- New Core Members!

Three of our volunteers, Anderew, Brandon & Emily, have recently joined us as core members.  Stop by on Monday or Wednesday and say hi!  If you’re interested in volunteering or core membership, let us know!  (More details below in Opportunities)

- GVSU Students Take on Climate Justice!

Our two interns from Grand Valley, Nick & Nora, have been working with the Bloom on issues of climate change and environmental justice.  They’ve already put together a new zine and organized a critical mass bike ride with a banner drop at Consumer’s Energy.  Come to the Bloom to pick up a copy of their zine and expect more info on upcoming events to coincide with the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December.

- The Bloom will be closed on November 26, 27 & 28 (Thanksgiving thru Saturday)

If you’re not satisfied with eating turkey and watching football during that time,
we suggest that you take a look at Buy Nothing Day or stop by
sometime before the break to check out our Native American section.

- Bloom Hours

Monday / 3-6pm
Tuesday / 3-6pm
Wednesday / 4-7pm
Thursday / 1-4pm
Friday / 1-5pm
Saturday / 1-5pm

Upcoming Events @ The Bloom

- Confronting White Privilege – Potluck & Discussion
Saturday, November 14, 3-5pm

Come join us for food and a discussion of white privilege – what it is, why we need to confront it and how.
Bring a dish to pass – Vegan options will be provided.

For a little background, check out this talk on white privilege by author Tim Wise.

- Stitch & Bitch / Vegan Cookie Exchange
Saturday, December 5, 3-5- p.m.

Bring
(1) your knitting, crocheting, sewing, mending or craft project
(2) 1 or 2 dozen vegan cookies
(3) a container to bring cookies home

The Bloom Collective will provide hot tea and/or coffee.

New Materials

A selection of new titles here at the Bloom:

- People First Economics edited by David Ransom and Vanessa Baird

- Hasta la Victoria! (DVD)

- Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America’s Energy Future by Jeff Goodell

- The Eliminationists: How Hate Talk Radicalized the American Right by David Neiwert

- The Industrial Worker: 1840-1860 by Norman Ware

Opportunities

As always, we are interested in new volunteers at the Bloom.  At this time, we are especially interested in anyone looking to come in on Thursday or Friday afternoon to help cover those shifts with some of the other awesome Bloom members.  Volunteers also table at events, create fliers and handouts or help with events and projects.  If you’re interested, send us an email or just stop by during open hours!

–
Love & Rage,
The Bloom Collective

Bike Workshops

Starting today (Friday July 10), The Bloom is hosting free bike repair workshops from 5 – 7 p.m. every first, second and third Friday of the month. Bike experts will be on hand with advice and tools to help you fix and maintain your bike.On the fourth Friday, join us before Critical Mass rides to get help with your bikes.

Blue Gold: World Water Wars

In every corner of the world we are diverting, pumping, polluting and wasting our non-renewable supply of water. This documentary explains how overdevelopment of agriculture, housing and industry is turning the earth into desert. Discussion following. Free. Donations accepted.

• 3 p.m. Saturday July 18 at Blandford Nature Center, Grand Rapids

To view the trailer, visit www.rethinkafghanistan.com.

Rethink Afghanistan

This ground-breaking, full-length documentary focuses on the key issues surrounding the War in Afghanistan, raising critical questions that Congress and the American people need to address. Discussion after the film to talk about organizing locally against the escalating US war in Afghanistan/Pakistan

• 7 p.m. Thursday July 23 at Trinity UM Church 1100 Lake Drive, Grand Rapids
• 7 p.m. Thursday July 30 at The DAAC, 115 S. Division, Grand Rapids

To view the trailer, visit www.rethinkafghanistan.com.