Twog's Posts - Transition Whatcom2024-03-19T10:19:23ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twoghttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2197509883?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=2it2flfbilpbj&xn_auth=noNew! Guidelines to Support Online Communicationtag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2013-05-13:2723460:BlogPost:903632013-05-13T02:30:00.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
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<p class="MsoNormal">In the interest of keeping our online conversation as inclusive, informative, respectful, participatory and fun as possible, the TWOG and our web administrator have come up with some guidelines which we hope will be clear and helpful. The guidelines include some suggestions to make your communication as clear and effective as possible, and also a (short!) list of types of communication that we won’t tolerate. These last include obvious things like: name…</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">In the interest of keeping our online conversation as inclusive, informative, respectful, participatory and fun as possible, the TWOG and our web administrator have come up with some guidelines which we hope will be clear and helpful. The guidelines include some suggestions to make your communication as clear and effective as possible, and also a (short!) list of types of communication that we won’t tolerate. These last include obvious things like: name calling, threats, blame, obscenities.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hope that you will take a look at the Guidelines (see <a href="http://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/page/online-communication" target="_self">Online Communication</a> under the “About Us” tab), and let us know what you think. If you think they are in any way unclear, or if there is something we left out, please let us know.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May your conversations be fascinating and illuminating!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Emily - for the TWOG</p>November Activities You May Have Missedtag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2012-12-18:2723460:BlogPost:857732012-12-18T23:05:13.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>Transition Whatcom sponsors many wonderful events every month. They include co-sponsored author events at Village Books, our monthly movie night, gatherings and talks. In addition our members create and participate in many, many events. With such a creative, diverse community, it is easy to miss out. The TWOG has decided to provide a recap each month of some of the many events that have brought us together and inspired us during the month.</p>
<p>Hopefully we will see you at some of the TW…</p>
<p>Transition Whatcom sponsors many wonderful events every month. They include co-sponsored author events at Village Books, our monthly movie night, gatherings and talks. In addition our members create and participate in many, many events. With such a creative, diverse community, it is easy to miss out. The TWOG has decided to provide a recap each month of some of the many events that have brought us together and inspired us during the month.</p>
<p>Hopefully we will see you at some of the TW events in December!</p>
<p> - Warren, for the TWOG</p>
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<p>November Movie Night- Always the 3rd Tuesday at 6:30PM at the Limelight</p>
<p>Our November Movie was The Power of Community- How Cuba Survived Peak Oil. We had an energetic discussion after the movie about the techniques shown that might apply to Whatcom County. Over 30 people attended!</p>
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<p>Other Movies We Co-Sponsored or Posted</p>
<p>Shift Change a film about Democracy at Work and how it can help create resilient communities.</p>
<p>GreenFire! a film about the legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold and his environmental legacy.</p>
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<p>Gardening and Food Workshops- offered by TW members</p>
<p>Basic Seed Saving, Root Cellaring, Safely Canning Meat and Fish, Worms and Worm Composting, Rendering Lard and Home-Preservation, Subsistence Gardening, Clearwater Sanctuary Permaculture Design Course</p>
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<p>Educational Presentations- on Transition oriented topics offered locally</p>
<p>Climate Reality and Coal, Sustainable Change- conversation cafe with Sharif Abdulla, Paul Roberts Talk on a new perspective on technology, affluence and ideology when making critical decisions, Living the New Economy, Gateway Pacific Terminal Hearing</p>
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<p></p>October Activities You May Have Missedtag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2012-11-03:2723460:BlogPost:848982012-11-03T22:02:31.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p> Transition Whatcom sponsors many wonderful events every month. They include co-sponsored author events at Village Books, our monthly movie night, gatherings and talks. In addition our members create and participate in many, many events. With such a creative, diverse community, it is easy to miss out. The TWOG has decided to provide a recap each month of some of the main events that have brought us together and inspired us during the month. </p>
<p> Please recognize that…</p>
<p> Transition Whatcom sponsors many wonderful events every month. They include co-sponsored author events at Village Books, our monthly movie night, gatherings and talks. In addition our members create and participate in many, many events. With such a creative, diverse community, it is easy to miss out. The TWOG has decided to provide a recap each month of some of the main events that have brought us together and inspired us during the month. </p>
<p> Please recognize that these are events that the TWOG participated in. We may be leaving out many important activities. If you have created or participated in an event that you would like to let others know about, please let the TWOG know how it went, and we will include it in our next monthly recap.</p>
<p> - Emily, for the TWOG</p>
<p> <b>October movie night</b> – Always the 3<sup>rd</sup> Tuesday at 6:30 at the Limelight.</p>
<p> Our October movie was <i>The Global Gardener</i>, featuring Bill Mollison<i>.</i> This movie brought our biggest turnout yet for movies, with 40 people attending. Paul Kearsley moderated a great discussion following the movie, which spilled out into the street when we had to leave after 30 minutes.</p>
<p> November’s movie, on Tuesday Nov. 20, will be <i>The Power of Community</i>, a film about Cuba’s response to peak oil. Although it is several years old, this movie may provide some inspiration and/or ideas we can apply here.</p>
<p> <b>Author event at Village Books: </b> October 4 – Andrew Nikiforuk, author of <i>The Energy of Slaves: Oil and the New Servitude.</i> Around 20 people attended his overview of how we have become increasingly dependent on our cheap oil fueled cell phones, cars, machines, etc. He drew parallels to the way in which slaves provided cheap energy prior to the industrial revolution, and explored what we can learn from the history of that system and its breakdown. Great discussion after the readings.</p>
<p> <b>Imagine Local Energy Independence</b>- a talk with Dan Kammen at Bellingham High School, October 5. Over 500 in attendance. Great 'feet on the street' view of what can be done (mainly in the policy arena) to address peak oil and related 'ills'. A kick-off to the ReSources visioning process that the entire community can become involved with.</p>
<p><b> Fall membership gathering and potluck –</b> Sunday October 21, 2:30 – 5pm. Between 15 and 20 people came to share food and community. We celebrated TW’s accomplishments so far this year, especially the Skill Share Faire, and did some visioning about what TW can do in the next year. More to come re: the visioning, but there was a strong theme of building community and inclusiveness as important components of resilience. Hope to see you at our next quarterly gathering in late January.</p>
<p> </p>The difference between problems and predicamentstag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2012-03-17:2723460:BlogPost:777552012-03-17T01:44:33.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>There is a distinction made by John Michael Greer in his writings about the difference between a “problem” and a “predicament”. I have really enjoyed his view on this. A problem is something that has a solution that can be solved and gotten past. A predicament is something that you have to deal with but cannot solve in the sense that you can implement something that will make it go away. Both climate change and peak oil are predicaments for humans and not problems that can be solved. …</p>
<p>There is a distinction made by John Michael Greer in his writings about the difference between a “problem” and a “predicament”. I have really enjoyed his view on this. A problem is something that has a solution that can be solved and gotten past. A predicament is something that you have to deal with but cannot solve in the sense that you can implement something that will make it go away. Both climate change and peak oil are predicaments for humans and not problems that can be solved. They will both require significant change over much time for us to cope with their affects and yet will still be with us. For a taste of John’s writing go to <a href="http://www.ageoflimits.org/">http://www.ageoflimits.org/</a> (you may also enjoy looking over this web site) and click on <strong><a href="http://www.4qf.org/index.php/age-of-limits/222-the-conversation" target="_self">A Needed Conversation</a> by John Michael Greer. </strong> This is on the right side of the web page. Enjoy Tom Anderson</p>Twog Blog Health Care in the Futuretag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2012-02-09:2723460:BlogPost:764162012-02-09T03:44:04.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>I have been living with some unexplained major health issues for almost two years now. The most recent trip to the American Medical establishment for some new tests has yet to produce clarity as to what is going on. I am starting to feel better than I have for a year and a half which is nice. At this rate it may go away and I will never understand what was happening. It is interesting at my age when one asks questions the answer often is well these things show up with aging. It is a…</p>
<p>I have been living with some unexplained major health issues for almost two years now. The most recent trip to the American Medical establishment for some new tests has yet to produce clarity as to what is going on. I am starting to feel better than I have for a year and a half which is nice. At this rate it may go away and I will never understand what was happening. It is interesting at my age when one asks questions the answer often is well these things show up with aging. It is a clear reminder how little we truly understand about life. I am already one of those individuals who is only still alive because of modern medicine. When there is less energy available one wonders how much of our medical ability will go away. Personally I would much prefer a more people focused system and less high tech energy intensive testing. Time passes and my body grows closer to the end of its usefulness. It is all a very interesting thing to contemplate this idea of not being here. In the mean time I sure am having a good time at the moment. Cheers Tom A</p>Parking Lot Repurposingtag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2012-01-08:2723460:BlogPost:752922012-01-08T20:43:58.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>A <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/arts/design/taking-parking-lots-seriously-as-public-spaces.html?pagewanted=all">New York Times</a> article from the sunday edition today is highly relevant to the Transition Movement. Michael Kimmelman writes about parking lots and other parking spaces as holding potential for much more democratic uses than enabling consumers to find convenient access to marketplaces, and dwellings to have spaces for tenants.</p>
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<p>This is relevant to…</p>
<p>A <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/arts/design/taking-parking-lots-seriously-as-public-spaces.html?pagewanted=all">New York Times</a> article from the sunday edition today is highly relevant to the Transition Movement. Michael Kimmelman writes about parking lots and other parking spaces as holding potential for much more democratic uses than enabling consumers to find convenient access to marketplaces, and dwellings to have spaces for tenants.</p>
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<p>This is relevant to Bellingham and Whatcom County. Recently I was out Guide Meridian where the new <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=value+village+bellingham&fb=1&gl=us&hq=value+village&hnear=0x5485962ef2458717:0xd57a9ca9cd39e0f0,Bellingham,+WA&cid=0,0,9762961858501916741&ei=3vkJT4rzF6GgiQLwwsHJCQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&ved=0CAsQ_BI">Value Village</a> store is, and found delight in the fact that these big buildings and lots were empty. Personally I was not exited to see these places get built in the first place. Now there appears to be wonderful opportunity to repurpose these spaces. There are businesses in town that have been doing just the kind of repurposing that seems relevant here. <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=value+village+bellingham&fb=1&gl=us&hq=value+village&hnear=0x5485962ef2458717:0xd57a9ca9cd39e0f0,Bellingham,+WA&cid=0,0,9762961858501916741&ei=3vkJT4rzF6GgiQLwwsHJCQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&ved=0CAsQ_BI">Terra Organica</a> transformed the old Tube Time space into a hub for community- multiple businesses providing coffee, groceries, books, and more, as well as a community atmosphere and serving as an art gallery. <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=allied+arts+bellingham&fb=1&gl=us&hq=allied+arts&hnear=0x5485962ef2458717:0xd57a9ca9cd39e0f0,Bellingham,+WA&cid=0,0,6127183341401683042&ei=hfwJT7n_JIWJiAL8rdDPCQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&ved=0CAkQ_BI">Allied Arts</a> has taken unoccupied spaces and turned them into arts and crafts shows during the holiday shopping season. <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=bellingham+flea+market&fb=1&gl=us&hq=flea+market&hnear=0x5485962ef2458717:0xd57a9ca9cd39e0f0,Bellingham,+WA&cid=0,0,9728147084177249787&ei=UfsJT9PNF4qaiQKc_tCSCQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&ved=0CBgQ_BI">O'Donnell's Bellingham Flea Market</a> has been inhabiting various spaces around Bellingham, transforming abandoned space into usefulness.</p>
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<p>I will allow myself to dream of new ways to make spaces such as parking lots into community uses, I hope you allow yourself to dream too!</p>
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<p>-Kyler Boyes</p>Community Opportunitytag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-12-29:2723460:BlogPost:747932011-12-29T05:29:28.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>After spending a number of months without passing south of Burlington a trip to eastern Washington provided me with a number of realizations. </p>
<p>Communities throughout the US are making great steps towards local resiliency, food security and addressing an uncertain future. But the intensity and innovative energy present in our corner of the north-north-west-west goes above and beyond the current standards of our nation. Our civic leaders are pushing the envelope of green development. …</p>
<p>After spending a number of months without passing south of Burlington a trip to eastern Washington provided me with a number of realizations. </p>
<p>Communities throughout the US are making great steps towards local resiliency, food security and addressing an uncertain future. But the intensity and innovative energy present in our corner of the north-north-west-west goes above and beyond the current standards of our nation. Our civic leaders are pushing the envelope of green development. Professionals in Bellingham are developing new ideas for sustainable local business. And our grassroots community is constantly supporting these efforts and contributing their own passions to our developing model of resiliency.</p>
<p>Though we may be leading the charge in many ways, the coming year will provide many opportunities to do even better. Supporting our own community is an obvious and simple action to take but we also need to look beyond Whatcom for innovative ideas, technical support and community. Seeking a local community abroad may seem counter intuitive, but there are many folks around the world working on the same problems as TW and we have a lot to gain through collaboration. </p>
<p>The milestone of a new year provides a great chance to take some time and find the projects, groups or teams that we might like to contribute to. Winter offers many opportunities for research, looking into others work and finding something that inspires. Our 2<sup>nd</sup> annual Project Contest will provide spring time support for a few upstarts. Work is always more enjoyable in the summer sun and the fall will let us reflect, revise and begin researching a new step forward.</p>
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<p>I look forward to sharing these new projects with you all and until then...</p>
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<p>Be Well,</p>
<p>Paul</p>The Cycles of Time Turn On and ONtag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-12-12:2723460:BlogPost:745772011-12-12T03:57:09.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>Wow we are approaching the shortest day of the year and official WINTER. I go for a walk at 6am three days a week with a friend in Whatcom Falls Park. We do not use any lights and this time of year it is sometimes a challenge to see where we are going. We refer to it as walking by brail. It is clear that we slow down some because of this and that reminds me of what the natural world is doing, slowing down and resting getting ready for another summer. It often brings up questions for me about…</p>
<p>Wow we are approaching the shortest day of the year and official WINTER. I go for a walk at 6am three days a week with a friend in Whatcom Falls Park. We do not use any lights and this time of year it is sometimes a challenge to see where we are going. We refer to it as walking by brail. It is clear that we slow down some because of this and that reminds me of what the natural world is doing, slowing down and resting getting ready for another summer. It often brings up questions for me about what I am doing and whether my business serves a real purpose or is just a bad habit. Slowing down sounds like a good idea! There is something I enjoy about celebrating the solstices and the winter solstice is no exception. This year has snuck up on me and I am really surprised that it is just over a week away. I need to plan my celebration and do my part to bring the sun back with longer and warmer days. It is good for me to feel a part of the natural cycles. Soon it will be time to start planning what to plant for next spring now that excites me! Tom A</p>Thanksgiving Day Gratitudetag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-11-25:2723460:BlogPost:737822011-11-25T19:55:18.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p> Thanksgiving is my favorite "American" holiday. It is a celebration of life, of the harvest, of the power of people coming together, of remembering. Although it wasn't a holiday until Lincoln made it one, the story it tells is powerful mythology. Early European settlers fleeing persecution in Europe, for their ideals, would have died out but for the help of local Native American communities. Thanksgiving Day commemorates their profound generosity, the neighborliness that resulted,…</p>
<p> Thanksgiving is my favorite "American" holiday. It is a celebration of life, of the harvest, of the power of people coming together, of remembering. Although it wasn't a holiday until Lincoln made it one, the story it tells is powerful mythology. Early European settlers fleeing persecution in Europe, for their ideals, would have died out but for the help of local Native American communities. Thanksgiving Day commemorates their profound generosity, the neighborliness that resulted, and gratitude for life itself after a very hard year. These are values that the Transition Movement seeks to build on. What a different nation would have been created if the impulses of neighborliness, gratitude, and generosity had extended beyond people's own family or community, and actually formed the basis of the development of this country! </p>
<p> Below is a grace that I like to offer before I eat. It comes from several sources, including a Sufi and a Native American. I would love to hear other blessings for food that people say.</p>
<p> O thou, sustainer of our bodies, hearts and souls, bless all that we receive in thankfulness.</p>
<p> We offer gratitude to all those beings who brought this food to us - the soils, the winds, the waters, the sun, the plants, animals and people. May their days be long and well. And may all beings everywhere have good and nourishing food to eat. blessed be</p>
<p> Hope you are all outside enjoying the beautiful sunshine today, and are avoiding the black greed of "Black Friday"!</p>
<p> Emily</p>
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<p> </p>Energy for Transitiontag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-11-21:2723460:BlogPost:735682011-11-21T03:30:00.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>As we make our way to a lower level of cheap energy use we need to find ways to increase our energy for our own personal Transitions. Daily life can sometimes drain our energy for doing the hard work of Transition- with new worries about the economy, climate change, the growing rifts in our culture (just to name a few) we can end up finding ourselves to drained to make progress on thew tasks we need to do to prepare.</p>
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<p>I have found that making the time (and saving the energy)…</p>
<p>As we make our way to a lower level of cheap energy use we need to find ways to increase our energy for our own personal Transitions. Daily life can sometimes drain our energy for doing the hard work of Transition- with new worries about the economy, climate change, the growing rifts in our culture (just to name a few) we can end up finding ourselves to drained to make progress on thew tasks we need to do to prepare.</p>
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<p>I have found that making the time (and saving the energy) so I can attend a periodic Transition Whatcom event can charge my battery and give me the energy I need to push forward. For me the recent Literature Live Event at Village Books was a great example of this. A very inspiring video from Rob Hopkins, discussion moderated by David MacLeod and a presetation by Chris Wolf on River Haven Farm as well as the interaction with the 25 or so attendees was what I needed to get my transition energy flowing.</p>
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<p>If you find just one event a month to attend you will discover a wealth of untapped energy awaits. An it is renewable!</p>
<p>Warren</p>The necessity of participating in the systemtag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-11-14:2723460:BlogPost:724562011-11-14T05:04:07.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>I knew when I decided to run for County Executive that I would give up most of my income making capacity to do so. I also knew from past experience running for election that it would take all of my focus and not allow me to seek consulting clients for my business. Well all that was true and so when I lost in the primary I had a wonderful opportunity to look at the last couple of years of being self employed critically and make a decision as to whether this was going to work going forward.…</p>
<p>I knew when I decided to run for County Executive that I would give up most of my income making capacity to do so. I also knew from past experience running for election that it would take all of my focus and not allow me to seek consulting clients for my business. Well all that was true and so when I lost in the primary I had a wonderful opportunity to look at the last couple of years of being self employed critically and make a decision as to whether this was going to work going forward. Being honest with myself it was clear that being self employed was not working for me in the current economy and I did not expect that to change in the next couple of years so I made the decision to seek full time employment. I have now, I believe, secured a full time job. The hard part is that my education through the effort of working on Transition Whatcom has left me with no faith in our current system and some part of me feels that I am selling out going back to work in a system I no longer believe in. Sadly I have to admit that even though I do not believe in the current system I do not have a way to go forward to change it without participating in it. I clearly believe that we all need to work hard at making our own individual lives resilient because there is no way to know when or to what extent the current system will breakdown. At least I can go back to participating in the work world with my eyes clearly focused on making my life and those around me more resilient. Sadly I will not have as much time and energy to devote to Transition Whatcom which I do believe in and I believe is in a position to provide communication between those of us who see the need for resilience. I also recognize that most of us have to both work on our own resilience and participate in a system that we may not fully believe in. I am thrilled that this networking site is working to keep like minded people connected and pray that we all make progress on our individual resilience so that when the need is there we can be there for each other. Tom Anderson </p>The Poetry of Life... a bit from me to you!tag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-11-04:2723460:BlogPost:723022011-11-04T04:49:14.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">The multipettaled blooms of delicate daisies,</span></em></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">shower us with wonder and calmness.</span></em></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">Richness in powerfully, and subtly scented herbs…</span></em></span></strong></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">The multipettaled blooms of delicate daisies,</span></em></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">shower us with wonder and calmness.</span></em></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">Richness in powerfully, and subtly scented herbs alike,</span></em></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">brings delight to our sometimes dull minds.</span></em></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">The dirty streets carry our trampling weight uncomplainingly,</span></em></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">yet it is most common to not appreciate the truth of it.</span></em></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">The planet asks for care not in complaints and lawsuits,</span></em></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">but in bearing the burden and displaying the results.</span></em></span></strong></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">I commit in the name of my ancestors to taking steps each day to bring my values into alignment with those of the laws of nature.</span></em></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">I commit to learning each day something new, something good.</span></em></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">My genetic inheritance should not be squandered, lest the point of it all comes to naught.</span></em></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">Others commitment strengthens me, so thank you all for all you do.</span></em></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-2"><em><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;">In the name of the father sky and mother earth, I commit!</span></em></span></strong></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-1"><em>Thanks,</em></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-1"><em>Kyler Boyes</em></span></p>What is your personal (E)nergy (D)escent (A)ction (P)lan? #2 in the series.tag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-08-25:2723460:BlogPost:643532011-08-25T14:30:00.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p><span class="font-size-4">Here are some things I do to help with the energy descent problem:</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><br></br></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">Ride my bike, take the bus, walk, and skateboard.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">Shop at thrift stores, and other second hand goods establishments.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">Shop at local businesses.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">Practice growing food naturally.…</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-4">Here are some things I do to help with the energy descent problem:</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><br/></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">Ride my bike, take the bus, walk, and skateboard.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">Shop at thrift stores, and other second hand goods establishments.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">Shop at local businesses.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">Practice growing food naturally.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">Recycle, and reuse.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">Energy descent due to peak oil is a problem that feels unmanageable by me alone. It is global and I cannot "fix" it. On the other hand, as they say: "You can be part of the solution", therefore I do what I feel I can.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">I will avoid driving my car in order to be part of the solution (consuming less resources), and it works out to my benefit because I save money, contribute to my good health, and enjoy the pleasure of the sights, sounds, textures, and smells. I also think more deeply about the world that I live in when I take transportation other than a personal vehicle- I see people, businesses, nature, the problems and successes of society more readily. Shopping at local businesses I find people are more friendly, respectful, and helpful, in general, than at non-local businesses. Buying second hand I save money, and learn to appreciate the character of goods that have lived awhile- intangible benefits? Learning to grow food I have delighted in the wonder of natures intelligence to take raw materials, and produce delicious edible plants for my delight and good health. Learning to re-use what I used to consider garbage gives me fresh ideas about how to use what most people around consider to be garbage.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">These are some of my Big/Little successes. I believe that big changes can happen in small increments. Therefore despite the magnitude of the global problem- over consumption of resources, I try to take heart in my small successes.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">What is your personal E.D.A.P. (Energy Descent Action Plan)?</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">-Kyler<br/></span></p>What is Your Personal Energy Descent Plan (EDAP)?tag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-08-16:2723460:BlogPost:629542011-08-16T16:02:41.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p> As the TWOG continues to explore ways to spark and support Transition Whatcom's efforts, we have begun a discussion about our own personal efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and prepare for climate change. The next few TWOG blog posts will be about our individual efforts, questions and dilemmas. Hopefully this will become the beginning of a community-wide discussion, which can then help inform the creation of an EDAP/ARC for neighborhoods, and eventually for our county as a…</p>
<p> As the TWOG continues to explore ways to spark and support Transition Whatcom's efforts, we have begun a discussion about our own personal efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and prepare for climate change. The next few TWOG blog posts will be about our individual efforts, questions and dilemmas. Hopefully this will become the beginning of a community-wide discussion, which can then help inform the creation of an EDAP/ARC for neighborhoods, and eventually for our county as a whole.</p>
<p> Ironically, perhaps, I live a less sustainable lifestyle now than I did 2 years ago. Two years ago I owned a home on Peabody Street near Cornwall Park. I had lived there for about 13 years and raised my daughter there. I rode my bicycle to work more days than not, using my car only to go long distances or when I had to carry alot of things. I had a large garden - with raspberries and blueberries, apples, pears and plums, lots of vegies, and a "backyard wildlife sanctuary". I loved bringing in native plants for fruit and seeds for birds. It felt like a good beginning to a lifestyle that lowered my carbon footprint and did some good things for the natural environment. My home had wonderful solar exposure in all directions, and was quite small and inexpensive to heat.</p>
<p> A "series of unfortunate events", including a major health crisis, put me into a financial position where selling my home was my best option. After a long and convoluted process, I rented a home in Sudden Valley for about 20 months. This experience taught me a great deal about how many people live. I was surrounded by beautiful forest, but living unsustainably.</p>
<p> I was dependent on my car to get to work most of the time (and it is 18 miles round trip), because the bus is too infrequent to be very helpful. My home was too shady to grow food or to compost. Although I heated my home partially with wood from a maple tree on the property, and partly with pressed logs made from recycled sawdust (these are great! and produce little or no particulate when they burn), I was still dependent on electricity to run the blower on the insert as well as to supplement the wood stove. </p>
<p> Sudden Valley could potentially become more self-sustaining eventually by using the golf course as a farm, and there is a community garden space. The steepness of the hills, however, makes it almost impossible to bike, even to the golf course. Even walking is a challenge in some areas. Eventually I decided that the best thing I could do is to move back into town. I am just settling into a spot where I can do at least some gardening, that has better heat retention, and where I can bicycle to work.</p>
<p> The two largest challenges for me as I consider Transition are: creating financial stability and eliminating debt; and healthcare. To be honest, I really do not know what I will do about these things. At this time I am very vulnerable to economic instability, and my health is dependent on medications produced by big pharmaceutical companies. I am also aware that I am limited in what I can do to adapt my home because I am renting; and that bicycling (or walking even) is only available as transportation as long as my health (and/or knees!) allows. This is where our community transition as a whole can help, I think. We are all interwoven with society, and dependent on an unsustainable system. I am curious about what others think and feel about this.</p>
<p> I want to add that, for me, preparing for Transition also means developing my sense of place, and my connection with the ecosystem in which I live. That means, in part, discovering the shape of the land, and developing some basic knowledge of local ecosystems, plants, animals, birds, etc., as well as participating in ecosystem restoration. It also means falling in love with a place. I believe that our love and sense of being connected to the land where we live is not only restorative to ourselves, but also to the land itself. When I am in nature, and my mind is quiet, I find that birds and animals come closer, and I am drawn into magical moments; and when I find ways to express my connectedness to a place, uncannily, it responds.</p>
<p>Emily</p>
<p> </p>Transition Whatcom Needs You!tag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-08-10:2723460:BlogPost:614052011-08-10T19:21:37.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>We are getting close to having 1,000 Transition Whatcom registered members on the ning site! This is a great achievement and it means it’s time for us to become more active and visible in the community. Some of the best ways for you to help out are to:</p>
<p>1) Become a member of the Transition Whatcom Operating Group (TWOG)</p>
<p>2) Become an active leader of one of the Working groups</p>
<p>3) Volunteer to either help support working group activities or to help spread the word about the…</p>
<p>We are getting close to having 1,000 Transition Whatcom registered members on the ning site! This is a great achievement and it means it’s time for us to become more active and visible in the community. Some of the best ways for you to help out are to:</p>
<p>1) Become a member of the Transition Whatcom Operating Group (TWOG)</p>
<p>2) Become an active leader of one of the Working groups</p>
<p>3) Volunteer to either help support working group activities or to help spread the word about the Transition movement.</p>
<p>The TWOG is a small group (with 8 or so members) that meets every other week to identify opportunities and plan for Transition Whatcom activities that will help spread awareness of the Transition movement, support working group activities and work with like minded organizations that support Transition related activities. The time commitment is only a few hours a week but now is a critical time as we plan for next year’s efforts. Contact Warren Miller at <a href="mailto:warren@transitionwhatcom.org">warren@transitionwhatcom.org</a> to find out more.</p>
<p>The working groups are the way activities are created and executed by Transition Whatcom and an active leader (one who regularly gets the group together for potlucks, planning sessions and work days) is critical to energizing and making visible TW efforts within the community. If you have a passion for a specific TW related activity consider becoming more active in a work group and getting the members together for a potluck or other event. Once you build some momentum it becomes easier to hold meetings and organize. The TWOG can provide help, training and suggestions if you are interested but need some support to get started. Contact <a href="mailto:warren@transitionwhatcom.org">warren@transitionwhatcom.org</a> if you want more information.</p>
<p>If you are more interested in volunteering than planning and leading there are several opportunities to help out. Make sure you join the working groups you are interested in and participate, where able, in planned work day activities. If you want to help with TW outreach (publicity, tabling, posting signs, etc) consider joining the TW Outreach Volunteers Working Group at <a href="http://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/group/tw-outreach-volunteers">http://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/group/tw-outreach-volunteers</a>.</p>
<p>Now is a great time to become more active. With 1,000 members we now have an opportunity to make significant and visible positive changes in our community to increase resilience and self reliance. In what way will YOU be part of the change?</p>
<p>Thanx, Warren</p>The Importance of the Primary Electiontag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-07-28:2723460:BlogPost:605682011-07-28T23:47:34.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>Transition Whatcom (TW) is an exciting grassroots project aimed at social change. I was one of the original organizers of the group and am the only member who transferred to the Transition Whatcom Operating Group (TWOG) last year. Since we started TW, we have inspired many people to make positive changes in their lives by looking seriously at the threats caused by climate change, peak oil, and economic instability. As time has passed, these threats continue to show up in significant…</p>
<p>Transition Whatcom (TW) is an exciting grassroots project aimed at social change. I was one of the original organizers of the group and am the only member who transferred to the Transition Whatcom Operating Group (TWOG) last year. Since we started TW, we have inspired many people to make positive changes in their lives by looking seriously at the threats caused by climate change, peak oil, and economic instability. As time has passed, these threats continue to show up in significant ways.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Last fall when Warren Miller suggested each TWOG take responsibility for a specific focus, I volunteered for government relations. As I discussed TW with local elected officials who were supportive of our concerns, I began to wonder what our county might look like if the county executive was supportive as well. I started to consider running for the position, but I faltered, questioning whether it was worth the effort. Then I realized how much faster TW could impact our community if it were supported from the top, from a governmental framework, as it continued to grow and function as a grassroots movement. I became excited about running when I realized the office of County Executive could not only support TW, but had the potential to make significant differences. We would have the political clout to move local citizens away from a consumptive, destructive lifestyle and into a more resilient local economy. Wow! Being County Executive could bring real momentum to the TW effort. The possibilities are very exciting.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The problem is that I first need to get elected. We are on the eve of the primary election and I need your help to get the vote out in my favor. So, to my friends in the TW network, please vote for me when your ballots come in the mail next week. I also hope you will tell all your friends to vote for me. Ballots are being mailed the end of this week and must be returned by Aug 16<sup>th</sup>. Please help me get out the vote.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Another easy way to help is through email. My campaign will be sending out an email flyer soon, seeking voter support. If you are willing to participate in this email push—sending my flyer to people in your address book—please send me a note at <a href="mailto:Tomxyza@comcast.net">Tomxyza@comcast.net</a> and I will see that you receive a copy of the email flyer. Finally, my campaign is currently being out-spent and I do need money for a mailer and more signs, so contributions are most welcome. You can find donation instructions on my website at <a href="http://www.tomforwhatcom.com/donate.html">http://www.tomforwhatcom.com/donate.html</a>. If you have any campaign questions please feel free to contact me. Tom Anderson 739-1968</p>What to do?tag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-07-19:2723460:BlogPost:587892011-07-19T22:38:59.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>It is difficult to stay pessimistic when the sun is out, the lettuce in our garden is growing faster than we can eat it, our dog wants to stay outside all the time because there is so much neighborhood activity to see from our front yard (mostly, I think, the cat traffic across the street), new neighbors (very nice ones) have moved in next door, our son just got married to the love of his life, etc, etc, etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But once in a while I will see something that makes me wonder- how…</p>
<p>It is difficult to stay pessimistic when the sun is out, the lettuce in our garden is growing faster than we can eat it, our dog wants to stay outside all the time because there is so much neighborhood activity to see from our front yard (mostly, I think, the cat traffic across the street), new neighbors (very nice ones) have moved in next door, our son just got married to the love of his life, etc, etc, etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But once in a while I will see something that makes me wonder- how will we (or our children, or our grand children) do that when gas costs 10 times as much, when we have rolling brown-outs, when it rains twice as much or is hot twice as long, etc, etc, etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I guess they will figure it out one way or the other. But wouldn’t it be better if we gave them a head start on<br/>figuring at least some of it? I believe there are enough of us working on these issues that if we should be able to at least get some momentum going if not a full-fledged MOVEMENT.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you do figure something out, or just find something that doesn’t work (that’s good to share too!) share it<br/>with a friend, post it on the TW ning site, write it up, Facebook it, video it, tweet it, whatever works for you- but make sure it doesn’t get lost. Who knows what will be the key piece that makes the upcoming Transition a less difficult one.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It’s kind of the reverse of that saying, “For the want of a nail a shoe was lost, for the want of a shoe the horse was lost, for the want of a horse a battle was lost and for the loss of the battle the war was lost”. Let’s fix as many nails as we can, now, so we can avoid the big loss later on…</p>
<p>Thanx, Warren</p>Dreaming the Future; Acting the Presenttag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-07-12:2723460:BlogPost:579752011-07-12T00:08:39.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<br></br>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">Dreams are attractive,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">the Present is decisive,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">wading through the mud,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">singing in the trees,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">What is Transition?</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">What is the…</font></p>
<br/>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">Dreams are attractive,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">the Present is decisive,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">wading through the mud,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">singing in the trees,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">What is Transition?</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">What is the long term result?</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">Transition is a tool,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">the result is always remade,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">driving through the wilderness,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">looking for the light,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">dawn takes us by suprise,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">and draws us into another day.</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">Efforts are taken,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">powers are harnessed,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">driving toward an unseen future,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">hoping for a lovely arrival,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">thankfully another day arrives,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">we have another chance,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">all is not lost,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">new things to be found.</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">What to hold on to? friends, family, productivity,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">the world will not stop in its tracks for me,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">like a poem or a book.</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">Driving on through endless time,</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4">forgiving, forgetting, and hopefully inspiring.</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4"><strong>You ask-</strong></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4"><strong> </strong> What is this all about for a TWOG Blog Post?</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4"><strong>I Respond- </strong></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4"><strong><br/></strong></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font size="4"><strong> </strong> With no coherent vision to offer, no applicable idea, I suggest a bit of</font> <font size="4">light and lyrycism. It's an attempt to draw a feeling of</font> <span class="font-size-6">Transition Whatcom; poetry in contrast to analysis.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="font-size-6"><br/></span></p>
<br />
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong><font size="4">Kyler Boyes</font></strong></p>Creating the Culture of the Futuretag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-07-03:2723460:BlogPost:563482011-07-03T19:42:08.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>At our last TWOG meeting on Wed., we were talking about the EDAP/ARC. Creating and implementing the "Energy Descent Action Plan" or "Actions for a Resilient Community" is at the center of the mission of Transition Whatcom. As we reflected on what that actually meant, Paul commented that really the ARC/EDAP is a culture, the culture of the future.</p>
<p>This hit me like a bolt of lightning. Transition Whatcom is attempting to create a path to a culture, and all of its elements (community,…</p>
<p>At our last TWOG meeting on Wed., we were talking about the EDAP/ARC. Creating and implementing the "Energy Descent Action Plan" or "Actions for a Resilient Community" is at the center of the mission of Transition Whatcom. As we reflected on what that actually meant, Paul commented that really the ARC/EDAP is a culture, the culture of the future.</p>
<p>This hit me like a bolt of lightning. Transition Whatcom is attempting to create a path to a culture, and all of its elements (community, transportation, housing, energy, education, healthcare), that does not yet exist. How overwhelming is that?!</p>
<p>The only way to do this is to imagine that we are already there, and to allow our vision to guide our steps. In the Transition Handbook are numerous examples of newspaper articles written "in the future", as if the cultural shift has already occurred. By imagining ourselves looking back from a future where transition has occurred, we can begin to create a path to get from here to there.</p>
<p>The work of transition is as much about imagination as it is about community development, permaculture, urban agriculture, reskilling, or anything else. As a meditation teacher I had once said, "we must allow the pull of the future to be stronger than the push of the past".</p>
<p>Emily Farrell</p>Transitions Local and Globaltag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-06-16:2723460:BlogPost:551002011-06-16T00:57:55.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>Transition is all around us- global, local and personal. If you attended Bill McKibbons talk last month you probably, like I did, came away with a better perspective on how our local (Bellingham) Transition actions can make an impact to reduce flooding in communities across the globe. If we can keep the ‘carbon bomb’ in the ground instead of shipping it to China our local actions can make a big global difference. It’s not just about our backyard, it’s about every back yard around the…</p>
<p>Transition is all around us- global, local and personal. If you attended Bill McKibbons talk last month you probably, like I did, came away with a better perspective on how our local (Bellingham) Transition actions can make an impact to reduce flooding in communities across the globe. If we can keep the ‘carbon bomb’ in the ground instead of shipping it to China our local actions can make a big global difference. It’s not just about our backyard, it’s about every back yard around the globe.</p>
<p>The TWOG has had its share of transitions too. Laura, Travis, Juliet, Angela and Erica all made changes in their lives that required them to leave the TWOG. We thank all of them for their many contributions in growing the Transition Whatcom community and wish them all the best. I’m sure they will all stay involved in the Transition Movement one way or another. Welcome Emily and Kyler to the TWOG as they add their new energy to the TWOG. Say hello to them at the next TW event you see them at, and thank them in advance for their help in guiding Transition Whatcom.</p>
<p>Warren Miller</p>TWOG Blog 5-23-11tag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-05-24:2723460:BlogPost:524822011-05-24T03:47:45.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>Wow my life is getting busy. For those of you who may not know I am running for County Executive this year. Since I have run for County office before it is not fair to say I wasn’t aware of what I was getting into but it sure is getting hectic. I really believe we need leadership now to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Build understanding and fix the broken partnerships between local governments.</li>
<li>Listen and learn to get the County planning process serving our citizens.</li>
<li>Seek input for an…</li>
</ul>
<p>Wow my life is getting busy. For those of you who may not know I am running for County Executive this year. Since I have run for County office before it is not fair to say I wasn’t aware of what I was getting into but it sure is getting hectic. I really believe we need leadership now to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Build understanding and fix the broken partnerships between local governments.</li>
<li>Listen and learn to get the County planning process serving our citizens.</li>
<li>Seek input for an acceptable jail proposal.</li>
<li>Take action to ensure water quality and availability.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>I have enough knowledge and experience to know that these are not easy tasks. I have confidence that I have developed the leadership and communication skills over the years to, with all of your help, tackle these issues.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am really excited as stepping up to take on this challenge has invigorated me and I am enjoying running. If you have questions check out my website <a href="http://www.tomforwhatcom.com/">www.tomforwhatcom.com</a> or find me on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Anderson-for-Whatcom-County-Executive/117561861659073">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Anderson-for-Whatcom-County-Executive/117561861659073</a>. Please do not hesitate to call or email me if you have specific questions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have great faith in the people of Whatcom County and am excited by this opportunity to provide leadership to this community. Of coarse I need you help to get elected first. Thanks for reading. Tom Anderson</p>TWOG Blog 3-28 AH Springtag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-03-29:2723460:BlogPost:472752011-03-29T19:36:32.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
I felt it I felt it!! Spring is here. Now I really know that I am behind on home projects. So little time and so many outside things to get done. One of my plum trees is blooming and I have even seen some bees out so there is hope for plums. There is a part of me from childhood that loved getting started on plowing fields in the spring and the process of planting crops. I still enjoy getting close to the dirt in the spring to plant a few things in my garden. It also gives me some sense of…
I felt it I felt it!! Spring is here. Now I really know that I am behind on home projects. So little time and so many outside things to get done. One of my plum trees is blooming and I have even seen some bees out so there is hope for plums. There is a part of me from childhood that loved getting started on plowing fields in the spring and the process of planting crops. I still enjoy getting close to the dirt in the spring to plant a few things in my garden. It also gives me some sense of security as I notice all the things going sideways in the human population world wide at the moment. Change is in the air and right now in the northwest that change is to spring. Of course we do not yet know what sort of spring it will be. My taste buds hope for a nice hot one so that local strawberries are in their prime. But then I will be complaining of the heat in June and July. You just can't win sometimes. No matter how you cut it things are starting to grow and grow they will. Enjoy this time of expectant energy and aliveness. Tom ABreaking through the Borders of the Mindtag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-03-22:2723460:BlogPost:461952011-03-22T00:18:16.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>Even before the devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan and the eruption of war in Libya, staying out of anxiety and despair when thinking about the future was a personal challenge. In this moment my life is full and good, but what if oil prices triple before the end of the year, what if our financial system collapses, what the nuclear crisis is worse than we’re being told? What will happen to everyone and everything I love on this planet? What will happen to the…</p>
<p>Even before the devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan and the eruption of war in Libya, staying out of anxiety and despair when thinking about the future was a personal challenge. In this moment my life is full and good, but what if oil prices triple before the end of the year, what if our financial system collapses, what the nuclear crisis is worse than we’re being told? What will happen to everyone and everything I love on this planet? What will happen to the fragile web of life.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>While it's true we are facing challenges humans have never before faced, the same could also be said of every age. While there is an urgency to prepare now before it's too late, there’s a fine balance between preparing for the future and sacrificing peacefulness in the present by imagining worst case scenarios.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"...the great ages have been those in which the old routines and ideas, the organizational predictables and the moral imperatives broke down and the barely imaginable of the last generation became the common place of the new. Then life as we had never known it broke through the old borders of the mind and the world became fresh again." Joan Chittister, <i>Uncommon Gratitude</i></p>
<p><i> </i></p>
<p>One of the challenges of these times is to break through “the old borders of the mind” so we believe that the world can be “made fresh” again. How do we do that in the face of what we know and in the face of so much uncertainty. For me the clear answer is in community. When it impossible for me to hold the high watch, I need someone else to do it for me. I need to put myself in the presence of others who know, at least some of the time, it is possible for the world to become fresh again. Some of the time I need to be the one who knows.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As a reminder of what is possible in the midst of all the turmoil, we see ordinary people taking to the streets, taking courageous risks to create the futures they believe are possible.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It occurs to me that this is a particularly poor time to sit back and wait to see what will happen next. I liked the end of the video, <i>300 Years of Fossil Fuel in 300 Seconds</i> (see home page for link)<i>.</i> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>“We have to live within nature’s budget of renewable resources at rates of natural replenishment. Can we do it? We have no choice.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I’m willing to believe we can. A first step for me is to begin transforming our standard city lot, currently mostly lawn, into an oasis of some food production and wildlife sanctuary.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I’m willing to believe the future can be brighter than the present, that we can become a more resilient, emotionally richer community. Will you help me to carry that vision, especially in the moments when I forget?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Angela Mercy</p>What in the World is Going On? And what can I do about it?tag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-03-18:2723460:BlogPost:459112011-03-18T20:29:26.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>At times it is difficult to 'think local' when so much is going on globally. Earthquakes and revolutions seem, to me, to be so much more important than what is going on with my garden, what I need to do to fix my bike, the floor I need to de-tar and sand, and all the other stuff that is my 'local' environment.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I guess all I can do is hope/pray that the people with earthquakes and revolutions in their 'local' environments have been able to do some amount of resilience and…</p>
<p>At times it is difficult to 'think local' when so much is going on globally. Earthquakes and revolutions seem, to me, to be so much more important than what is going on with my garden, what I need to do to fix my bike, the floor I need to de-tar and sand, and all the other stuff that is my 'local' environment.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I guess all I can do is hope/pray that the people with earthquakes and revolutions in their 'local' environments have been able to do some amount of resilience and self-reliance building in their communities prior to these terrible events. If they had the chance, I'm sure they would go back and do even more of this work in their home, neighborhood and community. While we pause to hope/pray that these communities will come out of these challenges OK, let's also rethink how important the local activities are that we do. We hope that these challenges will never strike so close, but if they do, we can at least be more prepared in 6 months than we are now. It is well worth the investment...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Warren Miller</p>Blog from a Twog - Muddling throughtag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-02-15:2723460:BlogPost:436162011-02-15T17:21:29.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>All writers are faced with challenges with what to write about, and as I approach my blog posting, I am faced with the same. This is a column or blog devoted to musings - and my general approach to writing is to write for an audience, to share good ideas, and to attempt to inspire rational action in the face of what can appear to be overwhelming odds. But to be real, to reveal...well...I'd say best make a date for coffee to do that.</p>
<p>As we probably all have experienced, there's a lot…</p>
<p>All writers are faced with challenges with what to write about, and as I approach my blog posting, I am faced with the same. This is a column or blog devoted to musings - and my general approach to writing is to write for an audience, to share good ideas, and to attempt to inspire rational action in the face of what can appear to be overwhelming odds. But to be real, to reveal...well...I'd say best make a date for coffee to do that.</p>
<p>As we probably all have experienced, there's a lot of miscommunication that can occur online. People post quotes that apparently say what they are not willing or quite able to say directly. This creates the conundrum of trying to respond. Do I respond to the quote as if it's what the person is trying to say to me? Or is that off limits? Faced with this recently, I decided that the next level of directness would be a written online response that addressed the person directly. To go from what is implied through a quote to writing directly to the person seems to be the way to address the quote. Asking the question - - Is that what you think? Can you own that quote? - -works on the next level towards clear communication.</p>
<p>We get so much more information from working face to face - but to start there is not always as comfortable as we'd like. So we use our timesaving devices to further communication in efficient and imaginative ways. I suppose when I look at Transition with a capital T and my own path, what I see at present is the challenge of direct communication that continues to communicate my concern for the future of humanity, enthusiasm for this way of "powering down", and desire to humanize our systems of commerce in a way that respects and empathizes with wherever the person I'm communicating with happens to be. This is no small feat for those of us immersed in making a living. And I must admit, I am feeling very impatient, and so I am learning how to forgive myself and others, even though it may appear that nothing is happening on the large scale. </p>
<p>And I guess that's my point....if you can stick with me here for a minute...There are so many ways that we can transition our lives into lives of authenticity and meaning. For me, meaning has always meant making the best use of the resources I have, and learning to work effectively with others. How to fully respect myself and others when that sets me at odds with the place in which I find myself is the challenge. I am encouraging myself to meet the neighbors, to organize neighborhood events through those meetings, and to gently or otherwise introduce the concepts of Transition [that most people feel, yet are not allowing themselves to verbalize - I might venture] in a way that respects where they are. How to create those opportunities for face to face meetings is the challenge. </p>
<p>That's all for now, thanks for listening. I'd love to hear from others - coffee? Herb tea? </p>
<p>Juliet</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>TWOG Blog 2-7-11tag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-02-08:2723460:BlogPost:428962011-02-08T03:32:15.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>Ah, I’ve noticed that the days are a little longer. My mind begins to anticipate them being a little warmer and thoughts of spring start to arise. This immediately brings up my panic as my greenhouse plans are not ready, my trees are not pruned, my new garden path is not complete and basically I am not ready for spring! Work is still slow so I should have lots of time to do all those things but here it is approaching March and I need to get my act together to be ready for…</p>
<p>Ah, I’ve noticed that the days are a little longer. My mind begins to anticipate them being a little warmer and thoughts of spring start to arise. This immediately brings up my panic as my greenhouse plans are not ready, my trees are not pruned, my new garden path is not complete and basically I am not ready for spring! Work is still slow so I should have lots of time to do all those things but here it is approaching March and I need to get my act together to be ready for spring.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sometimes attempting to be even half way sustainable in how I live takes more time than I seem to have. It is good to feel the pull of working outside. If I can find the self discipline to keep my schedule open enough so that on days when it is nice I make time for garden work maybe I will be ready for spring when it gets here. I have always dreamed of a work schedule that only required me to be there when it was raining so that I could take maximum advantage of the nice weather we have in the NW. I really do need to pay more attention to the weather forecasts as I plan my work schedule. Part of resilience is being flexible to accommodate changes in weather. Hmm I really do need to plan my schedule with that in mind.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There is hope for my gardening efforts as I still have one squash from last year left. It has kept well and will be eaten by the end of February. Now if my garden plan works and I can get twice as many this year they should last until May when there will be fresh greens available. That assumes that I store them well or preserve them in other ways. Again I am back to the need for good planning. Ah yes the ultimate flexible plan!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Good planning and happy anticipation of spring!</p>
<p>Tom Anderson</p>1/31/11 - TWOG Blog by Angela Mercy - Seeing with New Eyestag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-02-01:2723460:BlogPost:423972011-02-01T05:30:26.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>You may have noticed my absence over the last several months. From early October until recently, my primary focus has been on receiving the gift of new vision. Due to a hereditary, degenerative corneal disease diagnosed several years ago, my vision was undergoing changes that, left unchecked, would lead to functional blindness. Luckily the condition is completely reversible via replacement of my diseased tissue with healthy tissue from cadavers. On a crisp, clear day (a day on which I…</p>
<p>You may have noticed my absence over the last several months. From early October until recently, my primary focus has been on receiving the gift of new vision. Due to a hereditary, degenerative corneal disease diagnosed several years ago, my vision was undergoing changes that, left unchecked, would lead to functional blindness. Luckily the condition is completely reversible via replacement of my diseased tissue with healthy tissue from cadavers. On a crisp, clear day (a day on which I skipped a TWOG meeting to go hiking) in late September amid the peaks seen from the Skyline Divide, the knowing came. The time for surgery was now. In order to prepare to receive this incredible gift and to give myself time to adjust to new ways of seeing, I took a leave from my responsibilities as part of the TWOG. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Literally within minutes of scheduling dates for my eye surgeries a dear friend, who had been living with cancer for nearly 20 years, phoned to say her time had come. A couple years earlier we had committed to adopting her adorable little dog, Cody, if he were to survive her. In a memorable 17 days in October I received a new daughter-in-law, a dog (my first ever) and a new cornea in my left eye. How differently I saw the world.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For November and December there was only a right lens in my eye glasses. It was impossible to provide correction for the ever changing vision in my left eye as it healed, but my right eye was strong and after the first week I was able to see well enough to get around on my own. Recovery from my second surgery was made more challenging because of some unrelated eye abnormalities. Additionally, unrelated to the corneal disease, developing cataracts were removed and intraocular lenses were implanted. Because my distance vision has been substantially improved, I am now unable to read without magnification. So like the complex and interrelated issues we face on the planet at this time. No one thing can be changed without impacting several others. Through the season of darkness I’ve sought stillness and prayed for vision. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The corneal tissue in both of my eyes was donated by men whose lives were shortened by substance use and/or addiction. Like my cornea donors the unhealthy choices we are making have us on a course to an untimely demise. What would the world look like if we began changing those choices now? What if we wanted less and gave more? What if we saw the things our neighbors were doing right, instead of what they are doing wrong? What if everyone lived next door to someone they knew they could count on, no matter what? What if we shared stories of our small successes with pride? What if we valued self-care and service equally? What if instead of trying to change everything, we focused only on one doable thing? How would the world look different? What is our vision for the future? </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Blog from the TWOG- 1/24/11tag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-01-26:2723460:BlogPost:415872011-01-26T18:39:33.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p>Hey all- Warren here. We have been doing the blog for a while now and have had some great feedback! We want more!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This post is usually a personal view, not a collective TWOG view- it is a place where we can share our thoughts, hopes and ideas with the wider membership. Once in a while we will insert a shameless plug for something we think is a good idea to pass along. That's what this one is...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I went for a hike along Whatcom Creek with my wife JoAnn and dog…</p>
<p>Hey all- Warren here. We have been doing the blog for a while now and have had some great feedback! We want more!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This post is usually a personal view, not a collective TWOG view- it is a place where we can share our thoughts, hopes and ideas with the wider membership. Once in a while we will insert a shameless plug for something we think is a good idea to pass along. That's what this one is...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I went for a hike along Whatcom Creek with my wife JoAnn and dog Alice this weekend- along a stretch that was 'repaired' south of Iowa street, East of HW 5. It was great seeing what a difference it made to the wildlife along that stretch. Lots of small trees had been planted to help create a more resilient watershed. (The money for the project came from the Whatcom Creek explosion and fire settlement). The improvement was a great visual example to me of the way that TW can have a similar impact on our county, but without the need for an explosion (other than an exposion of volunteer activity).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As an example- what if we purchased living Christmas trees (instead of dead ones) and then donated them to help improve the watershed in the county. Volunteers could plant them and we (along with the birds and fish) all benefit. There are a thousand possibilites like this and the Transition movement is a great place to turn these ideas into reality. What are the other 999 ideas we should be doing? Post them on the Ning Site, get some helpers and make tham happen!</p>1/17/11 TWOG BLOG by Travis Linds - Living in the Present Momenttag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-01-17:2723460:BlogPost:408832011-01-17T19:05:35.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<p><span class="font-size-2"><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Hi, Travis Linds from the TOWG here. I wasn't sure what to write about so I thought I would reflect on my personal struggles to live in the Present.</font></span></p>
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I have always struggled to live in the Now, stay Present and not dwell on the past nor future. I can look back at my life and see how poorly I have done this at times. I have allowed the fear of the future, doubt…</font>
<p><span class="font-size-2"><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Hi, Travis Linds from the TOWG here. I wasn't sure what to write about so I thought I would reflect on my personal struggles to live in the Present.</font></span></p>
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I have always struggled to live in the Now, stay Present and not dwell on the past nor future. I can look back at my life and see how poorly I have done this at times. I have allowed the fear of the future, doubt regarding past decisions and stress induced onto me by others to control my life and steal from me the precious present moment. I feel that over the last year I have made more progress towards ignoring that which does not matter and thereby focus living in the present moment. I am enjoying time with my family and friends so much more than ever. I hate that I allowed unimportant things to steal from me time with those who are most important. But hate itself is not a useful emotion. So the best I can do is to learn from these past mistakes and never allow them to occur again.<br/>
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<p><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">When I first started learning about Peak Oil, I was obsessed with it. I read everything I could find, watched all the documentaries and largely reacted out of fear of what was to come. I was never content. I felt that I needed to be doing much more. I felt the incessant need to prepare. My marriage suffered. My connection with my family and friends suffered. The connection with myself suffered. It took me losing my job and almost myself before I came to realize that what I was doing was crazy. It was not sustainable. I was stealing the present time from myself and my family. I have since changed for the better. I still have a LONG way to go to learn to be more present and to ignore my egoic mind, but the most important aspect is that I am continuing to make progress. Continual improvement is huge. Small little steps in the right direction can bring about major change.</font></p>
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<p><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">When I attended the Heart and Soul’s event titled “The How to Stay Sane as the World Goes Crazy: Economic Hard Times, Climate Change and the Messy Issues of Oil” by Kathy McMahon, aka 'The Peak Shrink' I was relieve to find out that my reactions to learning about peak oil was not unique. I was relieved to find that many people react in unique and nonproductive ways. And what I got out of this presentation and through this whole process is that which is most important is the building of Community. Connecting with likeminded individuals who also share your concerns regarding the future, and to find productive ways to work to become more resilient and self reliant in a way that does not steal away being present and enjoying life to its fullest NOW. This is what Transition Whatcom is all about. Bring us together to build community, to make connections with others, to connect with the world and to connect with ourselves in the process.</font></p>
<p><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> </font></p>
<p><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Through Transition Whatcom I have met so many wonderful people and made so many wonderful connections that is has literally changed my life for the better. I feel a sense of collective momentum towards positive change that draws me in and excites me. I am looking forward to the future, whatever it brings, and know that by continuing to make relationships and working together to build community that we will be able to handle whatever the futures throws our way, together!</font></p>
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<p><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> </font></p>Planning Aheadtag:transitionwhatcom.ning.com,2011-01-10:2723460:BlogPost:405172011-01-10T22:28:38.000ZTwoghttp://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/Twog
<span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #1f497d; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #1f497d; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;">Hello Transition Whatcom,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #1f497d; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;"> …</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #1f497d; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #1f497d; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;">Hello Transition Whatcom,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #1f497d; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #1f497d; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;">Paul here...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #1f497d; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #1f497d; font-family: arial; font-size: 15px;">As members of the transition movement, I think it can besaid that we have a good idea of our plan for the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> The hope is for a rich interdependencewith our local community, a deep appreciation for the natural world and thewisdom to see the beauty in simple things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> As we move towards these goals, we are occasionally blessedwith a clear objective; ride a bike, plant a garden or help a neighbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> At other times, it can be quitedifficult to place our next step, let alone our route into an uncertainfuture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Members of the TWIG had a clearly defined task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> It took a lot of hard work andperseverance to build momentum and plan for the Great Unleashing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> This group was blessed with a focalpoint for their collective energy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a member of the TWOG, I have to say that the task isslightly different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Ourresponsibility is to maintain the collective momentum and channel it into acultural revolution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Energy spenton such broad tasks is at risk of being lost into an undefined field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Though it may seem overwhelming, we are using the onlyapproach that makes sense; Take this task and organize it into manageablepieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> This method is tried andtrue, but we have a unique trick, which will pull all of this together into thecultural change that is our ultimate goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> These pieces, though small at first will build into a largerpattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Attending small eventscan become personal habits for individuals. These events may include:</p>
<p style="text-indent: .5in;" class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p style="text-indent: .5in; mso-outline-level: 1;" class="MsoNormal">Transition Café</p>
<p style="text-indent: .5in;" class="MsoNormal">Monthly work parties</p>
<p style="text-indent: .5in;" class="MsoNormal">Workshops & Classes</p>
<p style="text-indent: .5in;" class="MsoNormal">Work Groups, etc.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Larger gatherings will frame these smaller events,showcasing the accomplishments of each group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p style="text-indent: .5in;" class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p style="text-indent: .5in; mso-outline-level: 1;" class="MsoNormal">Winter SeedSwap</p>
<p style="text-indent: .5in;" class="MsoNormal">Assembly Meetings</p>
<p style="text-indent: .5in;" class="MsoNormal">Spring Unleashing</p>
<p style="text-indent: .5in;" class="MsoNormal">Fall Harvest-fest, etc</p>
<p style="text-indent: .5in;" class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As the seasons pass, these gatherings will turn into annualoccurrences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> The sum total ofthese activities will generate a rhythm for the year and produce a culturalcycle, which our community will trust and support.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Small steps building into larger patterns are a natural wayto confront large challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Tobe certain, it is the same process that created tyrannosaurus, cedar forestsand human society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> It will likelyserve you well as you engage the challenges of your own personaltransition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Start small.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Attend an event, compost your kitchenwaste, join a work group, ride your bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be consistent and create a habit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In time, these new habits will become second nature and you will findyourself moving towards that bigger plan for a more resilient future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> And the whole while you can be certainthat your little pieces are fitting in with a much larger community and a muchlarger plan.</p>