While April is National Poetry Month, this May there’s some great poetry readings to catch in Ventura County!
Tomorrow, Thursday, May 11 at 7:30pm in the EP Foster Library Topping Room (651 E. Main Street, Ventura), join Ventura County Poet Laureate Phil Taggart as he hosts a featured reading by Joy Manesiotis followed by an open mic with readings by local luminaries as well as poets in training and others including my Ventura College Composition students.
Expect the unexpected! I tell my students they can find poetry anywhere. They could submit anything they chose to that they’d written this semester but they can read what they want Thursday night. Above is the cover that Brandon Elliott designed using the title that the students generated and voted for and an image submitted by Maria Sheldon that she took in her photography this semester.
Featured poet is Univ of Redlands prof Joy Manesiotis
On Saturday, April 29, the People spoke about Climate, Jobs, and Justice.
- we spoke with our feet as we marched
- we spoke through our signs
- we spoke with our voices through chants, cheers, song
- we spoke through our actions–
- our circles of unity
- our swarm
- our thermo-climb
- read more about why!
- and more background here
Today’s the day! Time to get your Climate March on! People are already marching around the world to send a message to leaders and community members alike that we need to tackle global warming and climate change in a way that addresses social and environmental justice. Read more about why, where, and how.
It is not only the right thing to do to create a more just world, but the Green Economy is creating far more jobs that the older petroleum and carbon based one! It is time for the US to step forward to renew our commitment to the Paris Agreement, to be inventive and innovative, and not hold the world back.
While it may seem that the weather and the climate is just fine, especially on a gorgeous day like today, 97% of the world’s scientists argue that it is not.
We need to take radical action, and we need to do it now: for our children and for the all living beings on our planet:
If you are joining us in Ventura where we will make a rainbow and a circle to show our diversity and our unity for justice for all at around this HUGE Moreton Fig in Mission Park:
and then we will be at the Ventura Botanic Garden in all of its spring wildflower glory:
At both sites, we will have postcards to decorate and address to be sent. We will be collecting donations to pay for the postage for these postcards as well as a commemorative postcard that we will send to participants who make a donation and fill out a mailing label.
If you are willing to help out, we need 1-3 people to collect donations and help coordinate each color.
We will have water donated from The Water Store as well as juices, sodas, and organic lemonade and organic snacks for sale.
More details here:
Choose a color and RSVP to this FREE event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/275301409589868/
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ventura-county-climate-rally-march-and-thermo-climb-tickets-33914938494?aff=ebapi
Climate march color flyer here to print out.
You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather.
— Pema ChodrunUnless it’s not weather but climate change…
On the first day of his presidency, along with a few million others, I marched.
Now on the 100th day of his presidency, along with a million or more, I will march again, this time for Climate, Jobs, and Justice, in an event that I am co-organizing that takes a stand for climate justice and a clean energy economy.
Even for someone like me who considers herself an activist, it seems like it has been non-stop from one March or action to the next, including spelling out RESIST at the beach and waving at cars about education in the pouring rain.
Because times have changed. Just watch this Simpson’s episode if you have doubts. Read more…
In this time of alternative facts, the eradication of information from government websites, the slashing of science budgets, and being that April is Earth Month, now more than ever we need to stand up for SCIENCE.
Join a nationwide movement to champion support and funding for science, science-based policy, and diversity
On Earth Day 2017, scientists and fans of science will march together because as Neil DeGrasse Tyson noted in an interview with Bill Maher,
The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it.
The other good thing about science is we have so many great scientists around who love to talk about science — and that are fun to listen to and learn from, like Bill the Science Guy who will be saving the world on Netflix starting today.
While a fan of Bill Nye, I am not the aficionado — like my son is. Now 13 and in 8th grade, every Friday in 7th and 8th grade, he’s looked forward to getting out early, having shorter classes, and, in science, watching an episode of Bill Nye The Science Guy.
So I asked the expert in the house to watch the trailer with me — and yes he’s impressed!
“Much better production values,” the 8th grader says knowingly. “Can we watch it now?”
Ha! Later, I said, I’ve got this blog post to finish and other things to do as we prepare for the Climate March in Ventura April 29. But we will, I promise! Soon!
Most people have probably figured out how they are going to celebrate Earth Day and which March for Science they will participate in. But just in case you haven’t got those kinds of friends who tell you about stuff like this, here’s a few of the BIG events going on around here.
Or do as the Sierra Club suggests, and take a hike! “It doesn’t matter where you are or how you do it–it can be a walk through your neighborhood, a stroll through your local park, or an urban hike in your city,” the Sierra Club says. “Share your corner with us. There’s something special about each corner of our Earth–we want to know about yours! Use the hashtags #EveryCornerand #TeamSierra.”
SELECT SOCAL MARCH FOR SCIENCE and EARTH DAY EVENTS FOLLOWED BY CLIMATE MARCH EVENTS Read more…
An Evening with Three Authors:
Weds. April 12 530-9pm
ASC 150 * FREE
Musician Alice Bag – LA, CA
Violence Girl: East LA Rage to Hollywood Stage—A Chicana Punk Story
Music Journalist Tony Fletcher – Woodstock, NY
Boy About Town; In The Midnight Hour: The Life & Soul of Wilson Pickett
Editor and Entrepreneur Zhena Muzyka – Ojai, CA
Life By The Cup: Inspiration for a Purpose-Filled Life
VC Celebrates Diversity 3/29, 4/12-13: dance, speakers, authors, poets, film, free food!
You are invited to this year’s Cesar Chavez Event at Ventura College hosted by M.E.Ch.A on Weds. March 29 starting at 430pm in Guthrie Hall. The event is free and open to the public and Danza Azteca Xochipili will start the evening right outside in the quad area plus free food from Mom and Pops restaurant will be provided while provisions last.
Recent executive actions have caused a time of uncertainty and genuine fear for many on our campus and in local communities. With threats of deportation faculty, staff and students need to know how to navigate in this new environment. Guest presenters include Attorney Gabriella Navarro Busch, who will lay out the legal conditions we are facing and Leo Martinez, a local community activist who will discuss how students can proactively protect themselves and their families. Please join us in examining these and other questions about the new administrative challenges.
Earlier in the day, at 330pm Ventura College’s Sociology Club will show and discuss The Illusionists a campus event in MCW 110. This new documentary film is about global commercialization of beauty ideals. They will also have a food truck with FREE food on a first-come, first served basis.
We are also busy planning Ventura College’s second annual Culture in Diversity Festival on April 12 and 13 from 930am-9pm. Wednesday highlights include evening readings by Alice Bag, Tony Fletcher, and Zhena Muzyka. Thursday’s highlights include a Poetry Slam by area and VC student poets plus Richard Blanco from 1-2pm and Donna Granata on women artists and activists from 3-4pm.
If you’re a VC student and you’d like to participate in the Poetry Slam, submit your poem for consideration by Friday March 31!
This Spring, Terry Tempest Williams Says: Flood with Integrity of Purpose, Patience, Persistence Capable of Cracking Stone
Let us pause and listen and gather our strength with grace
and move forward like water in all its manifestation:
flat water, white water, rapids and eddies,
and flood this country with an integrity of purpose
and patience and persistence capable of cracking stone.
— Terry Tempest Williams, Erosion, 11/2016
Today is Ostara, the first day of Spring for us in the Northern Hemisphere.
The 2017 March equinox occurred early this morning March 20th (3:29 am PDT): the Vernal or Spring equinox in the northern hemisphere, and the Fall or Autumnal equinox in the southern hemisphere. The March equinox marks that special moment when day becomes longer than night in the north, and everything is growing, while it’s harvest in the south. The Sun enters the sign of Aries, while crossing the celestial equator from south to north.
So Happy Nowruz! That’s the Persian work for New Year because in their calendar the first day of spring is the first day of the new year! “Although having Iranian and religious Zoroastrian origins,” Wikipedia says “Nowruz has been celebrated by people from diverse ethno-linguistic communities for thousands of years. It is a secular holiday for most celebrants that is enjoyed by people of several different faiths, but remains a holy day for Zoroastrians.”
So what are your New Years Resolutions? How about to be happier? Today would be a great day to start because it’s the International Day of Happiness 2017!
Plus today is World Storytelling Day with a 2017 theme of Transformation.
(PS It’s also National Ravioli Day! Read about some great ravioli here!)
This spring, for what purpose are you gathering your strength? To create happiness? What stones do you intend to crack? What stories are you telling? What stories are you helping to transform? What part of your life or our world would you like to reimagine? (Thanks Tea Silvestre Godfrey for this story telling prompting!)
Pablo Neruda: You can cut down all the flowers but you cannot stop the spring.
(If anyone has an actual source for this phrase, I’d appreciate it. While Neruda was radical enough to have said it, and it is attributed to him, it is a popular Chilean slogan that may or may not have originated with Neruda).
Like last year, my students and I will be celebrating the day at Art City, 197 Dubbers Ventura CA 93001 (near the Vons on Ventura Avenue, Main and Olive; turn left on Rex just after the Olive and Highway 33 entrance and look for parking). Celebrate the Vernal Equinox with us as we enjoy the wonders of the elements working together! Balance your monday with Yoga, Music, Creative expression, Dance, Food (Potluck!). Invite your friends to the magical stone (and food) garden of Art City! Read more about the event here.
Among the speakers and performers tonight will be Fantuzzi who has a new book out Love at First Bite (2017) that tells his amazing life story and the story of Fantuzzi’s music. Love At First Bite gives readers an insider’s view of his 50 year career, his travels as a musician, and his work as a spiritual teacher; he shares the inspiration that drives his mission of bringing spiritual transformation through his music and teaching to fans worldwide.
Finally: here’s a spring desert poem I wrote. See spring desert wildflowers along the PCT here.
Tribute to Chuck Berry 10/18/26-3/18/17
I love music and I love to dance. I have been to Burning Man almost 20 times and danced many days and nights away. I have gone to Coachella twice and I am going this year to hear Radiohead and Lady Gaga. I attend Lucidity, Lightening in a Bottle, Live Oak, the Joshua Tree Music Festival, and lots of summer concerts in LA. I have danced to The Who at the Santa Barbara Bowl, and to Bruce Springsteen at a bunch of different venues. I have danced to blues greats like John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, and B.B. King as well as African musicians like Baaba Mal and Angelique Kidjo not to mention contemporary groups like Thievery Corporation, Massive Attack, Flaming Lips, Talking Heads, B-52s, Spearhead and many many more. I love music and I love to dance.
But nothing beats the night I danced on stage while Chuck Berry played live.
Cheers! Spring for Orchids and Wildflowers
Spring means time for wildflowers, strawberry pie, and the Santa Barbara Orchid Show! Cheers!
With St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow, Spring Equinox on Monday, and Easter just around the corner April 16, it’s time to get out and enjoy the flowers and the sunshine at the Santa Barbara Orchid Show, a music festival, the desert, or just a gathering of friends! Keep reading for details!
After all of the rain this season, much of California is starting to experience a SUPERBLOOM of wildflowers, beginning with the more southern desert areas and working its way north. A superbloom occurs because after a period of drought and then exceptional rains, the seeds take advantage of the conditions and bloom like crazy! And the desert is the best place to experience it — the lush wildflowers contrasts with the stark and seemingly barren landscape.
I got down to the Anza Borrego Desert for a three day, 33 mile backpack trip along Section A of the Pacific Crest Trail. Read more…
art predator 