Ear to the ground:

“I should get two votes because no one is gonna side with me.”
– Recent roadtrip participant discussing the injustice of large-group decision-making dynamics

Food for thought

Brimming with broccoli? Up to your armpits in arugula? Durango Natural Foods, in conjunction with the Southwest Seed Library, will be hosting a produce and seed exchange this Tues., Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. at the co-op (575 E. 8th Ave.). Participants are asked to bring any excess produce as well as non-GMO seeds to be traded with other local green thumbs. The Southwest Seed Library will also provide seeds.
The swap will be followed by a screening of “Food for Change,” a feature-length documentary about the history of the co-op movement and food co-ops today. The movie focuses on food co-ops to tell the larger story of their role in American history and efforts to create local food systems.
Non-GMO popcorn will be served (popped in GMO free oil.) The film will also be shown nightly, Sun., Oct. 26 - Thurs., Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. in the co-op office. For more info, go to durangonaturalfood.coop.

No ghouling

If the thought of Halloween falling on a Friday night scares you to death, why not bring the kids to a kinder, gentler affair before the ghouls come out. Three Springs will he hosting its annual Fall Festival from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. this Sat., Oct. 25.
The event promises to be big on family friendliness instead of fiendliness with such crowd-pleasers as trick or treating, cookie walk, “Monster Mash,” cupcake decorating, bouncy house, face painting, pumpkin patch, petting zoo and games.
Festival goers are asked to bring a food item for Manna Soup Kitchen. And to help work off all that sugar, Big Brothers Big Sisters will hold its “Run for Kids Sake Zombie Challenge” at 2:30 p.m. For more on that, go to www.BBIG.org

Spin the bottles

Now, you can wear your commitment to recycling on your sleeve: literally.
The folks at "Dirtball" have launched a kickstarter campaign for their "50 Jacket," touted as the first outerwear product made entirely from recycled water bottles in a closed-loop manufacturing process.

The jacket, while not particularly stylish (think nondescript black puffy) is "perfect for the upcoming winter, casual hikes, walks in the urban jungles ... going to the farm and doing some good ole heavy lifting.” It is also made entirely in America and, best of all, no geese went naked in the process.
And when the jacket wears out its welcome? "Close the loop" by returning it to be recycled and get a discount toward your next purchase.
To get your jacket (for a $150 pledge), go to http://bit.ly/The50KS