How can we “step things up” locally, finding more creative ways to work together for a sustainable and resilient future? To explore how,  the Transition Palo Alto steering committee invited community leaders from around the South Bay to Re-Imagining the Future, a day-long conference on March 15 at the Adobe House in Mountain View.

More that 45 local community leaders came to meet each other, share their interests and passions and explore how we can do more together.  Following introductions, groups took turns looking ahead to what a resilient and sustainable community might look like 20 years from now and “backcasting” to think about how we might get there.  In a Mission Impossible exercise, small groups of leaders brainstormed about how to tackle “impossible” tasks, including:

• How could we convert 5000 South Bay lawns to drought-tolerant landscapes in one month?
• How could we provide low-cost housing to 50 urban farming workers in the South Bay with no government or foundation funding?
• How could we get solar panels on 50% of South Bay buildings owned by businesses in one year?
• How could we set up a disaster communication system that doesn’t rely on phone or Internet?
• How could we set up a transit system that allows commuters to go from Redwood City to Santa Clara without their own cars in the same commute time it would take if they used their own cars?

Finally, people with common interests (including transportation, water, banking and the economy, housing, local community action, health and well-being, youth leadership, and more) made connections for possible follow-on activity.

Click here to see the wonderful photos that Rick Row took.

And here are the flip charts from the Mission Impossible exercise:

It was a standing ovation for filmmaker Casey Beck, subject Austin Blair, and their beautiful film, The Organic life. A personal look at Austin’s life as an organic farmer, the film shone with humor, music, and the ups and downs of life as a farmer. Following the film, Casey and Austin answered questions about the making of the film, and the rewards and challenges of surviving and thriving as a local farmer.

If you missed the film on Friday – there’s good news! Starting in April, the film will be available through iTunes or DVD purchase. For more info about the film and (in April) how to order, go to The Organic Life. The site also has a link to donate to support the film.

The Palo Alto Unitarian Universalist church held a preach-in and eco fair Feb 9, part of a national activity by Interfaith Light and Power to educate people about climate change.  In her sermon, minister Amy Zucker Morgenstern  emphasized the importance of maintaining hope and doing whatever each of us can to be engaged. A very “Transition” message!

Transition shared a table at the fair with Sven Thesen and his chickens. Link to photos from the event

Cutting through the romance and hype, what is it really like to be an organic farmer? Meet filmmaker Casey Beck for a special showing of “The Organic Life,” followed by discussion and questions.

It’s a story that’s filled with sweat, blisters, sun, and rain as well as a compelling passion for life, food, and the earth, which seems unique to farmers. The film questions the financial future of these young people. However, as it shows one such farmer’s 21st-century approach, it demonstrates that this can be a viable and fulfilling profession. In this way, The Organic Life is a look at sustainable farming-not merely how the farm itself is viable, but also how the farm sustains its keepers. Click for more info about the film

When:  Feb 28, come at 7:15 for social time, film starts at 7:30
Where: Fireside Room
Palo Alto Unitarian Universalist Church (UUCPA)
505 E. Charleston Avenue, Palo Alto
Directions
Recommended donation: $5-$10 (please contribute what you can)

In January, Governor Brown declared a drought emergency as California is facing severe water shortages in this driest year in recorded state history. Click to read the governor’s proclamation.

Many agencies and organizations are working to help individuals and communities reduce their water usage. The Santa Clara Valley Water District has just updated its program for replacing lawns with water-saving native and Mediterranean plants. See more:  http://www.valleywater.org/Programs/LandscapeRebateProgram.aspx

UC Cooperative Extension has published a guide to Keeping Plantings Alive under Drought or Water Restrictions.  Keeping Plants Alive Under Drought.

–Romola Georgia

Who are we? What do we believe? What’s important to us? How do we want to live our lives?

Exploring these questions is what Transition Cafes are all about. Each week, organizer William Mutch proposes a topic to discuss and folks come to share their ideas and experiences.  Topics run the gamut – relationships, books, climate change, housing, ancestors, eldership, mentorship, role of the fool in society, life, death, and much more. William has an uncanny knack for zeroing in on topics that matter.

Some cafe regulars show up almost every week, while others come when they can, or drop in when there’s a topic of special interest to them. Last week’s topic, “Home,” hit home, so to speak, with regulars and newcomers, who shared what home means to them, where they feel at home, and the yearning for a feeling of home when you don’t have one.

Transition Cafes are held every Friday (except the fourth friday of the month) at 5:45 to 7:45 pm at Red Rock Cafe in Mountain View. If you’re on the Transition Palo Alto mailing list, you’ll get the weekly announcement emails. Drop in anytime!

The holidays may be over, but you’ll enjoy this look at the intersection of commercialism and immigration in America and its impact on holiday consumerism.

Films of Vision and Hope – Xmas without China

Film and discussion
When:  Friday Jan 24, 7:30 pm (come at 7:15 for social time)
Where: Fireside Room
Palo Alto Unitarian Universalist Church
505 E. Charleston Avenue, Palo Alto
Directions

Xmas without China follows Tom Xia on an intimate, humorous journey to get to know his neighbors. Tom has spent his life in between Chinese and American culture, constantly negotiating between his home life and everything else in the California suburbs where he’s grown up since emigrating from mainland China at age eight. With deep ties to his extended family back home and increasing pride in China’s huge steps forward in the new millennium, Tom is incensed by how China is so misunderstood, particularly in American media.

Devising a plan to put American fears of China in context, Tom challenges his neighbors to go through the Christmas season without any Chinese products. Taking on the consumer mission-impossible, the Joneses discover that they’re giving up not just their toys, plates, lamps, and clothes, but the beloved hair dryer, coffeemaker, X-Box, and most of their Christmas decorations.

Tom’s family and friends wrestle with our American drive to consume cheap products from China and find common ground as Tom celebrates his first Christmas around their tree. –From http://www.xmaswithoutchina.com

Pix from the Holiday Sharing Expo in December.

Fine times at the holiday potluck!

And some reflection, too. All loved the short Overview video from the Planetary Collective, which shows how exquisite and fragile the earth appears from space and shares the experiences of astronauts who have had the great fortune to gaze upon it from above (link to video).

Help celebrate the holiday season!

Bring food/drink to share and celebrate the season! All ages welcome.

As part of the celebration, we’ll show an inspiring short film, “Overview,” by the Planetary Collective. It’s about viewing the earth from space and the life-changing effects that’s had on the astronauts who have been lucky to have the experience.

When: Dec 27, 7pm-9pm
Where: Fireside Room
Palo Alto Unitarian Universalist Church (UUCPA)
505 E. Charleston Avenue, Palo Alto
Directions

Please bring your own plate, utensils and cup.

Hosted by Transition Palo Alto, and Transition Silicon Valley, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto