Christmas Party Time!

It’s time once again for the annual North Alabama Sierra Club Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice and all around general Holiday party. (Did I miss anyone?) Bring your best side dish or dessert (a few vegetable dishes are always needed) to share and your best nature photos for the Annual Photo Contest. North Alabama Sierra will furnish ham, turkey, drinks, plates, cups, etc. If you would like to help set up for the party, come at 5:30.

For the photo contest, photos should have been taken in 2007 and there is a limit of three entries per category. The categories are 1) People on Outings, 2) Animals in the Wild, 3) Mother Nature (plant life) and 4) Awe-inspiring Views of Natural Areas. There will be prizes for the best photographs.

We will also have our usual great selection of Sierra calendars, datebooks, caps, shirts, totebags and backpacks, all of which make great gifts and stocking stuffers (hint, hint!).

Come to the downtown library auditorium on December 19 at 6:30 and share the season with other Sierra Club members. The downtown public library is located at 915 Monroe St, just off Governors Drive near Memorial parkway. The auditorium is to the right just inside the entrance. If you have not mailed in your ballot for the Executive committee elections you may bring it to the party. See everyone there!

- the Editor

 

Excom Elections

New members are needed for the North Alabama group executive committee. Please take a few moments to read about the following candidates and vote!

Tom Burley

I enjoy hiking and backpacking and try to be on the trail every weekend. I am a hike leader and am actively involved in the outings program. I believe that outings are our best source of new members. I am committed to preservation of the environment for ourselves and future generations as we are a part of the earth and all its creatures. However, I believe that an eclectic approach that addresses environmental and economic issues is needed. I look forward to continuing to serve the Alabama Club in any way that I can.

Linda Griffin

I have served on the excom the last two years as the secretary. I am committed to helping to preserve the environment so that there will be places left that future generations can enjoy.

Doug Horacek

I have been interested in nature since my youth. In the past nine years I have been an active member of the Sierra Club, the Wildflower Society, and the North Alabama Land Trust, and I lead hikes for all three groups. I have served on the Excom of the Sierra Club for at least four years. I have served in the programs and conservation areas and support conservation by organizing the Honeysuckle cleanups. My strong conservation background and consistent commitment to the activities of the North Alabama group are good reasons to consider me as a voting member of the Excom

Joe Imhof

Resident of Madison County since 1996

Past president & vice-president of AEC North AL

Supporting member North Alabama Sierra Club

Member – Alabama Rivers Alliance

Past treasurer & board member -  FRCA

Watersheds & Warming Workshop Participant

Watershed Leadership Conference – March 2006

Rivers Action Day – participant  May 2007

ABM court hearing - US District Court Mobile, AL

Mirko Rakigjija

Retired US Army Corps of Engineers engineering manager, now an infrastructure planning and sustainment consultant. Have provided oversight of several environmental programs, including military environmental restoration studies in the United States and environmental programs for US Army Europe. I am a semi-serious hiker, and always enjoy the Sierra's day-long Saturday hikes. I look forward to supporting the NA Sierra Club in any capacity.

 

December 2007 North Alabama Sierra Club

Executive Committee Ballot

Vote for 5 Excom members from the candidates below

Mail this ballot by December 27th to

North Alabama Sierra Group

PO Box 1893

Huntsville, AL 35807

Or

Bring this ballot to the December 19 meeting / Party at the Huntsville Public Library. We will have extra ballots at the party.

Single Joint

_____ _____ Tom Burley

_____ _____ Linda Griffin

_____ _____ Doug Horacek

_____ _____ Joe Imhof

_____ _____ Mirko Rakigijija

 

New Members Wanted!

Checks ($25.00) should be mailed to:

David Kostowny

116 Pebblebrook Circle, Madison, AL 35758.

Phone: 325-2296. E-mail: divadlk@msn.com

Join the Sierra Club or Renew your Membership for $25

Name______________________________________________

Address____________________________________________

City/State____________________________Zip____________

Phone___________________Email______________________

Contributions, gifts and dues to the Sierra Club are not tax deductible; they support our effective citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts. Your dues include $7.50 for a subscription to Sierra magazine and $1.00 for your chapter newsletter.

Enclose check and mail to:

David Kostowny

116 Pebblebrook Circle

Madison, AL 35758.

 

Volunteers Needed for Coastal Restoration

Volunteer groups are invited to help restore wetlands damaged during Hurricane Katrina by working with the NWF Coastal Louisiana Habitat Restoration Initiative. Through the end of April of 2008, NWF will be holding week long volunteer events for groups of 10 adults or more. Projects can include, tree plantings, invasive species removal, native seed collection or installing nest boxes for native birds. Volunteer groups will be responsible for their own travel to the Gulf, but once there, NWF will coordinate travel, lodging if needed and project expenses. For more information, see www.nwf.org/Louisiana or call 703-438-6003.

 

2007 ExCom Members

Chair Liz Poleretzky 461-5819

Vice-Chair and Treasurer

Sam Denham 539-1033

Conservation chair

Doug Horacek 772-6788

Membership Dave Kostowny 325-2296

Newsletter Jack Drost 880-2644

Outings Lee Hollingsworth 461-3060

And Tom Burley 883-4267

Publicity Sandy Kiplinger 498-1023

Programs Judy Burley 883-4267

Secretary Linda Griffin 772-8653

Tuesday Hikes Nancy Dudney 882-9408

Web Page Steven Baty 489-0990

 

Christmas Party, Wed, December 19 @ 6:30 Huntsville Public Library

Hike Ratings

General Note: Saturday outings may take all day and last into early evening. The Sierra Club encourages carpooling to save fuel, but you should be prepared to drive your own car on club outings.

Easy-Less than 5 miles, no serious elevation changes, no trail obstacles.

Moderate-5 to 10 miles, some elevation changes or rough trail (rock hopping), or trail obstacles such as creek crossings.

Strenuous- Over 10 miles, substantial elevation change (1000 ft or more), trail may be rocky, obstructed or nonexistent.

Exploratory- event the leader has not experienced before, may fit any class.

Friday, December 14 - Walking Tour of Old Decatur Christmas Lights. Easy.

Meet at 5:00pm at Captain D's in Madison on Hwy 20, or 5:30pm at the Decatur Public Library. Dinner at trendy Decatur restaurant afterwards. Please call so I can make reservations at the restaurant. Sam Denham 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).

Saturday, December 15 - Guntersville State Park hike. Moderate.

This will be a spirited 9 mile hike. Learn about one of the area's earlier enterprises. Meet at Super Wal-Mart gas station lot, (South Parkway, Hsv) at 8:00am. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. For more info, Sandy Kiplinger at sandykip@juno.com .

Tuesday, December 18, 6:00pm – Annual Tour of Downtown Christmas Light. Easy.

Meet at the Land Trust parking lot at 907 Franklin St. Bruce Martin, 256-725-2168.

Wednesday, December 19, 6:30pm – Party! Easy and Fun.

Annual Sierra Holiday party. Ham, turkey and drinks provided; bring a dish to share. Photo contest. See front page for details.

Saturday, December 22 - Big Cove Greenway walk. Easy.

We will walk a couple of hours on this greenway. Meet at the Hays Nature Preserve Parking Lot at 2:00pm. Liz Poleretzky, 461-5819 or hiker@knology.net

Tuesday, January 1 - Get Rid of the Hangover Hike. Moderate.

Meet at Sam Denham's house, 4333 Chickasaw Dr, at 1:00pm for an

afternoon hike in Monte Sano State Park. May include some off-trail hiking and a brief rock-hop. Hot cider and (more) beer by the fireplace after the hike. 539-1033(h).

Excom Meeting

Thursday, January 3, 5:30. Liz, 461-5819.

Sat-Sun, January 5-6 - Hobbs Cabin Backpack. Moderate.

This is a 17 mile backpack mostly on level terrain in the South Cumberland area. We will depart Saturday morning and have dinner on the way back Sunday. For more information contact Judy Burley at 883-4267 or jcburley@knology.net

Sunday, January 6 - Wade Mountain Greenway walk. Easy.

We will walk a couple of hours on paved and unpaved trails. Meet at 1:00pm at the Wade Mountain Greenway trailhead on Pulaski Pike (1/2 mile south of the Toyota Plant). Liz Poleretzky, 461-5819 or hiker@knology.net

Tuesday, January 8, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy.

Meet at the Land Trust parking lot at 907 Franklin St. Judy Burley, 883-4207.

Newsletter Labeling

Wednesday, January 9, 5:30pm.

Stanlieo’s Sub Villa, corner of Monroe St. and Governor’s Dr. Liz, 461-5819.

Saturday, January 12 – 2nd Annual Mountain Mist half marathon hike. Strenuous.

We will follow the path of the marathon (but at a slower pace!). Details in January newsletter. Sandy Kiplinger, sandykip@juno.com .

Sunday, January 13 - Green Mountain hike. Easy.

Meet in the Madison County Nature Trail parking lot at 2:00pm. We will walk around the lake a time or two. Optional dinner afterwards. Liz Poleretzky, 461-5819 or hiker@knology.net

Tuesday, January 15, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy.

Meet at the Land Trust parking lot at 907 Franklin St. Bruce Martin, 256-725-2168.

Thursday, January 17 – January meeting at Von Braun Planetarium on Monte Sano.

Richard Norman will present a program about the Von Braun Astronomical Society and the Dark Sky initiative. 6:30pm. For more information, call Judy Burley, 883-4207.

Saturday, January 19 – 2nd Annual Mountain Mist half marathon hike, Part II. Strenuous.

More of the above! Details in January newsletter. Sandy Kiplinger, sandykip@juno.com .

Saturday, January 19 - Wolf Cove, Cave Cove hike. Strenuous.

We will hike 7-9 miles, some off trail. This is a beautiful area with waterfalls, rock bluffs and caves. Bring flashlight, lunch, and water. Meet at Winchester Rd Publix at 8:00am. Joette 776-3551.

Sunday, January 20. Honeysuckle elimination party.

Meet at 1:00pm across from Fagan Spring Apartments. Bring loppers and gloves. Sierra club will provide three loppers and one honeysuckle popper, and water. Call Doug Horacek for information at 772-6788.

Tuesday, January 22, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy.

Meet at the Land Trust parking lot at 907 Franklin St. Liz Poleretzky, 461-5819.

Saturday, January 26 - Signal Point hike. Moderate.

Signal Point is the highest point on Signal Mountain. The hike from Signal Point to Edwards Point is part of the Cumberland Trail with striking overlooks of the Tennessee River Gorge. The hike is about seven miles. Bring lunch and we will dine afterwards at a local restaurant. Meet at 8:30am at the Publix in Hampton Cove. Contact Tom Burley at 883-4267 or tdburleyhiker@knology.net

Saturday, January 26 – Monte Sano hike. Moderate.

We will be hiking the Keith trail. Meet at 9:00am at the Hiker's parking lot at Monte Sano State Park. Bring water, snacks and wear sturdy hiking boots. Doug Horacek at 772-6788.

Tuesday, January 29, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy.

Meet at the Land Trust parking lot at 907 Franklin St. Ken Shrider, 772-9442.