By Ella Tyler

March 1 begins the ozone season in the Houston area. Ground level ozone forms when sunlight and warm air (which we’ll have lots of) react with hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. High ozone levels can cause coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. They are dangerous to children, the elderly, and people with asthma and other respiratory illnesses. (more…)

Local attorney Dan Hedges and Oak Ridge North mayor Fred O’Connor will be the speakers at the CEC annual meeting on March 11. The program puts the spotlight on two projects that achieve energy independence with technology we have now. (more…)

Urban Harvest has cancelled the Wednesday afternoon/evening sessions of the Bayou City Farmers Market. The USGBC-GHAC was scheduled to host the Green Hour at Farmer’s Market on Wednesday, March 5, but that is cancelled. (more…)

Float the Boat, Artist Boat’s annual fundraiser, will be Saturday, March 1, from 6 to 9 pm in the Nic Noblique Warehouse Studio, 2527 Mechanic #A, in Galveston. (more…)

“YardWise” is a free course for all Harris County residents interested in learning more about environmentally responsible yard care. Participants may attend either a half or a full day of classes. (more…)

The Buffalo Bayou Regatta, Texas’ largest canoe and kayak race will be Saturday, March 8. The 15-mile race starts at San Felipe and Voss and ends in downtown at Sesquicentennial Park, adjacent to Wortham Theater. It not to late to sign up to race. (more…)

Golden Specialty Laboratory in Deer Park has an opening for an analytical chemist. (more…)

Legacy Land Trust has an opening for an administrative assistant to handle donor correspondence and database management, support of grant writing and administration, maintain communication with and serve needs of board, maintain office files and land transaction files, and arranging meetings and events. (more…)

ACTIVIST LAMENTS LAWS THAT DULL GREEN SPARK
Houston Chronicle 2/29/08
Lawmakers should “take a chain saw” to the nation’s thicket of energy-related laws to unleash innovation that could cut greenhouse gas emissions, a Sierra Club official said Thursday at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

CLINTON CALLS FOR CLEANER FUELS AT ENERGY CONFERENCE

US HOUSE OKAY’S BILL TO TAX BIG OIL, HELP RENEWABLES

ANALYSIS – BIG OIL MAY STRIKE OUT WITH NEXT US PRESIDENT

LOSS OF WIND CAUSES TEXAS POWER GRID EMERGENCY
Reuters 2/29/08
A drop in wind generation late Tuesday, coupled with colder weather, triggered an electric emergency that caused the Texas grid operator to cut service to some large customers, the grid agency said Wednesday.

REUTERS SUMMIT – EXECS SAY US MUST CONSIDER NEW NUCLEAR PLANTS

COAL OR NATURAL GAS? DEBATE AT SUMMIT IS SPIRITED

FEDS GET ON BOARD FOR 2 METRO LIGHT RAIL PROJECTS
Houston Chronicle 2/26/08
The Federal Transit Administration is committed to helping the Metropolitan Transit Authority qualify for funding of two light rail lines by the end of the year, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said Tuesday.

RISE IN RIDERSHIP LOOKS PROMISING FOR METRO

HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL RECEIVES AWARD
Houston Chronicle 2/27/08
The Harris County Flood Control District has received a prestigious national award for its work in conserving thousands of acres of land in flood plains and developing parks and hike-and-bike trails.

CONSULTANT’S FINAL PLAN INCLUDES HIGH-RISES
Galveston County Daily News 2/29/08
Height and density recommendations include high-rise development, but the proposed ordinances might not survive city council’s tweaking.

PORT UNEARTHS MYSTERY IN RAILCAR
Galveston County Daily News 2/29/08
Port of Galveston officials dug up a buried rail tank car that could contain more than 8,000 gallons of potentially toxic pesticide.

STUDENTS TOUR LOCAL WATERWAYS
Brazosport Facts 2/29/08
In a world full of other people’s problems, the imagination of teenagers is at work to make their local waterways a better place — one derelict boat at a time.

EYES ON THE ROAD
Baytown Sun 2/27/08
Citizens invited to have their say on statewide toll way

FIRST GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS COMPLETE COUNTY’S BANDIT SIGN
REMOVAL PROGRAM Chronicle 2/25/08
“Bandit sign” owners should beware. Driven by a strong resolve to clear northwest Harris County roadsides of visual clutter, 25 resident volunteers completed Harris County’s first bandit sign enforcement training program last week.

BEER CAN HOUSE ON TAP FOR REOPENING
Houston Chronicle 2/26/08
Call John Milkovisch a man ahead of his time.

WOUNDED SEA TURTLE TO BE FITTED WITH PROSTHETIC FLIPPER
Houston Chronicle 2/28/08
When tourists found a 5-inch green sea turtle bloody and missing three of her flippers, the people who run a hospital for the endangered animals here gave her little chance of survival.

THE PROGRESSIVE FORUM
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 28
Time: 7:30
Location: Wortham Center, Cullen Theater
Fee: From $14 to $54.
Contact: 713-664-0020

Complete Description: The speaker will be George Lakoff, a world renowned pioneer in linguistics and cognitive science, is co-founder of the Rockridge Institute and perhaps best known in political circles for his book, Don’t Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate: The Essential Guide for Progressives (2004).

MERCER ARORETUM – BIRDING WALK
Date: Sat, Mar 8
Time: 8:30 – 10:30 am
Location: 22306 Aldine Westfield Road
Fee: none; but reservations required
Contact: register at (281) 443-8731; information at www.hcp4.net/mercer

Complete Description:
Beginner and experienced birding enthusiasts can join Al Barr for a guided walk through Mercer to observe the birds that call this area home. Binoculars, birding guides, comfortable and quiet walking shoes, and white or light-colored clothing is recommended.

BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP – BUFFALO BAYOU KAYAK TOUR
Date: Sun, Apr 13
Time: 9 – 11 am and 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Location: Shepherd Drive
Fee: yes; please call for fee; pre-registration and pre-payment required
Contact: register at (713) 752-0314; information at www.buffalobayou.org

Complete Description:
Celebrate Houston in a whole new way and join the Buffalo Bayou Partnership for a kayak adventure through Houston’s stunning urban wilderness. Kayak trips are guided by outfitter Larry Mason with North Lake Conroe Paddling Company.

BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP – INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES CANOE TRIP
Date: Sat, Mar 22
Time: 1 – 5 pm
Location: meet at 5000 Memorial Drive
Fee: $64 per person; pre-registration required
Contact: register at (713) 752-0314 ext.3; information at www.buffalobayou.org

Complete Description:
This trip addresses the dynamic river and riparian ecology and geology as well as the history of attempts of flood control and erosion along the bayou. Canoeists will study various preservation and conservation efforts on the bayou corridor with leader Don Greene. All trips include canoe rental, paddles, shuttles, personal flotation devices and snacks. Under normal water conditions, only minimal experience is necessary.

HOUSTON DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
Date: Saturday, May 3
Time:  8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Buffalo Bayou at Allen’s Landing, Downtown Houston
(off Commerce between Main and Fannin)
Fee: none to observe, but advanced registration is required to compete
Contact: Michelle Shen-O’Brien at (281) 381-7154 or visit www.texasdragonboat.com

Complete Description: Each May, thousands of spectators line the banks of Buffalo Bayou at Allen’s Landing in downtown Houston to root for their favorite team, which consists of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersperson.  Attendees are also entertained by a multitude of cultural and music performances, arts and crafts, games, and may enjoy diverse Asian cuisine from local restaurateurs and other vendors.

HOUSTON ARBORETUM – YOGA ON THE WAY HOME
Date: Thu, Feb 28
Time: 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Location: Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway Drive
Fee: $15
Contact: register at www.houstonarboretum.org or (713) 681-8433

BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP – 36TH ANNUAL BUFFALO BAYOU REGATTA
Date: Sat, Mar 8
Time: 7:30 am – 2pm
Location: race starts San Felipe at Voss, Finish Line at Sesquicentennial Park
Fee: please call for details
Contact: Register for the Regatta at www.buffalobayou.org/regattabayou. To rent a kayak for this event and have it delivered to the race start, contact SouthWest PaddleSports at (281) 292-5600 or james@paddlesports.com

Complete Description:
Test your endurance in Texas’ largest kayak and canoe race. Whether you paddle competitively or just for fun, the Buffalo Bayou Regatta is a great way to see Houston from a whole new angle. Join in the fun at the 35th annual 15-mile canoe and kayak race through the heart of our city. Various prizes for kayakers and canoers. Not a paddler? Catch the fun and cheer on the racers at the Finish Line. Activities will include music, an icehouse with food and drinks and local Outdoor Organization booths.