Web Features
Watching their collective fortunes decline, the members of Orinda adopt a new spirit of frugality, find that they are living more sustainably, and discover true wealth in relationships with friends and family.
After serving thousands of meals, a community of post-Katrina relief kitchen volunteers moves to the West Coast and acquires a mortgage, a baby, full-time jobs, and the challenges of the mundane.
An ex-resident of Casa Caballeros reflects on the wealth she found in the realms of personal growth, shared resources, spontaneous celebration, and financial freedom even in economic downturns.
Especially in financially uncertain times, those seeking the advantages of intentional community living can often find them within a single shared house.
After many years of dealing with the unique struggles inherent in starting a community, a community founder discovers her vision manifested elsewhere, and becomes a community joiner.
Also in This Issue (Print Version Only)
· PUBLISHER'S NOTE: HOW COLLABORATION FALLS SHORT: With Hints About How to Help It Go Long
· COOPERATIVE GROUP SOLUTIONS: AVOIDING ABUNDANCE’S TRAPS
· NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: COMMUNITY IN HARD TIMES
· BUILDING COMMUNITY IN HARD TIMES
Randa Johnson
A new cohousing community descends into bitter arguments over money issues, calls a moratorium on lentil soup, sees its green development plans slow to a crawl, and starts meeting its needs more locally.
· HARD TIMES, GOOD LIFE, COMMUNITY
Joan Valles
An elder in community finds that, especially in hard times, community offers focus, mutual support, practical help, and inspiration.
· THE NEW HARD TIMES: “HELP ME THINK THROUGH THIS”
Joan Valles
· BIRTHING A NEW ORDER IN A CHAOTIC WORLD
Niánn Emerson Chase
The hardest challenges in community can arise from the work of recognizing and admitting character flaws and practicing honesty, so as to make way for needed change in ourselves and the world.
· ESTABLISHING COMMUNITY IN HARD TIMES: A SWEDISH CASE
Robert Hall
Along with logistical hurdles and fluctuating commitments, the global financial crisis takes its toll on a developing ecovillage, but also offers opportunities as sustainability becomes a global imperative.
· SOMERVILLE ECOVILLAGE: CULTURE AND CREATING SPACES
Vida Carlino
A group of Australians invests in their vision for the long haul, confronting obstacles, encouraging participation, and finding accord on cats, dogs, and The Somerville Way.
· SOMERVILLE ECOVILLAGE: STATUTORY APPROVALS AND FINANCE
Karen Moore
Nine years after its conception, Somerville Ecovillage has acquired land, financing, and rezoning and subdivision approvals, but remains unbuilt (though not ungardened), thanks to the world credit crisis.
· THE TRANSITION INITIATIVE COMES TO COHOUSING
Sonja Eriksson
A cohousing group joins the Transition Town movement in response to peak oil and climate change, and discovers many collateral benefits.
· FOOD SECURITY IN COMMUNITY
In increasingly difficult times, growing our own food in community can be the best form of food security. Lessons learned from other groups can help our own gardens and communities bloom.
· SVANHOLM IN DENMARK GOES CARBON-NEUTRAL
Christina Adler Jensen
Denmark’s largest intentional community and ecovillage adopts innovative technologies to save energy resources and become carbon-neutral.
· CREATING COMMUNITY: MAKING HOME
Jon Kohl
· COHOUSING LIFE: COHOUSING FOR NON-COHOUSERS
Charlene DiCalogero
· COMMUNITY ECONOMICS: FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF COMMUNAL LIVING
Alison Rosenblatt
· GARDENS OF GRATITUDE: A Two-Day Garden Party Blitz in L.A.
Ginny Blades
