Site Updates
Past Events Index
Worship and Celebration
Religious Educaton Site
Environmental Justice Site
Sustainable Living Site
Information Center Site
- Land Use and Conservation
- February 2011 Calendar Update
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Music: "There'll Come A Day" by Irthlingz
Words and Music by Bob Killian, courtesy of Irthlingz
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Main Site Links
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This Fall!! September - November
UUSC "Plant Justice, Harvest Peace" Totebag
GSP members will be selling the UUSC Resuable
Shopping Bags this fall.
GSP members decided that this project helped further our support of a bag
ban in Bellingham, supported the UUSC (as all money made on the bags will
be turned over to the UUSC) and also supported our firm belief in the
interconnection of social and environmental justice issues. Members will
be encouraged to donate old bags to community programs (continuing our
support of such organizaions as Lydia Place) when they buy the new UUSC
bags.
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From the UUSC website: "These sturdy, reusable bags are the perfect eco-
and labor-friendly way to promote justice! U.S. and union-made recycled
poly grocery bag, with new "Plant Justice, Harvest Peace" design on one
side. Approximately 13" tall, 12" wide, 8" deep." Price: $5.00
The sale dates for the bags are as follows:
September 11, 2011:
September 18, 2011:
September 25, 2011:
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October 9, 2011:
October 16, 2011:
October 23, 2011:
November 5, 2011:
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Our initial order is 100 bags. If it appears there is significant interest,
we will order more and extend the sales dates.
October 1-31, 2011 • Food4Tots Food Drive
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Every October, BUF joins the Bellingham Food Bank to address an ongoing
concern in our community. For an ever increasing percentage of new parents, the joy of a newborn
is marred by stress and fear as they find their scant resources are inadequate to meet their new
infant’s essential needs. Bellingham Food Bank is 40% busier than they were in 2007, now averaging
9,500 visits each month and still in great need of baby food and formula. It estimates that 1,000
units of baby food a month is needed to meet the local needs of Whatcom's infants and toddlers.
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The Lifelong Learning Program, Social Justice Committee and the Green Sanctuary Program are encouraging
BUF members to collect 1,000 units of baby food throughout the month of October.
Due to changes in WIC, we now need more formula than baby food. 3% of the food bank visits are children
under the age of two - that’s 300 infants and children per month. The goal is 1,000 jars, but with the
overwhelming need, we’d like push the envelope.
Remember, one can of formula counts as 10 jars of food! Although formula and food jars are important,
donations of juices, cereals, etc. will also be accepted. Please watch the expiration dates on packaged
items. Remember, too, there are certain brands of baby food that are organic and would be an outstanding
way to address a social justice issue as well as an environmental one. Checks made out to BUF with
"Food4Tots" in the memo are just fine for those who can't or don't want to shop.
Food4Tots bins are located in the foyer and regular deliveries will be made to the Bellingham Food Bank of any donations.
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Adult Sunday Forums
Green Sanctuary has offered to provide a speaker for the RE Adult Education
forum series, since Bob Keller (the original organizer) will be a way for the fall/winter session.
One Sunday a month, we will bring in a local community organization to present information and
lead a discussion in specific environmentally-related issue.
After much discussion, we will be encouraging presenters from the community
to talk about the issues that
make their organizations/programs necessary in Whatcom County, rather than what their
organizations/programs do.
The following is a schedule for upcoming forums. Forums run 9:30 -10:45 am and are held in the
Conference Room.
November 13, 2011 • Living Democracy with Michael Lilliquist
Explore how large corporations have more rights than American citizens and cities. Examine the way
the US constitution allows laws that shift power from real people to "corporate persons" and the
impact that has on natural and financial resources of citizens and communities. See how some
communities, beginning with tiny, farming communities in Pennsylvania, are fighting back to protect
their lives and livelihoods. Hear how Bellingham has joined the battle to protect our natural and
financial resources through a new group called the “Living Democracy".
December 4, 2011 • ForestEthics with Aaron Sanger
ForestEthics believes that protecting our planet is everyone’s business. Because of our work,
environmentally responsible corporations and governments will thrive. Natural systems will be
protected, and the people and wildlife that depend on them will prosper. Markets will be more
transparent and ethical.
No events planned at this time.
No events planned at this time.
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| Upcoming Community Events |
For more area events, check out our
Community Calendar
Free Furniture Facts And Fancies At The RE Store:
Making Benches And Seats
November 5, 2011
Making Benches and Seats From Bed and Stair Parts and Cabinet Doors.
Used building materials can make fabulous furniture. Come learn how for free at our monthly
demonstrations with Eberhard Eichner. Our 30-year furniture and finish carpentry expert will be
showing samples and assembling parts into beautiful and functional pieces that are useful in both
open and limited spaces. Come get inspired and steal these great ideas!
Time: 11:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: RE Store’s Revision Department, 2309 Meridian St. Bellingham
Cost: Free
Contact: Jason Darling Education and Marketing Coordinator The RE Store Email : jasond@re-store.org
VB READS...MOTHERHOOD BY THE BOOK, LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS:
SAVING OUR CHILDREN FROM NATURE-DEFICIT DISORDER
November 13, 2011
Calling all moms, whether you be mother or stepmother to an infant, toddler, tween, or adolescent,
we have a book group at the store just for us! Motherhood by the Book is led by Claire, VB staffer,
mother of a toddler, and stepmother of an adolescent. (And we don't mean board books or indestructibles--
You know, the ones with the pages that you can chew.) No, we mean real, honest-to-goodness, grown-up books!
The book group meets on the second Sunday of every month at 2pm in the readings gallery of the store for an
hour of spirited discussion of books that celebrate the trials, tribulations, and rewards of motherhood, and
what it means to be a mother. This group is by no means exclusive to moms with kids still at home, but much
of the selection may be geared toward issues that those moms face. We will read fiction, non-fiction, and and
parenting books. Authors do not usually attend. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from
Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv. In his landmark work Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv
brought together cutting-edge studies that pointed to direct exposure to nature as essential for a
child's healthy physical and emotional development. Now this new addition updates the growing body
of evidence linking the lack of nature in children's lives and the rise in obesity, attention disorders,
and depression. Louv's message has galvanized an international back-to-nature campaign. His book will
change the way you think about our future and the future of our children.
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Village Books, 1200 11th St., Bellingham
Cost:
Contact: (360) 671-2626
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Nooksack Salmon Enhancment Association - Whatcom Creek
November 19, 2011
Help NSEA and the City of Bellingham Parks Volunteer Program as we work to improve habitat for
salmon and other wildlife by removing trash and non-native, invasive plant species and planting
native shrubs throughout Maritime Heritage Park. Parking is available in the lot on C St., just
off of Holly St., in downtown Bellingham. Look for signs and check in at the blue NSEA tent.
Tools and gloves will be provided. Please wear sturdy shoes and weather appropriate clothing.
Refreshments will be provided by the Bagelry, the Community Food Co-op, Starbucks, and Tony's Coffee.
These work parties are free and open to everyone. Bring your enthusiasm, your friends and family, and
anyone else that can hold a shovel! See you at the creek!
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: See above
Cost: Free
Contact: NSEA at 715-0283 or email aferderer@n-sea.org.
Making a Fresh Green Wreath Demonstration
November 26, 2011
Learn how to make your own unique fresh green wreath using many types of evergreens with
different colors and textures. Come watch our wreath making expert transform a mixture of
fresh outdoor greens into a beautiful holiday wreath.
Time: 10:00 am
Location: 945 E. Bakerview Rd. Bellingham
Cost: Free
Contact: (360) 676-0400
Make Your Own Moisturizing Cream with Elly Morrison
November 30, 2011
Learn how to make a non-toxic rich moisturizing cream using organic ingredients that will
protect your skin from the winter chill outside and the dry heat inside. Dr Elly Morrison,
formulator of Countess Elly Simply Pure Skin Care has been creating her own lotions and creams
since 2003. Dr. Morrison believes the products we put on our skin should be as pure and non-toxic
as the food we eat.. Bring a little jar to carry home a sample of what is prepared in front of
your eyes.
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Food Co-op, 1220 N. Forest St., Bellingham
Cost: $12 members, $14 non-members/ Downtown Co-op/register at Co-op
Contact: 360-734-8158
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Pacific Gateway Terminal at Cherry Point
Currently Whatcom County is considering several actions that could have significant consequences
for our area. The
topic right now has to do with the Pacific Gateway Terminal project at Cherry Point. To get more information, below
are links to several articles to help describe the project and it's potential impacts. While the Council had originally
planned to pass a resolution supporting the project. Fortunately, with many thanks to Re Sources, a petition drive
suceeded in getting the resolution removed from the agenda; however, the battle is not over. Read the articles,
check the Re Sources website, sign the
petition and contact the Council at (360) 676-6690
or council@whatcom.wa.us and let them know where you stand.
For more information see our webpage at genvir_justgateway.html
Bellingham Earns No. 1 Small City in NRDC's
Smarter Cities Project
Situated on Bellingham Bay at the northern end of the Puget Sound, Bellingham is both a
university town and an industrial center, home to an aging pulp mill owned until 2001 by Georgia Pacific and other
facilities that required waterfront access. Over the last 20 years, however, Bellingham has transformed itself from
a manufacturing port to a post-industrial city, while updating some of its industrial facilities and remediating others,
including the brownfield sites at the pulp mill. The city is well served by transportation options, including an Amtrak
train from nearby Vancouver to Seattle and points farther south and a ferry to Alaska. It is home to a large number of
parks and provides easy access to nearby mountains and boating, celebrated in the city's annual Ski-to-Sea race, an
89-mile relay race combining cross-country and downhill skiing, running, bicycling and mountain bike riding, canoeing
and kayaking. Even for the less athletic, the mild weather makes for year-round outdoors activities (assuming you don't
mind the rain). The city has also been recognized by the EPA Green Power Communities program for drawing 11 percent of
its total electricity usage from renewable sources, putting it in second place among the most successful cities in the
program. And in May 2008 ICLEI honored Bellingham for its climate action plan. A network of green businesses in town
find their forum in Sustainable Connections, established in 2002 to educate business owners in sustainable practices,
connect them to one another and market their efforts. Sustainable Connection has since become the model for green
business networks across the country.
Green Building Ranking: #4
Transportation Ranking: #7
Green Space Ranking: #1
Air Quality Ranking: #1
Recycling Ranking: #4
Energy Production and Conservation Ranking: #2
For more information see
NRDC's Smarter Cities.
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Next step for a Whatcom Watershed Preserve
The Whatcom County Council today approved the next step toward
a Lake Whatcom Forest Preserve. Creation of the preserve will restore old-growth forests within
a watershed that provides drinking water for about 90,000 people, half the people in Whatcom County,
including Bellingham.
On November 12, the County Council authorized the County Executive to enter into an agreement with
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to work together to set the stage for creation of the preserve.
DNR manages about half the Lake Whatcom watershed and the various types of trust lands are scattered.
Under the agreement, DNR will block up forest board lands in two areas in the watershed: above Northshore
and around Sudden Valley. Whatcom County will pay administrative and appraisal costs, and meanwhile DNR will
not log on the lands proposed for transfer. When the process is complete, sometime in 2010, the county will
decide whether or not to transfer these lands from DNR to the county parks department.
The process will likely ultimately lead to 8,400 acres of timberland, about 25% of the watershed moving from
DNR management to county parks management. The county intends to manage the preserve for low impact recreation
and for restoration of old-growth forests.
To read the rest of the article . . .
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