Group News
New River Group hikers explore the mysteries of Devils Marblehead in western Virginia during a cold winter hike
The weekend of January 21st was a cold one this year, but that didn’t stop the backpackers from the New River Group from spending the weekend exploring the mysteries that surround the Devil’s Marbleyard. Legends tell of Native tribes, beautiful women and ancient deities. There were no encounters with deities this weekend but plenty of [...]
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes for May 2012
Sierra Club Meeting Minutes May 16, 2012 Lucie Monroe’s Christiansburg Attendees – Nancy Mignone, Rosemarie Sawdon, Mary Ratliff, Devawn Oberlander, Bruce Grimes, Johnny McCord, Anton Baudoin Our speaker was unable to present their program. New positions: Maria Bowling is chair. David Jenkins is the assistant chair and delegate. Report from Sierra Chapter meeting Last Saturday [...]
Outings
Fifth Annual Trail Angel Potluck Picnic
Saturday, May 26 Sierra Club New River Valley Fifth Annual Trail Angel Potluck Picnic. Big Stony Creek off Big Stony Creek Rd. (Rt. 635) near the Appalachian Trail crossing, just shy of Cherokee Flats. Park at the trail crossing and follow the trail south over the bridge. Bring a side dish, dessert, drink or vegetarian offering and chair. The group will supply hamburgers [...]
Past Outings
“Green” Winery Tour and Tasting (April 15, 2012)
We will be touring the West Wind Farm Vineyard and Winery to learn about what green practices they have in place along with information about their quail recovery program. After the tour we will enjoy a wine tasting complete with cheese and crackers. Cost of the event is $7.50 plus tax per person which will [...]
More Articles
Radford Ammo Plant Tops in Toxic Releases
December 20, 2011 By Amy Vu and Marcella Robertson Over the past six years, the Radford Army Ammunition Plant has released more toxic chemicals into the environment than any other facility in Virginia — about 78.5 million pounds of chemicals that may harm people’s health. And while toxic releases have been declining statewide, the Radford plant’s emissions increased last [...]
Little progress made by Legislature to improve water quality or water access
by David Bernard After passing the Senate 40-0 and the relevant House Committee 22-0 a Senate bill (494) that would have authorized $300 million in bonds for sewage treatment plants was continued to 2013 by a House Appropriations Committee subcommittee. This House action further delays needed sewage treatment plant upgrades. A House Joint Resolution (50) asking Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences (VIMS) to study [...]
Uranium mining group to report to General Assembly
Officials say the task group’s records are considered working papers that are not open to the public. By Michael Sluss 540-981-3373 RICHMOND — A working group that Gov. Bob McDonnell tasked with evaluating a proposed uranium mining site in Pittsylvania County will provide periodic updates to a General Assembly subcommittee — but much of its work [...]
House Transportation Bill: Clear-Cutting Environmental Safeguards
We’ve talked about how awful the transportation bill in the House of Representatives is – it’s an all-out attack on public transportation and opens virtually every inch of our nation’s coasts to drilling. House Speaker John Boehner made the process dirtier last week when he split the bill into three sections because he lacked the votes to pass it. [...]
Ways to Make Your Valentine’s a Little Greener
RETHINK ROMANTIC GIFTS We know, we know: Valentine’s Day is a consumerist holiday invented by greeting-card companies, jewelers and chocolatiers. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed responsibly and in a giving spirit. This year, consider giving e-cards instead of paper cards, antique orrecycled jewelry, ethical chocolate, organic (or home-grown) flowers, anddigital playlists instead of packaged CDs. If you [...]
What is that Purple Thing in the Tree? & March Membership Meeting
Our March meeting will be WEDNESDAY, March 21 AT 7PM it will be held in the Meeting Room at LUCIE MONROE’S 1600 ROANOKE ST, SUITE B, CHRISTIANSBURG, VA Photo from: http://blogs.usda.gov/ Lucie Monroe’s is a local coffee shop that also recently began serving local beers and wine. They do have a menu, however, dinner will not [...]
DEQ regulators again cite Giles County Celanese plant (From The Roanoke Times)
DEQ regulators again cite Giles County Celanese plant The plant failed to collect data at least 22 days in September, leading to a $13,000 fine. By Laurence Hammack 540-981-3239 For the third time in four years, environmental regulators have cited Celanese Acetate for failing to properly monitor emissions from its sprawling Giles County plant. The company [...]
New River Group Opposes Pending Floyd Ordinance to Prevent Wind Farms
New River Group Opposes Pending Floyd Ordinance to Prevent Wind Farms FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Janurary 19, 2012 Contact: Chris Wilson Chairperson New River Valley Group, Sierra Club cwilson1101@gmail.com 757-202-331 LOCAL SIERRA CLUB VOTES TO OPPOSE FLOYD ORDINANCE After much deliberation the New River Valley Sierra Club group has voted to oppose the Floyd [...]
Virginia Tech’s Athletic Department Wages War on Stadium Woods
For anyone who has grown up in the New River Valley (or has kids) they have doubtlessly spent time on Virginia Tech’s campus whether it was the endless school field trips or Sunday afternoon picnics all of us locals have memories of trips to the Duck Pond and Smithfield Plantation. When you first step on [...]
What to do with those old greeting cards?
The tree has been taken down, the tinsel unhung and the candy canes all eaten and the only thing left are the gorgeous Christmas cards that traveled hundreds of miles to reach you from friends and family. They’re too pretty to throw out, but, what do you do with them all? Here’s a few ideas for recycling [...]
