Dear VCCoolers,

While a strong and exciting infrastructure for green jobs, clean local energy production, and human-oriented walkable/bikable communities is being put into place, the old paradigm pitting prosperity against a healthy climate continues to demand "business as usual."

Read February's newsletter to learn about an effort to undermine state-wide climate care, plus inspiring local actions and ways you can keep the green effort on track!

-From the folks of VCCool
www.vccool.org

Measure #94:
An Attempt to Halt California's Historic Climate Protection

A group under the dubious title of "People's Advocate, Inc." recently filled a measure to suspend AB-32, California's landmark bill which mandates the phased reduction of greenhouse gases.

If enough signatures are gathered, the bill would appear on November's ballot. Among other things, the bill would invalidate Governor Schwarzenegger's executive order requiring utilities to supply 33% of California's electricity from clean, renewable sources by 2020, and would turn back California Air Resources already-adopted decisions such as a measure to slash the amount of carbon in gasoline and other fuels. The authors' proposed title of the bill "California Jobs Initiative" is expected to be changed to something more descriptive of the actual text. Any suggestions?

Stay Informed:
Measure 94 text     LA Times article      Critiques of AB 32 Offer Daydreams of Disaster

What you can do:
Help inform others; send a Letter to the Editor of your favorit local newspaper supporting green jobs and strong climate legislation.

The take away - while we "green" our own lifestyles and businesses, we need to stay informed and active on the public policy front as well.

Green Training for Building Contractors Comes to Ventura

Thanks to the efforts of local contractor, Wayne Pendrey, the California Building Performance Contractors Association (CBPCA) will begin offering green building retrofit and certification classes in Ventura early this year. Bringing a powerful blend of green jobs and climate care. For information contact Barbara Hernesman
(888)-931-1116 ext 3.

First Friday Art Ride : The Tweed Ride

Friday, February 5
Meet 5:30pm, Ride 6pm
330 S. California St & Ventura Beach Promenade

An event of the San BuenaVentura ArtRiders Bicycle & Social Club
Tweed Ride: Join Dapper Lads & Lasses in finest tweeds & gowns on a jolly ride about town on our two-wheeled steeds! Bring a device for portage of libations & money for food & hooch. 8pm Music & Beer from Anacapa at Laurel Street Galleries.

(From the traffic elf - Be sure to bring lights, follow traffic laws, and be sweet and kind to the other folk sharing the road. All ages welcome. (Unsponsored Ride) )

Join Locavore Lite!

The Ventura County locavores, including some VCCoolers, celebrate one year of eating local - living and thriving on food grown and produced within 100 miles of home. Of course the game had rules like "three exception ingredients can be used throughout a month" and "two anything-goes meals per month are allowed."

So, what was it like? And are all-local meals really as healthy and delicious as I've been hearing?

There's an easy way to get a little taste of the project. Sign up for "Locavore Lite 2010" and find out! Hundreds of folks already have including council members from both Ojai and Ventura! It's simple, get local foods 12 times a year at your local farmer's market or back yard, eat three 100% local meals in a year, think about where your food comes from, and you're in!! Join Locavore Lite and let the local food movement begin with you!

Mayor Fulton's State of the City Address

In addition to discussing Ventura's enduring prosperity and service delivery, Mayor Fulton delivered an extremely strong and clear directive to deal with climate change and its affects on the City of Ventura and its current and future residents. VCCool was acknowledged for our continuing work in this area. Read the full address:
Ventura’s Defining Moment: Creating A Prosperous and Sustainable Future

VCCool Says "Yes" to Fair Elections

Sunday, March 14th
Fair Elections Passion Raiser
2-4pm
4101 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo (library)

VCCool joins Steve Bennett, Planning and Conservation League, SOAR, the League of Women Voters, the Sierra Club, Pedro Nava, and many other leaders and organizations in supporting Proposition 15, The California Fair Elections Act. Policy and elected officials play a critical roll in protecting our climate, and we believe decision makers should be elected in Fair Elections.

To learn more, visit: Yes Fair Elections or join us at the local Fair Elections Passion Raiser.

VCCool Needs A Lap Top, and a Few Good Volunteers

VCCool is putting the call out for volunteers in the areas of:

• Fundraising
• Film Making
• Teaching Kids about Bicycles

Also, do you have a relatively newish (Windows XP or later) laptop that you could donate to VCCool? Please no dinosaurs. If so, we would love to have it for our volunteer helpers, and we'll give you a receipt for a tax credit.

If you want to get involved or have a laptop to donate, please call Kendra at (805) 419-4623! Or e-mail action@vccool.org.

Why and How to Get Involved in Local Boards and Commissions

Thursday, February 11
Why and How to Get Involved in Local Boards and Commissions
6:30pm
40 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara
(Library, Faulkner Gallery)

Ever considered getting more involved in local politics than just casting your vote? How about if YOU were one of the people representing the public and crafting decisions? CAUSE, PUEBLO, and SBWPC are hosting of series of workshops to help you bring your aspirations to life.

Transit UPdate

The President of VCCool, Rachel Morris, is now on Ventura's Citizen Advisory Board of the Ventura County Transportation Commission. What does that mean? She is now part of a 10 city commission that helps advise VCTC about transit needs.

We are pleased to say that her suggested language (adding Reduction of Vehicle Miles Traveled, and prioritizing low income citizen needs to the bicycle/ped grant criteria), was adopted by VCTC.

Rachel is currently looking to hold three public-input coffee/socials so that citizens can communicate with her about transit/bicycle needs. If you would be interested in helping to organize/host one of these, please e-mail Rachel Morris.

Local Citizens Speak About Their Copenhagen Experience

Several people from Ventura and Santa Barbara went to Copenhagen, Denmark to advocate for strong climate care policy. Read about the panel's Copenhagen experience shared at Mayor Bill Fulton's City Presentation. (Article by Margaret Morris)

Also: check-out Alec Loorz's blogs and photos from Copenhagen.

Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival

Friday/Saturday March 12-13
7-10pm
3164 Foothill Road, Ventura (Poinsettia Pavilion)
Tickets $10 per night - going fast...

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) hosts two evenings of inspired, informative and innovative cinema. Selections from WSEFF's internationally renowned event will be presented locally in a program of films which will motivate people to go out and make a difference in their community and around the world.

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..