[SustainableTompkins] ST Community Gathering postponed, weather/roads

Thu Feb 14 07:24:09 PST 2008

Another thing to consider is that some of us live outside the city 
proper because we either are growing or hope to grow food to feed 
ourselves and others and we either are now or hope to generate energy in 
some form or another to augment or save on the energy that we all use, 
among other things.

I thank Wendy and Jeanne for their generous responses to George's 
"spunky" comments about the necessity for postponing our meeting. And 
Jeanne, I encourage you to contact me off list about writing the article 
you mentioned for the Signs of Sustainability series. I can see a way of 
making it work.

Bethany

Wendy Skinner wrote:
> 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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>>>
>>>
>>> ---------------------------------
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>>
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