Transition Vashon presents: The Power of Community

Saturday, May 14, 2011 - program begins at 6:00 pm

At Vashon Lutheran Church, 18623 Vashon Hwy. - just south of town

Free (with donations welcome to defray expenses)

The Power of Community: How Cuba survived Peak Oil

directed by Faith Morgan, and released 2006

~ fifth in the series FILMS FOR TRANSITION 2011

"The Power of Community" is a dynamic documentary about the experience of the Cuban people in early 1990's, the "Special Period" after the breakup of the Soviet Union and the sudden decline of petroleum imports to Cuba. The nation lost over half of its oil imports, and 85 percent of its international trade economy. Their food production, food distribution, transportation, health care, housing construction, factories, and other sectors all had to be re-invented. Cuba survived by allocating land to the people to grow most of their food locally, engineering alternative construction methods, and shifting to more sustainable energy sources - such as powering household radios with tiny solar panels. The interviews and archival newsreels in this film demonstrate the grassroots ingenuity and local innovations that were critical to helping the people survive. The shift in the country's economic mindset, from international consumption to local sustainability, was implemented in both urban and rural neighborhoods with organic gardens and modes of transport.

The originator of the Transition Town movement, Rob Hopkins, has commented, "Peak Oil could be the opportunity for a huge renaissance for local agriculture, for community, for sustainable manufacturing, and for biodiversity." The Power of Community documentary about the Cuban experience over a period of seven years is a case study in what it can take for a nation to co-create such a rebirth for our families and towns.

We believe that Vashon will be able to bring forth such a rebirth. It will require that we apply ourselves to learn the basic lessons ~ about re-skilling, sharing good ideas, simplifying and re-tooling in many ways, and moving forward together. Let's build a resilient power of community on Vashon!

Please tell one friend about the movie. We hope to see you on May 14.