FoCuS Hosts First Sustainability Stakeholder Event In Tuolumne County

FoCuS organized and sponsored the first Sustainability Stakeholder event in Tuolumne County January 19^th at the Aronos Club, a community meeting place in Sonora. About 30 people came to meet each other and listen to three inspiring speakers.

Michelle Gratwicke, co-owner of The Club, a fitness center for the mind, body and soul is a business that is committed to social responsibility. Michelle provided an overview of this new business model that is quickly catching on throughout the private sector. She recently attended a Green Business Conference and a conference on Sacred Commerce. Her endeavor has inspired her and her staff to compile a resource guide of businesses that are committed to operating by the triple bottom line: profit, people and the planet. The newest and boldest movement in business utilizes a quadruple bottom line-- Profits, Awakening, Sustainability and Service or PASS. Visit  www.theclubsonora.com for more information.

Dr Jakob Jaggy, MD is a holistic practitioner in Columbia. His presentation on Food, Technologists and Flavorists provided useful information substantiating the reasons why one should eat whole unprocessed foods. He suggests that if the food industry has to advertise it, don’t eat it.  The health consequences of modern diets largely consisting of processed, low density, nutrient empty food were contrasted with diets based on whole foods grown in soil that is biologically rich. Helpful bacteria that occurs naturally in our digestive tract is the same bacteria found in healthy soils.

Eric Taylor, a local farmer, FoCuS board president and co-founder of the FoCuS Sustainable Agriculture seed pod explained that conventional farming and the use of chemicals such as herbicides, fungicides and pesticides leave soils devoid of this bio-diversity and deny the human digestive system of those helpful bacteria. In contrast, soils that are composted, mulched and amended are rich in micro-organism activity. Consequently the fruits, nuts, and vegetables grown in this soil are rich in vitamins, nutrients and phyto-nutrients that sustain the growth of healthy bodies.

Misha Rauchwerger, natural materials home designer and builder, presented a slide show on natural building around the world with indigenous, historical and modern examples of buildings. Built with local materials, using local labor and beautiful designs, they can sometimes last for centuries. Misha provided practical and inspiring examples of comfortable and elegant human shelters that can integrate with our landscapes without compromising the integrity and beauty of our natural environments. 

There was some time during the day to connect with other participants, exchange contact information and continue the learning and dialogue about healthy, creative and abundant ways of meeting our human needs that respect and conserve the heritage of our communities and the air, water, soils, forests and rangeland we depend on.

FoCuS will continue to host these kinds of events in both Tuolumne and Calaveras counties.

Visit www.foothillsustainability.org for updates on events.

First Meeting Of New Seed Pod Of Green Builders, Solar Contractors, Energy Efficiency Experts, Architects and Engineers

The work of the foothill collaborative (FoCuS) is to help people meet and gather who are focused on their passion for and piece of the puzzle we are now challenged with: how to create healthy and abundant lives in the face of so many global and local challenges.  When these groups initially meet they are called “seed pods,” which suggests both the power and potential of focused collaboration.  Typically, a FoCuS board member will work with both FoCuS members and non-members to network, form relationships and organize group activity that can be supported by the fiscal sponsorship of the non-profit status of FoCuS.

An eager and enthusiastic group of twelve met for the first time in Murphys,
CA Thursday evening, Jan 31.  Comprised of talented and visionary designers, builders and energy efficiency experts, the group’s discussion was soon underway about what goals and objectives this group may implement that is connected to the overall mission, core values and evolving vision of FoCuS.  From educational events and presentations in the Tuolumne and Calaveras county communities to effectively shaping green construction and energy policies and incentives in the region, the group discussed a variety of exciting possibilities and strategies for having an impact.

The group decided to meet again on a Thursday evening 6pm, February 28

Contact seed pod coordinator Glen Inouye at ginouye@volcano.net or (209/ 293-7702

FoCuS 2008: The School Garden Initiative

In addition to hosting four seasonal community events, open membership meetings with activity updates and support for the formation of seed pods, at a recent FoCuS board retreat, the board decided to support a special initiative that would represent a particular aspect of the diverse vision of FoCuS.  In conjunction with the established Sustainable Agriculture seed pod the board is giving special emphasis to expanding school garden programs in our two county region.  The board voted to support a modest expenditure toward educating one of its volunteers in gaining grant writing experience as one asset in the development of the school garden programs.  These programs demonstrate for students and families the vital link that growing food provides in supporting healthy alert students who become more excited and in charge of shaping their own learning environments and futures.  For more information contact: tablemountain@goldrush.com

With Your Help We Can Accomplish Much More

You may be surprised to learn that the FoCuS has a small bank account, no salaried staff and no office but regular monthly ongoing expenses.  That’s right, everything you just read about, (including this newsletter) has been accomplished by dedicated volunteers with the help of a few donors and those who have visited our website and joined at the membership level of their choice by visiting http://www.foothillsustainability.org/We hope that if you have not yet become a member, that you will.  We hope that you share the news with others and encourage them to become a part of this movement toward greater health, self-reliance, community development and well, a heck of a lot of fun!   (See next piece on upcoming events)

Mark Your Calendars

On Friday March 7 from 6:30pm-9pm at the Douglas Flat Community Center in Douglas Flat, CA the FoCuS board will be hosting its first open membership community meeting.  It will be a lively event with updates and information from some of the people involved in activities regularly featured in this newsletter and more in the first hour.  In the later part of the meeting, board members will facilitate dialogue about other related projects and areas of involvement that meeting participants bring to the table.  You need not be a member to attend, only your strong interest in creating a sustainable future for you, your family, community and the world. Wine & Cheese provided.  For more information contact board Vice President Josh Bridges at  joshbridges@hotmail.com

Following this FoCuS event will be a Saturday May 3  FoCuS Celebration with informational speakers, music, food, dance jam and more.  Location and more information to be announced in the next newsletter.

Health and Wellness Seed Pod

One of the first seed pods to form when FoCuS offered its first public event in September 2006 called itself Health and Wellness.  This group of health practitioners, healers, and stress management educators met many times, shared with one another about their services and practices, began to create a shared practice philosophy and discussed the production of websites and directories that would help better serve clients. One member did begin a directory, a portion of which was published in the Harbinger magazine. Another member created a beautiful website, www.focusonwellbeing.info

If you are interested in finding out more about holistic and alternative methods of creating greater health, you can visit this website.  It can also be found by visiting the FoCuS website, www.foothillsustainability.org

At this time some members are going to be re-gathering to explore the possibilities of utilizing a model known as Business Network International, BNI, one that fosters small business development across the country.  This group will be meeting Thursday, February 28, 7-8:30am at the Murphys Hotel in Murphys, CA.  If you are interested in promoting yours and other people’s businesses through a better understanding of what others do, come learn about this highly effective networking model.  Call Johanna Atman at 728-3569 or Karin Lubin at 795-3127.

 Sustainable Transportation Notes

Sonora Pass Rides?  Is anyone interested in forming an

online ridesharing group for people who occasionally need a

ride, or can offer a ride, between the Highway 108 corridor

and places such as Modesto or the Bay Area?  It is easy to set up.

To learn more or if you are interested in joining Ebbetts Pass Rides, the online ridesharing group for the Highway 4 corridor contact Sandy at aldebki@yahoo.com. 

The Calaveras ski bus schedule has been posted at

calaverastransit.com.

The California High Speed Rail web site at

cahighspeedrail.ca.gov features a 10 minute video about the

project.

Have a submission for us?

If you are a FoCuS member involved in making your community a more healthful one in a way that you and your great grandchildren will enjoy, why not share it here in your own newsletter?  Contact board member and editor Randy Crutcher at rama50@comcast.net

And to Subscribe or Unsubscribe, contact focus@goldrush.com

                    OUR PERSONAL TIPPING POINTS #5

John Adams

This is the fifth in a series of nine mini-articles that cover essential success factors for making deep personal habit changes. There are eight factors. In the January Newsletter, I introduced factor #3: “Sufficient passionate commitment.” Making changes in our deeply ingrained habits is not easy. Whenever we are setting out to make a significant change in how we do things, we may benefit from checking over the eight success factors to see which ones we need to invest energy in.

This time, I will introduce factor #4: “Specific deliverable /goal/outcome and a few first steps.” Even if we have accepted them and worked hard on the previous three factors, we may not succeed if we are not clear on where we want to get to and what we will do next in order to get there.

In my research on successful deep pattern change, I collected successful change stories from a large number of people. When I examined the transcripts, it was apparent that all of the successful changers had a very clear picture of the result they expected to achieve. None of the people mentioned the word “plan” but everyone seemed to know precisely what they would do next. This was a startling finding. Apparently with a clear vision and a clear next step, the appropriate steps after that will emerge when one is ready for them.

This month’s challenge – reflect on a change you would like to make to enhance a more sustainable life style. What is the vision, goal or outcome of the result you wish to achieve – write it down or articulate it as if you have already achieved it. Then identify one discrete micro step you will take in the direction of that vision, goal or outcome. Next, reaffirm the vision and practice the new micro step everyday until the next FoCuS newsletter arrives in your email. By that time, additional next steps will have emerged into your awareness.