Sustainable Bellingham Announcements

1) What A Way To Go: Life at the End of Empire - Oct. 12
See October 12 listing below for more info.

2) The Pachamama Alliance "Awaken the Dreamer, Changing the Dream" Symposium - Oct. 27

See bottom of this email for more info

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Community Announcements - Listed by dates
And Recommended Reading

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Northwest Earth Institute Discussion Courses forming in Bellingham

NWEI’s hallmark program is a series of discussion courses available to groups anywhere in the United States. The courses provide an enjoyable, supportive setting in which to examine personal values and habits, engage in stimulating conversation, and create meaningful community. The discussion course guides are manuals for self-facilitated courses, taken informally by small groups in a home, workplace at noon, center of faith or any place where people naturally gather. These programs emphasize individual responsibility, the importance of a supportive community, and the dual need to walk lightly on and to take action on behalf of the Earth.

Discussion Courses are available on the following topics:
Global Warming
Voluntary Simplicity
Choices for Sustainable Living
Healthy Children - Healthy Planet
Discovering a Sense of Place
Exploring Deep Ecology
Globalization & Its Critics

For more info, visit http://www.nwei.org, and e-mail Marilene to join a course in Bellingham: Incommunity@w-link.net
You can also emal DavidM: miles58@yahoo.com.

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The 11th Hour
95 minutes • 2007 • USA • In English
The Pickford Cinema
For audiences, the big question about the documentary “The 11th Hour” undoubtedly is: How is it different from “An Inconvenient Truth”? Well, the latter was very much an Al Gore production, while the chief eco–activist and talking head here is Leonardo DiCaprio, who also co–wrote the script. However, despite the presence of a bona fide movie star, “The 11th Hour” is considerably less slick than “An Inconvenient Truth,” and no less urgent. Co–directed by the sisters Leslie Conners Peterson and Nadia Conners, the film features interviews with everyone from Mikhail Gorbachev to Stephen Hawking [including Richard Heinberg, Herman Daly, Paul Hawkin, Bill McKibben, David Suzuki, etc.] and in its final section lays out some remarkably innovative ways for designers to integrate renewable energy sources into buildings. Grade: A–

* Friday, Sep 21 - Thursday, Sep 27 @ 5:30 PM

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Biodiesel Secrets Revealed

$25/$29, Community Food Co-op Healthy Connections class with Saphil Lewis, Nate Haney, and Paul Davis. A step by step process to your freedom from fossil fuels. Proceeds from the class will benefit worldpeaceemerging.com. Call Kevin at 734-8158 or email kevinm@communityfood.coop.

When: Monday, September 24, 7-9 PM

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Be Part of the Solution: Climate Change, Our Community and You

You are invited join the members of the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship on September 25th at 7 p.m. to learn more about global climate change with Katie Fleming, RE Sources' Education Coordinator. During this presentation, Katie will deliver a version of the slide show on which the Academy Award-winning film, "An Inconvenient Truth" is based. She will address current research, information about our region, and most importantly, ways in which you can be a major part of the solution to the growing crisis of global warming. Join us in our spiritual journey toward living in harmony with the Earth. Sponsored by the BUF Green Sanctuary Program. Free. Refreshments provided. Location: 1708 "I" Street (corner of "I" & Ellsworth).

When: September 25th, 7 p.m.

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Mayoral Candidates Q&A

Northwood Hall, 3840 Northwest Ave., 12 p.m. Listen to speeches and ask questions. $10-$15. www.bellinghamcityclub.org B’HAM

When: Wednesday, September 26, 2007

More Candidate Forums:
Oct 3, Wed, 6:30 pm - to 9:30, at Municipal Court building, 2014 C Street
County candidates first with city candidates starting at 8 pm.
Excellent forum sponsored by League of Women Voters
Oct 4, Thur, - 7 to 9 pm, at Firehouse Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave, Fairhaven
County & city candidates plus school board - with candidates asking opponents questions plus questions from audience.
Oct 10, Wed - Basic Needs Forum
Oct 16, Tue - Whatcom Indy - excellent forum at Courthouse
Oct 20, Sat, 9:30 am - School board and initiatives - by League of Women

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Chuckanut Radio Hour: Chris Finan, From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act: A History of the Fight for Free Speech in America

In honor of Banned Books Week, we will be taping a very special program with author Christopher Finan, President of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE), who will be discussing his new book From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act: A History of the Fight for Free Speech in America. The ticketed event, which will include hors d’oeuvres and a copy of the book, will be held at Northwood Hall beginning with a cash bar social gathering at 5:30pm. The event is a fund-raiser for ABFFE and the $50 per person ticket includes a light dinner buffet, the taping of the show and a copy of Chris’ book.
http://www.thechuckanutradiohour.com/eventspodcasts.html

When: October 1, 5:30 p.m., and 6:00pm on KMRE 102.3 FM

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Public Hearing on the Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program

October 3; 7:00 pm, Whatcom County Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham

* Written comments will be accepted by the Department of Ecology through November 2.

* This is the final hearing on the Whatcom County SMP. It has been passed by the County Council, but now goes before the Department of Ecology.

The purpose of the public hearing is to receive public comment on the county’s proposed Shoreline Master Program comprehensive amendment. The proposed comprehensive amendment revises all aspects of the existing shoreline master program.

The public comment period will be open from September 26, 2007 through November 2, 2007. Anyone may present their views and provide comments at this hearing. Written comments may also be sent to: WA State Dept of Ecology, ATTN: Whatcom County SMP, 1440 10th Street, Suite 102 , Bellingham , WA 98225 during the above comment period.The document may also

A copy or CD of the proposed amendment may be obtained at the County Planning & Development Services Dept or downloaded from the county’s website at http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/pds/shorelines_critical_areas/workproducts.j...

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“Global Warming: Facts and Fiction”
World Issues Forums/Paths to Global Justice Speakers

Dr. Thomas Ackerman, currently Director of the Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO) and Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington.

This presentation will begin with a brief overview of the science of global warming, which is well developed and vigorous. The focus will be on both what we know and the uncertainties attached to that knowledge, with applications to the Pacific Northwest . The second part of the presentation will address current policy response at the national level. What are we doing as a nation? What should we be doing? Can we do more, both regionally and nationally?

When: October 3rd, Noon-1:30pm Fairhaven College Auditorium
http://www.wwu.edu/depts/fairhaven

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International Walk (or Bike) to School Day

Join kids around the world and walk to school on Wednesday, October 3rd. Ideas and assistance are available: www.iwalktoschool.org or contact EverybodyBike at 671-BIKE for a resource packet and prizes for your school, or email info@everybodybike.com, and visit http://www.everybodybike.com.

When: Wednesday, October 3rd

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Rally for Health Care

United for National Healthcare invites all concerned citizens to rally in support of health care as a basic right at noon on October 6 at the corner of E. Maple St. and Railroad Ave in downtown Bellingham. Participants will contact Congressman Rick Larsen and urge him to support HR 676, the National Health Insurance Act. HR 676 would provide healthcare for all US residents, including the 47 million US residents who do not have health insurance. Participants will express their outrage that each year 18,000 of the US residents lacking health insurance die because they do not receive adequate health care.

At the rally participants can sign up with United for National Healthcare for further actions to help resolve the US healthcare crisis.

For further information about the rally contact UNHC President Chris Lindberg,
714-8999.

When: October 6th

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Coping with Islamophobia
World Issues Forums/Paths to Global Justice Speakers

Jamal Rahman is a Muslim Sufi co-minister at Interfaith Community Church, Director of Sacred Psychology School, and adjunct faculty at Seattle University .

Join Jamal in exploring issues and concepts in Islam that cause fear and anger in Western minds: extremism, jihad, infidel and status of women. As we examine the truths and untruths around these, the goal is to gain a deeper understanding so that we can take measures in our own lives to co-exist peacefully in a pluralistic community.

When: October 10th, Noon-1:30pm Fairhaven College Auditorium
http://www.wwu.edu/depts/fairhaven

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Public invited to help set process for disposal of dredged materials

Port of Bellingham Squalicum Boathouse, 2600 South Harbor Loop, Bellingham

Washington residents can help shape procedures for handling dioxin contamination in material dredged from the state's waterways.

State and federal agencies that manage and regulate disposal of material from dredging projects will hold two meetings on Sept. 26 in Seattle . Meetings also will be held Oct. 2 in Lacey, Oct. 11 in Bellingham and Oct. 16 in Port Angeles .

The Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) manages material dredged to maintain navigational waterways and berth depths filled in by natural sediments. Such dredging typically takes place at harbors, ports and marinas. Between 2000 and 2006, roughly 20 million cubic yards of material were dredged and disposed of at open-water disposal sites.

Some dredged material contains dioxins, a group of chlorinated organic compounds identified as known human carcinogens. DMMP agencies want to start developing a new framework for evaluating dioxins in dredged material. The agencies will take input from the scheduled public meetings and from stakeholders - such as ports, marine businesses, tribes, environmental interests, and state and federal agencies - into account when drafting a framework. That draft will be issued for public review and comment, probably in 2008.

At the meeting, the first hour will be an information session, followed by public comments and questions. For information about DMMP and directions to all meeting sites, see
http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/PublicMenu/Menu.cfm?sitename=DMMO&pagename....

When: October 11th; 5:30pm to 8pm

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What A Way To Go
Life At The End Of Empire
A middle class white guy comes to grips with Peak Oil, Climate
Change, Mass Extinction, Population Overshoot and the demise of the
American Lifestyle. What is it doing to us as thoughtful human beings as we face these overwhelming challenges? And what is it doing to the rest of the life on this planet?
Featuring interviews with Daniel Quinn, Derrick Jensen, Jerry Mander, Chellis Glendinning, Richard Heinberg, Thomas Berry, William Catton, Ran Prieur and Richard Manning, What a Way to Go looks at the current global situation and asks the most important questions of all:

* How did we get here?
* Why do we keep destroying the planet?
* What do we truly want?
* Can we find a vision that will empower us to do what is
necessary to survive, and even thrive, in the coming decades?

This special screening and dialog with the filmmakers (writer/director Tim Bennett and producer Sally Erickson) will take place. Sponsored by Sustainable Bellingham and Whatcom Community College, with co-sponsors and The Whatcom Film Association, and others soon to be announced.

“perhaps the most important media message of our time”
~ Jan Lundberg at CultureChange.org

“Nothing less than a 123-minute cat scan of the planet and its twenty-first century human and non-human condition.”
~ Carolyn Baker, CarolynBaker.org

For more info on this film, see http://www.whatawaytogomovie.com

When: October 12th, at 6:45 p.m. at the Whatcom Community College Heiner Center Auditorium. Admission is free.

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Seattle Bioneers Conference

Sponsored by the Northwest Environmental Education Council

Seattle Center
Register at http://www.nweec.org/seattlebioneers/about-seattle_bioneers.php

Morning sessions are satellite linked to the main Bioneers conference in San Rafael, CA. Afternoon sessions include local speakers.

Hear from nationally recognized people such as: Van Jones, Winona LaDuke and Majora Carter discuss issues about the environment and social justice. Local speakers include Bellingham resident Craig Mayberry discussing how to organize for social change.

October 19-21- 9am-5:30pm

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October 27th: The Pachamama Alliance Symposium

If you are ready to be disturbed, inspired and moved to action, if you are ready to be introduced to a thriving community of like-hearted, deeply committed cohorts who are actively engaged in awakening from and changing the dream of our modern industrial culture, we invite you to come to the Symposium.
Complete details at the bottom of this email.

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Free Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Energy Conservation Services would like to encourage residential Puget Sound Energy users to take advantage of our "Free to Reduce' campaign. As part of this campaign, we will be distributing 18 Watt compact fluorescent lamps to any PSE customer. An 18 Watt lamp compares to a 75 W incandescent lamp, and can save you as much as $45 during the life of the lamp. These packages of 15 lamps come at no cost to you. Simply contact cathy@sconnect.org for the form, mail it in and the lamps will be delivered to your door.

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Sustainable Bellingham Announcement:
October 27th: The Pachamama Alliance Symposium

David Korten recently presented a vision of "The Great Turning"…transforming our collective agreement from Empire…to Earth Community.

Everyone is now being invited to take part in transforming that collective agreement.
Please consider attending:

The Pachamama Alliance Symposium:
Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream

Saturday, October 27
9:00 to 5:30 (Doors open at 8:30)
Woodside Spiritual Center 2224 Yew Street Road, Bellingham WA
Cost: $25.00

To register go to www.WoodsideSpiritualCenter.org
The aim of the Symposium is to come to grips with the assumptions that underlie the way we see the world, our place in it, and with what each of us can do - both individually and cooperatively - to move the world in a new direction. The Symposium explores the link between three of humanity's most critical concerns: environmental sustainability, social justice and spiritual fulfillment.
Collectively, it seems we are living inside a dream; sleepwalking in a trance. We live in an outmoded worldview - a way of seeing the world in which unthinkable acts appear reasonable, sensible, and even intelligent. The indigenous Anchuar people of Ecuador, who still live in earth honoring ways, have urged us, for the sake of all life, to "change the dream of the North."
Our root crisis is a crisis of consciousness. Changing our collective dream will be a do-it-yourself-together project that will be accomplished by committed individuals working in concert with one another; tens of millions of us, each willing to think and act in a whole new way. This is one of the generating principles behind the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium.
Using video clips from some of the world's most respected thinkers, along with inspiring short films, leading edge information and dynamic group interactions, the Symposium allows participants to gain a new insight into the nature of our time, and the opportunity we have to shape and impact the direction of our world with our everyday choices and action.
If you are ready to be disturbed, inspired and moved to action, if you are ready to be introduced to a thriving community of like-hearted, deeply committed cohorts who are actively engaged in awakening from and changing the dream of our modern industrial culture, we invite you to come to the Symposium.
For more information about the program: http://www.awakeningthedreamer.org
The video on site: "A New Dream, The Story of the Pachamama Alliance", offers a quick and comprehensive overview of this remarkable project .

For more information about the event itself: call Leslie, 360-733-4356
Co-Sponsored by: Woodside Spiritual Center, Sustainable Bellingham, and Bellingham Institute Of Noetic Sciences

Events and recommended reading compiled by David MacLeod
contact us: info@sustainablebellingham.org
website: http://www.sustainablebellingham.org