A New Deal for Local Economies

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From STACEY MITCHELL
New Rules Project

This lecture was delivered on October 17, 2009, at the Bristol Schumacher Conference in Bristol, England. The conference was chaired by the New Economics Foundation and organized around the theme, “FROM THE ASHES OF THE CRASH: Rebuilding the new economics.” More information and DVDs of the event are available from The Schumacher Society.

Let me begin by sharing some good news. Scattered here and there, in my country and in yours, the seeds of a new, more local and durable economy are taking root.

Locally grown food has soared in popularity. There are now 5,274 active farmers markets in the United States. Remarkably, almost one of every two of these markets was started within the last decade.(1)  Food co-ops and neighborhood greengrocers are likewise on the rise.

Some 400 new independent bookstores have opened in the last four years.(2) Neighborhood hardware stores are making a comeback in some cities.

Letters to the Editor: Another better idea for the Masonite property

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From LINDA CARR
Ukiah

August 21, 2009 Ukiah Valley, Mendocino, North California

Ukiah Daily Journal
To The Editor:

I have heard many ideas for the use of the old Masonite property and have given it much thought myself. I know many think it’s perfect for a shopping mall, but I disagree.

A mall uses a great deal of natural resources, only supplies minimum wage employment that cannot support a single person let alone a family, and encloses an area for crime and loitering.

I propose that we look into a retirement facility that addresses aging “baby boomers.” Mendocino County does not have enough graduated health facilities and the need for such is an important and necessary reality. Plus, the employment in this avenue offers wages that can support a family. More fast food and fast shopping is not what we need.

Let’s take another look at our future in Mendocino County and do the right thing by allowing those who have lived here, worked here, and paid taxes here have the opportunity to stay here in their hometown. Mendocino County is growing and we need to choose a responsible and profitable way to utilize the property.

Supervisors, give another thought about the realities of our future here and look beyond the same run down decisions. There is so much more to quality of life beyond immediate gratification.
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Thanks to Steve Scalmanini
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There’s only one: Authentically unique Ukiah

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by LOUISA ARONOW
Redwood Valley
Ukiah Daily Journal 7/12/09

July 14, 2009 Ukiah Valley, Mendocino County, North California

In the summer of 2002 my family and I took a car trip from Massachusetts to California. I was curious to see how the many towns and cities we visited along the way might reflect the incredible beauty of the vast and varied landscapes we passed through, so I decided to search for those elements that make a place authentically unique. I wondered what features might distinguish one town from others. Were there interesting restaurants, architecture, stores, parks, historical places, vegetation, or anything special I wouldn’t see in other regions of the USA? How does a town represent its inhabitants and the land from which it grew?

My entertaining investigation became sadder and sadder and we visited more small cities and found nothing authentically unique. Most cities consisted of the same franchise businesses by the highways or interstates, and a depleted downtown. Sometimes the downtown included city and county offices, but all included many empty buildings.

One small city we stopped in was a rural county seat; I wondered if it would be similar to Ukiah. The downtown had many elegant old three-story buildings, with copper trim and sculptures, but it seemed to be a ghost town. In the late afternoon, no humans were in sight and our footsteps echoed in the canyon-like streets. I felt that the heart and guts had been ripped out of the city. There was activity in the chain stores and restaurants by the interstate exit, but the shopping center included nothing authentically unique.

The few exceptions were the places that had preserved a bit of history to attract tourists. It was interesting to learn a few tidbits of history across the US (especially the sod house in Kansas), but it didn’t seem that the attractions were interesting for local people.

Ukiah Farmer’s Market Saturday 7/11/09

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Yoshiki Sakane, owner of Oco Time in Ukiah, and his new solar car

From SCOTT CRATTY
Ukiah

July 8, 2009 Ukiah, Mendocino County, North California

Friends of the Market

Greetings!  Another action-packed market this weekend.

For starters, I expect two all-new vendors. Amanda Lilikoi will be trying to tempt you with her plant starts and early veggies.  Also, Harbor Lights from Lake Co will be trying their luck at the market with some hot food items.  Their menu plan includes Native American fry bread (with various toppings), fruit cups, clam chowder and fried cinnamon roll surprise.  Now there’s something a bit different.  Lorena Caldrea will also be returning to the market for the 1st time this season with her Talmage-grown produce. After two weeks off both John Ford Ranch and Mendocino Organics will be back with beef and chicken, respectively.

At Saturday’s farmers’ market we have, as usual, lots going on.  For starters, just a bit after 10 am we will have the second in this season’s series of Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op sponsored cooking demonstrations.  Come and meet Julia Kendrick Conway of Assaggiare Mendocino, which supports real food for real people.  Plus, Diamond Edge Sharpening will be on hand at the market. Bring your knives, scissors and tools (but no saws, please),

At about 10:30 we will have the next installment of A Child, A Dog and A Good Book,

Art Center Ukiah – Writers Read This Thursday Evening 6/25 7pm

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From DAN BARTH and THERESA WHITEHILL
Ukiah

June 24, 2009 Ukiah, Mendocino County, North California

On Thursday, June 25, Writers Read will feature Ukiah poet Bill Churchill. Bill teaches modern languages at Santa Rosa and Mendocino Colleges. He has also been a California Poet in the Public School since 1998. His publications include: Song of Seasons, Controlled Burn, Sleeping with Ghosts and The Veil.

In 2008 he was featured at the Summer Dream Poetry Festival in Vancouver, B.C. A mariner since 1971, he has sailed in the Eastern Mediterranean, Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific Northwest.

The reading begins at 7PM at the Ukiah Art Center Annex, 203 S. State Street, Ukiah. (The Annex is next to the Corner Gallery at the intersection of Church and State in downtown Ukiah.) An open mic session will follow the featured reading. Refreshments available. Donation requested. For more info: (707) 463-6989, (707) 462-4557 or www.artcenterukiah.org.

Upcoming Writers Read:
(Monthly last Thursday readings at Art Center Ukiah Annex, 7 PM)

Thursday, July 30: All open mic.

Thursday, August 27: Featured reader Claire Blotter, followed by open mic.

Thursday, September 24: Featured reader Armando Garcia-Davila, followed by open mic.

For information on these and other Northern California events, check www.coloredhorse.com, www.artcenterukiah.org and www.poetryflash.org.
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