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Dear Climate Care Citizens,
This news letter has some great projects underway, upcoming local events, as well as a re-cap of some of the amazing green actions this spring.
A special thanks to all of you who took part in the many, many actions through-out the month of April, to forward the cause of climate care and community awareness.
Peace and Health ,
-Rachel of VCCool
www.vccool.org
Free "Low Carbon Diet" workbooks and training.
Thanks to Ventura City Manager Rick Cole, and city staff Jenise Wager, and Kelly Flanders, VCCool received 250 "Low Carbon Diet" workbooks to give away free, to interested "dieters." The catch? If you get a free workbook, we want you to tell us how much carbon emissions your group or household lost.
These workbooks show you how to calculate the carbon emissions that your household gives off annually, and how to lower your "carbon footprint." This is about making a REAL difference. And the more people that join up, the cooler our community will be.
VCCool can help you get started! We're having monthly training sessions where you can learn what to do, get questions answered, and get a free book (while they last.) Sign up for a training, and contact Mark and Nancy Shuman if you have questions.
Our next scheduled training sessions are
May 30, 7-8:30 p.m.
June 7, 7-8:30 p.m.
June 9, 4-5:30 p.m.
Contact VCCool if you'd like to sign up. There is no fee; just bring your interest, and a friend or two.
June 3: CPR Panel Discussion "Climate Change: What's Hot? What's Not?"
Sunday, June 3
3 - 5 p.m.
Foster Library’s Topping Room
651 E. Main St., Ventura, CA
Panelists include Rachel Morris, co-founder of VCCool, David Goldstein, Ventura County Star environmental columnist and coordinator of the Ventura County Recycling Market Development Zone, Tam Hunt, energy coordinator for the Santa Barbara Community Environmental Council's "Fossil Free by 33" program.
Citizens for a Peaceful Resolution (CPR) supports the Earth Charter principles of Environmental
Integrity (www.earthcharter.org). This month we explore the challenges of "thinking globally and acting
locally" on the critical issue of global warming. Many new programs, practices and political actions are
emerging as our community begins to address the challenges of climate change. Learn how you can be part of the
solution.
June 3: Chilla Vista Spring Festival
Sunday, June 3
Noon to 8:00 p.m.
Anas Q'oyo Park
La Goleta Rd, Goleta, CA 93117
A group of empowered students at the
There will be music, a children's fair, henna tattoos, and other coolness. All fun - but in the name of the planet. So things will be run off of Solar Power, and vegetable oil, and people will be putting out the good word.
The Cool Link The Information Link
Some Local Planning Opportunities
Help Shape WestPark Community Center (off the Ventura Avenue). To be Green or not to be Green. That is the question! Come share your thoughts about the Westpark Redesign. This could be an opportunity for a greener direction. May 31, June 1, and June 2. Hours are flexible!
Compact for a Sustainable Ventura County The Ventura County Civic Alliance is hosting "Compact for a Sustainable Ventura County," a workshop on June 7, at California State University Channel Islands. The workshop will give residents an opportunity to create and evaluate growth scenarios and identify a preferred regional future, a shared vision of what Ventura County residents want the region to look like over the next several decades
Signatures Collected to Lower Carbon 80% by 2050 (Starting ASAP)
The month of April was full of Step-it-Up and Earth Day events in Ventura, Oxnard, Ojai, and Thousand Oaks. VCCool members sponsored seven events during this month!
730 signatures were collected in support of the two national bills, both calling for 80% Carbon Reduction by 2050:
Meeting with our representatives: A coalition of petition gatherers is working out the details to present the petitions, and discuss global warming concerns with Representative Lois Capps and Representative Elton Gallegly.
Great Press!
How can we make the sweeping changes we need to curb global warming, if we can't get the word out? While committed citizens worked to pull off a month full of events, our local press did a fantastic job of researching, reporting, and inspiring!
During April, articles about global warming and local actions were published almost daily, and we send the local press a huge thanks!
Thanks to Zeke Barlow of the Star for his amazing "Global Consequences." Thank you to Matthew Singer of the VCReporter, Margaret Morris with HopeDance, Marissa Landrigan "Artwalk and VCCool," and many other dedicated writers that made the difference. A special thank you to Maureen Foley, who is moving on after a wonderful stint as managing Editor of the VCReporter. You will be missed.
Hey! What Happened to the Bike Summit?
OK, not everything turned out roses. We were so spent after all the action in April, and follow-up in May, that we postponed the Bike film festival and Summit till the Fall. Apologies for the change and inconvenience - we're learning! As soon as we have a new date firmed up, we'll get it posted. If you're interested in helping to organize the bike summit, drop a note to action@vccool.org.
The city will take input about Ventura bikeway improvements at the fall Summit. They are also collecting ideas and information now, so if you would like to send your recommendations before the summit, you can e-mail your ideas and comments to: biking@cityofventura.net. Please be as specific as possible!
Bike to work day: There were a record number of people who participated in Ventura's bike-to-work day this year. VCCool would like to extend a special thanks to the Santa Barbara Ben & Jerry's scoop shop, who rushed to the rescue last-minute to help provide free cone certificates to the Ventura participants, as well as to all of you who biked to work and filled out bike questionnaires. If you would like to help organize bike-to-work day 2008, please drop and e-mail to action@vccool.org.
Ventura Earth Day 2007 Report
Playing "New Games" next to Earth Day booths (by George Vye)
This year's Ventura Earth Day was at Mission park. A collaboration of the City of Ventura, VCCool, and the Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education who's dedicated parents did the lion's share of the event production. There was plenty of youth participation and children's activities, as well as environmental education and climate care action.
Entertainment included local bands, dance, and a fantastic children's choir. Speakers included Mayor Morehouse, Council members Christy Weir and Brian Brennan, County Supervisor Steve Bennett, Rachel Morris, and City Manager Rick Cole. This newsletter can not do justice to the inspirational speeches by our representatives and city staff, speaking out on climate crisis, and how we can work together toward a greener future. How fortunate we are to have this type of global warming awareness in our civic leaders.
People Powered "Drivers" Needed!
The Sierra Club and the City of Ventura are sponsoring a "Green
Transportation" block at the
4th of July Street Fair. We are looking
for skateboarders, skaters, and/or bike commuters to help show non-car
means of transportation.
Want to help show how it's done?
Call
Dorothy Littlejohn at 962-8415 or send her an e-mail.
Protect the Future of Wind Energy
(from the Union of Concerned Scientists)
Energy from the wind is one of the most promising, cost-effective solutions to global warming. Yet wind energy will be brought to a grinding halt unless one provision can be changed in an otherwise valuable bill.
The provision singles out generating clean, renewable energy from wind by criminalizing wind turbines—even residential scale turbines—until they are certified to comply with wildlife impact standards which may not be finished for years. Please urge your representative, who is on the House Natural Resources Committee, to delete this unwarranted provision.
More Information Sign the Petition
If you received this message from a friend, and you'd like to be on Ventura's Global Warming email list, send a note to the action@vccool.org with instructions to add you to the global warming e-mail list.
To remove yourself from our list, simply send a note to action@vccool.org with a request to remove you from the global warming list..