Carol Wilson & Her Free-Range Chickens

Carol Morison raised chickens for Purdue for 23 years. A 2007 corporate upgrade expected her to get rid of the screened-in buildings her chickens lived in and replace them with airless, lightless warehouses. She stood up to Purdue for change. Purdue dropped her contract in 2008. She began raising free-range chickens in 2011. Here's a short video:

Mountaintop Removal and Pornography? No Way! Really?

I just read that Maria Gunnoe, an environmental activist winner of the 2009 Goldman Environmental Prize, testified before the US Congress about mountaintop removal surface mining and the toll it takes on residents of the Appalachians. She was detained by police after her testimony to be questioned about child pornography because she submitted a photo of a 5 year old girl sitting in a bath of polluted water.

Aaron Bady, who grew up in West Virginia, writes a compelling article about it, http://thenewinquiry.com/blogs/zunguzungu/obscenity-i-know-it-when-i-see-it/.

I invite you to visit Etopia and learn more about how we CAN live and also visit Deep Down, the virtual mine in SL http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Mine/128/221/63 . You can also learn more about it and the PBS project at http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/deep-down/virtual-mine.html

Valentine Day at Etopia

I don't know if I've ever been so excited to celebrate Valentine's Day. This year, though, is (like last year, really) filled with love and joy and well... hearts and flowers every day. Etopia reflects this joy today and this evening's festivities are just a part of it.

Join us for the live sounds of Kaklick Martin (known in RL as Bryan Baker). His acoustic guitar and amazing voice take you on journeys of love and loss, fantasies, dreams, and themes that range from traditional to futuristic. Truly a metaverse experience not to be missed.

Be sure to check out the tunage at http://ka-klick.com. Give a listen and hear for yourself an amazing singer songwriter.

  

Kafe at the Cafe

I'm often asked why I use a virtual platform for real work. I like it because I can bring together friends, colleagues, and clients for collaboration, updates, building prototypes, and planning new projects in a cost effective yet rich and robust setting. For example...

It was a Sunday like every other on Etopia. Sun shining, flowers blooming, and the waters clear enough to see the bottom of the river. I enjoyed my bike ride along the coast and across the trail to the coffee shop on the plaza. Frankie and fate were seated at a table with steaming cups of coffee and fresh pastries. I was so glad to have a moment to spend with them and pulled out a cup of joe from my inventory, but left the pastries alone. I wouldn't want all that virtual exercise to be trumped by virtual carbs.

The conversation went from virtual carbs to virtual causes and the ability for virtual environments like Second Life to facilitate discussion and create change. I shared how working with clients has gone from traveling across the United States to collaborating here, at the coffee shop. The last presentation I did was in the Training Center and a client of mine used the conference room for a planning meeting.

By the time we were done I'm not sure we solved the world's problems, but we certainly hit upon useful ways to continue working and growing at Etopia. Yes, I so enjoy coffee with friends at the coffee shop on Etopia Island.

The Etopian is Etopia's paper of choice

Get your copy now and be sure to subscribe for weekly delivery of The Etopian to your inbox.

co-operative business is not business as usual

Co-operatives transform communities. That's not hype, folks, that's real. This video, Co-operative business is not business as usual (http://gu.com/p/34g6b) celebrates 2012 as the year of the cooperative. This video from The Guardian shares how co-operative business models offer more to the communities they operate in. Pauline Green, President of the International Co-operative Alliance, talks about the economic benefits and scalability of the co-operative business model.

happy holidays everyone

"... the ones who call the shots won't be among the dead or lame,

and on each end of the rifle we're the same... "

May the blessings of a forgiving universe embrace us all, now and always.

Tai Chi Moving To A New Time

Tai Chi on the Beach is a success, but way too early for those of us on SL time and not good for those on the East Coast. Some of our EU folks have asked for evening classes. So, we're changing our Tai Chi class to 11am SLT beginning 6 Jan 2012.

While our New York friends will grumble it allows folks in Hawaii to join us, too. Hey East Coasters give me a time and day that's best for ya.

The Etopian - News & Environmental Notes

We've launched our newspaper; The Etopian (http://http://paper.li/go4victory/1323019181).

Read about the news items and commentaries about environmental and sustainability issues. Be sure to IM me or send me an email... or comment here... about what you think.

Virtual Worlds and Real Life Impact for Fitness & Weight Loss

You read it right ... Research is showing that joining a virtual gym increases your success at continuing with real world workouts. Their research also showed that those participating in a peer support group on weight loss lost just as much weight as those who only dieted in real life. No wonder the weight watchers website is so successful!

Second Life was featured in a series of articles on virtual weightloss. Links for articles from the BBC News, Forbes, and others are posted on the Second Life website (http://secondlife.com/news/). Scroll down to June 2011 for some of the articles or google it (second life and weight loss).

What does this mean for Etopia? We already have food information available at the Farmer's market and we'll continue to add more resources. We're building a food cooperative demo at Etopia Plaza that will showcase good eating and food choices as well as info about food cooperatives.

To celebrate the continued bridging of SL and RL we're launching Tai Chi on the Beach. Tai Chi on the Beach will begin December 2nd and run every Friday morning at 7:30am SLT. This is our opportunity to support each other through conversation and sharing of experiences. We'll also share detailed information about tai chi and tips to maintaining well-being. You can also come down to the beach on your own and learn a little more about the benefits of fitness.

I can feel the sand between my toes already!

Snooter-doots - an eco-sustainable gift of choice

Good business is not only profitable, it's fun. I recently ran across a great website that creates art-dolls keeping the environment in mind and the prices reasonable. There's a lesson here...

DIrect from their website, "Snooter-doots™ are whimsical, handcrafted, art-dolls inspired by nature, featuring vegetables, bugs, fish, birds, fantasy creatures, and edibles. We are earth-friendly and sustainable! Snooter-doots are knit by hand from renewable wool and other animal fiber yarns before they are felted."

I couldn't believe I found such a great gift! Who could resist the idea that a handcrafted doll was not only unique in appearance and composition, but has it's own personality (the website says so) and it's own name and birthday. AND you can adopt one by visiting the Snooter-doot website (http://www.snooter-doots.com). It's worth visiting this website even if it's just to read the Snooter-doots story.

They even make a geoduck named Georgie. Cuter than his real-life model for sure.

 

Super Sim Music All Weekend

If you missed last night's concert at the Drumming Circle featuring Mark Humbridge, Kevin M Thomas, Edward Lowell, Bat Masters, & MRMulti Writer you missed a bang-up line-up.

BUT! You have another chance to party across Etopia today. Both Etopia Island and Etopia Prime will be filled with the sounds of music from our favorite artists at 2:30pm SLT. BUT! Before then be sure to join us at Tsidel's at 1pm SLT ...

1pm SLT - Eric Steffensen at Tsidel's Cafe
(http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Prime/174/13/22)

2:30pm SLT - Super Sim Music Event! This event will stream across both sims. Start at the Farmer's Market (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Prime/94/237/23) for the main stage and wander Etopia with the Super Sounds of Max Kleene, Kevin M Thomas, Edward Lowell, and Bat Masters.

time is limited don't waste it

"Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become." (Steve Jobs)

a liter of light

A very cool project is bringing light to thousands in the slums of Manila. This project is about providing solar light by sticking plastic bottles filled with water and bleach into the roof. Here's the website; http://isanglitrongliwanag.org/

Sunday Night Concert Series ROCKS OUT

Tonight at Etopia 7pm the amazing Onehempcat Oldrich takes the stage with his amazing style and joining him will be KevinMThomas Carpool in a dual stream event.  Together Onehempcat & Kevin are the MMFKMT Project and they are amazing rockers!  Join us tonight as we Rock our socks off to awesome music and great people.

Loss of Big Predators Means Big Trouble for Us

"These predators and processes ultimately protect humans. This isn't just about them, it's about us," said William Ripple, a professor of forestry at Oregon State University and co-author of the report in the journal Science.

The planet is currently in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, said the study by scientists from 22 different institutions in six countries.

But this one differs from previous ones because it is entirely driven by human activity -- through changes in land use, climate, pollution, hunting, fishing and poaching -- and is focused on large, or apex, predators.

Read more about it here... Human-Caused Loss of Big Predators Disrupts Earth Ecosystem: Study.

Sunday Music Series

Coming up this Sunday at Etopia we have the one and only Chleelis Darkwatch!  Chleelis (pronounced Cha Lay Less) is a singer songwriter and brings her amazing one of a kind personality to the stage with her awesome style all acoustic and awesome!  Please plan on joining us at 7pm Pacific Time 10pm Eastern Time for an hour of great tunes, great people and awesome surroundings.

SPECIAL DUAL STREAM LIVE CONCERT

Join us tonight at Etopia at 7pm Pacific Time as Gregg Huet and Kevin M.Thomas take the stage to thrill and delight.  From heartfelt originals that take you on a journey through life, love and much more to cover songs you know and love Gregg's show will definitely ease you into your work week and adding Kevin to the mix will totally rock your socks off!  See you there

Sunday Night Music Series Continues June 12

Come out and join us on June 12 as the Etopia Sunday Night Music Series continues with the amazing Yamis Jewell.  Gentle on the keyboard performing some great tunes you know and love as well as others you may not know and of course her own original music.  We kick off at 7pm PDT and would love to see you there.  Save the time and join us for fun, dancing, music and so much more.  See you there!

what happened to the mall?

Curiosity is growing among residents and visitors alike. The question on everyone's mind is "what's happening to the beach?"

The mall that occupied the southeast corner of Etopia Prime was aged and heavy on prim. Our initial idea was to upgrade the mall, but soon found it difficult and counterproductive so we scrapped that idea and began work on designs for a mixed use community that was fun with a touch of coastal romance, and of course reflective of the vision and mission of Etopia.

The land is terraformed to rise from what will be a landing point for Etopia Prime to the ridge overlooking the waterfall. Along the banks will be shops, homes, cafes, plazas, and cart vendors. At least we hope we'll have the room for all of it.

So, check it out and IM Namaara your thoughts. Or post your comments here. Ciao