Dear Subscriber,
Those of us interested in the Transition movement are acutely aware of the multiple crises that lend urgency to the work of relocalization. We have a tendency to face things--such as the peaking of all kinds of resources--that most people would rather forget about.
It is very, very important that we continue living awarely. It's also important to acknowledge that this is not easy to do. We need community in order to even think about the work to be done in a positive way. That is one reason for having potlucks, plum harvests, and all kinds of barn-raisings.
It's also useful to keep the perspective that not everything is peaking and declining. Some things are poised to improve as cheap energy declines. Richard Heinberg, author of Peak Everything, recently presented this list of what's not peaking:
Community, Personal autonomy, Satisfaction from honest work well done, Intergenerational solidarity, Cooperation, Free time, Happiness, Ingenuity, Artistry, and Beauty of the built environment.
One way of looking at the work before us is that we get to be part of building things like these around us.
Be well, and I hope to see you at a Transition event soon.
—Michael Levy
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Plum Harvest with the Food Group
|  Sunday, July 18
Noon to 5:00
Free
Come join us for a fun day of harvesting an old plum orchard south of
Santa Cruz. These 50 year old trees should provide plenty of juicy plums
for us to take home and share with the community.
This is just one
example of the plentiful fruit that grows in Santa Cruz. We will also be
sharing information and discussing how to make excess food like this
more available to the community. Bring harvest bags and your favorite
plum recipes to share!
Click here for location and more information. |
Add meaning to your life: Volunteer!
|  Volunteering for TSC is a great way to convert discouragement about the world to hope, belonging, and meaning. Just ask the scores of people who have contributed their time and creativity in large and small ways over the past two years. TSC exists only because of their efforts. (There are no paid positions in TSC.)
We have plenty to do! Here is a sample:
- Join a working group (on Food, Water, Heart & Soul, etc.)
- Use your graphic arts skills and make a poster
- Help put on the monthly potlucks
- Become membership coordinator
- Put up posters
This is just the beginning...see more on the website or contact us with your ideas. You will be answered with much appreciation.
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New "Community Events" on website
|  As an effort to make the TSC website more useful in promoting resilience in the community, we recently added a front-page block called "Community Events." This block is a place for organizers to get the word out about their events.
If you are regularly organizing transition-oriented community events (see our mission statement if you're not sure) or if you work for a nonprofit, agency, or business that does so, contact us to become an event poster.
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Success at Sycamore Street
|  Two thumbs up is the verdict from Batya, leader of the food garden installation at Sycamore Street commons.
Here is part of her report:
"I want to personally thank you for your kind donations to help Sycamore Commons get a community garden in!! Now there are plants growing in five garden beds throughout the complex. All ages of people benefitted from that day. The young kids loved digging up plants to make space for the boxes, the guys and some of the women loved putting their construction skills into building the garden boxes and the older women went to town like they were on a shopping spree when it came to planting. It was a great day..."
Pics and more here.
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Also worthy of attention...
|  ♦ Fairy-tale Farm Summer Salon and Urban Farm Market, every Thursday evening, 5-9 pm at the "Farm" (really just a house with a great garden and visionary residents), on Riverside St., 3 houses down from Broadway on the left. Music, art, market table, games...
♦ Microfinance Presentation
Sunday,
July 11, 10 am
Unitarian Church, 6401 Freedom Blvd.
Hear about
KIVA, an international microfinance organization, with local
possibilities. Info here.
♦ Solar Oven Cookout and Potluck at DeLaveaga Park
Save the date, this will be fun: Sunday afternoon, August 29. Preliminary description here.
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Contact Details
831-427-9916
http://transitionsc.org
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July Potluck with
a Purpose
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♦ Wednesday, July 28,
6:30-9:00 pm ♦ Live Oak Grange, 1900
17th Ave. (map)
♦ Free/donation ♦ Family friendly
A Spoken Word/ Creativity Evening sponsored by The Heart and Soul Working Group.
This a great opportunity to express your visions for Santa Cruz, your celebration of changes that you or others have made in your footprint or consciousness, or even your grief or anger at what isn't working ecologically or from a social justice point of view. (Keep it clean however, children may be present).
We welcome presentations by young and old alike (youth are especially invited to this event), be it song, dance, theater, poetry, rap...
If you plan on presenting something, please RSVP to Batya ( email or 419-6574) so we can schedule people and make sure there is room for everyone depending upon time.
Oh boy, this is bound to be a fun event! See you there. (Of course, you are welcome to come without presenting!)
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