(EVENTS of the recent and near Past / Present / Future + Lots of Links.)
The recent MAP Jam happened outdoors on one of the most beautiful fall days that we’ve had this year so far. ATEN participated along with people in over 50 cities world-wide — mapping the many “Sharing Resources” in our area – from credit unions, public parks, and community gardens, to co-ops, thrift shops and co-working spaces – onto an interactive Google map.
But it’s not done! You can help finish the map by adding resources that you know about and we missed, and/or editing the descriptions of the resources to explain what’s awesome about them. In addition to resources that have a physical address that can be mapped, we included online-only resources in the list. You can too by simply creating a point anywhere on the Austin map and linking to the resource. (click on the map image->)
During the course of the map jam, which was held at October’s Austin Sustainable Swap, ATEN got two new members and learned about some other exciting projects. From Ellen F. we learned about CommonSpark, a collective of commons activators who are working on a global atlas of different kinds of commons and threats, as well as keeping track of activism going on to reclaim the commons around the world. We also found out that Margarita, who hosts the Swaps each month, has a back-burner project called the Community Support Volunteers Network, which is a website created to help people come together to accomplish big volunteer projects together, no matter where they are. (Bookmark csvn.org.)
Last but not least in this barrage of commons- and sharing-themed links, you must check out the site of Shareable, the organization which initiated the MAP JAM. They have a vast library of accessible, helpful how-to articles for transforming our society. I found their article about how to reinvent the potluck very inspiring!
If you are eager to connect with people who are involved in the permaculture/Transition movement and alternative building practices, you might want to make plans to join a Work Day at Pumpkin’s Garden on one of these upcoming Saturdays (weather willing, through Dec. 7th). Pumpkin’s Garden is in the Decker Lake area (East Austin) and the work days run from 9 until 1:30. Projects include gardening, compost bin creation, trail creation, and carpentry. You can get Exchange Shares for your labor, and even get oriented to ATEN if you have not already done so! Contact Karen at 817-7two1-0249 if weather is dubious or you need directions.
The next fun and exciting thing that is going to happen is Cooperation Texas’s Co-op Fair, this Saturday, Oct. 26th: “In honor of Co-op Month, Cooperation Texas is hosting a Co-op Fair… at 5604 Manor” from noon to 5pm. There will be music, local co-op beer and a silent auction of goods and services offered by local co-ops such as Dahlia Green Cleaning Services, Red Rabbit Cooperative Bakery, and Wheatsville Food Co-op (among others).
ATEN orientations for new members are now every Sunday at MonkeyWrench Books at 2pm! If going East is easier for you, come catch us at the next Austin Sustainable Swap at 1:30.
Next Social/Networking Event: Creating Commerce Circle at the Terrazas Library – 1105 E Cesar Chavez St Austin, TX 78702 – on Friday Nov. 8th, 3:30-5:00.
Come if you are doing something that you want others to know about! Geared towards small business owners, but grassroots organizers, non-profit campaigners, artists and educators are all welcome. Be prepared to speak about your business/service/project for about 5 minutes, and to learn about other members of your community as well.
austin time exchange network 