What might ecovillages show us about living sustainably? Political science professor Karen Litfin visited fourteen ecovillages in both developing and developed countries. The author of Ecovillages: Lessons for Sustainable Community looked for commonalities among such … [Read more...]
Re-Becoming Villagers Wherever We Live (268)
Whether city folk or country folk, North Americans don't tend to know our neighbors, much less do things together. Mark Lakeman (Portland) and Brandy Gallagher (rural Vancouver Island) talk about "repairing" our isolation. How can we we reclaim our village roots−living, … [Read more...]
Columbia Ecovillage, part 2 — Shaping a Life Together (232)
What's it like, living in an urban ecovillage? Barbara Ford finds that this size community enables people to contribute while doing what they love. Dennis Karas and his wife had to adjust to noise levels with more children around, but enjoy having many friends with shared … [Read more...]
Columbia Ecovillage, part 1 – From Apartments to Community (231)
What if you could turn an apartment complex into a houseful of friends? Joe and Pam Leitch did. They purchased the apartments adjoining their farmhouse in metropolitan Portland, with the vision of creating an intentional community. While retrofitting the apartments to … [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...]
Best of 2011 – Pushing the Boundaries (vol 1)
Our top choices from the 2011 Peak Moment TV conversations (volume 1 of 2). The Vegetarian Myth, Lierre Keith How the West Has Won, Derrick Jensen Awakening the Village Heart and Mind, Brandy McPherson Portable House, Simple Life, Dee Williams Four conversations, … [Read more...]
Awakening the Village Heart and Mind (206)
From their "Zero Mile Meal Eatery" to zoning and financing innovations, O.U.R. Ecovillage in BC, Canada has paved the way for many communities worldwide. For Brandy Gallagher, the story on the planet right now could be a shared ethos of caring: "Everyone is fed. Everyone is … [Read more...]
Fences Down! Fostering Community in an Urban Neighborhood (179)
Gardens replace driveways, a chicken coop replaces a garage, and personal relationships are deepening. Meet the residents of three adjoining houses, who removed the fences and talk about shared projects (and their one auto!), meals together, ecological living, and treasured … [Read more...]