Common Ground Monthly Celebration

Come and visit Common Grounds, a monthly celebration of local community.  The festival will take place on Sunday, March 20th, from 3:00 - 9:00 pm on top of the Pennington St. Garage.  Common Grounds encourages the Tucson community to network, have fun, inspire creativity and entertainment and to participate in the local dialogue.  For more information, please visit the Common Grounds website.  The event focuses on bringing the discussion of sustainability, happiness, peace and balance to Tucson and the world.  A 1$ contribution is appreciated.

Multi-Generational Core Intro to Kingian Nonviolence

The Nonviolence Legacy Project offers training programs in Tucson and, on April 9th and 16th from 10 am to 5 pm, they are offering  an introduction to Kingian Nonviolence for both youth and adults.  This two-day training covers information about nonviolence as a courageous way of life and a powerful strategy for social change.  Participants will read and discuss Pilgrimage to Nonviolence and Letter from a Birmingham Jail and learn to apply Dr. King's six principles and six steps of nonviolence to their life and human rights issues of our time.  For more information, please visit the Culture of Peace Alliance website. Register: (520) 991-6781; nvlp@cultureofpeacealliance.org

Location: Devereux Arizona Training Rm, 6141 E Grant Rd.

Cost: Adults = $25; College Students = $15; High School Students = $5.

Women of Tibet: "The Great Mother" & "A Quiet Revolution"

Join the Loft in celebrating the 100th Centenary of International Women's Day for a screening of the award winning films "The Great Mother" and "A Quiet Revolution." On Wednesday, March 9th, 2011, these films will be presented at the Loft Cinema.  The first film documents the life story of the mother of the Dalai Lama, Dekyi Tsering.  The second film tells the story of 15,000 unarmed Tibetan women who assembled on March 12, 1959, in one of the greatest nonviolent protests in modern history, against the Communist Chinese.  The protest itself allowed the Dalai Lama to escape by providing a diversion. Purchase tickets online or call (520) 360-7340.  Admission is $15.

Tucson's Synergistic Water Festival

The Water Festival is partnering with the Solar Rock and Cyclovia to bring creative expression to celebrating water in our desert.  Located at Armory Park on March 27th, the Water Festival will feature visual and performing arts, speakers, workshops and kids activities from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Come and join other Tucson residents as we celebrate our precious water resource!  Please visit the Water Project's website for more information and water-inspired events.

Be Aware Festival

Make your journey a sacred pilgrimage, to this all–ages, drug– and alcohol–free weekend with music, food, films, and theater. Uphold the sacredness and sustainability of this earth. The festival includes camping, activist theater, eco-conscious speakers, kids village, hayride tours, ethnic foods, vendors, and more. Special band appearances will be made by Gabriel of Urantia, The Bright & Morning Star Band, and many more! For tickets, more information, and camping reservations visit www.BeAware2011.org or call 520-398-2542. Shuttle service available.

Venue: Avalon Organic Gardens Farm and Ranch in Tumacacori, Arizona.

Times: 12:00pm-9:00pm

Email: info@globalchangemultimedia.org

Dates: May 21-22

Be Aware Festival

Make your journey a sacred pilgrimage, to this all–ages, drug– and alcohol–free weekend with music, food, films, and theater. Uphold the sacredness and sustainability of this earth. The festival includes camping, activist theater, eco-conscious speakers, kids village, hayride tours, ethnic foods, vendors, and more. Special band appearances will be made by Gabriel of Urantia, The Bright & Morning Star Band, and many more! For tickets, more information, and camping reservations visit www.BeAware2011.org or call 520-398-2542. Shuttle service available.

Venue: Avalon Organic Gardens Farm and Ranch in Tumacacori, Arizona.

Times: 12:00pm-9:00pm

Email: info@globalchangemultimedia.org

Dates: May 21-22

Tucson Organic Gardeners Spring Fair

The Tucson Organic Gardeners will be hosting a Spring Fair this year at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church at 3809 E. 2nd Street on March 5th from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm.  There will be sustainably-minded vendors, gardening advice, organic starter plants for sale, as well as fun, music and games for all. TFS will be there sharing educational information on solar energy systems with the Tucson community. Please feel free to stop with your solar related questions or simply stop by to say hello.  For more information, please visit their website.

Peace Fair and Music Festival

Come out and join the fun at Tucson's 29th annual Peace Fair and Music Festival. This is an opportunity for the Tucson Community to come out to the park, listen to music, taste great food, and meet the organizations that make Tucson the most progressive city in Arizona. People can come to the park to search for organizations to support and join,  sign petitions, gather information, meet old friends, and make new ones. Children's activities will be provided! Location: Reid Park Band Shell

When: Saturday, February 26th

Time: 11:00am-5:00pm

Reduce Your Energy Wasteline-Workshop for Homeowners

Are you ready to reduce your energy waste? Join energy expert, Tom Potter, at his FREE Energy Saving Workshop to learn how. Learn how to save money by saving energy at home: from how to properly apply weather stripping to how to install a low flow shower head and much more. There are easy, low cost steps every homeowner can take to conserve energy. Plus, you'll leave with a conservation tool bag filled with easy things you can do at home immediately to be more energy efficient.

Tom Potter is the Director of Rural Programs for the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP). He has worked for more than thirty years on energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

When: Wednesday, February 23

Time: 12:30pm-3:00pm

Where: Randolph Golf Course Club House.600 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson (Copper Room). Ample parking at site.

Admission is FREE.  Seating is limited so please RSVP today!

RSVP: 918-8338 or email EPedrego@tep.com

For more information call: Robert Bulechek: 302-4636 or Melissa Miller: 247-0577

SPECIAL SEMINAR-A New Role for Earth Science: The Carbon Cop.

Ever since the Limits to Growth book in 1971, Earth scientists have theorized that the day would come when humanity would reach some sort of planetary capacity, yet for decades prophesies of doom never materialized.  With new capabilities of global monitoring, multiple lines of evidence are now suggesting that this biospheric carrying capacity may be on the horizon. This talk will try to weave multiple lines of evidence from climatology, hydrology, ecology, economics and politics into an assessment of where we are in sustainability of the biosphere. Management of the global carbon cycle will get interesting in the future.

Speaker: Steven Running, University of Montana

Title: A New Role for Earth Science: The Carbon Cop

Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Time: 3:30-4:30 PM

Place: Center for Creative Photography Auditorium

Sponsored by:

The Institute of Environment, Biosphere 2, and the School of Natural Resources & the Environment

Reduce Your Energy Waste Line: Train-the-Trainer Workshop

Learn how to save money by saving energy at home. Could you be an Energy Adviser to your neighbors? Come to the Train-the-Trainer Workshop! Training materials and energy saving tools included.

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 23

Time: 8:00am - 4 pm

Where: Randolph Golf Course Club House - Copper Room, 600 S. Alvernon Way

REGISTER with Edith Pedrego at EPedrego@tep.com

Sponsored by The Metropolitan Energy Commission and Tucson Electric Power

Reduce Your Energy Waste Line: Train-the-Trainer workshop

Learn how to save money by saving energy at home. Could you be an Energy Adviser to your neighbors? Come to the Train-the-Trainer Workshop! Training materials and energy saving tools included.

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 22

Time: 11:30 am - 4 pm

Where: Randolph Golf Course Club House - Copper Room, 600 S. Alvernon Way

REGISTER with Edith Pedrego at EPedrego@tep.com

Sponsored by The Metropolitan Energy Commission and Tucson Electric Power

Electronics Recycling

Keep electronic waste out of the landfill: recycle your old computers, monitors, electronics, microwaves, cell phones, printer cartridges, small appliances and TVs! Large household appliances are not accepted for recycling through this program. Residential quantities only; commercial/large volumes only accepted with prior approval and an appointment. Date: Saturday, February 26, 2011, 8am-1pm

Location: Fairfax Speedway Landfill and Recycling Center, 7301 E. Speedway Blvd. (Prudence Rd. just north of Speedway Blvd.)

Details: There is a $10 disposal fee per TV (working, or non-working), and $5 per computer monitor, or no fee for monitor accompanied by a computer tower. Recycling fee waivers are available for Sony televisions. No recycling fee for other small electronic items.

For more information on this event and ongoing options for electronics recycling, call (520) 791-5000 or email tcb@tucsonaz.gov

Watersmart Workshops-Rainwater Harvesting

This lecture-format class focuses on simple earthworks techniques, hardscapes, and plant choices for passive water harvesting. The homeowner learns how to use natural rainfall to offset irrigation use, resulting in water conservation and lower water bills. When: February 19, 2011 9:00am-11:30am

Where: Pima County Cooperative Extension 4210 N. Campbell Avenue Tucson, AZ 85719 (520) 626-5161

For more information on these classes or others offered through the SmartScape Program, please call the SmartScape Program Office at (520) 626-5161 or visit online at http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/smartscape/.

Watersmart Workshops-Residential Drip Irrigation

This hands-on workshop is designed to teach participants how to assemble a basic drip irrigation system, maintain it, install a timer and develop a schedule an automated irrigation system. Each participant receives a box of parts (for use during the class) and learns how to correctly identify and assemble the parts. Programmable irrigation timers are also provided for in-class use to demonstrate ease in setting an irrigation clock. When: February 19, 2011 8:30am -12:00pm

Where: Pima County Cooperative Extension 4210 N. Campbell Avenue Tucson, AZ 85719 (520) 626-5161

For more information on these classes or others offered through the SmartScape Program, please call the SmartScape Program Office at (520) 626-5161 or visit online at http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/smartscape/.

Watersmart Workshops-Desert Rain Gardens

This class introduces the concept of creating a water-thrifty landscape that relies on seasonal rainfall and rainwater harvesting techniques rather than supplemental irrigation with potable water. Design tips, plant selection and considerations, and plantings for berms and basins are discussed. When: March 9, 2011 9:00am-12:00pm

Where: Pima County Cooperative Extension 4210 N. Campbell Avenue Tucson, AZ 85719 (520) 626-5161

For more information on these classes or others offered through the SmartScape Program, please call the SmartScape Program Office at (520) 626-5161 or visit online at http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/smartscape/

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Beat Back Buffelgrass Day!

Volunteers needed for buffelgrass removal from parks and public lands – Saturday, February 5, 2011 Individuals and groups can volunteer on February 5^th at more than two dozen locations in and around Tucson by registering at www.buffelgrass.org or learn more about the threat of buffelgrass and view other upcoming events throughout southern Arizona.

Solar Energy Institute Launches Free Online Intro Course

Introduction to Renewable Energy is a free online course offered February 7th through March 20th for those who wish to learn the basics of renewable energy - including where it is found, how we can harvest it for use in our homes and how it can help ease pressures on the environment. You will not become an expert through this course, but you will get to know renewable energy in its many forms - helping you to decide whether solar, wind or other renewable technologies are right for you.

If you have never taken an online course from Solar Energy International, this is a great preview into our online course structure and learning experience.  We hope this will lower any inhibitions you may have to taking an online course by giving you this free opportunity to experience the SEI Online Campus.

This free 10-lesson course includes lessons on conservation and efficiency, sustainable building, solar thermal, solar electricity, wind power, micro-hydro power, renewable energy for the developing world, and the economics of renewable energy.

Sign up for this free online course now!

Food For Thought Speaker Series

TFS’s Lincoln Perino will speak at the “Food For Thought” series at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library on Thursday, February 24^th from noon to 1pm. This FREE community education presentation will address the basic concepts of water harvesting and the key principles of system design. Attendees will also learn about active and passive water harvesting through discussion and photos from local sites and sites from various areas of the country. Also, Lincoln will go over how to calculate basic runoff and catchment. Finally, the presentation will also discuss ideal plant usage in both gardens and native landscapes. For those attending the talk, a two hour free parking validation is available for the garage directly below the library.

Everyone is invited to take lunches to these free Thursday Food For Thought programs. It’s a wonderful way to spend your lunch in downtown Tucson.

• Where: Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave. Tucson 85701 (520) 791-4010 (info Line).
• When: Thursday, February 24, 2011, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• How much: FREE.

Food For Thought Speaker Series

TFS will be presenting at the “Food For Thought” series at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library on Thursday, February 10^th from noon to 1pm. During this FREE community education event, Kevin will provide an overview of Solar Power including: The environmental implication of how Tucson currently derives its energy, the how solar works, what the current financial incentives are for residential solar, and who are the ideal candidates for each type of solar technology. Bring your solar questions and get them all answered in one place! For those attending the talk, a two hour free parking validation is available for the garage directly below the library.

Everyone is invited to take lunches to these free Thursday Food For Thought programs. It’s a wonderful way to spend your lunch in downtown Tucson.

• Where: Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave. Tucson 85701 (520) 791-4010 (info Line).
• When: Thursday, February 10, 2011, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• How much: FREE.