Bi-Monthly Newsletters/Feb 6, 2012
From Sustainable Ballard
Hello Neighbors -
Did you know? In 2011, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) published a new report, basically a "policymaker's guide" for developing-world agriculture called "Save and Grow" that makes these 7 main points:
- To feed a growing world population, we have no option but to intensify crop production. But farmers face unprecedented constraints. In order to grow, agriculture must learn to save.
- Crop production intensification will be built on farming systems that offer a range of productivity, socio-economic and environmental benefits to producers and to society at large.
- Agriculture must, literally, return to its roots by rediscovering the importance of healthy soil, drawing on natural sources of plant nutrition, and using mineral fertilizer wisely.
- Farmers will need a genetically diverse portfolio of improved crop varieties that are suited to a range of agro-ecosystems and farming practices, and resilient to climate change.
- Sustainable intensification requires smarter, precision technologies for irrigation and farming practices that use ecosystem approaches to conserve water.
- Pesticides kill pests, but also pests’ natural enemies, and their overuse can harm farmers, consumers and the environment. The first line of defence is a healthy agro-ecosystem.
- To encourage smallholders to adopt sustainable crop production intensification, fundamental changes are needed in agricultural development policies and institutions.
In other words, in order to sustain a rapidly growing population on the planet, we need to get behind alternatives to Big Ag, and fast.
Join us on Tuesday, Feb 7th, 6:00 pm (doors at 5:30) at Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th St, as Mark Winne, author of "Food Rebels, Guerilla Gardeners, and Smart-Cooking Mamas" shares stories of folks all over the country who are fighting back to restore our precious food systems. Please consider a $5 donation at the door or purchase of Mark Winne's book for $15 with cash or check.
Let us know you're coming on Facebook.
Monthly Gathering
Seattle Dept. of Transportation has announced funding for 11 miles of neighborhood greenways* in the Seattle area (2 miles in Ballard). Join Sustainable Ballard as we host a panel to discuss the history of the project and the new Ballard Greenways plan. Speakers include: Colin Dietrich (Ballard Greenways), Cathy Tuttle (Neighborhood Greenways & Spokespeople) and Sally Bagshaw (Seattle City Council).
6:30PM - Potluck Dinner
7:00PM-9:00PM - Program
- Neighborhood Greenways are slow-speed, low-traffic residential streets made even more pleasant for the people who live, walk, and bike on them. By adding new park-like amenities and limiting cut-through traffic, Greenways are naturally attractive both for families, and for anyone seeking a safer, more connected community experience. By placing Greenways a block or two away from major arterials, Neighborhood Greenways create a great option for people who prefer to walk or bike away from congested streets.
Links:
Worldchanging article about Spokespeople
MyBallard article about latest plans
Announcements
Sustainable Ballard Social
We're looking forward to seeing you at the Stepping Stone next Thursday! Join us and the Stepping Stone will donate 10% of their income from the evening to Sustainable Ballard!
Volunteer Orientation Coming Up!
With the beginning of a new year and last month's great "project free for all" meeting, there are now more exciting opportunities than ever to get involved! From movie nights and community networking to planning gardens, helping stave homelessness and hunger, developing programs for all ages, reducing our carbon footprint, and much more! If you're looking to find a way to plug in and contribute that is just right for you, through one of Sustainable Ballard's projects, please join us on Thursday, February 16th, 7:00-8:30PM. To RSVP and get location details please contact Orna.
Volunteer Opportunity Highlights
These great projects are active and need some extra help right now:
- Sunday Sustainable Cinema - a small team of Sustainable Ballard volunteers, in collaboration with the great Wallingford Meaningful Movies, is seeking a few more people to join their team. Sunday Sustainable Cinema will present educational yet upbeat and inspirational, solution oriented movies once a month, followed by discussion. If you'd like to join the creative team, contact Chris. Thanks!
- St. Patrick's Day Festival volunteers - Looking for folks to help with the Ballard St. Patrick's Day Festival that will be a benefit for Sustainable Ballard. Needed: folks for planning fun-family-friendly activities, folks to hang posters & talk to local merchants, folks to table at the farmers market and at the event on March 17th. Please contact Jenny to get involved.
Green Retrofit Homeowners Needed!
Looking for a homeowner who has had an energy-retrofit to host our first in the series of quarterly after-work talks on Green Building and Retrofitting. Our speaker, Green Canopy Homes, will be talking about what types of green projects have the best potential resale value. Please contact Eric if you are willing to open your house for an hour or two on a weekday evening in March.
A Pint for Your Thoughts!
If you're in your twenties, SB will pay for your beer (or coffee or tea) to hear your thoughts on how we can make the organization most relevant to people of your generation. What kind of programs or topics would you be interested in? Is it about technology? About art? About growing food? About planning for the future? Is it about beer?.... ;-) What would YOU like more people to know about? Join us for some creative brainstorming with fellow 20'somethings, Sunday, February 12, 6:30PM at Enlighten Café and Art Gallery, 5424 Ballard Ave NW. For more info or questions please email Orna.
A message from Ballard Knitters for the Homeless
New knitter? Join us on 2nd Fridays and bring a pair of size 10 needles. We have plenty of yarn. Veteran knitter? Join us and help some new folks learn, or knit at home and drop off your creations!
Check out this great recent article in the MyBallard blog about our popular Knitters for the Homeless project! For questions or to drop off items, please contact Jody.
Let us know you're doing it!
Special Community-Wide Meeting at Sunset Hill Community Association
From the SHCA Board: "The Sunset Hill Community Association Board of Trustees is asking all of our neighbors to help determine the future of SHCA. Our revenue is decreasing, our expenses are increasing, and we don't have enough actively involved members to accomplish all the tasks associated with running the facility. We need to hear your opinion whether the Association still has a role to play in the community. At this general meeting, we can openly address the state of the Association and what we can do to achieve sustainability." Everyone encouraged to attend.
Sunday, February 12, 3-5pm. At the Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th, where SB holds its monthly meetings.
Energy Upgrades for Homeowners
Mayor McGinn announced this week the expansion Community Power Works (CPW) for Home, the City of Seattle’s home energy upgrade program. CPW for Home gives Seattle homeowners access to approved home energy experts that help them make the smartest choices for their homes. CPW for Home also provides financing, rebates and incentives to help offset costs, as well as a free quality assurance inspection once the work is complete. Details here!
As usual, let's now take a look at our Calendar:
Sustainable Ballard Events & Meetings
- Tuesday, February 7th, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
- Sustainable Ballard and SHCA Host Author Mark Winne
- Author of Food Rebels, Guerilla Gardeners, and Smart-Cooking Mamas
- Sunset Hill Community Club • 3003 NW 66th St
- Thursday, February 9th, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
- Sustainable Ballard Second Thursday Social - Feb 2012
- Stop by The Stepping Stone for a drink and a chat
- The Stepping Stone • 5903 24th Ave NW
- Friday, February 10th, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
- Ballard Knitters for the Homeless - Feb 2012
- Knit community and warmers for homeless community members
- Aster Coffee Lounge • 5615 24th Ave NW
- Sunday, February 12th, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
- A Pint for Your Thoughts!
- sustainable 20somethings get-together
- Enlighten Cafe and Art Gallery • 5424 Ballard Ave NW
- Thursday, February 16th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
- Volunteer Orientation - Spring 2012
- Get more involved with Sustainable Ballard!
- RSVP for location
- Monday, February 27th, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
- Monthly Gathering - February 2012
- Neighborhood Greenways
- Sunset Hill Community Club • 3003 NW 66th St
Other Community Events
- Saturday, February 4th, 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
- SIERRA CLUB- FOOD JUSTICE WORKSHOP
- Monday, February 6th, 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm
- Free Tax Help at the Ballard Library
- Wednesday, February 8th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
- Ballard District Council - Feb 2012
- Always Open to the Public
- Friday, February 10th, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
- SNAP - Emergency and Natural Disaster Preparation
- Sunday, February 12th, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Special community-wide meeting ... charting the future of SHCA
- brainstorm the evolution of the Sunset Hill Community Association
- Monday, February 13th, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- King County Metro Open House Re- Service Changes
- Learn about upcoming changes to Metro Service in Ballard
- Thursday, February 16th, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
- CAGJ Open House
- Come meet Community Alliance for Global Justice and their neighbors
- Friday and Saturday, February 24th & 25th, all day
- Senior Center Rummage Sale!
- Wednesday, February 29th, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
- Sunset Hill Winetasting
- Wines made by Women, Selected by Sunset Hill Green Market
- Saturday, March 3rd, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Sunset Hill - Shilshole Gateway Workparty
- Saturday, March 3rd, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Native Digital Storytelling !
- Earth, Power, and Community
- Monday, March 12th, 2:00 am
- DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS
- Wednesday, March 14th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
- Ballard District Council - Mar 2012
- Always Open to the Public
- Thursday, March 15th, 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm
- Keeping Chickens in the City - Anniversary Event
- A Seattle Free School class
- Tuesday, March 20th, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Women on a Mission
- a day of roundtable discussions on local and sustainable business