Another delightful weekend come and gone; the moon fades to crescent; the semester draws to a close. It is week 12, a week of panic and bliss, of final assignments, the anticipation of final exams, and the warm knowledge of holidays. It's also been beautiful, sunny, and crisp as apples in the late afternoon. Between finishing projects, grading assignments, juggling work & domesticity, and hitting the gym, don't forget to have a smile at the blue-blue sky. It loves you too.
What can I say? I'm in a happy-hippie-in-harmony mood. Might be the sleep deprivation, but I don't think so.
Here's the good word:
WINTER HOURS
Beginning the week of 9 June, the co-op will be switching over to winter hours. This means that the shop will be opened Thursday only on 12, 19 & 26 June, and 3 July, Veggies & eggs will be happening. Same policies as during session--egg orders in by Tuesday morning (for the time being), veggie orders in by Wednesday morning.
We will be closed 10 and 17 July. No eggs or veggies those two weeks.
We will return to normal shop hours when Uni resumes on 21 July.
Veggies
Man, those boxes are pretty. This week we've been celebrating our veggie box with mushroom and brown rice salads, banana smoothies, pumpkin soup, and Middle Eastern-Mexican fusion cooking (no kidding!). I don't know what's in store for us this week, but I look forward to finding out. Orders under the door by Wednesday early, paid in full.
Eggs
Mmmm, farm fresh eggs. I see quiche in my future.
$4.30/dozen non-member price. I think our members can do the 10% discount math.
Orders in to Lauris by 10 am Tuesday morning. No need to pre-pay.
Got Films?
Louise is keen to start a film co-op, similar to the book co-op, from which interesting movies that you're willing to share can come and go. If you're keen to get involved (and really who wouldn't be?), email Lou.
Community
GE Free New South Wales
It's never too late to get involved with the GE free Oz movement. As you're probably aware, Victoria and NSW have lifted their moratorium on GE crops. Already GE canola is being planted and will probably be in our food before the end of the year. Lack of labeling specifications almost guarantees that you'll be eating GE foods without knowing it. Contact Ang if you're keen to take a stand.
UNSW Orchestra Concert
(from Alice)
"Come see me (oh and a bunch of other people) play in the UNSW orchestra concert on Friday the 6th of June, at 7.30pm. Only $5 for students, we've been working towards it all semester. It's at the John Clancy Auditorium. Would love to see some of you there."
Go on, it'll be fabulous, it's cheap, and a great way to unwind before really unwinding at the end of semester.
Students of Sustainability Conference
(from Monika)
University of Newcastle, 5-9 July
This conference is absolutely amazing! Great people, food, workshops, conversations and more that will blow your mind! There's also definitely going to be some food co-op specific and general food content.
Register now, as the early-bird special is about to expire.
www.studentsofsustainability.org
Five days of forums workshops and fun, covering environmental and global justice, real solutions to climate change, indigenous sovereignty, challenging oppressions, overcoming the nuclear industry and forest campaigns. all students, activists, environmentalists and peoples concerned for the planet invited invited.
As environmental crises worsen and the need for social change becomes more urgent, we must organise to spark the change that will create just and sustainable communities.
Students of Sustainability (SoS), the longest running environment conference in Australia, aims to facilitate the creation of such a society by bringing together students, activists, indigenous groups, academics, and the wider community to share and gain knowledge, skills and information on environmental and social justice campaigns and issues.
Each year SoS offers an amazing opportunity for delegates to experience informative speakers, practical workshops, empowering activities,opportunities, contacts and inspiration.
Billeting is available. Transport to the conference will be organised from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and many areas of regional Australia.
Come and join us in creating a just and sustainable future.
(Great gigs every night, including Sydney City Trash, dhopec, Paul Spencer, Toilet Roll Dolls, Grandmaster Monk, Charlie BBQ, Fuji Collective and more.)
Sage Wants Your Letters & Leaves
There is not a doubt in my uni-addled mind that there are heaps of thoughtful, intelligent, funny pieces of journalism, poetry, and art just waiting for you to create them. Won't you give your creative energy an opportunity to burst forth and bloom? Once you do, send it off to Gemma. She's still working on Thoughtful Foods' twice annual (very fancy) newsletter Sage. Contributions can be mailed to Gemma atgemgem13@gmail.com, or submitted in the pretty silver box in the shop. Recipes, articles, poems, stories, photos & pretty much any other scanable form of expression welcome.
Featured Product
We have organic sundried tomatoes. They live in a barrel near the piles o'beans. They're crazy delicious, and add heaps of depth to your dishes. They're brilliant in any pasta sauce, sliced on a pizza with feta & basil, or nibbled on while you're waiting at the bus stop. This was a widely requested item, and now it's here! Come get 'em.
We also have fair-trade fresh fundraiser chocolate chilling on the counter (sorta close to the Sage box). $5 a bar really can't be beat. Milk & dark chocolate varieties just waiting for you to enjoy them. Money in the little tin. Cheers!
Volunteers
It's week 12. Man, do I know it. It's the season for all-nighters (tonight, for instance). Since you're going to be awake for 24-hours anyway, now's the perfect time to volunteer in the shop!
Okay, maybe not; but if you'd like a break from studying to hang out in a friendly environment and help out your foodie community, it is the place to be. The roster is attached as always, and we'd really love to see you there. The more vollies, the more that gets done, and the more that gets done, the more time is left for tea-breaks and midday booty shakes. Won't you join us?
BBQ
Tessa, bless her starry heart, is organizing the end-of-session co-op cookout, mandated by tradition & the fact that it's a good excuse for everyone to get together. Tentative date is Friday 13 June (ooh! a lucky day) at Coogee . If you're keen to help plot & plan please contact gorgeous Tessa as soon as possible.
The fruits of autumn
It's been a reflective sort of week, all apples & tart oranges, news & revelation. There are so many gorgeous people around; I keep meeting stunning men and women that everyone should be in love with. Seriously. This means you.
Yes you, silly.
Today I read, for the fifth time, a brilliant article about the nature of community. A line that lingers with me says that participation is an opportunity to "enter the maelstrom rather than succumb to it." I find that idea really beautiful. It reinforces to me how powerful we are, as individuals and in the collective sense, and how much control we have when we choose to brave the storm.
Enjoy the night's showers. I'll see ya'll at the co-op.
*love & bare-toed jaunts through the cold morning dew*
~ Meghan