- April 14, 2007 — 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
"Pace of Life Fair" exploring Quality of Life at The Salt Lake City Public Library, 210 East 400 South.
Free & Open to the Public.
The "Pace of Life Fair" is a project of the University of Utah, Honors Department, 2006–2007 Honors Think Tank class. The Fair is the culmination of two semesters worth of research and brainstorming on the broad topic of Quality of Life, which has been the theme of their work for this academic year. The class concluded that society’s accelerating pace of life is an important issue in itself. They have found that the ever–increasing demands on our time have complicated the lives of people from all walks of life.
To examine pace of life more closely, the Pace of Life Fair is emphasizing & exploring three main categories through a series of panel discussions:
- Work and Commuting 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
- Health and Well-Being 11:30 PM – 12:30 PM
- Education and Family Issues 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
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Other dimensions of pace of life will be represented at the Fair by a variety of community organizations who will host tables during the Fair.
Slow Food Utah will be among those hosting a table at the Pace of Life Fair.
(See SFU Volunteer Opportunities.)
Additional information on the Pace of Life Fair is available by contacting Kevin Kraus by E–Mail, or at 801–860–8700.
More on the University of Utah Honors Think Tank program.
- March 30, 2007 – 7:30 p.m.
"The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived ‘Peak Oil’," a film by The Community Solution.
Screening at the First Unitarian Church, 569 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City.
"‘The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil’ documents Cuba’s emergency transition to local organic agriculture, renewable energy, and large–scale mass transit. The transition occurred following the Soviet collapse in 1990, when their massive subsidies of imported oil and food to Cuba were halted. Cuba’s experience provides a living model for how the rest of the world can respond to the coming world oil production peak and irreversible decline some oil experts say will occur this decade. "
"The documentary was inspired when [its producers] Faith Morgan and Pat Murphy took a trip to Cuba through Global Exchange in August, 2003... Faith found herself wanting to document on film Cuba’s successes so that what they had done wouldn’t be lost. Both of them wanted to learn more about Cuba’s transition from large farms or plantations and reliance on fossil–fuel–based pesticides and fertilizers, to small organic farms and urban gardens. Cuba was undergoing a transition from a highly industrial society to a sustainable one. Cuba became, for them, a living example of how a country can successfully traverse what we all will have to deal with sooner or later, the reduction and loss of finite fossil fuel resources."
The film is being brought to the First Unitarian Church by Post Carbon Salt Lake. Audience discussion of the film will follow the screening.
- Tuesday, March 13 — 6:30 p.m.
Utah Community Gardens Network (UCGN) Organizing Meeting.
"Anyone who is interested in learning more and/or being an active part of the growth and the development of the Utah Community Gardens Network is welcome and encouraged to attend!"
Location: Wasatch Community Gardens main office, 345 East 400 South, Suite 204, Salt Lake City. (Parking directions, from 400 South, enter either one of the narrow driveways alongside the building, and continue behind the building to the parking lot. Park in the West half of the parking lot, if possible, immediately behind the WCG building.
Topics for the meeting will include:
- Planning the first UCGN networking event.
- Establishing roles.
- The UCGN website.
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Please RSVP so UCGN can have an idea of how many people to plan for.
Contact: Susan Finlayson, Community Education Coordinator
Wasatch Community Gardens, 801–359–2658 E–mail.
- Saturday, March 10 — 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
"The Soul of Soil"
Wasatch Community Gardens’ workshop at the Grateful Tomato Garden,
800 South 600 East, Salt Lake City.
"Healthy soil sustains billions of living organisms that help release plant nutrients and check plant pests. Come learn about the diversity of soil biota, how you can sustain soil life, and how soil organisms invigorate your garden. Learn about organic methods you can use to improve your garden soil with USU–Extension specialist Maggie Wolf."
Find out more about all of Wasatch Community Gardens’ workshops, events and other opportunities.
All WCG workshops and events are free, unless otherwise indicated. However, a $5.00 contribution is requested, and very much appreciated. Thank you.
- Monday, March 5, 2007 – 7:00 p.m.
Presentation Focuses on Fair Trade Coffee at the Sprague Library, 2131 South 1100 East, Salt Lake City.
From The Salt Lake Tribune: "Food Briefs," Article Last Updated: 02/27/2007.
"Presentation focuses on fair trade coffee: Father Jim Flynn of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Park City will give a free presentation on Nicaraguan coffee farms and the importance of "fair trade" coffee Monday at 7 p.m. at the Sprague Library, 2131 S. 1100 East, Salt Lake City. Flynn has led numerous groups to Nicaragua to learn more about the working and living conditions of the coffee farmers. His presentation, entitled "Crisis in a Cup," includes a slide show that chronicles how coffee is planted, cultivated, picked, bagged, dried, packaged and roasted. After the presentation, attendees can taste several fair trade coffee varieties available locally. For more information contact Ten Thousand Villages, the presentation sponsor, at 801–485–8827.
- Saturday, February 21, 2007 – 6:30 p.m.
Open House Discussion on Community Supported Agriculture
The Great Salt Lake Resource Conservation and Development Council is hosting an Open House on Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) which connects local community members to locally grown food. Meet local farmers and learn how to receive regular deliveries of locally grown fresh produce.
The Great Salt Lake RC&D Council invites you to connect with your food and your community by attending this upcoming Community Supported Agriculture Open House at the Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 East 400 South, Level 1, Conference Room B.
The Open House is February 21, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
The Great Salt Lake Resource Conservation and Development Council "promoting partnerships that improve and protect communities and the environment."
For more information, please see the Open House Flyer or call Jeff Williams at 801–263–3204 ext. 14 or email jeff.williams@ut.usda.gov
- Thursday, February 15, 2007 – 7:00 p.m.
"Peak Oil & Food" at Salt Lake City Public Library, Conference Room B.
Presented by Post Carbon Salt Lake in conjunction with Slow Food Utah.
"Our modern industrial food system is heavily
dependent on fossil fuels every step of the way — for fertilizers,
pesticides, harvesting, processing and transporting. In the United States,
food travels an average of 1,500 miles from farm to plate. For every calorie
we eat, we "consume" at least 10 calories of fossil fuels. As
ethanol production increases, how will this impact our food system? Oil
production in this decade is predicted to "peak" and then begin
an irreversible decline, so how will this impact our modern industrial food
system? What does Cuba have to teach us about this situation? What is a
local food assessment? Why are community gardens so relevant?"
Join us as we explore these issues and discuss ways to respond!
Post Carbon Salt Lake is part of the Relocalization Network which "supports and connects Local Post Carbon Groups as they work towards Relocalizing their communities."
- Saturday, January 27, 2007 – 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
"SLC People’s Market Seed Swapping Party" at 150 South 800 West, Salt Lake City.
"Bring your favorite seeds, swap them with your friends. Drinks, snacks & seeds will be free." Call 801–359–8559, or visit SLC People’s Market 2007 for more information.
- January 26 and 27, 2007 – 6:30 p.m.
Growing Communities Workshop presented by the American Community Gardening Association and Wasatch Community Gardens.
WHO: Leaders, educators, students, volunteers, and supporters of community gardening and greening.
WHAT: Two–day leadership workshop on community building and organizational development through community gardening.
WHEN: January 26–27 (Must attend both Friday and Saturday). Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Carlson Hall at The University of Utah (380 South 1400 East Salt Lake City, UT)
COST: $35 per individual, sliding scale based on ability to pay. Includes ACGA membership, Growing Communities Curriculum ($35 value, 2 days of workshop and lunch!)(Advanced registration and attendance on both days required.) Please call ahead to reserve your space and to confirm the time and location. (801) 359–2658. Please register by January 19th!
DESCRIPTION: Join the American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) and Wasatch Community Gardens for an in–depth, hands–on workshop based on the ACGA’s curriculum for leadership development, "Growing Communities: Community Building and Organizational Development through Community Gardening." Learn proven strategies that community organizers use to develop dynamic leaders and create strong communities through a participatory approach to community building. You will learn the principles and practices of community building, and how to pass these techniques on to others in your community by conducting your own workshops.
This two–day workshop will cover these topics: Community Organizing, Leadership Development, Grassroots Fundraising Basics, Asset–Based Community Development, Communications Planning, Coalition Building.
Participants receive the "Growing Communities Curriculum," a 352 pages resource workbook, which includes curriculum materials that walk the reader through the process of conducting training workshops. The Curriculum also addresses Diversity, Meeting Facilitation and Group Decision–Making, Developing a Board of Directors, and Grassroots Fundraising – Specific Strategies.
CONTACT:
Wasatch Community Gardens: (801) 359–2658, or community@wasatchgardens.org
SPONSORED BY:
American Community Gardening Association
Wasatch Community Gardens
Utah Community Gardens Network
The Bennion Center, University of Utah
- Local First Utah presents a reading and discussion with Laury Hammel, co–author of
"Growing Local Value: How to Build Business Partnerships That Strengthen Your Community."
Thursday, January 11th at 7:00 p.m.
Location: 15th Street Gallery in Salt Lake City. (1519 South 1500 East)
A free & public event, with a 6:30 p.m. gallery reception preceding the reading and discussion.
"As part of Local First Utah’s New Year’s resolution, we have decided to bring you, our business partners, more educational events in the coming year. Our first event may even change the way you do business. Come hear solid business advice from a national leader in the Local First movement."
"Laury is a Salt Lake City native, co–founder of BALLE, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, and owner of Longfellow Clubs, a Boston–based group of health and recreation clubs. He is an innovative entrepreneur and in tying his business to his community has explored every avenue for mutual benefit from marketing to finance to community outreach. You’ll learn to create opportunities for growth in ways you might never have considered- and you’ll benefit your community, the place you live, in the process."
"Growing Local Value" is a new release from Berrett–Koehler Publishers, released October, 2006. "While most people think of community engagement only in terms of philanthropy or volunteerism, Laury Hammel and Gun Denhart show how every aspect of a business—from product creation to employee recruitment, to vendor selection, and raising capital—can be set up to benefit both the community and the bottom line. Growing Local Value shows future and present entrepreneurs how to build or expand a values-driven business that is deeply embedded in the life of the local community.
A business and its community are inextricably linked. The health of one is deeply connected to the health of the other. Growing Local Value shows future and present entrepreneurs how to build or expand a values–driven business that is deeply embedded in the life of the local community. While most people think of community engagement only in terms of philanthropy or volunteerism, Laury Hammel and Gun Denhart show how every aspect of a business—from product creation to employee recruitment to vendor selection to raising capital—can be set up to benefit both the community and the bottom line." [From the publishers Website.]
- December 5, 2006 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
"How to Build a Community Garden" at the Utah Department of Health, Cannon Building Room 114, 288 North 1460 West in Salt Lake City, Utah. This is a workshop/seminar for people and organizations considering applying for mini-grants to start or improve community gardens in Salt Lake County. The meeting will cover the basics of what you need to know and do to build a successful community garden. This meeting is especially relevant for those in Salt Lake and Weber Counties who are considering applying for funding for community gardens. For more information, contact Lynda Blades (801) 538-6229 or lblades@utah.gov. This meeting is coordinated by the Utah Department of Health and Wasatch Community Gardens.
Excerpt from the article cited below: "...Consider applying for a mini-grant from the Utah Department of Health, which has won $30,000 in national funding to start or improve community gardens in Salt Lake County. While the gardens provide fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and exercise, the state is hoping they also nurture friendships and community pride in neighborhoods. Any public or private groups serving residents in Salt Lake or Weber counties are invited to apply by Jan. 15 for amounts ranging from $500 to $4,000."
"...To help groups get started, Wasatch Community Gardens and the Utah Department of Health will offer this seminar December 5. The training will include information about planning and developing a community garden. Wasatch Community Gardens, a nonprofit organization, is a leader in community gardening in the Salt Lake Valley, with gardens in four neighborhoods. WCG will provide support and consulting to grant winners, such as regular site visits and workshops."
Read the article for more information: "Community Harvest: Grants Available to Help Groups Tend Neighborhood Gardens." Published November 17, 2006 by The Salt Lake Tribune in the Sugarhouse "Close-up" section, page G1.
- Thursday, November 23, 2006
Thanksgiving Day celebrated in the United States.
- Try the "100–Mile
Thanksgiving."
"This
year... really celebrate the local harvest. Join thousands of people across
the country and try your hand at the 100–Mile Thanksgiving." While,
of course, you may not be able to find everything you need from within
100 miles, give it a try. Become conscious of how far your food travels
to get to your plate. You might just be surprised how much you can get
locally.
