November 2008 CoolMom Group News

The collapse of our financial system and its subsequent repercussions throughout the world reminds us that we are all connected, and that we need to work together to solve problems, including those of our own planet. The task may seem daunting, but only if our goals are unrealistic. We can start small. We can start at home. For ideas on how to start, join the upcoming CoolMom meeting in Ballard, where Gina Diamond, an expert on how to transform one's lifestyle into a greener one, will lead a discussion on just that: making conscious choices.

There is not just one "right" way to reduce one's carbon footprint. Last month, the NE Seattle CoolMoms took the bus down to the waterfront to go trick-or-treating for their sustainable day out with family. In Greenwood, CoolMoms swapped kid clothes to reduce waste, socialized and learned more about CoolMom.org.

The West Seattle CoolMoms have been hard at work on a Green Parenting slide show, a presentation that spreads the word on how to reduce your family greenhouse gases.  Purchasing gently-used toys as gifts, acquired locally, is one way we can decrease our environmental impact.  With that in mind, the West Seattle CoolMoms have organized a Holiday Toy Swap n' Sale.  Join them on November 15!

In November 2007, the CoolMom chapter in Magnolia decided to tackle the issue of transportation. Key members of the group spent months putting together an initiative that would encourage more Magnolia kids to take "Walking School Buses" to school.  After months of planning, paperwork and publicity events, the group continues promoting the idea of Fuel Free Routes to School. Look for the Walking School Bus (WSB) stop signs, which will appear soon near Catherine Blaine school.  In October WSB, stamp incentives were distributed to children and Fuel Free Routes to School brochures will be provided to Blaine and Lawton Elementary students in November.

And on Bainbridge Island, CoolMoms held their second meeting as a group to discuss future events, one of which is inviting Corey Colwell-Lipson, co-founder of Green Halloween, to talk about how to celebrate the holidays in a fun and environmentally sound way. They have more ideas in the pipeline: selecting a book to read and discuss in the spring, and meeting with Christine Rolfes, a state representative.

But in some parts of the country, like rural Snohomish County, climate change is simply not a priority. Yet. The Sky Valley group of CoolMoms are trying to change that. Casey O'Roarty reports that moms "all the way from Index" join our group. Most of our time was spent discussing the needs of families out here in rural Snohomish county and how to attract more members to our group. It was a small gathering but we generated a lot of energy visualizing how to make climate change a priority for rural families."

As the Sky Valley moms found out, it only takes a small gathering of committed individuals even in these bleak times to generate enough energy to move forward. As Noam Chomsky always says: Organize.

CoolMom Group November Meetings and Events

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND Meeting Thursday, Nov. 20, 7:30 pm At Cafe Trios Contact Sonja (sfritts@seanet.com)

BALLARD Meeting Tuesday, Nov. 11, 7-8:30 pm At Ballard Senior Center (5429 32nd Ave NW) Contact Elizabeth (eralston@aol.com)

GREENWOOD Meeting Thursday, Nov. 20, 7-8:30 pm At the Greenwood Senior Center (525 N 85th St) Contact Brooke Doyle (brookedoyle@yahoo.com) or Carrie Barnes (carrieb2008@gmail.com)

MAGNOLIA Meeting  Tuesday, November 18, 10:30-12am.  Upper Crust Bakery.  3204 McGraw.  Contact Kirsten McCaa at (kirsten@coolmom.org).

NE SEATTLE Meeting with guest speaker Jim Kirkland, Seattle City Light Wednesday, Nov. 12, 7 pm University Zoka Contact Kari (kariawetee@hotmail.com) or Kim (kim00rx@yahoo.com) (Kirkland with talk about energy conservation)\

SKY VALLEY Meeting Monday, Nov. 3, 7-8:30 pm At Main Street Books in Monroe. Contact Casey O'Roarty (coroarty@yahoo.com) (Bring along ideas on how to celebrate the holidays in a green way!)

WALLINGFORD Meeting Saturday, Nov. 8, 9-10 am Mosai Coffee House Contact Anne Marie (ajehle@msn.com or 206-522-5034)