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(02/25/09 3:32am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>All of FARMbloomington’s seats were filled Monday night with people who care about the environment and wanted to hear the words and works of IU professor Scott Russell Sanders.The event, “An evening with Scott Russell Sanders,” premiered his latest work, “The Conservationist Manifesto,” and was a discussion of the concept of local sustainability in a culture where wasteful consumerism threatens the existence of life on earth.Sanders began by telling the audience a story of a billboard he came across. He said “Grab. Gulp. Go.” struck him, and he said he regarded it as a fitting slogan for wasteful culture and people’s attitude toward natural resources.“We need to stop grabbing, gulping and going and start savoring the things in our lives and local culture,” Sanders said. When Sanders took the stage, the crowd fell silent. He read pieces with visual language, and many audience members closed their eyes while he read. This event also served as a fundraiser for Sycamore Land Trust. A portion of every ticket sale went to the organization.“He certainly has a lot to say,” said Marcia Meyer, one of the many members of Sycamore Land Trust, the conservationist organization of southern Indiana. Sanders’ longtime friend and colleague Tom Roznowski played with his band, the Living Daylights, during the dinner. People ate locally grown tapas prepared by chef and FARM owner Daniel Orr. There was also local wine and beer tastings courtesy of the Brewers of Indiana Guild.“Thank you to those of you who came out,” Orr said to the crowd. “And if it’s your first time at the FARM, well, what’s taken you so long?”He explained the many green practices FARM uses to make a small difference. Everything at FARM, from food to take-out boxes, is all locally produced and easily recyclable, Orr said, and all of those are practices Sanders asks readers of his book to employ.After Orr spoke, Christian Freitag, Sycamore Land Trust executive director, took to the stage to garner more support for the nonprofit organization that does so much to protect this region. “You can do it,” Freitag said. “Indiana’s your home, and you can make a difference.”The night ended with music from Roznowski and the band, but Sanders took the stage one last time to read part of the final chapter: a letter to his grandchildren and all children who will inherit the world, about his hope that this generation can save nature so the next can enjoy all the wondrous parts of it that he loves so much.“I believe we can change our ways,” Sanders said.
(02/23/09 5:11am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>For the past five years, English professor Scott Russell Sanders has written essays and compiled them into a new book with a direct message of conservational ideas and a focus on the health of the environment.Sanders will premiere his latest book, “A Conservationist Manifesto,” during “An Evening with Scott Russell Sanders” from 5 to 7 p.m. today at FARMbloomington in a night full of local music, local food and a message of local sustainability. “Among the ideas that are relevant is the value of local economies, local foods, local merchants, local enterprises and local art – not importing from elsewhere,” Sanders said. “We as a people must shift from a culture of consumption to a culture of sustainability.” One major theme in the book is to return to relying on one’s local community for resources, instead of looking elsewhere. Sanders, who will read passages from his books and sign a few copies during the event, has written more than 20 works of fiction and nonfiction, many of them about nature. But “Manifesto” has more of a direct message on helping the environment, especially in south central Indiana.It also sends a message to stop the wasteful culture that is rapidly depleting resources. Sanders said he considers his book one small effort to counter that depletion.The two-hour fundraiser, a portion of whose proceeds go to Sycamore Land Trust, will include Hoosier tapas dishes from Chef Daniel Orr, owner of FARM, along with beer and wine from the Brewers of Indiana Guild. Local musician and writer Tom Roznowski will perform with his band the Living Daylights. Roznowski has collaborated with Sanders previously and said he supports the message of the book. “People must increase their consciousness of the environment and their reliance to it,” Roznowski said. “Our biggest challenge as a culture is defining what we can get by with.”Orr said he hopes there is a student presence on Monday. “We want students to get involved and share the youth energy,” Orr said. “The more young people the better.” FARM is a green business that exemplifies the beliefs espoused by Sanders in his book, as even the company’s take-out bags are recyclable, Orr said.“We have a responsibility to the people who will live after us,” Sanders said, “an ethical responsibility to leave an undamaged world to future generations.” The planners of the event said they hope the night will be one for sharing ideas and meeting people who share their beliefs. “Introduce everyone to new groups and make connections,” Roznowski said, referring to his goal for the event. “Make discoveries. Building community – that’s what it’s all about.”