North Alabama Sierra Group November 2008
Tuesday Night Downtown Hikes 6:00pm
Meet at 6:00pm at the Land Trust parking lot, 907 Franklin St.
Dr. Bob’s Traveling Snake Show
For the November 20th general meeting we will be treated to a presentation on the snakes of North Alabama by Dr. Bob Hastings. Dr. Bob will have a number of live snakes for the group to see.
Bob Hastings is a retired college professor and is currently working with the Alabama Natural Heritage Program as the coordinator of the state’s red –cockaded woodpecker Safe Harbor program. He is also an Authority on the biodiversity of Alabama and the SE U.S. He presents numerous educational talks and slide shows on the snakes of Alabama. He has received numerous awards for environmental education, including the 2002 National Wetlands Award in Education/Outreach by the Environmental Law Institute. Bob has been a member of the Alabama Sierra Club state Executive Committee since 2003 and is a member of the National Sierra Club’s Environmental Quality Strategy Team.
For the December 18th meeting, we will have our annual holiday party with turkey, ham and your great side dishes and desserts.
The North Alabama Sierra Club meets at 6:30 the third Thursday of every month at the Huntsville Madison County Public Library in the main auditorium. The library is on Monroe St. just off Governor’s Drive. Everyone is invited.
- the Editor
Where to Recycle Your CFLs
So you’re switched to using CFLs because they are so much more energy efficient and last a lot longer than regular incandescent bulbs. But now you’re hearing that CFLs have mercury in them so you are not supposed to throw them in the trash. Home Depot has started a program to take used CFLs and recycle them in an environmentally responsible fashion. At each Home Depot store, customers can simply bring in any expired, unbroken CFL bulbs, and give them to the store associate behind the returns desk. The bulbs will then be managed responsibly by an environmental management company who will coordinate CFL packaging, transportation and recycling to maximize safety and ensure environmental compliance.
In addition to the CFL recycling program, The Home Depot has also launched an in-store energy conservation program to switch Light Fixture Showrooms in U.S. stores from incandescent bulbs to CFLs by Fall 2008 and save $16 million annually in energy costs.
The CFL recycling program is an extension of The Home Depot's Eco Options program. Eco Options, launched in April 2007, is a classification that allows customers to easily identify products that have less of an impact on the environment.
Take your used CFL bulbs to Home Depot and thank them for this service. Remember that voting with our wallets is a powerful way that we can help change an industry’s behavior.
- 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!
Charlotte Buening
I have been associated with the Sierra Club for 4 years. I have enjoyed the hiking and backpacking trips that I have attended through the club. I am interested in maintaining our environment and the issues that are involved with it. I truly hope you consider me for the Excom
Judy Burley
I enjoy hiking and backpacking and try to be on the trail every weekend. I help lead the Tuesday night hikes and lead other outings as well. I believe that outings are important as they introduce people to the outdoors and hopefully they will then become more involved with the Sierra Club.
I have served on the excom the last two years as the fund raising chair. I am committed to helping to preserve the environment so that there will be places left that future generations can enjoy.
Charlie Cohen
Charlie has been involved with the North Alabama Sierra Club for many years and joins the club on numerous hikes as well as leading hikes himself. He enjoys the outdoors and would like to share this with others. The more people we have who appreciate the wonderful wilderness areas around North Alabama, the better chance we have of protecting them for future generations (and ourselves!) to enjoy.
Jack Drost
Current newsletter editor. Involved with Sierra since 1995 in Hampton, VA, Houston, TX and North Alabama.
Mirko Rakigjija
Current North Alabama Club Chair. 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.
December 2008 North Alabama Sierra Club
Executive Committee Ballot
Vote for 5 Excom members from the candidates below
Mail this ballot by December 12th to
North Alabama Sierra Group
PO Box 1893
Huntsville, AL 35807
Or
Bring this ballot to the December 18 meeting / Party at the Huntsville Public Library. We will have extra ballots at the party.
Single Joint
_____ _____ Charlotte Buening
_____ _____ Judy Burley
_____ _____ Charlie Cohen
_____ _____ Jack Drost
_____ _____ 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: daverave@knology.net
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:
2008 ExCom Members
Chair Mirko Rakigjija 772-8548
Vice-Chair Liz Poleretzky 461-5819
Treasurer Sam Denham 539-1033
Conservation Doug Horacek 772-6788
Fundraising Judy Burley 883-4207
Membership Dave Kostowny 682-1233
Outings Tom Burley 883-4267
Political chair Joe Imhof 858-3626
Publicity Sandy Kiplinger 498-1023
Secretary Linda Griffin 772-8653
Tuesday Hikes Nancy Dudney 882-9408
Newsletter Jack Drost 880-2644
Web Page Steven Baty 489-0990
North Alabama Sierra Club - Outings and Events Calendar
November - December 2008
Thursday, November 20 - Dr. Bob’s Traveling Snake Show! Downtown Library, 6:30pm
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.
Saturday, Nov 15 - Mt. Cheaha Fall Color hike. Strenuous. We will hike 8 miles on the Pinhoti Trail, from Cheaha trailhead (parking lot) along the ridgeline on the Pinhoti Trail to Caney Head. We should see beautiful panoramic views of the mountains and valleys in their autumn splendor. Then we will descend on the Chinnabee Trail to the Turnipseed campsite and a shuttle vehicle. Bring water and lunch. Optional dinner at the State Lodge. Meet 7:00am Hampton Cove Publix parking lot, or 9:30am at Oxford Shoney’s. Lee Hollingsworth, 256.520.6659
Sunday, Nov 16 – Honeysuckle Clearing. Easy. Meet 1:00pm at the Land Trust trail across from Fagan Spring Apartments. Bring loppers and gloves. Doug Horacek 256 772-6788.
Tuesday, Nov 18, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at the Land Trust parking lot at 907 Franklin St.
Nancy Dudney, 882-9408.
Thursday, November 20 – North AL Sierra club meeting. 6:30pm at the Huntsville Public Library downtown. Dr. Bob Hasting’s Traveling Snake Show.
Saturday, Nov 22 - Fiery Gizzard hike. Strenuous. This beautiful trail is steep and extremely rocky. We will follow the Fiery Gizzard passing the 500-year-old hemlock, Blue Hole Falls, Sycamore Falls, and the Fruit Bowl rock formation before beginning our arduous climb to Raven Point, a spectacular overlook, and then return via the Doghole Trail. The hike is about ten miles and definitely strenuous. Bring lunch and water; optional dinner afterwards . Meet at 8:00am at the Publix on Winchester Road. Tom Burley, 883-4267 or tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net
Sunday, Nov 23 - Pinnacle Point hike. Strenuous. Hike is short, but moderately steep, and therefore strenuous (there will be rest stops). Bring lunch, water, binoculars, and camera to capture one of the most spectacular views in Alabama, overlooking the Tennessee River (700 ft. up). Meet at the Hampton Cove Publix store at 10am and return mid afternoon. John Allen 539-5287(h) jha@knology.net
Tuesday, Nov 25, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at the Land Trust parking lot at 907 Franklin St.
Ken Shrider, 772-9442.
Saturday, Nov 29 – Ride Off the Turkey Bicycle Adventure. Moderate. Grab your mountain bike and check out this 12-13 mile trail near historic Mooresville. Lots of scenery and birds. Bring water, lunch and snacks. Meet at the Cracker Barrel (off I-565, 120 Cleghorn Blvd), in Madison at 10:30am. Rain cancels. For more info, contact Sandy Kiplinger, sandykip@juno.com
Tuesday, Dec 2, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at the Land Trust parking lot at 907 Franklin St.
Michael Stewart, 656-5836.
Thursday, Dec 4 – Excom meeting 5:30pm. Mirko Rakigjija, 772-8548.
Fri-Sun, Dec 5-7. Christmas on the Mountain at Fall Creek Falls. Easy. Come enjoy Tennessee’s Fall Creek Falls Winter Festival of Yuletide fun at Fall Creek Falls Inn. $108 plus tax for two nights lodging and breakfast for two people. Package price is based on double occupancy. Optional moderate hikes Friday and Saturday. You are responsible for making your reservations at 423-881-5241, but if you wish to hike with us let me know that you are coming and when you plan to arrive. Tom Burley, 883-4267 or tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net
Saturday, Dec 6 - Kinlock Historic Area hike. Moderate. The Kinlock Historic Area, in the Sipsey wilderness, was once home to a health spa in the late 1800's and a depression era CCC camp. The Kinlock rock shelter was inhabited by Indians for thousands of years. Bring water and lunch. Meet at 8:00am for breakfast at Cracker Barrel in Madison, or depart at 9:00am from the restaurant parking lot. Or meet us at 10:00am at the Warrior Mountain Trading Post, junction of highways 33 & 36 south of Moulton. Let me know if you plan to meet us in Wren. Contact Michael Stewart at 256-656-5836 or athikerstew@yahoo.com
Sunday, Dec 7 - Honeysuckle Elimination. Meet at 1:00pm at the Land Trust across from Fagan Spring Apartments. I will provide water, some loppers, gloves, and a popper or bring your own. Call Doug Horacek at 256-772-6788 for more information.
Tuesday, Dec 9, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at the Land Trust parking lot at 907 Franklin St.
Judy Burley, 883-4267.
Newsletter Labeling
Wednesday, December 10, 5:30pm. Stanlieo’s Sub Villa, corner of Monroe St. and Governor’s Dr. Liz, 461-5819.
Saturday, Dec 13 – Fagan Spring hike. Easy. Meet at 9:00am at Cleermont trail head for Fagan Spring hike. Call Doug Horacek at 772-6788 for information.
Tuesday, Dec 16, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at the Land Trust parking lot at 907 Franklin St.
Virgil DeStefano, 539-0348.
Thursday, Dec 18 – Annual Holiday party. Easy and Filling!
Saturday, Dec 20 - Little River Canyon Rockhop. Strenuous. This 5-6 mile canyon hike will start at the Powell trail, go to the Eberhart trail and exit there. Joining us will be Larry Beane, the interpretive park ranger for Little River Canyon Preserve. This will not only be a fun and challenging hike, but Larry will share with us his knowledge of the history, geology, and plant/animal life of the canyon. The trail will include nice wooded sections, working through a boulder field, and crossing some ankle popping river rock. Rated strenuous - all participants have to be leader approved before the day of the hike. Optional dinner afterwards. Contact Tom Burley at 883-4267 or tdburleyhiker@bellsouth.net
Sunday, Dec 21 - Winter Solstice hike and campfire. Moderate. Meet at Sam Denham's house 4333 Chickasaw Dr. at 12:00 noon for a 4-hour hike in the State Park and rock-hop along the pretty part of Big Cove Creek, followed by sitting around the campfire. (Bring a lawn chair.) Bring a snack. Sam Denham 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).
Tuesday, Dec 23, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at the Land Trust parking lot at 907 Franklin St.
Alan Greene, 534-7849.
Sat-Sun, Dec Dec 27-28 - Savage Gulf (TN) Backpack. Moderate. Take a scenic hike along the rim of Savage Gulf as you make your way to Dinky Line Campsite which is located in a remote area and offers a primitive toilet (privy). Keep your eyes open for turkey and deer along the way. Be prepared for cold weather and pack your gear for an overnight stay. Saturday we'll hike six miles to camp, and then Sunday we'll hike a different four mile route back to where we started. If interested in this hike then please contact Michael Stewart for more details. (256)656-5836 or athikerstew@yahoo.com
Tuesday, Dec 30, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at the Land Trust parking lot at 907 Franklin St.
Gerdi Keyser, 922-2261.
Thursday, Jan 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).
Saturday, Jan 3 - Little River Canyon Rock Hop and hike. Strenuous. Little River Canyon should have some water in it by now. A perennial favorite, hike the section between the Powell Trail and Eberhard Point. Even though this is the easiest section of Little River Canyon, it is rated strenuous, because of some bush whacking and rock hopping, and one creek crossing. Meet at the Publix at Hampton Cove. 8:30am. Sam Denham 539-1033(h).
Saturday, Jan 10 - 3rd Annual Mountain Mist half marathon hike. Part I Strenuous. Follow the trails of the runners but at a hiker's pace. The Monte Sano side is 14 miles and the Land Trust 15. Weather dictates which side we hike first. Meet at the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot at 7:30am sharp (we don't want to finish this in the dark!). Bring lunch, water, good hiking boots and a few bucks for the entrance fee. Charlie Cohen, 837-3622 (home), 961-7901 (office)
Saturday, Jan 17 - 3rd Annual Mountain Mist half marathon hike. Part II. Strenuous. More of the above!