Eco/Photo Fest 2020
Eco/Photo Fest 2020 - Online
Eco/Photo Fest: 10/10/2020-10/24/2020!
This year the Eco Fest and Photo Fest have merged into one virtual program. Beginning on October 10 this year (10/10/2020), Eco/Photo Fest kicked off virtual conference that focuses on the connection between photographic instruction and relatable topics in the environment, ecological systems, and outdoor tourism.
Many thanks to our SPEAKERS! You can watch their videos below. We are also grateful to them to participating as panelists on the "Natural World" and "Human Element" Q&A sessions that were recorded live. Thanks also to Alyssia Cook, who moderated an "Outdoor Tourism Round Table" -- you can watch all three of these programs and feel free to contact the Chamber if you have questions or want to get involved.
Of course, the Photo Fest side is still hosting a photography contest. After having learned something through the photography instruction, you can submit photos for prizes and recognition. The official end of the program is 10/24/2020, when the photo contest will end. Send any photo entries to Becky Osborne at becky.osborne@smithvilletx.org between 10/10 and 10/24 -- INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION HERE.
This year, we are also doing a "Tiger Trail" walking/biking program! Send your selfies at iconic Smithville locations and/or screenshots of the designs you make while walking or biking to Becky Osborne at becky.osborne@smithvilletx.org between 10/10 and 10/24 for a chance at a drawing for prizes. TIGER TRACKS - 2020 Smithville Photo-Eco Fest v2
If you enjoy and learn something from these videos, we hope you will consider making a small donation. All proceeds will become part of the Keep Smithville Beautiful programming for 2021, including a Clean Street program, the Youth Banners, and Sculptures on Main, among others. THANK YOU for helping to keep Smithville clean and beautiful!
TITLE SPONSOR: DOUG'S PLUMBING
If you haven't had enough fun yet, keep the eco and photo going on 10/17/2020 with the "Meet Your Maker" program coordinated by Bernadette Noll.
OCTOBER 13
OCTOBER 15
DOWNLOAD FLYER WITH PHOTO CONTEST DETAILS: Eco_Photo Fest Photo Contest 5 Cat
Of course, the Photo Fest side will host a photography contest. After having learned something through the photography instruction, participants will submit photos for prizes and recognition. The official end of the program will be 10/24/2020, when the photo contest will end. Send any photo entries to Becky Osbourne at THIS EMAIL between 10/10 and 10/24 -- INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION HERE.
Sue Beckwith, Texas Center for Local Food
INTERVIEW WITH KAY CHIAPPETTA:
VIDEO WITH FRANK RIVERS, BLAZERS BAR & GRILLE AND CAMMY SNYER, OLDE WORLD BAKERY:
Smithville ECO 2020 Frank-Cammy 2 from Texas Center for Local Food on Vimeo.
Smithville, Texas ECOFest 2020: Restaurants & Local Farms from Texas Center for Local Food on Vimeo.
REGISTER FOR PANEL DISCUSSION: Thursday, 10/15 Panel: "The Human Element"
Sue Beckwith is the Executive Director of the Texas Center for Local Food (TCLF). TCLF collaborates across Texas and the U.S. to provide education, research, and technical assistance to create regional food systems in Texas that support prosperous family farms, healthy Texans and vibrant rural economies. Sue is a former organic farmer, past president of Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and was the start up project manager for Coyote Creek Organic Feed Mill and World’s Best Eggs. She is a certified trainer in Local Food Systems Leader and is the co-author of the book Beyond Fresh: A Food Processing Guide for Texas Farmers. She lives in Elgin, Texas with her beloved and a stray cat named Leo.
William Wren, Special Assistant to the Superintendent
University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory
VIDEO WILL GO "LIVE" SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 10AM
REGISTER FOR PANEL DISCUSSION: Tuesday, 10/13 Panel: "The Natural World"
B.A., Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin, 1980,
M.Ed., Educational Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, 1985
Bill Wren is the Special Assistant to the Superintendent at UT-Texas McDonald Observatory. Bill has been working at the Observatory since 1990, and has helped to design, build, and operate several unique telescopes in his search to understand supernovas and other astrophysical phenomena. He is currently leading an effort to protect dark skies near the Observatory, and has been instrumental in sharing that information with other communities, including Smithville!
The McDonald Observatory is located near the Permian basin in Fort Davis, and has recently re-opened to visitors. However, they have also instituted a terrific LiveStream program, which they will continue, so we can all get a sense of what’s the latest in astronomy no matter where we are.
Bill Wren began working at McDonald Observatory in 1990. He is a veteran supernova researcher, helped design, build, and operate a number of unique telescopes, and now leads the effort to protect the Observatory’s dark night skies.
MADELYN MORGAN, AUSTIN FIX IT AT HOME
VIDEO WILL GO "LIVE" SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 10AM
REGISTER FOR PANEL DISCUSSION: Thursday, 10/15 Panel: "The Human Element"
Madelyn Morgan, Austin Fix It at Home
Madelyn Morgan is a Conservation Program Coordinator for Austin Resource Recovery’s Circular Economy Program, developing programs and initiatives to support local businesses and non-profits who are “closing the loop” in Austin. Maddie’s experience includes overseeing special event diversion programs, micro plastics research, zero waste business consultation, re-developing a rebate program, teaching zero waste classes, and spearheading community-driven reuse programs. She also chairs the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling’s Reuse Council and the departmental Green Team. Maddie is a Waste360 ‘40 Under 40’ recipient and an alumnae of The University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University.
Resources:
- Learn more about Fix-It Austin: gov/fixit
- How to Host a Fix-It Clinic Guide: com/austinrecycles/docs/hostafixitclinicguide_final
- Report a Broken Item: ly/brokenitemreport
- Open Repair Alliance: org/
- iFixIt.com
- The Restart Project: org
- Austin Resource Recovery: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-resource-recovery
- Shop Zero Waste: https://www.austintexas.gov/page/shop-zero-waste
- Smithville Get it and Give It: https://www.facebook.com/groups/493758001475221
- Smithville Public Works (including trash and recycling center): https://www.ci.smithville.tx.us/city-departments/public-works/
- Bastrop County Household Hazardous Waste Facility: https://www.facebook.com/BastropCountyEnvironmentalEnforcement
JIM HORTON, SMITHVILLE COMMUNITY GARDENS
VIDEO WILL GO "LIVE" SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 10AM
REGISTER FOR PANEL DISCUSSION: Thursday, 10/15 Panel: "The Human Element"
Jim Horton, Smithville Community Gardens
JIM HORTON: Beginning with apprenticeships to Dallas landscape architect Naud Burnet and Casa Verde/CasaFlora and Los Osos Orchid Co. in California, a career that spanned forty plus years emerged. Greenhouse management in various growing conditions in Texas, Ohio, and Florida culminated in plant nursery ownership in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida for almost twenty of those years.
Moving to Smithville a dozen years ago and meeting Deb Sewart who, in turn, introduced him to Ron Jones, a friendship and working relationship with the Smithville Community Gardens was established and the rest is history. Having helped with the Gardens for eleven years has brought this volunteer to a position as Garden Chairperson and mentor to the youth of Smithville. It is in this capacity that the most joy and satisfaction has come to culminate a fifty year career as horticulturist and community builder.
Kevin M. Anderson Ph.D., Coordinator,
Austin Water - Center for Environmental Research [CER]
VIDEO WILL GO "LIVE" SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 10AM
REGISTER FOR PANEL DISCUSSION: Tuesday, 10/13 Panel: "The Natural World"
Fluvial Life: The Nature of the Colorado River
Fluvial life begins with the oxygen rich biogeochemistry of flowing water which merges with the ecology of the organisms who make their homes in water, in the gravel bed, and along the riparian banks of rivers and streams. This lecture will explore the rich diversity of habitats and life in flowing water along the Colorado River from Austin to Smithville.
Dr. Kevin M. Anderson has been the coordinator of the Austin Water Center for Environmental Research at Hornsby Bend since 2000. His environmental career began on a Pennsylvania farm, and it has since ranged from running an organic farm in Potomac, Maryland to helping start a river conservation foundation in Northeastern Hungary as a Peace Corps Volunteer. He received his Master’s degree in Philosophy from Ohio University, where he taught philosophy and symbolic logic for several years. He was beginning his Ph.D. dissertation in Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin in 1995 when he met some UT geographers, and they encouraged him to switch programs and become a geographer. He did. He completed his Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Texas at Austin with a dissertation entitled: Marginal Nature: Urban Wastelands and the Geography of Nature. His research interests include urban ecology, rivers and riparian ecology, soil and sustainable agriculture, environmental history and, still, philosophy.
LISA HIGH, QUEEN BEE HONEY
CLINT WEAVER, R. WEAVER APIARIES
VIDEOS WILL GO "LIVE" SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 10AM
REGISTER FOR PANEL DISCUSSION: Thursday, 10/15 Panel: "The Human Element"
Lisa High, owner of Queen Bee Honey and Clint Weaver, an apiary specialist, will speak to the importance of bees in our eco system as well as the edible and medicinal uses uses of honey.
KEVIN HUTCHISON, PLAIN BROWN WRAPPER IMAGES
VIDEO WILL GO "LIVE" SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 10AM
REGISTER FOR PANEL DISCUSSION: Tuesday, 10/13 Panel: "The Natural World"
KEVIN HUTCHISON, PLAIN BROWN WRAPPER IMAGES
Kevin Hutchison graduated Milwaukee Area Technical Collage in 1982 with an Associates Degree in commercial photography and began his career in professional photography. For the next ten years he in various positions including head photographer at Indiana University, photography instructor at the United States Army Warrant Officers School and Defense Information School and finally as a photographer at Third Eye Photography in Austin Texas. After 4 years at Third Eye Kevin took a break from photography and started Hill Country Flyfishers, a fly fishing guide business based here in Smithville Texas. After building Hill Country Flyfishers into a successful business Kevin returned to photography, forming Plain Brown Wrapper Images, a boudoir photography business. Today Kevin runs both businesses and from time to time melds them together to produce unique images using the skills learned over the years in nature and the studio.
LINDA BAUER, THE WINNING SHOT PHOTOGRAPHY
MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY
VIDEO WILL GO "LIVE" SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 10AM
REGISTER FOR PANEL DISCUSSION: Thursday, 10/15 Panel: "The Human Element"
Linda has been taking photos most of her life. She earned her first paycheck in photography capturing a wedding at the age of 17. Linda has photographed almost everything from weddings to beauty pageants before settling into a sports and events photographer. Although sports are her main specialty, she also takes on several other things including drone and videography. Her newest ventures include personalization and awards. Doing all the inhouse gives her the flexibility to offer her customers exactly what they are looking for without having to purchase large quantities. She is very passionate about her work and giving back to the community that she is involved in. One way she does this is by working with many schools and organization with fund raising items. Linda will be speaking on nature photography and macro photography for the ECO/PHOTOFEST.
RANDY KERR, 11 SAVANNAS
VIDEO WILL GO "LIVE" OCTOBER 10 AT 10AM
Randy Kerr is a Smithville Resident and lighting educator for the craft of photography.
Randy Kerr has photographed Texas and national public servants along with grand openings of events such as The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, The Bob Bullock State History Museum, The Austin Convention Center as well as many Texas families and friends. He has been seen on ABC World News Tonight and The History Channel. Randy's work from National Geographic world eco lodge, Rosalie Bay Resort, has been aired on NBC Today Show and announced as one of the top ten photographers for eco tourism at the World Travel Market of London England.
As an educator Randy has lectured at 7 PPA schools, National Photo Expos and is the founder of the Austin Soul of the City Portrait Symposium.
Randy's focus is to educate film-makers and photographers on how to achieve quality light in image capture, while exposing meaningful humanitarian topics and the environmental necessity of green living.
In 1996 Randy Purchased land on Ann Powell Rd, cleared 11 areas for the purpose of broadcasting and teaching his methodology of light and image capture known as The Compass Code.
RAYLYNNE FILLMAN, RAYLYNNE FILLMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
VIDEO WILL GO "LIVE" SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 10AM
REGISTER FOR PANEL DISCUSSION: Tuesday, 10/13 Panel: "The Natural World"
VICKI LEONARDO
vicki@davinciimages.com - www.davinciimages.com
512-293-9265
Vicki Leonardo will speak on food photography.
VIDEO WILL GO "LIVE" SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 10AM
REGISTER FOR PANEL DISCUSSION: Thursday, 10/15 Panel: "The Human Element"
Summary of Presentation:
•Food photography is a fun, creative challenge
•Competition helps you improve your photography.
•Keep your work space comfortable for everyone.
•Consider color relationships in your set.
•It’s all about shadows and light.
•Packaging presents more challenges.
•Consider different angles for your photos.
•Get as much as you can in camera with on set techniques.
•Food has to look the part, even if it’s not to be eaten.
•Food stylists help photographers get the look clients want.
VICTOR WATSON, Schertz Photography School & Studio
REGISTER FOR PANEL DISCUSSION: Tuesday, 10/13 Panel: "The Natural World"
Victor Watson has been a professional photographer for over45 years. During the first 37 years, his primary photography duties were law enforcement-related while like many photographers only shooting family portraits, weddings, graduations, and headshots on the side in his spare time. He retired from law enforcement in 2012 and moved to Schertz Texas where he opened a photography school and studio, fully committed to working as a full-time photographer and instructor. He enjoys working with every level of photographers so, in 2014, he founded the Schertz Photography Society in hopes of sharing his love of photography and keeping the art of photography as a craft alive in and around his community. In 2018 during San Antonio’s only photographic 300th Birthday Celebrations event he was awarded three first-place awards, one second-place award, and also was also one of his images was awarded overall best in show. He is also currently the President of the New Braunfels Photographic Society.