[ Saturday, February 11, 2012; 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. ] We invite you to attend a Valentine trade event in Tucson on February 11, 2012. Please share this information with members of your organization and with people you know in the community.

Support co-operatives and local cottage industries, and find free trade gifts for the special someone for Valentine’s Day.

We look forward to having you with [...]

[ Saturday, February 11, 2012; 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. ]

The first TAPST (Tucson Aquaponics Systems Tour) is officially happening!  Saturday 2/11/12 all around Tucson, 9AM-3PM.  The full range of aquaponics systems will be featured.  So far we have at least 10 systems on 5 different sites.  

Here is a link to more info: http://www.facebook.com/events/239007656182410/

[ Thursday, February 16, 2012; 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. ] Ride your bike to the Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market and Menlo Bike Mechanics will provide FREE bike tune-ups!

You can also enjoy:
* Live Music
* A Cooking Demo
* Bike Accessories
* Advice on Bike Maintenance
When: Feb. 16th 3-6pm
Where: Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida Del Convento, West of 1-10 near Congress/Grande
For more information call: 822-3304

[ Saturday, February 18, 2012; 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. ] at Northland Pioneer College, Snowflake, Arizona
Saturday, February 18, 2012 – 1 to 4 pm – Free admission

We are having a tribute to Barbara Kerr and Sherry Cole who invigorated a solar cooking movement when they lived in Tempe in the 1970′s. We’ve got some great speakers and everyone will have a chance to say [...]

[ Monday, February 20, 2012; Monday, March 12, 2012; ] PV101 Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid-Direct) Workshop

This course will provide an overview of the three basic PV system applications, primarily focusing on grid-direct systems. The goal of the course is to create a fundamental understanding of the core concepts necessary to work with all PV systems, including: system components, site analysis, PV module criteria, [...]

[ Monday, February 20, 2012; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] at Native Seeds/SEARCH Retail Store, 3061 N. Campbell Road
February 20, Monday 5:30 – 7:30 pm, Free

Native Seeds / SEARCH Monthly Salons – A little something for anyone who has ever wielded a fork or pitchfork. Bring your juiciest ideas and appetite for mind-watering conversations.

Celia Riddle, owner & creator of Hot Flash Chile Products

Celia will demonstrate [...]

[ Monday, March 19, 2012; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] at Native Seeds/SEARCH Retail Store, 3061 N. Campbell Road
March 19, Monday 5:30 – 7:30 pm, Free

Amy Schwemm, owner of the Mano y Metate line of tasty and versatile moles

Amy will talk about how she created her moles and ways to use them in your cooking, and of course will provide samples. The varieties include Mole [...]

[ Saturday, April 28, 2012; ] at the University of Arizona and Tohono Chul Park

ANNUAL FLAVORS OF THE DESERT

This year we are celebrating the 1981 landmark gathering of the folks who would become the luminaries of the seed world, with a day of workshops at the University of Arizona, and then in the evening at Tohono Chul Park, we will enjoy [...]

[ Sunday, March 4, 2012; Thursday, April 12, 2012; Saturday, June 16, 2012; Sunday, October 28, 2012; ] March 4 – 9 in Tucson
April 12 – 14 Seed Library School
Summer Saturdays: June 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14
Oct 28 – Nov 2 in Phoenix

Seed School – Native Seeds / SEARCH

Six-day trainings in Tucson, Arizona, facilitated by NS/S Executive Director Bill McDorman, author of Basic Seed Saving.

Bill is a 30-year veteran of the bioregional [...]

[ Tuesday, January 31, 2012; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] On January 31st, there will be a meeting of the Pima County Food Systems Alliance, at Tucson Village Farm, 4210 N Campbell Ave

The Pima County Food Systems Alliance (PCFSA) is an open membership network comprised of a variety of groups and individuals—including but not limited to farmers, chefs, restaurants, schools, educators, youth, gardeners, researchers, food [...]

[ Saturday, January 28, 2012; ] 10am-5pm at Joel D Valdez Main Library, 101 N Stone Ave, Downtown Tucson

Pima County Public Library invites you to the grand opening of its Seed Library and introducing the new Pima County Public Library Bookbike!

The Seed Library is a collection of edible, decorative, and herb seed varieties that community members will borrow, use to grow [...]

[ Thursday, January 26, 2012; 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. ] On January 26th, Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market will host 2 DIY workshops to help Tucsonans stretch their dollars with homemade soaps and food preservation techniques.

From 3 to 4pm, Joyce Speirs from Dragnass Soaps will lead a workshop on homemade laundry detergent.

From 4 to 5pm, Tiffany Rose Wood, a local integrative nutritionist, will demonstrate how [...]

[ Tuesday, January 24, 2012; 9:00 am to 10:30 am. ] Green for All and The Southern Arizona Green for All Coalition (SAGAC) invite you to our first Tucson Meet and Greet information session.

Join us on January 24th from 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. to learn more about how Tucson is engaging in a new initiative to build a broad-based coalition to address our local issues [...]

The 12 most hopeful trends to build on in 2012
Published by YES! Magazine on Sat, 12/31/2011
Original article: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/sarah-van-gelder/12-most-hopeful-trends-to-build-on-in-2012
by Sarah van Gelder
Who would have thought that some young people camped out in lower Manhattan with cardboard signs, a few sharpies, some donated pizza, and a bunch of smart phones could change so much?
The viral spread of [...]

Sustainable Tucson’s statement of support for the Occupy Wall Street movement and Occupy Tucson
The mission of Sustainable Tucson is to create a community-wide network of people and organizations facilitating and accelerating Tucson’s transition to sustainability through education and collaborative action.
A sustainable community embodies social justice and economic justice as well as environmental justice. Our vision [...]

[ Monday, January 9, 2012; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] at Joel D. Valdez Main Library
101 N. Stone, Downtown (free lower level parking off Alameda St)

How do we “green” our homes and neighborhoods?
How do we work together and contribute to each other?
How do we prepare for climate change?
Join us on January 9th to learn of some exciting efforts now underway in your home town to [...]

Dreaming New Mexico has built a map of pragmatic and visionary solutions to create a more localized and green economy with greater local self-reliance and enhanced prosperity.
Peter Warshall is Co-Director of the Bioneers’ Dreaming New Mexico Project, and a world-renowned water steward, biodiversity and wildlife specialist, research scientist, conservationist, and environmental activist.

from 2011 September TEDx [...]

The following national plan for investing in the energy-efficiency of our buildings is a further evolution of  Ed Mazria’s 2009 Plan which Sustainable Tucson is suggesting as a model to develop a local green retrofit  stimulus program. See the Mazria Plan here:
 
$4B public-private program for energy efficiency planned
Jim Kuhnhenn The Associated Press , Arizona Daily [...]

[ Thursday, December 15, 2011; 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. ] December 15th, 3-6 pm, at 100 S. Avenida del Convento, near the corner of Congress and Grande

This holiday season, Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market shoppers will find a variety of distinctively southwest gifts to choose from at our weekly Thursday market.

Our healthy and locally made gifts include raw mesquite honey, prickly pear jams, mesquite flour [...]

[ Wednesday, November 30, 2011; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] On November 30th (this Wednesday) from 6-8 pm, there will be a large group meeting of the Pima County Food Systems Alliance (PCFSA) with a potluck at the Sam Lena Library (1607 S. 6th Ave, Tucson; call 520.594.5265 for directions)

The Agenda is as follows:

Welcome & Introduction (Nick) (5 min; 6:00-6:05)
Presentation by PCFSA Consultants (Bryn/Lewis) (25 min; 6:05-6:30)
Break & Get [...]

[ Monday, December 12, 2011; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] at Joel D. Valdez Main Library
101 N. Stone, Downtown (free lower level parking off Alameda St)

Activism, Advocacy, and Political Action are ramping up all over the world.  Tucson is no exception, and so Sustainable Tucson begins an exploration into the realm of political expression and action, and how we can use it to promote sustainability [...]

A Secure Food Supply for Tucson & Southern Arizona
Resources & Contacts: Gardening & Farming – Production, Distribution, Education
A sampling and an on-going growing list (see this page for updates)
Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona – communityfoodbank.com
Native Seeds/SEARCH – www.nativeseeds.org
Pima County Food Systems Alliance – go to Facebook page
Tucson Organic Gardeners – www.tucsonorganicgardeners.org
Community Gardens of [...]

[ Sunday, November 20, 2011; 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. ] Food Film Festival featuring the Film ”Greenhorns”
and a film short on the locally owned Sleeping Frog Farms
Happy Hour Party at Borderlands Brewery to follow
Date: Sunday, November 20
Time: 3:00 pm
Cost: $15 per person
Place: The Screening Room (127 E. Congress St.)
& Happy Hour at Borderlands Brewery (119 E. Toole Ave.)

It’s time for the second annual Taste Film, Talk Food, brought to [...]

Sustainable Tucson founding coalition member, Tom Greco gives a presentation on his transformational model of economic change to the International Conference on Sustainability, Transition and Culture Change: Vision, Action, Leadership. This TED-like talk is video-streamed from the conference and is viewable here:
 
http://www.livestream.com/localfuture/video?clipId=pla_ade24121-d46d-4448-863c-babe129a604f

UA Natural Resources Professor Emeritus Guy McPherson and Sustainable Tucson founding coalition member addresses the International Conference on Sustainability, Transition and Culture Change: Vision, Action, Leadership recounting his journey to personal accountability in the current crisis of civilization. Taking material from his latest book, “Walking Away From Empire” , Guy demonstrates Gandhi’s  recommendation: “Become the [...]

Buying Underwear, Along With the Whole Store
By AMY CORTESE
 
SARANAC LAKE, N.Y.
 
THE residents of Saranac Lake, a picturesque town in the Adirondacks, are a hardy lot — they have to be to withstand winter temperatures that can drop to 30 below zero. But since the local Ames department store went out of business in 2002 — [...]

[ Monday, November 14, 2011; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Tuesday, November 22, 2011; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] We’re starting a local Timebank for the Tucson region.  If you’re interested in joining, please sign up at tucson.timebanks.org/user/register, and/or contact us by email – timetraders(at)sustainabletucson.org

We’ll be at the Sustainable Tucson General Meeting on Food Security on November 14 to give information about time banking and our local timebank, and help you sign up online.

We’re also hosting [...]

[ Friday, November 11, 2011; 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. ] GMO Free Project of Tucson presents Pure Food Happy Hour 11.11.11

Tasty Gluten-Free/Non-GMO/Organic Food

that’s good for you – at happy hour prices.

Gluten-free/non-GMO info, prizes,

mixing & meeting like-minded people.

Learn about your gluten free and non-GMO choices in Tucson.

Friday, November 11, 2011

3:00 to 6:00 pm
Picazzo’s Organic Italian Kitchen

7850 N. Oracle Road (south of Magee, near Trader Joe’s)

Cost:  Whatever [...]

The Dark Side of the ‘Green’ City
By Andrew Ross
PHOENIX
The struggle to slow global warming will be won or lost in cities, which emit 80 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases. So “greening” the city is all the rage now. But if policy makers end up focusing only on those who can afford the low-carbon technologies [...]

Welcome to the Post-Growth Economy
“As humanity has chewed through the low-hanging fruit of our natural resources and has turned to lower-grade and more expensive ores and fuels, managers of the economy have attempted to keep growth going by piling up debt in the mistaken belief that it is money that makes the economy run rather [...]

(from The Vote Solar Initiative www.votesolar.org)
Friends,
Your elected utility regulators at the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) are considering cutting funding for the state’s solar programs. Can you help us urge the ACC to keep Arizona’s solar growth and job creation on track?
The ACC is currently reviewing the 2012 Renewable Energy Implementation Plans for three major [...]

[ Saturday, November 12, 2011; 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. ] The future of sustainable agriculture will be in small to medium scale organic food gardens grown right in our cities.  In this workshop that includes hands-on work, you will learn how to set up a complete garden system.

We will show you how to increase your garden’s health, production, and nutrient value, using an integrated system [...]

[ Thursday, November 17, 2011; 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. ] Many in Tucson are familiar with the shady mesquite trees that fill our neighborhoods, but few may know that these native trees also provide us with an excellent source of food. Mesquite pods are a versatile food that may be ground up into a nutritious flour or processed to make sweeteners. Unfortunately, mesquite seeds are [...]

Do you grow your own vegetables? Become a Garden Mentor with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and help others learn!
Garden Mentors work with a new home or school gardener for two growing seasons, supporting them as they gain the tools to produce their own food.
For more information or to sign up as a [...]

Published by Democracy Now! on Wed, 11/02/2011
Original article: http://www.democracynow.org/2011/11/1/move_your_money_campaign_grows_to
by Amy Goodman
As participants in the Occupy Wall Street movement continue protesting the record profits made by banks bailed out by taxpayer money, a group of grassroots activists are hitting America’s largest banks—including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo—where it hurts most: the wallet. Dubbing [...]

[ Friday, November 18, 2011; 7:00 pm; ] We have an upcoming local foods event at Antigone Books (411 N. 4th Avenue) that we thought you might enjoy.

Friday, November 18, 7 PM: Join us for a lively discussion with two experts in local, seasonal and sustainable food, each of whom has a new cookbook: Cooking the Wild Southwest by Carolyn Niethammer & Southwest [...]

[ Thursday, October 27, 2011; 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. ] Join us on Thursday Oct. 27th (3pm- 6pm) for family fun at Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market with a veggie scavenger hunt and pumpkin decorating!

When you come to the market you can also expect to find a colorful variety of locally grown organic foods including fresh fruits and veggies, eggs, honey and baked goods.

We are [...]

[ Monday, November 14, 2011; 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] at  Joel D. Valdez Main Library
101 N. Stone, Downtown (free lower level parking off Alameda St)

FOOD SECURITY
What is it? … Do we have it? … What can we do about it?
Please join us for the next Sustainable Tucson General Meeting, where we will begin to tackle the issue of creating a secure food supply for [...]

[ Wednesday, October 19, 2011; 6:00 pm; Wednesday, November 16, 2011; 6:00 pm; Wednesday, December 14, 2011; 6:00 pm; ] Sprouting: The Art of Gardening in a Jar

We are all trying to eat healthier, right? Growing organic sprouts in our own kitchen is an easy, cheap way to improve nutrition. You can quickly grow organic food in your own home by sprouting seeds, beans, grains, or nuts.

Easy to learn—In one hour, you will be [...]

[ Monday, December 19, 2011; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] December 19, 5:30-7:30 P.M. Native Seed/SEARCH Retail Store, 3061 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson

Join us at our monthly SALON for a discussion with Pat Foreman, internationally renowned chicken expert and author of CITY CHICKS. Pat will talk about how to employ your family flock’s skill sets for insect and rodent control, as weed eaters, fertilizer & [...]

[ Saturday, October 8, 2011; 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Saturday, November 5, 2011; 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Saturday, December 3, 2011; 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] Here are Bean Tree Farm’s workshop listings for fall, 2011, plus a special solar energy class we’re excited to be hosting.  For more info and any questions, check out www.beantreefarm.com, or email beantreefarm(at)gmail.com

—

October 8 ~ Earth Plasters, Paints and Pigments ~ 8am-12noon:
Art, mudslinging and a feast of harvested native foods and garden bounty

The morning will include:
~ harvesting and preparation of [...]

[ Sunday, October 23, 2011; 1:00 pm; ] There will be a Low Power FM Radio Workshop on Sunday, October 23rd, 2011 in Studio “A” at Access Tucson, 124 E Broadway Blvd. (near 6th Ave), starting at 1:00 pm.

Participants will learn; What IS Low Power FM Radio, some FCC requirements for LPFM, the need for a nonprofit to apply for an LPFM license, [...]

[ Monday, October 10, 2011; 5:15 pm to 8:45 pm. ] Sustainable Tucson is offering a very special Book Sale fundraising event at our October  General Meeting. We have more than 150 titles, including some hard-to-find classics. The winter reading season is coming, so come and browse this rich collection of sustainability literature. You can shop with gifts in mind for particular friends, relatives, or colleagues [...]

[ Monday, October 10, 2011; 5:45 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Sustainable Tucson General Meeting – at Milagro Cohousing Community
Monday, October 10th, 5:45 – 8:30 pm, and come early at 5:15 pm for a tour

Note: this meeting will be at the Milagro Cohousing Community instead of the library (click here for map). If you can come earlier, there will be a tour of Milagro from 5:15 [...]

[ Saturday, September 24, 2011; 9:00 am to 11:00 am. ] We’re starting a local Tucson Timebank soon.  If you’re interested in joining, please pre-register below, and/or contact us by email – timetraders(at)sustainabletucson.org

We will also be at the Connect 2 Tucson – Moving Planet event on September 24 to meet people and give information about time banking.

What Is A Time Bank?
A TimeBank is a group of [...]

[ Monday, August 8, 2011; 5:45 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Sustainable Tucson General Meeting
Monday, August 8th,  5:45 – 8:00 pm
Joel D. Valdez Main Library 101 N. Stone
(free lower level parking – off Alameda St
This month’s General Meeting will continue our project on “Becoming a Desert Community” by presenting films relevant to desert natural buildings  and thriving desert communities.

Our Main film is    “First Earth: Uncompromising Ecological [...]

The PRO Neighborhoods Newsletter informs us that:
 
The Community Food Bank’s Community Food Resource
Center will team up with the Pima County Library system in
June to present a series of workshops on Sustainability and
Home Food Production. The workshops are free and open to
the public. Pre-registration is not required. For questions or
information on this series, contact Leona Davis [...]

 
So what is the sustainable path forward?
The most often-adopted definition of sustainability is “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”  What is important about this definition is that we have to consider the needs of future generations. What is most productive though is that [...]

[ Saturday, January 22, 2011; 9:00 am; ] Ward 6 Council Office, 3202 East 1st Street, Tucson, AZ 85716
Facilitated by Nan Carle

Time Banks take many shapes. They can be used in pursuit of such
wide-ranging goals as social justice, healthy lifestyles, and local
sustainability. At the most basic level, Time Banks involve earning Time
Dollars for hours you spend doing something for someone in your
neighborhood. Then [...]