Be the Change Weekly Community Update 3-12-2021


Helena is the author of Local in Our Future, a Simply Living Book Club Selection.

Cathy Cowan Becker
Mayda Sanchez
Lynn Stan

Cathy Cowan Becker will be presenting the latest information about the Columbus Climate Action Plan. Her slide show will explain how the City can improve the plan to ensure that the goals keep pace with what climate science says we must do.
Mayda Sanchez, director of the Ohio Public Banking Coalition, and Chuck Lynd, Simply Living volunteer and chair of the Support Ohio Local Economies (SOLE) initiative, will provide an overview of the Public Banking movement and an overview of the Ohio plans to bring the power of public banking to our state, cities, and counties.
Lynn Stan, Simply Living Board Member, will talk about the initiative to develop a database of locally owned businesses, locally and eventually statewide. She will explain how supporting our local business community keeps money locally and contributes to the resilience and sustainability of our cities and neighborhoods.
Chuck Lynd will moderate the Q&A discussions.
Bill Lyons of the Ohio Community Rights Network will talk about their upcoming Democracy Film Series, co-sponsored with Simply Living.
To Join the virtual event use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83906590837


Sunday, March 21 6:30 – 8 pm
Care & Share Time Bank Gathering
Special Program on Neighborhood
Community Solar Power

The Columbus Care & Share Time Bank is led by Vilvi Vannak. More at cstimbank.org
Art Yoho will talk about Community Solar Power

Planning a Local Community Solar Project in Columbus
 Art Yoho will talk about plans to build solar arrays at a local school and on several 3-4 acre properties in the area. Art and other Simply Living members (SL is an affiliate member of the Time Bank) have met with the City of Columbus (Councilman Emmanuel Remy and various aides) to explore how the city might support their project. It has the potential to become a model community solar project serving 80 local homes as well as schools, and could be replicated in other neighborhoods to meet the city’s goals in their Climate Action Plan.
The zoom link and additional information will be posted soon on the CSTB website: cstimebank.org


The Ohio Community Rights Network
and Simply Living Present
The Democracy Film Series


See the website here for details and registration links
Sun March 28 at 2 pm
What is Democracy?
and

Sunday April 25 at 2 pm
Invisible Hand

WHAT IS DEMOCRACY?

A timely deep dive into the meaning of democracy, past and present.

INVISIBLE HAND
Documentary on the Rights of Nature

The world’s first documentary on the growing movement to grant legal rights to Nature and the earth’s ecosystems

$5 donation is requested. Both films are virtual and a link to the film will be provided to watch the film 24 hours in advance of the Discussion and Q&A. Details and discussion leaders on both films are HERE.




HIGHLIGHTS FROM SIMPLY LIVING’S BE THE CHANGE COMMUNITY CALENDAR


Still screening films through Sunday. Kiss the Ground, Fantastic Fungi, The New Corporation, Microplastic Madness (suitable for kids) More here

Vernal Pool Educational Module Overview- Ohio Wetlands Association (OWA) and Midwest Biodiversity Institute (MBI) More here.

Carolyn Harding, host of Grassroot Ohio, interviews Abbie Sigmon and Donny Murray, leaders of the Columbus Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby. New legislation that taxes carbon and returns revenue to families could make a real difference in lessening global warming. Listen live Fridays at 5 pm on 94.1 FM or streaming on WGRN.ORG. More here


Home Solar Basics. Sat March 13 11 am – 12:30 pm. Led by Simply Living business member Catherine Hope-Cunningham. This ONLINE workshop provides homeowners with answers to many frequently asked questions about home solar systems, and empowers them to make educated decisions regarding ownership of energy vs. buying from a utility.  More here

Java Central Café and Roaster
20 S State St, Westerville, OH 43081

SMARTER, STRONGER, FASTER: What You Think is What You Get
Tuesday March 16 8 – 9 pm Free video series from Greg Braden, Bruce Lipton, and Lynn McTaggart offer deep dives into the nature of the universe and how we are part of the whole.

Permaculture: Holistic Garden Basics taught by the Garden Sage, Debra Knapke! Two 2 -hour workshops starting Tuesday March 16 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. More here
Online Summit Monday through Friday Match 15-19. Details and schedule here.


Recycling Right is Easy and Convenientaction? Workshops from SWACO are on Weds March 17. More here

March 18 @ 6 pm ET. Conversations For A Preferred Future-Series: Enright Ridge Urban Eco Village. Jan Spencer from Eugene Oregon is interviewing Jim Schenk, founder of Imago and this Cincinnati ecovillage. More info and links to other Jan Spencer presentations here.

Gotta love our Simply Living Calendar of Community Events
Search by keyword, scroll and browse, or display by month.
The events listed above are just a sample from the full calendar. Find events on beekeeping, backyard chickens, a new Farm Market Launch in Beechwold, an Irish Band concert, Solidaary Summit on Mutual Aid support, more from SWACO, Columbus Garden School, and regular weekly events. Browse now.



NEWS + RESOURCES
FOR LIVING LOCAL

Tom and Jocelyn offer eco-conscious and award winning service in Clintonville.

Watch. Connect. Take Action.”
These words are the invitation and mandate of the WaterBear Network, a free film-streaming platform with a goal to turn inspirational images of the natural world into actions to save it.
Earth Day Columbus is hosting the awesome Wild and Scenic film festival! Sign up now:
https://earth-day-columbus-2021.heysummit.com

The Market blog offers reflections and news this week. See the full blog here.
Ohio Pies will join the market this week ahead of “Pi Day” on March 14th (3.14). Owner Emily uses local butter, eggs, milk and fruit to craft her deliciously flaky works of pie goodness. The question is: how many to order?
New Albany Organics is featuring kale florets this week. Tender and sweet, these are the buds of a kale plant’s flowers. They are a great addition to salads, or can be sautéed, baked, or even added to a stir-fry. Recipe to try: Kale Florets with garlic and lemon.


Part of Tolle’s Present moment reminder series. More here.

The Center for Biological Diversity

Meet the EPA’s New Leader: Michael Regan

Wednesday was a watershed day for the people of the United States. Congress passed a $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill and confirmed more of President Biden’s Cabinet nominations — including Michael Regan as leader of the Environmental Protection Agency. “Michael Regan could be the transformative leader the EPA desperately needs, but the challenges are enormous,” said Kierán Suckling, the Center for Biological Diversity’s executive director. “Reversing Trump’s gutting of the EPA’s pollution, climate and science programs is his first task. But Regan must also break the pesticide and pollution industry stranglehold on the EPA that has endured for decades under both Republican and Democratic administrations. To make environmental justice the EPA’s central mission and slow the extinction and climate crises, Regan must cut through the Gordian knot of industry control.”


 The new edtion of Yes! magazine is about the path to aNew Ecological Civilzation. Simply Living is giving away copies at Portia’s Cafe, Global Gallery Coffee Shop, Northstar restaurants, the Bexley Co-op, and KEMBA in Clintonville.



PLANET LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

Building localized futures is, of course, much more than just a theoretical exercise. In grassroots initiatives all around the world, people are transforming hearts, minds, communities and ecosystems by reweaving the fabric of local economies from the ground up. In some cases, these initiatives emerge as intuitive responses to the collapse of old ideas and institutions. Here are three such examples from our Planet Local library:

We’re celebrating Earth Month by dedicating April to taking action on Project Drawdown’s 80 most substantive solutions to stopping climate change.As a sustainability leader, you are invited to create + build a team for your place of work, school, faith — wherever you gather! Advance your efforts to create more environmental + social good with us! Join us!
SIGN UP NOW
DOWNLOAD TOOLKIT FOR TEAM CAPTAINS
Naturally Green: 15 Healthy Recipes for Your St. Patrick’s Day
Skip the artificial green coloring and CO2-causing meats, these 15 healthy recipes are better for your body and the planet. They won’t disappoint your taste buds, either!
more…
Seed, Sprout, Spectacular: Tips for Starting Your Garden From Scratch
Read the full article here.

Maven Moment:
Salvaging Stained Clothing
Many years ago, my mother-in-law Lucy told me a story about her daughter’s stained coat… more here.

Author Nita Sweeney’s Write Now blog offers an excellent calendar of literary events in central Ohio. More here.


The Columbus Free Press Network includes two awesome community radio stations! WGRN.org 94.1 and WCRSFM.org 92.7 / 98.3
Listen on your radio or online anytime!

CALENDARS!
LIVE LOCAL, BUILD COMMUNITY #SIMPLYLIVING


Columbus on the Cheap Good, Cheap, Fun

In This Issue…


COLUMBUS UNDERGROUND
Mega Weekend
Saint Patrick’s Day, Chillhop, Power Rangers & More!

Maybe we’ll see the sun this weekend? Photo by Léa Dubedout on Unsplashash.

Have a great weekend! Pi Day is Sunday! Dempsey’s Food & Spirits has reopened. Turn your clocks forward and check your smoke alarms.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

Photo provided by Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau

Take a look at what Dublin has planned for celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day. Do the Shamrock RunByrne’s Pub has a Saint Patrick’s party.
Check out what Sideswipe has going on for St. Paddy’s Day.

SHOPPING

Black Radish Creamery opens their new shop at North Market Bridge Park on Friday. Shop the Bliss Home Market.
Final weekend for Home & Garden ShowSip & Shop at The Forum.
Get an autograph from Jason Faunt of Power Rangers.

ENJOY EXPLORING ART

It’s your last weekend to see An American Sunrise at The Vanderelli Room.
Other things are going on for Franklinton Friday.
Popgun is streaming a concert with Natalie’s.
BalletMet presents Rainbow Etude. Hear The Paperweights.
Saturday is Chihuly Nights. Enjoy Jazz and the Struggle of Freedom.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO
THIS WEEDKEND?

Cheer on Columbus Blue Jackets, and try a dinner at Zoup!
There is a Memorial for Babachu Spriggs on Thursday night. 
Talk Trans Wellness on Friday during lunch.
Did you sign up to hear about Strong Towns? Clean up Old Oaks.
Check out Chillhop on the Hilltop.

Thanks for reading and enjoy your weekend!

GET ACTIVE!  Items below are selected from the Columbus Peace Newsletter 
edited by Connie Hammond (pictured above).
Email cmhammond11@att.net to subscribe to her Community Calendar or share meeting info. 

Friday, March 12, 2021, 5:00 – 5:30 PM.  GrassRoot Ohio With Carolyn Harding.  Our mission is to profile every-day people working on important issues and to connect them with other folks who want to help. Conversations with every-day people, working on important issues here in Columbus and all around Ohio Justice: environmental, social, racial, economic, w/ folks on the front lines. LISTEN TO 94.1 FM and stream US online at WGRN.com.  You can find all GrassRoot Ohio podcasts/shows on Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/user-42674753. Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grassroot-ohio/id1522559085 and YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAX2t1Z7_qae803BzDF4PtQ

Friday, March 12, 2021, 12:00 PM.  J Street Webinar:  QAnon, White Nationalism and Antisemitism: A conversation with State Sen. Scott Wiener and Sophie Ellman-Golan.  Join J Street for a webinar discussing the alarming growth of QAnon and other white-nationalist, antisemitic conspiracy theorists and its impact on our politics. We’ll seek to better understand the nature of this extremist movement and to explore how American Jews can take action ourselves and in partnership with other vulnerable communities to combat this threat and call out the extremist right’s increasing access to more mainstream Republican circles.  We are excited to be joined by California State Senator Scott Wiener, who after leading progressive LGBTQ civil rights legislation, was aggressively targeted by QAnon conspiracy theorists. He received thousands of death threats, many of which focused on his identity as a gay man and a Jewish progressive. Our other panelist will be Sophie Elman-Golan, Director of Strategic Communications at Jews for Racial & Economic Justice, who throughout the Trump era has been one of the leading national voices combating antisemitism and white nationalism while helping to expose the ties between far-right movements and elected officials. The conversation will be moderated by Logan Bayroff, J Street’s Director of Communications.  Register here

Friday, March 12, 2021, 7:00 – 8:30 PM.  Panel and Discussion:  Healing From Hate: Battle for the Soul of a Nation.  Join a virtual panel discussion featuring among others Sammy Rangel, one of the members of Life after Hate. Healing from Hate is a documentary film that takes a deep dive into the minds of men who gravitate toward white supremacist hate groups. Focusing on the bold work of the group Life After Hate – an organization founded by former Skinheads and neo-Nazis now engaged in de-radicalizing violent extremists on the front lines, the film examines the root causes of hate group activity.  Healing from Hate is at once a document of racism and white-male grievance in America, and a portrait of a group of people working together to heal communities torn apart by hate and division. To register to watch the film and attend the event, use this link: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/3256910.   A link to view the film from home anytime between Friday, March 5 and Sunday, March 14 will be sent to all registrants.

Saturday, March 13, 2021, 1:30 PM. International Working Women’s Day Coalition Webinar 2021. Women and Gender-Oppressed Workers Rise Up: The Real Pandemic is Capitalism. The Cure is Global Solidarity and Resistance.  Register here

Saturday, March 13, 2021, 4:30 PM. International Working Women’s Day Commemoration Event.Celebrating activist women who organized in March 1983 and subsequent years after, some on New York’s most inclusive international Working Women’s Day events led by a coalition of Black, Latin American, Asian American and Indigenous women and their allies.Register here

Saturday, March 13, 2021, 12:00 – 2:30 PM.  ‘Kiss the Ground’ Watch Party.  Narrated and featuring Woody Harrelson, “Kiss the Ground” is an inspiring and groundbreaking film that explores the first viable solution to our climate crisis. “Kiss the Ground” reveals that, by regenerating the world’s soils, we can completely and rapidly stabilize Earth’s climate, restore lost ecosystems and create abundant food supplies. Using compelling graphics and visuals, along with striking NASA and NOAA footage, the film artfully illustrates how, by drawing down atmospheric carbon, soil is the missing piece of the climate puzzle. This movie is positioned to catalyze a movement to accomplish the impossible–to solve humanity’s greatest challenge, to balance the climate and secure our species’ future.  More information and tickets here

Sunday, March 14, 2021, 3:00 PM.  US Exceptionalism: Its Story in Nicaragua and Beyond. Please join us for a webinar on Sunday, March 14, with three stimulating speakers: Brian Willson, Kathy Hoyt, and Sofia Clark. “US American Exceptionalism” is a concept promoting the United States as the Shining City on the Hill. The first among nations. The example all other states should follow. This webinar will address the notion of US exceptionalism, with special but not exclusive focus on Nicaragua. Brian Willson will describe the history and origins of the dogma of US American exceptionalism – the fear and trickster psychology behind it, the adolescent culture which produced it, and its origins in Nicaragua and Central America in the 1800s and 1900s. Kathy Hoyt will focus on American exceptionalism as an ideology to justify punitive sanctions on other nations. She will discuss sanctions in general, with emphasis on the illegality and harm caused by US unilateral sanctions, and she will review current US sanctions on Nicaragua. Sofia Clark will examine American exceptionalism in the global context – how it is used to justify US foreign policy around the world.  Register here

Monday, March 15, 2021, 11:00 AM.  The Battle Inside the ADL.  A conversation about the history of the Anti-Defamation League, its role in American politics, and the struggle for civil rights everywhere. Join us for a panel on civil liberties, Israel/Palestine, and the Anti-Defamation League. Following the recent Jewish Currents report citing various sources inside the ADL about conflicts between their civil rights work and Israel advocacy, this conversation will explore the history of the organization, its role in American politics, and the struggle for civil rights everywhere. Moderated by Noa Yachot, and joined by attorney Diala Shamas and journalists Alex Kane and Jacob Hutt.  Register here

Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 7:00 PM.  Ohio Poor People’s Campaign Spiritual Council.  Virtual meeting every third Tuesday.   Register here

Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 12:00 PM.  Ohio Sunshine Week: Transparency Team Training.  Join Common Cause Ohio during Sunshine Week for a training focused on Ohio’s Sunshine Law and how to do a public records request.  Register here

Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 7:00 – 8:00 PM.  Women’s March Take Action Tuesday.  The elections may be over, but our work isn’t. We’re making sure women’s priorities are top priority for the new administration. We’re taking a stand on COVID relief for women, and we’re taking action by writing online LETTERS TO THE EDITORS of local, regional, and national publications. Women’s March will target publications for your area and give you everything you need to write a great letter. We’ll discuss the topic together, and of course, you’ll get live support and troubleshooting. We’ll have a different topic each Tuesday, so join us for all of them!Register here

Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 5:30 PM.  Clintonville Area Progressives Happy Hour.Dennis Willard of We Are Ohio will join us to discuss the SB 5 campaign. This is the tenth anniversary of the successful campaign to preserve collective bargaining rights in Ohio.  Join Zoom Meeting:  https://ashlanduniversity.zoom.us/j/94816344243. Meeting ID: 948 1634 4243. Dial by your location:  +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC).

Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 5:30 PM.  Planned Parenthood Virtual Voices with Connie Schultz!  Featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, Connie Schultz in conversation with our own President and CEO Iris E. Harvey! Their conversation will be moderated by Connie’s stepdaughter and Columbus City Council President Pro Tempore Elizabeth Brown.  Register here

Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 8:00 – 9:30 PM.  Speak Up! Spoken Word & Open Mic.  Join us for BQIC’s monthly fundraiser, BQIC speak up! Spoken Word and Open Mic. Come out and share your poems, songs, monologues, inner musings, and good encounters, bad days, good dates etc on the digital mic! LGBTQIA+ people of color take priority. The suggested donation is $5.  Link to the event and more information here

March 17 – 21, 2021.  Digital Capitol Hill Days 2021.  Population Connection and Population Connection Action Fund will host their annual advocacy conference, Capitol Hill Days, virtually in 2021! Each year, we bring together activists and advocates from across the country and around the world to talk about global reproductive health, environmental, and population issues. Through a series of virtual, hands-on advocacy trainings and informational workshops held from March 17-21, participants will learn how to: !) advocate for reproductive health and rights for everyone, everywhere, 2) urge their elected officials to support an investment in global reproductive health and family planning, and 3) stay engaged in reproductive rights advocacy locally, year-round.  On Monday, March 22, participants will attend virtual meetings with their senators and representatives to advocate for the permanent repeal of both the Global Gag Rule and the Helms Amendment, and for a greater U.S. investment in international family planning and reproductive health services.  More information and registration here.

Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 7:30 PM.  Protect Our Waterways – Webinar #3 | Port Hope : A Case Study in Radioactive Risk This third webinar in the Protect Our Waterways series will look at Port Hope, the legacy of radioactive wastes the community is burdened with, and community concerns, particularly in light of a recent proposal to relax environmental cleanup criteria that many felt were already too lax. Faye More, Chair of the Port Hope Community Health Concerns, will speak about radioactive contamination in Port Hope and the community’s journey from realizing the extent of the widespread contamination through efforts to address it, including responding to the federal government’s decision to consolidate contaminated soil into a “mound” in Port Hope and continued issues and concerns as the “plan” is put into operation. Theresa McClenaghan, Senior Counsel and Executive Director at the Canadian Environmental Law Association will speak about the privatization of radioactive waste management in Canada, with a special focus on the contractual arrangements between the federal government and the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and CNL’s owner /operator companies.  More information and registration here

Thursday, March 18, 7:00 PM.  The Doomsday Machine with Daniel Ellsberg. Join us for a conversation with Daniel Ellsberg about his book, The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner. “The father of American whistle-blowing”, as Edward Snowden calls him, Daniel Ellsberg has served as consultant to the White House, and has drafted U.S. plans for nuclear war.  Daniel Ellsberg as White House consultant, was an inside player during the Cold War, the nuclear arms race, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and more. His unique perspective can inform and empower us, as the current nuclear arsenal is larger than ever. Even with a nuclear arsenal that can destroy our global population many times over, hundreds of billions more of our tax dollars are being wasted on new nuclear weapons.  Ellsberg performed a great public service when he released the Pentagon Papers, and risked his freedom to do so. Once again, Daniel Ellsberg performs an invaluable public service by giving us a window inside U.S. nuclear war planning, which is far more destructive, genocidal and suicidal than the public ever knew.  This book talk is sponsored by Massachusetts Peace Action and Maine Peace Action.  Register here.

Thursday, March 18, 2021, 3:00 PM.  Advocacy Training Series:  Issues and Policy.  Panel of experts will discuss priorities in state budget. In preparation for Ohio Council of Churches Advocacy Day March 2021.   Register here

Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 12:00 PM.  Columbus Metropolitan Club.  Solving the Affordable Housing Puzzle.  According to a September 4, 2020 article in the ColumbusUnderground, “There have been plenty of reports and studies in the last several years on the shortage of affordable housing in Central Ohio. And last year, a $100 million housing fund was established and Columbus voters approved a $50 million bond package to address that shortage. A new effort was unveiled this week which aims to lay out a clear strategy both for the allocation of those types of resources and for making sure that the burden of tackling the challenge doesn’t fall solely on the shoulders of Columbus – that the many suburbs, towns and smaller cities throughout the region also take part.  Featuring Lark Mallory, General Counsel and Director of CDFI Investments at Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County; Aaron Schill, Director of Data and Mapping, MORPC, and Jennifer Gorsuch Walters, President & CEO, Gorsuch Community of Companies. Host to be announced.  Live on YouTube.  More information here

Thursday, March 25, 2021, 5:00 PM.  ACLU Webinar:  Everything You Need to Know About Redistricting.  Every ten years, Ohio lawmakers redraw our state and congressional districts to reflect shifting populations as captured in the decennial census. However, this process will be different in 2021 than in decades past. For the first time ever, Ohio will redraw state and congressional districts in accordance with two constitutional amendments that were overwhelmingly passed by the public in 2015 and 2018. This webinar will focus on how Ohioans can expect this new process to unfold and how this new process can inject fairness and accountability into the historically partisan and secret process of redistricting.  Register for the zoom link here.


MORE LOCAL CALENDARS
Columbus Free Press Activists Calendar Editor Bob Roehm
WCBE Arts & Life Calendar 


READ OUR BE THE CHANGE COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Be the Change: Join Simply Living Individual membership rates have been reduced to $25 annually. Seniors, $20. Students only $10. Business memberships starting at $100 now include membership in the Ohio Sustainable Business Council.

Sign up online here or email HELLO@simplyliving.org

LIKE what we’re doing? How about volunteering? Love to research, write, communicate? Email Hello@Simplyliving.org or call Chuck Lynd @ 614- 354-6172.

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