Dear Subscriber,
I'm all for anything that might get us peaceably from oil dependence to local resilience. That's why I spent part of my evening tonight at the "General Assembly" meeting of the Occupy Santa Cruz group on the courthouse steps. In what was one of the best-facilitated meetings I've seen in some time, the group, huddled in the cold and facing the traffic of Water Street, debated the tough issue of whether putting up a temporary fence in the park encampment was a good way to protect "Occupiers" from sometimes drunken or violent "others."
Whatever the virtues and shortcomings of the Occupy movement may be, it is clearly a living testament to the desire of many people to reclaim a true democratic experience. That experience is a real part of our tradition in the United States, though it has fallen into some disuse in the era of huge institutions, corporate control, and electronic isolation. I was quite heartened to see it alive and well on Water Street. I suggest you drop by for a General Assembly meeting (check the Occupy Santa Cruz website for times) and see for yourself.
What the relationship between the Occupy and Transition movements will become remains to be seen and created. Come to our potluck to be part of the exploration, and see the thought provoking links about it below.
So much going on this month! If you can only make it to one thing, don't miss Frances Moore Lappe next Friday. She doesn't come often. Cheers!
—Michael Levy |
| Frances Moore Lappe: two events! |
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Welcoming the author of
Diet for a Small Planet
and
EcoMind
Farm to Fork Dinner
Thursday, November 10
5:30 to 9 pm
UCSC Farm
Free/donation accepted
RSVP here; space is limited
Come meet Frances Moore Lappe during a beautiful evening at the CASFS (Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems) Farm at UCSC.
Activities to include:
♦ Tour of the renowned CASFS Farm
♦ Informal discussion around sustainability advances as well as student-focused efforts of empowerment
♦ A seasonal, local, vegetarian/vegan, organic meal
Discovering the EcoMind Connection
Friday, November 11, 6:30-8:30 pm
Cabrillo's Crocker Theater
$12 general and $8 student/senior
Advance tickets here
Come hear this legendary paradigm-buster, who in the 70s blew the whistle on the idea of food scarcity by discovering that the real problem was one of unfair distribution. Now she is providing brilliant new alternatives to some of environmentalists' favorite myths with her book,
EcoMind. She will be joined by John Robbins, Wallace Nichols, and yours truly (Michael Levy).
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| The Transition Companion: out now |
In 2008, the best-selling "The Transition Handbook" suggested a model for a community-led response to peak oil and climate change. Since then, the Transition idea has gone viral across the globe, from Italian villages and Brazilian favelas to universities and London neighborhoods. "The Transition Companion" picks up the story today, drawing on the experience of one of the most fascinating experiments under way in the world. It tells inspiring tales of communities working for a future where local economies are valued and nurtured; where lower energy use is seen as a benefit; and where enterprise, creativity, and the building of resilience have become cornerstones of a new economy.
You can order the book through our affiliate program with Bookshop Santa Cruz (benefits them and us), buy one at the Bookshop, or wait until you see us at an upcoming event and let us hand you one with a smile. |
| John Perkins, Economic Hit Man |
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Monday, November 14
7:30 pm
Cabrillo's Crocker Theater
$15-$25 sliding scale
Bestselling author of
Confessions of an Economic Hitman, John Perkins’ most recent book is
Hoodwinked: An Economic Hit Man Reveals Why the World Financial Markets Imploded--and What We Need to Do to Remake Them. Sponsored by IF and the Resource Center for Nonviolence. More info at the IF site.
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| All about Occupy + Transition |
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Here are some online resources for exploring the possible connections between these movements:
The Pizza Party Video -- A fun video from Bay Localize in Oakland, illustrating why Peak Oil and equity are inseparable issues.
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| Also worthy of attention... |
♦ Getting started with fruit trees
Thursday, November 17th, 7 to 8:30 pm
Cabrillo Horticulture Center, $10
Site/soil evaluation and recommended varieties of pome and stone fruits for SC area. More info here.
♦ Strategies for High-Density, Green, Affordable Housing
Thursday, November 17, 6 to 7:30pm
Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz
With Jeff Oberdorfer, E.D of First Community Housing
♦ "A New We" film: Ecovillages of Europe
Saturday, November 19th, 7 pm
Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., $10
More info here.
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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, November 15
6:30 to 9:00 pm
♦ Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave (map)
♦ Free/donation
♦ Family friendly
♦ Bring a dish to share
Occupy Meets Transition
Transition Towns across the nation are finding ways to join hands with the Occupy movement. Occupy, with its focus on economic justice and democracy, and Transition, with our focus on local resilience, can inform each other, build bridges and support each other where our aims overlap.
For this month's Potluck-With-A-Purpose, we will host representatives of Occupy Santa Cruz for a discussion of questions like:
--What changes are Occupy Santa Cruz looking for?
--What ideas and resources can Transition Santa Cruz supply that support the goals of both of our movements?
Bring:
--Your questions
--Your ideas
--A dish to share
and, last, but not least:
--Any food or non-food items to share, barter, or sell at the Market Table.
Important note:
We are evaluating if there is enough interest in the Market Table to continue it at the potlucks. You can vote "yes" by bringing your stuff and using the Table!
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