whakatane newsletter july 2011
GETTING AROUND
Monday July 11th 2011
Eastbay REAP
7pm
ALL WELCOME
GETTING AROUND takes a look at transportation in the context of the declining availability of cheap fossil fuels, and the impacts of current transport modes on climate change. The encouragement is to embrace the challenge and work towards a healthier future for ourselves and our planet.
Guest speakers Gareth Hughes MP (Transport & Climate Change spokesperson for Greens), Richard Hamer of Cycle Action Whakatane and Marcus Baker of Energy Options. Come along and join the discussion on local sustainable transport options.
Refreshments available after the film (running time 20 minutes). Gold coin donations always appreciated, or nibbles to share!
LOCAL NEWS
GREEN PARTY AOTEAROA Gareth Hughes MP, Greens spokesperson on Transport & Climate Change (amongst other things) will be in Whakatane for the Green Screeeing (above). More on Gareth HERE... He may be the youngest person AT the Green Screening... : ) Gareth's Big Sleepout campaign to highlight the plight of the homeless on Thur July 7th in Auckland HERE....
VOTE FOR TONY - A public on-line vote will determine whether Tony Ward can "win" a $10,000 scholarship to complete the writing of his book - a major contribution to the fields of both education and environmental sustainabilty. VOTE HERE.., tell all your friends, and let's get this project done! Tony's website HERE...
CYCLE ACTION WHAKATANE (CAW) Sunday 3rd July at 4pm - there was a well-attended meeting at the Warren Park Hockey grounds to gather feedback & show support for the pump track & bike skills proposal put forward by CAW. We now have a facebook presence (thank you Mike!) - Whakatane Bike Park - please join, and support where you can.
CAR SHARE BOP - This new website, run by Bay of Plenty Regional Council, has had an upgrade. Potentially a great local resource, but it will require many more users to sign up. Register HERE... and enter your travel details.
FOREST & BIRD WALK - Sat July 30th - Walk, swim and BBQ at Kawerau. Those interested can join a group for a walk up Mt Putauaki. Meet 10am at Kawerau Information Centre. Pot luck BBQ at the hot pools afterwards. If the weather is really bad listen for cancellation on 1XX .
OTAKIRI SCHOOL PRODUCTION - happens this week - a musical play about preserving our world’s resources for future generations. Tickets available from the school office or contact Ray for more information raydol@ihug.co.nz
EASTBAY TIMEBANK BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION - Sat 16th July: 11am - 2pm - The theme for those keen enough to dress up is “Come as something beginning with the letter T for TimeBank and T for Turning Two. We are still looking for helpers to set up on the Friday and clean up afterwards on Saturday. New memberships welcome - come along and meet us at the party. Contact Tina for more details eastbaytimebank@gmail.com
FATHERS & SONS - Local group encouraging and inspiring men across the Eastern Bay of Plenty as they raise their sons to become great men. NEW website HERE... Next Event is Indoor Bowls on Sat 9th July, $5 per person.
THE ARTIST IN YOU - Do you have something to contribute to The Kiwi Diary 2012? Freda is looking for contributions for the next edition - art /recipes /articles /poetry etc..inspirational food for mind, body, soul and planet. They have previously featured excerpts from: Geoff Park, Nandor T, info from Greenpeace and the Fair Trade Assn, bees... which they’re updating and reproducing for the 2012 diary, Holger Khal's info on organics, and his amazing elderflower champagne recipe... the list goes on! For more info contact Freda: freda@thekiwidiary.co.nz
THE WASTE EXCHANGE - Website Updated! We're still helping you to connect your unwanted materials with new owners, but we've made the site much more user-friendly!
If you are an existing member, you will need to re-register and also re-register any materials you had listed on the site. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. New members welcome - Sign up HERE..
KAI TIME group (with EastBay TimeBank) - Contact Tina on eastbaytimebank@gmail.com for more details.
WASTE ADVISORY GROUP (WAG) - Next meeting Tue 12th July, 5.30pm. Contact Us for more information.
FAIRTRADE in WHAKATANE - update 2011 - Vendor has finally closed - all the best to Christine and family; Cafes to support - The Fig continues FT; Javaman will be trying out a new FT blend, so please ask to try it; Poppy's Cafe on the Strand are able to get a Fairtrade Organinc blend from Vivace, so the more of us that request it, the sooner it will be available! MORE....
TAURANGA NEWS
TAURANGA MONTHLY FILM NIGHT - CARBON NATION, "a compelling and relevant film that illustrates how SOLUTIONS to climate change also address other social, economic and national security issues". June screening was a sell-out, so a second screening is planned for Wed Aug 31at the Wesley Centre, 7:30 pm. NEXT FILM.... The War You Don't See (John Pilger) with Keith Locke and Amnesty's Activism Co-ordinator Margaret Taylor (a former journalist)... Rialto - 8pm July 24th. Contact Ron on rlopert@xtra.co.nz for more information, or sign up to their Facebook page HERE....
TAURANGA ENVIRONMENT CENTRE Newsletter HERE..
Whether you're looking for some simple fundraising ideas, or you need some more in depth help with Volunteering, Sponsorship or Marketing issues, we have a whole heap of workshops and resources to give you a head start with the business end of your organisation. We look at the big picture and cover all the pieces that make up a successful organisation - from strategic planning and people management, to grant applications and charity events. MORE....
COMPETITIONS & CAMPAIGNS
PEACEFUL PROTEST - There will be a Peaceful Protest March to tautoko the Rangitaiki River on Thurs 7 July at 11am from the Warehouse Carpark to the BOP Regional Council offices in Quay Street, Whakatane. Locals are protesting out of concern for the Rangitaiki River and TrustPower's proposal to halve the minimum flow. Come down and bring your signs, your voices and your tautoko for our river! Facebook page HERE...
Win EACH MONTH with ORGANIC EXPLORER New Zealand. All you have to do is: “Like” our Facebook page and be in the draw to win. In July, two prizes of a 6-pack wine selection from Award-winning BioGro certified organic and bio-dynamic vineyard Richmond Plains, located just out of Nelson. The winery recently won gold at the Hong Kong International Wine Challenge and is the producer of NZ's first certified organic Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Carbon neutral. The prize will be drawn on 30th July 2011.
PRIDE WHAKATANE Garden Competition entry form HERE... Closing date Friday September 23rd. LOTS of prizes! More information from Sandy on prydeworms@xtra.co.nz.
INTERNATIONAL FOREST SHORTS FILM COMPETITION - Deadline: July 15th 2011 - Mensch Wald, Germany's official UN International Year of Forests campaign has launched with an exciting contest that invites every filmmaker, in every country, to enter a short film about the forest that inspires them. Three finalists will win a fantastic set of prizes, including an exclusive web premiere, an invitation to introduce their film in person at the 65th Annual Meeting of the German Forestry Association, exclusive screenings at Germany's Reunification Day celebration, a free forest vacation and more. Go to www.menschwald.nrw.de to view the full campaign, contest terms and conditions. [Click on the EN button down at the bottom on the right to view the website in English]
WWF UPDATES - Make a pledge, send an email, sign a petition, let out a great, big roar... The more voices speaking, the better that governments, business leaders and other decision-makers will listen. By adding your voice to our campaigns, together we really can achieve big wins for our planet.
COMPETITION - Produce an original film on the theme "Life. Nature. You. Make the Connection". Your film should inspire people to love, value and protect the natural world - and to reconnect with nature. Deadline 9 Oct 2011. The entire film must be a maximum of two minutes long. Prizes - Commission from WWF to create a short film with a minimum budget of $10,000 USD and all expenses paid trip to India to attend the CMS Vatavaran environmental film festival.
A FEW TO WATCH ..
ECONOMY & ENERGY presentation - If you have 20 minutes, take time out to listen to Nicole Foss and her rationale on the Economy and Energy - HERE... Fairly scary... as are the two new films below...
JUST DO IT - Emily James spent over a year embedded in activist groups such as Climate Camp and Plane Stupid to document their clandestine activities. With unprecedented access, the film JUST DO IT takes you on an astonishing journey behind the scenes of a community of people who refuse to sit back and allow the destruction of their world. Their adventures will entertain, illuminate and inspire. MORE.. In a similar vein, IF A TREE FALLS documenting the actions of the Earth Liberation Front "is a must-see film". Daniel McGowan, the main subject of the documentary, asks a question that underscores the entire film, "I'm not suggesting that the path of destruction is the right path," he said. "When you're screaming at the top of your lungs and no one hears you, what are you supposed to do?"
AND ON A MORE POSITIVE NOTE...
THE BANK OF REAL SOLUTIONS aims to help bring forward the successful working models being used today to overcome social, economic and environmental challenges in New Zealand. The focus is that which makes us more; resilient, vibrant, healthier, happier and better connected - in our households, our neighbourhoods, regions and as a nation. It brings forward the success stories of the individuals and communities who are; using resources more wisely, reducing financial overheads, fixing social ills, restoring ecosystems, creating jobs, enhancing the aesthetics of where they live, becoming more self-determining. The Bank of Real Solutions is all about the Kiwi can-do attitude...It aims to capture the excitement and inspiration of working by creative determination to overcome that which challenges us.
EQUITABLE FINANCE - Read Thomas Greco's latest newsletter (July 2011) HERE... Into the future, Thomas will be collaborating "on projects that show promise of making major breakthroughs toward interest-free cashless trading, equitable finance, and economic democracy." Sounds good to me.
