WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
31 May 2011
31 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
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
BE SURE AND CHECK OUT THE SUMMARY OF S.A.N. PROJECTS AT THE END OF THIS MESSAGE. :)
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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
Wednesday, 1 June 2011, 7:00pm
Lawrence Public Library, 701 Vermont St., Lawrence KS 66044
The T.K.V. meeting will review the criteria for Transition Kaw Valley to become an official Transition Initiative. We will also discuss the upcoming "Training for Transition" in Chicago, and decide if we want to attend it.
Transition Kaw Valley is one of the main projects of the Sustainability Action Network, a relocalization effort to address both climate disruption and peak oil inflation. The Transition movement was begun by Rob Hopkins in Great Britain, and in the U.S. is coordinated by Transition US based in Sebastapol CA. They help local initiatives with resources and publications, and they have trainers available to conduct local training sessions. For more info, or to get on theS.A.N. Transition Kaw Valley e-mail list, contact them at
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Lawrence Public Library, 701 Vermont St., Lawrence KS 66044
The T.K.V. meeting will review the criteria for Transition Kaw Valley to become an official Transition Initiative. We will also discuss the upcoming "Training for Transition" in Chicago, and decide if we want to attend it.
Transition Kaw Valley is one of the main projects of the Sustainability Action Network, a relocalization effort to address both climate disruption and peak oil inflation. The Transition movement was begun by Rob Hopkins in Great Britain, and in the U.S. is coordinated by Transition US based in Sebastapol CA. They help local initiatives with resources and publications, and they have trainers available to conduct local training sessions. For more info, or to get on theS.A.N. Transition Kaw Valley e-mail list, contact them at
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LAWRENCE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ¤ N.E. SECTOR PLAN
Wednesday, 1 June 2011, 6:30pm - RESCHEDULED from 11 May
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
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KKFI COMMUNITY RADIO ¤ ECOLOGICAL SHOWS THIS WEEK
Listen at KKFI-FM 90.1, or web-streaming at http://www.kkfi.org/
Friday, 3 June, 9:30am ¤Bioneers Radio Series
Monday, 6 June, 6:00pm ¤ locally produced Eco-Radio KC
Listen at KKFI-FM 90.1, or web-streaming at http://www.kkfi.org/
Friday, 3 June, 9:30am ¤Bioneers Radio Series
Bioneers presents another of their award winning shows.
Monday, 6 June, 6:00pm ¤ locally produced Eco-Radio KC
Host Reenie Carmack will be interviewing Rita Marie Johnson, the founder of "The Rasur Foundation" in Costa Rica. Rita is the creator of "Be Peace", a combination of "Heart Math" and "Non-Violent Communication", which helps children and adults to learn how to "Speak Peace and Feel Peace". There will be a course in Be Peace in Kansas City from 9-13 June. Learn more at Rasur Foundation.
___________________________________________________FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ¤ DAY 81 UPDATE
As this nuclear disaster continues unabated, and in many aspects gets worse, it is difficult to provide a synopsis. Because excellent coverage is already supplied, we suggest readers avail themselves of reports from the Nuclear Information and Resource Service - Nuclear Crisis in Japan - Updates, Reader Supported News - Disaster in Japan - 21 March 2011, and Fairewinds Associates - Updates on Fukushima.
And while Japan is now planning to increase solar energy fifteen-fold by 2030, similar to China's and Germany's move away from nuclear energy, Obama is throwing caution to the winds. Not only has he pledged $36 billion in loan guarantees for new nuclear plants, but he intends to create the "Clean Energy Development Administration" to bankroll nuclear plants. After Memorial Day, the Senate Energy Committee is to vote on CEDA, and you can contact them at No CEDA with nuclear funding.
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GM TOXINS FOUND IN THE BLOOD OF 93% OF UNBORN BABIES
A landmark study found 93 per cent of blood samples taken from pregnant women and 80 per cent from umbilical cords tested positive for traces of the chemicals.
Millions of acres in North and South America are planted with GM corn containing the toxins, which is fed in vast quantities to farm livestock around the world - including Britain. However, it is now clear the toxins designed to kill crop pests are reaching humans and babies in the womb - apparently through food.
To date the industry has always argued that if these toxins were eaten by animals or humans they would be destroyed in the gut and pass out of the body, thus causing no harm. Food safety authorities in Britain and Europe have accepted these assurances on the basis that GM crops are effectively no different to those produced using conventional methods.
But the latest study appears to blow a hole in these claims and has triggered calls for a ban on imports and a total overhaul of the safety regime for GM crops and food. Most of the global research which has been used to demonstrate the safety of GM crops has been funded by the industry itself.
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MEET THE FARMER TV ¤ MEET JOEL SALATIN of POLYFACE FARM
Joel Salatin runs Polyface Farm in Virginia, and generates $250,000 of income per year with a full on sustainable farming operation, while producing some of the best quality food in the U.S.
Meet this fascinating pioneer of sustainable agriculture. If you're a fan of Organic and Sustainable Farming and food, you don't want to miss this show.
Part 1: http://youtu.be/sYWYU5V8JOo
Part 2: http://youtu.be/yfw2ybbRTYs
Part 3: http://youtu.be/FrxmgR-vYms
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LAWRENCE SOLID WASTE TASK FORCE ¤ PUBLIC INPUT MEETING
Wednesday, 8 June 2011, 6:00-7:30pm
City Hall Commission Room, 6 East 6th Street, Lawrence KS
The City of Lawrence Solid Waste Task Force is seeking community-wide input on desired options for solid waste and recycling services. The Solid Waste Task Force was established in March to develop recommendations to the City Commission regarding the long-term solid waste service options for the citizens of Lawrence. An important part of this process is receiving public input.
Citizens are encouraged to attend the public input meeting on June 8th. Comments can also be submitted to the Solid Waste Task Force through an online form available at http://www.lawrenceks.org/swtf/feedback if unable to attend.
LAWRENCE SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD - CANCELED
Wednesday, 8 June 2011, 5:30pm
Recycling and Resource Recovery Annex, 320 N.E. Industrial Lane, Lawrence KS
The S.A.B will be at the Solid Waste Task Force public meeting(see above). 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 meetinghttp://www.lawrenceks.org/wrr/envadvisoryboard
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KANSAS CITY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Wednesday, 8 June 2011, 4:00-6:00pm
Mid America Regional Council, Rivergate Center 2nd floor, 600 Broadway, KC MO
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3RD ANNUAL LAWRENCE FOOD GARDEN TOUR
Saturday, 11 June 2010, 9:00am-12:00noon, 5:00-8:00pm
Saturday, 11 June 2010, 9:00am-12:00noon, 5:00-8:00pm
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
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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
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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 10:00am sharp, we will hurry to get our lunch into a variety of solar cookers (mostly vegetarian, organic and locally grown). 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 cooked, 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 footpring one solar oven at a time.
Conveners will be Lynn Snyder and Bill Price. E-mail at
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SUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK - MONTHLY MEMBER MEETING
Sunday, 19 June 2011, 7:00pm
3033 Kasold Ave., Lawrence KS 66044 (Brady & Troy Karlin's place)
Local Solutions for Transition to a Sustainable Economy
Organizing societal scale action in our personal lives, and through public policy changes.
The meeting agenda will include:
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SUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK - MONTHLY MEMBER MEETING
Sunday, 19 June 2011, 7:00pm
3033 Kasold Ave., Lawrence KS 66044 (Brady & Troy Karlin's place)
Local Solutions for Transition to a Sustainable Economy
Organizing societal scale action in our personal lives, and through public policy changes.
The meeting agenda will include:
- S.A.N. social media - policy proposal
- Membership Policy Statement Development
- Transition Kaw Valley - Update and next steps?
- Growers' Land Trust - legal options and limits
- community workshops: super adobe, solar food dehydrator, cold frames, rain barrels, etc.
- S.A.N. web site: list serve, content, pay pal, etc.
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DOUGLAS COUNTY FOOD POLICY COUNCIL
Monday, 20 June 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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NICOLE FOSS TALK ON PEAK OIL, ECONOMIC BUBBLES, FUTURE ENERGY
Friday, 24 June 2011,
time and location TBA, Lawrence KS
Nicole Foss is an economist, energy industry consultant, co-editor of The Automatic Earth blog, and former writer for The Oil Drum Canada. She has had commentaries on nuclear energy, the Canadian housing bubble, overheating of the Chinese economy, peak oil, and more. She will discuss how the intersection of peak oil, climate change and the economy are creating a "perfect storm" that portends of economic meltdown. For more info contact Amber Lehrman at <jajlehrman@yahoo.com>
Friday, 24 June 2011,
time and location TBA, Lawrence KS
Nicole Foss is an economist, energy industry consultant, co-editor of The Automatic Earth blog, and former writer for The Oil Drum Canada. She has had commentaries on nuclear energy, the Canadian housing bubble, overheating of the Chinese economy, peak oil, and more. She will discuss how the intersection of peak oil, climate change and the economy are creating a "perfect storm" that portends of economic meltdown. For more info contact Amber Lehrman at <jajlehrman@yahoo.com>
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URBAN FOOD FOREST GARDEN ¤ COMMUNIVERSITY CLASS #2309 A
Saturday, 25 June 2011, 2:00-5:00pm - $$
Rethink Energy, 2052 North 3rd St., Kansas City KS 66101
Learn how to mimic the structure and function of forest ecosystems using sheet mulching, layering, planting patterns, species diversity, guilds and more in this introductory workshop on small scale urban forest garden design. Class registration fee of $14, plus bring $15 to class for materials. CONVENER: Steve Mann (816-352-9213). Register at UMKC Communiversity. More info at Food Not Lawns KC, or
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URBAN FARMS & GARDENS TOUR ¤ KANSAS CITY
Saturday-Sunday, 25-26 June 2011, 10:00am-5:00pm
multiple sites
Thirty eight urban farms, community gardens, school gardens, and urban homesteads across the metro area will be open to the public with live music, cooking demonstrations, and children's activities lined up throughout the weekend. The tour is sponsored by Cultivate Kansas City (formerly Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture).
The tour will kick-off on Wednesday, 15 June, 6:00-7:30pm, with an inspiring talk "Grow for the Future" by Michael Ableman, author, farmer, and photographer, at the Downtown Kansas City, MO Public Library, 10th & Main Streets. http://www.fieldsofplenty.com/. Complete listing of tour events, registration, and tickets are available at the tour website -Urban Farms & Gardens Tour KC
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MARY LINDSAY TALK ¤ CORPORATE TAKEOVER OF U.S.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011, 7:00pm
Lawrence Public Library, 7th & Vermont St., Lawrence KS 66044
Considering how corporate oligarchs like the notorious Koch brothers of Wichita are preventing meaningful and significant transition to a clean energy future and sustainable economy, this talk could be an eye opener. Mary Lindsayis the leader of KCMoveToAmend.org, one of many chapters organizing to reverse the Supreme Court "Citizens United" ruling that allows corporate "persons" unlimited power to funnel cash from corporate coffers directly into influencing elections.
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.
We welcome suggestions for items to be included in the S.A.N. Newsletter. Please send items to
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Sustainability Action Network, P.O. Box 1064, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA
