Sustainable Bellingham Announcements

1) What A Way To Go: Life at the End of Empire - Oct. 12

NEW DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES THE COMING
DEMISE OF THE AMERICAN LIFESTYLE
What a Way to Go: Life at the End of Empire reveals an even more “Inconvenient Truth”

What a Way to Go: Life at the End of Empire, a feature-length documentary, will be screened October 12, 6:45 p.m. Whatcom Community College Heiner Auditorium. To be followed by a dialogue with the filmmakers Sally Erickson and Tim Bennett.
Free to the public as part of WCC's "Issue of the Year" series of events.
Sponsors include: Sustainable Bellingham and Whatcom Community College

What a Way to Go features interviews with noted authors Daniel Quinn, Derrick Jensen, Jerry Mander, Richard Heinberg, William Catton, Paul Roberts, Chellis Glendinning, Thomas Berry, Richard Manning and Ran Prieur, and scientists William Schlesinger, Stuart Pimm, Douglas Crawford-Brown, and Gerald Cecil. It looks head on at our present global predicament, as oil depletion, climate change, species extinction and population overshoot converge in a “perfect storm” of cataclysmic dimensions.

Produced locally and independently by Sally Erickson and Tim Bennett, this personal essay explores the cultural stories and assumptions that have brought us to this point, and provides a larger context for thinking about, and feeling our way through, our global situation.

“perhaps the most important media message of our time”
~ Jan Lundberg at CultureChange.org

“Nothing less than a 123-minute cat scan of the planet and its twenty-first century human and non-human condition.”
~ Carolyn Baker, CarolynBaker.org

For more info on this film, see http://www.whatawaytogomovie.com

2) The Pachamama Alliance "Awaken the Dreamer, Changing the Dream" Symposium - Oct. 27

See bottom of this page for more info

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Community Announcements - Listed by dates
And Recommended Reading

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Northwest Earth Institute Discussion Courses forming in Bellingham

NWEI’s hallmark program is a series of discussion courses available to groups anywhere in the United States. The courses provide an enjoyable, supportive setting in which to examine personal values and habits, engage in stimulating conversation, and create meaningful community. The discussion course guides are manuals for self-facilitated courses, taken informally by small groups in a home, workplace at noon, center of faith or any place where people naturally gather. These programs emphasize individual responsibility, the importance of a supportive community, and the dual need to walk lightly on and to take action on behalf of the Earth.

Discussion Courses are available on the following topics:
Global Warming
Voluntary Simplicity
Choices for Sustainable Living
Healthy Children - Healthy Planet
Discovering a Sense of Place
Exploring Deep Ecology
Globalization & Its Critics

For more info, visit http://www.nwei.org, and e-mail Marilene to join a course in Bellingham: Incommunity@w-link.net
You can also emal DavidM: miles58@yahoo.com.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

EAT LOCAL WEEK EVENT: Kindred Spirits Celebration & .2k Harvest Chase
to benefit Sustainable Connections Food & Farming Program
Sunday Sept. 16th, Depot Market Square

Featuring Pizzazza, Diego's Mexican Grill, Festival Espresso, Mallard Ice Cream, Boundary Bay Beer Garden, Joel Ricci's Westsound Union, and the outrageously fun .2k Harvest Chase obstacle-course relay race....WARNING: Serious Laughter may occur. Bring your lawnchair and pompoms!

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Is Your Neighborhood Walkable?

Oct. 3 is International Walk to School Day. Come to a free workshop sponsored by EverybodyBike and take the first steps towards making your community safe again for walking to school. Everyone’s invited. Parents, planners, police, teachers, neighbors. Bring your ideas and hear about sucesses in other towns. Call 671-BIKE for more info, or email info@everybodybike.com, and visit http://www.everybodybike.com.

When: 12:30pm – 4:30pm September 17th
Where: Ferndale Library Conference Room: 2222 Main St., Ferndale, WA

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Double Candidate - MEET & GREET!

Ken Mann
for County Council
http://www.votekenmann.com/ .
&
Lois Garlick
for County Executive
http://electloisgarlick.com/ .

Milano's Restaurant
6-8pm, Monday, Sept. 17
9990 Mt. Baker Highway
For more info: 393-7784 or 303-3940

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Bellingham IONS presents

An orientation and introduction to the Pachamama Alliance's Awakening The Dreamer, Changing The Dream Symposium (coming to Bellingham on Saturday, October 27, 2007 - see http://woodsidechurch.org/ - Scroll down to see invitation) at Wise Awakening Orca Room, 314 E. Holly St., Bellingham.

Mara Mitchell, Cyndy Sheldon and Lynnette Allen will present. This will be an evening to see a short film (12 minutes) and learn more about the symposium. Cyndy will facilitate an engaging guided meditation process and group sharing around the theme of the Symposium. Discussion afterwards.
http://www.pachamamaalliance.org
Visit us online at http://www.bions.net

When: Thursday, September 20, 2007, 7 PM - doors open at 6:30 PM

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Renewable Energy Happy Hour

NW Washington Renewable Energy Professionals, etc. get together the 3rd Thursday of every month. (Sept. 20th) from 4:00-6:00 at Boundary Bay Brewery in the Beer Garden (http://www.bbaybrewery.com).

We thought it would be fun to connect the local community of people who are involved in renewable energy, so we have launched a monthly Renewable Energy Happy Hour. The idea is to relax among peers, meet new people in the industry, share ideas, commiserate over difficulties, and celebrate success over a pint or two. We’ll be meeting during Boundary’s beer garden happy hour barbecue this month, but will move inside in the future.

Please RSVP to Rose Woofenden rose@chinookwind.net, so we can reserve enough tables. For any other questions, please e-mail Rose.

If you would like to be informed about the RE Happy Hour in the future, e-mail rose@chinookwind.net, and she’ll add you to the reminder mailing list.

When: September 20th, 4:00 to 6:00 PM

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

International Day of Peace 2007: Courage to Resist!

Hosted by Whatcom Peace & Justice Center, the evening begins at 6 p.m. at Maritime Heritage Park in Bellingham for a short rally and march to First Congregational Church, 2401 Cornwall Avenue. The program begins at 7 p.m. and features the Kulshan Chorus, a simultaneous Children’s PeaceArt Program, the Howard Harris Lifetime Peacemaker Award, and speakers Iraq War Veteran Evan Knappenberger; Victoria Marx, mother of a two-tour Iraq Veteran and leader of CodePink in Bellingham; and Bellingham city council member Terry Bornemann.

When: Friday, September 21st

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

“Clean Elections 101” - Introduction to public financing of election campaigns
Featuring the video “Votes for Sale?”

A Public Forum, 10 a.m. – 12 noon, Bellingham Public Library
210 Central Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6860

The benefits to our democracy
How candidates would qualify for public funding
Benefits to candidates who are NOT in debt to special interests
Answers to common concerns and objections to Public Financing
How we can make this happen in Washington State?
Panel: Craig Salins, Executive Director, Washington Public Campaigns
Dr. Todd Donovan, Department Chair, Political Science W.W.U
Craig Mayberry, Local WPC supporter, Sustainable Bellingham Board
Moderated by Roni Beall, Whatcom WPC Chapter Chair
Presentation by Washington Public Campaigns, with questions and answers

Sponsored by: Bellingham/Whatcom County League of Women Voters
Co-sponsor: AAUW
For more info: Jo Morgan, 1-360-756-0730

When: Saturday September 22, 2007, 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

EQUINOX RETREAT to celebrate the Earth

at beautiful Shuksan Country Club, Bellingham. A very special day of listening to messages from Earth contained in water crystals of Dr. Masaru Emoto; along with more early tales of charm and wonder from Whatcom County's beloved MOUNT BAKER, as we weave our own stories into the tapestry of Planet Earth - our own song for the Earth. We also delve into the role of prayer, affirmation and meditation to unfold the mystery of our oneness with Planet Earth and each other. Just $40 - presented by FLAMING RAINBOW BOOKS.

When: Saturday, September 22. Registration/information; Virginia Hoyt, 599-1651 or vlh@rockisland.com; or pick up a flyer at the Food Co op or Avenue Bread in Bellingham.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

"Passport to the Water: Stories of Bellingham Bay"

Aboard the Snow Goose, Bellingham Bay
Join staff from People For Puget Sound, storytellers from the Bellingham Storyteller Guild, and North Sound Baykeeper, Wendy Steffensen aboard the 65' motor vessel, the Snow Goose, for an unforgettable evening. Participate in a roundtable discussion regarding the health of Bellingham Bay , and listen to spoken word reflections on the cultural, natural and mythical history surrounding the waters of Whatcom County . Tickets are $25 per person, light refreshments included.

Pre-registration/payment required in advance -tickets will go fast! For more information, contact Britta Eschete at 360-336-1931. "Passport to the Water" is sponsored by People For Puget Sound, Community Food Co-op, Snow Goose and the Bellingham Storyteller Guild.

When: September 22; 5:00-7:30pm

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

AUTUMN EQUINOX COMMUNITY RHYTHM RITUAL

at the FIREHOUSE IN FAIRHAVEN.
Cost: $20. Children and young adults, supervised by parents, free.
Please arrive at 10:15am.

MEDITATION LISTENING MAGIC

The time of equal day, equal night nears. What a phenomenal time this is! Only twice a year, on the equinoxes, do we have a resting balance. What silence awaits us here? where the tides of give and take poise themselves in the great stillness!
Our many inner faces meet and confer on this Equinox. They are in the process of deciding who we will be in the new year and what we will be doing.

There will be no music piped in from an external sound system. WE are the sound. In this meditational silence and in community witness, we will be hearing our insides and offering them outwards, through intention, movement, rhythm, sound and respectful touch.

Questions: Do not hesitate to call Laya Shriaberg at (360) 734-1596 or email laya@spiralsuns.com.

When: SUNDAY MORNING. 10:30am - 1:30pm. SEPTEMBER 23

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Biodiesel Secrets Revealed

$25/$29, Community Food Co-op Healthy Connections class with Saphil Lewis, Nate Haney, and Paul Davis. A step by step process to your freedom from fossil fuels. Proceeds from the class will benefit worldpeaceemerging.com. Call Kevin at 734-8158 or email kevinm@communityfood.coop.

When: Monday, September 24, 7-9 PM

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Be Part of the Solution: Climate Change, Our Community and You

You are invited join the members of the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship on September 25th at 7 p.m. to learn more about global climate change with Katie Fleming, RE Sources' Education Coordinator. During this presentation, Katie will deliver a version of the slide show on which the Academy Award-winning film, "An Inconvenient Truth" is based. She will address current research, information about our region, and most importantly, ways in which you can be a major part of the solution to the growing crisis of global warming. Join us in our spiritual journey toward living in harmony with the Earth. Sponsored by the BUF Green Sanctuary Program. Free. Refreshments provided. Location: 1708 "I" Street (corner of "I" & Ellsworth).

When: September 25th, 7 p.m.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Sustainable Bellingham Announcement:
October 27th: The Pachamama Alliance Symposium

If you are ready to be disturbed, inspired and moved to action, if you are ready to be introduced to a thriving community of like-hearted, deeply committed cohorts who are actively engaged in awakening from and changing the dream of our modern industrial culture, we invite you to come to the Symposium.
Complete details at the bottom of this email.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Free Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Energy Conservation Services would like to encourage residential Puget Sound Energy users to take advantage of our "Free to Reduce' campaign. As part of this campaign, we will be distributing 18 Watt compact fluorescent lamps to any PSE customer. An 18 Watt lamp compares to a 75 W incandescent lamp, and can save you as much as $45 during the life of the lamp. These packages of 15 lamps come at no cost to you. Simply contact cathy@sconnect.org for the form, mail it in and the lamps will be delivered to your door.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Sustainable Bellingham Announcement:
October 27th: The Pachamama Alliance Symposium

David Korten recently presented a vision of "The Great Turning"…transforming our collective agreement from Empire…to Earth Community.

Everyone is now being invited to take part in transforming that collective agreement.
Please consider attending:

The Pachamama Alliance Symposium:
Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream

Saturday, October 27
9:00 to 5:30 (Doors open at 8:30)
Woodside Spiritual Center 2224 Yew Street Road, Bellingham WA
Cost: $25.00

To register go to www.WoodsideSpiritualCenter.org
The aim of the Symposium is to come to grips with the assumptions that underlie the way we see the world, our place in it, and with what each of us can do - both individually and cooperatively - to move the world in a new direction. The Symposium explores the link between three of humanity's most critical concerns: environmental sustainability, social justice and spiritual fulfillment.
Collectively, it seems we are living inside a dream; sleepwalking in a trance. We live in an outmoded worldview - a way of seeing the world in which unthinkable acts appear reasonable, sensible, and even intelligent. The indigenous Anchuar people of Ecuador, who still live in earth honoring ways, have urged us, for the sake of all life, to "change the dream of the North."
Our root crisis is a crisis of consciousness. Changing our collective dream will be a do-it-yourself-together project that will be accomplished by committed individuals working in concert with one another; tens of millions of us, each willing to think and act in a whole new way. This is one of the generating principles behind the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium.
Using video clips from some of the world's most respected thinkers, along with inspiring short films, leading edge information and dynamic group interactions, the Symposium allows participants to gain a new insight into the nature of our time, and the opportunity we have to shape and impact the direction of our world with our everyday choices and action.
If you are ready to be disturbed, inspired and moved to action, if you are ready to be introduced to a thriving community of like-hearted, deeply committed cohorts who are actively engaged in awakening from and changing the dream of our modern industrial culture, we invite you to come to the Symposium.
For more information about the program: http://www.awakeningthedreamer.org
The video on site: "A New Dream, The Story of the Pachamama Alliance", offers a quick and comprehensive overview of this remarkable project .

For more information about the event itself: call Leslie, 360-733-4356
Co-Sponsored by: Woodside Spiritual Center, Sustainable Bellingham, and Bellingham Institute Of Noetic Sciences

Events and recommended reading compiled by David MacLeod
contact us: info@sustainablebellingham.org
website: http://www.sustainablebellingham.org