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The event held at the Grange on Wednesday, 9/23, was based on the “Healing Village” type of environment, with a beautiful alter in the center and many works of art all around. We created the altar to have a place for those who lost their homes and livelihood to pour their grief out.

We also had many healers come and go throughout the day and give sessions. We had many types of bodywork, acupuncture, counseling and sound healing represented. Fire victims received free healing services; local supporters paid $20 for a 20 min session to raise funds. We also had a silent auction, beautiful sound healing and live music by Eostar and Mathias. Some brought beautiful art to share. A dance topped off the evening into the late night. We had Harbin’s own DJ Omer there, in addition to DJ Feral for the wonderful dance part of the event. The room was full.

The day was truly profound. I will not soon forget how it felt to see so many of the Harbin folks that were scattered to the winds after the fire, reuniting there in that room with tearful hugs and many stories to tell. I believe this was the first time they were all in the same room since their loss. This event was primarily for giving a space to begin the healing process after such a loss. In their case, it is not just a loss of home and work, it is also a loss of a very tight-knit community.

There were many who generously came to help. Some of the healers were there all day, giving, giving, giving! This community rocks.

There were many, many tears, sobs, healing, hugs and the room was palpable with love and care. We said prayers for everyone’s recovery and for Harbin’s next life.

Even though the priority of the event was for giving the fire victims healing and support, we raised over $1000! This money is going into a special fund created just for Harbin residents.

There are pics and names of the healers/helpers from the event if anyone wants that info. You can go to the facebook page to see them

A big thank you to Gary and Jerry and the Grange for making it so smooth and easy to have this event at the Grange.
Thank you to the Grange!
I love you!

Many of us want to have another one at some point, so stay tuned!

be well, all
Julia Bystrova

On the evening of Sept. 17, while thousands fled the devastation of Lake County’s Valley Fire that has so far consumed hundreds of homes and over 70,000 acres, our humble Grange Hall in Sebastopol, just sixty miles south of the inferno, overflowed with farmers, chefs, local food advocates, Grangers and caring citizens who together raised over eighteen thousand dollars to aid victims of the wildfire.

Four hundred of us.

Read the story here.

For the first time in fourteen years, artist Peter Schumann and his Bread and Puppet Theater will tour the West Coast, from Los Angeles to Seattle, with a series of performances, workshops, lectures, exhibits and parades. Bread and Puppet Theater will be performing its original play, FIRE, which catapulted the company to international acclaim 50 years ago.

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 7:00 pm. 

Bread & Puppet Theater: Performance of FIRE
followed by a Bread Reception at Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Ave, Hwy 12, Sebastopol.
The Bread and Puppet Theater will tour the Bay Area, performing its original play, FIRE, which catapulted the company to international acclaim 50 years ago. Tickets are $20 or donation. (No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.)
Tickets -http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2227275

–“Humans wage war against each other and their own mother: Nature. Essentially war is the ferocious stupidity that insists on the application of brutality for problem solution, whether the brutality is directed at humans or mountaintops. “FIRE” is a chapel against war, where you sit down to witness the effects of war while contemplating its opposite.” –Peter Schumann

In 1965, Schumann and his troupe presented FIRE, a hard-hitting piece about the Vietnam War, to critical acclaim at the Nancy Theater Festival in France. FIRE shows six days in a Vietnamese community, followed by a bombing raid and ending with a self-immolation. Dedicated to three Americans who immolated themselves in protest against the Vietnam War, FIRE is performed with life-size puppets that resemble their masked manipulators. (This show may not be appropriate for young children.)

Founded by Peter Schumann in the early 1960’s, Bread and Puppet was enmeshed in the radical counterculture and earliest demonstrations against the U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia, becoming a familiar presence in the protest movement. Meanwhile, the puppets grew bigger and bigger—some up to 18 feet high—leading processions that spanned blocks and mobilized hundreds of people. Bread and Puppet became a seminal part of the avant-garde movement that included companies such as the San Francisco Mime Troupe, Living Theater and Robert Wilson.

Full details on the Bay Area parades, happenings and exhibits:
http://blog.archive.org/2015/09/02/peter-schumann-and-his-critically-acclaimed-bread-and-puppet-theater-tour-the-west-coast/

Everyone is invited to take part in this FUN fundraiser on

Saturday September 12 , 3 – 9pm

• Tournament: 7:30pm
• Lots of tables – everyone can play!
• Outdoor family games
• Food trucks
• Beer, wine & drinks
• Ice cream, desserts
• Live music by Driftwood 4:30-6pm
• Fire pit & music after dark
• 50/50 raffle

Admission:  Adults $15; Seniors $10; Children Over 12 $5.
(No one refused for lack of funds.)

Don’t miss the fun!

For more information, contact Emily: emilyshistory@gmail.com    824-0870

The Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Avenue (Highway 12),  Sebastopol CA

Friday, September 11, 2015

7:30 concert, 6:30 doors open

“Jaw dropping good, not to be missed!”

This acclaimed, award-winning Missouri family of exceptional musicians will perform their bluegrass, gospel, and classic country music here at the Sebastopol Grange!

Watch the Baker Family perform!

And take part in an auction conducted by Shawn Baker, Baker family dad and professional auctioneer. “He is so good,” Gary says, “he can sell you the clothes you are wearing for twice what you paid for them….he is that good….really. “

Tickets: $15 in advance, $10 seniors and youth 12 -17, $5 under 12.
Tickets will sell out. Buy yours online now through Brown Paper Tickets!

Proceeds benefit the Sebastopol Grange Scholarship & Building Funds.

The June 19th screening of the film “Inhabit: A Permaculture Perspective” and discussion by a panel of leading permaculture experts drew a standing-room-only crowd at the Sebastopol Grange.
(Back) Event organizers: Gary Abreim, Dean LaCoe, Hrieth Anet Pezzi.
(Front) Panel: Emmett Brennan, Penny Livingston-Stark, Brock Dolman, Starhawk. (Not pictured: Erik Ohlsen) Photo by Kerry Brady.

Humanity is more than ever threatened by its own actions; we hear a lot about the need to minimize footprints and reduce our impact. But what if our footprints were beneficial? What if we could meet human needs while increasing the health and well-being of our planet?

The documentary film “Inhabit: A Permaculture Perspective,” presented Friday, June 19, by the Sebastopol Grange, explores the many environmental issues facing us today and examines solutions that use “permaculture” to help shift our impact from destructive to regenerative. Permaculture is an ecological design process based on the replication of patterns found in nature. “Inhabit” provides an intimate look at permaculture peoples and practices ranging from rural, suburban, and urban landscapes. Permaculture Magazine calls the new documentary “the best film ever made about permaculture!”

A panel discussion by leading permaculture experts followed the screening, which included: Starhawk, Earth Activist and renowned author; Brock Dolman, Co-Founder, Occidental Arts and Ecology; Penny Livingston-Stark, Visionary Teacher and Designer, Commonweal; Erik Ohlsen, Executive Director, The Permaculture Skills Center and Emmett Brennan, Inhabit Assistant Director & Producer.

“A movement is brewing here in West County and we at the Sebastopol Grange are proud to play host to it! Like a permaculture design, that hall is made of thoughtful channeling of resources—not just of water and nutrients, but of our neighbors. We hope you’ll join us every last Tuesday of the month for our free community potluck and contribute to the regenerative process that is the Grange.”
Evan Wiig, Grange Lecturer.