At the November 17th Craft Night, all gathered round to work on a new Transition Palo Alto sign for the Share Faire and other events. Old catalogs came out, and everyone got into the spirit of ripping out pieces to reuse in a BIG new sign. The work is still in progress, so you’ll probably have a chance to join in at the next craft night.
Check out this cool video that Herb Moore created of the September Share Faire.
The Pope’s Encyclical book group met November 12 to talk about the last chapter of the encyclical, “Ecological Education and Spirituality.” The group reflected on Francis’ call for ecological citizenship and ecological education, as well as his closing thoughts about spiritual transformation or “ecological conversion” in the context of the Catholic tradition.
The group plans one additional session, November 19, to reflect on the Encyclical as a whole and to consider how best to implement its message personally, in the community, and in the wider world.
If you haven’t yet read the Encyclical, you can download it here.
From David Herron
A bit over three years ago William Mutch (shown below) began a conversation group associated with Transition Palo Alto and associated with the whole idea of transitioning modern society into the society we really want. In the three years since I took this picture, the group has grown and held a wonderful series of eclectic conversations. It’s been quite a journey having these conversations with that group, and in large part the journey is because of the wisdom William brings to the table.
This picture was taken early in the history of the Transition Cafe, back when we still met at the Printers Coffee Shop in Palo Alto. We’ve since moved the meeting to Red Rock Cafe in Mountain View, nearly every Friday evening 6:15-8pm. Everyone is welcome.
In the October newsletter, we profiled Transitioner David Herron, who has been doing extensive writing on energy and transportation. David’s got a new article on his Long Tailpipe blog, with all you need to know about installing home solar power systems. Click to check out the article.
Join us for a free screening of the film “Open Sesame-The Story of Seeds” at the Sunnyvale Public Library, 665 West Olive, Sunnyvale, CA, on Monday evening 11/23/15 from 6 – 9p.
Synopsis: One of the world’s most precious resources is at risk. This timely and emotionally moving documentary illuminates what is at stake and what can be done to protect the source of nearly all our food: SEEDS. Seeds provide the basis for everything from fabric, to food to fuels. Seeds are as essential to life as the air we breathe or water we drink…but given far less attention.
According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN), approximately 90 percent of the fruit and vegetable varieties that existed 100 years ago no longer exist today. Heritage grain is near extinction. Seeds that were lovingly nurtured over decades or even hundreds of years have been lost forever. Maintaining seed biodiversity allows us to breed new varieties that are resistant to pests or thrive in temperature extremes. This is essential in a changing climate.
Brought to you by Charles Street Gardens, Full Circle Farm Sunnyvale and Transition Silicon Valley. Click here to see the trailer.
Monday Oct 12, 6-9 PM. Sunnyvale Public Library
The Essential Knowledge for Transition (EK4T) series with Marco Vangelisti ended October 25 with ideas and inspiration about to start making personal changes that promote the values of a more sustainable, regenerative, and humane economy.
If you missed the series, you’re in luck! Videos of the first sessions are now available, and we’ll have videos of the last session soon. Click here for videos of the full sessions plus short clips.
And there’s more! Start learning more and getting involved with these upcoming events.
A packed Fourth Friday crowd gathered October 23 for the Palo Alto premiere of “This Change Everything.” Based on the Naomi Klein book of the same name, this beautifully filmed and compelling film profiles people on the front lines of the climate change struggle and shows how many are recognizing that the fight against climate change is a fight for fundamental change in a system that too easily exploits poor and marginalized communities in the service of profit and greed.
In partnership with the Palo Alto Family YMCA, we hosted a Halloween Swap on Saturday, October 17th. The evening started calmly as we (myself, Peter Ruddock, William Mutch, Roy Kornbluh, and my two children) set up tables and put out the few meager costumes we had brought. We laid out our craft table: recycled containers, broken toys, yarn, tape, paper, scissors.
Then the flood of children arrived! They wandered to the cookie decorating table, the make-your-own-skeleton with ear buds booth, and then found us! Pretty dresses and ninja sets, animal costumes, shoes, capes, masks, and more changed hands, some vanishing as quickly as they appeared.
At our craft table, children were cutting, wrapping, contemplating, writing, collaborating, taping, choosing, assembling creations with such ghoulish signs as Death Rattle, Mummy Potion, de-Ogre-ant, Bat and Ghost Poop, Danger:Keep out, Pull here (Look out!) and Do Not Touch or You Will Turn Into a Zombie! We finally had to tell the remaining children it was time to clean up as they taped on the last few items. Smiles all around as they innocently asked, “Can I take this home?”
They would (and parents were reassured their masterpieces were recyclable). We packed up, sure to return to such a resounding success with more creepy craftivism next year. 
The Essential Knowledge for Transition series continued October 18 with an eye-opening look at what’s been happening to our economy over the past 40 years, plus thought-provoking and inspiring ideas about how to restructure the economy to make it much more responsive to the needs of people and the planet.
If you missed either or both of the first two sessions, check this link. We’ll be posting videos of the sessions as soon as they’re ready.
Transition Palo Alto 