Community garden

"What is an Ooooby Store?" I hear you ask. Well the vision is growing and evolving day by day, but let me attempt to paint it for you.

Imagine a place where you feel welcome and also at home because you have a sense of ownership of this space and drop in on a whim, to grab a cup of tea and see who is around and what conversations are being had. Imagine being able to choose from a selection of seating places dotted about the gardens. More seats and tables are clustered in the shade of the large Willow tree, where the diverse classes and workshops take place with delightful regularity. While on the island this week, Finn Mackesey agreed to support us by helping to offer a modular Permaculture design course here on Waiheke, at the Store.

I've just turned on a new look for the web site. If you have any images to contribute to the random cycle of images that come up in the header, feel free to send them to me. Images that will look good when a 980 x 94 pixel crop are taken from them, with a uncomplicated area on the left (for the words "Transition Towns New Zealand Aotearoa" to go on top of) are ideal.

When you think about global environmental issues the actions of one person can seem insignificant, but then just look at the simple pledges taken by a few people at the start of a New Year to realise the impact your actions could have.

Hello, Transition Towners,

I am new to using this website, as of today - Merry Christmas!

I look forward to working and networking with you all.

Contact me here or skype me at jay_l_robinson, with any ideas or help for doing TT in Palmerston North, or to keep in touch in this nationwide network.

best,
Jay

A few nights ago, Pete and I sat down and reviewed the "Sowing and Growing" event that we had just held at the Waiheke cinema. We talked about the centralised food model versus the local food model and came up with this short video. In it we referred to a website called Ooooby, which you can find at www.ooooby.org and if you visit it you will find a social networking site whose purpose is to connect food growers in your local area,and facilitate the exchange of food, the sharing of knowledge and information, and the offering of an abundance of inspiration, particularly through the expanding library of video.

One of the architects of 21st Century India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who was President of India from 2002 to 2007, has long stressed on a Vision 2020, energy independence and PURA (Providing Urban amenities in Rural Areas). I would like more information on the steps India is taking to achieve these.

A very pleasant casual end of year dinner was held at the Botanic Gardens on Wednesday 10th December 2008

A group of twenty TT Manuakau people shared ideas and thoughts, with no formal speaker this time.

The variety of plates for the dinner was superb, with much organic produce and home made delights available.

It was a very welcoming environment, so people interested in TT can be confident of a warm reception at the next meeting.