The New Urbanism: conference in Dallas and results in my 'hood

Just heard the early episode of "Think" (hosted by Krys Boyd, KERA 90.1 FM radio) today, which featured a guy by the name of Andrés Duany, who is active in the New Urbanist movement here in the States. He's here in the D/FW this week for several North Texas events sponsored by the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU).

Here's the mission statement/blurb off the CNU website: "Congress for the New Urbanism is a nonprofit organization aimed at curbing sprawl and re-establishing compact, walkable, and sustainable neighborhoods and cities. The North Texas Chapter of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU-NTX) works to further this mission through education, networking, and outreach within the North Texas region."

AND--here's the lowdown on the event Duany (and others) will be featured speakers for:

REBUILDING OUR CITIES AND SUBURBS: A FRESH START FOR TIRED PLACES (i love that conference title.....!)

When: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 -- Registration 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. -- Seminar 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Where: The Belo Mansion Pavilion -- 2101 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75201

For more event details, and to see other links on the Congress for the New Urbanism, click here.

As I heard Duany speak on the radio show, he seemed to confirm alot of my longtime ideas about the prerequisites for sustainable community. He spoke of suburban neighborhoods, with their wraparound driveaways and lack of front porches as antithetical to social interaction and "neighborliness." He also suggested that the welcome rise in front-yard vegetable gardening "supports urban pedestrianism." People basically enjoy walking on streets where there is something pleasant to look at and where people are out living in their yards (and on their porches). The more he spoke about these ideas, the bigger grew the smile on my face. I am living now in a thriving "neighborly" neighborhood, which appears to be a pretty good example of a new urbanism retrofit success. Two neighbors on my street have front-yard edible gardens; bicyclists and pedestrians are daily present on the sidewalks and streets; and the locally-owned businesses along Magnolia not only seem to be doing well but there are new places pegged to open very soon. Actually, yesterday, I noticed a new shingle sign had been put up within the past 24 hours. The sign announces a new clinic--located on the same block as King Tut, a florist, and the Hoagies sandwich shop. "Acupuncture Community Clinic" is the name of the clinic, and this week I hope to do what any friendly pedestrian in this, my favorite 'hood in Fort Worth, might do: stop in and welcome them to Fairmount.

Yes, this 'hood still needs a coffee shop, bakery, community garden, and bookstore. But at least we're getting a "grocer" of sorts--Ellerbe Fine Foods will be opening doors at 1505 W. Magnolia later this spring. According to a splash ad in a recent pull-out of the Weekly, Ellerbe will offer "Casual Fine Dining, Take-Away & Marketplace in Fort Worth's Southside".

"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Nuclear Power" -- free screening today!

[Thanks to Lon Burnam's office folks for sending the following anuncio. Sorry for the last-minute post to share this with y'all...]

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Three Mile Island disaster:

Everything you always wanted to know about Nuclear Power*

*But were afraid to ask

Join Ft. Worth Rep. Lon Burnam in previewing a new film:

Sunday, March 29th - TODAY!

2:30 PM Refreshments,
3:00 PM Film

FREE and open to all!

Location: Fort Worth Botanic Garden
3220 Botanic Garden Blvd.

Sponsored by: True Cost of Nukes & SEED Coalition

"Everything you always wanted to know about Nuclear Power* but were afraid to ask" is a lively new 42-minute video that mixes historic news clips and ironic, vintage propaganda films along with contemporary experts and analysis to remind us of nuclear power’s troubled history.

At a time when nuclear power is being touted as a cure for global warming—and is asking for billions in taxpayer subsidies—it’s time to explore cleaner, safer and cheaper solutions!

For more information – NukeFreeTexas.org and EverythingNuclear.org.

F6 Gallery-"The Girls Show" tonight, Saturday, March 28th, 7pm-midnight

Greetings on a chilly spring afternoon in North Texas.

I just want to invite you to the GIRLS SHOW, which happens tonight at the F6 Gallery in Arlington, Texas.

(The F6 Gallery is located in the warehouse space at 2800 W. Division, Suite F-6 -- look for the Hilton Flooring sign, and pull in behind that business, where all the warehouse parking lots are. Suite F-6 is the last warehouse on the right. Just look for the crowd of artsy kids.)

This is the first time that the F6 Gallery has created a group show that is an exhibit of works created exclusively by women.

Women, as you may know, are statistically under-represented in the gallery world--as curators, directors, and of course, as exhibiting artists.

Here's a chance to see a LOT of original work created by women in the area (817/Tarrant County), so I would encourage you to spend an hour (or more) at the F6 tomorrow evening, which is Spring Gallery Night 2009.

I'll be performing poetry sometime after 9:00pm, so come give support and attention. I'd love to see you!

Tell the F6 guys, also, that you appreciate their having created a GIRLS SHOW.

Here's to parity in the "ART WORLD"!!

Hope to see you tonight. Bundle up, as it'll probably be chilly in the space. Word to the wise...

WHOLE WOMAN FESTIVAL - mainstage schedule for Saturday, March 21st in FW, TX

hey, girlfriends (and other loveables), i've been working on this line-up of rad musicians, songwriters, poets, speakers, dancers, etc., for the past THREE MONTHS. this event is about to explode on the 817 in a big and beautiful way. check out this schedule of presenting women.

i'll be emcee-ing this entire day 12:30pm to 6pm, so i'ma be loopy by 10pm (after the Vagina Monologues) when the AFTERGLOW happens with more live music, chocolate, champagne, and dancing music!

bring provisions for the day (extra clothes, dancing shoes, energy bars, etc.) so you can stay at Casa Man~ana the entire
time of the Festival. this will be THE place to be on Saturday, March 21st. if you're in FW.

*****
MAIN STAGE SCHEDULE

12:30 - WELCOMING
Lori Thomson, Layne Calabro, Margie Gomez, Tammy Gomez, Rae Denton, Asani Charles, Dr. Kari Rollins

1:00 - Dating & Intimacy: Your Rights with Toria Villarreal and "Love is Respect" video

1:15 - The Bella Cullen Project “Twilight” teen tribute musical trio (from Arlington, but are nationally-hot)

1:30 - Battered Women's Foundation: with Brenda Jackson

1:50 - “Peace on Earth Begins w/ Birth" - video

2:00 - Singer/songwriter: Crystal Casey

2:15 - "Nursing is Normal" - video

2:20 - Power of Choice: Community Panel with BC Cornish, Kathy O'Brien, Sarah McClellan, Marcy Paul, Janean Livingston, Kimberly Harrison, Lindsey Denison, KC Jones, Diane Wood, Noor Elashi, and Yvette Richardson

3:20 - Brazen Bellies - tribal dancing troupe

3:30 - V-DAY Spotlight video and monologues

3:35 - The Democratic Republic of Congo – with Laura Seay / UT Austin

4:00 – Singer/songwriter: La Morra Maliya

4:10 - Safe Haven: Rebecca Farrow

4:30 - Poets of Embargo: Rose Ann Meredith, Natasha Carrizosa, Devorah Titunik

4:50 - Male Allies Speak-Out with Cri Rivera, Men Against Violence (MAV) NTX’s Patrick Partida

5:15 - FINALE with Singer/songwriter Emily Stoker, Girl's, Inc. - Bill of Rights, Patsy Hernandez, CodePink Fort Worth,
DJ Cyberina Flux, Brazen Bellies and YOU!



**** of course, there will ALSO be vendors (woman-owned businesses, mostly), art exhibits, a WELLNESS area (take a yoga
or tai chi session), and the RED TENT of spiritual healing. alot to see and hear, for sure ******

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD! We want to pack the house. Thanks, Tammy