NATURE NOTES [] Dedicated to the Enjoyment and Conservation of the Natural Beauty of Sun City Texas at Georgetown VOLUME 22 Issue 4 April 2019

Tues., April 16, 2:30 p.m., SCB Mon. April 29, 7:00 p.m., CC Florence: “Continuing TEACH YOUR GRANDKIDS TO FISH the Understanding Gravity series and Current Astro events.” Presented by Ron Cowick “Man, Moon, Decade” History of NASA and the U.S. Space “At the end of the day, fishing may not provide us with Program, Part 2, with Rick Wagoner." immortality but it will give us a chance to pass along a pastime Mon. May 27, 7:00 p.m., CC Florence: “Black Holes, to our grandkids, and provide them with memories they will Tides and Curved-Space Time: Understanding Gravity,” Dave never forget. Some of those memories will be of us.” Bob Rich, Lingo. “Man, Moon, Decade”, Part 3, with Rick Wagoner. Sun City Fishing Club SIG Chairs: Richard Wagoner & David Lingo Tues., May 21, 2:30 p.m., SCB BIRDING SIG BEEKEEPING Tues. April 2, 2:30 p.m., AC Atrium: Will Hilscher presents Jimmie Oakley, Oakley Family Apiaries "Birding: Above and Beyond." Learn about the extraordinary world of beekeeping, No meeting in May. including the production of honey and beeswax, and the BIRD WALKS challenges of both disease and the Africanization of bees. All walks 8:00 a.m., meet at LHPP near the lake. MEMBERSHIP DUES: $12 for 2019 Any changes will be emailed. Dues include our monthly programs and all Special Thurs., April 4 & Wed., April 17 Interest Group programs and activities. Thurs., May 2 & Wed., May 15 SIG Chairs: Ed Rozenburg & Martin Byhower NATURE CLUB BUTTERFLY/MOTH SIG SPRING FLING! No meeting in April. Potluck Supper Tues., May 7, 2:30 p.m., AC Atrium: “Update on Monarchs.” Monday, April 22, 5:00 p.m. BUTTERFLY WALKS Legacy Hills Park Pavilion Wed., April 24, 9:30 a.m., Tranquility Trail. Bring your favorite casserole, vegetable, Wed., May 29, 9:30 a.m., Location TBA. SIG Chair: Ed Rozenburg salad or dessert to share! We will provide water, lemonade, sweet/unsweet tea, ENVIRONMENTAL SIG red/white wine, picnic wares, and DOOR PRIZES! Wed., April 24, 3:00-5:00 p.m., Location and Topic TBA. Wed., May 22, 3:00-5:00 p.m., Location TBA: SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGs) “Habitat Restoration for Wildlife.” Nature Club activities are posted on the Nature Club website SIG Chair: Pamela Tanner calendar. E-mails are sent to Club members only. AMPHIBIANS & REPTILES GEOLOGY SIG Tues., April 23, 4:00 p.m., AC Atrium: Bob Babb will present Watch for emails. SIG Chair: Jim Christiansen “The Giant’s Causeway.” Tues., May 28, 4:00 p.m., AC Atrium: Micheal REPTILE ID, RELOCATION & MAPPING Starch will present “Archaeological Geology of the FREE service call: Southern High Plains.” - Jim Christiansen 512-868-3504 SIG Chair: Paul Swetland - John Leek 713-825-0145 - Joe Plunkett 774-226-0810 NATIVE PLANTS SIG - Joe Moore 512-639-8319 Thurs., April 25 and Mon., April 29, 1:00 – 3:30 - City of Georgetown Animal Control 512-930-3592 p.m. Meet at the Tranquility Trail trailhead on We encourage residents to leave harmless, beneficial Lone Star Drive to explore the flora. reptiles in their landscapes, but call us so we can identify and Mon., May 27 and Thurs., May 30, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. Meet at map all reptiles. The Retreat parking lot to explore the flora on the new trails ASTRONOMY SIG added to the Hidden Ravine Nature Area. Watch for Special Viewing announcements. SIG Chair: Larry Fowler

NATURE CLUB WEBSITE: www.sctexas.org >Clubs>Nature Club

PRESIDENT’S CORNER into your home …but, do not forget to water Bring nature indoors with Houseplants them! I love nature and everything about it! I also love to bring some of nature indoors. I have always had houseplants mostly https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_Clean_Air_Study because I enjoy seeing and touching my plants. Yes, I talk to https://learn.allergyandair.com/houseplants-indoor-air-quality/ https://www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/ them too! � I also know that houseplants are awesome indoor air cleaners and this statement is supported by NASA! Mary Jane Berry NASA researchers set out to find the best way to clean the air in space stations. Their Clean Air study found effective plants that remove , , and Nature Club Name Tags , xylene, and from the air— We encourage everyone to wear your name tag at our SIG chemicals that have been linked to the cause of headaches meetings and on our walks and party’s. We want to get to and eye irritation for humans. These off-gassing chemicals know you! It is optional, your choice! are from the building materials or from our furniture (like To order a name tag, print and complete the form found glues that hold the couch together or flame retardants on the at the Sun City Nature Club website home page. Return the fabrics). There's also chlorine released from treated water, to form with payment of $8.00 (cash or check made out to cigarette smoke and fragrances from our fabric softeners — Darrell Hutchinson) to: all of these are potential sources of indoor air pollutants. Darrell Hutchinson 108 Bass Street (Sun City) 512-869- The NASA Clean Air Study suggested that certain 4882. Darrell has a box on his front porch where you can leave common indoor plants may provide a natural way of your order form and payment. Darrell will call/email you removing toxic agents from the air. The first list of air-filtering when your name badge is ready for pick-up. plants was compiled by NASA as part of a clean air study If you have questions, please contact: Mary Jane Berry published in 1989 to clean air in space stations by absorbing [email protected]. and releasing into the area. NASA researchers suggest efficient air cleaning is accomplished with at least one plant per 100 square feet of home or office space. Peacock Clock – Nature in Gold Artistry! Additional research has shown that micro-organisms in the The Peacock Clock is a large automaton featuring potting mix (soil) of a potted plant also remove benzene from nature in gold artistry. It was manufactured by the the air. entrepreneur James Cox and acquired by Catherine the Great If you don’t have an air purifier in your home, or just want in 1781. This 200-year-old timepiece-automaton is adorned to take extra precautions, it is also recommended that with golden mechanical birds, which still sing to this day. It is houseplants be added to the most important areas of your a prominent exhibit in the collections of the Hermitage home. Here are several links to lists of popular plants that Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. To see the Peacock Clock improve and reduce the in your in action, watch this 3-minute video: home. So, join me to bring “nature indoors” and bring some https://www.youtube.com/embed/ilPlVRoUl_8