It's the Way of Love!

Alternative Energy Talks with Melissa Ceresa and Ray Newkirk

We talk to Ray Newkirk, the founder and co-owner of the Green Station  (http://www.thegreenstation.us/) which is a biodiesel fueling station and alternative energy resource. Ray is a general contractor who leans green. While Ray has built numerous homes and additions in Santa Cruz, CA, including a 2-story 2500 square foot straw bale, his focus for the past 10 years has been on renewable energy, passive solar design, rain water catchment and providing biodiesel to the community. Next, we talk to Melissa Ceresa of West Valley College Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy (westvalley.edu/atte).  We talk about upcoming training courses they have in Energy Auditing and Solar PV Design and LEED as well as some new Geographic Information Systems classes. The ATTE initiative is set up to transform California's workforce by providing on-demand training that is accessible, flexible and relevant in today's economy. With a focus on transportation and energy. The ATTE provides training to help businesses and workers meet the challenge of newly emerging transportation and energy technologies.

Spring into Summer with George Orwell Experience and Soup 127

In this weeks radio show Soup127  The Environmental DJ raps with MC Hager and we are ready celebration from the Spring into Summer Fest, in Santa Cruz, CA.  The band George Orwell Experience delights our senses with out of this world sounds.  And on It's the Way of Love we Love the music of Steve Graves! All musicians are featured at the festival which is going on as we speak.

Dr. James Freeman and Annapurna Pandey film-makers of The Myth of the Buddha's Birthplace

We talk to anthropologists Dr. James M. Freeman and Dr. Annapurna Devi Pandey as they investigate a controversial claim about the true origin of the Buddha and their film ‘The Myth of the Buddha’s Birthplace."  Returning to Kapileswar, a small village in the state of Odisha, eastern India that Freeman first visited in 1962, Freeman and Pandey search for an ancient stone inscription, which was discovered in Kapileswar nearly a century ago but has since mysteriously vanished. This stone inscription, so it is said, proclaims Kapileswar to be the birthplace of the Buddha. This claim runs counter to all established theories, since Nepal is generally accepted to be the birthplace of the Buddha.    In searching for the lost inscription, Freeman and Pandey make an unexpected and significant discovery. The villagers of Kapileswar have created a new myth about the Buddha’s birth and a new ritual based on this myth. ‘The Myth of the Buddha’s Birthplace’ shows how a modern myth has been created and answers the questions of the authenticity of the Kapileswar stone inscription and the credibility of the Kapileswar birthplace claim.

Filmmakers Jazzelle and Tess Sweet featured at Santa Cruz Film Festival

In this episode of It's the Way of Love, Jazzelle talks about her film Echoes of the Great Depression: Santa Cruz Occupied.  Jazz-elle produces social justice documentaries, music videos, and the award winning "Planet of Dreamz" music show on CTV.  Her recently produced video, "Echoes of the Great Depression-Santa Cruz Occupied", was screened at the 11th Annual Santa Cruz Film Festival. Her videos have been featured in film festivals for the last 5 years.  You can check out more videos at www.youtube.com/jazzellemusic. Writer and Director Tess Sweet talks about her film I Love You Like Crazy.  Here's a little about the film which is showing at the Santa Cruz Film Festival: Dan is crazy. He's schizophrenic, he has delusions that he's a rock star, and he's haunted by the voice of a controlling band manager who doesn't actually exist. When he gets thrown in the psych ward again, he meets Melody, a feisty punk girl who teaches him how to love. Like crazy. For more information on Tess go to  http://www.tesssweet.com/

Daniel "Nane" Alejandrez of Barrios Unidos

We talk to Daniel "Nane" Alejandrez Founder and Director of Barrios Unidos (http://barriosunidos.net/). From the Barrio to the United Nations, Alejandrez has spread his message which combines analysis of the root causes of crime with concrete programs that offer youth positive alternatives. He is also Co-Chair of the Urban Peace and Justice Summit, the national organization that works to forge truces between African American and Latino gangs. Alejandrez has been recognized for his inspiring efforts and is the recipient of numerous awards including the National Fellowship of Reconciliation Martin Luther King Jr. Award and a fellowship from the California Wellness Foundation.

Protecting the World's Oceans with Save the Waves and Surfrider Foundation

We talk to Katie Westfall, Save the Waves Environmental Director, and Dustin Macdonald, Chair of the Santa Cruz Chapter of Surfrider Foundation. Save The Waves Coalition (http://www.savethewaves.org) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the coastal environment, with an emphasis on the surf zone, and educating the public about its value. We are a devoted group of surfers, scientists, and activists, who share a common belief that our wild coastal areas around the world are precious and valuable, and need to be protected. The Surfrider Foundation (www.surfridersantacruz.org)  is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 80 chapters worldwide.  We discuss the dedication of the next world surfing reserve in Santa Cruz, CA.

Whole Heart Native Warmth Project and Indian Canyon

We talk to Maggie Sotelo about Whole Heart Native Warmth Project.  This project provides blankets to Native Americans.  For more information after listening to the interview you can go to http://www.facebook.com/wholeheart.nwp. Next, we talk to Ann Marie Sayers and Kanyon from Indian Canyon, the only federally recognized Costanoan Ohlone territory.  They host an annual traditional storytelling in the summer months as a fundraiser for their village house.    Please see indiancanyonlife.org for more information.  

Jazzelle Speaks about Her Activism through Filmmaking Process

Jazzelle talks about activism through film. She shares the story of the Light Brown Apple Moth Eradication Program and how she used film to assert our right to health and safety.  Jazzelle is a film-maker and musician. She produces social justice documentaries, music videos, and the award winning "Planet of Dreamz" music show on  CTV.  Her recently produced video, "Echoes of the Great Depression-Santa Cruz Occupied", was screened at the 11th Annual Santa Cruz Film Festival. Her videos have been featured in film festivals for the last 5 years.  You can check out more videos at www.youtube.com/jazzellemusic.

Mike Kittredge and Megan Carlson on Helping the Homeless

We talked to Mike Kittredge and Megan Carlson of Homeless Services Center in Santa Cruz, CA about homelessness and ways people are helping right here in our community. Did you know that on average, volunteers weigh less, live longer, and are generally happier than non-altruists? It's true! Give back right in your own community, and help us build a better Santa Cruz, even if you only have one hour a month.    For more information you can go to http://scshelter.org.

Tierra Madre Farmers Discusses Techniques for Preserving World's Crop Diversity

On this episode of It's the Way of love we talk to Chris Menge, Shane Murphy & Cory Murphy of Tierra Madre Farm.  Tierra Madre Farm is a small farm in the Santa Cruz Mountains dedicated to promoting and preserving our world's crop diversity.  They collect and propagate fruit and vegetable crops and offer seeds and fruit trees. They also offer our unique produce for sale through CSA (community Supported Agriculture) and wholesale to local restaurants, markets and businesses.  For more information visit http://www.tierramadrefarm.com.