Monthly Meeting Speaker Schedule · 2020. 8. 27. · to help abolish systemic racism, which is...
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As people across the country protest in defense of Black lives, the Sierra Club recognizes the need to dismantle systemic racism in the United States and within our own organization. We must reckon with how white supremacy - - both past and present -- has shaped our institutions and do the critical anti-racism work necessary to repair the harm done. The environmental movement does not exist in a vacuum, and it is our responsibility to use our power to help abolish systemic racism, which is destroying lives, communities, and the planet. FOJG Newsletter Fall 2020 Monthly Meeting Speaker Schedule FOJG's Fall 2020 Programs will be VIRTUAL You will find the same thought-provoking topics, same "everybody welcome" free programs, same dates and times (2nd Tues., 7:00 pm). Watch from home. Bring your own snacks. Links below. Bryce Wilk Tues. Sept. 8, 7:00 pm Register HERE The James River Park Master Plan: Envisioning the Future Bryce Wilk, Superintendent of the James River Park System, will explain details of Richmond's James River Park System's 10-Year Master Plan, a community vision that was years in the planning. Approved by City Council in January 2020, Bryce will bring us up to date on its implementation. After Bryce's talk, there will be updates on FOJG and VA Sierra Club issues. Register HERE (or above) for the September 8 program. A link to the GoToWebinar virtual program will be sent to you before the program. Bryce Wilk Sarah Vogelsong Michael Martz Tues. Oct. 13, 7:00 pm Register HERE Hot Election Issues -- Green Choices Get updates from the news reporters who cover Virginia's pipelines battles, the new VA Clean Economy Act, Virginia's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and wide ranging issues related to energy, the environment and politics. Sarah Vogelsong, reporter from the Virginia Mercury, and Michael Martz with the Richmond Times-Dispatch will discuss these and other environmental issues they have covered. Additionally, members of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club will discuss the November 3 elections. Virginians will vote not only for President, but also for a U.S. Senate seat (Sen. Mark Warner is being challenged) and for their own district’s representative in the House of Representatives. On the Nov. 3 ballot, we will also be asked to vote on two Virginia constitutional amendments. (See Virginia Department of Elections website .) In the City of Richmond, there are also elections for mayor, City Council, and School Board. The speakers will share information gleaned from their research, questionnaires, and interviews. Be sure you are registered to vote in this most important election! Register HERE (or above) for the October 13 program. A link to the GoToWebinar virtual program will be sent to you before the program. Sarah Vogelsong Michael Martz Art Evans Tues., Nov. 10, 7:00 pm Register HERE The Insect Apocalpyse Is the world's entomofauna in decline? Hate those pesky insects? Entomologist Art Evans will make you think twice about the decline of insect populations' around the world. Dr. Art Evans, noted scientist, author and lecturer, will present an overview of the science of entomofauna (the insect life of a region) as well as highlight some of the observed and perceived drivers of the decline in insect populations. He will offer suggestions for reversing this trend on a global and local scale. His presentation will conclude with brief updates on the Virginia Cicada Project and the James River Park System Insect Survey. Register HERE (or above) for the November 10 virtual program and more information. A link to the GoToWebinar virtual program will be emailed to you before the program. Art Evans 2021 FOJG Programs 1/12/21 - Sarah Francisco, the Southern Environmental Law Center's Director of the Virginia Office, will discuss recent environmental lawsuits they have worked on, including the now- cancelled Atlantic Pipeline. 2/9/21 - Dr. Jeremy Hoffman, Science Museum Scientist, will talk about urban heat Islands and current efforts to ameliorate this effect in Richmond, as well as any new research he is doing. 3/9/2021 - Jay Epstein, builder and community developer of zero energy homes, will focus on the past and present development of energy-efficient design, especially in Virginia. 4/13/21 - Green New Deal Virginia updates from Lee Williams and her co-chair Karen Campblin. The Green New Deal Virginia is a recipient of a $1,000 grant from FOJG. The Most Important Election In our Lifetimes: November 3, 2020 by Glen Besa We leave it to you to decide who you are voting for, but SIerra Club does endorse candidates to let our members know who we think will best represent our environmental concerns. Focusing on the positive, Sierra Club has endorsed Joe Biden for president as well as Mark Warner for U.S. Senate. We have also endorsed two incumbent members of the House of Representatives who serve central Virginia: Donald McEachin in VA-4 and Abigail Spanberger in VA-7. Currently, the Falls of the James Group is looking at possible endorsements in the Richmond mayoral and City Council races. You can find our up to date list of all endorsements at http://www.scvapac.org/ . Executive Committee Openings Greetings to all Falls of the James Group members! Any member who wishes to may run for a two-year term on our nine- member Executive Committee, which meets on the first Wednesday evening of each month from September through June. We are now meeting via Zoom. Interested parties should contact either Bruce Tarr at [email protected] or Steve Carter-Lovejoy at [email protected] . Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Beyond Editorial by Joe Brancoli As most of you know, in an astounding reversal Dominion and Duke Energy abruptly cancelled the multibillion dollar Atlantic Coast Pipeline. To me, one thing is even better than not having this specific huge, crazily expensive, fossil fuel pipeline: learning that these gargantuan corporations can be stopped, even doing a project they have spent years and billions of dollars on and dearly want to have happen. Unwise and ill-conceived projects can be halted by the sacrifice and tenacity of dedicated people like Sierra Club members and so many others around Virginia. We did it!!!! Additionally, we must note the sobering fact that land taken from countless owners by eminent domain for the ACP remains in company hands and it will be a mess to sort out. The best solution: consider the sweeping impact of a project before it starts. But now we must turn our attention to the other massive and unnecessary pipeline construction in Virginia, the Mountain Valley Pipeline! As we savor the Atlantic Coast Pipeline victory, we must again step up to the plate. We have learned the power of commitment and persistence; in the face of environmental injustice we know that grassroots action works! So let's keep pressing onward! Book Reviews by Joe Reading ideas for those who are still experiencing time for such pursuits. The Bay by Gilbert Klingel. This interesting author-naturalist was the subject of the winning documentary at the RVA Environmental Film Festival's 2019 film contest. Written in 1951, Klingel's book explores the Chesapeake Bay from bottom to surface, displaying the author’s sharp eye and curious mind. Eating Stone by Ellen Meloy is a book which uses the author's fascination with bighorn sheep as a platform for exploring the desert Southwest. Sharp humor and righteous indignation at human destruction of the natural world blend most readably. The Natural History of Selborne by Gilbert White. Travel back to a time before pipelines and monopoly utilities. The author, vicar of Shelborne, a small English village in 1770, writes letters about his curiosity and wonder at the local plants and wildlife. A charming classic in print since 1789. Richmond couple traverses nature with a purpose by Bill Lohmann from the Richmond Times-Dispatch When Shavon and Andrew Peacock head out on their regular morning walks through their South Richmond neighborhood, they often head out carrying plastic bags, a 5-gallon bucket and long-handled pick-up tools, better for retrieving beer cans and other debris along the roadside. "So we don't have to bend down so much," Andrew said of the "reachers" they acquired a while back, "and don't have to handle the cigarette butts." Shavon acknowledges being a little obsessive about the cigarette butts--the filters are not biodegradable, and she hates to think about whatever toxins they contain washing into the river -- so she goes after the butts with unapologetic abandon and keeps count. She picked up 185 on one particularly fruitful walk a summer ago. The Peacocks are avid walkers and equally avid litter- collectors, having been at both a long while. Andrew checked back in his journal and found his first reference to picking up trash during their walk-abouts in 2011. Picking up litter now and again is laudable, but nine years is a dedicated commitment. I learned of the Peacocks from their neighbor Leslie Smith, who had just seen them picking up trash from the river. "I was struck, once again, by Shavon's and Andrew's faithfulness," Smith said. "Their commitment to protecting our environment and doing so in such a small--yet huge--and personal way was inspiring to me. I thought then that it was important that other people, not just those in the neighborhood, know about them and what they were doing." Shavon and Andrew Peacock's environmental efforts were featured in Bill Lohmann's column in the Richmond-Times Dispatch, July 22, 2020. The beginning of the article is reprinted here. The entire article is available on the RTD website . The Peacocks relate that as a result of this article, a group of folks calling themselves "The Pony Pasture Pickers" have joined in this effort, even establishing their own Facebook page. COVID-19 GUIDELINES UPDATE FROM NATIONAL SIERRA CLUB The Sierra Club has extended its COVID-19 operational response through Sunday, February 28, 2021. This means all national, chapter, and shared offices will remain closed, with rare exceptions for urgent business continuity needs. Travel, in-person meetings, public events and outings will also remain on hold at least through the end of February. CALENDAR IN BRIEF From around the area Tues., Sept.15. noon. "Virtual Letter to the Editor Workshop." Info and registration HERE . Wed., Sept.16. 7:00-9:00. "2020 Environmental & Energy Reforms in Virginia - Next Steps." Members of the General Assembly discuss energy and environment in southwest Virginia. Information HERE . Sat., Sept. 26 - Sun.,Oct. 4. National Drive Electric Week. Here's a chance to talk to owners of electric cars. Information HERE . Tues., Sept.29. & Thurs., Oct.22. 1:00-4:00. Invasive Plant Workshop. Other dates and information. Get involved! Visit HERE to learn about the Sierra Club's Falls of the James Group. 2020 FOJG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Joe Brancoli: FOJG Chair & Vice Chair VA Chapter Ex Comm [email protected] Andrew Peacock, Treasurer: [email protected] Shavon Peacock, Secretary: [email protected] Glen Besa: [email protected] Steve Carter-Lovejoy: [email protected] Kate McClory [email protected] Bruce Tarr: [email protected] Lee Williams [email protected] Steve Yarus: [email protected] Daryl Downing,Chair of the Sierra Club's Virginia Chapter Ex Comm [email protected] FOJG Committee Structure Communications Committee comprises e-news, website, publicity and social media. Conservation & Advocacy Committee comprises conservation, legislative/political, pollinators, bike/pedestrian issues. Meets on the fourth Wed. of each month. Membership Engagement Committee comprises membership, programs, outings and fundraising. Meets on the last Thursday of each month. "Skip the Plastics RVA" Committee fights single use plastic in the Richmond area. New members are welcome. Interested? Contact Shavon Peacock [email protected] Falls of the James Group Facebook Sierra Club Virginia Chapter Facebook Websites: Falls of the James Group | Virginia Chapter Websites: Virginia Chapter | Falls of the James Group Copyright © 2018 Fall of the James Group, Sierra Club, All rights reserved. The COVID-19 crisis has not passed and continues to disproportionately harm Black, Indigenous, and Latinx people and other communities of color. The pandemic has revealed how the communities hardest hit are often the same communities that suffer from high levels of pollution and poor access to healthcare. The fight for environmental justice cannot be separated from the fight for racial justice. This email was sent by the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter 100 W Franklin St, Mezzanine Richmond, VA 23220-5048 View as Web Page
Transcript of Monthly Meeting Speaker Schedule · 2020. 8. 27. · to help abolish systemic racism, which is...
As people across the country protest in defense of Black lives, the Sierra Club recognizes the need to dismantlesystemic racism in the United States and within our own organization. We must reckon with how white supremacy -- both past and present -- has shaped our institutions and do the critical anti-racism work necessary to repair theharm done. The environmental movement does not exist in a vacuum, and it is our responsibility to use our powerto help abolish systemic racism, which is destroying lives, communities, and the planet.
FOJG Newsletter Fall 2020
Monthly MeetingSpeaker Schedule
FOJG's Fall 2020 Programs
will be VIRTUALYou will find the
same thought-provoking topics, same "everybody welcome" free programs,same dates and times (2nd Tues., 7:00 pm).
Watch from home.Bring your own snacks.
Links below.
Bryce WilkTues. Sept. 8, 7:00 pmRegister HERE
The James River ParkMaster Plan:
Envisioning the Future
Bryce Wilk, Superintendent of the James River ParkSystem, will explain details of Richmond's JamesRiver Park System's 10-Year Master Plan, acommunity vision that was years in the planning.Approved by City Council in January 2020, Brycewill bring us up to date on its implementation. After Bryce's talk, there will be updates on FOJGand VA Sierra Club issues.
Register HERE (or above) for the September8 program. A link to the GoToWebinar virtualprogram will be sent to you before the program.
Bryce Wilk
Sarah VogelsongMichael MartzTues. Oct. 13, 7:00 pmRegister HERE
Hot Election Issues --Green Choices
Get updates from the news reporters who coverVirginia's pipelines battles, the new VA Clean EconomyAct, Virginia's participation in the Regional GreenhouseGas Initiative and wide ranging issues related to energy,the environment and politics. Sarah Vogelsong, reporterfrom the Virginia Mercury, and Michael Martz with theRichmond Times-Dispatch will discuss these and otherenvironmental issues they have covered.
Additionally, members of the Virginia Chapter of theSierra Club will discuss the November 3 elections.Virginians will vote not only for President, but also for aU.S. Senate seat (Sen. Mark Warner is beingchallenged) and for their own district’s representative inthe House of Representatives. On the Nov. 3 ballot, wewill also be asked to vote on two Virginia constitutionalamendments. (See Virginia Department ofElections website.) In the City of Richmond, there arealso elections for mayor, City Council, and SchoolBoard. The speakers will share information gleanedfrom their research, questionnaires, and interviews. Besure you are registered to vote in this most importantelection!
Register HERE (or above) for the October 13 program.A link to the GoToWebinar virtual program will be sentto you before the program.
Sarah VogelsongMichael Martz
Art EvansTues., Nov. 10, 7:00 pmRegister HERE
The Insect ApocalpyseIs the world's entomofauna in decline?
Hate those pesky insects? Entomologist ArtEvans will make you think twice about the decline ofinsect populations' around the world. Dr. Art Evans,noted scientist, author and lecturer, will present anoverview of the science of entomofauna (the insectlife of a region) as well as highlight some of theobserved and perceived drivers of the decline ininsect populations. He will offer suggestions forreversing this trend on a global and local scale. Hispresentation will conclude with brief updates on theVirginia Cicada Project and the James River ParkSystem Insect Survey. Register HERE (or above) for the November 10virtual program and more information. A link to theGoToWebinar virtual program will be emailed to youbefore the program.
Art Evans
2021 FOJG Programs
1/12/21 - Sarah Francisco, the Southern Environmental Law Center's Director of the VirginiaOffice, will discuss recent environmental lawsuits they have worked on, including the now- cancelledAtlantic Pipeline.
2/9/21 - Dr. Jeremy Hoffman, Science Museum Scientist, will talk about urban heat Islands andcurrent efforts to ameliorate this effect in Richmond, as well as any new research he is doing.
3/9/2021 - Jay Epstein, builder and community developer of zero energy homes, will focus on thepast and present development of energy-efficient design, especially in Virginia.
4/13/21 - Green New Deal Virginia updates from Lee Williams and her co-chair Karen Campblin.The Green New Deal Virginia is a recipient of a $1,000 grant from FOJG.
The Most Important ElectionIn our Lifetimes:
November 3, 2020by Glen Besa
We leave it to you to decide who you are voting for, but SIerraClub does endorse candidates to let our members know who wethink will best represent our environmental concerns.
Focusing on the positive, Sierra Club has endorsed Joe Biden forpresident as well as Mark Warner for U.S. Senate. We have alsoendorsed two incumbent members of the House ofRepresentatives who serve central Virginia: Donald McEachin inVA-4 and Abigail Spanberger in VA-7.
Currently, the Falls of the James Group is looking at possibleendorsements in the Richmond mayoral and City Council races. You can find our up to date list of all endorsementsat http://www.scvapac.org/.
Executive Committee Openings
Greetings to all Falls of the James Group members!Any member who wishes to may run for a two-year term on our nine-member Executive Committee, which meets on the first Wednesdayevening of each month from September through June. We are nowmeeting via Zoom. Interested parties should contact either Bruce Tarrat [email protected] or Steve Carter-Lovejoyat [email protected] .
Atlantic Coast Pipelineand Beyond
Editorial by Joe Brancoli
As most of you know, in an astounding reversal Dominion andDuke Energy abruptly cancelled the multibillion dollar AtlanticCoast Pipeline. To me, one thing is even better than not having thisspecific huge, crazily expensive, fossil fuel pipeline: learning thatthese gargantuan corporations can be stopped, even doing a projectthey have spent years and billions of dollars on and dearly want tohave happen. Unwise and ill-conceived projects can be halted bythe sacrifice and tenacity of dedicated people like Sierra Clubmembers and so many others around Virginia. We did it!!!!
Additionally, we must note the sobering fact that land taken fromcountless owners by eminent domain for the ACP remains incompany hands and it will be a mess to sort out. The best solution: consider the sweeping impact of a project before it starts.
But now we must turn our attention to the other massive andunnecessary pipeline construction in Virginia, the Mountain ValleyPipeline! As we savor the Atlantic Coast Pipeline victory, we mustagain step up to the plate. We have learned the power ofcommitment and persistence; in the face of environmental injusticewe know that grassroots action works! So let's keep pressingonward!
Book Reviewsby Joe
Reading ideas for those who are still experiencing time for such pursuits.
The Bay by Gilbert Klingel. This interesting author-naturalist was the subject of thewinning documentary at the RVA Environmental Film Festival's 2019 film contest.Written in 1951, Klingel's book explores the Chesapeake Bay from bottom to surface,displaying the author’s sharp eye and curious mind.
Eating Stone by Ellen Meloy is a book which uses the author's fascination withbighorn sheep as a platform for exploring the desert Southwest. Sharp humor andrighteous indignation at human destruction of the natural world blend most readably.
The Natural History of Selborne by Gilbert White. Travel back to a time beforepipelines and monopoly utilities. The author, vicar of Shelborne, a small English villagein 1770, writes letters about his curiosity and wonder at the local plants and wildlife. Acharming classic in print since 1789.
Richmond coupletraverses naturewith a purpose
by Bill Lohmann
from the Richmond Times-Dispatch
When Shavon and Andrew Peacockhead out on their regular morning walksthrough their South Richmondneighborhood, they often head outcarrying plastic bags, a 5-gallon bucketand long-handled pick-up tools, betterfor retrieving beer cans and otherdebris along the roadside.
"So we don't have to bend down somuch," Andrew said of the "reachers"they acquired a while back, "and don'thave to handle the cigarette butts."
Shavon acknowledges being a little obsessive about the cigarette butts--the filters are notbiodegradable, and she hates to think about whatever toxins they contain washing intothe river -- so she goes after the butts with unapologetic abandon and keeps count. Shepicked up 185 on one particularly fruitful walk a summer ago.
The Peacocks are avid walkers and equally avid litter- collectors, having been at both along while. Andrew checked back in his journal and found his first reference to picking uptrash during their walk-abouts in 2011. Picking up litter now and again is laudable, butnine years is a dedicated commitment.
I learned of the Peacocks from their neighbor Leslie Smith, who had just seen thempicking up trash from the river. "I was struck, once again, by Shavon's and Andrew'sfaithfulness," Smith said. "Their commitment to protecting our environment and doing soin such a small--yet huge--and personal way was inspiring to me. I thought then that itwas important that other people, not just those in the neighborhood, know about themand what they were doing."
Shavon and Andrew Peacock's environmental efforts were featured in BillLohmann's column in the Richmond-Times Dispatch, July 22, 2020. Thebeginning of the article is reprinted here. The entire article is available onthe RTD website. The Peacocks relate that as a result of this article, a groupof folks calling themselves "The Pony Pasture Pickers" have joined in thiseffort, even establishing their own Facebook page.
COVID-19 GUIDELINES UPDATEFROM NATIONAL SIERRA CLUB
The Sierra Club has extended its COVID-19 operational response throughSunday, February 28, 2021. This means all national, chapter, and sharedoffices will remain closed, with rare exceptions for urgent businesscontinuity needs. Travel, in-person meetings, public events and outings willalso remain on hold at least through the end of February.
CALENDAR IN BRIEF From around the area
Tues., Sept.15. noon. "Virtual Letter to the Editor Workshop." Info andregistration HERE.
Wed., Sept.16. 7:00-9:00. "2020 Environmental & Energy Reforms inVirginia - Next Steps." Members of the General Assembly discuss energyand environment in southwest Virginia. Information HERE.
Sat., Sept. 26 - Sun.,Oct. 4. National Drive Electric Week. Here's achance to talk to owners of electric cars. Information HERE.
Tues., Sept.29. & Thurs., Oct.22. 1:00-4:00. Invasive PlantWorkshop. Other dates and information.
Get involved! Visit HERE to learnabout the Sierra Club's Falls of the James Group.
2020 FOJG EXECUTIVECOMMITTEE
Joe Brancoli: FOJG Chair &
Vice Chair VA Chapter Ex [email protected]
Andrew Peacock, Treasurer:[email protected]
Shavon Peacock, Secretary:[email protected]
Glen Besa:[email protected]
Steve Carter-Lovejoy:[email protected]
Kate [email protected]
Bruce Tarr:[email protected]
Steve Yarus:[email protected]
Daryl Downing,Chair of the SierraClub's
Virginia Chapter Ex [email protected]
FOJG Committee Structure
Communications Committeecomprises e-news,website, publicity and socialmedia.
Conservation & AdvocacyCommittee comprisesconservation,legislative/political, pollinators,bike/pedestrian issues. Meetson the fourth Wed. of eachmonth.
Membership EngagementCommittee comprisesmembership, programs, outingsand fundraising. Meets on thelast Thursday of each month.
"Skip the Plastics RVA"Committee fights single useplastic in the Richmond area. New members are welcome.
Interested?Contact Shavon Peacock
Falls of the James GroupFacebook
Sierra Club Virginia ChapterFacebook
Websites: Falls of the James Group | Virginia ChapterWebsites: Virginia Chapter | Falls of the James GroupCopyright © 2018 Fall of the James Group, Sierra Club, All rights reserved.
The COVID-19 crisis has not passed and continues to disproportionately harm Black, Indigenous, and Latinxpeople and other communities of color. The pandemic has revealed how the communities hardest hit are often thesame communities that suffer from high levels of pollution and poor access to healthcare. The fight forenvironmental justice cannot be separated from the fight for racial justice.
This email was sent by the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter100 W Franklin St, Mezzanine Richmond, VA 23220-5048
View as Web Page
