There's much more to this year's Simply Bioneers Satellite Conference weekend than the virtual speakers. Starting Friday night, Oct. 20, there will be speakers, workshops, organic wine-tasting and a group hike all held locally.
Keynote Address: Tony Hiss
Tony Hiss will speak at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Buskirk-Chumley. Hiss is the author of The Experience of Place, which addresses the restoration of America's cities and landscapes. His book has been instrumental in rearing sustainable transportation and environmental policies in some of the largest cities in America.
Hiss's approach to environmentalism through sociology typifies the Bioneer's philosophy. He will also speak of his forthcoming book, From Place to Place, in which he suggests solutions to the transportation issues of urban sprawl.
Envisioning a Sustainable, Local, Agrarian Economy: Panel Discussion 1
Discussion Panel 1 will meet from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, Oct. 21 and is composed of Teresa Birtles, co-director of Slow Foods Bloomington; Bobbi Boos, president of the Local Grower's Guild; Andy Mahler, a permaculturist and forest activist; Michael Simmons, head of Bloomington Parks & Recreations Community Gardens Program; with Thomas P. Healy, the publisher of Branches moderating. The panel will address repercussions of practical sustainability and environmentally sound actions.
Achieving Health and Wellness Naturally: Panel Discussion 2
This panel happens concurrently with the first and is comprised of Susan Clearwater, Graham Montague and Scarlett Winters.
Wine tasting and Silent Auction featuring the Afro Hoosiers International, which plays afro-pop and sings in various languages.
Beginning at 8 p.m. on Saturday night, a fundraiser to benefit the Center for Sustainable Living will be hosted at Tutto Bene. The $12 admission ticket includes tickets for a glass of wine and a dessert. A silent auction, which started Oct. 7, will be open all day and will conclude during the event. The auction boasts loom-made jewelry from local artists, paintings, photographs and other pieces made and donated by local artists, all inspired by nature.
One piece on Saturday's auction block was made by Lucille Bertuccio, president of the Center for Sustainable Living, youngest daughter. The pair of earrings were loom woven by hand and are detailed replications of the butterfly wings of a n Australian Kite Swallow. The jewelry comes in a hand painted and lacquered box, designed and painted by Bertuccio's oldest daughter.
The featured entertainment is the Afro Hoosiers International. The "afro pop" band will play throughout the night.
Morning Walk and Nature Journaling with Ria Collee and Betsy Caulfield
Those wishing to hike and tour the Mt. Gilead Quaker Retreat Center can meet at Bloomingfoods Sunday morning, Oct. 22, at 9:30 a.m.
Mt. Gilead features a cabin made with already-felled timber, an antiquated method of sealing grout and rocks taken from a river. Participants will learn the value of the ancient method used to build the powerless, running waterless cabin and how it is energy and fuel efficient.
Collee and Caulfield are both retired librarians who teach the healing connection achieved through nature. They will guide participants through an "earth awareness walk" and meditation.
The slogan of the conference is, "It's all alive, it's all connected, it's all intelligent, it's all relative." The Bioneers are concerned with finding solutions to problems of social injustice, environmental degradation, food safety, racism and health care.
Elizabeth Dilts can be reached at edilts@indiana.edu.