Chard Your Yard, speakers, movie, parents group

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The volunteers with Transition Longfellow create opportunities for South Minneapolis neighbors to get to know one another while also learning how to live more sustainably and prepare for changes ahead. Visit www.transitionlongfellow.org for more details on these and other activities.

“Energy Present – Energy Future” is scheduled for Fri., May 4, 7pm, at the Walker Community Church, 3104 16th Ave. S. With massive oil exploration underway, will the US rival Saudi Arabia and Russia as an oil and gas exporter? Or as geologist Art Burman has suggested, is shale oil and shale natural gas heading for a “retirement party”? Can markets find a Goldilocks “just right” price anymore? Why the volatility? Energy futurist Jon Freise will share the big stories in national and international energy.

At the same event as above (Fri., May 4), “Cooperative Community Solar - A First Step Towards Energy Democracy” will be presented by Timothy DenHerder-Thomas. He is the general manager of Cooperative Energy Futures, a community energy co-op. He will talk about the emergence of community solar gardens, what’s working and what isn’t, and how state, federal, and utility decisions are impacting the future of solar. This presentation will help explain the role solar plays as a first step towards an energy system of, by, and for everyone who uses energy.

Prepared Parents & Kids Play Group will meet Sat., May 5, 10am to noon at Longfellow Park, 3435 36th Ave. S. Bring kids aged 10 and under for a free play date and meet with other parents to for conversation and support on raising resilient kids, living a sustainable, low-waste family life, and preparing your family for extreme weather. Toys available.

The Book Group will meet on Thurs., May 10, 6:30 p.m., at Moon Palace Books, 3032 Minnehaha Ave. The book under discussion is

“21 Stories of Transition: How a movement of communities is coming together to reimagine and rebuild our world” by Transition founder, Rob Hopkins. Millions of people are taking the kind of personal steps that world leaders continue to debate to reduce the world’s carbon emission. These 21 stories from 39 communities in 15 countries celebrate how communities are becoming better connected, happier, more fulfilled and making a meaningful and measurable difference on the ground where they live. (This book is no longer available in print, but the stories can be found at https://transitionnetwork.org/stories) .

Help Build a Community of Food Growers! Volunteer for Chard Your Yard Garden Install Day on Sat., May 12, starting at 8:30am. Chard Your Yard is Transition Longfellow’s signature project, helping neighbors grow some of their own fresh, healthy food by installing 3’x5’ raised-bed vegetable gardens in home and apartment yards. To meet the goal of 24 gardens installed, the group needs another 20 volunteers for 3 hour or 6-hour shifts (with ample breaks for food). Volunteers share breakfast and lunch. All participants can attend the event wrap party! Sign up on the website: www.transitionlongfellow.org/chard-your-yard.

Movie Night will be held Fri., May 18, potluck at 6:30, movie at 7pm, at Minnehaha Communion Lutheran Church, 4101 37th Ave. S. Share a meal, then watch the documentary “Inhabit - A Permaculture Perspective,” a movie Permaculture Magazine called, “simply the best film ever made on permaculture.” This movie looks at environmental and agricultural challenges faced by communities in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the U.S. and the solutions that permaculture practices bring to rural, suburban and urban landscapes.

“Save Money, Drop a Car” with Pat Thompson (Transition ASAP), Leslie MacKenzie (Transition Longfellow) and the folks from Hour Car is slated for Mon., May 21, at Pratt School, 66 Malcolm Ave. S.E. (see community ed catalog for the time). Have you dreamed of escaping traffic jams and parking tickets? Ready to put that car insurance money to better use? This class will help you understand the true cost of your vehicle(s), and identify strategies you can take to reduce your vehicle use. You may find you can drop a car altogether.

Step-by-Step Preparedness Emails are sent out each Friday. The email will relay some actions you can take that week to become more prepared for extreme weather. May emails will focus on what documents you need to have in place—and need to take with you should you have to leave your home. Sign up for the series at the website, where you can also find past emails.

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