Dear ,
For the past several months I have had the privilege of meeting monthly with a group of motivated neighborhood community-builders, who have dedicated themselves to resilience in their neighborhoods.
This group began with a "Neighborhood Leaders' Workshop" we put on in October. (Next one is next month; see below.) With initially tentative steps, members have begun the fascinating, rewarding, and sometimes challenging process of culture change on their block.
Why do they care to step outside of the extreme individualism that is accepted as normal, even though it may feel uncomfortable? I think it is for two reasons:
First, they are visionary enough to realize that in the ecologically and economically unstable world of now and the years to come, no one is going to thrive in isolation. We have to learn to share. (Check out this month's Potluck with a Purpose, to the right, for more on this.)
Second, it turns out that community-building is sort of addictive. Once you have facilitated a group of people to come together, reducing both your isolation and theirs, it's too fun not to do again.
I invite you to join us in this adventure. Check out our Resilient Neighborhoods webpage, and consider signing up for the March workshop. You won't regret it!
—Michael Levy |
| Neighborhood Leadership Workshop |
Saturday, March 17 (not Feb.)
9:30-12:30
Click here to register
$10-$50 sliding scale
If you are ready to take your first steps toward making your neighborhood into a true community, or to bring it to the next level of connection and resilience, this is a great place to begin.
Our first crew of Resilient Neighborhood Leaders is starting to report the beginnings of beautiful change in their neighborhoods (see letter above). This workshop will equip you with ideas, information, confidence, and connection so you can do the same.
To find out more, or register, call Michael at 427-9916 or click the link above. |
| A successful climate change event |
No, we didn't stop climate change. But measured by participation, hope generated, action spurred, and, yes, fun, our Underwater Tour of Downtown Santa Cruz was a great success.
At least 50 people turned out to march through downtown, showing solidarity for a strong Climate Action Plan in Santa Cruz. We dressed in giant sea anemone costumes, masks and snorkels, and bathing trunks. We saw amazing sights, like Fred Keeley "paddling" a real boat down Pacific Avenue...read more on our website.
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| Desal and democracy |
Sunday, February 12
2:00-4:00 pm
418 Front St., Santa Cruz
With food from India Joze
Santa Cruz Desal Alternatives and other activists are launching a campaign to put desalination to a public vote.
Adam Scow, , from Food and Water Watch, will speak on “How We Won the Right to Vote on Desal in Marin”, about the successful 2010 ballot initiative that requires the Marin Water District to get approval from the voters before building a plant on the San Francisco Bay.
Also speaking: Barbara Sprenger, co-organizer of Felton Friends of Locally Owned Water (FLOW). Felton FLOW successfully wrested ownership of the water system from multinational giant, CAL-Am Water.
Music with Rus Brutsché, who will also unveil a new painting about desalination. |
| Hopeful signs in California |
Speaking of climate change, despite the frustrating lack of action on the national and international government levels, California is showing signs of leadership.
• Sen. Barbara Boxer gets it. Check out her strong statement to the Durban Climate conference on December 7.
• Santa Cruz gets it. At the City Council meeting on Jan. 24, unveiling the new Climate Action Plan, a variety of citizens spoke. Every single one wanted to see strong climate action.
• And in January, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted for a major expansion of its clean car rules. This will greatly increase the proportion of zero and near-zero-emissions cars in California in the next couple of decades.
Here are email addresses you can use to tell leaders you are with them in the strongest possible climate action measures. They need to know you are with them on this.
Barbara Boxer contact page
Santa Cruz City Council (citycouncil@cityofsantacruz.com)
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| Also worthy of attention... |
♦ "Gasland," a movie about fracking natural gas.
Thursday Feb. 16, 7 pm
Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave.
$6-$10
Trailer here
♦ Training for Transition
Feb. 17-19 in Santa Rosa
These trainings, put on by Transition US, are always great and don't happen in the Bay Area all that often. Get inspired! More information and registration here.
♦ How state budget initiatives will affect Santa Cruz
With Fred Keeley and others
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 7-9pm
Free/donation
Organized by WILPF and including Brian Wall (Deputy Superintendent of SC Schools), Katherine Beiers (SC City Council) and Nora Hochman (union representative).
♦ Cultivating a Movement: An Oral History of Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture on California’s Central Coast
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7pm
Bookshop Santa Cruz
A reading and booksigning with our stellar local ag historian Irene Reti. To glimpse her work, go to this link. |
| Become a member of Transition Santa Cruz |
Help support our important work of building local resilience! Go to http://transitionsc.org/donate and join at the $25, $50, $100 or $200 level, or join as a volunteer. Your participation matters!
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Contact Details
831-427-9916
http://transitionsc.org
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Potluck with a Purpose
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Tuesday, February 28
6-8:30 pm (note earlier time)
Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave.
Free/by donation
Family friendly!
What is the "Sharing Movement"?
with author Cecile Andrews
A new, exciting movement seems to be growing: Sharing! With people increasingly sharing goods, work, and time, perhaps we are creating a new belief system that will give rise to a culture in which we share the jobs, share the wealth, share the power! As we try to transform our corporate culture from its ethic of “you’re on your own,” to one that cares about the common good, we’re discovering new tools in the sharing movement, Transition movement, and the Occupy movement. They’re all about people coming together, creating community, and working for a better society.
Join us for an informal conversation on sharing led by Transition Palo Alto member Cecile Andrews, author of
Circle of Simplicity, Slow is Beautiful, and Less is More; learn about TimeBank Santa Cruz; and discuss how we might add more building blocks to a local "shareable economy."
Potluck 6:00, Program 7:00
Feel free to come for either or both!
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