"Changing times calls for changing lifestyles." says Brian Kerkvliet. "So [we've] put more energy into the land… The more you get your fingers in the soil, the more endorphins rush through your head. You get excited by all of that." Using permaculture and biodynamic … [Read more...]
Preparing Emotionally for the Coming Chaos (225)
"The external growth of a budding economy is over. The focus on growth now needs to be on the inner world." Carolyn Baker's Navigating the Coming Chaos is a toolkit to prepare emotionally and spiritually for the collapse of industrial civilization now underway. First build … [Read more...]
Dignity Village – A Community By and For the Homeless, part 2 (224)
"No violence. No theft. No drugs or alcohol. No constant disruptive behavior. Everyone must contribute to the village." While finishing our tour, Jon Hawkes lays out the five agreements residents must abide by, all forged by real-world experience. What would it be … [Read more...]
Dignity Village – A Community By and For the Homeless, part 1 (223)
"Anybody can come through our gates 8 am-10 pm and use all of our facilities. We have hot showers, a telephone, free computers internet-ready, our commons, offices, [and a free store of donated items.] Anybody has access to this." Tour guide Jon Hawkes highlights this … [Read more...]
Applying a Peak Oil Filter to Financial Choices (222)
"If peak oil occurs, it will dominate most everything else that we do, because energy drives everything." Financial consultant Jim Hansen's peak oil filter doesn't just guide investment decisions for his client portfolios. He applies it to his personal lifestyle (you may be … [Read more...]
Human-Powered Machines – Can Pedals Power the World? (221)
Jump on that bike and power up the blender for your morning smoothie! Matthew Corson-Finnerty shows several machines he has developed while at Aprovecho Center in Oregon. Watch us pedal power an electricity generator, a grain mill, a blender, and a straw-chopper. Matthew … [Read more...]
Simplicity, Joy and Social Change (220)
When Cecile Andrews asked herself, "What matters?" the answer popped up: "Having time to do the things you want to do." She simplified her life, quit her full-time job, and started simplicity circles to support others in savoring life. Now she has expanded into neighborhood … [Read more...]
Solving the Environmental Crises – We Can Do It! (218)
Futurist Guy Dauncey's enthusiastic determination is absolutely infectious! The author of Climate Change: 101 Solutions to Global Warming sees multiple environmental crises descending on us all at once. He points to numerous historical examples of our coming together around … [Read more...]
Portland’s Backyard Fruit — From Waste to Feast (217)
"We look forward to a time when we're really able to harvest all of the fruit trees in the city that aren't being fully utilized," envisions Katy Kolker, founder and executive director of Portland Fruit Tree Project. Volunteer groups harvest trees whose fruit would otherwise … [Read more...]