Old Man Winter will eventually arrive

It has been a mild, many would say warm, fall in the Shenandoah Valley. We've only used the wood stove a couple of times and the furnace remains silent. This morning was the first time the pet water bowls have sported a skiff of ice. But, even with the reality of global warming, the leaves are falling and we all know Old Man Winter will find his way to the Valley. Are you ready?

The Shenandoah Group of the Sierra Club's next program, Home Weatherization - Are You Ready for Winter? will feature Benjamin Meredith of Building Knowledge, an experienced professional building inspector and energy rater. Benjamin has conducted numerous energy audits on homes and is familiar with the common problems of weatherization and how to deal with them. He will explain how energy audits work, and will provide practical advice that you can put to use right away to better insulate your home. Learn how you and your family will be more comfortable, save money, and conserve our natural resources.

Date/time: Tuesday, November 9 at 7:00 PM
Place: Clementine Cafe (downstairs), 153 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, VA

The True Cost of Coal

On the verge of the clean energy revolution, the last thing Virginia needs is new demand for mountaintop removal-mined coal, and a 1500 megawatt plant next to the Chesapeake Bay. Join the Shenandoah Group of the Sierra Club on Tuesday, May 25 at Clementine Cafe in Harrisonburg to learn about the proposal to build Virginia's largest coal-fired power plant, and how you can take action to stop it. Here are the details:

• WHO: Shenandoah Group of the Sierra Club, Climate Action Alliance of the Valley, friends, and neighbors
• WHAT: The True Cost of Coal: Come learn about the campaign to keep coal out of the bay, and make sure you are not going to be asked to foot the bill for a $6 billion plant!
• WHEN: 7pm, Tuesday, May 25th
• WHERE: Clementine Cafe, 153 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801-3602.
• RSVP: http://action.sierraclub.org/NoMoreVACoal or Kate Pollard, kate.pollard@sierraclub.org or (703) 865-6659

With Shenandoah Valley Electric Co-op sending out pro-coal propaganda to members in the magazine Cooperative Living, along with postage-paid post cards to our D.C. representatives, it is important to for Valley folks to hear the other side, the true side, of the story about the true cost of coal. Please plan to attend.

Coal Country

We usually don't think of the Shenandoah Valley as being part of coal county. But, there is some coal in our mountains and "Nationwide Permit 21," which governs mountaintop removal coal mining, extends into areas generally seen as part of the Valley - all the way to Rockbridge and Bath counties. With that in mind and with the knowledge that mountaintop removal coal mining and the effects of pollution from burning coal impacts us all, the Shenandoah Chapter of the Virginia Sierra Club is hosting a screening of Coal Country followed by a discussion.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 7:00 PM

Clementine Cafe, 153 S. Main St., Harrisonburg

Coal Country takes a dramatic look at modern coal mining. We get to know working miners along with activists who are battling coal companies in Appalachia. We hear from miners and coal company officials, who are concerned about jobs and the economy and believe they are acting responsibly in bringing power to the American people. Both sides in this conflict claim that history is on their side. Families have lived in the region for generations, and most have ancestors who worked in the mines. Everyone shares a deep love for the land, but MTR (Mountain Top Removal mining which has leveled over 500 Appalachian mountains) is tearing them apart. We need to understand the promises of “cheap energy” and “clean coal.” Are they achievable? At what cost? Are there alternatives to our energy future?

Sneak peek at Coal Country (2:26):

Women for Deeds

Women for Deeds will rally at Clementine Cafe at 153 South Main Street in Harrisonburg on Sunday, September 27 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. This rally joins dozens of others across Virginia to highlight Creigh Deeds' commitment to issues of importance to women and their families.

Bob McDonnell's well-documented beliefs (and actions) that women are not full equals in the American Dream has brought together working women, moms, and the men who love and respect them together to make sure Virginia moves forward rather than backwards. The rally will feature a viewing of the documentary Shut-Up and Sing about the Bush administration's attempts to silence the Dixie Chicks.

Free. Open to the public. RSVP isn't required - just show up and show support for Creigh Deeds for Governor.