Dear Ventura County Climate Activists,

The big piece in March is about the transportation budget. Will Ventura County spend it's dollars on bike routes and mass transit? You can help decide.

Also, some talk about a non-profit food co-op in Ventura. Interested? Read on!

-From the folks of VCCool
www.vccool.org

VC Transit Budget - Your Input Needed!!
Everyone's Input Needed!

Do you want more busses, better bike routes, alternatives to the private auto? Then this is your chance to be heard!!

The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) is deciding how to spend this years' transit dollars. Thanks to ASERT, VCTC has extended the public comment deadline to March 20th.

The only way we'll wean ourselves from cars is if lots of Ventura County residents let VCTC know that we want the funding to go to bike routes, buses, racks on buses, trains. We've got some great ways for you to submit comments.

Ventura Farmer's Market - Multi Media Event- Staring YOU!

Saturday, March 7th
8:30 a.m. to Noon
Ventura Farmer's Market
Santa Clara and Palm, Ventura
flyer

The VCCool Bicycle Pod invites you to come give your testimony on video or just on audio. You get 3 minutes to tell VCTC what your transit needs are. Be specific, be thrifty (budget cuts and all). We'll also have form letters to sign.

Screening - "Who Killed the Electric Car?" - Then Filming You!

Saturday, March 14th
1p.m. - 4p.m. (movie 1-3)
Ventura Avenue Library
606 N. Ventura Avenue, Ventura
flyer

RAN (Rainforest Action Network) will be screening "Who Killed the Electric Car." Then, it's your turn to be on the screen. We'll get your input about your transit needs either on video or you can fill out a form letter. Tips from VCTC about how to comment. VCCool's on-line form coming soon!

How about this for a concept; "Food for People not for Profit"

How would you like to be part of a community grocery store that was run by the people and for the people? Where all the food that could be, was purchased from local farmers and cooks? Where things were sold in bulk so you could bring your own containers? A place with a local event board, local pottery and weaving, a place to meet friends? Maybe close to The Avenue and Downtown.

Some folks are thinking it's high time we had one of these in the city of Ventura, and we're wondering if there's enough interest to get this off the ground. If you're interested - drop us a line with your contact information.

First Friday Art Ride: "Electric Light Parade"
Plus a light up your bike event

Friday, March 6
First Friday Art Ride (a non-sponsored event)
5:30 pm
Artists' Union Gallery
330 S. California St., Ventura

This month the theme is lots o' lights on your bike!!

LIGHTS: To help you light up your bike for join us at the ArtBarn Thursday March 5, 7-10pm. Bring lights and reflectors to be installed; some lights will be available for purchase. California law requires night riders to have a white light in front, a red light in back, and reflectors on the sides.

THE RIDE: Modeled after the Disneyland Electric Light Parade, but on bikes, this Friday dress up as a Disney character and with fun light accessories for you and your bike–or just join the ride: the more the merrier! Meet at 515pm and park for free at the City of Ventura San Jon Road Maintenance Yard lot or meet at 530pm at the Artists Union. From there, ride follows the promenade to Main, then downtown visiting the open First Friday galleries including Bell Arts Factory. This ride is not sponsored by any organization, so ride often, ride safely, ride at your own risk.

Coming Clean - Breaking America's Addiction to Coal and Oil
Michael Brune Speaks about his book

Monday, March 23rd
6:00 p.m.
Patagonia's Fire House
280 W. Main St., Ventura, CA  93001
sponsored by the Green Building Council

Wednesday, March 25
7:00 p.m.
Chaparral Auditorium
414 E. Ojai Ave. , Ojai
$5 suggested donation
sponsored by the Ojai Valley Green Coalition

Join author and Executive Director of RAN (Rainforest Action Network) Michael Brune, as he speaks about his new book, "Coming Clean." Copies of the book will be for sale at each event.

“Straight from the front lines of the battle for a clean, cheap energy economy, Mike Brune tells the fascinating inside story. With fuel prices soaring, his practical vision for how we can ‘come clean’ is tremendously important. I especially appreciate his guidance on how we can make this revolution happen before it’s too late.”

—Wes Boyd, cofounder of MoveOn.Org

What is a VCCool Pod?

A VCCool "Pod" is a group of VCCoolers that meet together for climate change action, with a specific focus. For example, we have a Bicycle Pod, a New Urbanism Pod, a Public Policy Pod, and we're forming others like the Transportation Pod, possibly a Local Food Pod.

Pods are a great way to get involved with VCCool. You can pick what you're most interested in, and attend those meetings.

Bike Pod meeting
Tuesday March 10th
Second Tuesdays of the month
6:30pm to 8:30pm
345 West Center St, Ventura

The purpose of the Bike Pod is to create a bike culture in our community.

New Urbanism Pod meeting
Thursday, March 12th
6:30pm to 8:30 pm
Mainstreet Architects
422 East Main Street, Ventura

The New Urbanism Pod is reviewing issues of city planning, zoning, parking, and more, all with an eye on greener communities.

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..