Welcome Autumn! Time to Fall for Peace!

“It’s ok for our hearts to be broken over the world,” writes Joanna Macy.
“Our earth is not a supply house and a sewer.
It is our larger body. We breathe it. We taste it. we are it.”

Yesterday was the International Day of Peace and today is the first day of fall. It’s the day where day and night are equal in length. It’s a good time to reflect on equity and equality–which sound similar but aren’t the same thing.

So what are we falling for?

How about service?

How about fun?

How about peace?

How about using our intelligence to help heal the world so that we have peace, environmental justice, social justice?

But first, how about some fun!

Locally, last night the City of Ventura kicked off this year’s Water Take 1 –a contest for folks to make films about water.  I am hoping to do something with my Water poem!

Tonight Thursday Sept 22 and Saturday Sept 24, Art City on Dubbers in Ventura  is the place to be!

Today’s free event “Fall Equinox Gathering of the Vibes” starts at 4pm and continues into the night as an informal gathering among the rocks at Art City. Organizers say: “Commune with the stones, plant some plants, harvest some soul/ food… we’ll gather in the stone garden at Art City for yet another honoring of the changing of seasons. welcome fall… welcome all to our potluck, fire and music jam!”

Saturday’s free event includes featured performers, an open mic and a potluck. All are invited to attend and to bring a poem to read, a song to sing, and dish to share. Organizers say:

“The first order of change is for poets, writers, musicians, artists, activists to get together to create and perform, educate and demonstrate, simultaneously, with other communities around the world. This will change how we see our local community and the global community. We have all become incredibly alienated in recent years. We hardly know our neighbors down the street let alone our creative allies who live and share our concerns in other countries. We need to feel this kind of global solidarity. It will be empowering.”

If you’re looking for a special event for Friday evening September 23, 2016 head to Ojai Valley School’s Ojai campus sports field for the Mountain Film Festival, a fundraiser for the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy.

Tickets aren’t cheap, but neither is saving the land: $18 current OVLC members; $22 non-members; $25 at the door; $10 children under 12. Get two free tickets with a new membership of $35 or above. Online ticket sales end Friday, September 23th at 11 a.m. Organizers say:

Get ready for a night of fun and food, friends and family, adventure inspired shorts, Telluride Mountainfilm style. On September 23, the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is teaming up with Mountainfilm on Tour to bring the original films and the experience of the Telluride Mountainfilm Festival to Ojai.

Bring your blankets and low-back chairs and stake out your spot on the lawn. There will be live music, food trucks, and a beer garden provided by Topa Topa Brewing Company and the Ojai Beverage Company. The evening is sponsored by Patagonia.

Alcohol is not permitted outside of the beer garden. No pets. No smoking of any kind. Overflow parking will be generously provided across the street by the Ojai Valley Inn.

Thinking about joining the OVLC? Join today and receive two free tickets! Visit our giving page and type “Mountainfilm Tickets” in the comments section of the donation form and we will send you two tickets when you join with a first time donation of $35 or more.

Subscribe to be the first to find out about more fall festivities including LA’s Burning Man 2016 Decompression Party the first weekend in November!