Dear VCCoolness,

This February issue is full of creative and wonderful parties, events, and bike rides that you can bring your wild self to.

A special shout out to the poets, musicians, dancers, artists, and creative people in this community that bring life to the movement.

So come party with the planet lovers!

-From the folks of VCCool
www.vccool.org

FFFArt Ride: Pajama Party
(aka February's First Friday Art Ride)

Friday, February 6
First Friday Art Ride
5:30 pm
Artists' Union Gallery
330 S. California St., Ventura

So what is a FFArt Ride? It's a bunch of bicyclists going out for an evening ride the First Friday of every month during the First Friday's Art Walk, and having a blast!

Gwendolyn Alley and other members of the new VCCool Bicycle Advocacy Pod are putting this ride together and have this to say: "This month, BE RAD IN RED! Dress as flamboyantly as you dream–negligees anyone?–for a preValentine’s Ride and PAJAMA PARTY Friday February 6!!"

Blog with more FFArt Ride info.

What if it rains (80% chance)? If it's raining, we'll still meet at the Artist Union and discuss if we want to ride, or just hang out.

Free–but bring money for food and libations. Donations accepted to the VCCOOL Bike Pod.
The purpose of the Bike Pod is to create a bike culture in our community.
Bicycle Pod Meeting - 2nd Tuesday of every month, at 345 West Center St., Ventura
( 3 houses down from Sheridan Way School. We're looking for a bigger location.)

Mass Transit Forum and "Next Steps"

The January 31st Public Transit Forum was amazing! Put together by ASERT (CAUSE, VCCool, Arts for Action, COAST, and Pueblo), there were 200 participants, six workshops, transit priority break-out groups, a panel of speakers and a plethora of elected officials and other local leaders.

The event culminated with "Next Steps," a list of direct action you can do to bring transit alternatives to Ventura County. The main message: "To get transit changes - we must be visible!"

VCTC's "Transit Needs" flyer

A list of VCTC's Commissioners (City, County, and Citizen reps)

Have More Parties - Grow More Food!!

Sunday, February 8th
2:00 p.m.
Bell Arts Factory
432 N. Ventura Ave.

Talk, plan, share - and then let's get this party started! The Grow Food Party Crew is at it again, taking out a lawn and planting food! Help create a Garden of Eat'n. Don't forget to bring a couple of tools, gloves, musical instruments, friends, and a snack to share.

A Grow Food Party Crew Overview Video
Grow Food Party Tunes

Bicycles + Mass Transit: Letter Writing / Full Mood Ride

Monday, February 9
6pm - letter writing
7pm - Full Moon Bike Ride
345 West Center St., Ventura
(3 houses down from Sheridan Way School)

Come to VCCool's letter writing party, and let VCTC know that there are cyclists in this county who would use public transit if there were dependable ways to interact with a bicycle.

Bicycling two to three miles is a snap, while walking that far, especially with a load, sounds like work. Bicycle racks on buses and trains, and other cyclist facilities can extend scant pubic transit dollars by extending the reach of mass transit.

When you get done being a local hero, hop on your bike for an easy full-moon ride on the Ventura River Bike Path. If you plan to ride, be sure to bring lights and a helmet. (If it rains we won't do the ride.)

Green Drinks

Wednesday, February 11
5:30 pm
Kitchen Places
4125 Market Street, Suite 1
805-658-0440

No, the drinks themselves aren’t green. It’s the people who drink them that lend that specific tinge to the events called “Green Drinks.” And the premise is simple and organic: there are no annual dues to pay, and no paid leadership. Just meet with other environmentally minded folks and share a beverage or two. (Meets the second Wednesday of every month, in various cities in Ventura County.)

A Love-In for VCCool on Valentine's Day!
A Place of Peace presents a viewing of the classic film HAIR

Saturday, February 14th
Doors open at 7pm for mingling, snacks and group hugs,
Film starts at 8pm.
A Place of Peace
896 East Main Street (at Kalorama), Ventura
Suggested "love donation" of $10.
After expenses, proceeds go to VCCOOL
Seating is limited, please RSVP

You heard me! The Women’s Incubator Project is screening the film "Hair" on Valentines Day as a benefit for VCCool.

And get this! On Valentines day, the Moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars.....sound familiar? "Peace will guide the planet, and love will steer the stars!" Open your heart to an Aquarian experience, and help heal the planet.

Keep Green Investment in the Budget Package

The largest national budget in history just passed in the House. Among other things, it contains over $100 billion dollars of "Green Investments." Some organizations are concerned that business as usual will be the flavor of the day in the Senate - and that clean energy and conservation funding will be stripped out of the package.

Here are links to some of these voices. Get involved in this critical national dialog.

Call Your Senator - 1 Sky
Call the Switchboard - League of Conservation Voters
Local House Meetings - Alliance for Climate Protection
Don't Let Congress Drop the Ball Petition - Transportation for America
Petition - Economy and Environment - Union of Concerned Scientists

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..