Sunday, June 22, 2008

The start of summer!

It's officially summer, and it was a great start to our new season yesterday! The festivals have started and gardens are growing, and farmers markets are in full swing.

The community meeting last Wednesday was awesome! Shanthu and Godo presented some surprising information about our footprint here in Edmonton, Stephani brought out attention to the ways our homes are unhealthy - and what to do about it, and Andrea gave us some practical adivce where to go for eco-friendly renovation materials, and rebate programs. And we have a special treat for those of you who couldn't make it to the meeting, the session will be available online to watch here - Todd of 3D Productions was there filming the whole thing - so you can watch it through our facebook page for now, and youtube is coming soon.

Coming up this week...

Wednesday June 25 - Mike Nickerson is coming to town to promote his new book, "Life, Money and Illusion". Here is the write-up for his book;

In recent years, unchecked economic growth in the Western world has led to resource depletion and widespread environmental degradation. Life, Money & Illusion was inspired by the dilemma of having an economic structure that has to grow to remain healthy while facing the necessity of reducing our footprint and establishing a stable state economy to secure ecological viability on a finite planet.

The book launches a review of economic expansion. It examines how growth came to be a goal and how that goal, though once hugely beneficial, is now the propellant for catastrophe. Then, by showing how the economy can be restructured to remain within planetary limits, it points the way to a sustainable future.

Life, Money & Illusion advocates change by shifting the dominant economic paradigm from growth to sustainability. Techniques include:
- Measuring well-being through genuine progress
- Encouraging sustainable investment
- Practical changes such as tax shifting, carbon taxes and monetary reform
- Honoring the Golden Rule instead of the Rule of Gold.

An engaging and empowering vision of the future that celebrates humanity’s extraordinary ability to adapt and evolve, Life, Money & Illusion will appeal to social activists, environmentalists and all those who are committed to a sustainable future.

About the Contributor(s)
Mike Nickerson is a longtime environmental activist, popular educator and the author of three books on sustainability including Bakavi: Change the World I Want to Stay On andPlanning For Seven Generations: Guideposts for a Sustainable Future. He is a founding member of the Green Party of Canada and helped draft the Canada Well-Being Measurement Act.


We are having a party!




Yes it's official, we will be holding a SAGE Summer Soiree on Sunday July 6th. It will be at Riverdale Community Hall (9231-100 avenue) starting at 4pm and ending around 10pm.

What will be happening at the party? I say, "What isn't happening at the party?". There will be live music from some awesome local bands (that's right plural), locally produced beverages from Ambers Brewing, locally produced organic snacks and salads from local gardens, and we invite you to bring a potluck item for the picnic supper (please bring your own plates, cups and cutlery too so we can reduce our waste footprint at this event). We'll have fun and games for the whole family - so feel free to bring your kids.

COST: This Soiree is part community gathering and part fundraiser for the SAGE online business directory so we're asking people to contribute on a sliding scale. Ticket prices are as follows:

Sliding Scale
Adults - $10-15
Students: $5-10
Children under 13 - Free

Tickets will be available at our next meetings (June 25 and July 2), or contact us directly by e-mail, or call 435-5683. If there are any left, they will be available at the door too.

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