Sustainability Matters, Does It Make Cents?

The Metropolitan Pima Alliance, with TEP Bright Solutions and the University of Arizona Tech Park Solar Zone are sponsoring an event called Sustainability Matters, Does It Make Cents? Policy, Design and Implementation.  The sustainability and building forum will feature speakers from both the public and private sectors on how they are adapting to the shift towards sustainable building, including how our major utility companies are responding, and will feature Kris Mayes, an Arizona Corporation Commissioner from 2003 - 2010, as the keynote speaker.  The event will take place on Tuesday, August 30th from 1:00 pm - 5:30 pm at Westward Look Resort.  Tickets will be $40 for members, $45 for non-members.  For more information, please view their website.  Contact: 

Metropolitan Pima Alliance mpa@mpaaz.org (520) 878-8811

Introduction to Permaculture Design

On Saturday, October 1st, join the Sonoran Permaculture Guild in a class, an Introduction to Permaculture Design.  The class, which costs $59, will last from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm and includes all course materials, handouts, and a delicious mesquite bread snack cooked in a solar oven.  The class will be taught by Dan Dorsey.  There is also a coresponding child's Introduction to Permaculture class, so bring them along!  For more information, please call (520) 624-8030 or dorsey@dakotacom.net.

Introduction to Permaculture for Kids

On Saturday, October 1st bring your kids to learn about Permaculture with the Sonoran Permaculture Guild.  The class will last from 8:45 am – 4:45 pm. This class includes a lunch break at the same time as the Intro to Permaculture class for adults, so kids and parents in class can get together for lunch.Cost: $29 – includes all course materials, a craft to take home, and a native food snack. Call or e-mail Leona for registration or information. (520) 205-0067 or leonafdavis@gmail.com.

Designing a Home Greywater System

On Saturday, September 24th, join the Sonoran Permaculture Guild to learn about how to design a greywater system for your own home.  The class will be from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm and will cost $49 which includes all course materials, handouts, and a formal plan you will produce on a greywater system for your own residence.  To learn more, please visit the Sonoran Permaculture website, or you can call or e-mail Leona for registration or information. (520) 205-0067 or leonafdavis@gmail.com.  Directions and more information will be sent with registration.

The Last Mountain, Sponsored by the Loft

Join the Southern Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce and The Loft Cinema for a one-night screening of The Last Mountain, a documentary written, directed and produced by Bill Haney.  The only showing in Arizona will be at the Loft Cinema on August 24th at 7:30 pm.  Following the movie will be a discussion with local environmental experts.  Admission is $10 for the general public and $8 for Loft members.  "In the valleys of Appalachia, a fierce battle is being fought over a mountain, a battle over protecting our health and environment from the destructive power of Big Coal. It is a battle with severe consequences that affect every American, regardless of their social status, economic background or where they live.

"The mining and burning of coal is at the epicenter of America's struggle to balance its energy needs with environmental concerns. Nowhere is that concern greater than in Coal River Valley, West Virginia, where a small but passionate group of ordinary citizens are trying to stop Big Coal corporations, like Massey Energy, from continuing the devastating practice of Mountain Top Removal. The citizens argue the practice of dynamiting the mountain's top off to mine the coal within pollutes the air and water, is responsible for the deaths of their neighbors and spreads pollution to other states. Yet, regardless of evidence supporting these claims, massive profit allows Big Coal to wield incredible financial influence over lobbyists and government officials in both parties, rewrite environmental protection laws, avoid lawsuits and eliminate more than 40,000 mining jobs, all while claiming to be a miner's best friend. As our energy needs increase, so does Big Coal's control over our future.

"Written, directed and produced by award-winning documentary filmmaker Bill Haney, THE LAST MOUNTAIN is a passionate and personal tale that honors the extraordinary power of ordinary Americans who dare to fight for what they believe in."

For more information about the film, please visit the Last Mountain website.  To learn more about the Tucson showing and to purchase tickets in advance, please visit the Loft website.

Prickly Pear Foods and Medicines Workshop

The Bean Tree Farm is hosting a workshop on August 13th from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm which will include a harvest of prickly pear fruit and pads, both native and heirloom varieties, followed by preparation, discussion and sampling of the cactus in sweet and savory forms. They'll also explore the cactus' uses to promote and maintain health, its value in rewilding and regenerating urban landscapes for wildlife, beauty and food production, and share a feast of local food and drink. Workshop is $50 with lunch.

More info? www.beantreefarm.com  or beantreefarm@gmail.com

More great classes and workshops at: www.sonoranpermaculture.org

Wild & Scenic Film Festival

Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection Hosts Tucson Festival Stop:  Wild & Scenic Film Festival The Wild & Scenic Film Festival brings together a selection of films from the annual festival held each January in Nevada City, CA. The films speak to the environmental concerns and celebrations of our planet. “Films featured at Wild & Scenic give people a sense of place,” says Tour Manager Susie Sutphin. “In our busy lives, it’s easy to get disconnected from our role in the global ecosystem. When we realize that the change we need in this world begins with us we can start making a difference.”

Featured films of the evening include Bag It, Walking the Line, and Wild vs. Wall. Bag It seeks to unravel the complexities of our modern plastic world. What starts as a film about plastic bags evolves into a wholesale investigation into plastic and its effects on our waterways, oceans, and our bodies. Walking the Line follows thru-hiker Adam Bradley as he walks 500 miles of a proposed transmission line – a line through some of the West’s most remote landscapes – to find out how our country’s transition to renewable energy will affect the land, wildlife and people. Wild vs. Wall examines the environmental impact of the current border policy. Created by the Borderlands Campaign of the Sierra Club – Grand Canyon Chapter, this film addresses the ecological effects of enforcement and infrastructure in the four states that share boundaries with Mexico.

The festival is a natural extension of the work of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection. The Coalition, comprised of 39 conservation and community groups, works to create a community where ecosystem health is important, nature and healthy wild animal populations have value, and where visitors, children and future generations can all drink clean water, breathe clean air, and find wild places to roam.

This year’s festival is being held in conjunction with Tucson Audubon Society’s first annual Bird & Wildlife Festival. Visitors from all over the world will be converging on Tucson for a week of birding and wildlife-related activities and the Coalition is excited to share the film festival as one of the featured evening programs.

The film festival offers an opportunity to entertain and engage the community while supporting the on-going work of the Coalition. Special thanks go out to local event sponsors Summit Hut and Betts Printing, the event’s major national sponsor Patagonia, as well as other local and national sponsors.

EVENT DETAILS:

When: Wednesday, August 17th - 6:30pm

Where: The Loft Cinema, 3233 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, Arizona

Tickets: $8 in advance at Summit Hut, Antigone Books, and the Tucson Audubon Nature Shop / $10 at the door and online at www.sonorandesert.org For more information contact Gabe Wigtil, gabe.wigtil@sonorandesert.org, 520-388-9925 or visit http://www.sonorandesert.org/ .

Understanding PV

Ed Eaton will be presenting a workshop on solar electric systems.  This workshop is designed to provide the attendee with an in depth overview of photovoltaic system design and installation. The workshop is presented to help homeowner builders, architects, green home builders, government employees, NGO workers and especially those interested in “off-grid” solar systems. National Forest, BLM and all park service employees working or specifying solar systems should attend. More information can be found at http://solarenergyclasses.com.

Bisbee Solar Cook-Off

Stop by the Bisbee Farmers Market on Saturday, June 4th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to find out how to cook with the sun and what else the sun can do for you.  There will be a free half hour mini class in Solar Cooking 101 at 10 a.m. and a solar potluck at noon.   Show off your solar cooking skills or just get started cooking with the sun with sun ovens, solar cookbooks and solar cookware for sale.  The Solar Cook-Off will also feature information on solar electricity, hot water, pumps and cooling.  Come and listen to lively music to get your toes a’tappin’ by San and Lauren Jones, fiddle and guitar sensations accompanied on drums by Darrin Wood.  You can also enjoy home-style food, Mexican cooking, and baked goods at the shady outdoor café.  Bring a cooler to shop for fresh local produce and grass-fed meats, as well as honey, pickles and jellies, desert plants, herbal remedies and lots of unique handmade arts and crafts. The Solar Cook-Off is coordinated by Baja Arizona Sustainable Agriculture. For more information: (520) 678-8577 and valerie.mccaffrey@bajaaz.org. Directions: From Bisbee’s only traffic circle take the Bisbee Rd. exit to Vista Park opposite Warren Ball Park.

Urban Farming pt. 2 - How to Grow Food at Home in Tucson

Nothing beats walking right out your back door to pick that fresh organic tomato off the vine- but how do you grow it in Tucson? On June 25th, learn the basics of soil, sun, water, planting, and harvesting during this discussion around the technical aspects of desert gardening with Leona Davis of the Community Food Bank and urban farmer Jenna Rhea.  Meet them at the Main Joel Valdez library from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm.

Intro to Urban Farming

How does the way we grow food affect our health, economy, and society? Discuss the benefits of growing your own food, even in the Sonoran desert, and learn the basics of soil, sun, water, planting, and harvesting during this discussion around the technical aspects of desert gardening with Leona Davis of the Community Food Bank and urban farmer Jenna Rhea.  Join the discussion on June 23rd, from 5:30 - 7:00 pm at the Martha Cooper Library.

Urban Farming pt. 1 - The Homegrown Movement

The way we grow food, distribute food, and eat has rapidly changed in the last 50 years, and with it has changed our environment and physical health as a society. Now, many people are reversing the trend towards commercialized agriculture by growing food at home and distributing it in their own community. Join this discussion with Leona Davis of the Community Food Bank and urban farmer Jennifer Liu around how our commercial food system works, and how the local food movement in Southern Arizona is changing our soils, our economies, and our own physical health.  They will be speaking on June 18th from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at the Joel Valdez Main Library.

Intro to Water Harvesting

On June 11th, from 10:00-11:30 pm at the Mission Library, explore and discuss the core principles of rainwater harvesting and a variety of strategies, from cisterns to earthworks, with Leona Davis of the Community Food Bank. We will be calculating how much rainfall you will receive off your home roof and on your landscape, and how you can best use this water on your site. Participants are encouraged to bring a base drawing with measurements of their house, roof and yard.

Intro to Water Harvesting

On May 25th, from 5:30-7:00 pm at the Martha Cooper Library, explore and discuss the core principles of rainwater harvesting and a variety of strategies, from cisterns to earthworks, with Leona Davis of the Community Food Bank. We will be calculating how much rainfall you will receive off your home roof and on your landscape, and how you can best use this water on your site. Participants are encouraged to bring a base drawing with measurements of their house, roof and yard.

Chicken Raising Basics

Chickens can provide ample entertainment, require minimal attention, and, most of all, produce fresh, nutritious eggs! Learn and discuss the basics of home chicken raising with Leona Davis of the Community Food Bank and urban farmer and egg producer Noel Patterson.  Join them at the Mission Library on May 14th from 10:00 am - 11:30 am to learn about how to raise chickens here in Tucson.

Birds, Blues and Belly Dance Benefit

Come and support the Wildlife Rehabilitation of Northwest Tucson at their Birds, Blues and Bellydance benefit on May 7th from 7pm-10pm at Sk.  The $7 donations at the door are appreciated 100% of the donation and 15% of Sky Bar and Brooklyn Pizza Company sales go toward the bird rehabilitation.  There will be bellydancing performances by Brandye, Sirena, Amy and Marjani, as well as appearences of great birds of prey from 7:30-8:30.  Music will be played by the Railbirdz.

Meet Me at Maynards Rock n' Stroll

Come and join TFS as we celebrate the vibrant Downtown Tucson Community.  Monday, April 11th records the second anniversary of Meet Me Maynard's and will be celebrated with music, walking, running and dancing.  You are invited to check in between 5pm and 6pm at the Amtrack Depot and then walk or run around the 2, 3, or 4 mile loops through downtown and 4th ave.  For more information about the event and fun activities that will be there, please visit their website.

Susan Komen Race for the Cure

The Southern Arizona Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is proud to host the 13th Annual Race for the Cure at Reid Park on Sunday, April 10th starting at 8:00am. You are invited to join in the largest participatory event in Southern Arizona! With your help, vital breast health resources can be provided to members of our community.  Limited parking at the site, so ride your bike! Free Valet Bike Parking will be provided.  Visit www.komensaz.org/ for more information.

Tour de Campus

On Saturday, April 11th, the Kiwanis Club of Tucson is presenting an educational bike tour for kids, ages 3-6 from 9:00am - noon.  This bicycle event for pre-schoolers will be held on the University of Arizona campus, and will focus on helmets, bicycle maintenance, safety in the desert, bicycle handling, and finish with a bike parade.  Bicycles, training wheels, and tricycles are welcome.  Cost is $5 and includes a t-shirt, water bottle and other fun stuff. Presented by the Kiwanis Club of Tucson – Sunshine and sponsored by the City of Tucson.

Old Pueblo Grand Prix Cycling Event

The Old Pueblo Grand Prix is a premier cycling event in the heart of downtown Tucson that is FREE to spectators. On Sunday, April 17th, come and celebrate cycling at its finest from 12:30pm - 5:00 pm.  With $20,000 in cash prizes, the Old Pueblo Grand Prix will attract top professional and amateur athletes from around the country.  It’s a perfect day to bring your friends and family to downtown and experience high speed pro bike racing right here in Tucson.  Races start at 12:30 PM when amateur racers take to the .6 mile course.  Make sure to bring your children for the kids race at 3:25 PM and grab a bite to eat at one of the 9 restaurants located on the race course.  Following the Pro Womens race is the Pro Mens race at 5:00 PM that will finish as the sun is setting and reach speeds of over 30 mph.  Make a day of it, bring your family, and tell your friends.  Visit www.oldpueblograndprix.com/general-information.html for more information.  Races will start and end at the EXPO Center on Church Ave between Pennington St and Alemada St.