EVENTS

Holiday Giftaway
A Great Way To Give and Get Gifts!
The 9th Annual Zero Waste Action - Sonoma County/Grange/Transition GiftAway
THE SUNDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING
NOVEMBER 28, 2021 Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Rd. (Hwy. 12)

A fun, ecological way to get GIFTS and new-to-you clothing AND give away good unwanted items!

Plan to be flexible: This will be a mostly outdoor event with shade structures set-up to protect people and goods from light rain. If heavy rain is predicted, we may shift the hours or cancel. Updates will be sent out as soon as the decision is made.

Masks and social distancing required. We will limit the number of people on site at one time.
Click here to reserve your spot

Reusable gift items and household goods welcome!

Large, heavy or toxic items will be turned away!

Volunteers make this event possible.
Each adult and teen must volunteer for 30 minutes and/or chip in $10. It is a lot of fun! Young people under 15 are free. For more info, visit our Facebook event page: Facebook - Zero Waste Action - Sonoma County. Sign ups will be available soon.

Past Events - 2019 - 2021
Community Market Green Team and Zero Waste Action - Sonoma County
held their first public swap of 2021: Sunday, July 25,Santa Rosa Community Market
1899 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Community Bikes Holiday Sale - Kids' bikes - $30+, all sizes. December 2020

A Great Way To Give and Get Gifts!
The 8th Annual Zero Waste Action - Sonoma County/Grange/Transition GiftAway
THE SUNDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING
DECEMBER 1, 2019 Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Rd.(Hwy. 12)

Reusable gift items and household goods welcome - no large, heavy or toxic items! Hang clothing on hangers - if possible. Hangers also available on-site. Please leave dirty and worn items at home.

Volunteers make this event possible.
Each adult and teen must volunteer for 30 minutes and/or chip in $10. It is a lot of fun! Young people under 15 are free. For more info, visit our Facebook event page: Facebook - Zero Waste Action - Sonoma County. Don't forget to sign up in advance for your volunteer shift!

Past Events - 2018
Holiday Giftaway
A Great Way To Give and Get Gifts!
The 7th Annual Zero Waste Action - Sonoma County/Grange/Transition GiftAway
NOVEMBER 25,Sebastopol Grange

Zero Waste Week, 5/6-12, Details
Zero Waste Symposium, 5/10, Details
Santa Rosa Reuse and Repair Tour, Spring 2018, 5/12, Details

Wasted - The Story of Food Waste, 4/17, Santa Rosa Junior College, Trailer
Santa Rosa Earth Day, 4/21, 12-4pm
Earth Day Bike Sale, 4/22
Sebastopol Farm Market Earth Day Clothing Swap, Sunday, 4/22, 10am-2pm, Volunteers needed!
Sebastopol Lend-A-Hand Day, Saturday, 4/28, Trailer

Smart Meter Film & Discussion, 3/30
Earth Day Bike Sale, 4/22-23
Sebastopol Farm Market Clothing Swap, 4/23
Sustainable Enterprise Conference, 4/5
Zero Waste Symposium, 5/11

TAKE BACK YOUR POWER FILM AND DISCUSSION
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017, SEBASTOPOL, 7 – 8:30PM
Partial Screening followed by Q&A with Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) Specialists
Satya Giordano, EMF Center and Sandi Maurer, Director, EMF Safety Network
Location provided on RSVP - lite @ sonic.net.
Event flyer is here:
http://liteinitiatives.org/sites/default/files/LITETakeBackYourPowerFlye...

Please carpool. Park at St. Stephen’s Church, 500 Robinson Rd.Free!
Donations accepted for the EMF Safety Network

Let’s get better educated on this important topic!

In January, 2017 PG&E started sending letters to Sebastopol customers demanding they agree to the installation of a Smart Meter or pay fees to keep their analog meter. This is in direct disregard of the city’s Smart Meter installation ban. This eye-opening film investigates how utility Smart Meters are being rolled out across North America without informed consent. The film uncovers alarming issues about health, privacy, property rights, corporate fraud and the unprecedented vulnerability of the Smart Grid.

Satya Giordano of the EMF Center has been doing EMF assessments locally since 2014. Satya is passionate about making the world safer and healthier and does special independent EMF-reduction at schools.

Sandi Maurer is the Founder and Director of the EMF Safety Network. Founded in 2009, the EMF Safety Network is devoted to providing quality education about the health impacts associated with electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and radio frequency radiation (RF) and offering resources for community activists working to facilitate public policy change.

PAST EVENT SAMPLER
Responding To Abrupt Climate Change
DR. GUY MCPHERSON, MAY 6, 2016, 6 - 8:30PM

"If you really think that the environment is less important than the economy, try holding your breath while you count your money.”

LITE Initiatives is proud to present Dr. Guy McPherson in in-town Sebastopol on Friday, May 6, 2016 at 6pm followed by a group discussion. The location provided on RSVP or registration. Light snacks and beverages will be served. Donations will be requested to help cover the expenses of Guy's tour. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Click here to register.

Dr. Guy R. McPherson is an internationally recognized thought leader, author, and speaker on the complex ecological implications of abrupt climate change, and energy decline. An award-winning Professor Emeritus of Natural Resources & Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology at The University of Arizona, Dr. McPherson has captivated audiences of scientists and non-scientists alike, by presenting his synthesis of the peer-reviewed research on tipping points and irreversible, self reinforcing feedback loops in the complex climate system.

During this time of political division over climate change, Dr. McPherson has become an unintentional celebrity due to the courage he has shown in sharing his stunning conclusions. Because of this reputation, he was recently interviewed by Bill Nye on The National Geographic Channel. Dr. McPherson has shared his controversial calculations on television and radio, on his website, his popular podcast "Nature Bats Last", and in his live appearances. He has lectured throughout the United States, British Columbia, the European Economic Union, New Zealand, and Ecuador, funded entirely by donations and book sales. Read more... Guy's Spring 2016 tour website or watch this video: Conversations with Great Minds - Guy McPherson / Human Extinction in our Lifetime?

Earth Day Celebration Sunday, 4/23/16, 11 am - 4pm!
We just finished a major face-lift and want to show off! Come on by to say hello, check out the murals and have a snack on us! Orientation/tours will be offered on the hour.

Thank you artists! West side mural - Designed and painted by Gary Labonte, Art Instructor, Chops Teen Center a few teen helpers. Front mural - Designed, drawn and managed by Sebastopol artist Dana Vallarino and CB volunteers! Thanks for all of the help - Sebastopol Village Building Convergence!

Earth Day Week, 4/17-24, 2016:
4/17: Car-Free Day Celebration and Clothing Swap, Sebastopol Farm Market, 10am-1pm
4/18-23, Village Building Convergence: Free Store, Sebastopol Grange, 4-7pm
4/23, Visit us at the Santa Rosa Earth Day Festival, Courthouse Square, 12-4pm
4/24: Community Bikes: We are having a party to celebrate 10+ years of DIY, Bike Reuse and Repair. More soon in the upcoming newsletter!

I Love My Bike Sale, Valentines Weekend, 2/13 & 14, 2016 10-4pm - on Facebook
Deep Discounts On Street Bikes, Mountain Bikes, Road Bikes, Hybrids, Cruisers and more ... Cash or Check only!

Holiday Giftaway and Clothing Swap - A Great Way To Give and Get Gifts!
LITE Initiatives, in cooperation with Sebastopol Grange #306 and Transition Sebastopol presents
The 4th annual LITE/Grange/Transition Holiday GiftAway and Clothing Swap
Sunday, December 6, 2015, 1-4pm
Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Rd. (Hwy. 12).

This is a community event. Each adult and teen must volunteer for 30 minutes and/or chip in $5.
Young people under 15 are free. For more info, visit these pages:
Facebook - LITE Clothing Swaps

Thanks to Sebastopol Grange and Transition Sebastopol for collaborating!
http://sebastopolgrange.org/ and http://transitionsebastopol.org/

Friday, July 17- Sunday, July 19, 2015, 9am – 5pm, Cash or Check only
In our parking lot: 4009/4019 Sebastopol Rd Santa Rosa, CA 95407
A huge selection of used bicycles will be available in a variety of conditions at deeply discounted prices.
Volunteers needed!combikes@sonic.net
Click here to download SALE FLYER

CLOTHING SWAP
Sunday, July 26, 2015, 10am – 2pm, Sebastopol Farm Market/Town Plaza
Clothing only!

In collaboration with Sebastopol Farm Market
A fun, ecological way to get new-to-you items and
give away unwanted quality goods!
$10 donation or volunteer for 30 minutes
We need help with Promotions, Monitoring, Clean-up & Hauling!
Volunteers please send a note to: swaplite@sonic.net
Click here to download JULY SWAP FLYER

Would you like help organizing a swap in your community? LITE has green guides willing to advise Send a note to swaplite@sonic.net or via facebook: LITE Clothing Swaps

Spring 2015 Sebastopol
Click here to download SPRING SWAPS FLYER

Saturday, March 21, 2015 12:30 – 3:30pm
Location on RSVP: swaplite@sonic.net
Small reuseables welcome!

Sunday, April 19, 2015, 10am – 2pm, Sebastopol Farm Market/Town Plaza
Clothing only!

Holiday Giftaway and Clothing Swap - A Great Way To Give and Get Gifts!
LITE Initiatives, in cooperation with Sebastopol Grange #306 and Transition Sebastopol presents
The 3rd annual LITE/Grange/Transition Holiday GiftAway and Clothing Swap
Sunday, November 23, 2014 from 1-3pm
Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Rd. (Hwy. 12).

This is a community event. Each adult and teen must volunteer for 30 minutes and/or chip in $5.
Young people under 15 are free. For more info, visit:
Facebook - LITE Clothing Swaps

Thanks to Sebastopol Grange and Transition Sebastopol for collorborating!
http://sebastopolgrange.org/ and http://transitionsebastopol.org/

Clothing Swaps/Free Sales at Sebastopol Farm Market
September 28, 2014, 10am-1pm
and
June 22, 2014, 10am-1pm
It's Summmer! Let's celebrate by cleaning our closets and giving away unwanted items we don't need anymore - men, women and children's clothing, accessories and jewelry... Please leave other reusables at home - too much work to manage at the Plaza.

The swap - or free sale if you will, will be held at the Sebastopol Farm Market on Sunday, June 22 from 10am - 1 pm in the Town Plaza.

As usual many hands make light work; a half an hour of volunteering is requested or a donation of $10:
Box collection, Set-up, Monitoring, Clean-up, Hauling. Volunteers get
first crack at the good stuff!!! Please send a note to lite@sonic.net. Newbies are free.

If you are on Facebook, please like and RSVP at "LITE Clothing Swaps". Also, please post photos of a few choice items you are bringing!

Be sure to carpool and bring friends! Have kids? Bring someone along to share child tending responsibilities since this is a busy public place.

For details on how to prepare for a swap, select the swap options in the menu on the left!

Waste Less Food Meet-Ups at Share Exchange in Santa Rosa
Event Poster

Zero Waste Sonoma County is now holding monthly meet-ups in collaboration with the Share Exchange in Santa Rosa. Our goal is to encourage local groups and individuals working on wasting less to get to know each other better, and lay the foundation for establishing Sonoma as a Zero Waste County. The current series is on Wasting Less Food – at restaurants, grocery stores and businesses as well as at home. The focus is on buying less, consuming less, discarding less and reusing as much as possible.

The upcoming meeting is Wednesday, May 14 from 6-8pm. After quick introductions, the panelists will present for up to 10 minutes each, then dialog with the moderator for 30 minutes. Then there may be a few short research presentations followed by a whole group discussion.

Panelists include:
Jude Frates, Sustainability Consultant
Jude will brief us on Oliver’s Market’s three-store food discard reduction program as well as discuss other businesses’ food discard successes and challenges.

Annie Sherman, Sonoma County Green Business Program
The first green business program, this is a free service offered by Sonoma County that distinguishes small to medium sized businesses that protect, preserve and sustain our environment.

Tim Page, FEED Sonoma
Founded in 1979, FEED Sonoma’s mission is to create a vibrant sustainable food system through maximizing the ability of farmers to sell their food. This also means wasting as little as possible!

To cover meeting costs, $5 will be requested on check-in. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. You are welcome to bring a brown bag dinner and perhaps a dessert dish to share.

The first two meet-ups - 2/12 and 3/26, went very well; we averaged 25 people both times. Each panelist did a great job and the discussions that followed were even better. The enthusiasm was palatable and it is clear this series has potential to really make a difference.

For more info visit Zero Waste Sonoma County on Facebook or send us a note a zwsonoma at sonic.net.

Also check out NRDC’s Food Waste work including “Wasted: How America Is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its Food from Farm to Fork to Landfill”, http://www.nrdc.org/food/wasted-food.asp and ”The Dating Game: How Confusing Food Date Labels Lead to Food Waste in America”, http://www.nrdc.org/food/expiration-dates.asp

Future topics include clothing, textiles and general reuse and repair. ZWSC is also planning an early Summer or Fall one-day Zero Waste event hosted by LITE, the Sonoma County Local Task Force on Integrated Waste Management (LTF) and the SCCC (Sonoma County Conservation Council). More on that at the meet-up.

Please RSVP on Facebook or to lite at sonic.net if you are not on Facebook.

PAST EVENTS
BICYCLE HISTORY, TECHNOLOGY & PRACTICE
Tuesday, 12/10/13, Science Buzz Cafe, Coffee Catz
The resident bike expert at LITE Initiatives' Community Bikes, Michael Teller will again entertain us with the amazing contributions of bicycle technology. Last time he addressed early bicycle history and the impacts bikes made on early 1900 personal transport and
inventions. This time he will address related topics such as the development of our interstate roadways, wheel chairs, brakes, transmissions, gearing systems and tires and more.

HOLIDAY GIFTAWAY AND CLOTHING SWAP - A Great Way To Give and Get Gifts!
LITE Initiatives, in cooperation with Sebastopol Grange #306 and Transition Sebastopol presents the 2nd annual LITE/Grange/Transition Holiday GiftAway and Clothing Swap on Sunday, November 24, from 1-3pm at the Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Rd. (Hwy. 12). LITE ED and Zero Waste Advocate Portia Sinnott will also be giving a free Introduction to Zero Waste Communities presentation at the GiftAway at 2pm.

This is a community event. Each adult and teen must volunteer for 30 minutes and/or chip in $5. Young people under 18 are free. For more info, visit these pages:

Facebook - 2013 Holiday GiftAway and Clothing Swap
Facebook - LITE Clothing Swaps

Thanks to Sebastopol Grange and Transition Sebastopol for collorborating!
http://sebastopolgrange.org/ and http://transitionsebastopol.org/

IS ZERO WASTE POSSIBLE?
Tuesday, 10/22/13, Science /Buzz Cafe, Coffee Catz
Presentation by Portia Sinnott, Zero Waste Sonoma County/LITE
Can redefining our discards as resources rather than waste really help reduce our climate impacts? What do consumers and science buffs need to know to take part and make a contribution? According to Portia, there is no doubt about it, Zero Waste has gone mainstream. Scores of forward thinking jurisdictions and companies around the globe are using it as a key organizing strategy. They must think it is possible, but is it practical? What are the pros and cons and how do we get there?

BIKE EXTRAVAGANZA, Saturday, July 13th, 10am-5pm
An all day event of all things Bicycle

Meet professional racers
Talk to bike builders
See Vintage Bikes, Race Bikes, Mountain Bikes, Electric Assist Bikes, Recumbent Bikes, Art Bikes...

Free to all. Flyer posted below.

HUGE SALE OF USED BIKES!
Sale continues Sunday, July 14th, 10am-5pm

Visit us on Facebook:
Community Bikes SR and Community Bikes Santa Rosa

Community Bikes presents an extravaganza showcasing all aspects of bikes from racing bikes to art bikes to maintenance and education! Something for everyone! Come join us for exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, film, bike-art, frame builders, and celebration of bike culture! FREE to the public ~ all ages.

Located conveniently at Community Bikes near Joe Rododa Trail and Highway 12 at 4009 Sebastopol Rd. We are halfway between downtown Sebastopol and downtown Santa Rosa. For more information please contact Gabrielle Albright gabrielle_lite@sonic.net.

CLOTHING SWAPS - IN SEBASTOPOL AND SANTA ROSA
The next Sebastopol swap is in August! An all ages event, we need help reaching out to he back to school crowd! For additional information or to volunteer contact Gabrielle Albright at gabrielle_lite@sonic.

Get To Know Your Bike Class, now by appt; invite your friends! Taught by Shop Manager Michael Teller and core volunteers. Open to all ages and types. Designed for folks new to bike maintenance/repair as well as those needing a refresher. Bring your bike or learn on one of ours! Youth under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Free; donations of parts as well as $$ welcome. Call 707 579-5811 to reserve a spot.

EVENT GREENING 101

The A, B & C’s Event Greening
Advantages, Best-Practices and How To Be Cost-Effective

Tuesday, April 26, 2011
9:00am - 12:30pm

Santa Rosa City Council Chambers
100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Suite 10, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

For venue managers, event planners and all interested parties seeking to minimize the climate impacts of events.

Please register today! http://eventgreening101.eventbrite.com/

Early bird: $15 by 4/22, Regular: $25 4/23-4/26
Walkers, bike riders, bus riders, carpoolers and groups registering together receive a 20% discount!

Thanks To Our Sponsors
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Sonoma County Air Resource Team
The City of Santa Rosa and Gary Wysocky, Santa Rosa City Council
Sonoma County Conservation Council

Organized by LITE Initiatives and Zero Waste Sonoma County and Green-Mary.com