20
all day
Instructors: Brock Dolman and Kendall Dunnigan
Guest Instructors (may include): Benjamin Fahrer, Dougo Gosling, Michelle Vesser, Dave Henson, Adam Wolpert, Kate Lundquist, Carol Nieukirk, Jim Coleman, Chas Moore, Janine Björnson, Tamara Wilder, Matt Every, Erik Ohlsen
Cost: $1500/$1400 if registered two weeks in advance (residential course). Some partial work exchange opportunities are available for this course; see below for more details. For registration information, click here.
Click here to see a video about our Permaculture Design Course at OAEC.
Whether you currently own property or dream of it, this two-week intensive course will immerse you in information, ideas and inspiration for how to design sustainable, regenerative systems in balance with your home ecosystem. You will learn the ethics, principles and practice of “permanent culture,” by exploring topics such as organic gardening, mulching, natural building techniques, forest farming, water retention and regeneration, erosion control, community processes, and much more. Using a combination of lecture, discussion, hands-on activities at OAEC’s 80-acre site, visits to local permaculture examples, and a group design project, you will have the chance to integrate and apply the concepts of permaculture during almost 100 hours of course time. Upon completion of the course, participants receive a Certificate of Permaculture Design.
In 2009, OAEC enters its second decade and fifteenth year as a permaculture school, the most established and longest continually operating school of its kind in California. We celebrate having offered 30 courses to well over 500 students, and consistently hear feedback from graduates that OAEC's design course is a “life-changing” experience.
For a more detailed description of our facilities, including information on what to bring, visit our Participant's Information page.
Work Exchange: A limited number of work exchange positions are available. We award these positions to course registrants based on demonstrated financial need. Participants receive a $250 reduction in course fees in exchange for 20 hours working in our kitchen or doing other course-related support tasks. If you would like to be considered for a work exchange position, check the "Work Exchange" box on your registration form. Include a brief letter describing your situation, along with your $100 course deposit. If you are not chosen for one of the positions and cannot pay the standard course fee, your deposit will be fully refunded.
To learn more about OAEC, Permaculture and their other excellent programs, visit their website!
| 21
all day
Instructors: Brock Dolman and Kendall Dunnigan
Guest Instructors (may include): Benjamin Fahrer, Dougo Gosling, Michelle Vesser, Dave Henson, Adam Wolpert, Kate Lundquist, Carol Nieukirk, Jim Coleman, Chas Moore, Janine Björnson, Tamara Wilder, Matt Every, Erik Ohlsen
Cost: $1500/$1400 if registered two weeks in advance (residential course). Some partial work exchange opportunities are available for this course; see below for more details. For registration information, click here.
Click here to see a video about our Permaculture Design Course at OAEC.
Whether you currently own property or dream of it, this two-week intensive course will immerse you in information, ideas and inspiration for how to design sustainable, regenerative systems in balance with your home ecosystem. You will learn the ethics, principles and practice of “permanent culture,” by exploring topics such as organic gardening, mulching, natural building techniques, forest farming, water retention and regeneration, erosion control, community processes, and much more. Using a combination of lecture, discussion, hands-on activities at OAEC’s 80-acre site, visits to local permaculture examples, and a group design project, you will have the chance to integrate and apply the concepts of permaculture during almost 100 hours of course time. Upon completion of the course, participants receive a Certificate of Permaculture Design.
In 2009, OAEC enters its second decade and fifteenth year as a permaculture school, the most established and longest continually operating school of its kind in California. We celebrate having offered 30 courses to well over 500 students, and consistently hear feedback from graduates that OAEC's design course is a “life-changing” experience.
For a more detailed description of our facilities, including information on what to bring, visit our Participant's Information page.
Work Exchange: A limited number of work exchange positions are available. We award these positions to course registrants based on demonstrated financial need. Participants receive a $250 reduction in course fees in exchange for 20 hours working in our kitchen or doing other course-related support tasks. If you would like to be considered for a work exchange position, check the "Work Exchange" box on your registration form. Include a brief letter describing your situation, along with your $100 course deposit. If you are not chosen for one of the positions and cannot pay the standard course fee, your deposit will be fully refunded.
To learn more about OAEC, Permaculture and their other excellent programs, visit their website!
| 22
all day
Instructors: Brock Dolman and Kendall Dunnigan
Guest Instructors (may include): Benjamin Fahrer, Dougo Gosling, Michelle Vesser, Dave Henson, Adam Wolpert, Kate Lundquist, Carol Nieukirk, Jim Coleman, Chas Moore, Janine Björnson, Tamara Wilder, Matt Every, Erik Ohlsen
Cost: $1500/$1400 if registered two weeks in advance (residential course). Some partial work exchange opportunities are available for this course; see below for more details. For registration information, click here.
Click here to see a video about our Permaculture Design Course at OAEC.
Whether you currently own property or dream of it, this two-week intensive course will immerse you in information, ideas and inspiration for how to design sustainable, regenerative systems in balance with your home ecosystem. You will learn the ethics, principles and practice of “permanent culture,” by exploring topics such as organic gardening, mulching, natural building techniques, forest farming, water retention and regeneration, erosion control, community processes, and much more. Using a combination of lecture, discussion, hands-on activities at OAEC’s 80-acre site, visits to local permaculture examples, and a group design project, you will have the chance to integrate and apply the concepts of permaculture during almost 100 hours of course time. Upon completion of the course, participants receive a Certificate of Permaculture Design.
In 2009, OAEC enters its second decade and fifteenth year as a permaculture school, the most established and longest continually operating school of its kind in California. We celebrate having offered 30 courses to well over 500 students, and consistently hear feedback from graduates that OAEC's design course is a “life-changing” experience.
For a more detailed description of our facilities, including information on what to bring, visit our Participant's Information page.
Work Exchange: A limited number of work exchange positions are available. We award these positions to course registrants based on demonstrated financial need. Participants receive a $250 reduction in course fees in exchange for 20 hours working in our kitchen or doing other course-related support tasks. If you would like to be considered for a work exchange position, check the "Work Exchange" box on your registration form. Include a brief letter describing your situation, along with your $100 course deposit. If you are not chosen for one of the positions and cannot pay the standard course fee, your deposit will be fully refunded.
To learn more about OAEC, Permaculture and their other excellent programs, visit their website!
| 23
all day
Instructors: Brock Dolman and Kendall Dunnigan
Guest Instructors (may include): Benjamin Fahrer, Dougo Gosling, Michelle Vesser, Dave Henson, Adam Wolpert, Kate Lundquist, Carol Nieukirk, Jim Coleman, Chas Moore, Janine Björnson, Tamara Wilder, Matt Every, Erik Ohlsen
Cost: $1500/$1400 if registered two weeks in advance (residential course). Some partial work exchange opportunities are available for this course; see below for more details. For registration information, click here.
Click here to see a video about our Permaculture Design Course at OAEC.
Whether you currently own property or dream of it, this two-week intensive course will immerse you in information, ideas and inspiration for how to design sustainable, regenerative systems in balance with your home ecosystem. You will learn the ethics, principles and practice of “permanent culture,” by exploring topics such as organic gardening, mulching, natural building techniques, forest farming, water retention and regeneration, erosion control, community processes, and much more. Using a combination of lecture, discussion, hands-on activities at OAEC’s 80-acre site, visits to local permaculture examples, and a group design project, you will have the chance to integrate and apply the concepts of permaculture during almost 100 hours of course time. Upon completion of the course, participants receive a Certificate of Permaculture Design.
In 2009, OAEC enters its second decade and fifteenth year as a permaculture school, the most established and longest continually operating school of its kind in California. We celebrate having offered 30 courses to well over 500 students, and consistently hear feedback from graduates that OAEC's design course is a “life-changing” experience.
For a more detailed description of our facilities, including information on what to bring, visit our Participant's Information page.
Work Exchange: A limited number of work exchange positions are available. We award these positions to course registrants based on demonstrated financial need. Participants receive a $250 reduction in course fees in exchange for 20 hours working in our kitchen or doing other course-related support tasks. If you would like to be considered for a work exchange position, check the "Work Exchange" box on your registration form. Include a brief letter describing your situation, along with your $100 course deposit. If you are not chosen for one of the positions and cannot pay the standard course fee, your deposit will be fully refunded.
To learn more about OAEC, Permaculture and their other excellent programs, visit their website!
Start: Sep 23 2009 6:00 pm
End: Sep 23 2009 8:00 pm

Location:
Pasta Bella
796 Gravenstein Hwy. S.
Sebastopol, CA
| 24
all day
Instructors: Brock Dolman and Kendall Dunnigan
Guest Instructors (may include): Benjamin Fahrer, Dougo Gosling, Michelle Vesser, Dave Henson, Adam Wolpert, Kate Lundquist, Carol Nieukirk, Jim Coleman, Chas Moore, Janine Björnson, Tamara Wilder, Matt Every, Erik Ohlsen
Cost: $1500/$1400 if registered two weeks in advance (residential course). Some partial work exchange opportunities are available for this course; see below for more details. For registration information, click here.
Click here to see a video about our Permaculture Design Course at OAEC.
Whether you currently own property or dream of it, this two-week intensive course will immerse you in information, ideas and inspiration for how to design sustainable, regenerative systems in balance with your home ecosystem. You will learn the ethics, principles and practice of “permanent culture,” by exploring topics such as organic gardening, mulching, natural building techniques, forest farming, water retention and regeneration, erosion control, community processes, and much more. Using a combination of lecture, discussion, hands-on activities at OAEC’s 80-acre site, visits to local permaculture examples, and a group design project, you will have the chance to integrate and apply the concepts of permaculture during almost 100 hours of course time. Upon completion of the course, participants receive a Certificate of Permaculture Design.
In 2009, OAEC enters its second decade and fifteenth year as a permaculture school, the most established and longest continually operating school of its kind in California. We celebrate having offered 30 courses to well over 500 students, and consistently hear feedback from graduates that OAEC's design course is a “life-changing” experience.
For a more detailed description of our facilities, including information on what to bring, visit our Participant's Information page.
Work Exchange: A limited number of work exchange positions are available. We award these positions to course registrants based on demonstrated financial need. Participants receive a $250 reduction in course fees in exchange for 20 hours working in our kitchen or doing other course-related support tasks. If you would like to be considered for a work exchange position, check the "Work Exchange" box on your registration form. Include a brief letter describing your situation, along with your $100 course deposit. If you are not chosen for one of the positions and cannot pay the standard course fee, your deposit will be fully refunded.
To learn more about OAEC, Permaculture and their other excellent programs, visit their website!
Start: Sep 24 2009 8:00 am
End: Sep 24 2009 12:00 pm
SAVE THE DATE!
Sebastopol has been hard-hit by national and global economic forces.
What can we do as a community to enhance local economic sustainability?
The Sebastopol Economic Summit, jointly sponsored by the Chamber and the City of Sebastopol, will highlight the state of the local economy, identify resources, and provide a forum for moving forward, together.
Download the Schedule of Events and Registration Form here!


Location:
Sebastopol Youth Annex
425 Morris Street
Sebastopol, California (see map below)
Sebastopol Area Chamber of Commerce
City of Sebastopol
Contact for more information:
Kathy Ono, Economic
Development Specialist
econ@sebastopol.org
Phone: 707-823--3032
Fax: 707-823-8439
www.sebastopol.org
View Larger Map
Start: Sep 24 2009 6:30 pm
heart&soul
Collective Meditation
For all Sebastasouls willing to connect in silence, stillness and contemplation.
Half hour Collective Meditation,
Inspirational Reading/Sharing,
and optional Potluck.
Every Thursday
6:30-8:30
@ The dhyana Center
7740 Atkinson Rd. (2 blocks N of Andy's Grocery)
for information: hscollectivemeditation@gmail.com
or call Karmendra (707)827-3456
Meditation is a resource for inner strength and resilience to enable us to respond wisely to challenges in our lives, including those facing us in this era of peak oil, climate change and energy descent. This non-sectarian collective meditation will draw on the insights and inspiration from various traditions to support and strengthen personal meditation practice.
Start: Sep 24 2009 7:00 pm
Transition Sebastopol is pleased to be co-sponsoring this event, bringing Vicki Robin, Author of Your Money or Your Life to a northern California audience.
Transition - but how?
Insights and Advice from seasoned sustainability activist, and author Vicki Robin
We've heard the bad news. Peak oil, peak gas, peak water, peak everything. Climate Change. And as for the economic meltdown, we hear stories every day about people losing their jobs and pensions and savings.
What's the good news? Is it that Obama's on the job? That the economy is "coming back"? Or is it what you can do in your personal economy and what your community can do to transition to a way of life that's rich, secure and prosperous - no matter what happens "out there"?
| 25
all day
Instructors: Brock Dolman and Kendall Dunnigan
Guest Instructors (may include): Benjamin Fahrer, Dougo Gosling, Michelle Vesser, Dave Henson, Adam Wolpert, Kate Lundquist, Carol Nieukirk, Jim Coleman, Chas Moore, Janine Björnson, Tamara Wilder, Matt Every, Erik Ohlsen
Cost: $1500/$1400 if registered two weeks in advance (residential course). Some partial work exchange opportunities are available for this course; see below for more details. For registration information, click here.
Click here to see a video about our Permaculture Design Course at OAEC.
Whether you currently own property or dream of it, this two-week intensive course will immerse you in information, ideas and inspiration for how to design sustainable, regenerative systems in balance with your home ecosystem. You will learn the ethics, principles and practice of “permanent culture,” by exploring topics such as organic gardening, mulching, natural building techniques, forest farming, water retention and regeneration, erosion control, community processes, and much more. Using a combination of lecture, discussion, hands-on activities at OAEC’s 80-acre site, visits to local permaculture examples, and a group design project, you will have the chance to integrate and apply the concepts of permaculture during almost 100 hours of course time. Upon completion of the course, participants receive a Certificate of Permaculture Design.
In 2009, OAEC enters its second decade and fifteenth year as a permaculture school, the most established and longest continually operating school of its kind in California. We celebrate having offered 30 courses to well over 500 students, and consistently hear feedback from graduates that OAEC's design course is a “life-changing” experience.
For a more detailed description of our facilities, including information on what to bring, visit our Participant's Information page.
Work Exchange: A limited number of work exchange positions are available. We award these positions to course registrants based on demonstrated financial need. Participants receive a $250 reduction in course fees in exchange for 20 hours working in our kitchen or doing other course-related support tasks. If you would like to be considered for a work exchange position, check the "Work Exchange" box on your registration form. Include a brief letter describing your situation, along with your $100 course deposit. If you are not chosen for one of the positions and cannot pay the standard course fee, your deposit will be fully refunded.
To learn more about OAEC, Permaculture and their other excellent programs, visit their website!
| 26
all day
Instructors: Brock Dolman and Kendall Dunnigan
Guest Instructors (may include): Benjamin Fahrer, Dougo Gosling, Michelle Vesser, Dave Henson, Adam Wolpert, Kate Lundquist, Carol Nieukirk, Jim Coleman, Chas Moore, Janine Björnson, Tamara Wilder, Matt Every, Erik Ohlsen
Cost: $1500/$1400 if registered two weeks in advance (residential course). Some partial work exchange opportunities are available for this course; see below for more details. For registration information, click here.
Click here to see a video about our Permaculture Design Course at OAEC.
Whether you currently own property or dream of it, this two-week intensive course will immerse you in information, ideas and inspiration for how to design sustainable, regenerative systems in balance with your home ecosystem. You will learn the ethics, principles and practice of “permanent culture,” by exploring topics such as organic gardening, mulching, natural building techniques, forest farming, water retention and regeneration, erosion control, community processes, and much more. Using a combination of lecture, discussion, hands-on activities at OAEC’s 80-acre site, visits to local permaculture examples, and a group design project, you will have the chance to integrate and apply the concepts of permaculture during almost 100 hours of course time. Upon completion of the course, participants receive a Certificate of Permaculture Design.
In 2009, OAEC enters its second decade and fifteenth year as a permaculture school, the most established and longest continually operating school of its kind in California. We celebrate having offered 30 courses to well over 500 students, and consistently hear feedback from graduates that OAEC's design course is a “life-changing” experience.
For a more detailed description of our facilities, including information on what to bring, visit our Participant's Information page.
Work Exchange: A limited number of work exchange positions are available. We award these positions to course registrants based on demonstrated financial need. Participants receive a $250 reduction in course fees in exchange for 20 hours working in our kitchen or doing other course-related support tasks. If you would like to be considered for a work exchange position, check the "Work Exchange" box on your registration form. Include a brief letter describing your situation, along with your $100 course deposit. If you are not chosen for one of the positions and cannot pay the standard course fee, your deposit will be fully refunded.
To learn more about OAEC, Permaculture and their other excellent programs, visit their website!
Start: Sep 26 2009 9:00 am
4 miles
Walk from the Plaza through neighborhoods to Ragle Ranch Park. Take the loop trail in the bottomland along Atascadero Creek, and back to the Plaza. Or, meet at the Ragle Peace Garden at 10:00 for a short walk. Wear comfortable shoes for trail walking.
Leaders: to be announced.
Download the full 2009 Sebastopol Walks schedule here.
Like to excercise & create community at the same time? The Sebastopol Walks series is a great way of doing both!
You can also visit the iWALK site which lists other scheduled Sonoma County walks and allows you to add to the calendar, too.

Start: Sep 26 2009 10:00 am
End: Sep 26 2009 1:00 pm
Inviting all interested gardeners to join in cultivating a grassroots community seed bank that supports Sonoma County gardeners with free, locally grown, open pollinated, pesticide and GMO-free seed.
Seed and Plant exchange all morning with local food potluck at 12:00 pm.
Class on "Wet Seed Processing- Tomatoes " from 10:30 - 11:30 am.
West County Community Seed Bank meets monthly on the last Saturday of the month to share seeds, plants, resources and local gardening and food information.
All are welcome, including children.
Other upcoming events:
October 31: Garlic exchange and tasting
For more information contact Sara at 829-5234 or saramc@emeraldearth.org
What you could bring:
… Plants or seeds to share
… Coin envelopes
… Books or resources for sharing with others
… Local food potluck item!
Location:
Salmon Creek School Garden
1935 Bohemian HWY
Occidental
View Larger Map
West County Community Seed Bank
Vision:
To create a grassroots community seed bank that supports Sonoma County gardeners with locally grown, open pollinated, pesticide and GMO free seeds. Anyone can become a member of the West County Seed Library, we ask for a donation of $5.00-$20.00 and a commitment to grow out and donate back seed following the library's protocol for growing clean seeds. No on is turned away for lack of funds. The West County Seed Library will be housed at the Salmon Creek School Garden and will be open to the public monthly for classes, resource sharing and a seed and plant exchange. The West County Seed Library will have resources available to members on growing and processing seeds.
Why save seed and why a local seed bank?
Our rapidly changing world gives us all the more reason to strengthen our local resources and our ability to be self-sufficient. Local seed saving allows us to cultivate plants that do well in our region, with each generation adapting more to the local environment. It also lets us preserve heirloom seeds that are being lost as the seed industry is being concentrated into fewer and fewer large corporations. Seed banks are a great investment; with some plants one seed can return up to 40.000. The abundance seed savers experience should be shared with the community and helps to model a different economic system. We hope to cultivate a network of seed savers in the region to support each other and the seed library, which will be a resource for the expanding community of gardeners and help strengthen our local food system.
For more information contact Sara McCamant 829-5234 or saramc@emeraldearth.org
Start: Sep 26 2009 10:00 am
End: Sep 26 2009 10:00 am
Sonoma County Farm Trails is celebrating our 36th anniversary! During fall harvest our farms will open their doors for a special weekend of fun activities and informative tours.
Printable Weekend Farm Trails Maps
Join us on Weekend Along Farm Trails: * Special farm tours * See animals on the farm * Visit pumpkin patches with fun activities for kids * Learn gardening and landscaping tips * Visit unique nurseries with a variety of plants * Meet Sonoma County food artisans * Taste freshly picked fruit and vegetables * Connect with the farmer that grows your food * Savor a restaurant meal featuring local ingredients * Visit wineries during crush and harvest season
Location:
Various Locations
Sonoma County, CA
For more information please visit:
http://weekendalongfarmtrails.com/
Start: Sep 26 2009 1:00 pm
End: Sep 26 2009 3:30 pm
As the Equinox draws near, please consider taking a few hours to clean your drawers and closets. As you sort and organize summer and winter belongings, pull out your unwanted items: clothing that doesn’t fit, accessories that no longer suit your lifestyle, sale items that did not work out… Be sure to include those unwanted but well meaning gifts - such as books you don’t want to read or holiday sweatshirts embellished with merry pigs. (Sorry, Mom!) Give these items to friends, neighbors or local charities, sell them at garage sales or on-line, post them as free-bees on local bulletin boards or bring them to a clothing swap!
A clothing swap is a fun, ecological way to get new-to-you clothes and give away unwanted reusables. Yes, the term swap is a somewhat of a misnomer, but that is how it was introduced to me in the early 80’s, and the name stuck. Since then I have organized one or more swaps per year and have saved tens of thousands of dollars for myself and many other people. (i.e., $500 per year x 25 years = $12,500.)
Whether you prefer small intimate gatherings or large public events, the idea is pretty simple: invite people to bring unwanted clothing, accessories and perhaps small reusables and have them to put their goods out in an organized manner. Then everyone can take what they want - for themselves, their family and perhaps friends. The remainder is boxed up and given to non-profits. Often magical events, swaps help ease tight budgets and allows you to try on and perhaps take home items you would never dream of buying. Swaps also helps spread the wealth, raises awareness about reuse and reduces the amount going to landfill.
Men and women are welcome and kids must be monitored at all times. Each participant over 12 is asked to volunteer for one hour or donate of $5 to help cover costs. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Tasks include planning, promoting, set-up, working the door, staffing the repair center, monitoring, clean-up. Many hands make lite work…
Please bring your friends and carpool. Drop your passengers and goods at Synergy and park in the commercial area one block east.
We at LITE enjoy advising potential organizers, posting swaps to our announcement list and collaborating. It would be great to have the assistance of an ongoing pool of swap lovers - especially some focused on kids for back to school swaps, prom dresses (see article below) and costumes/gifts/toys. For those that want to organize your own swaps, kits are available for low rental fee: portable racks, 100+ hangers, sample signs and invitations.
Location:
LITE Initiatives, Synergy Sustainability Center
4019 Sebastopol Rd. (one short block east of Fulton/Wright Road)
Santa Rosa, CA
Contact:
For more information or to be put on the swap announcement list send a note to lite@sonic.net.
Source:
Press Democrate's LivingGreen Blog (9/1/09). "Clothing Swaps – A Ritual For Changing Seasons."
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