When: Saturday, May 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: St. Stephens Church, 500 Robinson Way, Sebastopol, CA
COST: $20 No one turned away for lack of funds

Theme of the Month: Waste

This Saturday we will be talking about every aspect of Waste and Consumption; Our goal is to show you the way to Zero Waste and learn how to live with No Impact in every area of your life. And, this class is a part of the 350 Home & Garden Challenge event happening this weekend, May 14th & 15th. So, please register this event now at www.dailyacts.org.

Nationally acclaimed sustainability expert Portia Sinnott will be presenting on integrating zero waste into your day-to-day activities and discussing how you can develop low impact habits in tune with your values - while still having a fun and satisfying life.

Julia Valentine, our Transition Sebastopol's permaculturist, will be guiding our construction of worm bins.

The Seed Bank is having their work party at the same location, from 9-12, and offering a plant share, for the 350 Home and Garden Challenge. They ask that you bring your extra plants (labeled please) and see what others are offering. If you need plants for your 350 garden, you can get some there! One audacious weekend and 1,000's of powerful actions to grow food, conserve water, save energy and reduce waste….all across the US. What an incredible time, and method, to tell the world that we are all willing to do one more thing to create a better world.

Saturday’s class is full of activities, so come join us and explore the many facets of waste, and the simple ways we can reduce our daily consumption. We will be working together on a number of projects and exercises. We will examine how advertising has affected, and presently affects, our consumption habits and consider how we can get what we need in ways that do less harm to the environment. We will create an alternative gift registry with items that are non-material, secondhand, homemade, service-oriented (such as “fix my bike”), experiential (such as “take me to a concert”), or that come from companies that are socially and environmentally responsible. We will be creating visual aids, and building worm bins, and more.

9am - 10:30 am: The first part of the morning we will enjoy a cup of tea/coffee together and some fabulous bread and/or scones from the bakery in Freestone. During that time we will meet each other, go through the schedule for the day, and begin our discussion of Waste.

Break 10:30 – 11:00 am - Seed Bank time?
11:00 - 2:00pm: Portia Sinnott
Lunch will be served during presentation.
2:00 – 4:30pm: Class exercises
4:30 – 5:00: Review

Donation for this Class: $20 - Includes lunch. No one turned away for lack of funds. Please email angel@wegreenyou.com or call Angel @ 477-4564 in advance to RSVP.

3 things to do before coming to class:

1. Go to http://www.storyofstuff.com and watch this free 20 minute movie before class.

2. Register this event at www.dailyacts.org.

3. Bring a bucket with a tight fitting lid to class for your worm bin project.

Absolutely must RSVP by calling 477-4564 or Email: angel@wegreenyou.com.

 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:

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