Kansas City Food Circle Blog

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS

18 January 2011

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SUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK ANNUAL MEETING
Friday, 21 January 2011, 7:00pm
All American Room, Eldridge Hotel, 701 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS 66044

We are honored at this our third Annual Meeting, to have as our speaker, Dan Nagengast, Director of the Kansas Rural Center. Dan will speak about energy depletion and rising energy costs, reducing fossil energy agriculture inputs, and transitioning to a local food system economy.

Come help us celebrate our 2010 success in gaining tax-exempt status, and our progress in permaculture, bicycle lanes, land consortium, and more. Since forming in late 2007, the Sustainability Action Network has been bringing to our community local solutions for the global crisis caused by climate change, energy vulnerability and economic instability. Inspired by the Transition movement and the Permaculture movement, we are working for a more socially just and ecologically sustainable world. Everyone is welcome, non-members and members alike, so we hope to see you there!

DONATIONS TO SUSTAINABILITY ACTION NETWORK ARE NOW TAX DEDUCTIBLE
please donate to the S.A.N. Annual Capital Campaign - (contact info at bottom of page)
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ECO RADIO KC ¤ WEEKLY ECOLOGICAL ISSUES RADIO SHOW
Tuesday, 18 January 2011, 12:00noon-1:00pm ¤ on Kansas City Community Radio
Listen at KKFI-FM 90.1, or on web-streaming at http://www.kkfi.org/

On Eco-Radio KC this week, host John Kurmann will be talking with Jo Robinson of Eat Wild Freerange Animals about alternatives to the intensive confinement animal factories that produce most of the animal foods eaten in the U.S. Robinson is the author of Pasture Perfect: The Far-Reaching Benefits of Choosing Meat, Eggs, and Dairy Products from Grass-fed Animals.

Also of ecological interest on KKFI this week:

• On Tuesday at 6:00pm, "Tell Somebody" with Tom Klammer will focus on the Superfund contamination and cleanup of "The Federal Complex" on Bannister Road (AKA "The Kansas City Plant", and the "GSA Offices"). Last week there was a meeting of the Community Advisory Panel on the issue, and Tom will have a report about plans for cleanup of the nuclear site.
• On Friday at 9:30am, the Bioneers Radio Series presents another one of their award winning shows.

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LAWRENCE FRUIT TREE PROJECT MEETING
Tuesday, 18 January 2011, 6:30pm
Lawrence Percolator, 900 block alley behind the Lawrence Arts Center

The LFTP Lawrence Fruit Tree Project is a co-operative group of pomiculturists who have organized themselves to establish community orchards, and teach folks how to grow and care for fruiting trees and shrubs. They also are setting up a fruit tree register to list existing neighborhood trees that are underutilized, so they can be cared for and harvested. Anyone is welcome who is interested in relocalized food security, environmental literacy, permaculture, fruit tree propagation, etc. Come to our meetings and help our grass roots organization grow!
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LAWRENCE BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Tuesday, 18 January 2011, 6:00pm
Public Works Conference Rm., City Hall Ground Floor, 6th & Massachusetts St.

The agenda will include: bicycle parking downtown, bicycle rideability map, complete streets and Bicycle Month. The Committee works to improve bicycle safety and awareness through education of motorists and non-motorists, develops bicycle plans and maps, and advises the City and County Commissions on bicycle priorities and needs. The agenda and information can be downloaded at Bicycle Advisory Comm | agendas & minutes.
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PEAK OIL & A CHANGING CLIMATE ¤ YOU-TUBE VIDEO SERIES
Wednesdays, 19 January - 16 March 2011, on your computer
current video - How Peak Oil Threatens Economic Growth | #2 of 11 with Richard Heinberg

Peak Oil is the point at which petroleum extraction reaches its greatest rate just before going into perpetual decline. The video series, "Peal Oil and a Changing Climate", includes an impressive list of personnel well versed in the climate effects of burning petroleum as well as the economic impact of oil depletion. The series continues for eleven Wednesdays at Peak Oil and a Changing Climate | video series, and tomorrow will feature Nicole Foss. Nicole is an economist and energy industry consultant and former writer for The Oil Drum Canada. She will discuss how the intersection of peak oil, climate change and the economy are creating a “perfect storm” that portends of economic meltdown.
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NO-TILL GARDENING CLASSES ¤ BY FOUNDATION FARM
Wednesdays, 19 January - 23 March 2011, 3:30-5:00pm - $$$
Enthios Art Venue, 215 County Rd. 301, Eureka Springs AR 72632

This series of ten weekly classes in organic gardening will be taught by Patrice Gros who has operated Foundation Farm, a successful half-acre market garden, since 2006. Prior to that, he worked twelve acres organically, and has regularly taught classes in no-till methods. For more info go to Gardening Classes at Foundation Farm.
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SIERRA CLUB FILES APPEAL OF SUNFLOWER COAL PLANT PERMIT
Appeal claims permit violates Clean Air Act, and KDHE acted under political influence.
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ECO-MOVIE NIGHTS ¤ INDEPENDENCE MO
Fridays, 21 & 28 January 2011, 7:00pm
St. Paul United Methodist Church, 3601 S. Sterling Ave., Independence MO 64052

21 January: "The Next Frontier - Engineering the Golden Age of Green"
Focus on the future of renewable, clean energy with “The Next Frontier”, an hour long documentary sponsored by the Professional Engineers in California Government. Host Becky Worley of ABC’s Good Morning America travels the world to feature solutions to our planet’s transition to alternate energy. A segment features Greensburg, Kansas, our Midwest’s green city. This is an excellent summary of green technology. Visit www.thenextfrontier.com for more details, or call Sara at (816)356-6986.

28 January: "Dirt! The Movie"
Dirt feeds us, cleans our water and regulates the earth's climate. Dirt is the ultimate natural resource for all life on earth. Yet most humans ignore, abuse, and destroy our most precious living natural resource. Consider the results of such behavior: mass starvation, drought, floods, and global warming, and wars. The film offers a vision of a sustainable relationship between Humans and Dirt through profiles of the global visionaries who are determined to repair the damage we've done before it’s too late. Visit www.dirtthemovie.com for more details, or call Sara at (816)356-6986.
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KAWR-LP COMMUNITY RADIO ¤ FUND RAISER AND VARIETY SHOW
Saturday, 22 January 2011, 7:00pm - $$
Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St., Lawrence KS 66044

Lawrence is on the way to having it's own community radio station, and one not threatened with seizure and fines by the FCC. This current effort has grown from the humble beginnings about fifteen years ago of a pirate radio station, KAW-FM, which operated for a year and a half before being shut down by the FCC. A number of those pioneers stuck with it through the dim years of Dubya Bush, until changes were made in the makeup of both the FCC and the Congress.

Recently, the FCC made regulatory changes to modify the "cross-frequency" interference guidelines between stations, and the Congress made legislative changes that opened up bandwidth to facilitate community owned low power FM radio. You may not understand these technicalities, but the dedicated local volunteers do, and they are about to make it work here, for you. Come support them, and your own community radio station, by enjoying a fund raiser with bands, DJ, poetry, and more. Info at - KAWR-LP - Lawrence Area Community Radio
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TRANSITION KANSAS CITY ¤ KANSAS CITY GREENS
Monday, 24 January 2011, 7:00pm
Aquarius Bookstore, 3936 Broadway Ave., Kansas City MO

Transition Kansas City is partnering with The Kansas City Greens to show the BBC film "Can We Save Planet Earth" with Sir David Attenborough. Attenborough’s film lays out seven components of a sane response to global warming – strategies and targets from the household to big industries and government. But each one has implications, and many, like a growing reliance on nuclear power, are highly contentious. Afterward, Doug Greer and Mike Hoey will lead a discussion.

The Transition movement was begun by Rob Hopkins in Great Britain Transition Towns, 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 22 trainers traveling to conduct local training sessions. For more info, or to get on the Kansas City e-mail list, call (816)767-8873, or contact them at <bkjelshus@sbcglobal.net>
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URBAN FARMERS ANNUAL MEETING ¤ KC CENTER FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE
Saturday, 29 January 2011, from 9:00am-12:00pm
Rainbow Mennonite Church, 1444 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City KS 66103

Come meet other growers and supporters and learn about our projects over the past year. We'll have pie, coffee, conversation, and learning together (and, if you'd like to bring a pie or two, it would be much appreciated!). Founded in 2004, the KC Center for Urban Agriculture operates the Kansas City Community Farm, and trains folks as urban growers. Their vision is for urban areas of small community farms, providing a livelihood for growers, and local healthy food for the community.
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TAKE CHARGE CHALLENGE ¤ IN LAWRENCE & MANHATTAN
Friday, 4 February 2011, 7:00pm
ECM, 1204 Oread Ave., Lawrence KS 66044 (just north of K.U.)

Margaret Tran of the Climate and Energy Project and/or Eileen Horn, Douglas County Sustainability Director, will talk about the Take Charge Challenge, a unique contest that pits Lawrence/KU against Manhattan/K-State to see who can save the most energy during 2011 in their community. Come learn about how you can participate. For more info, contact the Sierra Club Wakarusa Chapter at <mmrogers816@gmail.com>.
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PERMACULTURE GARDENS AND SMALL FARMS DESIGN COURSE
Saturday-Saturday, 5-12 February 2011 - $$$$
Midwest Permaculture, Stelle IL

This training will cover a full-design course curriculum to provide students with their permaculture design certification (PDC). The emphasis will be on suburban gardens and small farms, and include two pre-course webinars. For more info go to Midwest Permaculture: 5-12 Feb 2011 PDC Course.
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KAW PERMACULTURE COLLABORATIVE ¤ QUARTERLY MEETING
Saturday, 12 February 2011, 6:00pm
Delaware Street Commons, Common House, 822 East 13th St., Lawrence KS 66044

Please join us for a meeting, potluck dinner, and a video presentation (a kitchen is available). We will discuss and formulate plans for activities, workshops and project events for 2011. We would like your input and enthusiasm. K.P.C. fosters ecologically sustainable agriculture practices for the production of healthy food using permaculture ethics to restore a sustainable and ecologically viable way of life. For more info contact <smoring@grasshoppernet.com>.
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PERMACULTURE, FOOD SECURITY, AND ENERGY DEPLETION ¤ FIRST LECTURE
Friday, 18 February 2011, 6:00pm-9:00pm - $$$
East Lawrence Community Center, 15th & Brook St., Lawrence KS 66044

Steve Moring of Vajra Farm Permaculture Center will teach this Design Certification Course that includes nine 3-hour class sessions, six field sessions and a student presentation up through June. In the summer, there will be four additional 6-hour practicum sessions, all totaling 72 hours of training, and culminating in certification through the Kansas Permaculture Institute.

The first lecture is "Food Security and Energy Depletion" followed by a video "The Power of Community". The material describes our agricultural dependence on fossil fuels and how we can meet the challenge of energy depletion to make a successful transition to sustainable future. 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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TWO DAY "ESSENTIAL" PERMACULTURE TRAINING
Saturday-Sunday, 19-20 February 2011, 9:00am-5:00pm - $$$
Knowles Spirituality Center, 2304 Campanile Rd, Waterloo, NE (Omaha)
31 December 2010 early registration discount of $50

Taught by Bill and Becky Wilson of Midwest Permaculture, this weekend session will cover permaculture essentials with an emphasis on transition to a low energy future. For more info go to Essential Permaculture Training - 19-20 Feb 2011.
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GROWING SEASON EXTENDING METHODS ¤ COMMUNIVERSITY CLASS #2307 A
Saturday, 26 February 2011, 1:00-5:00pm - $$
Rethink Energy, 2052 North 3rd St., Kansas City KS 66101

Get a head start on the gardening season. Learn how to extend food growing to all four seasons. We will learn to construct cold frames, hot beds, quarter tunnels, low tunnels, and high tunnels using low cost materials and methods. Bring $15 to class for materials. Class fee is $14, plus $15 for materials. Register at UMKC Communiversity. More info from <steve@prairietrading.com>.
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FOOD NOT LAWNS ¤ COMMUNIVERSITY CLASS #2310 A
Wednesdays, 2,9,16,23 March 2011, 4 sessions, 7:00-9:00pm - $$
UMKC School of Medicine, Theatre C, 24th & Charlotte Streets, KC MO

Grow food not lawns! Increase local food security, improve your diet, beautify your surroundings, build community, reduce pollution and energy use (It takes 87 calories of fuel to transport one calorie of perishable fresh fruit from west coast to east coast). As supporters of the Food Not Lawns national movement, we will hold four sessions dealing with topics that include whole system design, garden preparation, permaculture, water-wise gardening, seed saving, planting, and free resources. Presenters include master and highly-qualified gardeners. Class fee is $18, plus $5 for materials. Register at UMKC Communiversity. More info at Food Not Lawns KC, or <steve@prairietrading.com>.

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

Our mission is to advocate and organize societal scale action to address sustainability issues. The triple crises of Energy-Ecology-Economy are building so rapidly that large scale action is needed immediately and methodically to overcome institutional barriers and advance public policy that preserves ecological sustainability. Our focus is to build a relocalized economy-ecology in concert with the Transition Town movement occurring in many other communities. To join the Sustainability Action Network please contact us at <paradigm@ixks.com>

Our current 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 poly-cropping sustainable food production.
3) Energy Conservation & Renewables - advancing a green economy through decentralized technologies and regulations, for conservation and renewable energy.
4) Land Consortium - organizing interested stakeholders to acquire prime farmland in the urban fringe for land-based economic development and regional food security.
5) Water Rights and Watersheds - protecting the water commons, the source of all life, from privatization and contamination, and restoring our watersheds.
6) Electric & Human Powered Vehicles - promoting neighborhood electric vehicles and utility tricycles, including infrastructure and pro-active regulations.
7) Weekly Sustainability Announcements - informing and encouraging others to become active in the Sustainability Action Network, or other action driven groups.
8) Collaboration with sister organizations - such as: The Light Center eco-village; Kaw Valley Food System farm-based economic development; Citizens for Responsible Planning; Films for Action; Kansas River Valley Growers fighting for local water rights; national efforts by the Sustainable Energy Network; KC Metro groups like the Kansas City Food Circle and the All Species Project, etc.

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