Author: Jenny

special virtual presentation

When: Thursday, April 23rd

5:45 pm – Login
6:00 pm – Screening 
7:30 pm Discussion 
VENUE: Virtual (via Zoom) 

Cost: Screenings are free; We gratefully accept donations to help offset the costs of presenting the films we screen. Suggestion: $5 Individual, $10 household. Registration includes a link to view the movie and to participate in an online discussion on April 23rd.

Please join us to view and discuss The Librarians. Check out the trailer in the link below:

Librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment Rights. As they well know, controlling the flow of ideas means control over communities.

In Texas, the Krause List targets 850 books focused on race and LGBTQia+ stories – triggering sweeping book bans across the U.S. at an unprecedented rate. As tensions escalate, librarians connect the dots from heated school and library board meetings nationwide to lay bare the underpinnings of extremism fueling the censorship efforts. Despite facing harassment, threats, and laws aimed at criminalizing their work – the librarians’ rallying cry for freedom to read is a chilling cautionary tale.

More about the film at: https://thelibrariansfilm.com/

Thurs Apr 16, 6 pm – 8:45 pm at the Center for Spiritual Living Ballard

Every 3rd Thursday we will be screening a documentary related to sustainability at the Center for Spiritual Living Ballard. In April we will be showing Mission Blue, a documentary that follows oceanographer Sylvia Earle’s campaign to save the world’s oceans from threats such as overfishing and toxic waste.

The documentary “Mission Blue” chronicles the life’s work of legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle, who served as chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration between 1990 and 1992 and has been an explorer-in-residence at the National Geographic Society since 1998. She dedicated her academic career to canvassing uncharted territories for seaweed, and her attention is now on championing preservation of the seas.

In many ways Earle is a remarkable figure who, from her younger days in Florida, was taken with the ocean. The challenge for her was being accepted in a field that in the 1960s was dominated by men. She was often the lone female in an expedition but soldiered on. 

Also, check out our virtual screening of The Librarians on April 23rd!

The Librarians screening details

Thurs Mar 19, 6 pm – 8:45 pm at the Center for Spiritual Living Ballard

Every 3rd Thursday we screen a documentary related to sustainability at the Center for Spiritual Living Ballard. In March we will be showing The Prison Within, which follows the powerful stories of survivors of violent crime and prisoners incarcerated for murder as they participate in an innovative restorative justice program to heal the roots of their untreated traumas.

Katherin Hervey’s The Prison Within is an unshrinking documentary that chronicles the effect of untreated trauma has on those incarcerated for murder in San Quentin prison, and the survivors left to deal with the aftermath of their actions. Determined to unearth empathy in unexpected places, former Los Angeles Public Defender and volunteer prison college instructor Katherin Hervey directs this introspective doc with clear-cut knowledge of the Justice System. Within the public at large, a lot of time is spent condemning those for their barbaric crimes, but minimal resources go into understanding why or how a criminal got to this point, and how to liberate them from the life of crime. However, some people are seeking to remedy this. Sujatha Baliga, director of The Restorative Justice Project, is one of many attempting to assist convicts who are looking to change.

A discussion follows the film. Speaker: Nate Stone, founder of Spír Candle Co. & Cathedral | Empowering Formerly Incarcerated Youth; plus some of his team. Candles will be available for sale during and after the discussion.

Intermission is sponsored by Mighty-O Donuts, Seattle’s First & Only all natural donut shop.

6:30 – 7:30 pm @ Ballard Public Library

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for the Annual Meeting/Open House at Ballard Library. We will have representation from all of our ongoing community projects and events. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about Sustainable Ballard, discover ways to get involved with our projects, and to collaborate on ideas for the year ahead. Please EMAIL us if you have questions. More details in the next newsletter.

The U.S. recently set an ambitious climate change goal: net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. And to achieve that, slash emissions in half by 2030. Is it possible? And what kind of technology would it take? In the NOVA episode Chasing Carbon Zero, meet scientists and engineers who are convinced we can achieve carbon zero in time to avoid the biggest impacts of climate change.

Since 1971, the City of New York has had laws restricting curbside engine idling. One man, determined to reduce air pollution in his neighborhood and combat global climate change, confronted the city’s lax enforcement efforts. Idle Threat: Man on Emission chronicles the challenges and triumphs of his campaign. We will be screening a short version of this film.

A discussion follows the film. Speaker: Polly Freeman, lead of our Idle Free Ballard project.

Intermission is sponsored by Mighty-O Donuts, Seattle’s only all natural donut shop.

Date & Time: Thursday, January 15th, 6 pm
Location: Center for Spiritual Living Ballard, 2007 NW 61st St

Sustainable Ballard and Center for Spiritual Living Ballard partner with the Meaningful Movies Project 
to present documentaries in our neighborhood every third Thursday.

Six Inches of Soil tells the inspiring story of young British farmers standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food – to heal the soil, our health and provide for local communities.

Six Inches of Soil, tells the story of remarkable farmers, communities, small businesses, chefs and entrepreneurs who are leading the way to transform how our food is produced and consumed.

Agroecology is an approach to farming that includes ‘regenerative’ farming techniques that work in harmony with, rather than against nature. It focuses on local food systems and shorter supply chains. Agroecology may be our best chance in the face of climate change: it keeps carbon in the ground and creates resilient systems in the face of climate uncertainty.

A discussion follows the film. Speakers Jenny & Brian Collins-Friedrichs, owners of the beloved Ballard pop-up Tree Swallow Farm, will talk about their own journey with local sustainable farming.

Date & Time: Thursday, February 19th, 6 pm
Location: Center for Spiritual Living Ballard, 2007 NW 61st St

Intermission is sponsored by Mighty-O Donuts, Seattle’s only all natural donut shop.

Sustainable Ballard and Center for Spiritual Living Ballard partner with the Meaningful Movies Project 
to present documentaries in our neighborhood every third Thursday.

Join us Saturday, Dec 6, 1-4pm to Barter and Party!

oin us in for our annual Barter Fair & Holiday Party! We’ll be at Old Stove Gardens event space (1550 NW 49th St) from 1 pm – 4 pm Saturday Dec. 6th. This is a lovely opportunity to check out the abundant creativity and talent of your neighbors. It’s also a wonderful way to practice eco-friendly/shared economy giving practices during the upcoming holiday season. With corporate greed at an all time high and many suffering you can make a small but powerful difference in choosing more sustainable purchasing practices. Skip the plastic of online ordering and excessive packaging. Making your own gifts or gifting hand crafted/locally made/shopping at small independent businesses keeps our community healthy and resilient. Come find the perfect gift for your special someones or treat yourself!

There will be lots of wonderful items to barter for or in some cases purchase. To sign-up for bartering or just attend this cheerful occasion, please register below.

Mother Nature had other plans for our big tool sale last weekend — the rain and wind kept things quieter than expected. But the silver lining? We still have plenty of great tools available, and we’re keeping the sale going!

This is your chance to stop by the Tool Library and pick up tools at incredible prices — it’s pay what you want! Whether you’re a weekend DIYer, a seasoned maker, or just need a few things for home or garden projects, we’ve got something for you.

✅ No membership required — anyone can come shop!
✅ Pay what you want — find great deals and help support the Tool Library.
✅ Tons of tools — from power tools to hand tools, and everything in between.

While you’re here, take a tour of the Tool Library and see how it works. You might discover how easy (and affordable) it is to borrow tools instead of buying — and maybe even decide to join our community of builders, fixers, and makers.

We are located at 7549B 15th Ave NW and our hours are Mon & Thur 5-7 pm, Sat 9-11 am.

We’ve got lots for sale and lots to rent, so come by, browse, and say hello.
Rain or shine — we can’t wait to see you!

Are you passionate about community, sustainability, and creative local action? Sustainable Ballard is looking for a few committed and energetic people to join our Board of Directors.

As a board member, you’ll have the chance to use your skills and enthusiasm to support neighbors who are creating a better, more connected world.

We’re especially interested in people who bring:

• Familiarity with nonprofit management or community organizing
• Ability to recruit and inspire volunteers
• Communication or outreach skills to promote our work
• Time to attend meetings or lead hands-on projects
• Community connections with sustainable orgs and businesses
• Curiosity and creativity around sustainability in today’s world

Our board commits to attend quarterly in-person 2 hr board meetings, to support and participate in at least one of our projects plus our annual festival, be responsive to emails related to board decisions and to share our passion for community-generated sustainability initiatives.

About Sustainable Ballard
We support some of the most progressive, community-driven projects in Ballard today — including:
🌿 Helping our unhoused neighbors (Bakery & Market Gleaning, Free Letters Home, Ballard Knitters, Ballard Sprouts & Giving Gardens)
♻️ Promoting the sharing economy (Ballard Tool Library, Game & Puzzle Exchange, Barter Fair)
🌻 Providing sustainability education and opportunities for individual action (Edible Garden Tour, Meaningful Movies, RainWise, Idle Free Ballard)

Our “secret sauce”? We bring neighbors together to work for the common good — something our current social structures too often neglect.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!
Please send your résumé, cover letter, and brief responses to the following questions to info@sustainableballard.org:

1. Why are you interested in being a board member with Sustainable Ballard?
2. What do you bring to the role (skills, experience, attitude, connections, etc.)?
3. What is your connection to Ballard, and what does this community mean to you?

Help us build a sustainable, connected Ballard — one neighbor at a time.

The Meaningful Movies Project is hosting an online auction Nov 13 – 24 to support community-powered film and conversation for social justice.

Mark your calendar–you’ll be able to bid on meaningful items and support grassroots change, one film at a time.

👉 More details to come!