Randy Chatterjee

I put my name down for the film with Nicole Foss - sounds fascinating - Thurs or Friday good for me - hope to see you Dec 16 or 17th

Ange

Hey Randy - I fairly free of the political game these days, had enough of the Greens, at least under the current leadership. Started up a community garden in Adanac Park, got the groundwork and fence sorted and should be ready for spring.

Cheers

Ian

Hi Randy,

Thanks for the information. I have a new farm in Richmond as part of the Richmond Farm School, and so if there is interest in having a underground market, I would gladly bring my produce to sell! I am running a CSA model right now, but in the future we will be increasing the number of shares, so maybe next year some of the local people might be interested in at least having their food brought into the area from a local farm (the farm is less than 1/2 hr away).

Glad to get involved, let me know about the meeting date/time when its finalized and I hopefully I can make it.

Have a good one!

Anna

Hi Randy,

Thanks for the great welcome message. I have to say that I couldn't agree more, and it is a fantastic thing to be able to live and learn in the Netherlands. I am already wondering how I'll return to Canada and do without all of the amazing cyclist routes here, the Dutch really know what commuting by bike means. But then the obvious answer to that is to work on achieving a similar level of infrastructure when I return to Canada, I've yet to figure out exactly how that can be done. And you're right, it makes a difference when you've actually lived in such an environment, you know it's very possible and you really notice a striking contrast when you return home. Last summer I had a chance to go back to visit my parents (in Ontario and New Brunswick) for 2 weeks and I was blown away by things that I thought were normal before, and which were so shocking now - so many roads, single passenger cars everywhere, a handful of cyclists, hugely inefficient home appliances and systems - I could go on and on... It made me understand even more how important it is for me to be here.

Also a quick question for you, I read your bio and noticed that you did a renovation on your house, could I maybe get a photo of it from you? I am writing a manual to bring single-family standalone/duplex to various levels of sustainable self-sufficiency over a time-based period, with the ultimate goal of bringing the house to a passivhaus level. I want to include case studies to show just how possible it is, to encourage as many as I can to make the transition. It sounds like your house could be a great example for the west-coast climate - I plan to show case studies from each climatic variation in Canada. Or do you maybe know of any other Canadians who have brought their house to a similar level?

Anyway, thanks again for a great welcome. Looking forward to being back in Canada shortly.

Gillian

Hi Randy, thanks for the warm welcome. The Mark Lakeman workshop sounds fantastic, I'll be sure to make it.  Is there a link that I can't somehow find to the seed saving exchange you mentioned?

Thanks,

dear randy,

thank you for your note!  can you call me to chat about the PDC?  778-968-5518.  I'd like to get you a registration form and also hear more about what specific areas of learning you would like to develop:)

sara

Thanks Randy!

I’m really looking forward to being a part of VV. I’m reading Rob Hopkins book right now and am very inspired by the outlook of transition groups such as the one you and your neighbours have created. I won’t be living in the Main St. area until July but will keep my eyes open for opportunities to come into the city and help out/learn ect. I unfortunately won’t be able to make it to the April 5^th potluck because I’m working. Also thanks for the information re: progressive towns around B.C.

see yah soon,

Curtis

randy!

yes. i was also trying to remember whether we met before!

i wasn't very active on the vancouver food networks last year or so. but Kafka's coffee tasting was good. give my good wishes to alaka. and let's talk more today at city repair!!

miraj

Hey Randy, Thanks for the invite to the Brain Trust, just point the way...  though it won't involve any brain removal, right?  Just idea removal and capacity building....

Lead on.... Cheers,  Stewart  :-)

Thanks for the invite Rand.  We've got a Velopalooza event we're appart of so I won't be able to make it.

Thanks,

Chris Diplock

Hey Randy!

I have indeed been busy Car Free Daying. 11 days to go and still getting stuff done. Eek!

I assume Ross has posted something up here about it? I need to work on my marketing skills. Between mt 2 paid jobs that keep me working doubles all week, and chairing the board, I am up to my eyeballs. 

I cannot wait to join or host another potluck, and attend a plant sale! I need to stay more in the loop for sure. Hope you are well!

Hello Randy,

I am sorry to hear about how the Urban Market proposal was handled by the Deputy Manager for one of the most sustainable self-aggrandizing cities in North America. It is far worse that this is not even remotely surprising. It does, however, remind me a heck of a whole lot of a similar story in Detroit captured by a marvellous documentary Urban Roots that I could not recommend more highly. The Detroit Agriculture Network may be some interesting folks to connect with as they have been struggling with similar issues with the city of Detroit for some time. 
I try to remind myself that change happens slowly, it isn't surprising that at the city level the status quo would be considerably more appealing.  

Best to you Randy, and sure when I'm next in the Cambie area I'd look forward to a herbal tea. 
Lisa 

Sure Randy, I took the landlord reference out. No problem 

Thanks for the info, Randy!

I can't believe I had not heard of that before but anyhow, pretty cool....and yes, just another way, I suppose. :)

I completely agree  re: you can only manage what you measure. I do foresee a better future where there are actual guidelines that must be followed for firms  when preparing and presenting their financial statements - i.e. taking a more integrated approach. It's happening right now, voluntarily, with some companies, and the number of companies doing it will only increase over time.  And, before we know it, it will actually be required - so it's pretty cool. We just need to make sure the requirements are actually improving the environments welfare, and not just saving face.  If you're curious, right now you can submit comments to the GRI's(Global Reporting Initiative) draft set of standards - pretty cool that it's open to the public. http://www.globalreporting.org/Home

Hi Randy and thanks for the welcome.  Yes, I do know Michael.  He tells me its been a slow build for Community Way.

A Transition Town project has just launched here and going into its 3rd meeting. Surprisingly, about 200 people have come out so far.  An interactive website will go up in a week or so which will be a much simplified version of what you have here. Details at transitiontowncv.org.

This is the 3rd time I'm trying to post a message to you here.  Perhaps you need to approve it before it goes public? Dunno.

cheers,

dan

-----------

Dan,

We hope you know Michael Linton and use Community Way Dollars because we are trying to launch a local currency here as well. Michael has made many trips to Vancouver to teach us how to do it.

To our knowledge Courtney-Comox does not have a Transition initiative going yet, but I am sure there are many people there with the interest.

Thanks for joining, and I hope you can learn a few things and get inspired.

Randy



Hmm, post worked that time - in Chrome.  Perhaps the problem was with Safari.

Anyway, I hope that Courtenay can cross-fertilize with VV as things develop.

Hi Randy, Thank you for telling me about the two events. I would love to attend the beekeeping one but have a prior engagement. I hope to be able to make the other one. Greetings, Louise

Hi Randy

Thanks Randy :)

You might enjoy my latest too...

http://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/bedsidetable/2012/02/07/farm...

Thanks for the interesting welcom email, Randy. I too have been pretty frustrated with some of the problems associated with switching to alternative energy systems, especially the fact that gas is so cheap and electricity from hydro power so expensive! I will try to get to the potluck on the 10th. It would be great to meet up with neighbours interested in such things and to hear what everyone is up to.

All the best,

Catherine

Hi Randy
Thanks so much for your welcoming message.  I enjoyed reading through your profile and bio.  I too am struck by the disconnections of an ostensibly 'sustainable' city and the continuing unsustainable practices.  But that was balanced out by seeing how you're personally putting the theory into practice in your own life!

Regarding Community Way  and Community/Complimentary Currencies (I've been on this for a long time...) I was just introduced to this initiative that we may be supporting in some way at Vancity CU:  http://prezi.com/tpen9iw4r4lv/community-money-for-community-food/

I'd love to see it expand to other sectors but I think local food is a very good place for it to take root!

Peace, lots of love and justice,

lisa b 

Thanks for the welcome Randy! Agreed, we need to kick start a village in Crosstown.

Thanks Randy

Thanks Randy. I'm on it! Made some connections to Village Surrey. Thanks!

thanks for the response randy. Are there any mt.pleasant farmer extraordinaire that you had in mind who may have extra produce for the Local Dinner?

Thanks,
Travis

Randy, I've moved. Am I Mt Pleasant or Kensington/Cottage area, please?