Below you will find info on upcoming spring Permaculture class, a Rain Barrel workshop (Saturday), the next Relocalize Cville meeting, a pruning workshop, the next Green Matters workshop, the Bioneers conference, the DC Green Festival (both this weekend), a Women in Green presentation, the GreenBuild 2008 conference and a Local Futures conference.
For more information about the upcoming permaculture course, see our website: http://www.blueridgepermaculture.net/. If you know anyone else that would like to sign up for this newsletter, or if you have an announcement, email Christine at christinegyovai@gmail.com for the next update, which are sent monthly.
Best,
Christine and the Blue Ridge Permaculture Network team
1.
Spring Permaculture Design Course: Sustainability Strategies for the Blue Ridge
over 5 weekends in spring 2009
- Feb. 13-15, Feb. 28-Mar. 1, Mar. 14-15, Mar. 27-29, and April 4-5
Concerned about Peak Oil? Climate Change? Economic Uncertainty? Get Solutions!
This 72 hour certificate course is a rare opportunity to learn from some of the best teachers in the permaculture movement including Ted Butchart, Christine Gyovai, Dave Jacke, Dave O’Neil, and Joel Salatin.
Topics include permaculture ethics and principles, observation and patterns in nature, and permaculture strategies to improve soil, grow food, harvest water, utilize renewable energy and regenerative building techniques, and build sustainable communities.
For more information, contact Terry Lilley at tygerlilley@gmail.com or visit the website www.blueridgepermaculture.net.
2.
RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP
Join us Saturday November 8th
From 9am-12pm near Meade Park
to learn about rain water catchment. Brian Buckley of harvesting rain will demonstrate how to choose a site for your rain barrel, adapt gutters and downspouts, and construct a stand and direct overflow to drain properly. This workshop is designed as a starter for people who want to learn how to set up a rainwater catchment system for use at their home.
The course fee is $60, which includes a blue 55 gallon food grade rain barrel. Each additional barrel will be $45.
For more information email: brianbuckley4@yahoo.com or call 434.296.3963
3.
Green Matters Workshop
November 12, 2008
Social hour with refreshments: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Workshop: 6:00pm-8:30pm
Passive/Active Solar and Other Alternative Energy Sources: Part 2 (EXPANDED WORKSHOP SESSION!)
A continued look at passive/active solar, then we'll move to a broader examination of other energy sources. Common filters will include value engineering, design consideration, technological and market trends, and homeowner motivations.
Speakers:Fred Oesch (Oesch Environmental Design) and Paul Risberg (Altenergy, Inc.)
http://www.greenmatters.info/
4.
Edible Landscaping Events
Pruning 101 at Edible Landscaping with Pierre Constans
November 22, 2008 1pm to 3pm
Pruning 101 to free people with pruning paralysis.
Hands on workshop! Bring gloves, pruners, loppers and warm clothing and hat. Pierre will explain the fundamentals of pruning: why, when, how and the lingo!
We will briefly expound on Fibonacci numbers, spirals and how it applies to pruning trees. We will cover fruit trees, berry bushes, grapes and kiwis.
Aspiring grafters will learn how to store their scion wood for grafting!
Attendance limited to 15.
Participation $25 (no one turned away for lack of funds, contact Janet)
Information: www.ediblelandscaping.com
email: info@ediblelandscaping.com
5.
Baltimore Bioneers
This year, Baltimore again joins seventeen other cities across the country hosting a broadcast of the Bioneers Conference. The Baltimore event, “Baltimore Bioneers'08: Cultivating Change. Inspiring Solutions.” will take place from Friday, November 7 through Sunday, November 9, 2008 at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and will feature screenings from the national conference along with live panel discussions, local speakers, workshops, and entertainment.
The annual Bioneers Conference presents leading scientists and social innovators who are creating practical solutions to help restore the Earth’s imperiled ecosystems and heal our human communities. Presenters at the 2008 Bioneers Conference will discuss some of the most important topics of the day including:
• How to dramatically reduce global warming pollutants from energy production;
• New, nontoxic technologies that emulate nature’s design genius;
• The best green business practices;
• How to build conservation-based, cooperative communities; an
• New strategies for safeguarding human rights and the environment.
The conference features a recording of the satellite downlink of the Bioneers Conference in San Rafael, CA to each of the participating regional Beaming Bioneer events. Please visit the Bioneers website at bioneers.org for more information about the Bioneers Conference and our partnership.
http://www.cultivatingchange.org/
6.
Washington DC Green Festival
At the Washington DC Green Festival™, a joint project of Global Exchange and Co-op America, we’re celebrating what’s working in our communities—across the District, Maryland and Virginia—for people, for business and for the environment.You’ll enjoy more than 125 renowned speakers and 350 green businesses (start your holiday shopping now!), great how-to workshops, green films, a Fair Trade pavilion, yoga classes, organic beer, delicious organic cuisine and live music.Find out about DC environmental initiatives; and learn how neighbors, community nonprofits and city departments are working together to make their cities healthier places to live.
http://www.greenfestivals.org/washington-dc-2008/
7.
Charlottesville Relocalization Group Meeting: November 10
The next meeting of the Charlottesville Relocalization Community is scheduled for Monday, November 10th at 7PM. We'll be in the Madison Room of the Central Library on Market Street (the McIntire Room was already booked).
On the agenda thus far:
· Review of the “Transition Initiative” concepts
· Putting together our Steering Committee (step #1 in the Transition Town “12 Steps”)
· Finalizing the name of our group
· Defining our bioregion
· No doubt, a few surprises!!
If there is something you'd like to add to the agenda or if you have any questions, comments, thoughts or ideas, please contact Dawn Story at dawn@newmoonnaturals.com. Or just show up!
At our last meeting, we went through the Transition Town Primer and 12 Steps in order to familiarize ourselves with the "transition" concept. To get caught up and to access the Primer and 12 Steps, go to: www.transitiontowns.org.
To view the notes from our last meeting on October 20th, please scroll down below, or go to the website (www.relocalizecville.org) and then to Forum/General Topics/Meeting Notes: October 20, 2008.
Hope everyone is enjoying the fall!
8.
Women in Green, Tuesday, November 11, 7-9 pm at CCDC Is there a greener gender? Studies show that women are more likely than men to support environmental causes through voting, activism, and consumer choices. What are the implications for the design industry? Does sustainable design have special appeal for women, and do they in turn offer something unique to the field? In Women in Green: Voices of Sustainable Design, Kira Gould and Lance Hosey explore these questions through informal conversations with architects, designers, consultants, policymakers, educators, and students. What they find is that women may be changing how we all see our world and our work. On November 11, the authors will host a reception and panel discussion featuring Karen van Lengen, Beth Meyer, Kristina Hill, Allison Ewing, and others. Audience participation is highly encouraged. Mingling before and after. Wine and cheese will be served. http://www.ecotonedesign.com/womeningreen/index.html
9.
GreenBuild 2008
Boston - the historic cradle of the American Revolution, home to innovations that have far-reaching impact and the perfect place to celebrate Greenbuild 2008's theme of "Revolutionary Green: Innovations for Global Sustainability." Join us at the U.S. Green Building Council's Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Boston , November 19-21, 2008.
Buildings play a critical role in protecting and improving our environment and the health of the people who occupy them. USGBC's Greenbuild conference and expo is an unparalleled opportunity to connect with other green building peers, industry experts, and influential leaders as they share insights on the green building movement and its diverse specialties.
http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/
10.
Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, is partnering with the Fluvanna Master Gardeners to offer a
free composting workshop
on Saturday, November 22, 2008 from 10-11:30 AM at the Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire and Rescue building, 10 Slice Road, Palmyra, Virginia, 22963. We'll give away five compost bins, with an additional 25 available at $20 each. The bins are nothing fancy, but I used a similar one for several years: http://www.prestoproducts.com/consumer/garden/bins.htm The ones for sale are being offered at cost. The Master Gardeners will also offer advice on various other methods such as sheet and hole composting, windrow, heap or pile composting, composting-in-place or no-till composting, and covered-bin composting. Light refreshments will be served (i.e. donuts or bagels, coffee, and juice).
11.
Local Future
Paths to Sustainability
* Conference on Michigan's Future
"*The Conference of Michigan's Future: Energy, Economy & Environment
monetary crisis and the oil crisis and proposes realistic, job
creating solutions for Michigan.
Over two-dozen speakers are confirmed including *Richard Heinberg*,
Albert Bates, Ellen Brown, Paul Murray, Tony Earley, and Jerry Norica.
If you care about Michigan's future, take a moment to visit the
Michigan Conference
consider participating to help create a brand new vision for Future
Michigan
*Conference on Peak Oil & Climate Change - Online*
Local Future hosts the * International Conference on Peak Oil and
Climate Change: Paths to Sustainability*.
The inaugural conference features 50 presenters including Richard
Heinberg, Julian Darley, Dr. David Goodstein, Megan Quinn Bachman,
Stephanie Mills, and Pat Murphy.
/*NEW!* /- Watch conference presentations & download podcasts for
free.
*Introduction to Local Future*
Unemployment, inflation, war, peak oil, climate change, biodiversity
loss, overpopulation -- global problems that need local solutions.
Local Future helps communities develop compassionate, sustainable,
local, systems to provide jobs, food, energy, transportation, and
essential services.
Local Future Network members develop these systems by helping their
community to transition from /dependent units/ of the failed global
economy; to /independent cultures/ of compassionate, sustainable,
local economy.
*Global Problems*
The global economic system creates problems which threaten humanity
and the planet:
* peak oil
* climate change
* over population
* resource depletion
* widespread pollution
* misallocation of power
* institutional cruelty
* economic instability
* environmental destruction
* geopolitical conflict & war
This unsustainable global economic system fails to protect humans,
the environment, and the natural systems on which all life depends. It does not meet the long term goals of civilization.
When a system fails to such a catastrophic degree, it is time for
change.
*Local Solutions*
New local systems must be developed that are grounded in a value
system of truth, compassion, understanding, sustainability, renewal
and community. Developing new systems takes dedicated individuals
who share the common value system, walk a common path, and move
towards a common vision of the future. Local systems are needed to
provide:
* *jobs - *that are challenging, safe and community oriented
* *money* - community currency that creates jobs, motivates
progress and reinforces values
* *food* - that is nutritious, compassionate, sustainable,
organic and available year-round
* *energy - *heat, electricity and fuels from renewable sun,
wind, water and biomass sources
* *transportation - *utilizing ride sharing, mass transit,
community vehicles and human power
* *homes* - safe, comfortable and welcoming, zero energy new
homes and retrofits
* *water* - fresh, clean, free water that is owned and managed
locally
* *waste management** - *emphasizing reduce, reuse and recycling
* *health care - *high quality, low cost, community based
services and prevention
* *education* - local teachers dedicated to providing continuing
service
* *security * - utilizing open communication, problem solving,
education and dialogue
* *entertainment - *opportunities for all to participate and enjoy
* *culture* - celebrating diversity and history
* *spirituality** - *inviting all people to explore the deeper
questions of life
Members of Local Future Network communicate and meet to learn,
support, plan, and act. They take the initiative to increase
independence for themselves and their communities. Their shared
value system of truth, compassion, understanding, sustainability,
renewal and community guides their actions toward a vision of a
prosperous local future.
*Join Local Future*
You are invited to make the future a better place.
Join the Local Future Network
The Conference on
Michigan's Future
Energy, Economy & Environment*
Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville, MI
Friday, Nov. 14 - Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008
*
Local Future Videos
Lights, Camera, Action for Sustainability
Local Future published the following videos for educational use. These videos, when combined with recommended resources, provide an excellent start on learning how and why we will be living a local future.
Peak Oil: The Energy Crisis of Oil Supply Depletion
Aaron Wissner, 10 min
Supply, Demand and Price: The Economics 101 of Peak Oil
Aaron Wissner, 1 min
Conference Welcome and the Greening of Grand Rapids Michigan
George Heartwell, 10 min
Peak Oil and Energy Explained by Dr. Vernon Ehlers, U.S. Representative
Vernon Ehlers, 14 min
Peak Oil (and Gas Prices) in Five Slides
Aaron Wissner, 3 min
What Does it Take to be Sustainable? Some Examples
Aaron Wissner, 9 min
Beyond Sustainability: Surviving Peak Oil and Climate Change
Pat Murphy, 38 min
Surviving Peak Oil, Thriving in Community
Megan Quinn Bachman, 33 min
Peak Oil: How do we know? Is recession coming? What about insurance?
Aaron Wissner, 3 min
Crude Awakening: Peak Oil and the End of Cheap Energy: Part 1
Tim Hudson, 1 hour
Crude Awakening: Peak Oil and the End of Cheap Energy: Part 2
John Richter, 1 hour
Re-Energizing America: Rescuing America from its Costly Fossil Fuel Addiction
Dan Chiras, 1 hour
Curtailment & Community: Survival Strategies for Peak Oil & Climate Change
Megan Quinn Bachman, 20 min
Interview with Megan Quinn Bachman on Peak Oil and Community Solutions
Megan Quinn Bachman, 15 min
