Starting May 17th... 5 Days... ADVANCED PERMACULTURE DESIGN SERIES WITH WARREN BRUSH (Lawrence, KS)

Tuesday-Saturday, 17-21 May 2011, one evening & four full days  -  $$$
Lawrence, Kansas

ADVANCED PERMACULTURE DESIGN SERIES WITH WARREN BRUSH
Join world renowned permaculture instructor, Warren Brush, Director of Quail Springs Permaculture Center, and presenter at the September 2011 International Permaculture Conference in Jordan.  Warren Brush is a certified permaculture designer and teacher as well as a mentor and storyteller, who has worked for over 25 years in permaculture education and sustainable systems design.  This design series will include:

• Tuesday, 17 May, 7:00pm, lecture "Intro to Permaculture", Lawrence Public Library
• Wednesday, 18 May, 8:00am-5:30pm, "Permaculture Design Fundamantals", Delaware Street Commons
• Thursday, 19 May, 8:00am-5:30pm, "Urban Intensive Permaculture Design", Forest Floor Permaculture
• Friday-Saturday, 20-21 May, 8:00am-5:30pm, "Broadacre Permaculture Design", Karlin Family Farm

The course will cover: food-water-energy security, soil building, agroforestry, wholistic range management, earthworks, aquaculture, appropriate technology, and more.  For more info and to register, go to Advanced Permaculture with Warren Brush.  Discount rates apply up through 30 April.  This design series is sponsored by Karlin Family Farms, the Kaw Permaculture Collaborative, theSustainability Action Network, Forest Floor Permaculture, Delaware Street Commons, ALL-N-1 Landscape, and Films for Action. 

SAN - 2011-05-10 - Sustainability Action Network - Announcements - Greater KC via Kaw River Valley (Lawrence, KS ~ K.C.))

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS

10 May 2011

The SUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK is a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt organization.  DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.  Mail donations to P.O.Box 1064, Lawrence KS 66044. 


Our mission is to advocate and organize societal scale action to address sustainability issues.  S.A.N. is bringing awareness of the global crisis caused by climate change, energy vulnerability and economic instability to communities in the Kansas River bioregion. We are initiating positive solutions inspired by the Transition and Permaculture Movements. We bring the tools needed to re-skill and re-localize our economy and create a more socially just and ecologically sustainable world.  To join the Sustainability Action Network please contact us at <dave@lawrencesunherald.com> or <paradigm@ixks.com>

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ADVANCED PERMACULTURE DESIGN SERIES WITH WARREN BRUSH
Tuesday-Saturday, 17-21 May 2011, one evening & four full days  -  $$$
Lawrence, Kansas


Join world renowned permaculture instructor, Warren Brush, Director of Quail Springs Permaculture Center, and presenter at the September 2011 International Permaculture Conference in Jordan.  Warren Brush is a certified permaculture designer and teacher as well as a mentor and storyteller, who has worked for over 25 years in permaculture education and sustainable systems design.  This design series will include:

• Tuesday, 17 May, 7:00pm, lecture "Intro to Permaculture", Lawrence Public Library
• Wednesday, 18 May, 8:00am-5:30pm, "Permaculture Design Fundamantals", Delaware Street Commons
• Thursday, 19 May, 8:00am-5:30pm, "Urban Intensive Permaculture Design", Forest Floor Permaculture
• Friday-Saturday, 20-21 May, 8:00am-5:30pm, "Broadacre Permaculture Design", Karlin Family Farm

The course will cover: food-water-energy security, soil building, agroforestry, wholistic range management, earthworks, aquaculture, appropriate technology, and more.  For more info and to register, go to Advanced Permaculture with Warren Brush.  Discount rates apply up through 30 April.  This design series is sponsored by Karlin Family Farms, the Kaw Permaculture Collaborative, the Sustainability Action Network, Forest Floor Permaculture, Delaware Street Commons, ALL-N-1 Landscape, and Films for Action. 
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FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ¤ DAY 60 UPDATE

Radiation levels in the seabed near Fukushima are reported at 100 to 1,000 times above normal.  Japanese officials reportedly are agreeing to receive help from Britain in measuring radiation in the sea, but continue to bar the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior from coming closer to the site than the 12-mile international shipping zone. 

Contamination of food in the Fukushima Prefecture was found in 16% of samples tested.  In six prefectures (Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Tochigi, and even Tokyo), 222 (9%) samples were found to have radioactivity above Japanese regulatory standards.  Meanwhile, "nuclear engineers" at UC Berkeley testing food products from Japan found Cesium-134 and Cesium-137 in strawberries from Japan and, according to a report at forbes.com immediately and incorrectly compared it to radiation received from an airplane flight.  Ingestion of radioactive cesium is simply not the same as gamma rays received during flight.

Radioactivity releases continue to increase in the form of fuel rod steam and cooling water dumped at sea.  As some of this radiation reaches the U.S., the NRC and the EPA shrug it off as inconsequential.  However, as far back as a month ago the independent news agency, Truthout, "has identified gaps in the government's data, and nuclear watchdogs are concerned that public officials are not telling the American people the whole story."

"Radiation test on milk have come up positive in several U.S. cities: Little Rock, AR had 8.9 pCi/L of Iodine-131; Phoenix AZ milk contained 3.2 pCi/L; and in Los Angeles, milk had 2.9 pCi/L.  Dan Hirsh of the Committee to Bridge the Gap and other nuclear critics agreed that there is no safe level of exposure to radiation, and even small doses can cause cancer, a position that is backed up by a 2005 report National Academy of Science Report on Radiation Exposure Risk."  Read the full article at Radiation Detected in Milk, Air and Water in U.S.

has identified gaps in the government's data, however, and nuclear watchdogs are concerned that public officials are not telling Americans the whole story.

You can also read the latest reports at - Nuclear Crisis in Japan - Updates.  If you agree that our climate solutions don't need nuclear energy, you might consider signing the following - A Simple Statement On Nuclear Power and Climate Change.
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"I start off with the premise that nuclear energy is not optimal and so I am not a nuclear energy proponent,"

President Barack Obama's support this week for the construction of more nuclear power plants in the United States, amid the ongoing nuclear power plant disaster in Japan, must be considered as among the most wrong-headed and irrational positions ever taken by a US president

President Barack Obama's support this week for the construction of more nuclear power plants in the United States, amid the ongoing nuclear power plant disaster in Japan, must be considered as among the most wrong-headed and irrational positions ever taken by a US president

TAKE CHARGE CHALLENGE ¤ LAWRENCE VS MANHATTAN


Early on, Lawrence held the lead in this friendly contest, but Manhattan has taken the lead - http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/apr/12/lawrence-lagging-behind-manhattan-take-charge-chal/.  While much of the competition has centered on replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, there are many other things you can do to rack up points - schedule a home energy audit, get a free Westar programmable thermostat, give energy presentations at K-12 schools, take a class to become a building efficiency expert, and more.  Learn more by contacting Margaret Tran at <takechargelawrence@gmail.com> or go to http://www.lawrenceks.org/take_charge_challenge. 
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LAWRENCE SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
Wednesday, 11 May 2011, 5:30pm
Recycling and Resource Recovery Annex, 320 N.E. Industrial Lane, Lawrence KS


The May agenda includes:  Review of the Horizon 2020 Comprehensive Preservation Plan, Review of the Climate Protection Task Force Final Report, and updates from the Food Policy Council and the Solid Waste Task Force.  The S.A.B. meets monthly to discuss any and all aspects of furthering sustainability policies and practices by the City of Lawrence government and private persons.  The public is welcome.  Minutes are finalized in about a month after each meeting http://www.lawrenceks.org/wrr/envadvisoryboard
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KANSAS CITY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Wednesday, 11 May 2011, 4:00-6:00pm
Mid America Regional Council, Rivergate Center 2nd floor, 600 Broadway, KC MO

The Environmental Management Commission promotes environmental awareness and resource efficiency to the City's leaders and staff, to assist the progress of Kansas City toward sustainability.  The General public is encouraged to attend and observe meetings and to join and participate in its efforts.  More information is at KC Environmental Mgt Commission

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LAWRENCE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ¤ N.E. SECTOR PLAN

Wednesday, 11 May 2011, 6:30pm

Douglas County Commission 

1100 Massachusetts St., Lawrence KS 66044

This sector plan grew out of the fight to save prime agricultural soils north of the Kansas River that are threatened by urban development.  Officials have now acknowledged the importance of Capability I & II Soils, but have been adverse to specific code language to protect them.  Concerns that still remain in this sector plan are:  stronger plan elements to preserve Capability I & II Soils, Stormwater flooding of North Lawrence from expanded urbanization, extreme cost associated with implementing the North Lawrence Drainage Study, infrastructure costs for development within the regulatory floodplain, floodways, and flood prone land.  To read more go to N.E. Sector Planning Process     ___________________________________________________

KKFI COMMUNITY RADIO ¤ ECOLOGICAL SHOWS THIS WEEK
Listen at KKFI-FM 90.1, or web-streaming at http://www.kkfi.org/ 


Friday, 13 May, 9:30am ¤ Bioneers Radio Series  

Bioneers presents another of their award winning shows. 

Monday, 16 May, 6:00pm ¤ locally produced Eco-Radio KC

Host Reenie Carmack will be talking with Dr. Lori Blankinship, ND about Naturopathic Medicine as the primary care modality for the entire family.  Dr. Blankinship is opening the Village Medicine holistic clinic at 2601 Garfield, Kansas City KS 66104, inside the King Solomon Baptist Church.  It will serve the community with health education, wellness programs, and treatment of a range of conditions including environmental illness. 

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PERMACULTURE-INTEGRATED SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE ¤ 9TH LECTURE
Friday, 13 May 2011, 6:00-9:00pm  -  $$$
Dreher 4-H Building, 2110 Harper St., Lawrence KS 66044


This ninth session will present a comprehensive survey of approaches to the construction of energy efficient structures and of buildings using sustainably produced materials.  We will explore the construction of passive solar, attached solar greenhouse, berm, cob, cord wood and SIPS structures.  The lecture will be followed by a viewing of the film "Green Architecture".


Steve Moring of Vajra Farm Permaculture Center is teaching this Design Certification Course with assistance from Michael Almon and Michael Morley.  Preregistration is required, and a percentage of the fees will support the Kaw Permaculture Collaborative and it's parent organization, the Sustainability Action Network.  For more info go to Kaw Permaculture Collaborative, or contact Steve Moring at (785)691-7305 or <smoring@grasshoppernet.com>.
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KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE TO CARRY CANADIAN TAR SAND OIL

Tar sands oil is the dirtiest oil.  Why?  It produces at least 17% more greenhouse gas pollution than conventional oil.  To be precise, over two tons of tar sands have to be mined, transported and refined to produce a single barrel of oil. Beside inducing climate chaos, the environmental impacts are widespread.

Tar sand oil is produced two ways.  Open pit mining strips away the trees from the top layers of the earth to expose the bitumen beneath it. This process destroys the local environment and ecosystems, leaving gaping open pit mines up to 75 meters deep as scars on the landscape.  In situ mining, the technique needed to reach 80% of the bitumen, requires injecting the bitumen with high pressure steam to separate the oil from the sand so that it can be piped to the surface.  Producing the steam requires heating huge quantities of water with huge quantities of natural gas - British banks finance tar sands companies.

Such a gargantuan undertaking requires enormous infrastructure: excavation, rail, truck, slag ponds, fuel depots, pipelines, etc.  It is possibly the largest industrial project in human history and will likely become North America's single largest industrial contributor to climate change.  And at the downstream end of the process, they plan to pump up to 900,000 barrels of crude oil per day to Texas via the Keystone XL Pipeline through Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. 

The Department of State is responsible for issuing a permit for the proposed extension of an oil pipeline.  If you want to express your concerns about the Keystone XL Pipeline, Al Gore's group, Repower America, suggests you Contact the State Department with your opinion.   

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LAWRENCE ELECTRONICS RECYCLING EVENT
Saturday, 14 May 2011, 9:00am to 1:00pm
Free State High School (north parking lot), 4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence KS


Electronics devices typically contain toxic heavy metals like lead and mercury and cadmium, and precious metals like silver and gold.  If recycled properly, these metals can be materials feed-stock for new industrial processes, not to mention saving production costs, and keeping them out of the landfill.

This one day event will provide Lawrence residents and businesses a way to conveniently recycle old, unwanted electronics equipment.  Items accepted for recycling are computer monitors, desktops, laptops, keyboards, printers and other peripherals, televisions, copiers, scanners, telephones, cell phones, pagers, fax machines, VHS/DVD drives, hand held devices, and small appliances like micro wave or toaster ovens.  There is a recycling fee for computer monitors ($10.00) and televisions ($10.00-$20.00).  There are no charges for other electronic equipment.   Items not accepted are large appliances such as refrigerators and AC units.  Fees may be paid by cash or check.

Electronic recycling will be provided by the Surplus Exchange  http://www.surplusexchange.org/, a Kansas City not-for-profit that recycles the E-waste in accordance to Federal and Kansas Electronic Waste Processing Regulations.  The event is sponsored by the City of Lawrence Waste Reduction & Recycling Division  http://www.lawrencerecycles.org/

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DEMONSTRATION GARDEN PLANTING EVENT ¤ K.U. MEDICINAL PLANT GARDEN
Saturday, 14 May 2011, 10:00am-1:00pm
KU Native Medicinal Plant Research Garden, 1865 E. 1600 Road, Douglas County (directly north of Prairie Moon Waldorf School)

The faculty and staff of the KU Native Medicinal Plant Research Program will host this public planting of its new educational demonstration/show garden at the site of its medicinal research garden near the Lawrence airport.  The garden will have six themed beds of medicinal plants, about 90 species total.  All ages are welcome at this relaxed, informal event focused on getting plants in the ground.  Water and herbal tea will be provided.  Bring hats, garden trowels, shovels and gloves.  In the research garden area, we will also plant two rows of ground cherry of the genus Physalis.  Also at the garden site are: medicinal plants research plots; the KU Student Farm (a community garden); a new shade structure; and a new composting latrine by KU Engineers Without Borders.  For directions click www.nativeplants.ku.edu/garden.   For more info contact Kirsten Bosnak, nativeplants@ku.edu or (785)864-6267.  Event flyers at www.nativeplants.ku.edu/events, or see Events tab on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/nativeplants.

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6th ANNUAL REALLY, REALLY FREE MARKET
Saturday, 14 May 2010, 10:00am-1:00pm  -  FREE
Clinton City Park, 5th & Alabama St., Lawrence KS


The gift must always move!  This free and open market will be a celebration of the cooperation and gift-giving that make life possible beyond the constraints of capitalists markets.  Everyone is invited to give and receive clothing, household items, books, plants, seeds, crafts, information, skills, music, services, art, performances, stories, food, etc.  There is no buying, selling, bartering, or exchanging involved-in this market, everything is strictly FREE!


Small items and clothing not taken from the Really, Really Free Market will be donated to the Penn House or Social Service League thrift store.  However, large items cannot be transported to the thrift store.  People are asked to take responsibility for any large items they bring that are not taken by the end of the event.
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DOUGLAS COUNTY FOOD POLICY COUNCIL
Monday, 16 May 2011, 7:00pm
location to be determined - Lawrence, KS 66046


The Food Policy Council seeks to identify the benefits, challenges and opportunities for a successful, sustainable local food system.  By advising the Douglas County Commission on public policies that will support local producers, preserve local agricultural resources and land, and create more local jobs, the F.P.C. hopes to improve the community's access to a local food supply and distribution networks.  For more info go to Dg County Food Policy Council.
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AWAKENING THE DREAMER, CHANGING THE DREAM SYMPOSIUM

Saturday, 21 May 2011, 8:45am to 2:30pm  - $$

Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vermont St., Lawrence KS 66044

This highly acclaimed program has been presented worldwide for several years.  It combines videos of inspiring speakers with thought-provoking exercises, all welcoming you into a state of commitment and optimism about our future.  You'll see that you are part of a worldwide groundswell of Spirit-led, creative solutions to our global problems.  To learn more view the video at Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream.  Pre-register by contacting Nancy at (785)843-6887 <ninxks@sunflower.com> or Ellyn at (785)842-1643 <ellynowen@juno.com>.

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5th ANNUAL KANSAS CITY PLANT, SEED, & BULB EXCHANGE
Saturday, 21 May 2011, 9:30am to 12:00pm  -  FREE
Discovery Center of MO Dept. of Conservation, 4750 Troost, K.C. MO


Bring your labeled extras to put in the group, and it's all available to choose take home.  And at 10:00am, Diane Whealy, co-founder of the Seed Savers Exchange, will be speaking.  Herbs, heirlooms, veggies, trees, seeds, bulbs, cuttings - you name it people bring it.  It is all free and they do it to encourage gardening and growing locally.  For more info contact <dthrumc@sbcglobal.net> or call (816)356-9892.
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EDIBLE FOREST GARDEN DESIGN WORKSHOP ¤ K.C.C.U.A.
Sunday, 22 May 2011, 12:30-5:30pm  -  $$
5425 Mastin St., Merriam, KS, 66203

Rising food prices due to rising energy prices have sparked a wide interest in urban farming and local/regional food.  The Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture has been growing annual vegetables for many years and helping K.C. urban farmers to make small-scale urban agriculture more profitable.  However, with funding from the Audubon Society in alliance with Toyota, the KCCUA has recently embarked on a permaculture food forest project, to grow perennial tree and fruit crops.

In order to use this food forest as a catalyst for increased urban permaculture, the KCCUA will be holding a design workshop with local permaculture teachers and practitioners.  Workshop presenters will be: Michael Almon, Matt Bunch, Cathy Bylinowsky, Daniel Dermitzel, Steve Mann, and Steve Moring.  The workshop will cover theory and design of edible forest gardens, including a model design exercise.  For more info go to KCCUA Food Forest, or call (913)831-2444.  

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3RD ANNUAL LAWRENCE FOOD GARDEN TOUR
Saturday, 11 June 2010, 9:00am-12:00noon, 5:00-8:00pm  -  FREE

multiple sites


This will be a self-guided tour to any of nineteen gardens by using a brochure and map available from many garden centers, hardware stores, and food venues.  This tour will feature community gardens and home gardens, in front yards and back yards, with chickens and fruit trees and more.  For more info, contact Jessi at <jja80@yahoo.com> or Amber at <jajlehrman@yahoo.com>. 
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COOKING WITH THE HEAT OF THE SUN ¤ COMMUNIVERSITY CLASS #3002A

Saturday, 11 June 2010, 10:00am-2:00pm  -  $$

3526 Terrace St., Kansas City MO 64111

At 10 AM sharp, we will hurry to get our lunch (mostly vegetarian, organic and locally grown) into a variety of different solar cookers.  We'll watch a video on solar cooking and build three working solar cookers out of cardboard boxes, that lucky participants can take home.  We'll eat the food we cook, learn about solar food drying, and enjoy a solar canning demonstration.  You'll get a handout pointing you to internet resources so that you can learn more later. Join us as we begin reducing our carbon footprint one solar oven at a time.

Conveners will be Lynn Snyder and Bill Price.  E-mail at <kelsoimp-communiversity@yahoo.com>.  Class fee of $9.00 + materials fee of $7.00 = $16.00

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Current S.A.N. projects include:
1) Transition Kaw Valley - initiating transition to a relocalized post-carbon economy, and municipal-level Peak Oil response planning.
2) Kaw Permaculture Collaborative and Kansas Permaculture Institute - developing skills and resources for polyculture sustainable food production.
3) Eco Village Land Trust - Designing and focalizing a sustainable intentional community near Lawrence. 
4) Growers' Land Trust - organizing interested stakeholders to acquire prime farmland in the urban fringe for land-based economic development and regional food security.
5) Weekly Sustainability Announcements - informing and encouraging others to become active in the Sustainability Action Network, or other action driven groups.
6) Water Rights and Watersheds - protecting the water commons, the source of all life, from privatization and contamination, and restoring our watersheds.
7) Electric & Human Powered Vehicles - promoting neighborhood electric vehicles and utility tricycles, including infrastructure and pro-active regulations.
8) Energy Conservation & Renewables - advancing a green economy through decentralized renewable energy and conservation.

9) Collaboration with sister organizations - such as: Films for Action; The Light Center eco-village; Kaw River Valley Food System farm-based economic development; Transition Kansas City; Citizens for Responsible Planning; Kansas River Valley Growers fighting for local water rights; national efforts by the Sustainable Energy Network; the Kansas City Food Circle, the All Species Project, and more.

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We welcome suggestions for items to be included.  Please send items to  <paradigm@ixks.com>


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Sustainability Action Network, P.O. Box 1064, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA