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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.

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The Rise of BioDiesel

Monday, October 8, 7:00 pm

Village Books, 1200 11th St., Fairhaven
Village Books Literature Live presents: Saphir Lewis, The Rise of BioDiesel
Did
you know that biodiesel can actually double the life of your diesel
engine? That just 20% biodiesel mixed with regular diesel will reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by a whopping 78%! This easy read will take
you on a journey around the world to explore biodiesel's rapid ascent
to nearly every nation's agenda. Full of color photos, superstars and
even controversy, The Rise of Biodiesel will help you learn about the
fuel that will help you save on fuel costs, save your engine and save
the world while you're at it!

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Town Hall Meeting with Governor Chris Gregoire

October 8th; 6:30pm
 
Whatcom
Community College , Syre Student Center Auditorium, 237 W. Kellogg Rd.
, Bellingham. Come to Whatcom Community College for a town hall meeting
and share your opinions with Governor Chris Gregoire. Doors will open
at 6:30 p.m. – Please plan to arrive early. The program will begin at
7:00 p.m.

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Candidate Forums

Be informed and form your own conclusions:

Oct 10,
Wed - Basic Needs Forum
Oct 16, Tue - Whatcom Indy - excellent forum at Courthouse
Oct 20, Sat, 9:30 am - School board and initiatives - by League of Women

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Nutrition focused farm-based cooking classes for kids

October 9 – November 2
Common Threads Farm, Lummi Island
Seedlings (ages 3-5) Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Sprouts (ages 5-8) Fridays, 2:30-4:00 p.m.

$48 for four class series, or $15/session for drop-in sessions.

During these classes, we
will:
·         Learn about and practice hand-washing and kitchen safety
·         Harvest vegetables from the garden and eggs from the chicken coop
·         Prepare and taste easy, delicious snack representing all of the food  
       groups (grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meats/beans/seeds) and learn
       about the importance of eating a balanced diet
·         Learn and practice some polite things to say when you’d really like to say,
      “Ew, Yuck!”
·         Eat locally and seasonally (and talk about it when we don’t!)
·         Draw, write, read, and play games related to gardening and
cooking

  
      Call 927-1590, or write to laura@commonthreadsfarm.org for more information.

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A Planetary Awakening with author Kelly Newburn

October 10, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Looking around the world today we may fear for the future of our
planet. But ancient teachings hold out the possibility that the present
challenges are the birth pangs of our entry into a new age. Talk will
discuss the upcoming changes and spiritual techniques to retain balance.
Free
Wise Awakening, 314 E. Holly St., Bellingham

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Coping with Islamophobia
World Issues Forums/Paths to Global Justice Speakers

When: October 10th, Noon-1:30pm Fairhaven College Auditorium

Jamal Rahman is a Muslim Sufi co-minister at Interfaith Community Church, Director of Sacred Psychology School, and adjunct faculty at Seattle University .

Join
Jamal in exploring issues and concepts in Islam that cause fear and
anger in Western minds: extremism, jihad, infidel and status of women.
As we examine the truths and untruths around these, the goal is to gain
a deeper understanding so that we can take measures in our own lives to
co-exist  peacefully in a pluralistic community.
http://www.wwu.edu/depts/fairhaven

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Circle of Women

Oct. 10 – Nov. 28, Wed. mornings 9:15-12:00

Facilitator – Barbara Gilday – 676-0765; journeys@nas.com
Cost: $240 for all, or $35 per
session – (committed to series) $50 deposit
Purpose
of This Group:  To connect with others, share our stories, practice
tools for positive transitions and more fulfilling futures. Principles:
Everyone has the wisdom within to deal with whatever they are
experiencing, and Being listened to deeply, with the collective hearts
and spirits of others, allows our higher self and wisdom to surface.
Process: Using Appreciative Inquiry, we will focus on the values and
strengths we have brought to the best times of our lives. From that we
will turn and look at our futures, and with the awareness of our
strengths, begin to look at our possibilities in new ways.

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Coastal Hazards of the Sea (Due to Climate Change)

 Thursday, October 11  *  7 – 9 p.m.

Senior Center, 315 Halleck Street, Bellingham

Find out what local experts have to say about the potential hazards of sea level rise caused by climate change. 
These may include storm surge, impact to buildings and infrastructure,
and shrinking of the nearshore marine habitat.  Join the Marine
Resources Committee in this informative free event.

Jim Johannessen,
a coastal geologist specializing in beach processes and applied coastal
management will provide the basic science of the causes of sea level
rise, information on how local marine shorelines may respond, and
information on options to manage shorelines for the anticipated hazards.

John Rybczyk,
an Assistant Professor in Environmental Sciences at Western Washington
University , had been studying the impacts of sea level rise on the
marine habitat in Padilla Bay , Skagit County and will give a brief
presentation on his research and the implications to Whatcom County
shorelines.

Hosted by: Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee
http://whatcom-mrc.wsu.edu

(360) 715-7450 for more information

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Public invited to help set process for disposal of dredged materials

When: October 11th; 5:30pm to 8pm

Port of Bellingham Squalicum Boathouse, 2600 South Harbor Loop, Bellingham

Washington residents can help shape procedures for handling dioxin contamination in material dredged from the state's waterways.

State
and federal agencies that manage and regulate disposal of material from
dredging projects will hold two meetings on Sept. 26 in Seattle .  Meetings also will be held Oct. 2 in Lacey, Oct. 11 in Bellingham and Oct. 16 in Port Angeles .

The
Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) manages material dredged to
maintain navigational waterways and berth depths filled in by natural
sediments. Such dredging typically takes place at harbors, ports and
marinas.  Between 2000 and 2006, roughly 20 million cubic yards of
material were dredged and disposed of at open-water disposal sites.

Some
dredged material contains dioxins, a group of chlorinated organic
compounds identified as known human carcinogens.  DMMP agencies want to
start developing a new framework for evaluating dioxins in dredged
material.  The agencies will take input from the scheduled public
meetings and from stakeholders - such as ports, marine businesses,
tribes, environmental interests, and state and federal agencies - into
account when drafting a framework.  That draft will be issued for
public review and comment, probably in 2008.

At the meeting, the
first hour will be an information session, followed by public comments
and questions. For information about DMMP and directions to all meeting
sites, see
http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/PublicMenu/Menu.cfm?sitename=DMMO&pagename=Dioxin_Work_Group.

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What A Way To Go
Life At The End Of Empire

When: October 12th, at 6:45 p.m. at the Whatcom Community College Heiner Center Auditorium. Admission is free.

What is it doing to us as thoughtful human beings as we face these overwhelming
challenges? And what is it doing to the rest of the life on this planet? Featuring
interviews with Daniel Quinn, Derrick Jensen, Jerry Mander, Chellis
Glendinning, Richard Heinberg, Thomas Berry, William Catton, Ran Prieur
and Richard Manning, What a Way to Go looks at the current global situation and asks the most important questions of all:

• How did we get here?
• Why do we keep destroying the planet?
• What do we truly want?
• Can we find a vision that will empower us to do what is
  necessary to survive, and even thrive, in the coming decades?

Peak Moment: "What a Way to Go" - Meet the Filmmakers
28 minute video with Tim Bennett, Sally Erickson, and Jania Donaldson, 17 Sep 2007, Global Public Media
http://globalpublicmedia.com/peak_moment_what_a_way_to_go_meet_the_filmmakers

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

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"Finding Community" - Community Seeker's Fair

Friday, October 12 @ 7:30pm

Greenwood Senior Center

525 N. 85th St., Seattle WA. Cost is by donation.
Designed
for community seekers, the presentation by Diana Leafe Christian will
offer an overview of how to research thoroughly, visit enjoyably,
evaluate intelligently, and join gracefully an ecovillage or other kind
of intentional community. The event will include tables and members of
some Pacific Northwest communities that are open to new members. For
more information: ic.org/nica; craig@songaia.com.

Diana Leafe Christian
is author of Finding Community: How to Join an Ecovillage or
Intentional Community and Creating a Life Together: Practical Tools to
Grow Ecovillages and Intentional Communities, and editor from 1994
through 2007 of Communities magazine.

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"Starting and Sustaining Healthy Ecovillages and Intentional Communities"

Saturday, October 13 9:00am - 5:00pm
Greenwood Senior Center
525 N. 85th St., Seattle WA
Cost is by donation.
Through presentations, a musical skit, and step-by-step practical advice, Diana Leafe Christian
will help workshop participants understand the major principles and
methods of starting a new community — and what helps existing
communities thrive.
For more information: ic.org/nica; craig@songaia.com

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Fall Green Building Conference
October
17th and 18th at the Port of Bellingham’s Cruise Terminal.

Presented by Built Green™, a program of the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County.
 
These
free workshops include topics on: remodeling green, building a Built
Green™ home, solar power, rainwater solutions, landscaping methods and
Energy Star programs.  Local Builders, Remodelers and industry experts
will be available to answer questions on lowering one’s carbon
footprint, and sustainable lifestyle choices. All are welcome to attend
the free workshops on October 17th from 4 pm-8 pm, which include family
friendly activities like worm adventures, composting for kids, and
giving away free rain barrel kits!

The business Fall Green
Building Conference and Tradeshow on October 18th, from 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
is for developers, business and building industry professionals. This
year’s workshops are designed to further attendees understanding of
Green Building theories and practices.

Visit www.biawc.com/builtgreen or call 360.671.4247 for registration information and the conference schedule.

Kristina Daheim
Built Green Coordinator
360.671.4247

The Ever-Expanding Empire

October 17th
Fairhaven College World Issues Forum
For
a generation, and particularly over the last decade, the Pentagon has
been encroaching on an area that by law is supposed to be
demilitarized: space. The Pentagon's future visioning documents now
explicitly include American military domination of space as a priority
goal. What does this mean for warfare, and American militarism, in the
21st century? Why is it important, for the future of global freedom and
self-determination, that America's effort to militarize and dominate
space be stopped?
Noon-1:30pm Fairhaven College Auditorium

Geov Parrish
Executive Director of Peace Action of Washington, the statewide
affiliate of the nation's largest peace and justice organization.

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Northwest Indian College Foundation Presents...
The fall Cultural Arts Fundraising Dinner

4 p.m. - 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct.18 2007
In the name of Fran & Bill James

Join
us for food, fellowship, and a live and silent Coast Salish art
auction. After enjoying a three-course dinner, be prepared to admire
and bid on magnificent, authentic Coast Salish art. All proceeds from
the dinner go directly to fund the Foundation's Fran (Che’topie) and
Bill (Tsi’lixw) James Endowment for future cultural artists who weave,
carve, and practice other cultural fine art forms.

When: Silent Auction opens at 4 p.m., dinner begins at 6 p.m.,
Thursday, Oct.18 2007 (Please RSVP by Oct. 11)
Location: Silver Reef Casino and Hotel Pavilion Click here for map
Contact: Reatha Tom (360) 392-4238 or rtom@nwic.edu

You
can purchase a seat for $125 or purchase a table for you and nine other
friends for $1,250. Patron tickets are also available at $250! (For
table sponsor categories, please see information below.)

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Seattle Bioneers Conference

October 19-21- 9am-5:30pm
Sponsored by the Northwest Environmental Education Council
Seattle Center
Register at http://www.nweec.org/seattlebioneers/about-seattle_bioneers.php
 
Morning sessions are satellite linked to the main Bioneers conference in San Rafael, CA.  Afternoon sessions include local speakers.
 
Hear from nationally recognized people such as:  Van Jones, Winona LaDuke and Majora Carter discuss issues about the environment and social justice.  Local speakers include Bellingham resident Craig Mayberry
discussing how to organize for social change.

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Sustainability within a Generation

October 26 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall, Seattle
Sustainable Seattle and the Cascadia Convergence 2007 are hosting an inspiring presentation by Dr. David Suzuki

Dr.
David Suzuki, well-known scientist and environmental activist, will
address “Sustainability within a Generation” and the urgent need for
climate action. Dr. Suzuki, featured in the recently released film,
11th Hour, narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, has helped expand public
awareness on issues like the climate crisis, peak oil and threatened
ecosystems that sustain our quality of life. The evening also includes
a panel discussion, with local community leaders like KC Golden of
Climate Solutions, on how to accelerate a path forward in our
bioregion, Cascadia.

Dr.
Suzuki’s speech marks the beginning of the Cascadia Convergence a two
day event which provides a forum where the public can come together
with community groups and businesses to explore sustainable ways to
live now and in the future. It’s just one of many events occurring
during Green October 2007, a community campaign to highlight dozens of
sustainability related events.

Sustainable Cascadia is the
organization behind the Cascadia Convergence. It is a new project under
the fiscal sponsorship of Sustainable Seattle, with a mission to foster
ongoing collaboration toward sustainability in one generation across
the Pacific Northwest bioregion called Cascadia.

Purchase tickets and find out more info: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/19665

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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.

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Sustainable Global Leadership Alliance

Friday, November 2, 6pm-8pm

Myra Murphy Jacob, from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Myra is founder and Executive Director of SGLA -- Sustainable Global
Leadership Alliance, will be speaking in the conference room at the Garden Street Family Center ( 1231 N Garden Street, on the corner of N Garden & E Holly).

SGLA produces a powerful leadership program for youth, ages 16-22,
focused on sustainability work. Through this program --which consists
of five intensive weekends plus three weeks of experiential learning
and travel in a foreign country-- SGLA cultivates the leaders that we
urgently need for global economic, ecological, and social
sustainability. I, Alan Seid, have
been involved with SGLA for almost a year now,
and have been enormously impressed with the effects it produces in the
young people involved, as well as their peers and families. I am personally opening a chapter of SGLA in Whatcom County and am inviting you to get involved, or at least to become informed about it.

As a first step you may want to check out the website: www.sgla.org, and then come see Myra speak on November 2.

The following day,
Saturday, November 3, 1-4pm
, I will be hosting a meeting at Bodhi Creek Farm with Myra and our
local team, which means you if you are interested in getting involved.
We will have multiple levels of participation, so coming to this
meeting does not commit you to anything, but it shows that you are
interested. (If you cannot attend Friday's talk, but would like to come
to this meeting, please let me know.)
 
Please spread the word to anyone you know between the ages of 16 &
22, their parents, and anyone interested in mentoring and cultivating
the next generation of sustainability leaders for our planet!
 
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Warmly,
~Alan
360-599-2134
www.alanseid.com