ASN latest news


September News – Growing Power, Gardens, Collaboration and More
September 4, 2009, 1:41 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized

Arkansas Sustainability Network (ASN)

Community News

September 4, 2009

ARKANSAS SUSTAINABILITY NETWORK (ASN)

Developing sustainable communities through education, innovation and collaboration.

ASN

1419 South Main

Little Rock, AR 72202

501.372.6996

501.837.7959

EmailASN@gmail.com

www.arnetwork.org

www.littlerock.locallygrown.net

Executive Director:

Katy Elliott

Board of Directors:

Alison Hall

Scott McGhehee

Tera Easter

Penny Rudder

Dwayne McFarlan

Juli Brandenberger

Erika Gee

Julie de Preux

Nancy Dockter

Amie Lein

Jill Bayles

Updates from ASN

Labor Day on the Farm!

On Monday, September 7th, 10am to 3pm, join Ragan and Nathanael at Felder Farm to plow the back fields and prepare for Fall! Gumbo and home made bread – but you gotta work for it!  For more information and directions, or if you plan to stop by email ASN or call Ragan at 501-208-7915. Also, if you have one handy, you may want to bring a hard rake and a hoe.

ASN joins Pulaski County Brownfields Program and many others to Green the Block on September 11

President O’Bama has issued a call to action that we all join together and work for the nation’s recovery on September 11th.  Green For All and the Hip Hop Caucus have articulated this effort by organizing Green the Block events across the nation.  We’re excited to be part of a local Green the Block event on September 11th. Activities, including a neighborhood clean-up, notable speakers, and a community rally, will be held throughout the day at 12th and Pine Streets in Little Rock.  For event details visit www.greentheblock.net.

Consider attending the event and/or helping us expand our impact by coordinating a small act of awareness or service at your school or church, or in your neighborhood on September 11th.  ASN is coordinating booths and information for the event.  Anyone working with green-minded businesses and organizations that would like to provide educational information for attendees, please let us know.  Interested? Contact us for more info (EmailASN@gmail.com, or call 501.372.6996), or contact the event organizer, Sam O’Bryant at sobryant@co.pulaski.ar.us.

There is still space for you in the September 26th Cold Frame Workshop…

Herb Culver, of Bean Mountain Farm, will lead this workshop at Felder Farm.  Herb has been organic gardening for 30 years.  Bean Mountain Farm specializes in open-pollinated/heirloom vegetables, herbs (culinary and medicinal), and landscaping plants.  At this workshop, we’ll construct a 3’ x 12’ water barrel insulated cold frame at Felder Farm. 9am to 1pm, $15.  Workshop culminates with a picnic-style lunch. Minimum: 8 participants, maximum: 20.  To register or for more info contact us at EmailASN@gmail.com, or call 501.372.6996.

ASN welcomes you to stop by on September 22nd, as the Bernice Sculpture Garden celebrates it’s Grand Opening

The Bernice Garden and Southside Main Street Project (SoMA) are hosting a Seasonal garden party from 5:30-7 p.m. at the corner of South Main Street and Daisy Bates Avenue in downtown Little Rock on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.  Everyone is invited to share in seasonal food prepared by chef Patrick Herren and beverages provided by SoMA. The SoMA Strings, made up of Arkansas Symphony Orchestra musicians, also will play as tours of the Bernice Garden and Building are conducted. The event will take place rain or shine. For more information, contact KD Reep at 501-766-1260 or e-mail kelli@flywriteinc.com. For more information about The Bernice Garden, visit www.thebernicegarden.org. For more information about SoMA, visit www.southsidemain.org.

ASN Joins Conway EcoFest as a Sponsor

The Conway Eco-Fest 2009 event will showcase sustainable solutions and resources in Conway and the surrounding areas, including programs such as the Tree City program; local organic gardening and markets, parks and trail systems; alternative transportation, green city planning; city/county recycling, and more. EcoFest will also provide very practical environmental ideas and actions that people can begin immediately within their own communities.  For more information, visit http://www.conwayecofest.com/.

ASN to Facilitate Discussion following ‘Who Killed the Electric Car?’ at Heifer Village Second Sunday Film Series

This 91-minute film, recipient of the Audience Award at the Canberra Film Festival and special Jury Prize at the Mountain Film Festival, investigates the events leading to the quiet destruction of thousands of new, radically efficient electric vehicles. The Heifer Village film showing will be held on Sunday, September 13th, 3pm.

Community Happenings

It’s our pleasure to keep you informed of community events, info, and announcements…

Will Allen of Growing Power, Inc to visit Little Rock

Will Allen and Growing Power (www.growingpower.org) will be visiting Little Rock on September 29th. Please mark this date on your calendar and stay tuned for details.  At this point, a public forum is tentatively scheduled for the morning of Sept 29th from 9am to 11am.  This will be your opportunity to hear Will (2008 MacArthur Fellows recipient and visionary local food and social justice leader) and engage in a discussion relating to Local Foods and Social Justice.  Further updates will be available soon.  For more information about Will Allen and Growing Power visit these websites:  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/magazine/05allent.html, http://www.macfound.org/site/c.lkLXJ8MQKrH/b.4537249/, http://www.fastcompany.com/100/2009/will-allen

Book your Booth at the City of Little Rock Sustainability Summit

Mark your calendars for September 25th and 26th at the Statehouse Convention Center, and reserve your booth now for this informative and engaging conference event to highlight local agencies and resources and feature presentations from city officials and panels on a variety of topics, including local food, urban revitalization, recycling, and more. As part of the event, we welcome the keynote speaker, Mayor Bob Dixson of Greensburg, Kansas. After Greensburg was devastated by a massive tornado, Mayor Dixson resolved to rebuild the city as a “green” town.  Since this landmark decision, the town has become a leader in sustainable development and sustainable initiatives. To obtain a booth at the Summit, email LRSustainabilitySummit@gmail.com, or call John McClure with AR Convention and Event Marketing at 501-993-7502.

Join Heifer Village Discussion Courses

Courses scheduled to begin in September include Food for Life: Making the Connection between the Food We Eat and How It’s Produced; Shaping a Sustainable Society: How Lifestyle Choices Impact Our Global Systems; and The Next Generation, Our Future: Nurturing and Caring for Our Children.  For more information visit http://www.heifer.org/site/c.mmKTJbNUJrF/b.5076899/k.E13E/Programs.htm or call (501) 907-8800.

Slow Food Event to Highlight Importance of Healthy School Lunches

Time For Lunch: Slow Food Eat-in
September 7th, Noon at the Certified Arkansas Farmers Market (6th and Main in Downtown North Little Rock).  Visit http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/campaign/time_for_lunch/
and check the Little Rock event for details!

Spotlight on Green Business:

Organic Dog is Dog-gone Green!

Grand Opening of Organic Dog (natural dog products) at the Green Corner Store, 1423-D S. Main, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 9/19. Register to win a gift basket and sample biscuits made from organic and locally grown ingredients. Free bandanas to the first 25 dogs to bring their human!  Contact Juli Brandenberger at (501) 350-3064 or organicdog@hotmail.com.

The US Green Building Council – Arkansas Chapter to host Sustainable Arkansas 2009 Conference

Friday, September 11 at the Embassy Suites in Rogers, AR, this seventh annual statewide conference will bring together over 300 building professionals, government representatives and other folks interested in learning more about green building construction and the LEED project certification program. A large trade show of sustainable products and services accompanies the conference.  Complete schedule and details available at http://www.usgbc-ar.org/uploads/sa2009_packet.pdf or contact Linda K. Smith, Executive Director at usgbcar@yahoo.com.

Dreamland Ballroom Coming Out Party Marks the Beginning of a New Non-Profit to Restore and Celebrate a Little Rock Landmark Historic Building

October 1st, at Taborian hall, located on the corner of 9th and State Streets (most recently the home of Arkansas Flag and Banner) a Coming Out Party will be held on October 1st to celebrate the founding of a non-profit to restore the Dreamland Ballroom building and develop a museum to celebrate the legacy surrounding this Little Rock landmark.  For more information email Friends@DreamlandBallroom.com.

Conway.locallygrown.net Fall Foods Local Dinner and Farm Tour – Save the Date!

The Locally Grown Harvest Dinner and Food Pantry Benefit at Pia’s in downtown Conway is Monday October 12th at 6:30. The dinner will feature food from many of the Conway Locally Grown farmers and attendees will have the chance to meet and get to know these farmers. This year’s dinner, to be prepared by guest chef Matt Fuller of Central Park Fusion in Hot Springs, will feature vegetarian and meat options. Proceeds from this year’s dinner will go to the St. Peter’s Episcopal Food Pantry.  The Food Pantry will use the funds to purchase food from Conway Locally Grown.  50 spots are available; cost will be $50 per person if you reserve your spot by Oct. 1st and $60 after Oct. 1st. We will have both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Conway Locally Grown is also planning a Farm Tour of Falling Sky Farm, Ratchford Farm, and Serenity Farm Bakery on Saturday October 17th. The tour will include transportation and lunch. The tour is limited to 15 people and the cost will be $40 per person. The shuttle will leave Little Rock early Saturday morning and return in the late afternoon.  This is sure to be an educational and tasty trip.

Village Commons hosts Fall Garden Workshops

In October and November, Village Commons will host 4 gardening workshops. Topics include the Benefits of Gardening, Cultivating Tomatoes, Cultivating Potatoes, and Fall and Winter Gardening.  For more information, contact Nancy Dockter at (501) 749-2062 or email new19doc@msn.com

Little Rock Green Drinks has Moved.

BYOB to Little Rock Green Drinks!

LRGD will be moving into a more permanent location in September where you can bring your own libations!

Village Commons Non-Profit

1423 C South Main

Little Rock

2nd Tuesday monthly 5:30 – 7:00

For more information contact: Pam Choate pam.choate@gmail.com 501-351-4406

http://villagecommonslr.com/default.aspx

www.greendrinks.org/
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