[SustainableTompkins] ST Community Gathering postponed, weather/roads

Thu Feb 14 07:10:37 PST 2008

I'd actually be interested in a comparison of low-cost city living with 
low-cost country living, as well as accessibility in the city as opposed to 
accessibility in the country. I've heard the rationale many times -- but I 
live in an inexpensive house and my transportation costs are very low. The 
provision of services requires paying more taxes but it saves me many 
personal expenses and responsibilities. I don't have to pay someone to plow 
snow, I don't have a well and septic system to maintain, I don't need a big 
car to get me over ice and mud, I don't have a big yard to mow.

This isn't a holier-than-thou thing, or my-way-is-better-than-yours. It's 
just a wondering about the values of being closer to services. It ain't a 
perfect world, and some of us don't have the resources or freedoms to 
choose. But. Some of us do.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <senecajean at aol.com>
To: <sustainabletompkins at lists.mutualaid.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 9:58 AM
Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] ST Community Gathering 
postponed,weather/roads

> Most people who don't live in the City don't do so because they?have some 
> gorgeous?scenic country estate; they don't live here because they can't 
> afford it and don't qualify for limited housing programs; can't make a 
> major move right now, family obligations?or a host of other things.
>
> It will be great to make things more sustainble for everyone--which is the 
> theme of another of Elan's planned workshops--Sustainable transportation 
> for ALL. If you're handicapped even if you do live in the inthe City there 
> are a surprising number of barriers: intersections without enough time to 
> safely cross,? bus stops not close enough if walking is a problem and 
> wheelechairs aren't always the answer, insufficient handicapped parking 
> near destinations if you do have to drive, places like the Library which 
> are pretty sprawled out and have only one adult public bathroom area, 
> handicapped shopping carts that are never kept charged and short out on 
> you in the middle of a huge floor area ?etc.?I really need to write an 
> article some time about the challenges of being handicapped even in an 
> 'enlightened' community.
>
> I thank Elan for his consideration especially in light of all his 
> hard?work in planning this thing to now have to go through all the added 
> work of a rescheduled event.
>
> Jeanne
> ?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Wendy Skinner <ws at twcny.rr.com>
> To: Sustainable Tompkins County listserv 
> <sustainabletompkins at lists.mutualaid.org>
> Sent: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 8:36 am
> Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] ST Community Gathering postponed, 
> weather/roads
>
>
>
> Oh, George, thanks for being so spunky.
>
> Ironically, I sometimes feel like a pioneer for daring to live in the
> city -- which I find stimulating and fun, and not at all dangerous or 
> dirty
> or noisy or even expensive. I live here because I don't have to be
> car-dependent, because I like sidewalks and the frequent opportunities for
> chats with my next-door neighbors, because I enjoy the multicultural
> environment, because I am hooked up to a public water and sewer system,
> because the power rarely goes out, because the weather is milder than on 
> the
> hills, and because I can walk to many stores, job centers, and service
> providers.
>
> Living in the city makes me feel secure. (One downside is that my car, 
> which
> I park on the street, gets ticketed from time to time because I don't move
> it every 24 hours -- what a strange law that is.) But I recognize that it
> isn't for everyone. It's hard to see the stars, or hear the winds sighing
> through the trees.
>
> Some day, perhaps sustainability dinners will be held in communities 
> around
> the county in locations most people can reach on foot, bike, or via
> energy-efficient shared or public transportation. But the sustainability
> movement is still so new and small that it needs to hold its gatherings in
> the county seat, and that means many people have to drive. This is where 
> we
> have to start.
>
> Wendy Skinner
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "George Frantz" <gjem5760 at yahoo.com>
> To: "Sustainable Tompkins County listserv"
> <sustainabletompkins at lists.mutualaid.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 6:49 PM
> Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] ST Community Gathering
> postponed,weather/roads
>
>
>> It's just before 7:00 PM, the streets seem just fine and I about to ride
>> my bike home from work.
>>
>>  Oooops!  I forgot!
>>
>>  I'm among just the 15 percent of Tompkins County residents that live in
>> the city proper and hence have several sustainable alternatives to the
>> automobile, even in snowy weather conditions like tonight.
>>
>>  My bad!
>>
>>  Imagine how sustainable we could be if I were amongst the 85 percent of
>> Tompkins County residents living in the city proper, instead of just 15
>> percent.
>>
>>  We probably wouldn't have to cancel as many meetings either.
>>
>>  George Frantz
>>
>>
>>
>> Elan Shapiro <elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us> wrote:
>>  Sorry to do this, folks, but many people have said the road
>> conditions are dangerous where they are. We will try to find place
>> and date for the last week of February.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> JUST AND SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES: Sustainable Tompkins Monthly Gathering
>> Wednesday February 13, Community Gathering 6:00-8:00 at the Human
>> Services Building, 320 W. State. St., in downtown Ithaca. Dinner &
>> Childcare Provided. Potluck side dishes & beverages encouraged.
>>
>>
>> Are "just & sustainable lifestyles" just an option for the privileged
>> or also a set of choices that address everyone's needs and concerns?
>> How can lower-impact living improve health, cut costs, and strengthen
>> community, even if we can't afford hybrid cars and organic clothing?
>> How can these choices actually further the cause of social justice
>> (and global cooling) in our community and in our world? What do the
>> different cultures in our community each uniquely bring to this
>> community healing process?
>>
>> Come hear stories from local citizens of different cultures about
>> their own lifestyle changes, get practical tips you can use right
>> away, and explore these challenging questions. You are also
>> encouraged to share stories of your own!
>>
>> Sustainable Tompkins invites you to the first 2008 gathering of the
>> monthly "Equity & Sustainability" series on Wednesday, February 13,
>> from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Human Services Building, 320 W. State.
>> St., in downtown Ithaca. The evening will begin with a dinner, with a
>> delicious main course & salad provided. Additional potluck offerings
>> - especially side dishes, beverages, and desserts - are encouraged
>> and participants are encouraged to bring their own table settings to
>> minimize the clean-up. Childcare is provided
>>
>> This month's event was made possible in part by a grant from the
>> Sustainability Initiative at Ithaca College.
>>
>> Sustainable Tompkins' Equity & Sustainability monthly gatherings take
>> place on the second Thursdays of each month, except for this one.
>> They are a festive way to learn together about key areas of community
>> sustainability, build new partnerships, and bridge some of the
>> long-standing divisions in our community. They are a place for local
>> citizens to network and learn about each other's interests and
>> involvements in creating a more positive future for our community.
>>
>> For more information, contact: Elan Shapiro
>> Sustainable Tompkins Community Sustainability Coordinator
>> elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us, 607-275-0249.
>>
>> Sustainable Tompkins is a coalition of citizens, community
>> organizations, elected officials, educators and professionals from
>> diverse fields - all working to promote a more just and sustainable
>> community.
>> www.sustainabletompkins.org
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> Elan Shapiro
>> Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator
>> Sustainable Living Associates, Principal
>> Frog's Way B&B
>> 211 Rachel Carson Way
>> Ithaca, NY 14850
>> 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell
>>
>> "We must be the change we want to see in the world"
>> Mohandas Gandhi
>> _______________________________________________
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