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| Earth and Green Living: Now is the time to start saving Planet Earth and saving Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. DFW Earth is the place to find out how! | |
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Green Earth for DFW Environmentalists |
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Avian
Flu: Update June, 2005 |
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By Michael Greger, MD |
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What does the poultry industry think about the possibility of its own industry leading to a worldwide epidemic that kills millions of people? The Executive Editor of Poultry magazine wrote an editorial on that very subject in its April/May 2005 issue: "The prospect of a virulent flu to which we have absolutely no resistance is frightening. However, to me, the threat is much greater to the poultry industry. I'm not as worried about the U.S. human population dying from bird flu as I am that there will be no chicken to eat."[1] Update: June 2005 Early in 2005, the head of the World Health Organization in Asia held a press conference. He said: "The world is now in the gravest possible danger of a pandemic."[2] According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the situation is now even graver. The WHO convened an emergency meeting last month, May 2005, to discuss the latest findings. They issued a press release: "[The findings] demonstrate that the viruses are continuing to evolve and pose a continuing and potentially growing pandemic threat." There are three essential conditions necessary to produce the next pandemic. First, a new virus arises from a nonhuman animal reservoir (such that humans have no natural immunity to it). Second, the virus evolves to be able to kill human beings efficiently. Third, the virus must evolve to be able to spread between humans easily--via a sneeze or handshake. So far, conditions one and two have been met in spades. Three strikes and we're out. At this time, nearly all of the human deaths have "involved people who lived or worked with poultry, poultry meat or eggs in Southeast Asia."[3] USDA researchers tested thigh and breast meat in chickens and effectively proved in a study published March 2005 that chicken meat from infected birds can indeed be a source of infection.[4] While UN officials have urged people to stop drinking duck's blood[5] and eating "tiet canh" (congealed duck blood pudding) the fear is that once bird flu has enough chances to mutate inside of human hosts, it can then flood across the world human-to-human like the bird flu epidemic did in 1918. The global mortality from the 1918 pandemic has recently been revised upwards to as many as 100 million people dead.[6] Experts fear this new virus may turn out many times more deadly. "This is the worst flu virus I have ever seen or worked with or read about," one virology chair who has been studying avian influenza strains for decades told a reporter. "We have to prepare as if we're going to war and the public needs to understand that clearly... if this does happen, and I fully expect it will, there will be no place for any of us to hide. Not in the United States or in Europe or in a bunker somewhere. The virus is a very promiscuous and efficient killer."[7] The top Russian virologist offers a potential death count: "Up to one billion people could die around the whole world in six months... We are half a step away from a worldwide pandemic catastrophe."[8] Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the U.S. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, is probably our nation's top expert. He continues to make attempts to describe the ensuing unimaginable horror. He suggests people consider the devastation of the recent tsunamis in South Asia: "Duplicate it in every major urban centre and rural community around the planet simultaneously, add in the paralyzing fear and panic of contagion, and we begin to get some sense of the potential of pandemic influenza.[9] An influenza pandemic of even moderate impact will result in the biggest single human disaster ever--far greater than AIDS, 9/11, all wars in the 20th century and the recent tsunami combined. It has the potential to redirect world history as the Black Death redirected European history in the 14th century."[10] "Nature" is considered by many to be the most prestigious scientific journal in the world. They commissioned their senior reporter in Paris to write a fictional yet realistic account of how the pandemic could be expected to unfold. Writing as a blogger in December 2005, it's fiction, but not fantasy. Read it in full at www.nature.com/news/2005/050523/full/435400a . According to the top experts in the world, these bird flu scenarios are not just Chicken Little stories. "We're not crying wolf," swears Canada's top expert, head of the national microbiology lab. "There is a wolf. We just don't know when it's coming."[11] The head of the CDC's International Emerging Infections Program in Thailand agrees: "The world just has no idea what it's going to see if this thing comes," he said, but then stopped. "When, really. It's when. I don't think we can afford the luxury of the word 'if' anymore. We are past 'if's."[12] So what can we do? Almost all of the antibiotics ever created only work against bacteria. There are a few classes of drugs, including drugs like amantidine, that work against certain viruses as well. But the present bird flu virus has already evolved resistance to this first generation of antivirals. How? "The Chinese have been incorporating amantadine in their chicken feed, so we have lost that as a treatment," notes one U.S. flu expert.[13] Scientists are pinning their hopes on oseltamavir (also known as Tamiflu), the best prospect in the latest generation of antiflu drugs. Unfortunately, there is not enough to go around. Made from star anise, a plant in limited global supply, there is now a two-year waiting list for new orders.[14] And the orders, of course, are coming from dozens of rich Western countries who are attempting to stockpile the drug,[15] not the poor countries like Vietnam where any pandemic is likely to start. "The only effective way to stop a global pandemic is to stop it in Southeast Asia," writes the editorial board of the journal of the Canadian Medical Association. "Although likely to have only a limited effect, stockpiles of oseltamavir need to be created throughout Southeast Asia." Scientists reason that if the human outbreak can be caught early enough, maybe they could even stop it. Once the pandemic hits, writes one leader in the field, "School closure, quarantine, travel restrictions and so on are unlikely to be more effective than a garden hose in a forest fire."[16] It's like a spark and a squirt gun, describes the director of the U.S. National Vaccine Program. "If you aim properly you can get the spark and be done with it. If you miss, though, the fire is going to spread and there is nothing you can do to stop it."[17] When a senior public-health official was asked if he could imagine the developed world sending its resources to combat the flu in Southeast Asia, the reply was, "Who are you kidding?"[18] The Western world is continuing in its "narcissistic planning,"[19] ignoring pleas from the World Health Organization to pour resources into Southeast Asia.[20] The U.K., for example, is spending $700 million to stockpile antiviral drugs. That's ten times the entire health budget for Vietnam. In Cambodia, the total annual budget for a campaign to encourage citizens to report suspected cases of bird flu is about $3000.[21] Once the outbreak spreads globally, though, stockpiles in rich countries will provide no more than a pandemic "speed bump."[22] Canada, for example, has ordered 20 million doses although they suspect they'd need more than 200 million.[23] Who's going to have access to the limited supply? Priority for prophylactic treatment goes first to "key decision makers."[24] The current U.S. stockpile would treat less than 2 percent of the population.[25] Some scientists are advocating it just be sold over the counter and let whomever can afford it have access.[26] From the editorial board of one of the most prestigious medical journals in the world, "If the greatest pandemic in history is indeed on the horizon, that threat must be met by the most comprehensive public-health plan ever devised."[27] If one reads the behind-the-scenes policy journals like Foreign Affairs, though, senior officials admit that planning for what they call "the most catastrophic outbreak in human history" is "abysmally inadequate."[28] Realizing that given the current political situation the prospects for preventing the pandemic are practically nonexistent, chief scientists like Osterholm are going to the business community to at least work on providing an infrastructure for survivors of what is being predicted in policy journals as the "shutdown of the global economic system."[29] Speaking to a conference of agricultural bankers, Osterholm laid it all out: "This is going to be the most catastrophic thing in my lifetime. When this situation unfolds, we will shut down global markets overnight. There will not be movement of goods; there will not be movement of people. This will last for at least a year, maybe two."[30] If we can't stop a human outbreak once it's started, can we stop a human outbreak in the first place? The WHO advises that "[p]revention of... avian influenza in humans is best achieved by controlling infection in poultry." [31] At this stage though, with over a hundred million birds dead so far and confirmed spread into migratory wild bird populations, this prospect seems similarly untenable. [32] Asia provides a veritable genetic-reassortment laboratory for the virus--the mix of an unprecedented number of people, pigs, and poultry. "It is sobering to realize," Osterholm writes, "that in 1968, when the most recent influenza pandemic occurred, the virus emerged in a China that had a human population of 790 million, a pig population of 5.2 million, and a poultry population of 12.3 million; today, these populations number 1.3 billion, 508 million, and 13 billion, respectively. Similar changes have occurred in the human and animal populations of other Asian countries, creating an incredible mixing vessel for viruses."[33] In that kind of environment, New Yorker reporter Michael Specter wrote that "one sneeze from a pig could be enough to start a pandemic." Large commercial poultry operations provide an ideal spawning ground for new pandemic strains. Tens of thousands of broiler-type chickens are crammed into large sheds. Because they live in their own manure, the virus has an opportunity to be excreted in the feces and then breathed in or swallowed by the thousands of other birds, allowing the virus to rapidly and repeatedly circulate. With so many birds to mutate within and pass back and forth, low virulence strains can readily turn into deadly ones.[34] Describing another deadly animal-to-human virus that arose in Asia, this one in 1999, the Thai Minister of Public Health explains: "A hundred years ago, the Nipah virus would have simply emerged and died out; instead it was transmitted to pigs and amplified. With modern agriculture, the pigs are transported long distances to slaughter. And the virus goes with them." And countries trying to protect their poultry industries have covered up their outbreaks, making it that much more difficult to stem the tide early.[35] Charun Boonyarithikarn is another senior Thai public-health officer. "Chickens used to live in our backyards," he told a New Yorker reporter. "They didn't travel much. Now, throughout the world, farms have become factories. Millions of chickens are shipped huge distances every day. We can't stop every chicken or duck or pig. And they offer millions of opportunities for pathogens to find a niche." Dr Samuel Jutzi of the Food and Agriculture Organization told the conference: "There is an increasing risk of avian influenza spread that no poultry-keeping country can afford to ignore."[36] Vietnam has already banned duck and goose farming, but this may be a case of too little too late.[37] Another pandemic may force humanity to realize that it may have to give up the habit of raising birds completely. In response to the February 28, 2005 lead New Yorker story on the threat of bird flu, staff writer Michael Specter was asked if, based on his research, we would "have to rethink such things as large-scale poultry farming?" He replied "Well, I can't imagine a better prescription for killing large numbers of animals with a single disease than packing tens of thousands of them into factory farms where they are lucky if they have fifteen inches of personal space. Still, the economic incentives toward factory production of food are huge--we want cheap meat. So it's going to be very difficult to change."[38]
[1] Thaxton YV. "Are you Prepared for AI?" Poultry April/May 2005:5. [2] Schuettler D. "World Must Act on Bird Flu or Face Pandemic -- U.N." Reuters 23 February 2005. [3] Editorial. "Avian influenzavirus: Are we prepared?" Canadian Medical Association Journal 172(2005):965. [4] Swayne DE and JR Beck. "Experimental study to determine if low-pathogenicity and high-pathogenicity avian influenza viruses can be present in chicken breast and thigh meat following intranasal virus inoculation." Avian Diseases 49(2005):81-5. [5] Schuettler D. "Asia's Bird Flu Here to Stay, FAO Says." Reuters 23 February 2005. [6] Johnson NPAS and J Mueller. "Updating the Accounts: Global Mortality of the 1918-1920 "Spanish" Influenza Pandemic." Bulletin of the History of Medicine 76(2002):105-115. [7] Specter M. "Nature's Bioterrorist." New Yorker 28 February 2005: 52-61. [8] "Russian Expert Says Flu Epidemic May Kill Over One Billion This Year." Moscow News 28 October 2004. [9] Kennedy M. "Parallels with the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak." National Post 9 March 2005. [10] "Bird Flu Could Kill Millions" The Gazette (Montreal) 9 March 2005:1A. [11] Kennedy M. "Parallels with the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak." National Post 9 March 2005. [12] Specter M. "Nature's Bioterrorist." New Yorker 28 February 2005: 52-61. [13] "Can Tamiflu save us from bird flu?" New Scientist 2 June 2005. [14] "Roche faces Tamiflu production bottleneck following WHO bird flu warning." Forbes 29 May 2005. [15] "Can Tamiflu save us from bird flu?" New Scientist 2 June 2005. [16] Editorial. "Avian influenzavirus: Are we prepared?" Canadian Medical Association Journal 172(2005):965. [17] Specter M. "Nature's Bioterrorist." New Yorker 28 February 2005: 52-61. [18] Specter M. "Nature's Bioterrorist." New Yorker 28 February 2005: 52-61. [19] Editorial. "Avian influenzavirus: Are we prepared?" Canadian Medical Association Journal 172(2005):965. [20] "WHO's call for international pandemic action unheeded." Canadian Medical Association Journal 172(2005):1429. [21] Ibid. [22] "Feds to stockpile antivirals as pandemic 'speed bump.'" Canadian Medical Association Journal 172(2005):1428. [23] Ibid. [24] Ibid. [25] Fox M. "U.S. still unprepared against new flu, experts say." 26 May 2005. [26] Laver G. "Influenza drug could abort a pandemic." Nature 434(2005):821. [27] Editorial. "Avian influenza: perfect storm now gathering?" The Lancet 365(2005). [28] "Q&A with Laurie Garrett." Foreign Affairs July/August 2005. [29] Osterholm MT. "Preparing for the Next Pandemic." Foreign Affairs July/August 2005. [30] "Bird Flu Seen as the Next Pandemic." Star Tribune (Minneapolis) 16 November 2004. [31] Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. "WHO: flu pandemic threat may be growing." 18 May 2005. [32] Schuettler D. "Asia's Bird Flu Here to Stay, FAO Says." Reuters 23 February 2005. [33] Osterholm MT. "Preparing for the Next Pandemic." New England Journal of Medicine 352(2005):1839-42. [34] HorimotoT and Y Kawaoka. "Pandemic threat posed by influenza viruses." Clinical Microbilogy Reviews 14(2001):129-49. [35] Specter M. "Nature's Bioterrorist." New Yorker 28 February 2005: 52-61. [36] "WHO warns of bird flu pandemic" BBC 23 February 2005. [37] Piller C. "Vietnam officials ban duck, goose farming to staunch bird flu." Los Angeles Times 5 February 2005. [38] Specter M and B Greenman. "Fighting the Flu." New Yorker Online. 21 February 2005. |
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Calendar for Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
August 2010
This calendar covers an extended period of time. Changes happen. If we are informed of changes, they will be posted here and designated Changed. But we don't always get notified so please call number listed before driving to an event. We also add events as we hear of them. Look for NEW.
Sun, Aug 1 - New Sustainable Sunday Buffet at Al Wadi - All-you-can-eat Lebanese buffet featuring all their tasty veg'n middle-eastern dishes such as hummus, tabouleh, baba, falafel, veggies, salad, and more at Al Wadi, 11:30 until 1:30, at 2712 Brown Trail, 817 282-2156, Bedford 76021. Mostly vegan dishes, but unfortunately it also includes meat. Please do not bring meat or dairy to our table. Feel free to sit with your friends and family. Cost is $12. Questions?? Call Terry at 817 545-0140 or 972-251-1532. Directions: Exit Hwy 121 going north. Al Wadi will be on your right (east) before your reach Harwood. Park on either side of restaurant if parking lot is full.
Sun, Aug 1 - Bird Walk with Gailon Brehm and Rodney Thomas. 8 am. We recommend wearing long pants, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, and insect repellant. All ages welcome. Although free of charge, please register by phone to 214-351-0990. Meet at the parking lot off Alma and Bethany Drives, Allen. No pets or bikes.
Mon, Aug 2 - EPA comes back to hear citizens and industry speak out about air quality issues related to drilling in the Barnett Shale. PLEASE COME to Arlington from 12 to 4 pm OR 6 to 10 pm. Arlington City Hall, City Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram, Arlington, 76010. It is not necessary to say a word--just look concerned and show your support for those who do speak out about the need for controls. There was lots of clapping for the white-hat speakers at the last EPA meeting. However, if you wish to speak, please e-mail Mr. Nick Parsons at parsons.nick@epa.gov AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Mon, Aug 2 - Fort Worth Bicycling Association meeting at 7 pm at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, Building #2, room 2-100. Park in lot A and enter the lower level. Look for the yellow FWBA signs. Free
Tue, Aug 3 - The Collin County Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) meets at 7 pm. at the Heard Museum. The Heard Museum is located north of Hwy 138 at One Nature Place, McKinney. Free
Thu, Aug 5 - Sustainable Planet on Enlumnia Radio 12 noon. Click on arrow at http://www.enlumnia.com. Terry Jensen speaks about "Greening Your Home. Save money on utility bills while enjoying greater comfort at home.
Thu, Aug 5 - North Texas chapter of Native Plant Society meets at 7 pm at Fort Worth Botanic Garden, located off University Drive west of downtown at 3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard. From Interstate 30, exit north on University Drive; the Botanic Garden begins immediately on the west side of the street. Free
NEW Thu, Aug 5 - Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods with its programs and ongoing Series: Gas Drilling and its Environmental Impact. 6:30 pm at Ft. Worth Firefighter's Hall, 3855 Tulsa Way, near Montgomery St., Ft. Worth, 76107.
Sat, Aug 7 - Fort Worth Vegetarian Society monthly dinner at Spiral Diner, 6:30 pm. 1314 W Magnolia at 6th, Fort Worth. No reservation necessary; look for FWVS sign. Event is free except for cost of your food and beverage.
Sat, Aug 7 - SPCA of Texas’ Pet Grief recovery program for those grieving the loss of a beloved companion animal. Meet at 1 pm at the conference room at SPCA of Texas, 2400 Lone Star Drive, Dallas. Free.
Sat, Aug 7 - Super Yummy Vegan Pizza Party, a fundraiser for Mercy for Animals at Pizza Lounge, 841 Exposition Av, Dallas. 2-4 pm. Daiya-cheese-loaded gourmet pies in a buffet-style setting. Tickets: $25 in advance ($30 at the door). RSVP eddieg@mercyforanimals.org or call 214.609.4066.
NEW Wed, Aug 11 - Dallas Area Residents for Responsible Drilling presents "Natural Gas Wells in Dallas, Texas? It's possible..." Two applications are currently waiting for approval from the Dallas City Council and the city planning commission. If one gets approved, more will get approved. Because of the lack of regulations in the state and across the county, this is an industry run amuck potentially endangering everyone's health and property values. Contaminated air, land and water are a direct result of this self-regulated industry. Meet at 7 pm at Southwood Methodist Church 3601 South Ravinia at Southwood Drive, Oak Cliff. Featured speakers are Sharon Wilson: Texas Oil Gas Accountability Project, Cherelle Blazer: Environmental Defense Fund, Calvin Tillman: Mayor of Dish, Texas featured in HBO's film documentary GASLAND directed by Josh Fox, Gary Hogan: North Central Texas Community Alliance. Other speakers will come forward at the program plus there will be constant questions and answers from the audience throughout the program. Contact: darrd2010@gmail.com. If you can not attend this meeting, or if you want more information about gas drilling, listen to Gary Hogan archived on Enlumnia. Go to http://enlumnia.com/showsarchives/sustainableplanet/ and click on the July 8, 2010 program.
NEW Wed, Aug 11 - Free Attorneys from 5:30 pm to 8 pm by the Dallas Bar at 214 220-7476. Lawyers answer any kind of legal question. You remain anonymous.
Thu, Aug 12 - Sustainable Planet on Enlumnia Radio 12 noon. Click on arrow at http://www.enlumnia.com Kimberly Clark speaks on living a more sustainable life. This will delight you, educate you, and make you think. She starts with the question, "if there were ten things you could do that you knew would help the planet and future generations but also knew that you would probably not live to see the benefits of these actions, would you do them?"
Sat, Aug 14 - Free composting classes for Dallas residents only. Class at 10 am. Martin Weiss Recreation Center. For registration information call 214 671-9233 or email Joseph.hardyes@dallascityhall.com
Sat, Aug 14 - Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman 75092. Make a Leaf Suncatcher with Tiffany Martinez! For ages 6 - 12, reservations required for youth programs; call 903 786 2826 to sign up. For more information contact Ed
Supin at friendsofhagerman@gmail.com
Sat, Aug 14 - Black Vegetarian Society of
Texas Vegetarian 101 class at
Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 2922 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Dallas.
11:30 am -1:30 pm. Free.
Sat, Aug 14 - Animal Connection of Texas meeting. 10 am. Center for Community Cooperation, 2900 Live Oak Street, Dallas. 214 373-7867. Free.
Sat, Aug 14 - White Rock Lake Cleanup. Walk and talk while helping to pick up trash and recyclables at White Rock Lake Park. Meet from 8 am - 9 am at the Love of the Lake office, 1152 N Buckner Blvd, #123, Dallas, on the Northeast corner of Garland Rd. and Buckner Blvd for a free continental breakfast that includes free juice, coffee, other goodies. Gloves, trash bags, etc. provided. There are always birds and wildflowers to enjoy. Clean-up finished by 11 am.
Sat, Aug 14 - White Rock Market, food and vendors, often music. 8 am to 1 pm. Located next to the Green Spot Market and Fuels at 702 N. Buckner Blvd at Northcliff Dr, Dallas. Free
Sat, Aug 14 - Guided Trinity
River Expedition via canoe. In addition to seeing the beauty (and
sometimes the lack of same) of the river, veteran canoe guide Charles Allen will
point out American Indian sites and other historical artifacts as you
paddle. From 8:30 am until mid-afternoon. $45 payable when reservation
made. Trips are rain or shine. Other details by calling 214-941-1757. Although
trips may change because of local boating conditions, scheduled trip is for Elm Fork,
California Crossing to Frazier Dam, 6+ miles, L.B. Houston Nature Area, Campion
Trail, diverse riparian - small lake habitat, native hibiscus, easy access.
Sun, Aug 15 - All-vegan, all-you-can-eat buffet from 12 noon until 2 pm. New Start Veg, (972 243-0507) 2330 Royal Lane, ste 900, Dallas 75229. Just west of I-35 on the south side of Royal.
Call host for info: James Bisby 469-371-1938
Sun, Aug 15 - Dallas Trekkers group walks at White Rock Lake at 8 m. Meet at Doctors Hospital, 9330 Poppy Drive, Dallas. 972-489-3072 for more information. Small charge.
Mon, Aug 16 - The Dallas Chapter of Native Plant Society meets. Social time begins at 6:30 with refreshments at the back. A speaker is scheduled at 7:30 pm. REI store, located on the north side of LBJ between Midway and Welch. Take the stairs to the second floor and turn left to find the meeting rooms. Free
Tue, Aug 17 - North Texas River Runners Club meet from 7 - 9 pm at the Lake Arlington Meeting Room,
Richard Simpson Park, 6300 West Arkansas Lane, Arlington.
NEW Wed. Aug 18 - Wags and Waves: Fun swimming and wading with your dog at Hawaiian Falls Waterpark –
Firewheel, 4550 North Garland Ave., Garland. $20. 10 am - 4 pm.
NEW Wed. Aug 18 - Free Attorneys from 5:30 pm to 8 pm by the Dallas Bar at 214 220-7476. Lawyers answer any kind of legal question. You remain anonymous.
Sun, Aug 1 - New Sustainable Sunday Buffet at Al Wadi - All-you-can-eat Lebanese buffet featuring all their tasty veg'n middle-eastern dishes such as hummus, tabouleh, baba, falafel, veggies, salad, and more at Al Wadi, 11:30 until 1:30, at 2712 Brown Trail, 817 282-2156, Bedford 76021. Mostly vegan dishes, but unfortunately it also includes meat. Please do not bring meat or dairy to our table. Feel free to sit with your friends and family. Cost is $12. Questions?? Call Terry at 817 545-0140 or 972-251-1532. Directions: Exit Hwy 121 going north. Al Wadi will be on your right (east) before your reach Harwood. Park on either side of restaurant if parking lot is full.
Sun, Aug 1 - Bird Walk with Gailon Brehm and Rodney Thomas. 8 am. We recommend wearing long pants, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, and insect repellant. All ages welcome. Although free of charge, please register by phone to 214-351-0990. Meet at the parking lot off Alma and Bethany Drives, Allen. No pets or bikes.
Mon, Aug 2 - EPA comes back to hear citizens and industry speak out about air quality issues related to drilling in the Barnett Shale. PLEASE COME to Arlington from 12 to 4 pm OR 6 to 10 pm. Arlington City Hall, City Council Chambers, 101 W. Abram, Arlington, 76010. It is not necessary to say a word--just look concerned and show your support for those who do speak out about the need for controls. There was lots of clapping for the white-hat speakers at the last EPA meeting. However, if you wish to speak, please e-mail Mr. Nick Parsons at parsons.nick@epa.gov AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Mon, Aug 2 - Fort Worth Bicycling Association meeting at 7 pm at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, Building #2, room 2-100. Park in lot A and enter the lower level. Look for the yellow FWBA signs. Free
Tue, Aug 3 - The Collin County Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) meets at 7 pm. at the Heard Museum. The Heard Museum is located north of Hwy 138 at One Nature Place, McKinney. Free
Thu, Aug 5 - Sustainable Planet on Enlumnia Radio 12 noon. Click on arrow at http://www.enlumnia.com. Terry Jensen speaks about "Greening Your Home." Save money on utility bills while enjoying greater comfort at home.
Thu, Aug 5 - North Texas chapter of Native Plant Society meets at 7 pm at Fort Worth Botanic Garden, located off University Drive west of downtown at 3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard. From Interstate 30, exit north on University Drive; the Botanic Garden begins immediately on the west side of the street. Free
NEW Thu, Aug 5 - Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods with its programs and ongoing Series: Gas Drilling and its Environmental Impact. 6:30 pm at Ft. Worth Firefighter's Hall, 3855 Tulsa Way, near Montgomery St., Ft. Worth, 76107.
Sat, Aug 7 - Fort Worth Vegetarian Society monthly dinner at Spiral Diner, 6:30 pm. 1314 W Magnolia at 6th, Fort Worth. No reservation necessary; look for FWVS sign. Event is free except for cost of your food and beverage.
Sat, Aug 7 - SPCA of Texas’ Pet Grief recovery program for those grieving the loss of a beloved companion animal. Meet at 1 pm at the conference room at SPCA of Texas, 2400 Lone Star Drive, Dallas. Free.
Sat, Aug 7 - Super Yummy Vegan Pizza Party, a fundraiser for Mercy for Animals at Pizza Lounge, 841 Exposition Av, Dallas. 2-4 pm. Daiya-cheese-loaded gourmet pies in a buffet-style setting. Tickets: $25 in advance ($30 at the door). RSVP eddieg@mercyforanimals.org or call 214.609.4066.
NEW Wed, Aug 11 - Dallas Area Residents for Responsible Drilling presents "Natural Gas Wells in Dallas, Texas? It's possible..." Two applications are currently waiting for approval from the Dallas City Council and the city planning commission. If one gets approved, more will get approved. Because of the lack of regulations in the state and across the county, this is an industry run amuck potentially endangering everyone's health and property values. Contaminated air, land and water are a direct result of this self-regulated industry. Meet at 7 pm at Southwood Methodist Church 3601 South Ravinia at Southwood Drive, Oak Cliff. Featured speakers are Sharon Wilson: Texas Oil Gas Accountability Project, Cherelle Blazer: Environmental Defense Fund, Calvin Tillman: Mayor of Dish, Texas featured in HBO's film documentary GASLAND directed by Josh Fox, Gary Hogan: North Central Texas Community Alliance. Other speakers will come forward at the program plus there will be constant questions and answers from the audience throughout the program. Contact: darrd2010@gmail.com. If you can not attend this meeting, or if you want more information about gas drilling, listen to Gary Hogan archived on Enlumnia. Go to http://enlumnia.com/showsarchives/sustainableplanet/ and click on the July 8, 2010 program.
NEW Wed, Aug 11 - Free Attorneys from 5:30 pm to 8 pm by the Dallas Bar at 214 220-7476. Lawyers answer any kind of legal question for free. You remain anonymous.
Thu, Aug 12 - Sustainable Planet on Enlumnia Radio 12 noon. Click on arrow at http://www.enlumnia.com Kimberly Clark speaks on living a more sustainable life. This will delight you, educate you, and make you think. She starts with the question, "if there were ten things you could do that you knew would help the planet and future generations but also knew that you would probably not live to see the benefits of these actions, would you do them?"
Sat, Aug 14 - Free composting classes for Dallas residents only. Class at 10 am. Martin Weiss Recreation Center. For registration information call 214 671-9233 or email Joseph.hardyes@dallascityhall.com
Sat, Aug 14 - Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman 75092. Make a Leaf Suncatcher with Tiffany Martinez! For ages 6 - 12, reservations required for youth programs; call 903 786 2826 to sign up. For more information contact Ed
Supin at friendsofhagerman@gmail.com
Sat, Aug 14 - Black Vegetarian Society of
Texas Vegetarian 101 class at
Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 2922 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Dallas.
11:30 am -1:30 pm. Free.
Sat, Aug 14 - Animal Connection of Texas meeting. 10 am. Center for Community Cooperation, 2900 Live Oak Street, Dallas. 214 373-7867. Free.
Sat, Aug 14 - White Rock Lake Cleanup. Walk and talk while helping to pick up trash and recyclables at White Rock Lake Park. Meet from 8 am - 9 am at the Love of the Lake office, 1152 N Buckner Blvd, #123, Dallas, on the Northeast corner of Garland Rd. and Buckner Blvd for a free continental breakfast that includes free juice, coffee, other goodies. Gloves, trash bags, etc. provided. There are always birds and wildflowers to enjoy. Clean-up finished by 11 am.
Sat, Aug 14 - White Rock Market, food and vendors, often music. 8 am to 1 pm. Located next to the Green Spot Market and Fuels at 702 N. Buckner Blvd at Northcliff Dr, Dallas. Free
Sat, Aug 14 - Guided Trinity
River Expedition via canoe. In addition to seeing the beauty (and
sometimes the lack of same) of the river, veteran canoe guide Charles Allen will
point out American Indian sites and other historical artifacts as you
paddle. From 8:30 am until mid-afternoon. $45 payable when reservation
made. Trips are rain or shine. Other details by calling 214-941-1757. Although
trips may change because of local boating conditions, scheduled trip is for Elm Fork,
California Crossing to Frazier Dam, 6+ miles, L.B. Houston Nature Area, Campion
Trail, diverse riparian - small lake habitat, native hibiscus, easy access.
Sun, Aug 15 - All-vegan, all-you-can-eat buffet from 12 noon until 2 pm. New Start Veg, (972 243-0507) 2330 Royal Lane, ste 900, Dallas 75229. Just west of I-35 on the south side of Royal.
Call host for info: James Bisby 469-371-1938
Sun, Aug 15 - Dallas Trekkers group walks at White Rock Lake at 8 m. Meet at Doctors Hospital, 9330 Poppy Drive, Dallas. 972-489-3072 for more information. Small charge.
Mon, Aug 16 - The Dallas Chapter of Native Plant Society meets. Social time begins at 6:30 with refreshments at the back. A speaker is scheduled at 7:30 pm. REI store, located on the north side of LBJ between Midway and Welch. Take the stairs to the second floor and turn left to find the meeting rooms. Free
Tue, Aug 17 - North Texas River Runners Club meet from 7 - 9 pm at the Lake Arlington Meeting Room,
Richard Simpson Park, 6300 West Arkansas Lane, Arlington.
NEW Wed. Aug 18 - Wags and Waves: Fun swimming and wading with your dog at Hawaiian Falls Waterpark –
Firewheel, 4550 North Garland Ave., Garland. $20. 10 am - 4 pm.
NEW Wed. Aug 18 - Free Attorneys from 5:30 pm to 8 pm by the Dallas Bar at 214 220-7476. Lawyers answer any kind of legal question for free. You remain anonymous.
Thu, Aug 19 - Sustainable
Planet on Enlumnia Radio 12 noon. Click on arrow at http://www.enlumnia.com
CT Loyd on retrofitting Texas Attics recorded at North Texas Renewable
Energy Group meeting.
Thu, Aug 19 - Free day at Trinity River Audubon Center. Guided hikes throughout the day. Bring your lunch, and enjoy the shady new riverbend picnic site overlooking the Trinity River. Evening activities include night hikes, animal encounters, kids’ crafts, amphibian watch and a movie..6500 South Loop 12, Dallas, 75217. 214-398-TRAC
Thu, Aug 19 - Free screening of HBO documentary, Death on a Factory Farm, about pork production, politics, and the law in Ohio. 8:30 - 10 pm by Mercy for Animals. This eye-opening exposé reveals that nothing is as it seems in the halls of justice or down on the farm. 1919 Hemphill, Fort Worth. eddieg@mercyfor animals.org or call 214.609.4066.
Thu, Aug 19 - Dallas Downriver Club monthly meeting at 7 pm, 3701 N. Buckner Blvd. (just north of IH 30 and south of John West Road) Dallas, 75228
Fri, Aug 20 - Free screening Death On A Factory Farm, Phoenix Project Collective, 406 S. Haskell Ave., Dallas, 8-9:30 pm by Mercy for Animals. Directors Tom Simon and Sarah Teale tell the story of an animal rights investigator who goes undercover at a hog farm in Ohio to explore a whistle blower's allegations. The evidence he gathers leads to a rare prosecution and trial for animal cruelty, and a verdict that surprises nearly everyone.
eddieg@mercyfor animals.org or call 214.609.4066.
Sat, Aug 21 - Free composting classes for Dallas residents only. Class at 10 am. Keist Park Recreation Center. For registration information call 214 671-9233 or email
Joseph.hardyes@dallascityhall.com
Sat, Aug 21 - Join Texas Master Naturalist and Environmental Scientist, Rich Jaynes, at The Meadow (Parking lot at Main Entrance - at Alma and Bethany Drives in Allen) , to explore and understand the management plans for the four habitat areas of the Connemara Meadow Preserve - a riparian zone along Rowlett Creek that is important as a wildlife corridor; the floodplain grasslands and wetlands in the lower meadow, the hedgerows along perimeter and interior fence lines established during agricultural use, and upland grasslands are located in the upper meadow which has a terrace system from earlier agricultural use. The walk is planned to take about two hours, starting at 8 am. All ages are welcome.
Sat, Aug 21 - Educational program in the Pavillion classroom, AgriLife Research and Extension Urban Solutions Center, 17360 Coit Rd, Dallas, 75252 from 9:00 - 10:30 am. These programs are open to the general public. For more information, contact Fouad Jaber at 972-952-9672 or f-Jaber@tamu.edu. This month's program: Urban insects. CAUTION This class has been removed from their website to call Agrilife before driving to the class.
Sat, Aug 21 - Cedar Ridge Preserve Habitat Restoration & Trail Maintenance, rain or shine, 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway in the southwest part of Dallas. Volunteers remove non-native plants, restore trails, and work in the butterfly garden. Repairing trails reduces erosion trouble spots and removing non-native plants saves water and nutrients for plants native to the area. Snacks, water, pruning shears, shovels, and work gloves provided. All you need to bring is sun screen and bug repellent. Questions? Contact info CRP@yahoo.com.
Sat, Aug 21 - The Organic Garden Club of Fort Worth will present "Self Sustainability for Your Lifestyle"
starting at 9 am. Fort Worth Botanic Gardens Rose Room. Admission is free.
Schedule:
9:30 am -- "Vegetables from the Garden to Your Table"
10:45 am -- "Tools for Preserving Your Food / Canning"
12:00 noon -- "Going Green & Clean in Your Home with Herbs"
1:00 pm -- "Native Plants for a Sustainable Landscape"
2:00 pm -- "All Natural Solutions for a Safer Yard"
For more info contact Esther Chambliss, 817 263-9322. herbalhen@earthlink.net.
Sun, Aug 22 - Black Vegetarian Society of Texas monthly luncheon at 12:30, Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill, 3001 Knox, Dallas, 1:30 pm,214.528.1800
Sun, Aug 22 - Dallas Organic Gardening Club Monthly Meeting. Northaven Gardens, (214) 363-5316, 7700 Northaven Rd, Dallas. 2:30 pm. Free
Monday, Aug 23 - Dr. Jim McAfee will present "Turfgrass" in the Learning Center. 10056 Marsh Lane, STE B-101, Dallas. 9-4. 214-904-3050
Tue, Aug 24 - Fort Worth Organic Club meets at 7 pm. at Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth, north of I-30, turn left into main entrance from University. Free. Brad Stufflebeam of Home Sweet Farm will be speaking. He and his wife operate a CSA out of Houston.
Thu, Aug 26 - Tarrant County Interfaith Environmental Alliance meets at 7 pm at Unity Church of Fort Worth, 5051 Trail Lake Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76133
NEW Thu, Aug 26 - Sustainable Planet Interview with Patricia Allison, teacher and practitioner, on Permaculture. It has a vast potential for both urban and rural sustainability. Urban yards model themselves after natural forest eco-systems but focus on plants that provide food, beauty, cover for small animals, and other resources. Vertical space is used to make up for what is lacking in horizontal space. Join us Thursday at 12 noon to explore Permaculture. 12 noon on talk-radio here. Click on audio.
Sustainable Planet on Enlumnia Radio 12 noon. Click on arrow at http://www.enlumnia.com
Thu, Aug 26 - Arlington Organic Gardening Club Monthly Meeting. Bob Duncan Community Center Garden Room, 2800 S. Center St. in Arlington. 7 pm. Free.
Sat, Aug 28 - White Rock Market, food only. 8 am to 1 pm. Located next to the Green Spot Market and Fuels at 702 N. Buckner Blvd at Northcliff Dr, Dallas. Free
New Sun, Aug 29 - Vegan Cooking Class for Tofu, 2>30 pm. 2004 N Beach St. Fort Worth 76111. Reserve spot by calling 817 675-6126 or lilycabansag@sbcglobal.net
Changed Sun, Aug 29 - Black Vegetarian Society of Texas monthly luncheon at 12:30, Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill, 3001 Knox, Dallas, 1:30 pm,214.528.1800
Tue, Aug 31- Texas Mountaineers, Indoor Introduction to Rock Climbing, Free, but must register in advance. 6:30-8:30 pm. Fort Worth at Backwoods, Register with Stan at 817 688-9168.
Tue, Aug 31 - North Texas Green Council free movie night. Doors open at 6 pm; movie begins at 6:30. Dallas Center for Architecture, 1909 Woodall Rodgers Frwy, Dallas, 75201, 214 742-3242.
NEW
Register by September 1: Permaculture
Class Sep 25 - Oct 9 -
Permaculture has a
vast potential for both urban and rural sustainability. Urban yards model themselves after natural forest
eco-systems but focus on plants that provide food, beauty, cover for small
animals, and other resources. Vertical space is used to make up for what is lacking in horizontal space.
Rainwater harvesting plus natural and green building methods are covered. This Permaculture course will be taught by Patricia
Allison using both lecture and hands-on experience. $1100 cost includes tuition,
camping at Wildscape Acres near Ravenna, TX, food, and certification upon completion.
You can also stay in nearby Bonham in a hotel or B&B but that cost is
not included. Register by September 1 by calling Melissa at 828-669-7632 or email:
paulabren@cableone.net
or
call
Paula at (903) 583-9508
Copyright © DFW Earth Now 2001-2010 All rights reserved
Directions to Kalachandji's 214 821-1048, 5430 Gurley Av, Dallas. Exit I-30 at Grand Av, turn northeast. Turn left 3 blocks at Beacon St and left again at Gurley. Restaurant is located in the temple building. Kalachandji Park is to right of temple.
Directions to Spiral Diner, 1314 W. Magnolia Av, NE corner at 6th, 817 332-8834, Fort Worth. Going west from downtown Fort Worth on I-30, exit on 8th and turn left. Turn left on Magnolia and Spiral Diner will be on your left.
Directions & Map to Healthy Approach Market--now called Sunflower Shoppe, 5100 Hwy 121 Colleyville 76034. From Hwy 121 in Grapevine, exit Hall-Johnson Road and remain on west access road, From Hwy 121 north from Airport Freeway, exit Hall-Johnson Road and turn left under freeway to west access road.
Stay on west access road past Gateway Dr and past Rio Mambo and Mac restaurants. Immediately past the restaurants, turn right into Healthy Approach parking lot. Sign is hard to see because of trees. If you reach Glade Rd, you have passed entrance to Healthy Approach.
Community room is on second floor with stairs in the far right hand corner of the restaurant. Telephone number of store is 817 399-9100. See map below:
