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.