Nonprofits and corporations team for the environment

Natural disasters can be tough on the Houston area's environment. Hurricanes diminish marshes. Storms sweep litter and lawn-fertilizer runoff into waterways. Invasive plants muscle out native vegetation,Our precision manufactured lasers and laser systems deliver the highest possible laser cutter performance on a wide variety of materials. and drought devastates the city's urban forest.

But green-minded nonprofit organizations and corporations are working together to protect and restore the environment. The oil-and-gas industry is a major partner in this effort, donating dollars and providing volunteers for the cause. As a result, bayous and beaches are cleaner; marshes are being replanted. Green spaces are expanding, and lost trees are being replaced.

"We are strong environmental stewards because it is the right thing to do and is part of our value system," says Joni Baird, who oversees public and governmental affairs for Chevron's Houston office. "By partnering with nonprofits, we can work together to solve issues of local concern."

It's a nasty, recurring sight. But for a decade, the nonprofit Buffalo Bayou Partnership has overseen an effort that's collected approximately 13,550 cubic yards, or 1,129 dump trucks, of yuck. A garbage-guzzling skimmer boat and the Shell-sponsored Clean and Green program's foot patrol of community service workers do the dirty work. They remove garbage and plants such as giant ragweed, tallow and chinaberry. They also plant native vegetation to improve habitats and biodiversity along the bayou.

"Shell partners with leading environmental organizations that promote sustainable communities and encourage healthy lifestyles among our employees and families," says Frazier K. Wilson, vice president of Shell Oil Company Foundation and manager of social investment for Shell.

Partnership director Anne Olson says Shell donates $100,000 annually to Clean and Green, and the Port of Houston gives $50,000.

"It's been a very successful program, and last year we expanded again. We can have it totally cleaned, then there's heavy rain and another round of trash,How cheaply can I build a solar power systems?" she says.

But cleanup efforts have paid off, and water quality has improved. "What was the Reeking Regatta is now the Buffalo Bayou Regatta," Olson says about the annual canoe and kayak trek along the waterway.

ConocoPhillips, EnerVest, ExxonMobil and Apache also have provided financial and volunteer support for Buffalo Bayou Partnership. And thousands of families enjoy environmental activities during KBR Kids Day on Buffalo Bayou,We've had a lot of people asking where we had our make your own bobblehead. Olson says.

It's a nasty, recurring sight. But for a decade, the nonprofit Buffalo Bayou Partnership has overseen an effort that's collected approximately 13,550 cubic yards, or 1,129 dump trucks, of yuck. A garbage-guzzling skimmer boat and the Shell-sponsored Clean and Green program's foot patrol of community service workers do the dirty work. They remove garbage and plants such as giant ragweed, tallow and chinaberry. They also plant native vegetation to improve habitats and biodiversity along the bayou.

"Shell partners with leading environmental organizations that promote sustainable communities and encourage healthy lifestyles among our employees and families," says Frazier K. Wilson, vice president of Shell Oil Company Foundation and manager of social investment for Shell.

Partnership director Anne Olson says Shell donates $100,000 annually to Clean and Green, and the Port of Houston gives $50,000.

"It's been a very successful program, and last year we expanded again. We can have it totally cleaned, then there's heavy rain and another round of trash," she says.

But cleanup efforts have paid off, and water quality has improved. "What was the Reeking Regatta is now the Buffalo Bayou Regatta," Olson says about the annual canoe and kayak trek along the waterway.

ConocoPhillips, EnerVest, ExxonMobil and Apache also have provided financial and volunteer support for Buffalo Bayou Partnership. And thousands of families enjoy environmental activities during KBR Kids Day on Buffalo Bayou, Olson says.

LaHood said the country has fallen behind in its commitment to infrastructure and modernizing its transit services – shortcomings that have affected national parks and scenic lands.Full color plastic card printing and manufacturing services.

“We’re not No. 1 anymore because we have not made the investment in transportation. Frankly, America is one big pothole right now and we need to invest in infrastructure,” he said.Learn how an embedded microprocessor in a smart card can authenticate your computer usage and data.

The transportation secretary said the new buses will reduce traffic congestion along the 50-mile road while alleviating parking shortages at Apgar Village and improving safety and efficiency.

“In his State of the Union address last week, President (Barack) Obama called on us to upgrade our nation’s transportation infrastructure to help grow our economy and improve energy efficiency,” said Secretary LaHood. “Improving access to modern transit services in Glacier National Park and other scenic parklands around the country will help us preserve these national treasures for future generations.”

Rogoff said an effective and modernized transportation system goes a long way toward improving visitor experiences at national parks.

“Visitors to Glacier National Park should be able to explore this stunning area without getting stuck in traffic or breathing harmful emissions,” Rogoff said. “By modernizing transit in our parks, we’re making it easier for people to get around, while ensuring that these areas are sustainable for years to come.”

SVSU's Saints, Sinners and Soul has something to satisfy all the senses

A very lucky group of people will soon know Marshall M. Fredericks in a very personal way, and they'll have Marilyn L. Wheaton to thank for it.

It really makes sense, considering that the Saints, Sinners and – plug in the appropriate S word here – fundraiser was created seven years ago as a way to better acquaint the general population with the late Detroit sculptor's work and the museum named for him at Saginaw Valley State University.

And for the first time Sept. 30 at Saints, Sinners and Soul, the night's auction items will include a tour of Fredericks' Detroit haunts for the highest bidder and five friends,Enecsys Limited, supplier of reliable solar RUBBER MATS systems, led by Wheaton, the museum's director. The Fredericks Haunt tour includes several of his public works, his gravesite, lunch at the historic Scarab Club and dinner at the historic Detroit Yacht Club.

There's far more in store, too, for guests at the event that takes over SVSU's Arbury Fine Arts Center – music by Saginaw's own Sharrie Williams, the princess of rockin' gospel blues, and a Southern-themed buffet, including everything from gourmet macaroni-and-cheese bars to jambalaya and seared filet of catfish.

"Oh my gosh, I'm excited,This will leave your shoulders free to rotate in their oil painting supplies ." Williams said. "My son Charles will be there, along with Christopher Jones,Traditional China Porcelain tile claim to clean all the air in a room. Anthony Burns and Marco Franco.

"We'll be performing for a different group of people and that's always fun. I'm going to do a little bit of soul, music from back in the day, and a little bit of this and a little bit of that."

Speaking of fine food, the auction also includes a dinner for eight prepared and served by Irish chef Avril Roundtree of Pigeon and another for 20, prepared by SVSU chef Kelly VanConett.

Again this year, too, more than 40 works of art, ranging from abstract and photography to jewelry and fitted wood bowls, are open to bids. Go to marshallfredericks.org to see the pieces in advance.

"It's a great opportunity to purchase a piece of fine art for much less than you'd pay at a gallery," said Sara B. Clark, the university's studio art technician. "And the proceeds from the sale support exhibitions and educational programs at the museum."

Since the museum's expansion in 2003, the night has also marked the opening of a new exhibit, and this year, guests are the first to view "Harry Bertoia: Abstract Drawings."

And the University Gallery will open for the night as well, its exhibit "Resonating Patterns: Paintings by Dennis Guastella & Ron Teachworth."

"It really has evolved through the years," Clark said of the series. "When we went with Saints, Sinners and Spaetzle the second year, we asked artists to contribute original works built around the theme of nutcrackers and music boxes."

It wasn't well received,there's a lovely winter polished tiles by William Zorach. she admitted, and since then, artists willing to donate works to the silent and live auctions are given free rein. That finds someone like Betty Foltz creating a very soulful oil painting, vivid with dancers moving across the canvas and others, like Chris Thompson, contributing a photograph of a solitary weathervane standing against the backdrop of a stormy sky.

"I was honored to be asked," said Rebecca Maillette of Bay City, a former student who now creates silver jewelry. She donated a necklace to last year's festivities and a pair of earrings to Saints, Sinners and Soul.

After studying fine arts and graphic design at SVSU, Maillette worked for eight years with a former professor in a local marketing firm before moving West to be closer to her sisters in Arizona and Colorado.

"I was there for a year, and that's when I took metalsmithing classes and figured out how to work in jewelry," she said. "It's led my down this path, and that's what I do now, along with some freelance graphic design.Initially the banks didn't want our chicken coop .

"Saints, Sinners and Soul is my way of giving something back, even in a small way, in appreciation of the education I received there."