Cultivating Connections Recommends: Events for Metro Louisville - April 2017
Affirming Connections between Planet, People, Power and Possibilities 
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Wednesday, April 5,12:00 - 1:30 pm
Louisville Sustainability Forum:
Can Biophilia Save Nature in Cities?
Passionist Earth and Spirit Center, St Agnes's Aloysius Hall, 1924 Newburg Road, 40205
Featured Presentation:
Can Biophilia Save Nature in Cities? with Margaret Carreiro PhD
"Biophilia" as an idea describes how people have innate love for, attachment to, and even need for nature. It also expresses the notion that, as a design imperative, cities are more livable when they have more nature, and that people are happier and healthier when they have more contact with nature, from wild parks away from traffic to street trees and flowers in tree pits.
Dr. Carreiro's UofL research has focused on the Ecology of Cities and Suburbs. She and her students have quantified how the takeover of our forests by invasive exotic plants, like shrub honeysuckle, affect soil erosion, soil nutrients, decomposition, earthworms and plant communities in our woodland parks, along our stream banks and interstate highways, and in forested wetlands. Dr. Carreiro has also collaborated with the Louisville Olmsted Parks Conservancy on studies that assess the impacts of removing exotic plants from park woodlands. Now she has begun to study residential land and its potential to support species like pollinators in cities.
She will speak on how we can join forces to make a large-scale contribution to the conservation of native species in this city and its suburbs, and why doing so is important not only for nature but for people.
Shorter Presentations
Protecting, Restoring, and Celebrating the Waterways of Kentucky with
Ward Wilson, Kentucky Waterways Alliance
Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve
Tavia Cathcart Brown, executive director
Directions to Aloysius Hall
Aloysius Hall is part of St. Agnes church. Its entrance is at ground level on the north side of the church, adjacent to the St. Agnes parking lot."
Now in its eleventh year, the purposes of the Louisville Sustainability Forum are:
1. We hold and promote the intention of sustainability for Louisville.
2. We establish and nourish relationships that strengthen
community and create change.
3. We create a space for discussion that inspires, motivates and deepens
our ability to catalyze social change.
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Friday, April 7 - Sunday, April 9
Bethany Spring Retreat Center Presents:
Exploring Our Spirituality Though Prayer
Led By: Dr. Sharon Grant & George Aboud
115 Dee Head Rd, New Haven, KY, 40051
Prayer as a Portal to Peace: In ancient times believers learned (were taught) that prayer was a way of getting God to change His mind. Much later, with the Prayer of St. Francis we were shown a way of changing our own minds instead. But finally, in/with methods that the mystics knew about all along, we discover a completely different possibility - the possibility of entering the realm of 'no-mind', which is - the peace that surpasses all understanding - (which could also be called the Mind of God). Come find out what the mystics found. In this experiential worship, not only will we discuss the different types of prayer, we will practice them, with the goal of experiencing what the mystics knew - that we can rest in peace - in this lifetime - in the Presence of God - here and now. There will be a walking meditation in nature to invite our deeper connection to the natural world.
Sharon earned an STM in Sacred Theology and a doctorate in Ministry. She served as a hospital chaplain with a focus on ministry to cancer patients; and coordinator of Spiritual Care at a community hospital with emphasis on multi-faith spiritual care.
George has a long time meditation practice, dating back to the 70's. As time went on, he became interested in and studied other schools of meditation practice as well. Most recently, he completed a 26-week study course on Christian Centering Prayer as taught by Fr. Thomas Keating. For the past two years, George has served as the teacher assistant for the Meditation One courses at the Earth and Spirit Center in Louisville; he answers students questions about theory & practice & facilitates a meditation discussion group.
George sometimes leaves the Earth and Spirit Center campus to teach mindfulness meditation to under-served and underprivileged groups in the community.
Suggested Donation: $195 includes lodging, all meals, retreat.
www. bethanyspring.org * Email: rick@bethanysprig.org * 502-507-8576
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Saturday, April 8, 10 am - 5 pm
Finding Hope and Inspiration in the Natural World
"A Work That Reconnects Workshop" with Mark Steiner & Marilyn Stoner
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Clermont, KY 40110
Bernheim Members $30; Non-Members $40
Register by calling (502) 955-8512.
We live in challenging times. Many of us are terribly busy and spend most of our days in buildings and vehicles. We are overwhelmed with both information and responsibility. As a result it's hard not to burn out, become numb or lose heart. Fortunately a powerful source of balance and sustenance is available to each of us in the natural world and the wonders and resources that await us there.
This ground-breaking workshop is designed to invoke a sense of inspiration, hope and renewal by exploring and affirming our connections with nature. It is an interactive experience featuring innovative processes based on the work of Joanna Macy, internationally acclaimed author, eco-philosopher and activist. Our time together will include experiential practices, movement, inspirational readings and teachings, as well as simple rituals. This work is engaging, invigorating and provides practical and accessible tools for dealing with the challenges of life in the 21st century.
Participants should pack a lunch or plan on ordering from Isaac's Café.
Presenting are Mark Steiner and Marilyn Stoner of Cultivating Connections who both serve as official facilitators of the Work That Reconnects. Presenting since 1991, Mark's specialties include Creation Spirituality, environmental spirituality and the universe story. A recently retired psychotherapist, Marilyn specializes in guided imagery, creativity and the spirituality of nature.
By rediscovering our innate connections with the natural world
we make way for a new life-sustaining culture
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Sunday April 9, 5 pm
Louisville TimeBank Community Potluck Dinner
Highlands Community Campus 1228 E Breckinridge 40204
The Louisville TimeBank seeks to create a network of individuals and organizations that support and empower each other, which builds a social safety net that moves us towards being a more interdependent and resilient community.
Potlucks are a big part of the TimeBank community. We come together to share food, fun and build community all at the same time. Members get to know each other, and people who are not members can learn a bit about timebanking from chatting with our members at the potluck. Many exchanges get set up at our potlucks too!
We always encourage members to bring guests, and all community members are welcome too!
Please bring a dish that serves 12 and your own table service to make clean up easier. If you forget, there is plenty to borrow from the kitchen.
The Parking lot is behind the building with the entrance to the parking off of Barrett Avenue. The entrance to the building is also in the back of the building.
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Tuesday, April 18, 7pm
Greater Louisville Sierra Club presents
Hart Hagan, president of Wild Ones Louisville
The Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street, 40206
The GLSC invites you to join them as they welcome Hart Hagan, president of "Wild Ones Louisville." Wild Ones is a nation-wide group of native plant hobbyists and professionals who promote the use of native plants in gardening and landscaping.
You will hear how to plant the right plants to feed birds, bees and butterflies, including answers to the following questions: What's in a caterpillar and why are they important? How to and why attract butterflies to our gardens, yards and parks? What trees and bushes are best for birds? How to use National Wildlife Federation's Native Plant Finder? Why lawns are so overrated? How to and why "weed the woods?" What's a healthy hedgerow?
Hart is a lifelong wildlife-lover crusading for habitat restoration. Come learn from him how to create a healthier landscape, which will create healthier fauna, which will create a thriving ecosystem, which will create a livable world.
Our programs are always free and open to the public.
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Saturday, April 22 9 am
Louisville Earth Walk
Iroquois Park, 5216 New Cut Road, 40214
The Louisville EarthWalk is a family-friendly event designed to celebrate the planet and raise awareness about ways members of the community can take steps to create a more sustainable city. It will include an array of inspirational activities, including motivational speakers, music, and a "kids zone" that celebrate and promote sustainable and healthy lifestyles. The centerpiece will be a 5K walk which you are encouraged to join as an individual or team member.
Caring for our planet and advocating for clean air and clean water is becoming more important as populations grow and environmental regulations come under attack. The Louisville Earth Walk offers an easy and fun way to help many of the local groups that are working hard to improve the air and water quality in Louisville. While cars and power plants are getting cleaner, people are consuming at greater rates than in the past. The Earth Walk partners promote a more sustainable life style through education and advocacy. As federal and state governments are moving to eliminate environmental protections, these groups are stepping up their efforts to protect Earth.
Musicians: John Gage and The Troubadours of Divine Bliss
Emcees: Kri Martin and Mark Steiner
At the Earth Walk you will learn ways that you can reduce your impact and live more sustainably as well as advocate for better laws at the local, state and federal levels. Assemble a team from your congregation, work place, or friends and family to get bragging rights for the top teams. You can also walk as an individual and earn incentives (details TBA) for the pledges you get from family and friends. Register today and start on your way to help make Louisville a healthier, more sustainable place to live.
Register
here! $15 for individuals, $10 for team members!
Download a flier and pledge form
here!
Those that raise $50 or more get a Louisville Earth Walk t-shirt!
The Louisville EarthWalk serves as a fundraiser for local organizations who are actively working to strengthen sustainability initiatives throughout the region. They include: 350 Louisville, Bicycling for Louisville, Cultivating Connections, Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion, Greater Louisville Sierra Club, Jefferson County Chapter of the Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, Kentucky Conservation Committee, Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Louisville Climate Action Network, Louisville Sustainability Council, Passionist Earth and Spirit Center, and Project Warm.
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Saturday,
April 22, 10:30 am - noon
The Unity of Louisville Women's Group presents
Eco-feminism with Sister Adeline Fehribach
Unity of Louisville, 757 So. Brook St, 40203
Sister Adeliln will lead us in a conversation about Eco-Feminism. Seen as the third phase of the feminist movement, Eco-Feminism asserts there exists a critical connection between the domination of nature and the exploitation of women and therefore sees the involvement of women in Ecology as critical to the Ecological Movement.
Adeline Fehribach is a Sister of Charity of Nazareth. Currently she serves as Provincial of the Western Province of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and previously served as Vice-Provincial. Immediately prior to serving as Vice-Provincial she was Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Spalding University. She has also been a college campus minister, a high school Math and Religion teacher and a missionary in Belize, Central America, where her primary role was Director of a Lay Ministry Program. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Spalding, a Masters of Theological Studies from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and a Ph.D. in Religion from Vanderbilt University. $10 Love Offering
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Saturday, April 22, 9 am - 4 pm
Imagination: The Creative Force of Life:
Co-creating an image of a New Earth
Hopscotch House, 8221 Wolf Pen Branch Road, Prospect, KY 40059
We hope you can join us to celebrate Earth Day!
Our guide and artist for the day, Joan Zehnder, has these words for us:
"This day of reflection will provide the opportunity to come together as a community to grow in a personal and communal awareness of life within and around so that each of us can be instruments of healing and creators of miracles on our earth today. Through creative expression we will envision our earth and ourselves on this earth.
Arts have the ability to heal, to transform the pain of life. Art and spirituality are intrinsically connected. Spirituality and life experience are intrinsically connected. In entering fully into our life journeys, our personal experiences, and the magnificent world of all living beings, we are at one with the Divine. Imagination is the key in forming the miracle of transformation.
Note: It is important to know that each one of us has within a creative spirit inspired by the Creative Spirit in and all around us. It is not necessary to have the title "artist" to be an intrinsic part of this community."
Click here to Register and to learn more about the day retreat!
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Sunday, April 23, 1 - 3 pm
March for Science/ People's Climate March
Louisville Metro Hall, 527 West Jefferson Street, 40202
Do you think science is real and/or important? Are you passionate about our environment on a local and global level? Are you a fan of evidence based decision making? Do you think science is just cool in general? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is the march for you!
This march is a partnership between the March for Science and the People's Climate March Louisville. We've come together to support one another in the spirit of science and preserving mother nature.
We will begin outside the courthouse at 1:00pm with a rally and a few guest speakers and musicians, march up 5th, west down main (past the Louisville Science Center), down 8th, and east on Jefferson to conclude at the courthouse with another guest speaker and local musicians. Tshirts will be available and creative signs are encouraged!
(Due to the Kentucky Derby Festival schedule, we are unable to host this event on the 22nd along side our national partners)
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Sunday, April 23, 7 - 9:30pm
The Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion Presents
Tibetan Freedom Concert
Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W Main St, 40202
This solidarity and awareness raising event brings together great musicians - Over the Rhine, Ben Sollee, Peter Mulvey and Nawang Khechog - with Tibetan speakers including Tenam and a rep from Students for a Free Tibet to encourage us to do what we can for the Tibetan people.
Tickets are $28 and $38; The Kentucky Center's Bomhard Theater 502-584-7777 and KentuckyCenter.org. Proceeds benefit DGCEC.
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Leave Louisville Friday April 28 at 8 pm - Return Sunday, April 30 at 6 am
Buses to the April 29 People's Climate March in D.C.
"To Change Everything We Need Everyone." Sierra Club and 350 Louisville invite you to join us on a trip to Washington, D.C., for the 2017 People's Climate March on Saturday, April 29. We have two buses reserved. The planned itinerary is "up and back," i.e., with no overnight lodging. However, one bus could yet end up staying over Saturday night.
Please go to this ticketed event page to find out all the details, buy your "tickets," or otherwise make your intentions known. Ticket prices are on a sliding scale. Request seats be reserved as soon as possible, but we will attempt to accommodate as many folks as possible up to the day of departure. If the buses fill up, we will seek to arrange more transportation. For anyone wanting to go, our goal is to get you there with the smallest possible carbon footprint!
Point of contact is Drew, bdrewf@yahoo.com.
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Sunday, April 30, 11 am - 3 pm
Louisville Nature Center and The Master Gardener Association present
Gardenaganza
3745 Illinois Avenue, 40213
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Save-the-Date
Saturday, May 20th 11 am - 7 pm
Mighty Kindness Hoot
Brown-Forman Amphitheater, Waterfront Park
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Friday, June 2 7-9pm, Saturday, June 3 9am-5pm, Sunday, June 4 9am-3pm
Passionist Earth & Spirit presents:
Wild Mind: A Field Guide to the Human Psyche Retreat
Guided by Doug Van Houten with Dustin Pickett and Chris Isgrigg
Cost: $225; $250 after May 24, 2017
To register or for more information click
here:
"Bill Plotkin's Wild Mind ushers in a new era of depth psychology....
To study it is to pass through a magical gateway into one's unique role
within the Great Work that Earth is calling us to."
-Brian Thomas Swimme, coauthor with Thomas Berry of The Universe Story
BASED ON BILL PLOTKIN'S BOOK, Wild Mind: A Field Guide to the Human Psyche this 3-day experiential program will help guide us on an exploration into the landscape of the universal forces of nature that helped shape the human psyche over eons.
The human psyche has been endowed by nature with a treasure trove of innate resources and potentials that have largely gone unrecognized or underdeveloped in the wake of our overly domesticated lives. During this program learn how to access, cultivate and integrate these powerful resources and potentials into our everyday lives.
Wild Mind provides us with an invaluable tool: The Nature-Based Map of the Psyche, a wholistic model rooted in nature, which serves as a guide in cultivating the major facets of our innate wholeness (i.e. the Nurturing, Generative, Innocent, Sage, Fool, Emotive, Wild, Muse, Inner Beloved self or selves, among others). This map teaches us how to delve into our fragmented, wounded or shadow selves and how to understand the initiatory gifts hidden in each.
By tending to all of the dimensions of becoming fully human we recognize the extraordinary gifts or our own true nature. We are empowered to show up in the world and become the agents of personal and cultural transformation that we are each called to be.
In this program, you'll explore the landscape of your individual psyche through focused time alone in nature, group work, deep personal sharing, journaling, possibly movement, and other soul-rooted practices.
Discover:
* how to recognize and consciously cultivate our innate human wholeness
* how to identify and befriend our fragmentation
* free all the windows of knowing: sensing, feeling, imagination, thinking, and intuition
* visceral, heart rendering realizations of our communion with the animate world.
To see a video of the Wild Mind go to: wwwwildmindbook.com
Recommended reading: Bill Plotkin's, Wild Mind: A Field Guide to the Human Psyche
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Going green: Louisville aims high, falls short
by James Bruggers, Courier Journal
Greg Fischer has had a lot to say about the environment during his six years leading Louisville, making the case that a thriving city needs to be a clean and healthy one.
But a review by the Courier-Journal finds Fischer's green cred to be a mixed bag. He has set ambitious goals, tapped into science and embraced problems like tree loss, urban heat and climate change. Yet progress hasn't come as fast as Fischer or his critics had wanted, leaving a trail of frustration.
His performance on the environment has been better than average, at least for this part of the country, with room for improvement. That would translate into a grade of B. But after examining such factors as transportation, water and air quality and climate, the Courier-Journal's review finds the city's overall environmental performance a C at best.
"I just hoped we could move faster," Fischer acknowledged in a recent interview. "But it's such a big challenge. Our city is 400 square miles. That is why you saw us take a more data-oriented approach on where the biggest problems take place. And funding is a significant challenge."
The businessman-turned-mayor who just announced plans to seek a third term has backed innovative studies on trees and heat and has been careful to listen to the requests of people in the business community who favor voluntary or incentive-based programs over mandates.
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