Here's what's already happened, as a guide to what can happen next.
Our accomplishments in the past few years include talks and a Sustainable Community booth at the San Francisco Green Festival, a Finding Community Fair with an EcoVillage slide show, an all-day Communities Convergence featuring talks on simple living, group process, and community, and a workshop on Starting and Finding Intentional Communities, EcoVillages, and Cohousing. We hosted a live group viewing of a Coho/US Webinar featuring Katie McCamant of Cohousing Partners talking about Financing Cohousing, among others.
In 2009 we had even more fun. Here's a selection of some past events so you can see the kinds of things we're up to:
My Favorite EcoVillages slideshow 9/28 Wed (Emeryville)
Topics Include
- Unique new ways to start an ecovillage
- Buying and renovating timberframed mansions or an abandoned castle
- Permaculture practices to heal arid landscapes, create new water tables, restore forests
- New technologies with sunlight, hot oil, thermo-siphoning, Stirling engines
- Earthen building for exceptional beauty
- Organic farming with microorganisms
- New, effective, and satisfying decision-making and governance methods
- Unusual ways to stimulate trust and connection
- Art for joy and delight
- Successful, ecologically sustainable community businesses
- Ecovillage members committing to personal growth/emotional healing
Food, Talk, and Slideshow!
Join EBCOHO for the Bay Area debut of My Favorite Ecovillages Worldwide, a new slideshow withDiana Leafe Christian, author ofCreating a Life Together, Finding Community, and editor of the online international Ecovillage Newsletter.
"My Favorite Ecovillages Worldwide" features photos and stories from successful ecovillages in Europe (including Tamera, Sieben Linden, and Damanhur); in Israel; in Latin America (where I haven't been yet); and my all-time favorite, Kohohana Family in Japan.
Doors open at 6 PM for social time and hand-made pizza, program starts at 7 with warm up activitivites, followed by slideshow and talk. We'll wrap up by 9 or so.
The event benefits the work of The PLACE, EBCOHO, and the International Ecovillages Newsletter.
RSVP NOW - BRING A FRIEND FOR A DISCOUNT AT THE DOOR!
Location: PLACE for Sustainable Living, 1121 64th St., Oakland, CA (near Alcatraz & San Pablo, close to Emeryville)
Bring a friend and save!
Info/Registration: www.ebcoho.org
East Bay Cohousing Bus Tour (4/9, Oakland)
First regional cohousing bus tour this year organized by the Cohousing Association of the United States (Coho/US). This one starts at Swan's Market Cohousing in Oakland and visits Pleasant Hill Cohousing as well as several Oakland, Berkeley and Emeryville cohousing neighborhoods.
Get discounts & learn more at the East Bay Cohousing website. Tickets sell out fast!
3/26-27/2011: Getting It Built workshop (Downieville)
Express your interest in Downieville Senior Cohousing
Your info will be shared with the developer and Cohousing California.
The Cohousing Company (McCamant & Durrett Architects) has an option on a site in downtown Downieville, California — a small walkable town in the foothills of Northern California (Sierra County). The site is within walking distance of shops and restaurants, a theater, the Downie and North Yuba Rivers, and a short drive to hiking, skiing and trail biking in the Sierra Mountains.
They are proposing an eight to ten unit senior cohousing for the site. Each household would have a small suite-like apartment and would share indoor and outdoor common areas.
Downieville offers village-like living in a beautiful mountain setting.
A "Getting it Built" workshop for this project is planned for March 26-27, 2011. If you are are at all considering being part of the project, please let us (and the developer) know via the form on the right.
Senior Cohousing: Weeklong (Nevada City)
Tell Me More!
Senior Cohousing author and architect Chuck Durrett is leading a weeklong course in April in Nevada City, April 11-15. Learn about the Danish "Successful Aging" Study Group 1 course that has helped seniors co-create neighborhoods optimized for Aging in Community.
Participants at past workshops have included:
Professionals in the field of aging.
Housing Developers.
Senior Care Community operators.
Cohousing "Burning Souls"
Group-process professionals/facilitators.
Cohousing California community organizers/Cohousing Coaches Raines Cohen and Betsy Morris have been through the course and have taught a course based on it and would be happy to share how they found it valuable.
12/5: Folsom EcoHousing Potluck (Carmichael)
Folsom Ecohousing will be having a potluck get-together on Sunday, December 5, from 4 to 6 pm, in Carmichael. Call Marty at (916) 967-2472 to RSVP.
Cohousing table at Art Murmur (12/3, Oakland)
Join East Bay Cohousing members in some fun outreach as part of a street fair in Oakland's Uptown district Friday evening.
Details/RSVP via EBCOHO.
East Bay to Sacramento/Davis Cohousing Bus Tour (10/30, Oakland)
Fourth and final regional cohousing bus tour of 2010 organized by the Cohousing Association of the United States (Coho/US). This one goes from the Bay Area to the Central Valley. It starts at Swan's Market Cohousing in Oakland and visits Pleasant Hill Cohousing as well as several Sacramento and Davis cohousing neighborhoods, including the first new-build and the first retrofit cohousing communities in the U.S., and a great example of how cohousing can provide affordability while enhancing an established neighborhood.
Get discounts & learn more at the East Bay Cohousing website. Tickets sell out fast!
Conflict Resolution for Aging&Community (10/29, Oakland)
Producer: Katharina Dress
Cohousing California is co-sponsoring this October in the Oakland-Berkeley area a pair of workshops with Aging In Harmony mediator/trainer Katharina Dress that may be of interest to forming or existing cohousing groups, or cohousing seekers, looking for ways to support building supportive intergenerational relationships or supporting conversations in senior cohousing.
How Can You Hear Me If You Aren't Listening? Conflict Resolution Skills for Aging And Community will take place Friday evening, October 29, and all day Saturday, October 30. Participants can choose to register either for the introductory evening or both the intro and the full-day workshop. Learn more and register at the Aging In Community website.
Sharing/Community booth at Bioneers (10/15-17, Marin)
Cohousing California will be part of a booth this year at the annual Bioneers festival in Marin in October. Our booth partners include Sharing Solutions co-author/attorney Janelle Orsi, and Regenerative Real Estate, among others. Join us in outreach to this influential audience, and get to attend conference sessions. Contact us for details.
Cohousing Booth at SolFest Solar Living Expo (Ukiah, 9/25-26)
SolFest website
We've had a Cohousing booth at SolFest for several years, and missed the opportunity last year when the event was postponed. The Same Great Solar & Sustainable Community is coming to a new location this September, and we're looking for cohousers, cohousing seekers, and groups to join us for a MeetUp there Sunday. -- Raines
The Solar Living Institute's Annual Fundraiser has outgrown the Solar Living Center in Hopland. We are relocating to the Redwood Empire Fairgroundsin Ukiah (just 12 miles North of SLC) for a 2-day Solar & Sustainable Celebration September 25 & 26, 2010.
- Workshops
- Demonstrations
- Kid's Stage
- Main Stage
- Moondance
- Wine Tasting
- Raffle Prizes
- Silent Auction
- Speakers
- Music
- Film Center
- Much, much more!
- Stay tuned for details as they develop
9/24-26: Creating Community: Learning from 30 years of the Cohousing Movement (Esalen)
Weekend of September 24-26, 2010
Creating Community: Learning from 30 years of the Cohousing Movement
Nevada City Cohousing open house (8/28)
Cohousing Tour & Open House for units for sale
possible train+bus field trip from SF Bay Area? Tell us if you're interested!
August 28, 2:00 pm - 4 pm
Join Nevada City Cohousing for an informational talk about cohousing life in Nevada City and a tour of homes for sale. See a common house. Tour the grounds. You will also see several of the environmentally sustainable features that acclaimed architect Charles Durrett has designed.
We have these unit types available:
3 bds/2 ba plus office & 2bds/2 ba plus office townhouses and 2 bds/1 ba, downstairs flats
The Cohousing Community
4,000 square foot Common House includes:
- 2 guest rooms available for your visitors
- Commercial grade kitchen for common meals
- Common meals available up to 6x/week
- Dining hall & sitting room w/fireplace
- Kids playroom
- Music room
- Room for teens to hang out
- Laundry facilities for members to use
- pool table
Other community features:
- Terrace w/BBQ for outside eating & activities
- Swimming pool w/solar hot water
- Hot tub
- Workshop
- Community garden areas
- Chicken club for those interested in fresh eggs
- 6 acres of open space & trail to historic Nevada City
- Units are very energy efficient, including Solar Electric Systems that offset most of our electricity usage.
- 34 homes total: 50% homes w/children, total 60 adults & 26 children
8/21: Laughology film & laughter yoga session (Oceano,CA)
Learn more on the Tierra Nueva Cohousing event page.
East Bay Cohousing Bus Tour (8/21, Oakland)
Third regional cohousing bus tour this year organized by the Cohousing Association of the United States (Coho/US). This one starts at Swan's Market Cohousing in Oakland and visits Pleasant Hill Cohousing as well as several Oakland, Berkeley and Emeryville cohousing neighborhoods.
Get discounts & learn more at the East Bay Cohousing website. Tickets sell out fast!
8/19: Ecovillages Slide Show (Emeryville)
Discover what Sustainable Communities can really feel like, and how they can change the world: Join us for a free look at ecovillages the world over, with Creating a Life Together author and Ecovillages online newsletter publisher Diana Leafe Christian, Communities magazine editor for most of the past two decades.
Diana, who lives at Earthaven Ecovillage in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, will present "Ecovillages: Where They Are, What They're Doing, Why They're Important," her updated tour of how communities around the world integrate aspects of ecological, economic, and social/cultural/spiritual sustainability.
In hundreds of vivid images, learn how ecovillages manifest:
- permaculture design
- natural building
- off-grid power
- renewable energy/alternative technology
- sustainable agriculture
- Earth-restoration projects
- international peace activism
- service to specific populations in need
- local currencies
- on-site cottage industries
- participatory decision-making
- conflict resolution
- process and communication skills for bonding and connecting.
Diana, who also wrote the helpful book for community-seekers, Finding Community, shows why ecovillagers are devoted to developing these ecological settlements, how ecovillages are beneficially influencing the wider culture, and how ecovillages will most likely affect patterns of human settlement in the near future.
8/16: Ecovillages Slide Show (Sacramento)
Discover what Sustainable Communities can really feel like, and how they can change the world: Join us for a free look at ecovillages the world over, with Creating a Life Together author and Ecovillages online newsletter publisher Diana Leafe Christian, Communities magazine editor for most of the past two decades.
Diana, who lives at Earthaven Ecovillage in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, will present "Ecovillages: Where They Are, What They're Doing, Why They're Important," her updated tour of how communities around the world integrate aspects of ecological, economic, and social/cultural/spiritual sustainability.
In hundreds of vivid images, learn how ecovillages manifest:
- permaculture design
- natural building
- off-grid power
- renewable energy/alternative technology
- sustainable agriculture
- Earth-restoration projects
- international peace activism
- service to specific populations in need
- local currencies
- on-site cottage industries
- participatory decision-making
- conflict resolution
- process and communication skills for bonding and connecting.
Diana, who also wrote the helpful book for community-seekers, Finding Community, shows why ecovillagers are devoted to developing these ecological settlements, how ecovillages are beneficially influencing the wider culture, and how ecovillages will most likely affect patterns of human settlement in the near future.
Let's Talk About Money (7/31, Berkeley)
What folks say about Eris
"Whenever I need clear, concise direction for conflict resolution I call Eris. Her depth of knowledge, compassion and clarity guides me to the highest outcome, every time. Eris has been the key note speaker at my women’s networking organization and always receives rave reviews. She provides practical steps that can be easily implemented to enhance each person’s life and business."
East Bay Cohousing is delighted to host Eris Weaver of Frog Song Cohousing (Cotati), an experienced facilitator and trainer, for a special half-day workshop in Berkeley on Saturday, July 31:
Let's Talk About Money: Many communities find themselves in conflict over financial and budget issues…and the current economic situation doesn’t help! Conflicts about money are really conflicts about values. In this experiential workshop we will discuss how to have useful conversations about our financial values - conversations that lead to greater understanding & connection as well as more effective financial decision-making.
Details and registration info will be posted at the EBCOHO website. Space is limited -- sign up today!
Tour de East Bay Cohousing (7/31, Oakland-Berkeley-Emeryville)
A healthy alternative affordable East BayCohousing Tour is coming at the end of July! Pump up your tires and get ready to bike to up to 6 East Bay cohousing communities. We'll be biking approximately 8-10 miles on a flat route at a leisurely pace with frequent stops. Places we'll visit include Doyle Street in Emeryville, Mariposa Grove in North Oakland, Temescal Commons and Temescal Creek Cohousing in North Oakland and end at Swan's Market Cohousing in downtown Oakland where you can jump on BART or pedal home.
Karen Hester, founding member of Temescal Creek Cohousing(and an EBCOHO member), is your tour leader. Details are available on the East Bay Cohousing MeetUp group.
Tour was good length, well organized with lots of nice touches such as very good presentations at each stop and lunch for Bakesale Betty's. Karen was first rate as a tour guide. -- Jennifer Ryan and Bill Bank, EBCOHO Supporting Members
Corvallis Cohousing Welcome Weekend & Open House (7/23-25)
CoHo EcoVillage
Cohousing in Corvallis, Oregon
Yes, this site is about cohousing in California. However, we know that Californians sometimes do migrate out of this beautiful state, so we do list nearby opportunities when appropriate. Many Oregon and Washington state communities are very affordable compared to urban California offerings, and have their own charms. -- Raines
Welcome Weekend
When: 7pm Friday, July 23 - 3pm Sunday, July 25
Where: CoHo Ecovillage, Corvallis, OR
Description: Welcome Weekend - Open to prequalified buyers with a serious interest in purchasing a 3-bedroom, 2-bath unit in our established, eco-friendly community. See www.cohoecovillage.org for additional details.
Open House
When: 1pm, Saturday, July 24
Where: Corvallis, Oregon
Description: Orientation and Tour of our established, eco-friendly community, including a home tour of available units. Everyone is welcome!
Reservations required for both events. Visit the website for contact info.
Tierra Nueva open house (7/17, Oceano)
Interested in carpooling from the Bay Area? Visiting other area communities to make it a mini-tour? Let us know -- Raines
The community wrote:
Join us on Saturday, July 17, 1pm - 4pm, for a tour of Tierra Nueva and our homes for sale and rent.
We will be awaiting your arrival in our Common House. Please park on Christmas Tree Place due to limited guest parking.
Virtual Tour of East Bay Cohousing Gardens (7/12, Berkeley)
Come to the Hub in downtown Berkeley for a slide show by Cohousing Coach Raines Cohen and discussion of gardens and landscaping at East Bay Cohousing neighborhoods, and optionally stick around for a gathering on legal issues of urban farming co-hosted by Janelle Orsi.
Community Living Abroad, Cheap&Warm: Potluck/Conversation (Berkeley, 7/7)
Interested in building community, but frozen out by the Northern California/Bay Area housing market?
Join Hub Bay Area Founding Member/Cohousing Coaches Raines Cohen and Betsy Morris and experienced international resident Linder Allen (former boardmember of the Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO)) and EBCOHO members like you for a conversation about community and the many ways to find and co-create it in various warm stable, and affordable places, from Hawaii to France and Egypt (Linder has lived in both) and beyond, for retirement or just simple living. Together with you, we'll outline opportunities and obstacles, debunk myths and solve mysteries, and see who's interested in further exploration, socials, or learning together.
We'll also share some info on more-affordable community living opportunities in the farther reaches of Northern California, as well as ownership models (including fractional ownership) that can further reduce costs and add flexibility to your life.
Communities Summit (San Diego, 6/26-27)
Communities Summit “San Diego” Welcomes All!!
Join in or send a representative. Intentional Community * “Co-housing” Clubs / Tribe * Roommates * Friends / Family / Singles
Come Share June 26 / 27 Open 10am Saturday – 12 pm Sunday A “Co-Exist” Gathering No rules or ritual / just sharing Summit free to attend / Overnights $15 at the door
What is the glue that keeps a group together?
What is community for you?
6:00 – ? / talk circle after dinner Hikes / Star watch / Music / Drums / Fun & games all other times Pot luck or solo * BYO drinks * firewood welcome
Sierra Foster Lodge Fireplace, group kitchens, bathrooms On the Sunrise Highway between mileposts 26 & 27 Opposite Laguna / El Prado Campground Take the narrow dirt road into the forest Overnight camp on site or bunk housing first 20 dorm Kids OK camping only. No pets. No outside fires.
Call Bill at 1-760-809-8810 RSVP Email: bill.architect@gmail.com
Elders' Salon on Loss & Grief (6/24, Sebastopol)
This series is hosted at a cohousing neighborhood and led by a cohousing co-creator, Alexandra Hart. I've been to one and recommend it if you're in the area. info/RSVP here. -- Raines
A Wisdom Council or Discussion Group of Transition Sebastopol
Calling All Elders, Earth Elders, Wannabe Elders, Soon-to-become Elders, or Interested Baby Boomers on up!
The Elders' Salon is a nonhierarchical circle of peers. We’ll introduce the discussion with some thoughts from an elder voice or thought-provoking instigator to kick off our own discovery of what it is WE think and believe about the topic; what WE want and need now and in our future; what WE think should be the course of action and attitudes as we progress into and through our older years.
WHY: There are a lot of new ideas about aging, staying youthful in body and spirit, and our role in society and local life. What have our generational contributions been and what is left undone? What are our mistakes and triumphs? If we don’t want others to determine what becomes of us in very old age, we need to be proactive and begin making conscious, thoughtful choices about our future, how we want to live and be regarded. What role do elders want to play in the coming changes; what wisdom can we offer?
2010 National Cohousing Conference (6/18, Boulder, CO)
Cohousing California is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the 2010 National Cohousing Conference: Sustainability through Community, coming this June to Boulder, Colorado, and we're hoping that you will join us in making the trip.
We will be participating in the conference (and the Cohousing University workshops that precede it) with a presence led by Cohousing Coaches Raines Cohen and Betsy Morris of Berkeley Cohousing, East Bay Cohousing (EBCOHO) community organizers. We know that Cohousing movement founders Chuck Durrett and Katie McCamant of Nevada City Cohousing will be there, along with a group from the forming Folsom group near Sacramento - how about you?
We will have a full table in the conference exhibit area, where we'll be sharing info about existing communities and new opportunities throughout this wonderful state, and we would love to represent your community in our outreach there to the hundreds of key influencers in the cohousing movement who will participate from around the country.
2011 National Cohousing Conference (6/17-19, Washington, DC)
Cohousing California is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the 2011 National Cohousing Conference: Creating Better Neighborhoods for the Future, coming this June to the Washington, DC area, and we're hoping that you will join us in making the trip.
We will be participating in the conference (and the Cohousing University workshops that precede it) with a presence led by Cohousing CoachesRaines Cohen and Betsy Morris of Berkeley Cohousing, East Bay Cohousing (EBCOHO) community organizers. We know that Cohousing movement founders Chuck Durrett and Katie McCamant of Nevada City Cohousing will be there, along with a contingent from our Supporting Members forming Folsom group near Sacramento - how about you? Our Facilitation Intensive workshop series leader Laird Schaub will be there, along with Coho/US national tours director Neil Planchon, and many more.
We will have a full table in the conference exhibit area, where we'll be sharing info about existing communities and new opportunities throughout this wonderful state, and we would love to represent your community in our outreach there to the hundreds of key influencers in the cohousing movement who will participate from around the country.
Conflict Resolution for Aging&Community (6/4, Oakland)
Producer: Katharina Dress
Cohousing California is co-sponsoring this June in Oakland a pair of workshops with Aging In Harmony mediator/trainer Katharina Dress that may be of interest to forming or existing cohousing groups, or cohousing seekers, looking for ways to support building supportive intergenerational relationships or supporting conversations in senior cohousing.
How Can You Hear Me If You Aren't Listening? Conflict Resolution Skills for Aging And Community will take place Friday evening, June 4, and all day Saturday, June 5, in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood. Participants can choose to register either for the introductory evening or both the intro and the full-day workshop. Learn more and register at the Aging In Community website.
North Bay Bus Tour (5/22, Oakland)
Second regional cohousing bus tour this year organized by the Cohousing Association of the United States (Coho/US). This one, the only North Bay bus tour planned for the year (there may be some biking/walking tours), starts at Swan's Market Cohousing in Oakland and visits Pleasant Hill Cohousing as well as FrogSong in Cotati, Yulupa in Santa Rosa, and several Sebastopol cohousing neighborhoods.
Get discounts & learn more at the East Bay Cohousing website. Tickets sell out fast!
Community Facilitation workshop (5/15, Berkeley)
Cohousing California will be producing a two-year, eight-session hand-on experiential community leadership training series with movement leader/trainer Laird Schaub, rotating around different Northern and Central California cohousing neighborhoods. Come to this afternoon workshop to learn more. RSVP here.
Integrative Training in
The Art of
Facilitating
Cooperative Groups
There are challenges to working effectively as a cooperative group—whether it’s an organization or community. Often groups experience a sense of being drained by their decision making and meeting process. Getting bogged down can be expensive: it diminishes energy for the work of the group and undercuts the sense of joy and identification among members. This does not have to be your experience. Learning the art of effective meeting facilitation can help your group enhance both energy and product from your meetings—this training can help you transform your group into the more dynamic and successful entity you’ve always intended.
The Sharing Solution
We're getting some logistical support at the show from Janelle Orsi, co-author of The Sharing Solution; she'll provide some books we can use to help get people to register with us.
GreenTRIP:Neighborhoods with less parking, more walkability (Oakland, 4/20)
How can we get developments built with less parking and more walkability, making it easier to realize the vision of cohousing neighborhoods? Join EBCOHO members in attending an event to learn about new standards that can help make that possible, and meet some green developers and local elected officials supporting efforts in these directions.
Note: This is not an East Bay Cohousing event, and not about cohousing as such. However, we believe it is valuable for people creating and visualizing living in cohousing to connect with and support people working on similar initiatives that share values... plus, widespread adoption of standards like these will make it easier to create cohousing, and to make it more affordable, with less money wasted on required parking spaces that a group won't need. RSVP via the EBCOHO website.
Learn how on April 20, when TransForm (formerly the Bay Area Transportation and Land Use Coalition) will talk about these issues and 'GreenTRIP', TransForm's new certification program.
For too long, outdated parking codes, traffic policies, zoning, and misconceptions have held back the kind of development that improves communities and enhances mobility for everyone. Instead, we seeoceans of concrete where there could be parks, sidewalks, shops, and services.
GreenTRIP certifies new residential and mixed-use developments that keep the number of new parking spaces as low as possible and offer incentives for new tenants to drive less (such as deep discounts on transit passes).
North Oakland Cohousing meeting 4/18
This group is actually looking in the greater Berkeley-Oakland area for an existing multifamily apartment building to purchase and gradually move into as tenants move out. To attend a meeting or orientation, contact the group.
Oakland Earth Expo (4/14)
East Bay Cohousing typically organizes a presence at this downtown lunchtime event by City Hall in California's most cohousing-infused city. However, it doesn't look like we'll be able to do it this year. Still, if you're in the area, it's highly recommended.
SF Green Fest (Apr 10-11)
We are delighted to have, once again, co-created a visible presence for cohousing at the San Francisco Green Festival, with your help -- we traditionally participate in November, but this extra Spring show debuting this year gave us a new oportunity for outreach. Several cohousing groups, professionals and community leaders came together at this event to educate, recruit and connect around shared living opportunities - would you care to join us for the next one? By sharing the costs and booth staffing and lists of interested people, a little engagement goes a long way, and we're including training in effective outreach and honing your message.Contact Us to get involved.
P.S. Special Thanks to Coho/US National Tours Director Neil Planchon for negotiating a great deal on a booth; Cohousing Coach Raines Cohen of East Bay Cohousing will be coordinating this one. We also are talking with area coworking groups and intentional communities about joining in the fun, and we're getting support from cohouser/Sharing Solution author Janelle Orsi.
611 EcoVillage (Oakland) open house 4/17
East Bay Cohousing member Dan Antonioli has been building community between Oakland's Uptown and Temescal neighborhoods for over a decade. He is seeking rent-to-own community members ready to invest with him to build and grow the community. Meet him and learn more at this noon open house.
Potrero Hill (San Francisco) site - forming new group (4/17)
We're working with a green architect and a developer who has a San Francisco site with incredible views approved for development. A site visit is planned for Saturday, April 17. RSVP via East Bay Cohousing.
East Bay Bus Tour (3/20, Oakland)
First regional cohousing bus tours this year organized by the Cohousing Association of the United States (Coho/US). Get discounts & learn more at the East Bay Cohousing website.
Mountain View social (2/20)
Hello All,
I would like to invite you to our next Mountain View Cohousing Community (MVCC) social get together on Saturday afternoon, February 20 from 3-5pm at our home:
Marcia & Elliot Lepler
1569 Wakefield Terrace
Los Altos CA 94024
650 961 6748
At the social, you'll meet the members of MVCC as well as other people who are interested in finding out more about us. We'll also provide an update of our progress, including the design workshops which we have recently started. Out of a total 20 planned, we currently have 9 member households and are moving right
along towards our project completion date in 2012. The social is a great opportunity to get to know people whom you might enjoy having as neighbors and friends.
We look forward to seeing you at the social get together. Please
bring a snack of your choosing to share and feel free to call me if you have any questions - 650 961 6748.
Best regards,
Marcia Lepler
Tierra Nueva open house (2/20, Oceano)
Join us on Saturday, February 20, 1pm - 4pm, for a tour of Tierra Nueva and our homes for sale! Contact us for more information or just show up on February 20th between 1pm - 4pm! We will be awaiting your arrival in our Common House. Please park on Christmas Tree Place due to limited guest parking.
8/9: Sacramento/East Bay Bus Tour
Come visit Northern California Cohousing neighborhoods in Sacramento, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties. Starts at Swan's Market Cohousing in Oakland, California. Put on by the Cohousing Association of the United States (Coho/US). Pre-payment required. Event Details at Coho/US website.
6/29: East Bay Cohousing Crawl
Organized in partnership with Daily Acts, the grassroots sustainability group; sponsored by the Cohousing Coaches at Planning for Sustainable Communities.
Tentative itinerary: gather at Temescal Creek Cohousing (a short walk from Rockrdige BART) for this rare Sunday tour, an inexpensive walking of area communities, and we'll explore some combination of:
- Temescal Commons
- Temescal Creek
- Mariposa Grove (our planned lunch stop)
- Berkeley Cohousing
- Triple Point
- A potential cohousing site in North Oakland
we end up at Berkeley Cohousing with an optional sidetrip to the Berkeley International Food Festival nearby, passing the Cohousing Co. offices.
All walks are short and flat, less than a mile. If you prefer taking it easy on your tootsies, join one of the regular bus tours in the area (the next one is August 9).
Registration for this tour only (plus the carpool tour of North Bay communities) is available at the Daily Acts website. Spots are filling up quickly - reserve yours today.
6/25: Slideshow with Chuck Durrett (Berkeley)
Learn more about the cohousing movement and the California communities in development
At Cohousing Co. (McCamant & Durrett Architects) offices in Berkeley. RSVP required.
Details at the East Bay Cohousing website.
6/12-15: National Cohousing Conference (Waltham, MA)
It's not in Northern California, but the national cohousing conference at Bentley College in Waltham, MA is worth the trip. We'll be participating, speaking, and doing a table there. Join us for the most intensive and effective way to learn how to create, find, or enhance community.
6/7: Nevada City Open House
Come tour the community (recent winner of a National Association of Home Builders award for energy efficiency) as part of a regular open house at Nevada City Cohousing. Details
5/21: Slideshow with Katie McCamant (Berkeley)
Learn more about the cohousing movement and the California communities in development
At Cohousing Co. (McCamant & Durrett Architects) offices in Berkeley. RSVP required.
Details at the East Bay Cohousing website.
5/18: New Brighton Cohousing (Aptos, CA) Spring Fling
IT'S TIME FOR A SPRING FLING!
Please join us for our 'Spring Fling' Open House on Sunday, May 18th
from noon - 4 pm. We're celebrating many milestones in our cohousing,
thanking our friends and supporters, and inviting any folks interested
in joining us to visit and learn more about us.
There will be food, games, and fun for the whole family!
Our common house is located at 6020 Soquel Drive in Aptos, CA, just east
of Carpet King at the corner of Park Ave. and Soquel Dr. There are
driveways to community parking on either side of our common house
driveway.
RSVP to info@sc-cohousing.org so we'll have enough eats for everyone.
Hope to see you there!
5/13: Slide Show with Katie McCamant (Fair Oaks)
Where: Fair Oaks Community Library, 11601 Fair Oaks Boulevard, just south of Madison, in Fair Oaks
RSVP: The event is free, but please call (916) 967-2472 to reserve a place
5/4: Sonoma Cohousing Info Meeting (Rohnert Park)
INTERESTED IN COHOUSING?
One mile from Sonoma State University
WHO ARE WE?
We are a group in the process of forming a new cohousing community with a potential site near Sonoma State University. We range in age for 3 to 72.
We are committed to developing a supportive, diverse community including families with children, single people and elders. We share a deep respect for the natural world and propose a sustainable neighborhood and lifestyle in harmony with the earth. We will encourage communication and cooperation among residents, while respecting their desired level of privacy.
WE ARE NOT ----
We do not share any common political or religious beliefs. We are not a commune. We are not an income sharing group.
WE ARE UNUSUAL.
We are planning to form a community which will intentionally include families with children as well as active elders, believing that we each have a wealth of abilities, perspectives, and wisdom to share with one another.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR AN INFORMATIONAL SOCIAL
Sunday, May 4th, 2008
5/3: Mariposa Grove (N. Oakland) AFFORDABLE for-sale open house
Subsidies Available: $114,000 - $165,000 (depending on income & assets)
Estimated Monthly Cost: ~$750-$1050, (depending on income & assets, Including mortgage, taxes, condo fees, etc. - based on $10,000 downpayment and good credit)
If you are interested, you MUST come to one of the open houses. Applications are due Wednesday, May 7th. (note: it is unlikely, but there is a slight possibility that we will add a 3rd open house - if you absolutely cannot make it to one of our open houses please email us to tell us why, and let us know more of your availability. If we add a 3rd then we will attempt to coordinate your availability with that of others in the same situation)
attending regular group meetings
5/3-4: Cohousing table at Maker Faire (San Mateo)
Join us at booth 914 on the Midway at the Maker Faire at San Mateo County Fairgrounds for a celebration and exploration of Do-It-Yourself Community Creation: Cohousing, Ecovillages, Coworking, and Neighborhood Organizing.
5/3: North Bay/East Bay Cohousing Bus Tour
Come visit Northern California Cohousing neighborhoods in Sonoma, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties. Starts at Swan's Market Cohousing in Oakland, California. Put on by the Cohousing Association of the United States (Coho/US). Pre-payment required. Event Details at East Bay Cohousing website.
5/1: Auroville EcoVillage Architect speaking (Berkeley)
Announcing a new meeting for East Bay Cohousing!
What: Auroville EcoVillage architect talk at Berkeley Cohousing
When: Thursday, May 1, 6:00 PM
Suggested donation: USD20.00 per person (with potluck)
Where: Berkeley Cohousing
Who should come: Come and meet other community-interested people and learn about an EcoVillage in India that has pioneered sustainable development, and talk about what it would take to do the same here.
Why: It's a chance to learn more about sustainable development and community.
Meeting Description: LALIT KISHOR BHATI: Auroville, a Utopia in the Making
Potluck Dinner and presentation by the urban architect and planner of the world's only international city. A pioneer in renewable energy, environmental restoration, organic farming and sustainability.
Duration: 6 to 9 PM - 3 hours
Suggested Donation: $20 with a dish to share, $40 with no dish.
Payment Instructions: Make checks payable to the charity of our speaker's choice
Lalit Kishor Bhati is an Architect-Urban Planner. He lives and works in Auroville since the 1990's and is associated with Auroville's Planning & Development process.
AUROVILLE: A UTOPIA IN THE MAKING
All the problems of the humanity are essentially the problems of harmony ? ?Sri Aurobindo?
It is about developing a new mind set towards the harmonious co-existence of all. Auroville?s quest and experiments for ?Utopia? are aimed at ?Realizing Actual Human Unity?.
Auroville is an International-Intentional Community, located in South India and due to its vision, charter and many integrated and successful experiments in all walks of life, it is considered to be a leading Ecovillage for its holistic development.
www.auroville.org
Established in 1968, near Pondicherry, Auroville today has 2,000 residents representing over 40 nationalities. It enjoys a yet unique UNESCO?s endorsement as a project of great value to Humanity.
Auroville has a pioneering status in the wide use of renewable energy, natural resource management, environmental restoration, organic farming, waste management, innovative architecture and low energy and appropriate building technologies, rural & regional integrated development initiatives and also the aspects of self governance, conflict resolution, alternative economy and education.
Co-sponsored by Friendly Favors
Learn more here:
http://intentionalcomm.meetup
5/2: Sustainable Enterprise (Rohnert Park, CA)
Join us for a table representing cohousing at the Sustainable Enterprise 2008: tools for the transition. learn about the value of managing an organization to be economically viable, environmentally responsible and socially equitable, and talk with people working on sustainability in business, building, investing, and education.
4/27: Mariposa Grove (N. Oakland) AFFORDABLE for-sale open house
Subsidies Available: $114,000 - $165,000 (depending on income & assets)
Estimated Monthly Cost: ~$750-$1050, (depending on income & assets, Including mortgage, taxes, condo fees, etc. - based on $10,000 downpayment and good credit)
If you are interested, you MUST come to one of the open houses. Applications are due Wednesday, May 7th. (note: it is unlikely, but there is a slight possibility that we will add a 3rd open house - if you absolutely cannot make it to one of our open houses please email us to tell us why, and let us know more of your availability. If we add a 3rd then we will attempt to coordinate your availability with that of others in the same situation)
attending regular group meetings
4/26: Orangevale Thank-You Party and Tour of Southside Park (Sacramento)
4/26: Cohousing table at UU gathering (Fremont)
Northern California Cohousing is coordinating a table at the Pacific Central District aseembly of the Unitarian Universalist church, all day at a hotel in Fremont.
Given the strong correlation between UU's and Northern California Cohousers, this could be a great opportunity for recruitment, forming new groups, filling existing vacancies, and more.
Join us in outreach and learning. Contact us if you are interested in participating.
4/25: EcoVillage founders Liz Walker, Lois Arkin at Be-In (SF)
Planning for Sustainable Communites, the organizers behind Northern California Cohousing, are arranging for a cohousing/villages talk and a table Friday evening in San Francisco.
The Digital Be-In returns for the third year in a row during Earth Day week in San Francisco, again serving as a launching platform for evolutionary ideas, art, initiatives and CHANGE - at the nexus of humanistic technology and the sustainability movement. The long-running cyberculture event isbeing developed this year in conjunction with the 7th Ecocity World Summit taking place in San Francisco April 22-26 with attendees from around the globe.
A nine hour journey of presentations, exhibits, performances, live music, top DJs, visuals, art installations and...the Third Force! This year we are pleased to be working with San Francisco's newest and greenest night club and community center, Temple.
Tickets: $25 at the door, $20 in advance. Complete information and ticket outlets at http://www.be-in.com - watch for periodic updates!
Don't miss this one-of-a-kind happening this year!
4/23: Cohousing Development DVD West Coast Launch (Oakland)
Mid-Atlantic Cohousing got a grant to create and distribute a DVD aimed at developers, showing the leading U.S> cohousing developers explaining how and why they do it.
The West Coast premiere was at Swan's Market Cohousing in Oakland.
4/19: Earth Day at Fresno Cohousing
Fresno Cohousing (La Querencia) celebrated Earth Day in a big way, with cohousing talks, architects, and movies.
4/13: Orangevale Cohousing Info & Dinner Mtg.
4/10: Cohousing Slideshow w/Katie McCamant
SOLD OUT! This event was STANDING ROOM ONLY. There will be another one May 21.
Learn more about the cohousing movement and the California communities in development
At Cohousing Co. (McCamant & Durrett Architects) offices in Berkeley. RSVP required.
Details at the East Bay Cohousing website.
4/5: Nevada City Open House
Come tour the community (recent winner of a National Association of Home Builders award for energy efficiency) as part of a regular open house at Nevada City Cohousing. Details
3/15: Grass Valley groundblessing
Noon. A small-scale event, primarily for group members and partners.
Green Festival Communities Booth
We were part of a booth at the Green Festival in San Francisco in November, 2007. Details, video, photos will go here.