Transitional economics

Economic sustainability?
“21st Century Economics: Down the Rabbit Hole,” an interactive Skype-based presentation featuring “degrowth activist” Charles Eisenstein, author of Sacred Economics: Money, Gift and Society in the Age of Transition, will be held tonight (March 7) at 7:30 p.m. in Chico State’s Ruth Rowland Taylor Recital Hall (PAC 134).

The evening will start with an hour-long lecture by Eisenstein “sharing his perspectives about the current economic system which favors the few” and discussing “various possibilities for evolvement into a system that could work for all members of society.” Following his lecture will be a question-and-answer period involving prepared questions from a chosen panel as well as questions from audience members.

This free and open-to-the-public event is sponsored by the Chico State Peace Institute as part of its 2012-13 Peace and Political Awareness Discussion Series. Go to www.csuchico.edu/peace to learn more about the Peace Institute.

“When we must pay the true price for the depletion of nature’s gifts, materials will become more precious to us, and economic logic will reinforce, and not contradict, our heart’s desire to treat the world with reverence and, when we receive nature’s gifts, to use them well.” – Charles Eisenstein, Sacred Economics: Money, Gift and Society in the Age of Transition

Tree-planting time
Thanks to the city of Chico’s Street Tree Division, there is a program “to encourage residents and business owners within the Chico city limits to plant street trees in front of their property by offering free trees,” according to a press release from the city’s General Services Department. Free trees! How nice is that? (Answer: Very nice.)

“Citizens who receive a city tree are required to plant and then maintain the tree for three years,” the press release advises. “After establishment, the city will be responsible for pruning the tree. Trees are available only to replace street trees in the city’s right-of-way and are not for planting in a citizen’s front yard.”

Anyone wanting to participate in this program must attend one of two workshops in order to learn appropriate tree-care skills and obtain a tree-planting permit. The Saturday workshops will be held on March 9 and 23 from 9 a.m. until noon.

There you go, citizens of Chico—a nice opportunity to pursue. Send an email to dbritton@ci.chico.ca.us or call 896-7800 for more information.

“He plants trees to benefit another generation.” – Caecilius Statius

Lassen Park is just so darned beautiful
Lassen Volcanic National Park announced the winner of its 2013 Lassen Annual Pass photo contest, and it is Oliver Wiegel, from Jacksonville, Fla., for his striking photograph, “Hydrothermal Pools at Bumpass Hell.” In addition to having his photograph featured on this year’s Annual Pass to Lassen Park, Wiegel received a $50 gift certificate for use at one of the park’s bookstores.

Photo submissions for the 2014 Annual Pass contest will be accepted May 1 through September 9.

The Lassen Annual Pass, which is also good at the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, costs $25 and is valid for one year from month of purchase. Passes may be obtained at the park’s Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center; go to www.tinyurl.com/volcanicpass to obtain one online.

For more information, contact the park office at 595-6120.