Gather with friends and neighbors in Town Center Park (Park Street and Arbutus Avenue) for this waste-less event.
Visit the Art & Kids Zone featuring hands-on, recycling activities, arts, crafts and games. Discover eco-practices and learn to reduce and reuse household and work items in the Sustainability Zone. The Health and Wellness Zone highlights local businesses demonstrating green products, services and wellness programs. Pick up a Keep Grove City Beautiful event passport and collect stamps at the various activities for a prize.
Register to drive an electric vehicle: Drive Electric Columbus Ride & Drive.
Add shopping and dining in historic Grove City Town Center to your EcoFest visit. For more information or to register for an event, visit the EcoFest website at ecofest.grovecityohio.gov or call 614-277-3058.
Money concerns have a way of throwing us off balance as we manage our Life. Whether or not you plan to take Randy Loop’s course on “Aligning the Spirit of Living and Money” (see the poster below) you will enjoy meeting him on Zoom and hearing his remarkable success story overcoming a mountain of credit card debt and creating a new career rooted in powerful strategies that ground his Life in Balance.
Aligning the Spirit of Living and Money! Wed., August 18, 2021 at 7 pm
One of the largest questions coming out of the COVID-19 Pandemic is, “DO I HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN MY LIFE AND MONEY? In this instance “Life” can mean many things but, what comes rising to the surface is the fear of losing one’s Existence to the Virus and or one’s Freedom by stepping back into the rat race of work.
Randall Loop, long time Simply Living supporter and previous board member has used the 9 Steps of Your Money or Your Life (YMOYL) to create a sustainable living since 2004. He has facilitated the course since 2006 and has literally assisted hundreds to create the same for themselves. Join us for a brief introduction of the mindsets and methods of the program that was originally created by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. Randall’s presentation will be followed by Q&A discussion.
Get started on the journey today with the YMOYL Book (amazon) If you prefer to pay a little more instead of supporting Amazon, you can buy it at a local Columbus bookstore or you can buy it online at Bookshop.org, which donates money to local bookstores.
Learn how to change your financial future for the better.
Wed., August 18, 2021 at 7 pm
Register Now
The New Corporation: The Unfortunate Necessary Sequel
Film + Q&A Sat-Sun August 28-29
Co-Sponsored by Simply Living and the
Ohio Community Rights Network
Join us for the live Q&A following the film with Move to Amend Outreach Director, Greg Coleridge
The link and password to view the film will be sent out Saturday, August 28. The film will be available for a 24 -hour period before the Q&A, which starts promptly at 2:00 pm EST on Sunday the 29th.
Register here.
SWACO Presentation and Tour of Landfill
Monday, September 13 10 am – 11:30 am
Simply Living is organizing a field trip to learn about SWACO’s current operation of the landfill and their vision for a future “circular economy” in central Ohio. The presentation will be followed by a tour of the Landfill where are questions will be answered by SWACO staff.
Arrive at SWACO by 9:45 AM for 10:00 AM start time.
Where: SWACO Resource Center, 4149 London Groveport Road, Grove City, OH 43123.
Field trips are approximately 60 – 90 minutes in length, beginning with a 30-minute presentation in the SWACO Resource Center and concluding with a tour of the landfill site.
We can accommodate up to 40 people. While on the bus/van, windows will be open to allow for ventilation. Masks are required for people in the van or on the bus.
REGISTER
Emerging at the other end, we will not be the same as we were; we will have become more humble, more connected to the natural world, fitter, leaner, more skilled and, ultimately, wiser.
~ Rob Hopkins
Author Talk with Paul Robinson:
Global Warming: Can It Be Stopped?
Wednesday, September 22, 5:30 – 7 pm
Join author Paul Robinson at the Whetstone Library Meeting room for our Fall Simply Living Book Club discussion. Global Warming: Can It Be Stopped?, explores the science, psychology, and the morality of climate change. We will meet at the Whetstone Library in Clintonville, 3903 N. High St., Columbus 43214.
Paul brings a unique perspective as a psychologist and a former science educator to explore the deeper reasons why we are not acting on the climate crisis, and he offers insight into the opportunities for acting now to preserve the quality of life for generations to come. Learn more about the book here. You can purchase the book for $12.99 (PB) or the ebook is $3.99. You may attend even if you have not read the book or not finished it.
Science tells us global warming is real, but too many people are living their lives as though we have an eternity to address the impending global crises.
Even the COVID-19 pandemic has failed to get the world to grasp that it is best to address a serious threat to our health and well-being sooner rather than later. The time to act is now – not when the problem is practically irreversible.
Paul Robinson, Ph.D., a psychologist and former science teacher, explores the science of global warming in a question-and-answer format that anyone can understand. He answers questions such as:
• How do scientists collect data on global warming and is it reliable?
• How hot is the Earth becoming?
• What is causing the Earth to warm?
Robinson also explores the psychological and moral substrates of the problem, recognizing that facts do not always change people’s minds. He makes the case that global warming is a moral and spiritual issue.
Get answers about global warming and what we can do to preserve the quality of life for generations to come.
The event is free to all. Free will donations at Registration are appreciated and support the work of Simply Living.
Simply Living Expanding Sustainable U Offerings
Jeff Sharp, former chair of the Simply Living Board and current chair of the OSU School of Environment and Natural Resources, has volunteered to lead a discussion course on Voluntary Simplicity. The 6 week EcoChallenge course is based on the book: A Different Way: Living Simply in a Complex World. Start date is Wednesday, September 29 at 7 pm. Details and location forthcoming.
More EcoChallenge courses are planned. Learn more about them here.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SIMPLY LIVING’S BE THE CHANGE COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Celebrate the legacy of artist Aminah Robinson with free admission all weekend, including the Raggin’ On special exhibition! Enjoy activities and programming inspired by Raggin’ On, special kids’ meals at Schokko Café and 10% off all Aminah merchandise in the Museum Store.
RSVP Here
How do Giant Tortoises engineer ecosystems in Galápagos?
Livestream with Galápagos Conservancy’s Dr. James Gibbs
Tomorrow, August 13, 2pm Eastern
FYI Our calendar guru Rita Haider visited the Galapagos and loved it!
RSVP HERE
(We’ll also be livestreaming on Twitter and YouTube)
More info here.
Carolyn Harding with Claudia Sheehan, Anne Sparks, and Judy Smucker, three Athens County elders who traveled to northern Minnesota to support Indigenous women-led water protectors who are resisting construction of an enlarged tar sands pipeline that would take a new route through tribal lands, Enbridge Line 3.
Participate in an online course and pass our online quiz.
~or~
Register to attend a virtual class hosted by water quality professionals where you can gain more in-depth knowledge and ask questions.
Register online: www.communitybackyards.org/virtual-classes
About this event REGISTER
This event will be streamed live online with an interactive Q&A. Instructions on how to join will be emailed to registrants shortly before the event. This event will be recorded and available to watch on our YouTube channel and portions of the audio will be released on our podcast.
More info on SL Calendar here
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83906590837
“Radical Nutrition: From Seeds to Table”
Julialynne Walker on Columbus’ near east side Bronzeville neighborhood community garden and food market.
Eriyah Flynn of Vegan Shift on the importance of veganism
and
Harvey Wasserman will talk about the August 28 March on Washington.
Check out the Live Music Lineup on Saturdays in August.
Sun Aug 15th 1:00pm – 3:00pm
#Vegan-Potluck Details on SL Calendar here.
Goodale Park, 120 W Goodale St · Columbus
Tuesday, August 17, 12pm ET Details on SL Calendar here.
There is no registration required to watch the event online.
Send questions for the panelists in advance or during the Q&A: theforum@hsph.harvard.edu or post them to Facebook @ForumHSPH.
Features Jan Spencer’s excellent presentations and interviews around the nation. More info and links on the SL Calendar here.
Might it be that the Transition approach, of creating vibrant local economies with increased community ownership, meeting practical needs from as nearby as possible, and living well while consuming far less energy than we do today, could actually better meet our needs? ~ Rob Hopkins
In true Transition spirit, the upcoming Regenerative Communities Summit is a grassroots, all-hands-on-deck kind of effort. We have an ambitious goal of registering 5,000 participants for the virtual Summit and catalyzing dozens of local satellite events. This outreach hackathon will provide you with tools and support to get started advertising your own in-person event, contacting potential partners, reaching out to family and friends, and much more.
In this highly pivotal time, let’s seize this important opportunity to engage thousands of people throughout the U.S. in the essential work of regeneration and Transition! Register here REGISTER
The idea of the solitary hero can be quite an unhealthy one, and we need to pool our efforts and be heroic together! ~ Rob Hopkins
Find many more events posted on our Community Calendar.
Browse now. Select the Monthly View to find events quickly.
HINT: Search using keywords like FOOD, ENERGY, SUSTAINABLE, YOGA, MEDITATION, MUSIC, SUMMIT, ETC.
NEWS + RESOURCES
FOR LIVING LOCAL
Hundreds of U.S. cities adopted climate plans, including Columbus. But the city isn’t monitoring progress, critics say
See the full Dispatch article here.
Simply Living director, Cathy Cowan Becker, was quoted in the this multi city article – the part about Columbus is pretty far down. Here is an excerpt..
Columbus plan still in draft form
Though planning has been underway for a few years in Columbus, some are calling for more specifics and accountability in the draft plan it released last year.
The city took comments in March on a proposal to slash emissions by 25% by 2030 using 2018 as a baseline, and to become carbon neutral by 2050. There were an overwhelming amount of comments seeking to increase the reduction percentage to 45%.
A draft of the Columbus climate action plan was released 18 months ago. However, Jason Cervenec, education outreach director at the Byrd center, said he has yet to see any kind of scorecard for evaluating meaningful progress.
The public’s response was “we need to do more,” said Erin Beck, assistant director of Sustainable Columbus, the city’s environmental initiative. “And we need to do it faster, which is certainly supported, and underscored by the IPCC report.”
The city reports its emissions total approximately 11.5 million tons of greenhouse gases per year since 2013.
“But what makes up those emissions has changed. Buildings and transportation are the two top sources. The building emissions have been going down largely by energy efficiency but transportation emissions are going up,” said Cathy Cowan Becker, who is the chair for the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 Columbus (correction Ohio) campaign. “That gives us a pretty good idea of what to look at and what to emphasize in cutting emissions moving forward.”
Beck said there will be more accountability moving forward through increased meetings that will take place bimonthly and the creation of working groups to address specifics in the climate action plan.
“Those working groups are going to be a great way for the city and our whole community, really, to hold ourselves accountable with how we’re doing with the plan, help troubleshoot and help identify any areas where more resources or assistance might be needed,” she said.
The city expects to have plan approved by fall. But as of Monday, the city still hadn’t decided where to set its reduction goal.
“I’m hoping that the city will keep that in their heart when they finish putting together this climate plan. We at the Sierra Club are actually going to be meeting with them next week to talk about this,” Cowan Becker said.
Just like a tiny trim tab alters the direction of an airplane or ship, it’s small groups and even single individuals who are always at the core of societal change. You may think that being part of a small group of activists can’t possibly really produce large social changes, but in reality the opposite is true. Throughout history, it’s almost always been small groups who trigger larger social and political changes.
Because we live in what we call a democratic republic (Republicans prefer to call it a “constitutional republic”) many potential activists believe it’s necessary to get more than half of Americans on-board for any sort of real or substantial social, economic or political change.
They couldn’t be more wrong, and the belief about that very steep 50% hill to climb keeps a lot of people from becoming change agents. Instead, just like a tiny trim tab alters the direction of an airplane or ship, it’s small groups and even single individuals who are always at the core of societal change
Read the blog at HartmannReport.com.
Margaret Mead put it best: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Free Guide for Community Starters
Here’s a newly released free guide, jam-packed with methods for starting or revitalizing your intentional community!
The Community Learning Incubator Programme for Sustainability (CLIPS) a European initiative to study successful ecovillages and distill their lessons for communities just starting out. Learn more.
Virtual Tour of Earthaven
There’s nothing like experiencing ecovillage life first hand, but taking a virtual tour of Earthaven is a close second! The introductory overview tour examines the concept of sustainability at Earthaven through social, ecological, and economic lenses. Learn more.
Ellen Baumgartner’s son-in-law. Paul Brown, is not only a noted musician and teacher of guitar, but an excellent chef-grade cook! He does part-time work cooking, fixing meals and delivering them. So if anyone has a need for meals – or knows someone who does, you may contact him preferably by texting him at 614-623-9933, calling and leaving a message, or email at sciencegravy@yahoo.com.
 ZERO WASTE LIVING We can help you!  REUSEABLE CONTAINERS: Bring your own containers or buy ours! We also have aesthetically pleasing jars and bottles in all shapes, sizes and colors ECO DRYER & FRESHENERS New Eco-dryer balls and eco -drawer fresheners BULK ITEMS: New Bulk teas plus specials on green teas and black teasNuts and seeds in the bulk gravity bins!Bring your own jars and use no packaging! Bexley Natural Market 508 N. Cassady Ave. Bexley, OH Phone: 614-252-3951 Hours: Mon-Sat 10-8, Sun 10-6 Social: FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM |
This mixtape includes all of the artists performing at Farm Aid 2021.
Take a listen and start getting excited!
Special Events, New Producers, Announcements & More! Read the full weekly update and subscribe here.
Clintonville: Musical entertainment by Freedom N’ Folk Revival. Food truck: Roadster. Producer list & market map.
How do we change the world? Change the story. ~ Charles Eisenstein
We have to create miracles. A miracle is not the intersession of an external divine agency in violation of the laws of physics. A miracle is simply something that is impossible from an old story but possible from within a new one. It is an expansion of what is possible. ~ Charles Eisenstein
An economist says that essentially more for you is less for me, but the lover knows that more for you is more for me, too. ~ Charles Eisenstein
Vilvi Vannak, director of the Care & Share Time Bank, wants to make sure everyone reads this GREAT article in The Columbus Dispatch by reporter Allison Ward!
“It’s good old-fashioned neighbor helping neighbor. It’s just a little more organized,” said Vilvi Vannak, current president of Care and Share. “And you’re not just bartering back and forth with each other. You have 300 people to choose from.”
Read the article here:
Worth More Standing —
The Value of Old Growth Forests
Hacks to Stay Cool: Beat the Heat Using Less Energy
Herbicide Free Campus:
Student-led Environmental Advocacy
Listen on your radio or online anytime!
CALENDARS!
LIVE LOCAL, BUILD COMMUNITY #SIMPLYLIVING
Good, Cheap, Fun
- Free books for kids with The Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library
- Celebrate Local Art with Scrawl in Franklinton
- Happy Birthday to you with free Jeni’s Ice Cream!
- Ohio Cup Vintage Base Ball Festival at Ohio Village
- Columbus Moonlight Market on Gay Street
- Wag! Festival: The Biggest Dog Fest of the Summer
- All Ohio Reptile Show with dragons, pythons, and frogs (oh my!)
- Almost 230 free or cheap events this weekend in Columbus!
- Catch Theatre in the Park with Actors’ Theatre of Columbus at Schiller Park
- Date night in Columbus: Summer edition
- Best photography locations in Columbus
- Over 85 Indoor Play Places and Activities for kids around Columbus
- Lobster Roll Days at the Hills Market
- Cool off at Free Splash Pads in Columbus – Scioto Fountains now open!
- Storybook Village at Ohio Village Returns for 2021!
Check out Wes Williams and the landscaping services he offers:
https://www.plantconnections.net/
COLUMBUS UNDERGROUND
Mega Weekend
Comedy, Seltzerland, Shopping & More!
Here’s a rundown of fun things to do this weekend. It’s the final weekend to order Sparkling Platinum Dust! Enjoy your weekend!
Music & Nightlife & Comedy
The Columbus Symphony has performances in parks.
Enjoy ProMusica’s SummerFest.
Laugh during The Comedy Compound. Malaa performs at Otherworld.
Rambling House has free happy hour with Sam Muccio on Friday.
More comedy is happening at Royal Jelly and Actual Wolves.
Bossy Grrls Pin Up Joint has a fun Friday the 13th event planned.
Summer614 happens at Columbus Commons.
Paisha Thomas performs at Secret Studio.
Land Grant hosts Kin Fest, in memory of Nik Heidel.
Fun Things to Buy and Eat
Try a new pizza place at Old North Arcade.
Shop new store, The Brass Hand, in Clintonville.
Get those Lobster Roll orders in!
Do some afternoon shopping at Freedom a la Cart’s special event on Friday.
Also pop by the Pearl Market while you are downtown.
Shop the Friendship Flea at Franklinton Fridays.
Polaris has a special Night Market on Friday.
Try all kinds of seltzer-drinks at Seltzerland!
Enjoy the North Market Farmers Festival at the Downtown location. Looking for some design samples?
It’s Peach Fest weekend at Lynd Fruit Farm.
Shop Moonlight Market on Saturday and Sunlight Market on Sunday.
Worthington brings you A Tribute to Fair Food.
ENJOY EXPLORING ART
Outdoor movie series Nightlight614 starts Thursday night with Billy Madison. The Secret Garden has begun at Schiller Park.
Leather & Lace is rocking it at Shadowbox Live.
Go watch Do the Right Thing at the South Drive-In, presented by the Wex.
Enjoy Aminah Celebration Days at the Columbus Museum of Art.
Tune in for the Young Writers Short Play Festival.
West Family Story begins at District West.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO
THIS WEEDKEND?
Reservoir Dogs plays at Studio 35.
Columbus Clippers take on Toledo Mud Hens all weekend with fireworks on Saturday.
The African American Male Wellness Walk is happening Saturday.
Shop Free Comic Book Day at Comic Town.
Enjoy a Summer Fashion event at Terrace Bar at Luxe 23.
Want to volunteer at Wild Goose Creative?
Thanks for reading and enjoy your weekend! A great community is an informed community. Want to help keep our news free for all and support our small, local company?
Your support helps Columbus Underground further our mission.
Private equity firms avoid paying taxes to the tune of $75 billion in lost revenue. First they pillage communities, then they shift the tax burden to the rest of us. That’s the private equity playbook. ~ Americans for Financial Reform
edited by Connie Hammond (pictured above).
Email cmhammond11@att.net to subscribe to her Community Calendar or share meeting info.
Saturday, August 14, 2017, 7:00 PM. Columbus Free Press Second Saturday Salon. Since we aren’t getting together in person, we can gather for a couple hours on the second Saturday night of each month. Join Zoom Meeting. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83906590837. Meeting ID: 839 0659.
Sunday, August 15, 2021, 3:00 PM. Voices from the Holy Land Online Film Salon: “Stitching Palestine.” Participants will discuss the award-winning documentary “Stitching Palestine”. About the film: Twelve resilient, determined and articulate women from disparate walks of life: lawyers, artists, housewives, activists, architects, and politicians stitch together the story of their homeland, of their dispossession, and of their unwavering determination that justice will prevail. They talk of their life before the Diaspora, of their memories, of their lives and of their identity. Their narratives are connected by the enduring thread of the ancient art of embroidery. Please watch the film at your convenience and then join us for the online Q&A discussion. Carol Mansour, director and founder of Forward Film Productions, will be joined by Salma El-Yassir, former Director General of the Institute for Palestine Studies, for the Q&A discussion. Wafa Ghnaim, Palestinian American businesswoman, author, and artist will moderate the conversation. Register here for the Voices from the Holy Land Online Film Salon: tinyurl.com/VFHLaugust2021. Once you register, you will get a confirmation email from Zoom with a link to the meeting and a link with to watch the film. (Save this confirmation letter as the meeting link is unique to your email and you must have this to participate.) Please note that the film will only be available free to registrants from August 5 – 15, 2021. Watch the film at your convenience before the event. Then join us with your thoughts and questions for our speakers at the Q&A Discussion on August 15.
Monday, August 16, 2021, 12:00 – 1:00 PM. Medicare for All and Expand Medicare Rally. The point of the rally is to encourage Representative Joyce Beatty to become a cosponsor of Medicare for All, HR 1976, and support the initiative to Expand Medicare. There is a strong movement in the Congress to include “human infrastructure” in a reconciliation bill, that should include expansion of Medicare to include Seniors, age 60 or lower; add dental, hearing, vision care as covered services; and negotiate drug prices, and cap on what Seniors would need to pay for drugs. You are invited to participate. Please bring a sign if you have one. We will have SPAN Ohio Medicare for All signs. Bring a phone to call her Columbus office during the rally, to invite someone to come down to talk to us, and to encourage her to become a Medicare for All cosponsor. Even if you are not able to call, you can call from wherever you are between 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM to make the same ask. Location: Sidewalk in front of Joyce Beatty’s office, 471 E. Broad St.
Monday, August 16, 2021, 6:00 – 8:00 PM. From Bethlehem to Gaza: Palestinian Culinary Resilience & Liberation. Join Middle East Children’s Alliance & Just World Educational virtually for a summer meal prepared by Vivien Sansour and Laila El-Haddad, together in Laila’s garden. In this exclusive seasonal cooking demonstration, they will discuss resilience against both the physical and culinary partitions of the occupation – as well as its attempts to destroy diversity of food. In this moment of new imagining for Palestine, how can we create a plate that threads us together? Sign up for this special webinar by making a donation below! Suggested donation of $10 per person. Your tax-deductible gift will support MECA’s programs in Gaza. Register here.
MORE LOCAL CALENDARS
Columbus Free Press Activists Calendar Editor Bob Roehm
WCBE Arts & Life Calendar
BE THE CHANGE: READ OUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR
