November 2017 Outings

November 1, 2017

Alabama Chapter

Saturday, December 2 Outings Leader Training.  9:15am at the Alabama Rivers Alliance office. All prospective leaders must be Sierra Club members. The leadership training will last all day. The morning session will be Red Cross First Aid and the afternoon will be the Sierra Club leadership portion. To become a certified Sierra Club hikeleader, the candidate must complete both parts of the training and take an exam. The Sierra Club will pay the fee to Red Cross for the registration of their First Aid training which will be good for 2 years. Email or text (or call) 205 249-6186 Lucinamarie@gmail.com. 

Cahaba Group

November 9th, 2017 at 6:30pm -  Phyllis D. Light - a plant medicine expert and herbalist - will be leading a discussion on herbal medicine and how plants and foods can be incorporated into your life as preventative medicine. We will meet at the Hoover Library with a business meeting for the Cahaba Group at 6:00pm followed by Ms. Light at 6:30pm.  A fourth generation Herbalist and Healer, Phyllis D. Light has studied and worked with herbs, foods and other healing techniques for over 30 years. Her studies in Traditional Southern Appalachian Folk Medicine began in the deep woods of North Alabama with lessons from her grandmother, whose herbal and healing knowledge had its roots in her Creek/Cherokee heritage. Phyllis’ studies continued as an apprentice with the late Tommie Bass, a nationally renowned folk herbalist from Sand Rock, Alabama, as well as other herbal Elders throughout the Appalachians and the Deep South.
For many Sierra Club, Cahaba Group outings (plus some non-Sierra Club outings), check out the Birmingham Adventure Group on Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/BirminghamAdventureGroup/

Coosa Valley Group

Nov. 10, 6:30 pm.  Jonathon Meeks will be giving a photo presentation of his kayaking trip to view manatees in Crystal River and Homosassa springs Florida. The presentation will include some interesting facts about manateees and photos of the trip. Joe Ford Center, 405 E. Cardinal Dr., Gadsden.

Directions to the Joe M. Ford Center:  From I-59, take the exit for I-759.  Follow I-759 until it ends at George Wallace Dr.  Turn right, then take the first left onto East Cardinal Drive.  The Joe Ford Center is the first building on the right. Connect with Sierra Club: By phone |256| 459 8177 (get info, text, leave a message) fb.com/CoosaValleySierraClub

Mobile Bay Group

Tuesday evening, November 7. 6 p.m.

Sreening of An Inconvenient Sequel, TRUTH TO POWER

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power is a 2017 American documentary film directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk about the continuing mission to battle climate change. The sequel to An Inconvenient Truth (2006), the film addresses the progress made to tackle the problem and global efforts to persuade governmental leaders to invest in renewable energy, culminating in the landmark signing of 2016's Paris Agreement. The film was released on July 28, 2017, by Paramount Pictures. It shows just how close we are to a real energy revolution. While the stakes have never been higher, the perils of climate change can be overcome with human ingenuity and passion! An inspirational journey across the globe that delivers the tools to heal our planet. The question is: Will WE choose to take the baton?

When: Tuesday evening, November 7th at 6:00 p.m.

Refreshments will be served at 6:00 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Where: 5 River, Tensaw Theater, follow the Sierra Club signs.
(The General Public is invited, No Admission)
Location address: 5 River, Alabama's Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL 36527 (entrance is across from Meaher State Park on the Mobile Bay Causeway).
For more information, please contact Carol Adams-Davis, 702-496-5050 or email: mcadamsdavis@earthlink.net

Montgomery Group

Thursday, November 16. Former Alabama Sierra Club Chapter Chair, and Montgomery Group Chair, Dr. John Ackerman will be the guest speaker at the November 16 Montgomery Group meeting. 
The subject of John’s talk will be: "What you can do to stop Climate Change as a community and individually". The meeting will be Thursday, November 16, at 7:00 PM, in our usual location at Aldersgate United Methodist Church (Room 25) at 6610 Vaughn Road in Montgomery (next to St. James School). 

Dr. Ackerman is currently an Associate Professor of Political Science at Ashford University. He is a former officer in the United States Air Force, where he taught new Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) operations crewmembers and in the Air Force’s professional military education (PME) system. While in the Air Force, John earned a Master’s Degree in Military Operational Art and Science, and subsequently a Doctorate in Political Science.  He retired from the Air Force in 2007. Over the years, Dr. Ackerman has taught courses in: Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Weapon System Operations, Emergency War Order Procedures, Leadership and Command, Air Power History, Nature of War, Strategy and Warfare, Joint Air Operations, National/International Security, International Relations, International Political Economy, International Organizations, Peace and War Studies, Politics and War, Military Ethics, Research Electives, Environmental Security, American National Government, American History, Comparative Defense Policies, Geopolitics, Political Science, Environmental Policy, and Future Trends. In 2014 he co-authored a book titled Future Trends and U.S. National Security from Air University Press and in 2017 he and co-author Jean Gabriel Jolivet published “Global Climate Change and National Security: Institutional Culture and Bureaucratic Leadership within Three Federal Departments” in the journal International Relations and Diplomacy.  John and his wife Kim now live near Panama City, Florida, where John is currently President of St. Andrew Bay Watch, an organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the St. Andrew Bay ecosystem.

The Montgomery Group meets monthly on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Room 25, at 6610 Vaughn Road in Montgomery (next to St. James School).

North Alabama Group


Wild and Scenic Film Festival - Friday, November 10, 6:00pm
Alabama Rivers Alliance (ARA), Energy Alabama, and Flint River Conservation Association (FRCA) are proud to bring the Wild & Scenic Film Festival back to Huntsville for the fifth year in a row. The festival will be Friday, November 10 from 6:00-8:00pm in the Flying Monkey Arts Center at Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Dr in Huntsville. The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is the largest environmental film festival in the United States. It sits apart from the hundreds of festivals around the world by leaving you feeling inspired and motivated to go out and make a difference in your community and the world. At the festival, you’ll learn new ideas from a selection of inspiring environmental films with hard hitting topics including bioengineering, water issues, wilderness preservation, citizen activism and more. You’ll experience the adrenaline of kayaking the wildest rivers, climbing the highest peaks and trekking across the globe with adventure films from around the world. You’ll explore the issues and movements with leading environmental activists and professionals, filmmakers, and celebrities. And you’ll celebrate the natural and wild world.
 
Join us for an evening of celebrating the great outdoors through film that will leave you feeling inspired and engaged. The program will feature short films and documentaries highlighting adventures to be had as well as important issues to be addressed. Experts from across the state will be on hand to help answer any questions and provide guidance on how you can get involved locally and throughout Alabama. Plus we’ll have door prizes! Each ticket includes a membership to Alabama Rivers Alliance and Flint River Conservation Association (FRCA). $10 for general public, $5 for students, military and senior citizens (65 or over). Tickets include an annual membership to ARA and FRCA!

Thursday, November 16 - Sierra Club Program - Back to Natives. The Alabama 4-H Science School. “Back to Natives Program.” 6:00p.m. at the National Children’s Advocacy Center – 210 Pratt Ave, Huntsville, Al 35801

Saturday, November 18 - Monte Sano Hike. Moderate. Enjoy autumn on Huntsville’s jewel. We will explore trails on a 6-7 mile hike in Monte Sano State Park, experiencing the beauty of the park in autumn. Dress for the weather, including sturdy shoes.  Bring a camera, water, snacks and some cash for the park entrance. Meet at the Hikers Parking Lot at 8:30am; the hike leaves at 9:00am sharp. Leashed dogs welcome. Rain cancels this hike. Questions, contact Patricia at pwales77@gmail.com

Saturday, November 25 - Calorie Blast on Wade Mountain. Strenuous. Approximately 11.5 miles. After a holiday feast of turkey, all the trimmings and too much dessert, followed by a day of left-overs, join Charlie and me on the trails of Wade Mountain to help burn it off. Bring lunch, snacks, water and dress for the weather. Group size is limited. Contact Sandy at sandykip56@gmail.com for more info. Rain cancels.

The North Alabama Sierra Club meetings start at 6:00pm in the training room of the National Children’s Advocacy Center at 210 Pratt Avenue. This is at the corner of Pratt and Meridian streets. Meetings are free and open to everyone. Come join us! For information call 256-337-9702

West Alabama Group

Sat. 11/11. Flagg Mountain Day Hike. Do you want to hike on the southernmost peak in Alabama that is more than 1000' above sea level? Then you will want to join us at Flagg Mountain; Weogufka State Forest in Coosa County. There is a stone tower at the summit which was built by the CCC during the Great Depression Era. There are some old growth Longleaf Pines and other interesting trees in the forest. The trail is a 4 mile loop and is moderately strenuous. Please pack a lunch and water for the hike and wear sturdy shoes. Meet at 7:30a.m. at the old Books-a-Million lot.

Thurs. 11/16. 7:00 PM. An Update on Forever Wild. Tammy Herrington, Executive Director, Conservation Alabama, University Lutheran Church, 911 5th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.