I've posted before about the emerging networks around local foods and food equity issues. Yesterday I received the regular "Growing Conversation" email from Alicia Lawver. In case you're not in that loop it contains all sorts of information about events in the Tacoma area. Alicia and the organizations who support this effort (notably the Tacoma Gardens group) are to be commended for providing such a great service to their community.
One of the things that I love about the Growing Conversations email is the way that it serves to spark some interesting conversations in my office. Several District employees are involved in various movements around the city that get mentioned, and I see them sharing their experiences when the post goes around.
After reading the first post (Green Partnership Fund) and glowing over the opportunity for funding local activist groups that I've had the privilege to help create, I scrolled down to the "Growing Conversation III" post, and a conversation with Sarah (with whom I share a cubicle) started up. She let me know that she plans to show a video at that group meeting, and sent me the URL to the site where I could preview that video. Here's the link (it's number 3 in the grid):
Health Justice Video
I found it to be an interesting video, only about seven minutes long, and very pertinent to the Health Department Forum that will happen on Friday. Issues revolving around nutrition, local foods and health equity are very meaningful to me these days, as anyone who reads this blog will already know.
If there are newsgroups similar to the Growing Conversations group here in Kitsap I'm not aware of them. I'd be grateful if someone would connect me with them if so. If not (and I expect this is the case), then there should be. Let me know who you think might help me get such a thing going.
Here, in all it's glory is the Growing Conversations message that I received:
Growing Conversation
Cultivate Your Community / March 25, 2008 / Grow Local Tacoma-Pierce County
Spread the word, share information, keep the conversation growing ...Click here to learn more about Tacoma community gardens
[Grant opportunity]
Green Partnership Fund has money to spend in support of local food ...
Funding from the Green Partnership Fund is available from the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation to further the goal of implementing natural resource, agricultural and local food supply conservation. For this funding round, all projects must be shown to connect urban and rural communities through agricultural conservation, support local food supply or directly benefit natural resources for the citizens of Fircrest, Lakewood, Milton, Puyallup, Steilacoom, Sumner, University Place, Tacoma and Unincorporated Pierce County. Projects with broader scope which include benefits to the natural resources, agricultural conservation, local food supply or citizens will be considered as well. At least $100,000 will be reserved to benefit the City of Tacoma. A letter of intent is due March 31, 2008.
[Tonight!]
'Go Local or Die' livin' it up ... tonight!
Tonight's "Go Local or Die" charrette (6 p.m. 3/25 at Veritas Mortgage, downtown next to the Tully's on 9th & Commerce) focuses on the topic of innovative co-working with arts, business, education and urban living in downtown Tacoma. The host is Jim Diers, former head of the Department of Neighborhoods in Seattle and author of "Neighbor Power." This week's panelists include: Derek Young (Exit133/Suite133); Roxanne Murphy (City of Tacoma, Community & Economic Development); Amy McBride (City of Tacoma, Arts Administrator); and Justin Mayfield (Broadway Farmers Market/New Tacoma Neighborhood Council). Other folks involved in the conversation represent a wide array of the community, including local businesses, neighborhood councils, civic organizations, arts organizations, and many others ...
Info: locallifetacoma@aol.com
[Mark your calendar]
Growing Conversation III: Why Eat Local?
Join us from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at King's Books to talk about why it's important to eat local when possible, discover resources on how to eat local and share strategies and resources with one another. This topic touches on growing your own food, sustainable and organic gardening, community gardens, the importance of supporting local farms and dairies, the health and environmental impacts of increasing the local food in your diet, and so much more. An extra treat: this event is taking place during Tacoma's Third Thursday downtown Artwalk ... so come early and explore the local museums (for free from 5-8; TAM is free all day) and galleries, or stay late, grab a bite and continue exploring the the galleries and shops.
[More ways to feed your head]
Green Youth, 4-5:30 p.m.
Green Drinks, 5:30-8 p.m.
Thursday, April 3 at Harmon Brewery & Restaurant, 1938 S. Pacific Ave.
If you're interested in sustainability, conservation and the environment, then come hang out at Tacoma Green Drinks, a monthly networking and social gathering. The Puget Creek Restoration Society, April's event sponsor, will provide many opportunities for hands-on learning and service for citizens of all ages and abilities. Scott Hansen, founder and PCRS Treasurer, will offer ways to get involved, including Earth Day events that will be taking place April 22.
Click here for details.
Health Department offers free Natural Yard Care workshop series
Learn about environmentally friendly yard and garden maintenance this spring during a series of fun, informative and free natural yard care workshops by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Workshops are from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium:
Wednesday, April 16: Natural Lawn Care & Sustainable Garden Design
Wednesday, April 30: Soil Basics & Backyard Composting
Wednesday, May 14: Garden Pest Management & Smart Watering
The workshops are free, but space is limited. To register, or for more information contact Environmental Health Specialist Geoff Rinehart at (253) 798-4587 or grinehart@tpchd.org. Click here for more.
James Howard Kunstler coming to Tacoma on April 23
April 23 at Theater on the Square
Exit 133 and Local Life Tacoma have partnered to bring author and speaker James Howard Kunstler to Tacoma. Kunstler is very well known in the circles of folks that care about urban planning and livable cities. His books include "Geography of Nowhere" and "The Long Emergency."
Click here to hear Kunstler's speech at the TED Conference.
Grow Local 2008 calendar*
UPDATED! April 17: Growing Conversation III: Why Eat Local? (And how to do it ...) 6 p.m. King's Books
June 6-8: We'll be at the Point Defiance Flower & Garden Show
August 23: Community Garden Tour II (details TBA)
October: Growing Conversation IV (details TBA)
Plus, we're planning regular workshops! Keep an eye out for dates and details!
* Dates and events subject to change.
[Work party!]
Blueberry Park spring work parties
Blueberry Park Volunteers hold monthly work parties every third Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers can prune, rake, load, haul, remove invasive materials, mow and spread bark, while getting to know their fellow volunteers. Refreshments, coffee, work gloves and tools are provided. Click here for details and upcoming work party dates.
[Conversation starters]
UC DAVIS: Assessing Energy Use & Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Food System
The goal of this initiative is to study energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions throughout the food system, from "farm to fork" in order to identify technologies, methods and consumer food choices that can reduce energy and carbon emissions of the food system.
Click here for details.
KUOW (3/19/08): Brave New Leaf (archive from 12/5/07)
Bellevue resident Mackenzie Steele used to be kind of lazy about recycling. She would even throw an aluminum can in the trash just to see her friends squirm. But in late 2006, the impact of global warming hit home. Listen as Mackenzie tells what happened to inspire her new project, Brave New Leaf.
Click here for this episode, the Brave New Leaf segment is the last 10 minutes of the segment.
Click here for the Natural Conservancy's Carbon Footprint Calculator.
[Still on the radar ....]
Kids get chance to share their enviro-wisdom with EnviroKids poster contest
The City of Tacoma's EnviroChallenger and EnviroKids programs are running an art contest for all students in Tacoma in grades K-8. You can download an entry form at www.cityoftacoma.org/envirokids. Entries must be postmarked by April 2. For details or to have an entry form mailed to you, e-mail envirokids@cityoftacoma.org or call 253-591-5066.
New UW-Tacoma Spring Course: Food System Planning (TURB 340)
Thursdays 1-4 p.m. (Class starts April 3; registration open until the class is filled)
A small but growing number of local governments are doing food-related planning to provide access to healthy foods for low-income neighborhoods, maintain local farms and reduce the environmental effects of food and agriculture systems. Click here for more information, or e-mail geografood@yahoo.com.
[The Conversation]
It's still growing ...
Please send events, articles, conversation starters, opportunities, etc. to alicia.lawver@gmail.com.
The Growing Conversation newsletter is part of a collaboration between the City of Tacoma, TAGRO, the Pierce Conservation District, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, the University of Washington, Exit133 and a growing number of other individuals and community groups who are exploring issues of sustainability in a hands-on fashion. Efforts include the Growing Conversation events and newsletter, TacomaGardens.com, the Building Urban Gardens Sustainably group, and much more.
** If you would like to unsubscribe to this list, this is not an automated listserv, so just e-mail me at alicia.lawver@gmail.com and I'll delete you. If you know folks who might be interested in subscribing to this occasional newsletter, e-mail me at alicia.lawver@gmail.com and I'll add them. It's just that easy. We won't sell your e-mail, we'll try not to nag you too much, and please know that we're just working hard for a sustainable tomorrow. **
Cultivate Your Community: Grow Local Tacoma-Pierce County
www.tacomagardens.com
