What: Urban Garden and Community Solar Tour
When: Saturday April 10 at 10 am
Where: Art Yoho’s property at 4166 Maize Rd, Columbus OH 43224
Why: Learn about an emerging model for a sustainable, resilient future!
Expect a good time for one and all. Here are a few of the exciting developments you will see and learn about…
> Meet Marcie and Tracey, who operate freshtownfarm.com (great website) here and at other urban properties. They both, at separate times, managed the Food Bank Garden then founded their own operation. While setting up the farm here they literally moved 100 tons of compost and other material by hand, built 3 hoop houses, and a workstation connected to the shed. One or both will be on hand.
> Bee Keepers – Cheryl Baughman and her brother have nurtured their hives here for years. They will be on hand.
> David Smalarz – is a gifted potter and long term community garden tender here. He and his wife have side by side gardens near the front of the house. The 6 rain barrels help supply water there. They will be on hand.
> Meet Art Yoho! Art will share his plans for creating a “Solarhood” – a bottom-up initiative to build a community solar energy-sharing system that everyone can join – many believe that this is the model for a renewable energy future. Why? Because up to 75% of homes and apartments are not suitable for rooftop solar.
We’re calling it “The People’s Solar Project” to create a demonstration community solar and microgrid project that will generate 5 MW of solar energy to power 80 homes, five churches and two city schools in a 300-acre area on Cooke Road. Eventually the Cooke Road Solarhood will include a resilience hub with energy storage, an attractive solar park, and an Energy Academy.
> Simply Living’s new director, Cathy Cowan Becker – has written a grant request for $3000 to support fabricating the prototype
> Solarhood Is taking form as a movement. $1000 has been offered to graphic artists all over the world to design the symbol for the movement.
Plan to attend and bring a friend. There is a lot to see and learn!
April 18th Simply Living Virtual Annual Dinner Meeting
to Recognize the Best and the Brightest
It’s that time again! It has been quite a year since we last convened for the Simply Living
Annual Meeting. We are excited to welcome our members, allies, and the public as we share our
progress and goals for this onward year.
Last year we awarded Cathy Cowan Becker with the Carol Fisher Award for Community Service, and this year we are pleased to introduce her as our new Executive Director. To no one’s surprise, she has carried the torch, taken the reins, and charged out of the gate full-throttle. We’re thrilled with all we’ve accomplished under her direction, and we look forward to sharing what’s in the works.
Cathy will pass the community service torch in recognizing exemplar Claus Eckert of Green
Columbus who will receive the Carol Fisher Award for Community Service.
We will also recognize bright beacon Rita Haider as Outstanding Volunteer, unwavering
anchor Lisa Kreischer as Outstanding Staff Member, and post-savvy Savannah Smith as our
on-board social media amplifier.
In addition, we have added a new award called the Momentum Award to recognize organizations, and will recognize Sunrise Movement Columbus Hub for their momentum in the sustainability movement.
A Virtual Dinner? Order Takeout from Simply Living Affiliate Restaurants
The annual meeting will take place Sunday, April 18, from 5 to 7 p.m.
It will be a virtual dinner with people encouraged to order takeout from some of the restaurants affiliated with Simply Living. Keep an eye on our website and social media pages for registration (free!) and the list of featured restaurants (Love Local, Live Local!).
View Film Monday April 19 7 pm
Q&A Panel Tuesday, April 20 7 pm
Link and password to view the film will be sent out Monday, April 19.
View the film first, then join the Q&A with local leaders at 7:00 pm on Tuesday April 20.
Celebrate Earth Day by watching 2040: Join the Regeneration. Damon Gameau’s inspiring film looks at the effects of climate change over the next 20 years and what technologies that exist today can reverse the effects. 2040 follows Gameau’s imagining of a future for his four-year old daughter Velvet, where climate change has been solved. Described as “an exercise in fact-based dreaming” the film is structured as a letter to his daughter whereby Gameau travels around the world investigating numerous solutions that can contribute towards climate mitigation and imagining what a future would be like where they have been implemented at scale. In choosing what to feature in the film, Gameau restricted it to solutions that are either already available or have a realistic potential to greatly contribute to reversing climate change by the year 2040. The film features interviews with numerous academics, ecological experts and entrepreneurs and will leave you optimistic that we can make this dream a reality.
It’s only natural: the push to give rivers,
mountains and forests legal rights
~ The Guardian
Invisible Hand: The Rights of Nature
Sunday, Apr. 25, 2021, 2 PM
Link and password to view the film will be sent out Saturday, April 24.
The film will be available for a 24 -hour period before the Q&A,
which starts promptly at 2:00 pm on Sunday the 25th.
This is the 2nd in the Democracy Film Series sponsored by Simply Living and the Ohio Community Rights Network. Registration and more information about the series: https://www.ohiocrn.org/democracy-film-festival
From Executive Producer Mark Ruffalo comes the world’s first documentary film on the Rights of Nature Movement, a “Paradigm Shifting” story about the current global battle between capitalism and democracy where the fight for our survival is at stake. It’s the story of three different communities and the residents of those communities standing up to challenge the current environmental laws and system to protect their health as well as nature’s. The film exposes how the people have been duped into believing that we have the “best environmental ” laws in the world, when in reality those laws are really legalizing pollution by issuing permits that protect the very industries doing the harm.
SEE UPCOMING FILMS IN THE DEMOCRACY SERIES HERE
Invisible Hand (Rights of Nature), Sunday, April 25, 2 pm
The New Corporation – Sunday, August 29, 2 pm
We the People 2.0 – Sunday, October 24, 2 pm
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SIMPLY LIVING’S BE THE CHANGE COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Need a laugh??? Tune in to our #AprilFools Rally tomorrow to call out the biggest Fossil Fools with Jane Fonda, Greenpeace USA, and a TON of special guests! We’re joined by comedians Paul Scheer, Helen Hong, and, Akilah Hughes, and activists Mary Heglar, Emily Atkin, Andres Soto, and Theresa Landrum!
Rank the Vote Ohio w/Justin Wells and Elzabeth Gentner More here
Grange Insurance Audubon Center. More here
https://tockify.com/e/simplylivingsu/detail/557/1617642000000
Overall Economic Impact Study of ECDI’s Lending to Ohio Entrepreneurs by Bill Lafayette, Ph.D.
A Conversation with Vegan Activist “Earthling Ed”, Ed Winters. More here.
“I personally chose to go vegan because I educated myself on factory farming and cruelty to animals, and I suddenly realized that what was on my plate were living things, with feelings. And I just couldn’t disconnect myself from it any longer.”
~ Ellen DeGeneres
Join Lily Kunning, Community Herbalist, Haven Herbs, and Cancer Support Community for the Natural Living Series! Free. More here
As my pappy used to say, that ain’t the half of it.. ok, not really, but there are so many more cool events this week and in April – EARTH DAY & MONTH – to name a bunch. Be the Change!
Browse now. Select the Monthly View to find events quickly.
NEWS + RESOURCES
FOR LIVING LOCAL
Can’t find recycling bins in your apartment complex? These four steps can help you manage your recycling with minimum hassle.
more…
Have you fed your house plants lately? Reduce waste in the kitchen and care for your indoor plants with these zero-waste plant fertilizers.
more…
making the decision to go solar more complex. Let’s explore some of the pros and cons of going solar. more…
Check out a new recipe, specials and more!
https://conta.cc/31CDJyD
See the full blog post here.
The Royal Coco-cacao smoothie bowl here
FRIENDS OF PUBLIC BANKING WEBSITE
https://friendsofpublicbanking.org/
As the public banking movement continues to surge forward, everyone can now learn about banking in the public interest and declare your support for the creation of public banks. Check it out now
Our ancestry stretches back through the life forms and into the stars, back into the beginnings of the primeval fireball. This universe is a single multiform energetic unfolding of matter, mind, intelligence and life. ~ Brian Swimme
The Poetry Forum April 12 @ 7:00 pm EDT
We’re ba-ack! Mondays at 7pm on Zoom. Recurring Events (See all) Email Steve Abbott at abbott4949@gmail.com for log in info. Check out the group’s FB page.
Listen on your radio or online anytime!
CALENDARS!
LIVE LOCAL, BUILD COMMUNITY #SIMPLYLIVING
In This Issue…
- Celtic Cocktail Trail in Dublin
- Franklinton Fridays and 400 Market
- Upper Arlington Spring Fling tentatively scheduled for May
- Take Yale’s most popular course for FREE: The Science of Well-Being
- Free Easter Bunny pictures at Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops
- Over 100 free or cheap events this weekend in Columbus
- Where to find Cherry Blossoms in Ohio this Spring (go now!)
- Eggs, Paws and Claws at the Columbus Zoo
- Easter Bunny, Pony and Carriage Rides & Petting Zoo with Horse -N- Round Fun LLC
- Easter Basket Filler Ideas for all ages
- Visit Lancaster’s Skyview Drive-in movie theatre for double feature fun
- Easter brunch and dining out for Easter in Columbus
- Catch a movie at the South Drive In Theatre on weekends!
- Head to another reality with Dreamscape Immersive at AMC Easton
- Easter Bunny Events at Polaris Fashion Place
- Easter Bunny at Tuttle Crossing Mall
- Easter Bunny Pictures, Easter Egg Hunts, and Easter in Columbus
- Easter Bunny Visits at Free KidsLinked.com KidsFest events
- Unlimited ideas for Spring Break in Columbus
- Caverns, animals, and adventure at Olentangy Caverns
- Find a Friday Fish Fry for Lent in Columbus, plus other dining options
- Sign up with Columbus on the Cheap on Facebook HERE
LUMBUS UNDERGROUND
Mega Weekend
Blooms, Top Chef, BAM Art & More!
Have a great weekend! This weather today feels a bit like an April Fool’s! Have you seen the other laughs on CU today? Pick up your Urban Living Tour ticket.
Spring Feels
Columbus Blooms opens at the Franklin Park Conservatory.
Glass Axis has some fun spring things happening.
Columbus Science Pub celebrates Earth Day with a discussion.
Eggs, Paws, and Claws starts at the Zoo.
There’s a few opportunities left to care for a dog over the Easter break.
Get a picture of your pup with the Easter Bunny.
Food Events
Top Chef premieres and you can cheer on Avishar Barua of Service Bar.
Italian Village Society puts on a Bunny Hop and you can win prizes.
Snag the last seats to learn to cook seafood on a Big Green Egg.
Roaming Goat Coffee has a contest going on.
Get some free vegetable seeds.
Saturday is opening day for Cream & Sugar!
Try Purple Rain at Brothers Drake Meadery. Drive to Cincinnati on Thursday to try Taft’s and UDF’s collab beer. (Advance ticket required)
ENJOY EXPLORING ART
BAM Art Thursdays start tonight at the Columbus Museum of Art.
Speak Easy has a true stories Zoom tonight.
Tune in to CAPA’s show ‘Alto Madness‘.
adrienne maree brown visits CCAD virtually on Friday at noon – tune in!
934 Gallery opens their latest show ‘Tunnel Vision‘ on Friday.
All People Arts has a conversation on ‘Rooted in Culture‘ that you won’t want to miss. Explore Gallery Hop virtually.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO
THIS WEEDKEND?
Watch Godzilla vs. King Kong or Wonder Woman 84 or Nobody at the South Drive-In.
Tune in Friday night to Restart Drum & Bass.
Shop book sales with Prologue or Bookspace.
Catch DJ Bigg Dadd on WCRS on Saturday.
Thanks for reading and enjoy your weekend!
edited by Connie Hammond (pictured above).
Email cmhammond11@att.net to subscribe to her Community Calendar or share meeting info.
Friday, April 2, 2021, 11:00 AM. Conversation with Congresswoman Tlaib: Palestine Rights in 2021. Join American Muslims for Palestine for a virtual conversation at 11:00 AM EST on Friday, April 2 featuring Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and experts on some of the most pressing issues facing Palestinians today. Efforts to promote Palestinian rights in Congress this year are off to a strong start, but Palestinians can’t wait any longer: Israel is still withholding much-needed COVID-19 vaccines and home demolitions continue. Thanks to the leadership of some elected officials like Palestinian-American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Congress is beginning to press the administration to hold the Israeli government accountable for its policies toward the Palestinian people. Join the event to learn more about these issues and what you can do to stop the US government’s complicity in Israel’s illegal and inhumane actions! On Facebook Live.
Saturday, April 3, 2021, 5:00 Pm. Film Screening: “Hummus: A Story of Appropriation”
with a discussion featuring director Lafi Abood. Join Al-Awda, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition, to commemorate Land Day with a discussion of the struggles taking place to defend Palestinian land and lives and struggle for liberation and return.Program and Speakers: Noura Erakat, Mohammed El-Kurd, Lafi Abood, Nerdeen Kiswani, Khalid Hijazi, And Suhair Nafal. Facebook event. Register here.
Saturday, April 3, 2021, 12:00 – 1:00 PM. Occupy for Our Revolution. Join Our Revolution each Saturday at the intersection of North Broadway and High street to demonstrate for peace and justice. Bring a mask and a sign or two in solidarity. Register here.
Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 7:00 PM. Ohio Poor People’s Campaign Spiritual Council. Virtual meeting every first Tuesday. Register here.
Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 3:00 PM. Setting the stage for a stronger, more equitable recovery: A conversation with Sharon Parrott, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ new President. With the passage of the American Rescue Plan, additional much-needed immediate help for COVID-19 pandemic recovery is on the way. Now President Biden is proposing an additional package of investments on infrastructure and human needs. Join CHN and Sharon Parrott, the new president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, in a conversation about how we must seize the opportunity to build a sustainable recovery by addressing the already existing racial, health, and economic inequities that the pandemic has deepened. This webinar will be closed-captioned. Even if you can’t attend be sure to register to get a recording of the webinar and other resources. Register here.
April 6 (12:00 PM), April 27 (4:00 PM), May 18 (4:00 PM), June 8 (4:00 PM), 2021, CSRR “Know Your Rights” Presentation. Join the Center for Security, Race and Rights (CSRR) of Rutgers Law School for our Spring 2021 “Know Your Rights” presentations on the topics of Housing, Education, and Access to Government. Register here.
Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 5:00 – 6:30 PM. JVP-Central Ohio presents: Except for Palestine – The Limits of Progressive Politics. Join Mitchell Plitnick and Professor Marc Lamont Hill for a panel discussion on their long overdue book, Except for Palestine: The Limits of Progressive Politics. Except for Palestine is a bold call for the American Left to extend their progressive politics to the issues of Palestine. Hill and Plitnick will be joined by Adalah Justice Project Executive Director Sandra Tamari, and Dr. Samia Shoman to discuss the book as well as the current role of Palestinian justice within the progressive movement. Former JVP Executive Director, Rebecca Vilkomerson, will moderate. Join us as we celebrate this new book and its authors. You can purchase the book here. More information and registration here.
Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 7:00 PM. Reproductive Rights: Activism Across the Americas. Join the InterReligious Task Force on Central America for a conversation about reproductive rights activism across the Americas. With panelists from Colombia, El Salvador, Argentina, and Cleveland, this will be an opportunity for all participants to expand their global perspectives and build transnational solidarity.Spanish and English Interpretation done by Olga Rosado and Sara Koopman (twitter: @spaceforpeace). This event is being organized for school credit through Kent State’s School of Peace and Conflict Studies. Register here.
Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 9:00 – 10:00 AM. Women Peacemakers Webinar. Join Churches for Middle East Peace for a webinar featuring women peacemakers Israel/Palestine. Tamar Samash (Women Wage Peace) and Huda Abuarquob (the Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP)) will speak about their personal experiences engaging women in peacemaking, the impacts of COVID-19 on their work, and upcoming projects in their respective organizations. Facilitating this discussion will be Rebecca Blachly, Director of the Office of Government Relations for the Episcopal Church in the U.S. $25 suggested donation. Register here.
Thursday, April 8, 2021, 5:00 PM. ACLU Webinar: Repealing Ohio’s Death Penalty Once and for All. During Ohio’s lame duck session, legislation to prohibit the death penalty for those with “serious mental illness” finally passed. Ohio has not carried out an execution since July 2018. In fact, Governor DeWine entered his first term with seven scheduled executions and reprieved all of them. Public opinion is of Americans now support life in prison (60%) over the death penalty (36%). Additionally, we know that Ohio’s use of the death penalty is part of an ongoing pattern of racial injustice. While Black and Brown people total less than 15% of Ohio’s population, they make up 58% of Ohio’s death row, 33% of those executed and 66% of those exonerated. When Ohio executions have taken place, 75% of the time it has involved a white victim. Join us for a conversation on why it’s time to repeal the death penalty once and for all and how you can join the fight. Register for the zoom link here.
Friday, April 9, 2021, 12:00 PM. Demanding Dignity for Farmworkers Week of Action. Farmworkers have suffered during COVID from horrific working and living conditions, loss of family members, abuse, and deprivation we can only imagine. They are calling on us to do one simple thing: Show up at Wendy’s Headquarters to Demand Dignity and Fair Wages for Farmworkers. More details to follow. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us at 1 Dave Thomas Blvd. (Dublin Granville Rd. across from the Oakland Nursery) at 12:00 pm on April 9! We’ll social distance as needed.
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