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Green Earth for DFW Environmentalists |
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SuperBugs in Your Food: June 2005 |
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By Michael Greger, MD |
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Earth and Green Living in Dallas-Fort Worth:
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Contents: SUPERBUGS Chicken Out of Urinary Tract Infections Campylobacter Joins the Resistance The Hard-Boiled Truth: Salmonella and Eggs Don’t Wash Your Meat Bacteria or Cancer? It's Your Choice SUPERBUGS: Chicken Out of Urinary Tract Infections Urinary Tract Infections are the most common infectious disease in women, affecting millions every year in the United States. And they are getting harder and harder to treat as antibiotic resistance among the chief pathogen, E. coli, becomes more and more common. When people think of E. coli infection, they typically think of the Jack-in-the-Box E. coli 0157:H7 infection, which starts as hemorrhagic colitis (profuse bloody diarrhea) and can then progress to kidney failure, seizures, coma and death. While E. coli 0157:H7 remains the leading cause of acute kidney failure of our children in this country,[31] only about 50,000 people get infected every year and only about 50 die. But literally millions of people get what's called "extraintestinal" E. coli infections--urinary tract infections (UTIs) which can invade the bloodstream and cause an estimated 36,000 deaths annually in the United States. That's over 500 times as many deaths as E. coli 0157:H7. We know where E. coli 0157:H7 comes from--fecal contamination from the meat, dairy and egg industries[1]--but where do these other E. coli come from? Medical researchers at the University of Minnesota published a clue to the mystery this April in the Journal of Infectious Disease. Taking over a thousand food samples from multiple retail markets, they were not surprised to find evidence of fecal contamination in 69% of the pork and beef and 92% of the poultry samples as evidenced by E. coli contamination. We know meat products are crawling with intestinal bugs. In fact, animal manure has been found to be the source of more than 100 pathogens, including bacteria, parasites and viruses that could be transmitted from animals to humans.[2] More surprising was that ">80% of their E. coli isolates from beef, pork, and poultry exhibited resistance to >=1 antimicrobial agent, and >50% of isolates from poultry were resistant to >5 drugs!"[3] One rarely finds exclamation points in the medical literature. But what was most surprising was that, for example, half of the poultry samples were contaminated with the extraintestinal E. coli bacteria. It seems that the UTI-type E. coli are food-borne pathogens as well, "found in many retail foods," the researchers write, "particularly poultry but also beef or pork...." The researchers conclude: "The highest prevalences and densities of resistant E. coli and ExPEC [Extraintestinal Pathogenic E. Coli] were found in meat products. This is consistent with contamination of animal carcasses with the host's fecal flora during slaughter and processing and with use of antimicrobial agents in food-animal production." The researchers go so far as to say that the extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli "may rival (or exceed) E. coli O157:H7 as a foodborne pathogen."[4] Science News comments on a 2005 California study which found the same thing:[5] "According to new research, this wave of multidrug-resistant UTIs may have a surprising source: eating meat."[6] The scientists suspect by eating chicken and other meat, women infect their lower intestinal tract with these antibiotic-resistant bacteria which can then creep up into their urethra. Commonsense hygeine measures to prevent UTI's have always included wiping from front to back after bowel movements and urinating after intercourse to flush any infiltrators out. Now perhaps we can add a third measure: avoiding meat. SUPERBUGS: Campylobacter Joins the Resistance Campylobacter is the most common bacterial cause of food poisoning in the United States. One study found Campylobacter contaminating 98% of retail chicken meat, the most common cause of Campylobacter poisoning.[7] And the bacterium is growing dangerously resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics. But we still have a few big-gun antibiotics left to deal with resistant bugs. So, for the time being (before the bacteria outsmart these new antibiotics as well), do we have good evidence showing that partially resistant bugs like Campylobacter currently pose a particular threat? We do now. Typically, Campylobacter only causes a self-limited diarrheal illness ("stomach flu") which doesn't require antibiotics. If the gastroenteritis is particularly severe or if doctors suspect that the bug may be working it's way from the gut into the bloodstream, the initial drug of choice is typically a quinolone antibiotic like Cipro. Quinolone antibiotics have been used in human medicine since the 1980s, but widespread antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter didn't arise until after quinolones were licensed for use in animal feed as growth promoters in the early 1990s. In countries like Australia, which reserved quinolones for human use only, resistant bacteria simply do not exist.[8] When the FDA announced they were intending to join other countries and ban quinolone antibiotic use on U.S. poultry farms, the drug manufacturer, Bayer, sued the FDA. Bayer lost the lawsuit last year, but is currently appealing the decision. Meanwhile, poultry factories continue to spike the chickens' water supply with these antibiotics critical to human medicine. Evidence released in May 2005 found that retail chicken samples from such factories are more than 450 time more likely to carry antibiotic-resistant bugs. Even companies like Tyson and Purdue which supposedly stopped using antibiotics years ago are still churning out antibiotic-resistant bacteria-infected chicken. Scientists think the bacteria that became resistant years before are still hiding within the often dirt floors of the massive broiler sheds or within the piping of the water supply. Another possibility is that the carcasses of the chickens raised under so-called "Antibiotic Free" conditions are contaminated with resistant bacteria from slaughterhouse equipment which can process over 200,000 birds in a single hour.[8] In someone infected with Campylobacter, if the initial quinolone antibiotic isn't effective, doctors switch to stronger antibiotics reserved as a last resort. Does this delay lead to poorer patient outcomes? Scientists recently studied thousands of patients with Campylobacter infection to answer that question, and, indeed, the delay in treatment caused by quinolone-resistant Campylobacter led to up to ten times more complications--infections of the brain, the heart, and the most frequent serious complication they noted, death.[9] SUPERBUGS: The Hard-Boiled Truth: Salmonella and Eggs In June 2005, the Centers for Disease Control released data showing resistant Salmonella led to serious complications as well.[10] Foodborne Salmonella emerged in the Northeast in the late 1970s and has now spread throughout North America. Salmonella hospitalizes thousands of people every year and kills hundreds. And Salmonella infection can be the gift that keeps on giving: Salmonella infections can lead to chronic conditions such as arthritis, bone infections, cardiac inflammation and neurological disorders.[11] In the United States, more than one in five "broiler" chickens may be Salmonella infected (at least in Russian roulette, there are six chambers).[12] But it's even more of a problem with egg-laying hens. Eggs are the primary vehicle for the spread of Salmonella bacteria to humans, causing an estimated 80% of outbreaks. This year, the CDC published the first estimate of how many Americans get Salmonella from eggs every year. According to the best data we have, eating Salmonella-infected eggs may cause 168,000 illnesses every year in the United States alone.[13] Can't you just wash off the eggs? Unfortunately, no. Many of the tainted eggs are infected within the hens' ovaries even before the shell forms, so you can't wash away the infection. And, as we'll see, washing meat doesn't work either. SUPERBUGS: Don't Wash Your Meat Can't you just wash off meat like one rinses off fruits and vegetables? No. In fact, the new federal dietary guidelines specifically recommend that "meat and poultry should not be washed or rinsed." The USDA explains: "Bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be spread to other foods, utensils, and surfaces." Juices? Animals are not fruits. They don't have juice. In chickens, for example, the "juice" is a fecal soup of bloody serum absorbed in the scalding and cooling tanks in the slaughter house. Further, the infection is actually inside these animals. Millions of chickens are drowned alive in the scalding tanks (the federal Humane Slaughter Act exempts all birds), which may introduce the pathogens into their lungs. However new research from the USDA's chief scientific research agency suggests that the primary source of lung contamination with bacteria like Campylobacter is inhaled manure during production (where up to tens of thousands of chickens are overcrowded into broiler sheds) or during transport.[14] The June 2005 issue of the Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter notes: "Your own hands, where they grasped the meat while washing it, could become just as bacteria-laden as the surface of the food....The best bet is to leave meat or poultry untouched until you start cooking it"[15] (what are you supposed to do--levitate it into the oven?) New research, though, suggests that even this precaution may not be enough. In March 2005, researchers published a study in which they swabbed the external surface of prepackaged raw meat in the grocery stores for fecal contamination. And did they ever find it. Even though most of the packages looked clean on the outside, they found Salmonella, Campylobacter and multidrug-resistant E. coli on the outer surface of packages of meat. Just picking up a package of meat in the store could put one at risk. Poultry beat out the competition for the most contamination, followed by lamb, pork and beef. One swab of a single Q-tip picked up over 10,000 live E. Coli bacteria. As few as 10 bacteria of the hemorrhagic type (E. coli 0157:H7) can lead to a potentially fatal infection.[16] The researchers conclude, "The external packaging of raw meats is a vehicle for potential cross-contamination by Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli in retail premises and consumers' homes."[17] OK, fine, but what if you handled the meat like they do in the lab--first wiping the package off with rubbing alcohol using sterile gloves, then cutting it open with a disposable blade before lifting a piece out with sterile forceps into the oven--once it's cooked to the proper temperature it's safe, right? Unfortunately, the internal temperature required to cook the fecal contamination dead (160 degrees F) is the same temperature which produces carcinogenic compounds called heterocyclic amines. SUPERBUGS: Bacteria or Cancer? In May 2005, a major review of these cooked-meat carcinogens was published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy. When skeletal muscles are heated beyond a certain temperature--be it moist heat (boiling) or dry heat (broiling, frying, grilling)--the muscle creatine combines with blood sugars and amino acids to create heterocyclic amine carcinogens. Of all the meats tested, cooked chicken breast formed the highest levels of these toxins. Although there are cooking methods that result in lower carcinogen concentrations (marinating followed by a microwaving pretreatment and pouring off of the "juices," followed by relatively low temperature frying with frequent flipping), there does not seem to be a way to cook meat to an internal temperature necessary to kill off bacteria without producing at least some carcinogenic compounds. And even low doses have been shown to cause human DNA mutations which could lead to cancer. Human studies suggest that eating well-done meat can raise the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer by more than 400%. The researchers conclude, "There is a general consensus that human exposure to potent genotoxic heterocyclic amine carcinogens produced in meat during cooking is widespread."[18] Meat consumers are then faced with a dilemma, choosing between the risks of food poisoning or cancer. [1] Schoenl JL and MP Doyle. "Variable colonization of chickens perorally inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 and subsequent contamination of eggs." Applied Environmental Microbiology 60(1994): 2958-62. [2] Commission of European Communities. Communicable Diseases Resulting from Storage, Handling, Transport and Landspreading of Manures. Batiment Jean Monnet, Luxembourg (1982):139-47. [3] Jones TF and W Schaffner. "Perspectives on the Persistent Scourge of Foodborne Disease." 205(2005):1029-31 [4] Johnson JR, et al. "Antimicrobial-Resistant and Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Retail Foods." Journal of Infectious Diseases 205(2005):1040-9. [5] Ramchandani M, et al. "Possible Animal Origin of Human-Associated, Multidrug-Resistant, Uropathogenic Escherichia coli." Clinical Infectious Diseases 40(2005):251-7. [6] Brownlee C. "Beef About UTIs." Science News 15 January 2005. [7] Stern NJ, Line JE. "Comparison of three methods for recovery of Campylobacter spp. from broiler carcasses." Journal of Food Protection 1992;55:663-6; Price LB, et al. "Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Campylobacter Isolates from Conventional and Antibiotic-Free Chicken Products." Environmental Health Perspectives 113(2005):557-60. [8] Price LB, et al. "Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Campylobacter Isolates from Conventional and Antibiotic-Free Chicken Products." Environmental Health Perspectives 113(2005):557-60. [9] Hemls M, et al. "Adverse Health Events Associated with Antimicrobial Drug Resistance in Campylobacter Species: A Registry-Based Cohort Study." Journal of Infectious Disease 191(2005):1051. [10] Varma JK, et al. "Hospitalization and antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella outbreaks, United States, 1984-2002." Emerging Infectious Disease. June 2005. [11] International Journal of Food Microbiology 24(1994):11-31. [12] Journal of Infectious Disease 183(2001):1295-9. [13] Schroeder CM, et al. "Estimate of Illnesses from Salmonella Enteritidis in Eggs, United States, 2000." Emerging Infectious Diseases 11(2005):113-5. [14] "Finding the Source of Campylobacter." USDA Agriculture Research Service News 23 May 2005. [15] "Why Not Wash Meat and Poultry Before Cooking?" Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter 23(2005):7. [16] Foodborne Pathogens: Risks and Consequences, Report No. 122, CAST- Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, September 1994. [17] Burgess F, et al. "Prevalence of Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli on the External Packaging of Raw Meat." Journal of Food Protection 68(2005):469-75. [18] Knize MG and JS Felton. "Formation and Human Risk of Carcinogenic Heterocyclic Amines Formed from Natural Precursors in Meat." Nutrition Reviews 63(2005):158-65. |
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March, 2008
This calendar covers an extended period of time. Changes happen. If we are informed of new events or changes, they will be posted here and designated Changed. But we don't always get notified so please call number listed before driving to an event.
Saturday,
Mar 1 - Free tour: Net Zero Energy Home, Frisco, 5357 Beacon Hill. 1-4 pm. Tour
and watch video of a home with NO utility bills.
Saturday, Mar 1 - Fort Worth Vegetarian Society dinner, 7 pm. Spiral Diner, 1314
W Magnolia at 6th, Fort Worth. No reservation necessay; look for FWVS sign.
Sat-Sun, Mar 1 - 2 Car Camp and Day Hike at the Isle du Bois unit of Lake Ray
Roberts State Park near Denton. This park is about a 1 hour north of Dallas and
Fort Worth, with a lake and nice hiking trails. Plan to arrive by noon on
Saturday. We will hike on Sat afternoon and Sunday morning on trails in the
state park and camp Saturday evening in the Hawthorne campground. To reserve
your place, contact leader: Martha Ohlson, e-mail mjohlson@sbcglobal.net.
Co-leader: Claudia Blalock. Trip limited to 12 persons.
Sunday, Mar 2 - Sustainable Sunday Lunch. Thai plant-based buffet at Thai
Jasmine, (817) 283-8228, 3104 Harwood at Hwy 121, SW corner, Bedford. This
all-you-can-eat buffet is served from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. $9 for adults, $5 for
children. Separate Sierra Singles table. Organizer: Terry Jensen
Sunday, Mar 2 - Dayhike Lake Ray Roberts. Hike 6 miles at a leisurely pace on
the trail that goes north from Lantana Lodge, near Pilot Point, TX. Meet at
10:00 am in the parking lot of Lantana Lodge. To get there, take US 380 to US
377. Follow US 377 north to the town of Pilot Point. From there follow the brown
signs towards Jordan Park. The turn-off to Lantana Lodge is just past the Jordan
Park equestrian parking lot, to the right. Hiking boots highly recommended.
Bring at least one liter of water. Optional lunch at the lodge restaurant after
the hike. Leader: Martha Ohlson 972-727-5778(H) or 214-282-6982(C)
Saturday, Mar 8 - Tarrant Coalition for Environmental Awareness (TCEA) meets
from 1 - 2:30 pm. Community room of Healthy Approach Market, 817 399-9100, 5100
State Hwy 121, Colleyville, between Glade and Hall-Johnson Roads.
Saturday, Mar 8 - Cleanup White Rock Lake. Walk and talk while helping to pick
up trash and recyclables at the Sierra Club's adopted section of White Rock Lake
Park. Meet at 8:15 AM at the Love of the Lake office on the Northeast corner of
Garland Rd. and Buckner Blvd. Look for a crowd of people drinking free juice and
coffee. Gloves, trash bags, etc. provided. Our area includes one of the
wonderful prairie restoration areas, so there are always birds and wildflowers
to enjoy. The lake and your karma will thank you. Brunch afterwards. Leader:
Carol Nash 214-824-0244(H)
Saturday, Mar 8 - Black Vegetarian Society of Dallas Vegetarian 101 class at
Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 2922 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Dallas.
11:30 am -1:30 pm. Free.
Saturday, Mar 8 - Animal Connection of Texas meeting. 11 am. Center for
Community Cooperation, 2900 Live Oak Street, Dallas. 214 373-7867. Free.
Saturday, Mar 8 - Dayhike Grapevine Lake, Hike about 5 miles on a dirt trail
along the north shore of Grapevine Lake. No reservations required, just show up.
No pets allowed. Take spare shoes for after the hike in case the trail is muddy.
Take snacks and water. Meet at 9:30am at Rockledge Park in Grapevine in the
parking lot near the restrooms on the northern part of the park. This is at the
end of Park Rd. Three. Hike is cancelled if it’s raining in Grapevine.
Directions: From Hwy 121, exit at Bass Pro Road and go west. Turn left
(southwest) on Hwy 26 toward Grapevine. Drive about ¼ mile to Fairway Drive and
turn right (north). Continue to drive across the dam and past the spillway. Turn
left on the first driveway after the spillway to Rockledge Park. At the park,
veer right to Park Rd. Three, and drive to the north parking lot. Leaders:
Marcos Jorge 972-394-2546(H) and Claudia Blalock 817-924-6242(H) or
817-307-4808(C)
Sunday, Mar 8 - Dayhike White Rock Creek Trail. Meet at 9:30 at Moss Park (SE
corner of Greenville Ave and Royal Lane). Hike 5-6 miles along paved trail.
Bring water. No reservations necessary. Just show up. Optional lunch at local
restaurant. Leader: Dale Edelbaum 214-343-6741(H)
Tuesday, Mar 11 - Meeting Dallas Sierra Club, Food at 6 pm, Meet at 7 pm with
Joanie Sanchez. Joanie is the author of "60 Hikes within 60 Miles:
Dallas/Fort Worth." Her book covers the best trails the Metroplex has to
offer, including popular trails as well as lesser-known paths no guidebook has
covered before. This is the essential guide you’ll need for hiking in and
around the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex. The Center for Spiritual Living, at
The Center for Spiritual Living, 4801 Spring Valley, near the northwest corner
of Inwood and Spring Valley in north Dallas. It is confusing so see map here:
http://texas.sierraclub.org/dallas/meeting.asp
Friday, Mar 14 - Dayhike Texas Buckeye Trail. Meet at the Trailhead at 9 AM. See
the Texas Buckeye Blossoms, Learn about the Trinity River and its Hardwood
Bottomland Forest. Trail conditions dependant upon weather conditions. Wear
appropriate outdoor hiking gear. Guides are Texas Master Naturalist Volunteers
–North Texas Chapter. Trailhead is at: 7000 Bexar St, Dallas TX 75215. Mapsco
56L. No reservations are required - just show up. More information is at [www.texasbuckeyetrail.org].
Leader: Jim Flood 972-557-1144(H)
Saturday, Mar 15 - Dayhike Texas Buckeye Trail. Meet at the Trailhead at 10 AM
or 1 PM. See the Texas Buckeye Blossoms, Learn about the Trinity River and its
Hardwood Bottomland Forest. Trail conditions dependant upon weather conditions.
Wear appropriate outdoor hiking gear. Guides are Texas Master Naturalist
Volunteers –North Texas Chapter. Trailhead is at: 7000 Bexar St, Dallas TX
75215. Mapsco 56L. No reservations are required - just show up. More information
is at [www.texasbuckeyetrail.org]. Leader: Jim Flood 972-557-1144(H)
Saturday, Mar 15 - St Patrick's Day Greenville Av Parade. The Dallas Sierra Club
will be entering a conservation-themed/SC awareness entry into this year’s
parade scheduled for Saturday, March 15th. We’re green; St. Paddy’s is
green… BRILLANT! The City of Dallas has agreed to lend us up to a dozen of the
blue, recycling containers on wheels that we’ll push around the parade route
for use in gathering parade viewer recyclables. We are seeking volunteers to
help (wo)man the blue containers (two people per bin) along the parade route or
just be part of the parade and walk along with the Sierra Club group. Total
volunteer time would be about four hours beginning at 10:00 AM. The parade
starts at 11:00 AM near Park Ln. and usually lasts a couple hours, after which,
we can hang out to enjoy some of the festivities. To participate, please RSVP by
February 28th to Peter at 214.454.6879.
Sunday, Mar 16 - Dayhike Village Creek Historical Park, 2605 Dottie Lynn
Expressway, Arlington. Hike 2-miles on concrete trail with 2 rest breaks.
Difficulty level is easy. Dogs welcome on 6 foot leash or shorter. Meet at 2:00
PM in the picnic area near the parking lot. Hike cancelled if raining at park.
No reservations needed, just show up. Bring water and pick-up bags. Directions:
From I-20, exit Green Oaks or Little Road and go north about 5 miles. Park will
be shortly after the merge from Hwy 80. From I-30 take the Eastchase exit and go
south 1.5 miles. Park entrance will be on the left. Leaders: Bonnie Bowman
817-265-0008(H) or bfbg@tx.rr.com and Claudia Blalock
Sunday, Mar 16 - Dayhike Texas Buckeye Trail. Meet at the Trailhead at 10 AM or
1 PM. See the Texas Buckeye Blossoms, Learn about the Trinity River and its
Hardwood Bottomland Forest. Trail conditions dependant upon weather conditions.
Wear appropriate outdoor hiking gear. Guides are Texas Master Naturalist
Volunteers –North Texas Chapter. Trailhead is at: 7000 Bexar St, Dallas TX
75215. Mapsco 56L. No reservations are required - just show up. More information
is at [www.texasbuckeyetrail.org]. Leader: Jim Flood 972-557-1144(H)
Sunday, Mar 16 - Sustainable Sunday Lunch. Plant-based, all-you-can-eat buffet
from 12 noon until 2 pm. Regularly $9, $1 off for Sierra Club. New Start Veg,
(972 243-0507) 2330 Royal Lane, ste 900, Dallas 75229. Just west of I-35 on the
south side of Royal. Organizers: Terry Jensen and James Bisby 469-371-1938(H)
Monday, Mar 17 - Meeting Collin County Sierra Club. Meet at 7 pm. Group meets
for the first time at the progam room at Haggard Library. Stay tuned for program
and details.
Wednesday, Mar 19 - Meeting Fort Worth Sierra Club. Meet at 7 pm. John Pippin,
MD, speaks on "Food and the Environment: The Real Inconvenient Truth."
The problem won't be how to drive to work or heat/cool our homes, it will be how
to eat in a food system that is entirely oil-based and global. What we eat and
the ways we raise our food not only affect the environment but they also
contribute vast amounts of greenhouse gases that cause an inconvenient climate
change. In short, some foods are sustainable; some foods can not be sustained.
Dr. Pippin is retired director of the Cardiovascular Medicine Department at
Cooper Clinic in Dallas. His professional background includes leadership
positions in medical research, education, and administration. Come early for
complimentary food at Botanic Garden, 817 871-7686, 3220 Botanic Garden
Boulevard at University, north of I-30, Fort Worth.
Wednesday, Mar 19 - Denton Organic Society meeting at Denton Senior Center, 509
N. Bell Av, Denton. 940-382-8551.
Thursday, Mar 20 - Meeting Arlington Sierra Club. Meet at 2 pm. Organizational
meeting for this group. Attend and let us know if you want a discussion group,
speakers, videos, or all of the above in this daytime group for the Sierra Club.
2 pm at Tin Cup 817 303-5518, 1025 W Abram St, Arlington 76013.
Tuesday, Mar 25 - Meeting Mid-Suburban Sierra Club. Gary Hogan speaks on
"Gas Drilling: Making an Informed Decision" at 7 pm at the Sierra
Club's Mid-Suburban meeting in Colleyville. The gas companies are coming to
Northeast Tarrant County and Irving/Grand Prairie. They are full of promises of
instant riches and few-to-no-problems. Mr. Hogan not only talks to us of the
environmental issues associated with gas drilling, he also speaks to us about
the life quality problems that are just beginning when you sign on the dotted
line. Gas drilling came to Gary Hogan's community in West Fort Worth in 2004. In
short, he has been there; done that. Bring your questions for Mr. Hogan to the
community room of Healthy Approach Market, 817 399-9100, 5100 State Hwy 121,
Colleyville, between Glade and Hall-Johnson Roads from 7 pm to 8:15 pm on the
25th. Contact Terry Jensen at 817 545-0140.
Thursday, Mar 27- Dallas Organic Gardening Club Monthly Meeting. Fretz
Recreation Center, Dallas. 7 pm. Free.
Thursday, Mar 27 - Arlington Organic Gardening Club Monthly Meeting. Bob Duncan
Community Center Garden Room, 2800 S. Center St. in Arlington. 7 pm
Saturday, Mar 29 - Dayhike Clark Gardens west of Weatherford. Join us for a
leisurely stroll through the gardens to enjoy the spring bloom. Walking
opportunities span ½ to 5 miles. Meet at the Gardens at 10:00 AM at entrance.
Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome and this facility is handicap
accessible. Bring your family and a friend. Contact Nancy McVean 817 596 5209 or
mcvean@cowtown.net if you plan to come so Clark Gardens can plan for a large
group. Clark Gardens website: www.clarkgardens.com, 940 682 4856 Directions to
gardens: Take I-20 west from Fort Worth to the Mineral Wells exit (Hwy 180),
just east of Weatherford. Head west on Hwy 180 for about 13 miles just before
the entrance to Lake Mineral Wells State Park, just east of Mineral Wells. Turn
right (north) at the bicycle overpass. Look for large sign on right side of Hwy
for the gardens. Entrance fee: $7.00 adults, $5.00 for seniors and children
under 12 - children under 5 are free. Leaders: Nancy McVean and Marilyn Turnage.
Sunday, Mar 30 - Sierra Singles House Concert and Potluck, 6 pm. This popular
event brings touring singer/songwriters to a living room in Farmers Branch.
Enjoy some great live music and share a meal with other singles in friendly
setting. RSVP's usually required. Watch for details on the Sierra Singles email
list a few weeks before the event. Contact: Paul Heller 972-620-1703
Sunday, Apr
6 - Sustainable Sunday Lunch. Thai plant-based buffet at Thai Jasmine, (817)
283-8228, 3104 Harwood at Hwy 121, SW corner, Bedford. This all-you-can-eat
buffet is served from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. $9 for adults, $5 for children.
Separate Sierra Singles table. Organizer: Terry Jensen
Directions:
From Airport Fwy, exit Hwy 121 North, then exit Harwood from Hwy 121 North. Turn
left across highway. Thai Jasmine will be on your left.
From LBJ and Hwy 114, exit Hwy 121 south to Fort Worth. Be careful to stay on
Hwy 121 SOUTH coming thru Grapevine. It can be confusing. Exit Harwood, turn
right. Thai Jasmine will be on your left.
From Fort Worth, take Hwy 121 as if you were going to DFW Airport. You will see an exit to Hwy 121 North right after you pass Central Drive in Bedford. Exit Hwy 121 north to your right. Exit Harwood. Turn left across highway. Thai Jasmine will be on your left.
Hunan Dynasty: Restaurant is located at far north end of a strip center on the NE corner of MacArthur and Ranchview. There is a traffic light at Ranchview. 8150 N MacArthur, Suite 190, Irving/Valley Ranch. 972 444-9760.
Directions:
From Dallas travel west on LBJ. Exit MacArthur and turn right on MacArthru. Hunan Dynasty is on the right side of MacArthur. Turn in to shopping center just past Ranchview.
From Fort Worth take Hwy 121 to Hwy 183 in Bedford/Euless as if you were going to the south entrance to DFW Airport. Pass Airport and exit Hwy 183 to Hwy 161 in Irving. Exit Hwy 161 on MacArthur and turn left. Cross over LBJ Freeway. Hunan Dynasty is on the right side of MacArthur. Turn into shopping center just past Ranchview.
Botanic Garden, 817 871-7686, 3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard at University, Fort Worth.
Directions
Driving west from downtown Fort Worth, take the University exit and turn
north or right. The Garden has two entrances on your left about 1.5 miles north
of I-30. The Garden Center is located at the second entrance. When you enter the
building ask for the Sierra Club or turn right to find the Azalea Room.
Directions
to Bob Eden Park:
From
the North: Exit SH 121 at FM 157 (Industrial Blvd) to Mid-Cities/Cheek-Sparger
Rd. From
exit ramp, Do Not reenter SH 121, take either of the center two lanes under SH
121 to the traffic light (Mid Cities Blvd) and turn left. The entrance to Bob
Eden Park will be on your right.
Spiral Diner, 1314 W. Magnolia Av, NE corner at 6th, 817 332-8834, Fort Worth.
Directions Going west from downtown Fort Worth on I-30, exit on 8th and turn left. Turn left on Magnolia and Spiral Diner will be on your left.
Clear Creek Environmental Education Center, Denton
Directions: Go east through Denton on Mingo Road, under Loop 288, and about two miles until Mingo dead-ends into Collins. Go left (north) on Collins. In less than a mile you will see the parking area on the right. Alternate route: Go east on University (Hwy 380) through Denton. Turn right (south) at the traffic light at Mockingbird and then left (east) on Mingo Road at the 3-way stop.
Thai Basil
Thai Basil, 214 340-9261, 9090 Skillman, #190A, Dallas 75243. This is about one block south of LBJ on the east side of the street (left side of the street if you are coming from LBJ).
The restaurant is not visible from the road but it is in the shopping center with Tom Thumb which is quite visible from the street.
As you face Tom Thumb, the restaurant is to the left of Tom Thumb.
Center for Spiritual Living, International Place business center, 4801 Spring Valley Rd., Suite 115, Dallas. Just west of the Tollway and north of Spring Valley. From the Tollway and Spring Valley Road, go west past Inwood Road and the train tracks. Take the next right (north) on International Parkway (called Arborview on older maps). When the road bends to the right, look for the entrance way and Sierra Club signs.
Contact earthday (AT) dfwnetmall.com or use form here.
Copyright © 2006 Earth Now. All rights reserved.
Thai
Jasmine: First Sunday of each month, 11:30 am until 2 pm, $8, children $4. All-Veg’n Buffet
3104 Harwood, southwest corner of Hwy
121 and Harwood in SC center with Tom Thumb, Bedford. 817 283-8228. Thai Jasmine is in a free-standing building on south side of Harwood,
backing up to Martin.
Sponsored by Dallas-Fort Worth Vegetarian Education Network Sierra Club Veggie Kids, and Earth Singles
Directions:
From Airport Fwy, exit Hwy 121 North, then exit Harwood from Hwy 121 North. Turn
left across highway. Thai Jasmine will be on your left.
From LBJ and Hwy 114, exit Hwy 121 south to Fort Worth. Be careful to stay on
Hwy 121 SOUTH coming thru Grapevine. It can be confusing. Exit Harwood, turn
right. Thai Jasmine will be on your left.
From Fort Worth, take Hwy 121 as if you were going to DFW Airport. You will see an exit to Hwy 121 North right after you pass Central Drive in Bedford. Exit Hwy 121 north to your right. Exit Harwood. Turn left across highway. Thai Jasmine will be on your left.
Botanic
Garden, 817 871-7686, 3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard at University, Fort Worth.
Directions
Driving west from downtown Fort Worth, take the University exit and turn north or right. The Garden has two entrances on your left about 1.5 miles north of I-30. The Garden Center is located at the second entrance. When you enter the building ask for the Sierra Club or turn right to find the Azalea Room.
Directions to Kalachandji's 214 821-1048, 5430 Gurley Av, Dallas. Exit I-30 at Grand Av, turn northeast. Turn left 3 blocks at Beacon St and left again at Gurley. Restaurant is located in the temple building. Kalachandji Park is to right of temple.
Directions
to Bob Eden Park:
From
the North: Exit SH 121 at FM 157 (Industrial Blvd) to Mid-Cities/Cheek-Sparger
Rd. From
exit ramp, Do Not reenter SH 121, take either of the center two lanes under SH
121 to the traffic light (Mid Cities Blvd) and turn left. The entrance to Bob
Eden Park will be on your right.
Directions to Spiral Diner, 1314 W. Magnolia Av, NE corner at 6th, 817 332-8834, Fort Worth. Going west from downtown Fort Worth on I-30, exit on 8th and turn left. Turn left on Magnolia and Spiral Diner will be on your left.
Directions & Map to Healthy Approach Market, 5100 Hwy 121 Colleyville 76034. From Hwy 121 in Grapevine, exit Hall-Johnson Road and remain on west access road, From Hwy 121 north from Airport Freeway, exit Hall-Johnson Road and turn left under freeway to west access road.
Stay on west access road past Gateway Dr and past Rio Mambo and Mac restaurants. Immediately past the restaurants, turn right into Healthy Approach parking lot. Sign is hard to see because of trees. If you reach Glade Rd, you have passed entrance to Healthy Approach.
Community room is on second floor with stairs in the far right hand corner of the restaurant. Telephone number of store is 817 399-9100. See map below:
