternatives to common hazardous household products and can also shop for free items at the reusable products booth.

HOUSTON SIERRA CLUB – NOVEMBER MONTHLY MEETING – IMAGINATIVE NEW ORLEANS WETLANDS ECOLOGY PUPPET SHOW
Date: Thu, Nov 1
Time: 7 pm Tabling and Social, 7:30 pm Program
Location: Central Presbyterian Church, 3788 Richmond Ave (at Timmons)
Fee: none
Contact: www.houston.sierraclub.org or (713) 895-9309

Complete Description:
New Orleans puppeteer Karen Konnerth and musician Vic Shepherd will present a special performance of the ecology-based puppet show “The Fisherman and his Wife.” Adapted by Calliope Puppets to a setting in south Louisiana, real issues concerning wetlands ecology are woven into the traditional Brothers Grimm tale of the wife who asks too much of the magical fish her husband catches. Dynamic hand puppets, live Louisiana rooted music, and audience participation encourage understanding of the effects human decisions have on the environment. To learn more about Calliope Puppets, visit their web site at www.calliopepuppets.net.

AIA HOUSTON – HOME TOUR
Date: Sun, Oct 28
Time: 12 – 6 pm
Location: nine houses on the tour; please see website
Fee: $25 per person for the tour
Contact: www.aiahouston.org

HOUSTON SIERRA CLUB – EAST END MURALS BIKE RIDE
Date: Sun, Oct 28
Time: ride begins 9 am
Location: meet at Stude Park off of I-10 at Michaux and Usener
Fee: none; reservations not required
Contact: John Berlinghoff at (713) 644-8228 or johnb@hal-pc.org

Complete Description:
10 – 15 mile bike tour. Bring a bike helmet, water, and sunscreen.

OUTDOOR NATURE CLUB BOTANY AND NPSOT FIELD TRIP – WEST 11TH STREET PARK
Date: Sun, Oct 28
Time: meet at 8:15 am
Location: meet at Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway Drive
Fee: none
Contact: Paul Roling at (281) 353-7413 or pvroling@att.net

Complete Description:
We will be looking for native plants within this wooded park. This 21-acre nature park, only a block or two from White Oak Bayou, is reported to host 38 species of trees and over 50 species of wildflowers, along with over 100 species of birds and over 35 species of butterflies.

BIKEHOUSTON – HOUSTON MOONLIGHT BICYCLE RAMBLE
Date: Sun, Oct 28
Time: 2 am ride begins
Location: check website for details
Fee: $25 early registration, $30 on site
Contact: www.bikehouston.org

Complete Description:
Distances: 8, 20 mile routes.
This will be the 35th annual Houston Moonlight Bicycle Ramble, a leisurely nighttime ride through the streets of Houston. Lights and helmets required. Prizes for best costumes.

SHELDON LAKE STATE PARK – NATURAL HALLOWEEN
Date: Sat, Oct 27
Time: 7 – 10 pm
Location: Sheldon Lake State Park, 15315 Beaumont Highway at Park Road 138, Houston 77049
Fee: may be small fee for admission, some activities, food, drinks
Contact: (281) 456-2800; information at www.tpwd.state.tx.us, click on “find a park” and scroll down to “Sheldon Lake State Park”

Complete Description:
Enjoy Halloween fun at Sheldon Lake State Park searching for owls or walking the spooky trail. Night fishing and campfire tales are also part of the evening activities at this family-oriented event.

JESSE H. JONES PARK AND NATURE CENTER – HAUNTED HOMESTEAD
Date: Sat, Oct 27
Time: 6 -8:30 pm
Location: Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive
Fee: none
Contact: (281) 446-8588 or www.hcp4.net/jones

Complete Description:
Take a hayride into the dark woods and enjoy a spooky haunted homestead experience. Then let the wild creatures and other eerie forest noises escort your walk back down the Trick or Treat Trail. Costumes are encouraged. Bring a flashlight. All ages.

HOUSTON ZOO – FAMILY WILD WINKS OVERNIGHTS
Date: Sat, Oct 27
Time: 6 pm Sat – 10 am Sun
Location: Houston Zoo; please call for details
Fee: $70 per person for members, $80 per person for non-members; pre-registration and pre-payment required at least three weeks in advance of the program
Contact: Register at www.houstonzoo.org or (713) 533-6550

Complete Description:
Wild Wink overnights offers those 7 and older, a unique opportunity to spend the night at the Houston Zoo. Fee includes interactive activities, touchable animals, dinner, continental breakfast and admission to the Zoo after the program is over on the second day. This program takes place on Zoo grounds, so please dress for the weather. We ask that you not arrive late nor plan to leave the program early. Children must be at least 7 years old and accompanied by a paying adult.

AIA HOUSTON – HOME TOUR
Date: Sat, Oct 27
Time: 12 – 6 pm
Location: nine houses on the tour; please see website
Fee: $25 per person for the tour
Contact: www.aiahouston.org

HOUSTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT BIRD WALK – KEITH WEISS PARK
Date: Sat, Oct 27
Time: 10 am
Location: Keith Weiss Park on Aldine-Westfield Road in north Houston
Fee: none
Contact: www.houstonaudubon.org

WASHINGTON-ON-THE-BRAZOS STATE HISTORICAL PARK – SMITHING IN TEXAS
Date: Sat, Oct 27 and Sun, Oct 28
Time: 10 am – 4 pm Sat, 11 am – 4 pm Sun
Location: Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Park, Barrington Living History Farm
Fee: $35 per person, $25 Texas State Park Pass member; reservations required
Contact: Register with Brenham Community Education at (979) 277-6531; information at (936) 878-2213 or www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/washington_on_the_brazos

Complete Description:
Members of the Houston Area Blacksmiths Association and other smiths from around Texas will demonstrate this vanishing art. Learn the process and gain an appreciation for blacksmith artists of the past and present.