Briefs and Announcements

A Better Way To Find Sierra Club Events

The Sierra Club has launched a new web page to help you find Sierra Club events and outings. The new site called OARS lets you look for events and outings as a listing, on a map or on a calendar. Search tools allow you to look for things to do within a certain geographic area, on selected dates, by the type of activity, by the leaders and Sierra Club groups involved.

You can visit the site at http:// angeles.sierraclub.org/outings/OARS.asp. Many events have already been added, and new ones are being added continuously. (Eventually, this site will list everything found in the Schedule of Activities and the Southern Sierran.)

To get your Sierra Club group's events listed please contact Melody Anderson at melodygrace1@gmail.com or Susan Heitman at susan.heitman@ca.rr.com .

Sierra Club Convention Honors Our Own

Every year, Sierra Club chapters in California and Nevada hold a convention to discuss progress on issues, plan ahead and recognize volunteers for the work they've been doing.

Known as the California-Nevada Regional Conservation Committee (CNRCC) Convention, the meeting was held this year at Rancho El Chorro, an outdoor science school, in San Luis Obispo.

Among resolutions adopted were those protecting Lake Tahoe and banning fracking, the controversial practice of injecting toxic chemicals into the ground to extract natural gas. Chapter activist Lynne Plambeck was reelected to the CNRCC board.

Five chapter activists were honored with awards.

The Sally and Les Reid Award, which recognizes individuals who serve Sierra Club California in the area of conservation was given to Joan Jones Holtz and Don Holtz. They have worked on air quality, legislative, population and fair trade issues.

The Bob Hattoy Award which recognizes an individual who volunteer in Sierra Club political activities in California was given to Susana Reyes. This is the first year the award was given. Hattoy was a 'witty and outspoken advocate for the environment and AIDS research' according to his Los Angeles Times obituary. Reyes spearheaded political training workshops, led endorsement campaigns, set up PAC fund-raising events and helped establish a Blue- Green Alliance with IBEW Local 18.

Two awards of special recognition were also given to Ed Mainland and Jim Stewart for their work on energy policy and climate change.

- Sandra Cattell

Annual Chapter Retreat

The Angeles Chapter will hold its annual leadership and planning retreat on January 7 and 8 at Eaton Canyon Nature Center, 1750 North Altadena Drive Pasadena.

The retreat offers its new and continuing leaders and opportunity to meet and discuss planning priorities and issues for the new year. It is recommended for all Chapter leaders to attend.

More information on the retreat will be provided in the next issue of the Southern Sierran.

-Ron Silverman