Local groups to hold meetings on area’s future in a challenging economy

Transition Staunton Augusta, a citizens group dedicated to helping the central Shenandoah Valley develop its local economy while protecting its quality of life, announced today that it will be holding a series of three community conversations on the area’s future during a continued economic downturn and energy crunch. The series is co-sponsored by the Sierra Club’s Shenandoah Group, the Augusta Coalition for Peace and Justice and the Community Network.

 

Titled “Does Staunton Have a Future? How Peak Oil Will Change Everything in Your Life and How That Could Be Just What You Need,” the series will comprise three events to be held through the fall dealing with tightening world energy supplies and their impact on the economy, both nationally and locally.

 

“Even while local families continue to face rising costs, unemployment, and home foreclosures, drivers now have to pay more and more to fill up their gas tanks,” said Erik Curren, co-founder of Transition Staunton Augusta. “With peak oil, world energy supplies are only going to get tighter in the future, with long-term impacts on the economy – both challenges and      opportunities. Staunton and the central Shenandoah Valley can create local jobs and enjoy prosperity, but only if we start getting ready now.”

 

The interactive community conversations will be facilitated by Transition Staunton Augusta, will feature presentations along with discussion and will take place monthly September through November:

 

Beyond Pain at the Pump: What is Peak Oil and What Does It Mean for You? Tuesday, September 13, 7:00pm to 8:30pm

 

Beyond Fear: What We Can Do to Prepare for a World that’s Less Global and More Local, Tuesday, October 4, 7:00pm to 8:30pm

 

Beyond Green: Why Local Food is Just the Beginning, Wednesday, November 2, 7:00pm to 8:30pm

 

All meetings will be held at the Staunton Public Library located at 1 Chuchville Ave. A summary of the topic for each conversation and more information is available at

 

http://transitionstaunton.org/2011/07/community-conversations-on-local-future-coming-this-fall/.