Pennie O'Grady

Here's something I thought to pass on.  EcoApprentice is just getting started as a website that functions to bring those with ecological dilemmas to those with solutions, using the same kind of platform that KickStarter, etc. are using to "go to the crowd."  Kind of like permies.com, but different.  I imagine there could be a multitude of fruits from this.  Paul, do you know about this?  I'd  think there's an interface for permies.  At the very least, it seems like one more place to spread permaculture pathways and principles to new (potential) crowds.  The way it's organized makes it user friendly in a different way.

http://www.ecoapprentice.com/

Curious what folks here think.

Duly noted and impressed.  Good for you!

Your appreciations are very much appreciated!  Not to mention all your lovelinesses during the weekend.  The way the whole thing worked out so beautifully made me really glad to have served in this way this year.  -Pennie

I'll be there! 

I'm the registrar for this year's Convergence.  I keep reminding folks to register (it's my job).  I know who is coming, but the cascadia forum might be THE place where I come to learn about who I will be hearing from soon!  I see that some of you have already registered, BUT some of you do not appear on my List.  So get your registrations in before August 16th -- then you can get in on the early bird price!  Go to http://www.washingtonstatepermaculture.org/wordpress/?page_id=20 to get the process started and finished!

Last day for the Early Bird rates is August 15th!!  After that, you can still register, of course.  It will go from $65 to $85 on August 16th, including meals.  All sorts of presentations are in the works: http://www.washingtonstatepermaculture.org/wordpress/?page_id=120

Those coming from out of town are welcome.  We encourage you to remember your fond memories of summer camp.  We have reserved rustic cabins in the woods at Camp Long in Seattle -- hard to believe it's in the heart of the city!  You can see for yourself here:  http://www.washingtonstatepermaculture.org/wordpress/?page_id=205. ; And only $20 total for both nights!

REGISTRATION IS NOW UP AND RUNNING on the website:  http://www.washingtonstatepermaculture.org/wordpress/?page_id=20.  Paypal is functional.  And take a look at the fabulous -- and still growing -- cast of presenters while you're at it!

Pre-registration CLOSES on the 12th of Sept.  Then it's $100 to be paid "at the door" of the convergence.

Glad you asked!  Check the site again this weekend:  http://www.washingtonstatepermaculture.org/wordpress/?page_id=20.  There should be a registration form posted up there as soon as our web master gets to it.  If you just can't wait, you can send a check with your name, e-mail and phone number clearly printed, to NW Permaculture Convergence, PO Box 31903, Seattle, WA 98103. 

We've actually been doing quite a bit of work on this, but it's not complete yet and that doesn't help you right now.  We're also slogging through a paypal method, so you can wait for that if you like.  As long as you pay $65 before Aug 2nd you get the lowest rate, including meals.  Also, if you're interested in a bed in a shared cabin at nearby Camp Long, add $20 for 2 nights (Friday and Saturday) to your payment.  Tent camping at Camp Long is NOT an option.  Home stays are also possible.

And Paul will be there talking about all sorts of groovy stuff!  What a deal!

The NW Permaculture Convergence is definitely happening in Seattle on Spt 17 - 19.  Paul will be presenting.  From a recent e-mail I sent out:

Save the date for the 2010 Northwest Permaculture Convergence, Spt 17-19!  This year we are forging an exciting new pathway in an urban setting by converging at South Seattle Community College.  Camping and home stays will be available.  With an 87 acre campus and cabins at nearby Camp Long, this will be an experience of an oasis in the city.  Not only are the SSCC gardens and meadows waiting for us, you will find warm and fuzzy interior spaces as well.

Mark Lakeman, activist architect and urban placemaking guru, will be our keynote speaker this year!  Many of you already know that Mark has been an ongoing and early instigator of Portland's City Repair and the annual Village Building Convergence there.  Of course we will host a wide array of fabulous regional presenters, and opportunities to present your own work.  In addition, look for collaboration with the Cascadia region's Transition Towns initiatives.  They will be integrating their own summit into the Convergence.  Also look for Seattle's own SCALLOPS (Sustainable Communities ALL Over Puget Sound) to be a presence as well.  We are very pleased to be making this year's NW Convergence a truly regional event!

We welcome with open arms all those interested in permaculture, as well as those working in permaculture.  Tickets for the 2010 Convergence are $65 through August 1, $85 August 2 through Sept 15, and $100 at the door.  Please keep checking back to the nwpermaculture.org website for registration and other details.  More will be posted shortly.

Convergence info: http://www.nwpermaculture.org

Mark Lakeman:

Point taken on person / someone word usage, Gwen.  You make a good point about the dangers of human/animal conflation, and I do certainly agree that humans are significantly different than other animals -- with power comes responsibility and with consciousness comes the possibility, at least, of compassion and even deference (though as I said, I think we are asked to defer to our own nature as omnivores as well as edible animals' paths of being prey).

One thing I do appreciate about the hindu practice and non-meat eaters -- and you speak to this in the stories you share, Rose -- is that they are embodying the important message that we have a connection to all species and that needs to be recognized and honored.

Oh, and I enjoy cooked fish, too!