Alchemical Blog
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May 2012 Newsletter and Upcoming events!
andrewgreco2 in Member Posts on May 15, 2012
Tagged in: Newsletter, Forest Garden, Community, Communications, Comm.UNITY, Arts & Culture1] Rahma Forest Garden Work Day on Saturday May 19
2] Growing Urban Sustainability on Tuesday May 22
3] Food Forest Workshop on Sunday June 24
4] Onondaga Environmental Institute Grant Awarded to Alchemical
1] Rahma Forest Garden Work Day on Saturday May 19 Now that the Rahma Garden has been successfully funded via the IndieGoGo platform and all of your donations, it's time to keep getting soiled at one of the work days. We'll next be on-site this coming Saturday May 19, from 12 noon - 4:00 pm. Tasks to be undertaken include sheet mulching (I think we'll finally finish this task over what's left to be done on the full 1/5 acre), planting the annuals raised bed and perhaps some perennials (fingers crossed that the order arrives in time), weeding grasses (stopping them from recolonizing the top side of our
sheet mulch), watering of existing plants, maintenance of protective cages and painting/installation of decorative plant signs, and trash pick-up (always!). Come join us at anytime between noon and 4 pm at 3100 South Salina Street here in Syracuse. If you have them, bring cardboard boxes for the sheet mulching, shovels and rakes and wheelbarrows for moving the mulch, plants you might want to donate. Most of the site is now leafed out and it is a joy to behold, let's keep the forward progress happening! Contact Frank for questions or more details at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or 315.308.1372.
To see pictures from our previous two work days this spring go to our Facebook Albums page at: http://www.facebook.com/AlchemicalNursery/photos
2] Growing Urban Sustainability on Tuesday May 22 We're taking a moment to promote the upcoming "Growing Urban Sustainability" event being hosted and organized by the Women's Info Center. Jessica Maxwell of Bread & Roses Collective & Urban Gardener Mable Wilson will share in a discussion/salon format about responsible management of urban resources: gardens, ethical food consumption, systems, cooperatives & more. Women's Info Center is at 601 Allen St, and a $5-$10 sliding donation is requested.
More info through 478.4636 or www.womensinfo.org.
3] Food Forest Workshop on Sunday June 24 Join us for a Food Forest Workshop with guest Jonathan Bates of Food Forest Farm on Sunday, June 24 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm, at Sunday 6/24 at the Rahma Free Clinic Forest Garden, A Project of the
Alchemical Nursery. Want to see
permaculture plantings that work? Would you like to create a thriving edible forest garden that produces loads of fruits, roots, shoots, greens, seeds, flowers, mulch, eggs, knowledge and fun? Come learn how to select, plant, and care for permaculture perennial plants. Learn guiding principles to plant your own food forest. This is a great chance to special order plants from the Food Forest Farm Nursery with free delivery to the event. Choose from a selection of plants (Pre-Order only) that human food and medicinal needs and provide ecosystem services such as attracting beneficial insects and accumulating nutrients. Available plants include: Paw Paw, New Jersey Tea, Hazelbert, Goumi, Currants, Ground Nut, Sunchoke, Good King Henry, Mint Root, Sea Kale, Perennial Arugula, and many more! Use this URL for free delivery to the events: http://PermacultureNursery.com/SpecialOrder/ Register at: http://FingerLakesPermaculture.org Tuition: Sliding Scale $10 - 20 For more information visit: http://www.alchemicalnursery.org/calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2012/06/24/848/-/food-forest-workshop-with-jonathan-bates-of-food-forest-farm.html
4] Onondaga Environmental Institute Grant Awarded to Alchemical We're very happy to announce that the Onondaga Environmental Institute has recognized our forest garden and permaculture work by awarding Alchemical an Onondaga Lake Partnership Mini-Grant. These funds will help with the implementation and installation, as well as first season maintenance, of the Rahma Edible Forest Snack Garden. Part of the funds will also be used to develop educational signage for the site. Combined with our successful IndieGoGo campaign, we have enough funds to start considering a second food forest site. Know of any good health and wellness related offices, clinics, or organizations nearby that own their land and would be interested in a healthy perennial food forest makeover? The purpose of this minigrant program is to support locally based projects designed to increase the knowledge and involvement of the public in Onondaga Lake and its watershed and strengthen the link between communities and the Partnership. Read about all the 2012 awardees at http://www.onlakepartners.org/ppdf/minigrantpressreleasefinal.pdf -
Alchemical News - December 2010
Hello Alchemical Web,
ALMANAC: Tuesday December, 14 2010 - Sunrise 7:26 A.M. Sunset 4:31 P.M - Moon Waxing First Quarter, Moonrise 11:54 A.M. - A total eclipse of the Moon will occur on the Winter solstice in the early hours of December 21. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon. In this alignment, the shadow of the Earth falls upon the Moon, dimming the Moon and giving it unusual coloring, ranging from muted gray to coppery orange.
1] Angel Essence "Release" and "Education"
2]
Quinta Essentia Administrator Job Opening
3] Syracuse Community Choir Winter Solstice Concert
4] Sneak Peek at Spring Regenerative Skills Series
5] Updates on Alchemical's Fiscally Sponsored Projects
6]
Permaculture Quinta Essentia: an Interview with Frank Cetera for PlanetShifter Magazine
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1] Angel Essence "Release" and "Education"
Angel Card Essences were chosen during a ceremony at the Alchemical Holiday Gathering on Saturday night to provide an intention for all present into the New Year. In addition, the essence "Release" was chosen for the Alchemcial Nursery, and the essence "Education" was chosen for the City of Syracuse.
Read the full acount of the evening's events here, and learn more about what these essences might mean for the
Alchemical Nursery and the City of Syracuse.
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2] Quinta Essentia Administrator Job Opening
Just a quick reminder that applications (resume, cover letter, and references) are due on this Friday December 17th.
The Program Administrator will work with current Alchemical Nursery Board of Directors to manage the operations of the Quinta Essentia program:
- Review and intake of Quinta Essentia program inquiries
- Budget maintenance and fiscally sponsored project accounts bookkeeping
- Intake, deposit and release of funds via cash, money orders, and checks
- Development and distribution of marketing and promotions
- Development of a program operations manuals
- On-site supervision of CoWorking Studio Office
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3] Syracuse Community Choir Winter Solstice Concert
This month's featured community event is the Syracuse Community Choir's Winter Solstice Concert. Titled "Coming Home", the concert will celebrate 25 years of bringing music, peace, and justice to Syracuse through a diverse choir experience that is open to anyone with a voice!
The event will be held at Nottingham High School on Sunday December 19 at 3:30 pm. Special guests will include Kim and Reggie Harris, Pat Humphries and Sandy Opetow (emma's revolution), and Francisco Herrera. The People's Peace Award will be presented to Geneva Hayden.
Directed by Karen Mihalyi, and also featuring the puppets of the Open Hand Theater, this family event is general admission on a sliding scale of $10 - $25 - but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Visit http://syracusecommunitychoir.org/ for full details.
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4] Sneak Peek at Spring Regenerative Skills Series
Save the dates to join us for a series of workshops designed to share the skills necessary for the regenerative revolution of our landscapes. More information will be available after the holiday season - but for now we hope you are as excited as we are to be planning for getting our hands drity in the spring:
* FEB 20 - Herbal Medicine* APRIL 2 - Build an Herb Spiral* APRIL 9 - Rain Barrel Workshop* APRIL 16 - Perennial Permaculture Planting* APRIL 23 - Urban Plant Walk
* MAY 7 - Build with Earth
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5] Updates on Alchemical's Fiscally Sponsored Projects
Syracuse First is hosting a Buy Local Bash at the Orange Line Gallery on Wednesday December 15 frolm 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm. Get all the details at the Facebook event page.
Art Music People will be holding its next benefit show on New Year's Eve at Spark Gallery - and it will be a "Robot" themed party! Visit Art Music People's Facebook page for updated information about the event.
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6] Permaculture Quinta Essentia: an Interview with Frank Cetera
Following the interview of Liz Slate last month, Planetshifter Magazine has published an interview with Frank Cetera regarding how alchemy informs the message of the Alchemical Nursery and our mission and vision. This online publication and multi-site client relations network focuses on teaching sustainability practices through the use of art, mythology, music and writing.
"The history of Alchemy is so complex and plump (dating back over 2500 years and concerning the physical, spiritual and philosophical worlds) that the present day study and integration of traditional alchemic processes and symbols into permaculture could be a job for many people for many lifetimes. We just don’t know what may come of all this."" - Frank
For the full interview, visit:
http://openmythsource.com/2010/11/17/interview-with-frank-raymond-cetera-alchemy-nursery/
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[To donate to the Alchemical Nursery and help develop these projects and more, visit our Donate Now! site. Thank you for your support. ]
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Latest Events - Utopia, Creative Resistance, and CoWorking
Alchemical in Alchemical Blog on Oct 31, 2010
Tagged in: White Paper, Response, Position, Newsletter, EventsHello Alchemical Web,
ALMANAC: Sunday October 31, 2010 - Sunrise 7:14 A.M. Sunset 5:57 P.M - Waning Crescent Moon, 42% of Full - Daylight Savings Time Ends Sunday November 7 at 2:00 am.
1] Visions of Utopia Encore Screening - Saturday Nov 6 - 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
2] Reflections of a Palestinian Nonviolent Activist - Friday Nov 5 - 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
3] CoWorking Studio Open House - Tuesday Nov 9 - 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
4] An Opinion Response to the Criminal Observation and Protection System
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1] Visions of Utopia Encore Screening - Saturday November 6th at 2:00 pm
Due to popular demand we will be holding an encore screening of the documentary "Visions of Utopia". This FREE event will be held at Spark Contemporary Art Space (1005 E. Fayette St., Syracuse, NY) as part of the Art Music People (a fiscally sponsored project of the
Alchemical Nursery) benefit weekend open gallery hours.
"Visions of Utopia" (94 minutes) is a great way to experience a sampling of community life "up close." You can see and hear community members tell their stories in their own words through profiles of seven diverse communities, exploration of the "glue" that holds communities together, honest revelations about what is working and what is not, and a brief history of 2500 years of shared living. The communities featured are: Ananda Village (Nevada City CA) Breitenbush Hot Springs (Detroit OR) Camphill Special School (Glenmoore PA) Earthaven (Black Mountain NC) Nyland
Cohousing (Lafayette CO) Purple Rose (San Francisco CA) Twin Oaks (Louisa VA).
A Facebook profile of the full weekend event is available at:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156419257722308&num_event_invites=0
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2] Reflections of a Palestinian Nonviolent Activist - Friday Nov 5 - 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
The Tent of Nations, founded by the Nasser family in 2000, is located on their 100-acre family farm near Bethlehem in the West Bank. Though surrounded by Israeli settlements and hindered by the Israeli government, they have chosen to be resourceful rather than confrontational. The Tent of Nations has focused on horticulture and renewable energy to develop a self-sustaining community and become a place of learning and connection.
They have creatively resisted by using many techniques in line with
permaculture thinking - Israel denied their permit to bring electric lines to their farm, so they hosted a team of German Engineers who helped install solar panels, Israel denied building permits, so they renovated several of the old caves that people used to live in to make dwellings. They have a composting toilet and host people from around the world to share their skills and knowledge by working on the farm. And it's all seamlessly integrated with their work for hope and peace.
This event is free and open to the public and is being held at the University United Methodist Church, 1085 East Genesee Street, Syracuse For more information visit www.peacecouncil.net/pal-is.
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3] CoWorking Studio Open House - Tuesday Nov 9 - 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Come join The Alchemical Nursery between 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm on Tuesday November 9 - just stop in at any point during that time, to say hi and see the CoWorking studio, and to meet others interested in CoWorking. There are desks currently available for rent. We'll have some coffee brewed, and a variety of hot teas for your pleasure. Find out more about CoWorking, The Alchemical Nursery, The Gear Factory; contribute to our community sketch pad!
For more info about space availability at the CoWorking studio, please visit:
http://www.alchemicalnursery.org/news/314-coworking-studio-space-available-on-near-westside.html
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4] An Opinion Response to the Criminal Observation and Protection System
The Eco-village and Intentional Community frameworks which Alchemical embodies can be used to inform current events and issues in our community. In response to the Syracuse Police Department's proposal to place 9 surveillance cameras within the west side neighborhoods of Syracuse, Alchemical has prepared a written opinion to share an alternative way of considering the outcome to this issue.
Please visit http://www.alchemicalnursery.org/component/content/article/127-news/333-a-response-to-cops.html
Also, a grassroots protest against COPS is planned for Wednesday November 10th at 5:15 pm in front of City Hall (233 E. Washington). This event is being organized by the ANSWER Coalition and the League of United Latin American Citizens, and your presence would no doubt be appreciated.
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[To donate to the Alchemical Nursery and help develop these projects and more, visit Donate Now Network for Good at at https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/ExpressDonation.aspx?ORGID2=45-0594407. Thank you for your support. ]
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Alchemical News - October 2010
ALMANAC: Tuesday October 12, 2010 - Sunrise 7:14 A.M. Sunset 6:27 P.M - Moon waxing 28% - The first frost date for Central New York is considered to be October 16, local weather and topography may cause considerable variations. This is the time to gather up any annuals you wish to bring indoors, or harvest any remaining vegetables in the garden if they are not cold tolerable.
1] Visions of Utopia - Community Discussion Audio Available
2] Resources For You from the
Permaculture Potluck Picnic
3] JustGive.org Matching Donations
4] What's New at alchemicalnursery.org
5] Updates on Alchemical's Fiscally Sponsored Projects
6] Past Life Tribal Body Memories: an Interview with Elizabeth Slate
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1] Visions of Utopia - Community Discussion Audio Available
After the viewing of "Visions of Utopia" on Saturday October 3, Alchemical opened a panel discussion which included 8 representatives from 7 different communities in Central New York. These are their stories >
Click here for the audio recording presentation of the discussion. or copy and paste URL:
http://www.alchemicalnursery.org/news/324-discussing-utopia.html
The
Alchemical Nursery would like to heartily thank the following community representatives for sitting on the Visions of Utopia discussion panel and sharing their stories: Elizabeth Murphy from Syracuse Student Ecohouse; Amy Rosechandler of Green Phoenix in Rochester; Karin Crowley from Common Place Land Trust in Truxton; Julia Ketcham from Rapha Community; Harry Shwartzlander from The New Environment Association; Jessica Maxwell and Kim McCoy from Bread & Roses Housing Collective in the Westcott neighborhood; and John Lam from Ant Hill Coop in Rochester.
Special thanks to Elizabeth Slate of Alchemical Enterprises for providing The One chocolate bars for our raffle. You can buy The One chocolate bars at our website, (http://www.alchemicalnursery.org/chocolate.html) where10% of proceeds will be donated to the Alchemical Nursery.
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2] Resources For You from the Permaculture Potluck Picnic
As a recap from the Syracuse Permaculture Guild's recent Potluck Picnic, where participants discussed the twelve principles of Permaculture and what to consider when prepping your gardens for Fall and Winter, and got a bit dirty by building a raised
Hugelkultur garden bed, we've posted a number of resources and visuals including pics, a video, a blog post, and an informational flyer.
Access them all at this address:
http://www.alchemicalnursery.org/component/content/article/127-news/326-potluck-picnic-good-stuff.html
Or copy and paste the URL: http://www.alchemicalnursery.org/chocolate.html
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3] JustGive.org Matching Donations
To thank the public philanthropic community and celebrate 10 years of giving, JustGive.org is providing matching $10 donations from October 10, and continuing for only 10 days, until October 20. Any donation to the Alchemical Nursery of at least $10 will be matched with another $10 by JustGive.org. There is no better time than now to contribute to Alchemical's mission if you have been considering doing so. Please visit the donate webpage at the following link, and thank you for your support:
https://www.justgive.org/basket?acton=donate&ein=45-0594407
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4] What's New at alchemicalnursery.org
The 2nd generation of the Alchemical Nursery website continues to evolve. Here's what's new and why you should visit soon:
- A "Recent Photos" module on the front page let's visitors see the latest photo that has been uploaded, and directs them to the Photo Gallery by clicking on the picture to view more.
- All Registered users now have the ability to post events to the online event calendar at http://www.alchemicalnursery.org/calendar/month.calendar/2010/10/10/-.html. This is a great spot to publicize your community or Permaculture related event as there are 397 registered members as your audience, and numerous other unregistered visitors to the website every month.
- Our online Glossary of Ecovillage, Intentional Community, and Permaculture gardening terms is also up and running, and visitors are invited to help co-create this resource by adding terms and definitions to the Glossary at: http://www.alchemicalnursery.org/glossary.html
5] Updates on Alchemical's Fiscally Sponsored Projects
Syracuse Grows is co-hosting a Fall Harvest Potluck with CSA-CNY and Slow Foods CNY on Sunday October 17 from 4-6 pm. It will be held in the Assumption Parish Center at 804 North Salina St, Syracuse, NY. Free and open to the public. Full details at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=159432274084053
Syracuse First will be a sponsor of the 13th Annual Small Office / Home Office (SOHO) Syracuse business show at the OnCenter on Thursday October 14, 9 am - 5 pm. Join us to celebrate small and local business in the Central New York region. For info on how to attend the show, visit: http://www.sohosyracuse.com/
Art Music People will be holding its next benefit shows within the next month. The "Sheetrock" show will be a fundraiser for the Gear Factory Artist and Musician Studio Warehouse. The show ill be at Spark Contemporary Art Space on October 29 from 8pm - midnight. More details to come.
Then on Friday November 5 (once again at Spark) at 8pm - midnight, benefit show for the local refugee community will include an art gallery w/ local visual artists, music by Wooden Waves (Buffalo, NY), The Dead Friends (Syracuse, NY), and World History (Seattle, WA) . RSVP and stay tuned for more details at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156419257722308&ref=mf
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6] Past Life Tribal Body Memories: an Interview with Elizabeth Slate
Elizabeth Slate, one of the Founders of the Alchemical Nursery, was recently profiled in an interview by Planetshifter Magazine, an online publication and multi-site client relations network that focuses on teaching sustainability practices through the use of art, mythology, music and writing.
"Wow - comparing sustainability to religion sounds like a devil’s advocate
position on what could be considered a hot button issue – potentially offensive
and controversial, but definitely very thought-provoking!!" - Elizabeth
For the full interview, visit: http://www.planetshifter.com/node/1701
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[For more events, blog posts, and articles, visit alchemicalnursery.org]
[** Get your very own alchemicalnursery.org domain email address by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]
[To donate to the Alchemical Nursery and help develop these projects and more, visit JustGive.org at https://www.justgive.org/basket?acton=donate&ein=45-0594407. Thank you for your support. ]
[To take full advantage of the resources at the Alchemical website please consider registering by using the Member Login module in the left-hand column of the homepage.]
