Events

The Model of Transition for Sustainable Living (MTSL) program consists of twelve modules—one of which will be covered each month, from December 2010 through November, 2011.  Together they will provide an overall perspective on current thinking and technology, as well as practical skills for everyday sustainable living.  The MTSL program includes a Workbook/Planner, a Reader, a Resource Directory, a Journal, and a series of Visual Aides. (read more below)

Overview of Module 1:

Introduction to A Model of Transition for Sustainable Living

Program Overview and Introduction to Course Materials and Resources: 
Workbook/Planner, Reader, Resource Directory, Journal, and Visual Aides. 
Course Outline and Requirements. 
Principles and Ethics of Course Foundation. 
Visioning. 
Time Management. 
The Identification of the Why. 
Program Commitment. 

Homework: 
Assessing Carbon Footprint

Followed by Q&A with Doug from Bee Kind!

Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing from their hives.

Known as Colony Collapse Disorder, this phenomenon has brought beekeepers to crisis in an industry responsible for producing apples, broccoli, watermelon, onions, cherries and a hundred other fruits and vegetables. Commercial honeybee operations pollinate crops that make up one out of every three bites of food on our tables.

Vanishing of the Bees - Trailer from Bee The Change on Vimeo.

Vanishing of the Bees follows commercial beekeepers David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes as they strive to keep their bees healthy and fulfill pollination contracts across the U.S. The film explores the struggles they face as the two friends plead their case on Capital Hill and travel across the Pacific Ocean in the quest to protect their honeybees.

Filming across the US, in Europe, Australia and Asia, this documentary examines the alarming disappearance of honeybees and the greater meaning it holds about the relationship between mankind and mother earth. As scientists puzzle over the cause, organic beekeepers indicate alternative reasons for this tragic loss. Conflicting options abound and after years of research, a definitive answer has not been found to this harrowing mystery.

Location:
The French Garden Restaurant
8050 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol
Google map: http://tinyurl.com/frenchgardenmap

7:00 - 9:00pm
Please arrive on time!
Come early and enjoy dinner!
 

See the trailer at http://www.vanishingbees.com/

FREE EVENT
~donations appreciated~
Come early and enjoy dinner!
Location:
The French Garden Restaurant
8050 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol
Google map: http://tinyurl.com/frenchgardenmap

Transition Sebastopol’s movie night is always the last Wednesday of the month.

A Wisdom Council Discussion Group of Transition Sebastopol 

Calling All Elders, Earth Elders, Wannabe Elders, Soon-to-become Elders, or Interested Baby Boomers on up! 


The Elder Salon is a nonhierarchical circle of peers. We’ll introduce the discussion with some thoughts from an elder voice or thought-provoking instigator to kick off our own discovery of what it is WE think and believe about the topic; what WE want and need now and in our future; what WE think should be the course of action and attitudes as we progress into and through our older years

WHY: There are a lot of new ideas about aging, staying youthful in body and spirit, and our role in society and local life. What have our generational contributions been and what is left undone? What are our mistakes and triumphs?

If we don’t want others to determine what becomes of us in very old age, we need to be proactive and begin making conscious, thoughtful choices about our future, how we want to live and be regarded. What role do elders want to play in the coming changes; what wisdom can we offer?

Reminder to all: the Elders Salon is regular and ongoing.

When:
Usually the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

Location:
Sequoia Village Cohousing Common House
459 Sequoia Lane, Sebastopol —
(off Covert Lane, opposite Pacific Market (Fiesta) and west a little, before Pleasant Hill Rd.)
Please PARK ON THE STREET!

see more about this group here: http://transitionsebastopol.org/aboutelderssalon

Join us for a workshop on Energy Efficiency sponsored by the Transition Sebastopol Energy Group.

This presentation by green builder and energy efficiency consultant Michael Heaviside will show you all you need to know to optimize the energy efficiency of your home!
 
Topics covered will include:
 
·          An overview of the future of home performance in California and what it means to you
·          Energy and the building shell
·          Air leakage control
·          Heating, cooling, and indoor air quality
·          A review of the tools used in doing an energy audit and why
·          What to look for when doing your own site inspection
·          A tour of a home through the eyes of a building analyst
·          Assessing what work you can do yourself

Location:
1764 Cooper Road, Sebastopol (at Laguna Farm)
Park on the side of the road or in the Laguna Farm parking lot. Walk over to the blue house. (There will be direction signs).

Cost:
Sliding scale, $5 - $20. No one turned away for lack of funds.
 
 

West County Community Seed Bank meets monthly on the last Saturday of the month (except Nov. and Dec) from 9 -11:30 am to share seeds, plants, resources and local gardening and food information.

Our vision is to create a network of seed savers that build a repository of locally grown seed for Sonoma County gardeners. The seed is offered free to anyone who will use it, and the goal is to have it be an exchange where people take seed and they bring seed to share.  In order to build the network of seed savers, we offer classes in seed saving and other food gardening skills.

The Community Seed Garden is a new project of the WCCSB, located at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Sebastopol.  We are caretaking a 1/2 acre garden the main purpose of which is to grow seed for the seed bank.  The seed garden allows us to grow more seed than many of our home gardens allow.  The garden will be used as an educational tool to teach about the seed saving process.

Creating a local source of seed is an important part of creating a healthy and resilient local food system. Seed is the beginning of the food cycle.
 
Location:
St Stephen's Church
500 Robinson Way in Sebastopol

9:00-10:30 - work party cleaning seed from our garden

10:30-12:00 - class on Crop Rotations in the home garden

Seed Bank open from 10:00 - 1:00- we offer locally grown seed free to gardeners, with the intention that those who take seed will grow some seed  and return seed to the seed bank.
 
Contact Sara 829-5234, westcountyseedbank@gmail.com

Bring plants and seeds, questions and experience to share.
For more information contact Sara at 829-5234

Also check out the seed bank blog at westcountyseedbank.blogspot.com

All are welcome, including children!

Please note NEW LOCATION!
 
Come nourish and rejuvenate your Heart and Soul in an atmosphere of singing, sharing, poetry and meditation. We will sing songs from across the devotional landscape, and bask in the joy, love and community of being together in a heart space. 
This November, our theme will be giving thanks.

Bring your instruments, songs, poems and heartfelt expressions as you feel inspired, or just come and follow along. This is a sacred space event, facilitated to hold a deep and loving space for us to share.

Circle at 7:30 pm.

Socializing will be before and after the event.

Bring snacks or drinks to share, firewood for the fire and cushions/blankets to sit on.

Location:
St. Stephens Church
500 Robinson Way
Sebastopol (NOTE NEW LOCATION!)

This monthly event is specifically intended as a way to come together with our hearts. As we share in this way, we stabilize and grow our love in these times of greater concerns.

When:  Saturday, February 12, 9  a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: St. Stephens Church, 500 Robinson Way, Sebastopol

COST:  $20, for materials only. 
Please RSVP by calling 477-4564 and Email: angel@wegreenyou.com <mailto:angel@wegreenyou.com> for a copy of your Health Questionnaire to fill out in advance of this month’s class & bring completed to class.
 
Theme of the Month:  Health & Wellness
Our weekend focus is on Maximizing Health:  Preparing Now for our Future - Instruction & hands-on learning. 
Breakfast & lunch prepared together & eaten onsite. 
 
Guest Speakers will include:
 
Jessica Bauman, BS – Eating 4 Health - Bauman College
Jennifer Branham – CSA’s & Farmer’s Markets - Laguna Farm
Marley Peifer – Fermentation
Kathryn Ackland - Sprouting, RawFood Central
Julia Bystrova – Inner Resilience & Self-Healing Techniques, Transition Sebastopol, Heart & Soul
 
Topics Covered: 
Food Preparation Techniques
Choosing What Food/Diet is Right for You
Quality Choices of Food
Keeping Food Costs Low and Nutrition High
The 80/20 Guide to Health
Local and Seasonal Foods
The Green Kitchen—Organizing for Efficiency
Basic Sprouting & Fermenting for Daily Use
Eating & Exercise for Metabolism & Detoxification
Raw Foods
Kitchen Tools
Choices & Health
CSA's & Farmer's Markets
Environmentally Safe Home Cleaning Products/Cosmetics
Genetically Engineered Food
Supplementation
Relaxation Techniques
Meditation & Visualization
Preparing for Unexpected Stress
Chemicals & Toxic Loads & the Importance of Detoxification
Self-Healing Techniques
The Changing Seasons and Health
Discussion of Health Analysis Homework. 
 
Homework for March:  The Home Assessment. 
 
Please email angel@wegreenyou.com <mailto:angel@wegreenyou.com> or call Angel @ 477-4564 in advance to receive your Health Questionnaire to fill out in advance of this months class & to bring it to class completed, & to reserve your space.   
 
GENERAL COURSE INFO:

The Model of Transition for Sustainable Living (MTSL) program consists of twelve modules—one of which will be covered each month in 2011.  Together they will provide an overall perspective on current thinking and technology, as well as practical skills for everyday sustainable living.  The MTSL program includes a Workbook/Planner, a Reader, a Resource Directory, a Journal, and a series of Visual Aides.

The program has been designed to work in concert with local participating businesses and organizations.  The mission of the program is to empower you to act; to transition you from wherever you are today, to a lifestyle that is highly sustainable, within the one-year time period of the course.  Therefore, the program consists of 20% theory and 80% practical application. 

The course, if completed, will:

·          dramatically lower your carbon emissions

·          save you money on utilities

·          reduce your demand on resources

·          assist you in becoming more socially responsible

·          help you to become a steward of the environment.

 Remaining 2011 Schedule
March 12 & 13              Food Production
April 9 & 10                   Water
May 14 & 15                  Waste
June 11 & 12                Transportation
July 9 & 10                     Tools
August 13 & 14             Food Preparation
September 10 & 11      Emergency Preparedness/CERT Training
October 8 & 9                Energy
November 12 & 13       Technology
December 10 & 11       Home Environment
 For more information, please contact Angel Rodriguez: wegreenyou@yahoo.com <mailto:wegreenyou@yahoo.com> or 707-477-4564