Greetings!
Here's a quick look at this month's newsletter...
- Katie's Insights on Organic Community Economy
- Community Updates: Skagit, Mosaic Village, and Fair Oaks EcoHousing
- 500 Communities Program: Now accepting applications!
Enjoy!
- Katie & Bethany, The CoHousing Solutions Team
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Moving Towards an Organic Community Economy
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"So much of community shows up in little ways along the pathways of cohousing."
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On a recent Sunday afternoon, as our landscaping is busting into its full Spring glory, a neighbor brought me a bouquet of red flowers she had harvested out of her garden….just the ones bending over that needed to be trimmed. Perhaps that should not be unexpected since I have given her bouquets I didn’t want to go to waste when I was leaving for a few days.
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Then, in the parking lot, I ran into another neighbor, just unpacking from his trip where he had found a very nice batch of morel mushrooms. Now I can appreciate good mushrooms, having grown up in a family that foraged them. Morels are extra special, generally found under the fir trees in retreating snow banks. Later he blessed me with a very nice container of morels and I’ve been enjoying them in my eggs in the morning and chicken in the evening every day since.
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The next day, I was on to cook common house dinner, offering a salad bar with some of the
first fresh lettuce out of our community garden. Truth be told, only a few of my neighbors do the big work it takes to maintain this garden, although we fund the cost out of our HOA budget. Head gardener Alexa helped me harvest all we needed that morning. Since the garden is so bountiful on "Manzanita Hill," our community gardeners’ biggest concern is that we eat what they grow when it's ready!
Must say….we eat and live well here at Nevada City Cohousing.
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Related Article via YES! Magazine
"A Radical Vision for Food: Everyone Growing It for Each Other"
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"As much as I love the simple act of orcharding, I’m also sharing a radical vision for food and economy in my suburban Los Angeles community of Altadena. What if all my neighbors grew food in their yards, too? What if we shared the bounty with each other? What if you could eat a delicious, varied, and healthy meal from the abundance provided by your neighborhood trees?"
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Skagit Cohousing Signs Purchase Agreement for Land in Anacortes, WA!
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We are so pleased to announce that Skagit Cohousing has a signed a purchase agreement for land in Anacortes, Washington!
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"It's official!! We now have a signed agreement for a wonderful piece of land in Anacortes. The dream is now becoming real and we couldn't be happier and more excited!"
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Some members of Skagit Cohousing at the signing
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The site is a beautiful 4 acres, partially wetland. It's just a couple miles away from the ferry connecting them to the San Juan Islands, and even closer is a connection to bountiful open space with a view of Mount Baker.
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It's great to see when a cohousing group moves forward on a piece of land like this and can truly start to envision a community in the near future. Next step is to grow their membership! If you're interested in Skagit Cohousing, be sure to
visit their website or call
360-422-5739.
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Early stage cohousing groups consist of visionaries - people who are looking ahead and seeing what could be there!
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Mosaic Village in Calgary, Alberta has successful kick-off workshop with Katie of CS
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Katie had a whirlwind 3-day visit to Calgary, Alberta last weekend, working with the
Mosaic Village
group. After a nice visit with the existing
Prairie Sky community, she gave a
public presentation Saturday evening that energized the 70+ person crowd, many of which were learning about cohousing for the first time.
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On Sunday, she worked with 18 members of Mosaic Village, assisting them in understanding the various roles in the
development process and how a group can partner with a professional developer. On Monday, they got to test out those topics when the Katie and members of the group’s Development Committee met with a potential developer, and then an attorney and potential source of downpayment assistance.
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Mosaic Village's impromptu post-workshop jam session. What a fun group!
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The group was amazed at all they accomplished.
Katie was impressed that this was a group ready to move their project forward, and that they
really enjoy each other as evidenced by the impromptu jam session on Sunday evening after the workshop.
They also got a bunch of press out of the visit including an
article in the local paper
and several radio shows. Now we’re holding our breath to see if the developer (with a potential property) will work with them…
stay tuned
for more updates about Mosaic Village.
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Cohousing advocates insist it's the "right time" for Calgary to embrace community living
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"Calgary homes come detached, semi-detached and in rows. But a group thinking outside the box believes appetite for a different kind of community is about to take off in Southern Alberta..."
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Fair Oaks EcoHousing Wins Sacramento Environmental Commission Award for "Outstanding Environmental Leadership"
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Marty Maskall, Michelle Wood and Alan Albrecht of Fair Oaks EcoHousing and Margie Namba of the Sacramento Environmental Commission
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"FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - The Sacramento Environmental Commission presented Fair Oaks EcoHousing with an award for outstanding environmental leadership. The project was one of eight projects honored in April.
"The cohousing neighborhood will have 30 privately-owned townhomes clustered around shared open space and extensive common facilities. A large central clubhouse is the heart of the neighborhood for a variety of activities, including shared meals several times a week. Cars are kept to the area of the site, thus making the neighborhood pedestrian-friendly and safe for children."
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Are you looking to live in cohousing but don't have the time or energy to commit to an early stage group? Consider purchasing a home in Fair Oaks EcoHousing. It's under construction!
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Fair Oaks EcoHousing could be a perfect fit for you. It's a safe investment, move-in is expected in Spring of 2019, and it's a hassle-free way to
find yourself in a beautiful cohousing community
next year
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Contact Alan to learn more about membership in Fair Oaks EcoHousing. Email
[email protected]
or call 916-945-1369.
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• 500 COMMUNITIES PROGRAM •
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Now Accepting Applications!
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Start the application process by sending your resume and cover letter to
[email protected].
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We're so excited about the quality and quantity of the applicants thus far! If you're thinking about participating in this
2018-2019 course of the 500 Communities Program, now is the time to throw your hat in the ring.
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Applications due no later than June 11th!
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Perks for Graduates of the Program: Personal Workshops with Cohousing Experts
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From left to right: Affiliates Megan Shea, Shelly Parks, Roger Studley, John Kalmon, and cohousing experts Annie Russell, Jim Leach, and Katie McCamant
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After the wonderful Regional Cohousing Conference in Boulder, CO this past April, the
500 Communities Affiliates had the opportunity to attend a personal,
small group workshop with cohousing experts Jim Leach and Annie Russell. Jim led a discussion on cohousing development and Annie focused on cohousing marketing and process from a professional's perspective.
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The program offers many such opportunities for entrepreneurs to have in-depth and meaningful discussions with experts who have years of experience and wisdom in the cohousing world.
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We believe the cohousing movement will grow greatly as a result of this program bringing together motivated professionals and creating a collaborative network in which to share wisdom, experience, inspiration, and camaraderie.
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Are you receiving email updates about the program?
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Webinar Recordings Available
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The program founder, Katie McCamant, has led a series of informational webinars. If you missed either the Introductory or Follow Up Webinars, you can still watch the recordings. They're now posted on our
website and
Youtube Page.
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June 15-17, 2018
Bainbridge Island, Washington
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Only 2 spots left!
This event is for those ready to become residents of their own state-of-the-art senior cohousing community.
Those who attend will come away from this weekend inspired and equipped with the tools to move forward with their own projects. Hear from Quimper Village founders and Chuck Durrett of McCamant & Durrett Architects about what makes a successful project. Shelly Parks of
CoVision Consulting
(and 500 Communities Graduate) will also present on effective sales and marketing techniques!
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September 21-23, 2018
Amherst, MA
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Don't miss the Northeast Cohousing Summit
happening in Amherst, MA this September!
The Cohousing Association is seeking presenters for 90 minute sessions and full day and half day intensives. If you are interested in presenting at the summit, please review the details on
this document
and return the form with your proposal to
[email protected]
. All proposals must be received by
May 27th.
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May 30 - June 2, 2019
Portland, OR
Save the date for the NATIONAL COHOUSING CONFERENCE in Spring 2019!
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We provide
development consulting services to help you create your sustainable neighborhood. Our team pioneered the development of cohousing in North America, and we have helped create dozens of successful communities.
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Our newest venture involves training passionate cohousing entrepreneurs through the year-long
500 Communities Program. Now recruiting for the next class, with applications due June 2018.
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Architecture by McCamant & Durrett Architects
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