Dear Subscriber,
What do singing, dancing, storytelling, and poetry have to do with saving the Earth? Everything, it turns out. I was reminded of this recently while previewing The Economics of Happiness, a brilliant new movie TSC is co-sponsoring this month (see below).
The movie features the people of Ladakh, in the Himalayas, whose rich, sustainable culture was a stranger to unemployment, pollution, and homelessness until the pressures of globalization encroached. As the industrial growth culture, with its story of store-bought happiness, has moved in, their own ages-old culture has eroded. It is clear in the movie that their sustainability, their songs, dances, and stories, are all of a piece.
We have a slight edge on the Ladakhi people in one way. We already know that consumption is not the road to happiness, and that we have to make a U-turn, fast. But what do we turn to? Most of us have left our land-based cultural heritages behind some generations back.
That is where we get to step up, with joy, and "create the road by traveling it." At our Heart and Soul potluck evenings, people come forward with words and melodies that give hope and meaning to their lives. We're all lifted in the process. Last time we did this it was my favorite Transition event yet.
I hope you can come!
—Michael Levy
|
The Economics of Happiness
|
Friday, March 18, 7 pm
Rio Theatre
Admission: $5 at the door, $7 in advance
What if we could connect to the root of our community issues instead of focusing on the symptoms?
What does globalization really mean? How can localization help us? The answers lie in la vida local! More than a film showing, this event will include an expo featuring local merchants and non-profit
organizations dedicated to building a more resilient community, and a panel of inspiring speakers. For more information, see our website!
|
Thumbs Up awards honor local biz
|
Tuesday, March 15, 7 pm
Quaker Meeting House, 225 Rooney Street
Free
Have you been wondering what the odds are that a local business will fill the space as Borders Books leaves town? Get a perspective at this first annual Thumbs Up award event, organized by our friends at WILPF (Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.)
Ex-mayor Mike Rotkin will speak about the history of chain and local stores in Santa Cruz, and awards will be presented to four people for their contributions to our local economy.
More information here.
|
Communication for social change
|
Wednesdays, March 23- April 13, 7-9pm - 4wks
$80-160 per person
Guided by veteran Non-Violent Communication teacher Kristin Masters, this class will explore 4 keys to social change work:
Transforming enemy images, grief/despair work, coming from a beautiful
vision, celebration/gratitude.
If you work to promote change in the world, this course can greatly increase your effectiveness. Kristin's powerful warmth and skill is not to be missed. Check out the course description and register here.
|
Also worthy of attention...
|
♦ Women's Earth and Climate Caucus House Party
Saturday, March 19, 7 pm
655 Capitola Rd.
Meet Osprey Orielle Lake, author of Uprisings for the Earth: Reconnecting Culture with Nature. Women and men warmly invited. Please RSVP to Aviva. More information here.
♦ Save the dates: Green Gardner Program
Saturdays, starting April 16
$30 for 6 Saturdays!
Get trained and certified in ecological landscaping. Learn more or locate green gardeners at green-gardener.org.
|
Contact Details
831-427-9916
http://transitionsc.org
|
|
|
Potluck with a Purpose
|
♦ Wednesday, March 23,
6:30 to 9:00 pm
♦ Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave. (map)
♦ Free/donation
♦ Family friendly
♦ Bring a dish to share, any items to swap, and community announcements
Get Your Muse On!
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in
—Leonard Cohen
Spring has sprung. Here's a chance to let our hearts spring open with poetry, rap, song, theatre, story, whatever is inside waiting to burst out that may point us in a better direction.
This a great opportunity to express :
*your vision for our collective Transition to a sane, resilient, inspirational future for Santa Cruz
*your celebration of changes that you have made, the courage it took to make them
*your grief or confusion at how we got here
*your sense of connection to nature in celebration of spring equinox
Of course, you are more than welcome to attend without presenting...just bring a dinner dish to share!
We welcome presentations by young and old alike (youth are especially invited to this event). The last time we did this event some young poets knocked our socks off.
If you plan on presenting something, please RSVP to Brigid (email or 462-2625) or Batya (email or 419-6574) so we can schedule people and make sure there is room for everyone depending upon time.
And, invite your expressive friends!
|
 |
|
