Be the Change: Weekly Community Update July 2, 2021

Learn about 2 Declarations of Interdependence on the NewStories.org **websit**e
Version #1. The very first such Declaration, created in 1945 at the close of World War II
Version #2 A recent Declaration very in tune with the great issues of our times (see below)

VERSION #2: Created in 2013 by Betsy McKinney and the pro-democracy movement The Founding Family.

The Declaration of Interdependence
Preamble
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for human beings to partner as never before in human history to declare that All Life is sacred and interdependent and to proclaim a new era in our nation based on the wisdom of using power in service to Love and for the good of All People and for the good of All Life, it is an enduring love for all of Creation that inspires this declaration.
Together, we now hold these truths to be self-evident:
That All People are Created with a brilliant array of diverse human characteristics and that every person has the inalienable right to equal treatment under the law.
That the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness also include the rights to safe food, clean water, shelter, education, health care, protection, freedom of information and equal opportunity.
Read the full Declaration of Interdependence as we celebrate this 4th of July weekend.

RAFFLES! Generous sponsors have donated Gift Baskets, Gift Certificates, Movie Passes, and more.
These gifts will be raffled off the day after the Tour on July 25, but ONLY if you purchased a $25 ticket and membership in Simply Living.
If you already purchased a ticket for $10, you can **UPGRADE** to the $25 ticket ***here***.
The $10 ticket is still a great bargain, but we hope the raffle items (details coming soon) will tempt you to buy the $25 option.
**Register Now**

**Just one of our 8 Tour venues! Talk to the owners to learn first hand how they are creating “Sustainability in Action.”**
**Register Now**

New Simply Living Blog Post ~ We need your support for solar energy in Franklin County

Last year 76% of Columbus residents and 63% of Grove City residents vote to transition to 100% renewable energy. Partly as a result of these landslide victories, dozens of solar projects are being proposed in Ohio. One of them is the Pleasant Prairie Solar Energy Center, a 250-megawatt solar project proposed for southwest Franklin County.
If approved, the Pleasant Prairie solar project would:

Provide enough solar energy to power 49,593 homes
Reduce carbon emissions equivalent to taking 54,358 cars off the road
Lower pollution enough to cut health care costs by $75 million
Create up to 800 construction jobs
Generate $1.75 million in direct tax revenue per year for South-Western City Schools, Pleasant and Prairie Townships, Franklin County, Southwest Public Libraries, and local fire districts.
Invest $4.4 million in over economic impact in our local community per year.

If you support solar energy in Franklin County, we need your help to get the Pleasant Prairie solar project approved. READ the full post and learn how you can submit a comment, testify at a hearing, contact Township Trustees.

COLUMBUS GROCERIES – LOVE LOCAL, LIVE LOCAL
by Kyle Garvey in our series of locally owned stores.
16 Markets covered, including organic, vegan, co-op and international specialty grocery stores.
Find ones near you! https://tinyurl.com/44nt6e45

Recording of the Teach In on new legislation to BREAK FREE FROM PLASTIC POLLUTION
is on the Simply Living YouTube Channel.

**Break Free From Plastic Pollution Teach-In & Actions**
You can find links to the slide deck, actions toolkit, social media graphics, fact sheets and more in this folder.
**Contact** the presenter, Sierra Club’s **Elissa Yoder Mann** at Elissa.Yoder@sierraclub.org. Elissa is available to present at local organizations, and congregations. Help spread the word about this important new legislation and do your part to make it happen.

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.**
**To be notified and reserve a seat as soon as registration is available, email chuck@simplyliving.org.**

Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living. ~ Anais Nin

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SIMPLY LIVING’S BE THE CHANGE COMMUNITY CALENDAR

When the Biomass Hits the Wind Turbine*, with Annie & Jay Warmke (walking the talk—with sustainable pioneering—goats, renewables, earthen dwellings, spirituality).

A serious, but not too serious, discussion with Annie and Jay Warmke (and occasional guests) of the realities of sustainable living, heard on Fridays at 11:30 am and Saturdays 8:30 am.

Join the Franklin Park Civic Association for a brief discussion of how Juneteenth can best be understood today. And please share with others.
Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84246717145…,
Facebook link is www.facebook.com/FranklinParkOhio

**Java Central is located at 20 S. State St. in Westerville 43081. Their Open Mic sessions happen every Friday evening.**

Hosted by the ***Compassionate Communication Center of Ohio***
**Time:** 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
**Every week on Monday, Wednesday & Friday**
**Join Zoom Meeting:** zoom.us/j/449288229
Meeting ID: 449 288 229

**SACRED GROUND: MINDFULNESS MEN’S GROUP**
**Meets every Monday**. Mindfulness Men is a place where men can connect and support each other through readings, deep sharing, deep listening, and guided meditation.
**Sacred Ground** is a community church grounded by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and committed to healing our Mother Earth, healing our Earthen family, and healing ourselves through Mindfulness and a melding of the beneficial elements of Buddhism, Christianity, and more.
**Online Classes + Sunday Service** Please visit our website TheHolyNow.org for more information

Growing Gardens, Growing Community
Columbus GreenSpot with Julialynne Walker

How can growing food bring neighbors together? How can buying food from hyper-local growers improve the well-being of a neighborhood? Join **Julialynne Walker** from the Bronzeville Academy and Bronzeville Growers Market as she discusses the successes of connecting food, neighbors, community, and food justice.
**When: July 6th Time: 2pm-2:45pm**
Register: email GreenSpot@columbus.gov with “local food” in the subject line.

Columbus, what’s up in the air?
Air Quality you need to know
GreenSpot Program with MORPC’s Brooke White

Every day we breathe 2,000 gallons of air. Sometimes that air may not be healthy. Do you remember hearing about an “air quality alert” for ozone or particulate pollution but aren’t sure what it means? Join us for a conversation with Dr. Brooke White from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission who will discuss what the causes and impacts of air quality are to our health. Learn what you can do to lessen your exposure and reduce your impact on air quality.
When: Thursday, July 8th Time: 1pm-1:45pm
RSVP: email GreenSpot@columbus.gov with “Air Quality” in the subject line.

Dismantling Economic Inequality: Global Perspectives, Local Strategies
July 8; 11:00 AM PT

Join us Thursday, July 8, for the free online event, Dismantling Economic Inequality.

Featured panelists include Kumi Naidoo, Reverend Lennox Yearwood, Jr., and Lynn Benander.

We’ll discuss the systemic nature of inequality and re-envision the policies that have led us to this moment of crisis.

REGISTER

We’re thrilled to finally open our doors in the Franklinton Arts District! Join us during **Franklinton Fridays on July 9th t**o see our new space and celebrate the **start of our new future** at 188 McDowell Street. Our opening reception will feature the work of artists
Dana Lynn Harper & Lucie Shearer in a show entitled ‘halfway here.’ ***RSVP***

Reality is the leading cause of stress amongst those in touch with it.
~ Jane Wagner (and Lily Tomlin)

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.

**“ECDI’s impact on the Ohio economy comfortably exceeds $1 billion annually, stemming from locally-owned, locally serving businesses.”**
Overall Economic Impact Study of ECDI’s Lending to Ohio Entrepreneurs by Bill Lafayette, Ph.D.

NEWS + RESOURCES
FOR LIVING LOCAL

Columbus is the occupied land of the Kaskaskia,Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/Shawnee), Myaamia, and Hopewell ~ Elissa Yoder Mann’s Esig

Ready for an Adventure?
Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park

While most people are familiar with the beauty of Ohio’s beloved Old Man’s Cave hiking trails and the Hocking Hills State Park, less people are aware of the similar breathtaking, adventurous nature hike you will experience at Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park. While it’s not technically “hidden,” it’s a highly underrated, lesser-known state park that’s an true hidden gem of Ohio. For more information and directions, read our full article here.

COMMON GREENS OHIO

**Common Greens Farmers Market UPDATES:** Week of June 28-July 4
Special Events, New Producers, Announcements & More! *READ the full newsletter.*
Upper Arlington: Musical entertainment by LULU & Co. Novelty Ragtime Band. FREE 60 minute yoga class from 5:30-6:30 hosted by Yoga Six (bring your own mat). Producer list & market map.
Bexley: Food truck: Red Barn Chili. Producer list & market map.
Clintonville: **Shepard Baking Co pops up at the market. Musical entertainment by KaTanya Ingram: The Gallery Hop Singer. Food truck: Broke Johnny’s. Producer list & market map.**
**Market SCHEDULE**
Shop locally with us all summer at these Common Greens farmers market locations!
Upper Arlington Wednesdays: May 19 – October 27 4-7 pm at 2850 Tremont Rd
Bexley Thursdays: May 20 – October 28 4-7 pm at E Main St and S Dawson Ave
Clintonville Saturdays: April 24 – November 20 9 am-12 pm at the Ohio History Center

Moringa might be the most important crop that most folks have never heard of.
It’s more nutritious than kale. Its bark, roots, leaves, flowers and pods are all edible. And it has the potential to help reverse global warming, restore soil, provide food for the starving, nourish agricultural economies in some of the poorest places on Earth, and even remove toxins from drinking water.
Here’s what you need to know about moringa.

Discover the Digestive ‘Galaxy’ with Adrienne Raimo
More info at One Bite Wellness Full course on YouTube!

There is a whole world within us. Not only are we complex human beings in the way we think, feel, and interact – we contain a universe (of sorts) in our intestines. That’s right, the human microbiome contains an estimated 100 trillion microbes – most of which live in our gut (our largest organ, the skin, also contains a microbiome). What to learn all about your digestive ‘galaxy’ and the common issues along the journey? Let’s start at the top and work our way down:

It’s Plastic Free July.
On July 3rd, 27 EU countries will start a ban on 10 different single-use plastic items. 450 million people won’t be purchasing single-use plastic silverware, straws, and other stuff polluting parks, rivers, and oceans. It’s a start. You can join them by giving up single-use plastic voluntarily here in Central Ohio. Take the Sierra Club pledge here. Get their calendar here with fun challenges and events every day.
Sign up to watch the Story of Plastics documentary.
Green Drinks Trivia Night
Save the date for our July virtual Green Drinks Trivia Night with fun and prizes on
Wednesday, July 21st from 6 PM to 7 PM. More info next week.
1-hour Saturday morning tree nursery activity
Columbus is one of 20 larger cities in the US that benefits most from more trees. If you have an hour Saturday morning from 930 am to 1030 am come join us for some quick activities at our tree nursery:
https://www.givepulse.com/event/237614

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

Join the Plastic Free July Challenge
with the YES! Magazine Team

**The Plastic Free Ecochallenge started July 1, but it’s not too late to join in!**
635 people (and counting) have signed up to participate on our YES! team. Together, we’ll be taking actions throughout the month of July to reduce our use of single-use plastic and form new sustainable habits. **Will you join us?**

Holistic Horticulture is practiced by Simply Living’s newest member.
Check out Wes Williams and the landscaping services he offers:
https://www.plantconnections.net/

For me the door to the woods is the door to the temple.
~ Mary Oliver

Mosquitos Driving You Nuts? Attract a Bat Colony

Bats aren’t just important pollinators; they’ll also eat those mosquitos that are ruining your backyard get-together.
Learn how to attract these helpful animals by giving them a safe place to rest. more…

3 DIY Mouthwashes to Help You &
Mother Nature Smile Brighter

**Did you know that you can make your own mouthwash at home?**
**These easy-to-make mouthwash recipes use natural ingredients and offer real oral health benefits. more…**

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

Ohio Village at Ohio History Center
reopens for Summer Fun

Ohio History Center and Ohio Village are starting their reopening processes and have lots of fun planned! Ohio History Center won’t reopen to the public until later in 2021, but they are still…
**Read the whole entry…** »

Franklin Park Conservatory Free Community Day,
Chihuly Nights, special events, plus other discounts

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is Central Ohio’s premier botanical garden, just east of Franklin Park approximately two miles from downtown Columbus. Explore 13 acres of botanical…
**Read the whole entry…** »

Where to go berry picking in Columbus
this Spring and Summer

Whether you prefer one type of berry or love them all (like I do), there are so many farms to go berry picking in Columbus and Central Ohio. U-pick berry farms are a must-do summer activity, and…
**Read the whole entry…** »

COLUMBUS UNDERGROUND
Mega Weekend
Doo Dah, Crew, Ghosts, Fireworks & More!

*Doo Dah Parade 2017. Photo by Matt Ellis*

Hope you have a nice long weekend waiting for you.
Tickets to the Columbus Coffee Festival are on sale. Have a great weekend!

Independence Day Doo Dah!

The Lights of Liberty show continues.
Rockmill Brewery puts on Red, White, and Bloom.
Grove City has fireworks on Friday.
Gahanna’s fireworks are on Saturday. Watch the Doo Dah Parade.
Combustion Brewery has a 4th of July Show. Upper Arlington has a full day of activities. Dublin’s activities are on Saturday.
Bexley has their parade and fireworks show (need to rsvp).

Fun Things to Do

UA’s Music in the Parks features the Largemouth Brass Band.
Pecan Penny’s celebrates three years.
Movie Night at Zoombezi Bay shows The Mighty Ducks.
Shop the Prologue Bookshop Sidewalk Sale.
You can March to the Match on Saturday for the Crew’s first game in the new stadium.
Nearby, BBR celebrates with a party.
Heatwave is back! Daddy’s has some deep disco and funky house!

ENJOY EXPLORING ART

The Actors’ Theatre performs historical drama The African Company Presents Richard III.
Enjoy First Fridays Summer of Color.
Watch a special screening of ‘How America Killed My Mother.’
Stroll Gallery Hop.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO
THIS WEEDKEND?

Check out The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.
Go on a rooftop garden tour downtown.
Did you know the Franklin Park Conservatory has yoga on Saturday mornings? Find the Ghosts of Greenlawn Cemetery.
Go canoeing. Dahlia has The Return of Rich NYCe.
Finish up your weekend with a stop at Honey Cup Coffee + Dodo Donuts on Monday.

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.

**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.

Saturday, July 10, 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.

Shall I wear plants or plastic?

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

BE THE CHANGE: READ OUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Be the Change: Join Simply Living
Individual membership rates have been reduced to $25 Seniors, $20. Students only $10. Business memberships starting at $100 PLUS membership in the Ohio Sustainable Business Council.
Sign up online here or email HELLO@simplyliving.org