The Cedar/Wapsie Group of the Sierra Club
Spring Camp out!

Please plan to join us on Saturday, May 17, for a really cool camping outing. We have reserved Group Campsite #1 at the Pinicon Ridge State Park in Central City. It has direct access to the Waspie River for those who enjoy a cool shower in the morning. This is not the only reason this camping outing is cool.

We will have games, horseshoes, football, bicycles, tricycles, and a slack-line. The Sierra Club will be providing all the fire wood we can burn (what environmental footprint?), ice chests, BBQs, camp stoves, camp lanterns, and a few extra lawn chairs. Some of the best coffee north of the Dixie line will be provided – free of charge. We will also provide interesting and stimulating conversation and companionship – again, free of charge.

All you need to bring is food and drink for yourself (plan on dinner Saturday night, and breakfast on Sunday morning). You’ll also need a sleeping bag and a tent. We have extra camping equipment if needed, so contact me, Gary Gilbert, at flamingo_cafe@yahoo.com, if you are in need of any camping gear.

To find Pinicon Ridge State Park, click on http://www.linncountyparks.com/Facility.asp?FacilityID=14. You will find links for directional maps, and a brief write-up about the park and camping area. We are blessed to have such a beautiful and natural camping location so close to town.

The agenda:
Arrive around 3:00 PM on Saturday
Have a drink (yes, Kool-aid is allowed)
Begin the interesting and stimulating conversation and companionship
Continue until dinner time, when we add food to the mix
Expert advice on tent pitching will be provided free of charge
The low-impact and environmentally friendly camp fire will be lit at dusk
Star-gazing and philosophizing may also occur
Sleep like a rock under the stars
Wake up Sunday morning and complain about back pain
Drink some of the best coffee north of the Dixie line
Cook up something good and stop complaining about back pain
Pack up and disband around 12:00 on Sunday.

There is no better time, nor better place, to join us for a fun (and cool) camping outing. Let’s start out the summer right! Put this important date on your calendar now. Please RSVP to me ASAP.

Gracias y Bueno Suerte

Gary Gilbert

1. Greenhouse gas reduction goals should be a central guiding component of the plan. Iowa should set a goal of 80% reductions by 2050 along with several interim benchmarks.
2. The plan should envision for a significant increase in energy efficiency to meet new demand. Iowa should set a goal of meeting at least 2% of annual energy sales with energy efficiency and should aim to meet new demand with efficiency.
3. The plan should account for a significant increase in renewable energy, including wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass, so that by 2025 Iowa meets 25% of our electricity needs with renewable energy.

4. Iowa should not allow more conventional coal plants. Iowa should prioritize meeting our needs with efficiency and renewables. In the event coal is considered, Iowa must require that any new coal plant safely and permanently eliminate greenhouse gases (e.g., through a carbon capture and storage measure). Iowa must similarly prevent other major new sources of greenhouse gases.

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