On Thursday August, 21st, talented area chefs will celebrate locally grown foods during the 5th annual Local Hero Restaurant Celebration organized by CISA.

Participating restaurants will showcase dishes featuring locally grown fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses. Show your support for local agriculture and good food by dining out at one of the 34 Local Hero restaurants on August 21st. A sampling of the restaurant specials include:

• Steamed Australis barramundi with black bean sauce and local bok choy at The Great Wall in Florence.
• Local corn chowder with Pekarski Sausage smoked bacon at Sienna.
• Local Hero pizza topped with basil pesto, Hillside Gardens organic basil, walla walla onions, and tomatoes at Hillside Pizza.
• Scallops con pesca-pan-seared sea scallops with grilled fresh peaches and a peach, cognac cream sauce served over roasted fresh Hadley corn risotto with fresh basil and parmigiano at Carmelina’s.
• Steamed Black Sheep Farm haricot verts with olive oil and parmesan cheese to go from The Black Sheep Deli or eat the Black Sheep Farm ratatouille with farm fresh tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and onions from The Black Sheep Deli.
• Roasted beet and arugula salad with Sangha Farm goat cheese, spiced pecans, and sherry vinaigrette followed by your choice of roasted duck breast with fresh local peach chutney or sautéed ahi tuna nicoise with farm fresh haricot verts, roasted fresh red peppers and baby fingerlings at Butternuts Eatery.
• Roasted Veggie Platter - vegetables from Riverland Farm including roasted zucchini, summer squash, beets and onions, seasoned with a balsamic dressing and a little goat cheese from Goats Rising Farm served with a baked ricotta cheese spread and grilled foccaccia bread at Bridgeside Grille.
• Maple Glazed Outlook Farm Pork Chops stuffed with smoked cheddar and apple stuffing, with a side of freestone peach salsa and sides of Hatfield country style mashed potatoes, Native sweet corn, and seasonal vegetables from Union Station Restaurant.

“Our Local Hero restaurants serve the best tasting, freshest foods around. And at the same time, they support the local economy and help our farmers build stronger businesses,” says Local Hero Membership Coordinator Devon Whitney- Deal. “Everyone dining at a Local Hero restaurant will eat well and feel good about supporting one of our area’s most precious resources: our farms.”

Starting August 15th, Northampton’s River Valley Market will be hosting a month-long “Eat Local America” challenge, along with seventy other co-ops across the country, to encourage community members to utilize more local foods in their diet. The local food celebration will feature sales on local products, recipe cards, and cooking demos throughout the challenge. The Co-op will be featuring local foods beyond the produce department including milk, fresh meat, fish, cheese, wine, and even prepared foods in the Quarry Cafe.

Community members are welcome to sign-up for the challenge at the customer service desk at the Co-op. Participants can choose their level of involvement and the duration of their commitment-from local produce for a particular meal to 100% of their diet for a month. Each day, local prizes will be awarded to challenge participants by raffle, including one final grand prize. The sooner you sign up, the more chances you have to win prizes. So, if you want to challenge your regular purchasing patterns, consider taking this opportunity to test out your local food savy with the Co-op’s support.

On August 9th there will be a firewalk seminar to benefit Circles for Peace and the construction of a human sundial inside the (already existing) Earth clock. Info about the Earth clock can be found at: www.circlesforpeace.org.
The firewalk is preceded by a 3 hour prep seminar. Please see attached flyer for registration and contact info. Hope you can make it - please note - attending a firewalk is an incredibly meaningful and transformative experience Regardless of whether or not you walk.

www.circleofallnations.com

GRANDFATHER WILLIAM COMMANDA’S
ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL
CIRCLE OF ALL NATIONS SPIRITUAL GATHERING

AUGUST 1, 2 AND 3, 2008
KITIGAN ZIBI ANISHINABEG

Grandfather William Commanda is pleased to invite you to his annual international spiritual gathering at his home at Bitobi Lake, Kitizan Zibi Reserve, Maniwaki, Quebec.
The key themes that Grandfather advances at the Gathering, through a series of presentations and workshops, are
* Indigenous Wisdom, Respect for Mother Earth and Healing,
* Racial Harmony,
* Social Justice and
* Peace Building.

The Special Focus for 2008 is COMMUNICATIONS!

Come prepared to share your own story about why the gathering is important to you – we really want to document the nature of this transformative experience, and need your help to do this!

The Gathering provides opportunity for community development, networking, individual and communal healing, spiritual growth and creativity. Its key objectives are to
* Share the wisdom, knowledge and sacred teachings of Indigenous Elders, Spiritual leaders and Medicine people
* Promote discussion on a range of topics – justice, poverty, aids, racism, spirituality, peace, leadership, healing
* Raise awareness about our relationship with Mother Earth
* Facilitate individual healing, spiritual growth and creativity
* Foster positive inter personal relationships and harmony
* Celebrate life, and build community

A special priority is the vision for ASINABKA, the Sacred Chaudière Site, including the Healing and Peace Building Centre on Victoria Island.
The daily activity plan is simple and comprehensive:
* Sunrise pipe ceremonies,
* Morning presentations by special guests,
* Afternoon workshops, sweat lodge and other healing ceremonies and creative activities,
* Late afternoon time for personal reflection,
* Evening drumming, dancing and socialization.
On Saturday evening, all participate in a community feast, and on Sunday afternoon, in a traditional Giveaway Ceremony.
Grandfather encourages participants to engage in all the activities; the weekend is an unprecedented blueprint for experiencing the timeless wisdom of the Sacred Medicine Wheel, with extraordinary opportunity for emotional, physical, spiritual and mental development.
The Gathering is a very special event that engenders a spirit of generosity and generates harmony, peace and unity.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
DETAILS:
Date
* 1,2, and 3 August, 2008, commencing at sunrise on Friday, and closing on Sunday afternoon
* Camp set up commences on Thursday

Location
* Grandfather Commanda’s residence, 231 Pitobig Mikan, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Maniwaki, Quebec, J9E 3B1.
* Camping space is available; there are also hotels and motels in town.
* Please bring your own tents, sleeping bags, personal supplies, equipment and food.
* There are outdoor toilet facilities and bathing at the lakeshore shower

Spaces
* Parking – special parking lot across the road
* Camping – north of homes, alongside the road
* Security – entrance and elsewhere
* Communications and Registration – beside Grandfather’s shop
* Vendor for fast food – beside Grandfather’s shop
* Kitchen, Elders’ Eating Space – North of Grandfather’s home
* Sweat Lodge Ceremonies – East of Grandfather’s home
* Sacred Fire, Sunrise Ceremonies, Meditation – Sacred Point
* Morning presentations – Lakeside Arbor
* Children’s activities, Drumming, Giveaway – Round Arbor
* Workshops – Lodge, Lakeside Arbor, grounds

Ceremonies
* Please respect the expectations of the Fire Keeper, Elders, Lodge Keepers, ceremonial leaders and security, with respect to individual protocols – tobacco offerings, dress (especially for the sweat lodges: cotton, long gowns or loose cotton skirts and t-shirts for women, shorts for men), moon cycles, etc.

Considerations
PLEASE: NO DRUGS; NO ALCOHOL; NO PETS.
* This in an indigenous spiritual gathering, rather than a camping outing, and ALL ARE ASKED TO DRESS WITH RESPECT AND DECORUM THROUGHOUT.
* Please take special care with dress, noise and conduct in the area designated for the sacred ceremonies - East of Grandfather’s home
* Children are welcome and some activities are organized for them; however, THERE IS NO BABYSITTING, AND PARENTS ARE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES.
* NO BOATING is permitted.
* NO SWIMMING into the lake is permitted; PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN AT THE WATER’S EDGE.
* Donations for the Giveaway and Community Feast are welcomed.
* Please be respectful of the communities at Kitign Zibi and Maniwaki

Volunteers
* Grandfather Commanda hosts this Gathering in its entirety; his friends volunteer to prepare for the Gathering and to clean up afterwards, and to take care of most needs during the Gathering.
* ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE GATHERING to help with security duties, food preparation and cleanup, assisting elders, facilities cleanup etc. Please be generous with your support: sign up on the Volunteer List in the Communications Booth upon registration.

Directions:
From Ottawa and points South:
* Go North to Maniwaki
* As you approach Maniwaki and enter the 50 km per hour zone you will see a flashing traffic light in front of a Freshmart Grocery store on the right.
* There is a “T” shaped intersection there, turn left, go down that road, cross a small bridge and continue past a sharp curve until you come to another “T” shaped intersection located just before a children’s playground equipped with colourful plastic slides and castle like structures.
* There is a stop sign there, make your stop and turn left.
* Stay on that road for approximately 4 kilometres.
* You will see the Gathering grounds on your left as you drive along a lake on your left.

From Montreal and points East:
* It is much shorter to come through Grand Remous.
* Approximatly 20 KM past Mont Laurier, there is a small town called Grand Remous.
* Just past the town bridge, there is a flashing traffic light indicating the intersection to Maniwaki.
* Turn left to go to Maniwaki.
* Drive South through Maniwaki until you get to a flashing trafic light in front of a Freshmart grocery store.
* Turn right at that intersection, go down that road, cross a small bridge and continue past a sharp curve until you come to another “T” shaped intersection located just before a children’s playground equipped with colourful plastic slides and castle like structures.
* There is a stop sign there, make your stop and turn left.
* Stay on that road for approximately 4 kilometres.
* You will see the Gathering grounds on you left as you drive along a lake on your left.

From points West:
* It is shortest to come trough Pembrook and cross the Ottawa River to the Province of Quebec.
* Follow direction to Cambell’s Bay and from there turn North West to Kazabazua.
* From Kazabazua, turn left to Maniwaki.
* As you approach Maniwaki and enter the 50 km per hour zone you will traffic light in front of a Freshmart Grocery store on the right.
* There is a “T” shaped intersection there ,turn left, go down that road, cross a small bridge and continue past a sharp curve until you come to another “T” shaped intersection located just before a children’s playground equipped with colourful plastic slides and castle like structures.
* There is a stop sign there, make your stop and turn left.
* Stay on that road for approximately 4 kilometres. You will see the Gathering grounds on your left as you drive along a lake on your left.
MOST PEOPLE CAMP. POSSIBLE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS WITH RESTAURANTS IN THE TOWN OF MANIWAKI INCLUDE:
CHATEAU LOGUE - 1-818-449-4848;
AUBERGE DU DRAVEUR – www.aubergedraveur.qc.ca; 1-819-449-7022;
AUBERGE DE LA DESERT – 1-819-449-1213
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE WRITE TO US AT circleofallnations@sympatico.ca or call 819-449-2668 or 613-599-8385

DAILY AGENDA
ELDER WILLIAM COMMANDA’S
CIRCLE OF ALL NATIONS
ANNUAL SPIRITUAL GATHERING
AUGUST 1 - 3, 2008
Special Focus - Communications
A special priority is the vision for ASINABKA, the Sacred Chaudière Site, including the Healing and Peace Building Centre on Victoria Island.
5.30 – 7.30 SUNRISE CEREMONY
7.30 – 9.00 BREAKFAST
9.00 – 12.00 DAILY PRESENTATIONS AND TEACHINGS
12.00 - 1.30 LUNCH
1.30 - 4.00 SMALL TALKING CIRCLES – LIST AT COMMUNICATIONS BOOTH*
SWEAT LODGE CEREMONIES COMMENCE
4.00 - 8.00 INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES, DINNER
8.00 - 11.00 DRUMMING, DANCING AND SOCIALIZATION

NOTE SATURDAY 6.00 PM – COMMUNITY FEAST
SUNDAY 1.30 PM - CLOSING CEREMONIES, GIVEAWAY
*Circle of All Nations volunteers and other interested parties will be coordinating small talking circles on various topics of interest: Asinabka, The Sacred Chaudière Site, including the Victoria Island Healing Centre Project, Circle of All Nations, Water Stewardship;women’s issues; French talking circle; conflict resolution; nutrition; health, environmental issues etc. Participants are encouraged to participate, share or coordinate circles on topics of interest to themselves and others on the grounds. You are requested to communicate your interest in this regard to volunteers at the communications booth upon registration .
Circle of All Nations volunteers thank Grandfather William Commanda and his family for sharing their home with us and we commit on behalf of all participants to honour and respect this generosity.

The Penobscot (Panawahpskek) are a sovereign people indigenous to what is now Maritime Canada and the northeastern United States, particularly Maine. They were and are significant participants in the historical and present Wabanaki Confederacy, along with the Passamaquoddy, Maliseet and Mi’kmaq nations.

The word “Penobscot” originates from a mispronunciation of their name “Penawapskewi.” The word means “rocky part” or “descending ledges” and originally referred to the portion of the Penobscot River between Old Town and Bangor. The tribe has adopted the name Penobscot Indian Nation.

Penobscot is also the name of the dialect of Eastern Abenaki (an Algonquian language) that the Penobscot people speak.

The Penobscot Indian Island Reservation is surrounded by the waters of the Penobscot River, in Penobscot County, Maine. This large river runs from their sacred mountain to the north, Mt. Katahdin, down through the state to Penobscot Bay. It was along this river that they made seasonal relocations to the ocean for seafood, and then back inland for moose, deer, elk and bear hunting, as weather dictated.They lived in wigwams mostly.

Mount Katahdin is a sacred place for these people, and as such travel to the top of the mountain is considered taboo. It is believed that an angry god resides in Pamola Peak. Pamola is a lower god in the spiritual belief system of the Penawapskewi. Pamola was an angry god, and because of his trickster behavior, was sent to Mt. Katahdin for eternity by the power of the highest god, Gluskab.

These people have a prehistoric tie to the river, such that it long ago became a part of their identity. The name of their tribe is the name of a place on the river where they spent most of their time throughout the year, a place “where the white rocks are,” also identified as “where the river widens.”

The insignia of this tribe, evidenced in their art and design, is the fiddlehead, in this case an immature frond of the Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris L.) that grows along the banks of the Penobscot River. Fiddleheads of this fern are a delicacy and are one of the first “blooms” appearing after the harsh winters of the region, thus considered a gift from a spiritual higher power: a reward for having survived the winter.

2008 Northeast Permaculture Summer Gathering: Holyoke,MA

July 4-6th

The Western Massachusetts Permaculture Guild will host the 2008 Summer Permaculture Gathering July 4-6 in Holyoke, MA at Nuestras Raices, Tierra de Opportunidades Farm. Sliding scale of $45 - $100 for camping and meals. For more information as it develops, please refer to this site.
To find out more about our host site, visit: http://www.nuestras-raices.org

Some upcoming local events with CISA (Community Involved in Supporting Agriculture)

CISA links farmers and communities to strengthen agriculture and enhance the economy ans sustainability, rural character, environmental quality, and social well-being of western Massachusetts.

Saturday,
June 21
Strawberry
Feast in the Fields
Red
Fire Farm, Hadley, MA
Bringing
in the Strawberry season with a new farm event – dine
in the landscape of Red Fire Farm with a special menu celebrating
local foods. A hint of the menu: home-made strawberry shortcake.
Tickets are limited, so call to make your reservation. 413-467-SOIL.

Sunday,
June 22
Farmers’
Market at Whole Foods Market
11
a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Whole
Foods Market, Hadley, MA
Whole
Foods Market invites you to meet the farmers selling fruits,
vegetables and more to the Hadley store. And you can purchase
your fruits and veggies directly from the farmers at this special
store-sponsored market. Sure you can buy the same items inside
the store, but wouldn’t you want to meet the farmers who grow
your fresh, local produce?

Sunday,
June 22
Open
House at Chase Hill Farm
10
am to 4 pm
Chase
Hill Farm, Warwick, MA
Come see the cows, calves and cheese making facilities. Lots
of samples to tempt your taste buds.

Saturday
and Sunday, June 28 & 29
Lavender
Festival
10am
to 4pm
Johnson
Hill Farm, Buckland, MA
Come see how we distill our lavender. Lots of local crafts and
artisans on hand, in addition to our own lavender. For more
information visit http://www.lavenderland.com/festival.html.

Saturday
and Sunday, June 28 & 29
Franklin
Land Trust’s 20th Annual Farm and Garden Tour
This year’s
self-guided tour will take participants to private gardens,
working farms and secret places in the western Massachusetts
towns of Ashfield, Plainfield and Hawley. A complete tour guide,
with a detailed map, is provided to participants. Tickets are
$20 for one or both days; $16 for Franklin Land Trust members.
For information, call FLT at 413-625-9152, ext. 8. or visit
http://www.franklinlandtrust.org/fgt.htm

Hello green women and men!

We are having a special summer solstice class
this Saturday on herbal aphrodisiacs and herbs for love… Join us as we
prepare, drink, and explore our powerful herbs sacred to Aphrodite.

Since this is a special summer solstice class we will have celebratory
food and drink after class to honor the arrival of summer. Bring your favorite
summer berries, foods, and drink to celebrate the awakened earth!

I’ve
enclosed the upcoming workshop list for the summer. Additional classes are being
added for the fall, all updates will be listed on our website.

If you
would like to join us, please call or email for directions. Class will be held
outdoors at my home in Westminster, VT, 25 minutes from Brattleboro.

Hope
to see you there!

Green blessings,
Sage Maurer

***
Aphrodite’s Aphrodisiacs ***
Herbs for Love

Summer Solstice Day
June 21st, Saturday, 2:00pm-5:00pm

Join us for a
sexy afternoon of journeying with Aphrodite’s herbs.
You will be introduced
to medicinal and magical herbs used for increasing the energy of love, sensual
pleasure, and heart opening.

Come taste some of our most lovely
aphrodisiac herbs, learn how to prepare, blend, and dose them. We will also
discuss herbs and incenses used to bring love into your life and open the heart
chakra. Fill up with some of Aphrodite’s magic, and return home with some sweet
herbal blends that will spice up your love life!
Suggested Donation: $25 -
$45, 10 person limit.

Call or email to register and receive directions to
the class location.
www.thegreenwoman.com

The Gaia School of
Healing & Earth Education
Brattleboro & Westminster, VT
(617) 838
- 8094

We offer a variety of courses and workshops in herbal
healing and plant spirit medicine. Please check out the workshops that are being
offered this season and contact us for further information. If you would like to
register for a workshop please print out a registration form, send or email it
to the address provided, and you will be reserved a space in class. You can
reach us by calling 1-(617) 838-8094, or email thegaiaschool@hotmail.com to
register for any class.

Workshop Registration Form

Moon Magic & Herbs Sacred to the
Moon

In this evening workshop we will discuss our connection to
the moon and all of her mysteries. Come learn about herbs sacred to the moon,
and how we can use the energy of the moon in our healing practice, ritual, and
for sacred dreaming. In this class we will enter into the realm of night,
letting the plants of the moon teach us of her magic and effect on our lives and
planet. Meet the herbs which help you to journey deeper into the dream world,
into your intuition and psychic abilities. Come learn ways to honor your body
and spirit’s connection to the moon. Return home with dream teas, dream pillows,
or magical blends of moon herbs to use on your own. Suggested Donation:
$20-$35, There is a 10 person limit.

Join us for a sexy afternoon of journeying with
Aphrodite’s herbs. You will be introduced to medicinal and magical herbs used
for increasing the energy of love, sensual pleasure, and heart opening. Come
taste some of our most lovely aphrodisiac herbs, learn how to prepare them and
blend them with other aphrodisiac plants. We will also discuss herbs and
incenses used to bring love into your life and open the heart chakra. Come fill
up with some of Aphrodite’s magic, and return home with some sweet herbal blends
that will spice up your love life! Suggested Donation: $25-$45, 10 person
limit.

Hecate’s Sacred Herbs - Witch’s Flying
Herbs

Come meet powerful herbs sacred to the dark goddess. These
poisonous plants are used in protection magic, banishing, and in magic and
ritual connected to the underworld, death and rebirth, astral projection, and
spiritual transformation. Join us in learning about sacred Belladona, Henbane,
Mandrake, Nightshades, Brugmansia, Hemlock, Poke, and Foxglove. These plants are
not ingested, but are used in ritual to journey into hidden realms of the
psyche, into the past and future, and help us to transform ourselves and our
lives when great change is needed. Hecate’s sacred herbs are powerful teachers,
protectors, and guides for those interested in going deeper into their spiritual
practice and journey into the unknown. Suggested Donation: $20-$35, There is
a 10 person limit.

Herbal Healing for Stress &
Depression

Come learn ways to heal your spirit’s woes with herbs!
We will discuss very effective alternatives to western drugs for treating
various forms of depression, anxiety, stress, muscle pain due to stress, or
calming an anxious mind. We will also talk about herbal remedies for the many
forms of stress, sadness, and heart ache we experience in our lives. Come taste
teas and tinctures that can lift your spirits, heal your heart, and relax your
mind and body. Learn how to make these teas yourself out of common herbs, and
how to use various store bought tinctures safely and effectively for greater
emotional wellbeing. Come with a notebook and a pen! Suggested Donation:
$20-$35, There is a 10 person limit.

Chakra
Healing with Herbs & Flower Essences

Come explore the
chakras (energy centers) in the body, and which plants and flower essences
support emotional and physical imbalances of the chakras. We will discuss in
depth each chakra and how it affects our physical and emotional body, holding
energy and patterning from our past which can contribute to illness. Learn how
to used herbs and flowers to clear, nourish, and cleanse our chakras, ridding us
of old energy, mental and emotional patterns, and physical imbalances. Handouts
and tea will be given in class. Suggested Donation: $40 - $65, 10 person
limit.

Shamanic Journeying with
Plants

Join us for an evening of journeying with the spirits of
the plants and the earth. Learn ways of communicating to the spirits of trees,
flowers, and healing herbs. Experience the energies of plants through your hands
and within your body (with teas, essences, and sacred incenses) as well as
through guided meditation. Shamanic Journeying with plants is the oldest form of
plant medicine and our most ancient spiritual practice. This workshop is for
beginning and intermediate herbalists or those that want to learn more about
shamanic journeying. Suggested Donation: $20-$35, There is a 10 person
limit.

Medicinal Herbal
Preparations

Come learn how to make your own herbal medicines at
home. In this five hour class we will discuss and make herbal tinctures, salves,
tea blends, herbal glycerites, herbal oils, flower essences, decoctions,
compresses, and poultices. We will discuss harvesting herbs, where to get
quality organic herbs, and how to dose herbs safely. We will cover herbs for
some common ailments as we create our preparations, as well as address specific
herbs for each of you. Handouts and materials will be provided in class.
Suggested Donation: $40-$65, There is a 10 person limit.

Introduction to Magical Herbalism
Magical herbalism is an ancient
practice used for thousands of years around the world for healing and creating
positive change. Every plant on this earth has a natural energy that can be used
for healing and transformation. Working with the spirit of each plant is the
basis of magical herbalism. In this class we will discuss ways of using the
natural energy of plants to create positive healing and change in our lives. You
will meet various herbs that can be used to bring us healing, love, protection,
abundance, peace, blessings, and so on. Various techniques of natural herbal
magic will be discussed, as well as the ethics and laws of plant spirit work.
You will leave class with some herbal mixes of your creation to use at home. All
are welcome to this class who wish to use the plants in a positive and ethical
way. Suggested Donation: $20-$35, There is a 10 person limit.

Sage L.
Maurer teaches all classes. Sage is an independent practitioner and teacher of
herbal healing, plant spirit medicine, shamanic herbalism, and the wise woman
tradition of healing. She was formally trained and certified in herbal medicine
at the Blazing Star Herbal School and at the Boston School of Herbal Energetics.
Sage has studied with many herblaists such as Rosemary Gladstar, Susan Weed,
Anne McIntyre, Rosita Arvigo, Pam Montgomery, Deb Soule, and others. In 2001
Sage founded The Gaia School in Boston, MA where she taught workshops and
apprenticeships throughout the year. Through personal journeying and magical
work over the last 10 years, Sage has developed techniques of communicating with
plants to aid her in life and work. Come learn to walk a path of magic and
healing with her and our green friends!