..........

My own commentary:

We have been getting some suggestions for places that we might consider. So far so good. But I'd like to add that we should have more, and more specific choices. Several people want to be in the "West" of the U.S., well that encompasses a lot of ground. So what I have done is taken the ideas that have come in so far and will describe what I know of the persons ideas in this newsletter. I want to hasten to add to that the following: this is not the only places we should consider, I mean there are dozens of people on the mailing list and we do not have dozens of suggestions. That said, I think we can start talking about what we do have in the arena and begin to talk about the relative advantages and disadvantages of each idea. We have the yahoo group as a place to post ideas, we might set up a simple voting survey there, and you can always write to me and I can put discussion points in future newsletters.

A few persons have written me concerned about a policy on the age. I do not think we should consider age a barrier by itself. I imagine that we will share responsibilities and that once those responsibilities are detailed those who are willing should be considered on the merits of their ability to meet those responsibilities. There would be a more subjective component as well, how well a person gets along with others, after all we'll be seeing a lot of each other. We have a ways to go before we draw up membership papers and sign things. For now we are all welcome. I assume everyone is a friend in the making.

Community of Light

We want to co-create with others a community in a rural area, grow a portion of our own food, create a profitable cottage industry, and so be self employed. We want keep well the land that we live on and engage in right livelihood. We also want to contribute to the community around us and so benefit our society. Ideally, we would want to be near enough to a town of no more than approximately 50,000 or so, a college community. We could each use our talents, abilities, or professions to provide for ourselves as well as whatever "cottage industry" would be.

Consider yourselves welcome to email us to express your ideas about what our community should be. We are, after all, the persons who will make it up.

I imagine there are a lot of ideas out there and I know that what has been written in this or prior issues are meant as to be a working concept, one that is in progress, and meant to be discussed, even debated.

If you have not been to the Community of Lights web page we now have a listing of communities that are forming. It may be educational to visit some of those sites to see what's new in the community universe See the links at: Commnity of Light

If you would like to leave a telephone message for us, you can, at this voicemail: 415-364-3045

Thanks, Dan and Wendy

Email Address: creative1@creativeideasforyou.com

Please go to Subscriber's Introductions if you would like to see the profiles we have on file currently. Some but not all of these people may have additional information there.

Locations:

1) Foreign Suggestions:

Owl here. Just wondering if we would consider another country considering the unfolding events in the U.S. 

As usual I have been looking for an ideal place to be. There is a goodly amount of real estate to be had for $15 an acre in Brazil. (see letter below) As stewards of the land we could serve as an asset to the planet by preserving a large portion of the rain forest. As soon as next month I could purchase some 10,000 acres. This is virgin forest and needs protection from timber harvesters.

There have been some suggestions for Costa Rica (see letter below) and then Beliz, were we to consider Central America. I have talked to someone about Costa Rica and they say, that it is possible to buy property. Belize, it seems, may be similar.

2) Domestic Suggestions:

On the domestic front, I have had letters suggesting we consider Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, as well as several suggestions for the Southwest, New Mexico, and Arizona. I have heard the praises of Illinois being sung. And then there have been a few suggestions for Oregon, Northern California.

3) What the polls suggest so far:

According to the Yahoo polls we've been collecting we do not want to live in high altitudes, would prefer to have a body of water near by or running water on the land. We would want to have fruit trees, do some farming, fishing, and gathering. And that we'd want to have an economic relationship with the area in which we settle. We also have a suggestion that we find a property with a hot springs. That could be a good idea no matter where we go.

So the upshot is we have a number of suggestions at this point. I would like to hear what we think of these so far. What would we prefer, what are the advantages and disadvantages of these suggested locations.

I would like to publish what people have to say, to create a published debate/discussion so we can clarify what we want to do.

Ozarks of North West Arkansas.

For a while I have been in contact with Mike. I asked him to write something about his place. He is trying to do what we want to do, and is considering offering to work together with us. He invites any of us to write to him about what he is doing. Some of us may be close enough to visit, others may find what he has to offer good enough to investigate.

Here is what Mike has to say:

I do not know who is supposed to be here or how it is supposed to be put together totally, I know what I want but that does not mean much in the universe as I have learned this lifetime

Harmony is a place for those that want back to a bit less stressful society, or community.

Of no particular religion but an honoring of others beliefs as we change and grow.

We want children for they are the future to carry on, there is much happening on many fronts as speak, from the political to the physical happening of the sun and mother earth. The foods are no longer sufficient to maintain health, the air is contaminated, particularly around the larger cities, and the water is not fit to drink. These three things alone are enough to make you aware you have to do something. We have ground for growing organic foods, water that is blue and from the arctic, air is fresher than most but hard to say with planes spraying. We are also away from the masses. Many have been drawn here in the early 80's with no concept of why, till lately. On all the maps of safe places concerning earth changes, we are in a safe area, and in the keys of Enoch book, we are about right where the heart of the dove is. I came not knowing why, but now have a better understanding. We want cottage industries here so we do not have to leave the farm if we do not want to. There are only a couple here now (six are purchasing land) the front of the property is for private homes on three acre plots... on up the valley could also be used for more communal...and a natural health center. My original thought was not so much communal but if things head south whether from climate or winds or whatever, half a mile away is like being alone. Common building would be nice. I would be interested in talking about joining together or if individuals wish to join, my email is maheshwa@cswnet.com the site for harmony is http://home.centurytel.net/HarmonyCenter/

Peace and love

About Brazil:

Would anyone consider a one week trip to the Amazon rain forest worth $4000? Would universities or movie producers pay for use of the facilities?

Brazil is quite a reach. The island has no name at this time. There is an airstrip but no road yet. The island is beautiful and the "real thing". Conducting some studies and educating guests about the details of those studies will pass for Eco-tourism. Universities could really help in that area and we could provide hospitality for students that want to write off the trip to "educational expenses".

Marketing the island vacation to include fishing for Peacock Bass and Riverboat Tours and perhaps a hike through the rain forest to a scenic destination.

I am daydreaming at this point but the opportunity to see, not to mention live in, unspoiled rain forest is exciting. I don't believe there will be any less-populated frontiers with tropical climates that will survive this century. They will be invaded totally soon. The population of Jacareacanga has grown from 1,000 to 7,000 in the last ten years.

The island is located between two "reservations" for natives. Mosquitoes are not a problem there as the river is 2/3 MI. wide.

The local authorities are so anxious to develop Eco-tourism that I believe they would send us an official invitation to come. This might allow us to live there without having to travel every six months to update our papers.

Responsible exploration could be rewarding. Helping to minimize contamination of the environment and set standard practices that will improve the development of the area. I don't want to promote "civilization", just "healthy practices" for the residents.

It would require substantial effort. Pontoon boats would have to be brought up the river and portaged around the falls. This is the Amazon's"outback".

Checking out Costa Rica

Here is a Site where you can go and read about land ownership laws in Costa Rica.

http://www.costaricaland.info/

I am happy to share what I know about this awesome country, from my 4 years. We have searched the whole country over, and have settled on the Nosara area for the Site of our community-to-be. Any questions you have, just fire away, and I'll answer as best I can.

Meli .......... WaterSpryt@aol.com

Ecuador?

ICA-ECUADOR is looking for sponsors and partnerships: individuals or institutions, to maintain working relationships and to achieve results in the near future. Contact Address:

Cesar Mosquera ICA-ECUADOR, El Tiempo 114 y El Comercio, Edificio Fray Gerundio Apto. 4A, Quito - Ecuador ......... icaecuador@easynet.net.ec

..........

Re: Georgia, Tennesee, Kentucky

My family and I have traveled to NW GA, just 15 min. from Chattanooga, TN. The area is beautiful. This May we are exploring SE, KY, and the NE TN "the Big South Fork Region" and Johnson City, TN area in the mountains. I have done some research on pollution and industry in the App. Mountains. I have found that KY has no nuclear plants. I am currently researching if there are any depleted uranium projects (weapons factories) in those areas. If you would like me to keep you more up to date on those issues, as I learn them, let me know.

JCochran .......... cjessica@earthlink.net  

This was sent into us be a person newly interested in our group. I think that it is certainly food for thought. It is something we need to consider, what would our credo be?

The Breitenbush Credo:

We of the Breitenbush Community dedicate ourselves to living mindfully in the spirit of love, unity, honesty, and service.

We see ourselves as guardians of Breitenbush Hot Springs, safeguarding the earth and healing water, assuring their continued availability to all beings who respect them. Our primary service is to provide a healing retreat and conference center which promotes holistic health, spiritual growth, and facilitates the gathering of people in celebration of the experience of life. Our Community is supported by the services we provide.

We are committed to the health and well-being of ourselves and our families, to live, work, play, and grow together harmoniously. We mutually support and respect each persons dignity, and awaken to the Spirit within each of us which acknowledges that we are all One.

The Community is committed to a life style conducive to holistic child rearing and personal growth. Our precepts for self growth include: Personal accountability, honest communication, awareness of our actions and the quality of their results, directing our energies to the positive, expressing appreciation for what others do,correcting what is clearly not working for the community or for us as individuals, assuming the responsibility for creating and sharing abundance, and choosing and rechoosing to be together. We structure our lives such that we can experience daily the rewards of success, peacefulness, and joy.

It is our hope that the thriving community which we create will be an inspiration to others in their exploration of lifestyle and community. We also extend ourselves to the greater society in which we live, the world community, and commit ourselves to being socially, spiritually, politically, and environmentally responsible.

From:. Robert Redford biogemsnews@savebiogems.org
Subject: Thank you from Robert Redford

Fellow BioGems Defender,

Email has proven effective we can all participate, it is rather easy to do. I feel it is the least we can do.

In the meantime, if you want to do even more to help save America's last wild places, then please visit http://www.savebiogems.org/yellowstone/.

There, you'll learn how the Bush-Cheney energy plan endangers Yellowstone and other unspoiled wild lands of the Rockies -- and how you can help save them.

Thank you Sincerely yours,

Robert Redford Trustee, Natural Resources Defense Council  

If you want to research intentional communities this is a good place to start.

Communities Magazine comes out regularly and it is a resource for those seeking to explore the life in a commune. The directory that they have is a great primer in understanding the variety of life out in the community universe. You can write them at the address given below. This is their office address.

Communities Magazine, 138 Twin Oaks Road, Louisa VA 23093 USA or call them at: Tel/Fax: 540-894-5126. Their website is at Intentional Communities

You might also find the resources on the Northwest Intentional Communities site to be valuable. There are lists of legal documents, process advice, how to find people, etc. They can be found at: http://www.ic.org/nica/resource.htm

This is a list of places seeking members, communities forming and the like. I have come across it at the F.I.C.'s website: http://elph.anu.net/reach/reachbook-all.html

It might be a place for some of you to do research and get a good impression of what is available in your area.

This just in from Owl: an article about the history of communities in Europe. It talks about something of their nature and origins in the western tradition anyway.

"the relentless quest for Utopia may not find itself in any spatial geography, whether it be new continents or outer space; perhaps it is in the geography of the human heart. "from "The Symbolic Invention of America-as-Utopia" by Steve Mizrach http://www.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/utopo-amer.html

Frontier House?

If you've never seen the PBS documentary Frontier House, you may want to check it out! It could give you a clue as to what life may be like in the outback that we choose. Although our community won't be quite as primitive at theirs, there are still some good lessons to glean from the series.

Lenita .......... neeterxxi@yahoo.com

Free Long Distance Calls!

I have noticed that nearly half of the email addresses we have use AOL. It is not surprising perhaps but could be useful.

AOL has an instant messenger that is free to download from their site and allows voice chat between users. I have talked cross country and although it has some quirks, it does work, and it is free.

I am encouraging all of us to use this AOL service so that we can talk to one another. Once you log on any friend that is also online becomes available. Any one of you who would like my user name will be welcome to it.

The Power of Prayer

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island. The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agreed that they had no other recourse but to pray to God.

However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.

The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man's parcel of land remained barren.

After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the island, there was nothing. Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island. He considered the other man unworthy to receive God's blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered. As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming, "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?"

"My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them," the first man answered.

"His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything." "You are mistaken!" the voice rebuked him. "He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings."

"Tell me," the first man asked the voice, "What did he pray for that I should owe him anything?" "He prayed that all your prayers be answered." For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us.

This is too good not to share. With obedience come blessings. My prayer for you today is that all your prayers are answered. Be blessed.

Other Letters:

This is Robert in So Cal. I am letting you know that I am a solar electrician and that I can get modules for a decent price. If you need assistance or know anyone else who does, please call me at home 714 649 3596 or cell 949 254 4711 or other cell 714 420 2231. Peace Out

Robert .......... HENGROBERT@aol.com

The Rainbow Tribe has experience on record

The Rainbow Tribe has set out to develop a community. Studying their progress might contribute to our own progress. Check out http://groups.yahoo.com/group/andorprojex as their group and ours have many things in common. The Rainbow Tribe has years of experience in managing group activities for a group with no leaders.