Sierra Club members and friends...please share this information. The details and map for Iowa Sierra Club's annual dinner/lunch are now on the web. Make plans now to attend! http://iowa.sierraclub.org/ Sierra Club Annual Awards Banquet Sunday, Sept. 25 in Fairfield The Sierra Club Annual Awards Banquet will be held this year in Fairfield. The theme of this year's event is "Building Sustainable Local Economies." The cost is $20, which includes a vegetarian feast made from fresh and local ingredients, tours of sustainable living attractions in Fairfield and the annual silent auction. The banquet begins at noon at Revelations, 112 N Main Street, Fairfield, and the other activities follow. At 3 PM there will be a tour led by local Leopold Group members to Abundance EcoVillage, the Vedic City Greenhouse project, and Francis and Susan Thicke's Radiance Dairy. This tour should take about two hours. Alternatives include self-guided visits to local businesses and other showcases for sustainable agriculture, the area's "Buy Fresh, Buy Local" initiative, and renewable energy and sustainable living initiatives. . Abundance Ecovillage is a housing development in Fairfield, Iowa where energy, waste treatment, water, and food production are provided on site. Wherever possible, these services are provided in a way that not only sustain but enhance the ability of the earth to clean our air and water, maintain the balance of gasses in the atmosphere, and in general provide a beautiful and safe place to live. At Abundance, energy needs are met by solar and wind; water is supplied by rainwater catchment; wastes and nutrients are recycled and treated as resources and local forests provide building materials for the houses. . At first glance, Francis and Susan Thicke's 236-acre dairy farm in rural Iowa looks similar to neighboring farms. There are rolling green hills, a big farmhouse, and even a big red barn-like building. However, a closer look reveals a completely different system of agriculture, one that offers a promising model of organic production that serves and is supported by a local economy. Thickes' farm, called Radiance Dairy, is certified organic. . Maharishi University Farms and the Vedic City Greenhouses are ambitious and growing projects. About 90% of the MUM campus produce is supplied from a one acre greenhouse and 10 acres of outside greenhouse production. Produce from the Vedic City Greenhouses are picked when ripe and delivered fresh to locations throughout Iowa. These greenhouses are impressive to see. The menu will include: . A fabulous green salad with seasonal greens, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers and exotic sprouts . Wood fired pizzas with an array of locally grown produce . Pesto pasta with zucchini, patty pan and tomatoes . Dessert and fresh herbal drinks To register please send checks to: Kirsten Williamson, Sierra Club Leapold Group, 410 North E Street, Fairfield, IA 52556. Registration deadline is September 12th. For more information call 641-472-7033 or email [log in to unmask] SILENT AUCTION Okay, some lucky Sierran walked away with a fishing trip under the guidance of Steve Veysey (not to be confused with Steve Vessey, local builder); other attendants at last year's annual dinner picked up framed pictures, books, and specially-prepared meals. The silent auction that accompanies our annual awards dinner adds more memories to this excellent event. You can help the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club by donating trips, books, political memorabilia, extra camping gear, or unique items you found on that exotic trip to Tahiti. If you specialize in some craft or hobby, here is a chance to share it with a fellow Sierran. Always fetching high donations are freshly-prepared foods or foods from your garden that have been canned or preserved. If you wish to donate an item to be auctioned off, please contact the state director, Neila Seaman at [log in to unmask] or phone 515-277-8868, and arrange for the item to get to the dinner. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Join us at Sierra Summit 2005. For information go to: http://www.sierrasummit2005.org/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]