F.O.R. San Bernard Activity Update
May 2006

Greetings Friends of the River SAN BERNARD
 
This is our Activity Report for May 2006.
 
It was a busy and productive month for us all

Summary Accomplishments in May 2006
 

Events:

• Can You Dig It event. 
  200-225 people, including dignitaries, gathered at the mouth of our river for fun activities and a symbolic channel dig. (5/13)
  
  
• Yellowstone Paddlewheeler event.
  The Organizing Committee took 16 local, state, and federal officials on the Yellowstone paddlewheeler to see the beauty of the river, and the homes on the river. We thank Ken and Linda Wright for donating this valuable trip. (5/19)
  
  
• Town Hall event.
  120-150 members met at Dido’s for a buffet and town hall Q&A with Tom Lizardo, Congressman Ron Paul’s Chief of Staff. (5/19)
  
  
• 1^st Annual Memorial Day Boat Parade. 
  23 boats participated in the ride from the 521 bridge to Las Playas. (5/27)
  
  
• BBQ following the boat parade.
  120-130 members attended a free BBQ hosted by Nelson & Vanessa Taylor. (5/27)
  
  
• Name Recognition.
  It is a truly an event that our organization name has become well-known in Brazoria County. F.O.R. San Bernard flags and banners are now seen all along the river.

News:

• 16 news articles in The Facts, The Houston Chronicle, Brazoria County News, and Saltwater Texas.
• 3 press releases: Town Hall Meeting event; Can You Dig It event; Memorial Day Boat Parade event.

Meetings Attended:

• Brazoria Chamber of Commerce
  Fred Kanter and Roy and Jan Edwards attended the Brazoria Chamber of Commerce meeting. (5/3)
  
  
• Brazoria County Shoreline Restoration Task Force
  Roy and Jan Edwards attended the Brazoria County Shoreline Restoration Task Force meeting, and updated the Task Force on the mouth of the San Bernard. (5/10 & 5/31)
  
  
• Texas General Land Office CIAP Workshop
  Roy and Jan Edwards attended the Texas General Land Office CIAP Workshop, designed to educate the public on how the monies from the energy bill will be distributed in the state of Texas. Representing Brazoria County were: Kelly Hamby, Mark Hanson, Lisa McMichael, David Pope, Roy and Jan Edwards. (5/24)
  
  
• ConocoPhillips Citizens Advisory Panel (CAPS)
  ConocoPhillips Citizens Advisory Panel (CAPS) meeting attended by Vanessa Taylor, Roy, and Jan Edwards. . David Pope thanked Conoco Phillips for their sponsorship of the San Bernard Cleanup. (5/25)
  
  
• Brazoria County Shoreline Restoration Task Force
  Roy and Jan Edwards attended the Brazoria County Shoreline Restoration pre-grant application meeting which outlined the projects (including the mouth of the San Bernard River) Brazoria County intends to apply the energy bill money on.  (5/31)

Presentations:

• Brazoria Chamber of Commerce
  Roy and Jan Edwards gave a presentation on the mouth at Brazoria Chamber of Commerce. (5/3)
  
  
• Bernard Acres Homeowners
  Fred & Nancy Kanter gave a presentation on F.O.R. to approximately 50 Bernard Acres residents at their annual homeowners meeting. (5/20)
  
  
• ConocoPhillips Citizens Advisory Panel (CAPS)
  ConocoPhillips Citizens Advisory Panel (CAPS) meeting: Roy Edwards gave a 15 minute presentation on the river followed by a question and answer period. (5/25)

Organization:

• Articles of Incorporation filed with the Texas Secretary of State & charter number received.
• Obtained Texas Sales Tax Permit number.
• Obtained General Liability Insurance Policy (required by law) from Reifel’s Insurance.
• Attorney Lynn Klement is drafting the Bylaws for the new corporation.
• In-process of completing IRS form 1023 requesting non-profit status recognition under section 501(c)3.
• Brazoria Heritage Civic Center has been officially reserved for our first annual membership meeting, 9/16/06.
• Solicited suggestions from our membership for officer/board candidates.
• Membership database now has over 300 names.

Accounting:

• F.O.R. San Bernard currently has $5,133.00 deposited at Lone Star Bank, Brazoria.
• Sold 88 t-shirts and 3 caps for the boat parade.
• Sold 102 flags and banners this month.
• We received significant donations this month from Bartlett Motors, Winona Thomas, Anna & Charlie Pogue, Steve Moore, Thomas Willbern, Doyle & Sue Caudell, Georgia & Clifford Brant.  

·         Special $400 donation at parade BBQ auction from Keith & Robin Hardwicke.

·         Memorial Day Boat Parade sponsors: Republic Waste, Bartlett Motors, Brazos Motorsports, Dido's Restaurant, Hardwicke Health Mgmt, Moses Automotive, Mike's Machine Shop, A-Kim's County Bail Bonds, Lone Star Bulkheads, Constable Fred Kanter, Ken & Linda Wright, Jan & Roy Edwards, Buddy & Eileen Kenneda, Baron's Marine Ways, Inc., Patco Aluminum, David Pope, Hair Inc., Vanessa Taylor, High Five & Ken & Sharon Corley.

Website:

• Web Statistics for May 2006:
  A total of 11,942 distinct visits were made to the site; 625 distinct web pages were viewed a total of 26,156 times.
• 19 new front page posts this month.
• Obtained the Internet domain www.FORSanBernard.com, which now routes visitors to www.sanbernardriver.com.

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