VCCool News 8/20/07

This newsletter can also be read on line.

VCCool Newsletter August 20, 2007

Dear Global Warming Activist,

July was definitely the summer vacation month for VCCool. But with August, we're ramping up for a seriously cool fall bicycle summit that we hope everyone will be a part of.

Also, with the entire California budget in gridlock for almost two months over global warming, it's time to get on the phone and make some noise!

Nothing to unveil yet, but behind the scenes we are incorporating and getting our non-profit status. With your help, VCCool is growing up.

Peace and Health,

-Rachel of VCCool
www.vccool.org

Saturday, September 8
10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Kids' rodeo/all bicycle film fest/city workshops
Sheridan Way School / Bell Arts Factory

Did you know that in Davis California, 17 percent of trips are by bicycle? In the city Ventura, less than 1 percent of the population commutes by bike. What can we do to have numbers like Davis?

VCCool and the City of Ventura are challenging all bikers and would-be bikers to answer that question. Come be a part of the kids' rodeo, an all-bicycle film festival, and workshops with city staff where you can share your ideas and experience to help Ventura be a better place to bicycle.

Bicycle Summit Details ( Film list and kids' rodeo FAQ coming soon.)

Dear friends, this bicycle summit is a huge undertaking for VCCool. Our core people are maxing out, and we really need your help. Please consider taking an hour or two to put up posters, or to help kids learn about bikes at the Saturday rodeo. Call (805)648-1267 today!

Or consider sending a check made out to VCCool to help pay for costs of the event. Please mail checks to: VCCool, 345 West Center St, Ventura, CA 93001.

The California state budget has been blocked for almost two months because of 14 state senators. These 14 men voted against the popular AB-32 and lost, so now they're willing to withhold money from health clinics, teachers, seniors, to get their way and gut AB-32. More information

Call Senator McClintock and Governor Schwarzenegger Today

TODAY a "compromise" was put on the table that would prevent global warming action for years to come. Call Governor Schwarzenegger and tell him to veto any budget that blocks global warming action.

Our state senator, Tom McClintock, is one those who is blocking the budget. Please call him and tell him to pass the budget. A Note from Pedro Nava.

Senator Tom McClintock - (916) 445-8873
Arnold Schwarzenegger - (916) 445-2841

"Global warming doctrine cannot withstand scientific inquiry or open debate,
and they know it."
-Tom McClintock, August 2007

“The debate on global warming is over.”
-Scientific American, September 2006

"We simply must do everything we can in our power to slow down global warming before it is too late. The science is clear. The global warming debate is over."
-Arnold Schwarzenegger, September 2006

Saturday, September 22
Starts at 6 pm
The Art Barn (behind the front house)
857 E. Thompson, Ventura

The Organic Garden Club is having a harvest exchange and film: “Deconstructing Supper.” Bring your garden surplus to trade or give away, talk about what we should do next, and see an excellent film. Newcomers welcome. Contact: Margaret Morris, (805) 648 4323.

Stacie Logue is using her gift as an artist as a way to help promote climate care in Ventura. This year after seeing our cloth bag design contest at ArtWalk, she decided to donate a portion of her sale to VCCool. Stacie's "Moon Dance" can be enjoyed at the Sea Breeze Art Gallery, 255 South Laurel St., Ventura, CA, 93001 until September 15.

Check out the seriously amazing new County website "Build it Smart." it's packed with information by the area's top global-warming engineers and professionals. It's got things like: local smart-building stories, how to get free design assistance, rebates and tax incentives, and a climate change page with a write-up about VCCool. Seriously, even if you're not planning to remodel or build, you should check this out!

Behind anything this quality, you'll find someone who really cares. A driving force, cranking on this project , pouring her heart and time into it is Lorraine Rubin of the VC Planning Division. Be sure to congratulate her when you see her!

Calling All Film Makers! Eco-Spot

Current TV gets much of its content from viewers. They are currently doing an "eco-spot" contest, with first prize being a Toyota hybrid. It's about climate crisis, and they want you to "Make it powerful: make your viewers think and inspire them to act." So get your friends together, get your camera's out, get your entries in! Deadline is November.

Eco-spot Rules and Sample Video

According to a Wikipedia article, because of the floods in Asia this year "By August 3 approximately twenty million [people] had been displaced." In the same article it says that The United Nations called the flooding the worst in living memory. Could there be a link to this and global warming?

If you received this message from a friend, and you'd like to be on Ventura's Global Warming email list, send a note to the action@vccool.org with instructions to add you to the global warming e-mail list.

To remove yourself from our list, simply send a note to action@vccool.org with a request to remove you from the global warming list..