Seventh Generation Supper and Annual Meeting
Tuesday, January 28, 5:45 pm - Anacortes Senior Center
Ron Harris was the emcee for this evening where 55 friends of Transition enjoyed local fellowship, music by Ben Boatright, a great supper and a unique program. In addition, we held our Annual Meeting.
Carolyn Gastellum conducted the 2014 Annual Meeting. She started by introducing the existing Board, all of whom were interested in serving another year term. In addition, three individuals were interested in joining the Board for the 2014 term.
Elections
Standing for re-election: Evelyn Adams, Bud Anderson, Richard Bergner, Sylvia Cooper, Carolyn Gastellum, Ron Larson, and Eric Shen.
Standing for election: Heather Burke (interested in supporting a sustainable community), Sommer Carter (lover of nature, home school mother, honors community spirit), and Laurie Racicot (WA native, interested in sailing and developing local food supplies)
Carolyn requested nominations from the floor, but no names were submitted. Therefore, the seven existing and three new Board members for 2014 were approved by voice vote; there were no nays.
Change in Bylaws
Carolyn discussed the potential change in our bylaws that concerned annual dues. The proposal was based on Article XI: "The dues of the organization shall be $10 (change to $20 individual/$30 family) per annum and shall be payable by March each year." Bud made a motion; Sylvia seconded. After a brief discussion, the motion passed by voice vote; no nays. TF&F has a 2014 goal of having 100 paid members! Carolyn pointed out the double-sided flyers on the tables listing all of TF&F's 2013 activities and encouraged people to support TF&F with dues, which can be paid at the supper meetings, through Paypal on our website (transitionfidalgo.org), or by mail to TF&F at PO Box 62, Anacortes.
The Annual Meeting was closed and Ron hosted Community Sharing Time:
1. Callie Martin, Skagit County Public Works Master Composter and Recycler announced an 8-week Master Composter volunteer program from March 6 - April 24th (Thursdays) at Padilla Bay, 6:30 - 8:30pm. Apply at www.skagitcounty.net/recycle. Or, send your application by email or snail mail to: Callie Martin,14104 Ovenell Rd, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273. Questions? call at 360-424-7817 or email calliem@skagit.wa.us
2. Linda Zielinski announced the 6th year of free Eat Your Yard gardening classes ("Veggie U") that will be held on the first 3 Tuesdays of February and March starting at 6:45pm at the Anacortes Library.
3. Jan Hersey mentioned the Marine Resources Committee will host an open house on Wednesday, Feb 5th from 4-7pm at the Fidalgo Bay RV Park (about the middle of the Tommy Thompson Trail). See see www.skagitmrc.org for more information.
4. Carolyn Gastellum mentioned that Auto Magic log sheets can be found on the back page of the Anacortes Parks & Rec 2014 Winter Menu booklet that has been inserted in the local papers. Log sheets are also available at each TF&F Supper on the information table.
5. Jan Woodruff will work with local citizens to oppose Shell in getting the required permits to construct an oil rail unloading system at the Shell Anacortes Refinery. There are 18 days to submit comments online about Shell's rail plan. The SV Herald on Jan 28th stated that the County is accepting online public comment until 4:30 Friday, Feb 14. Submit to www.skagitcounty.net/pdscomments
6. Naturopath Alethea Fleming is promoting a local Affordable Wellness Project. This program will cost $5 and is a series of classes and lectures for those who care about health throughout Skagit County. More information on Facebook or visit http:skagitcommunityacupuncture.com/affordable-wellness-project.
7. Alethea also mentioned "Walk With A Doc" on the 2nd Saturday of the month. Starting at 9am, a physician will lead a walk on the Tommy Thompson Trail or at Washington Park. Information at www.walkwithadoc.org
8. Evelyn Adams reported on the Georgetown University Energy Prize, which was recently mentioned in the Anacortes American. Mayor Gere initiated a discussion with TF&F Board member Eric Shen concerning this nationwide competition with a $5 million incentive prize aimed at getting small to medium communities to come up with innovative, replicable, ways to maximize energy efficiency. Even if we don't win the prize, we'd have access throughout the competition to resources such as financial and technical assistance. If accepted as a competitor, this would be a massive project and require a three-year commitment. Laurie has sent in a LOI to participate; the next step is to see if PSE and Cascade Nat. Gas will get on board.
9. Evelyn also gave an overview of the Vision 2030 document, which will be completed in February and which includes
sections focused on economy, energy, food, health, homes/neighborhoods, natural resources, and transportation. The
document will be released in February and discussed at our April TF&F meeting. Jennifer Bowman has created a stunning cover for the document as a time bank exchange. The Vision task force will present small "chunks" of the document
at each meeting up until the April meeting, which will focus on the entire doc and how to share it with the community.
10. Sommer Carter and Laurie Racicot discussed their section of the Vision 2030 document: Homes & Neighborhoods. They stated three main points: (1) Housing affordability is central to our community's quality of life and economic vitality.
(2) Mixed-use development is a proven strategy for creating a vibrant local economy and safe, walk-able neighborhoods.
(3) Building trust, social cohesion, and a strong sense of community all increase the likelihood that people can weather
significant change.
11. Jean DeVries noted that the ten-week WSU Livestock Advisor Program begins February 17th at Stanwood High School. This Monday night program is from 6 - 9 pm. Contact Jean at the Skagit County Extension office at 360-428-4270.
Evening Presentation: Localizing Food: City Goats and Urban Agriculture
Jennie Grant and Phyllis Shulman shared how Seattle came to legalize backyard goats.
Jennie Grant, author of City Goats and the Goat Justice League Guide to Backyard Goat Keeping and Phyllis Schulman, past senior legislative adviser to Seattle city council member Richard Conlin, were the presenters. They talked about the basics of urban goat-keeping along with the history of farm animals in cities, strategies cities can use to bring them back, and pathways to creating healthy communities. Jennie mentioned how she uses the goat milk each day that can reach one gallon a day at the peak period. There at 56 goats being raised in Seattle since 2007, when they became legal. There is a "three small animals per house limit in Seattle. Phyllis Shulman crafted the Seattle Local Food Action Initiative, and assists communities across the country to strengthen their local food systems.
Next TF&F Featured Presentations:
-------------- Feb 25 - Vince Oliver - Hospital plans for the future
------------- March 25- Daniel Najera on what we can learn from the bees
-------------- April 29 - Vision 2030 & Comprehensive Plan
Bud Anderson, Secretary TF&F