La Vista Ecological Learning Center

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Sat., January 12, 2019   1:00 - 3:00 pm

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Join us in this exploratory class as we investigate five nature journaling techniques inside that you can use to explore the winter world outside.  These techniques will help you overcome a blank page and get you started sketching, recording your thoughts, questions, and observations.  Note: Options will be offered to do your journaling indoors should the weather prevent us from going outdoors.

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Presenter: Angie Jungbluth, experienced teacher and enthusiastic nature journaler.

Cost:  $15

Registration:  Send payment to La Vista at 4300 Levis Lane Godfrey, IL  62035

Thurs., Jan. 17, 2019   7:30 pm

Held at AMC Showplace in Edwardsville, IL

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Join us to view Normal Is Over, a documentary about humanity's wisest response to climate change, species extinction, the depletion of critical natural resources, income inequality and industrial control of our food production. A challenge to viewers on many levels, it most of all offers hope. 

A warning: viewers may find some scenes disturbing.

Cost:  $12.  Get tickets online:   https://gathr.us/screening/26942

Sponsored by the Confluence Collaborative

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Saturday, January 19,  2019  7:00 - 9:00 pm

This annual tradition is a welcome wintertime event offering camaraderie, entertainment, and good food around the fireplace in the Oblates' home.  The spontaneous nature of this gathering always provides surprise and delight in human creativity.  Along with your original or found poetry, stories, music and song, please bring a snack to share.  We'll provide drinks.

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Cost:  Please bring a donation to support La Vista's programming.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Registration: Call 618-466-5004 or e-mail us info@lavistaelc.org.

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Saturday, March 16, 2019    2:30 - 5:00 pm

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Healthy Food + Healthy People = Healthy Planet

Are you interested in healthy food?  How do we care for the planet by promoting a healthy food system?  What can we learn from other cultures about healthy food choices?  How do some cultures prepare a meal?

Come experience a hands-on cultural cooking workshop.  You will enjoy cooking with Dr. Sasi and learning about the anthropology of food.  Cook, taste, laugh, and have fun writing simple recipes you can use at home.

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Presenter:  Dr. Sasi Balasundaram is an anthropologist, farmer, and food and environmental justice advocate. 

Cost:  $15.

Registration:  Send your payment to La Vista.

This program is a La Vista and SIUE Anthropology Collaboration.

SAVE THE DATE

Saturday, March 9, 2019

Held at Nerinx High School in Webster Groves,, MO

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Designed for high school students, teacher, and administrators, this day-long workshop will inspire participants to take action in their schools by implementing Laudato Si, Pope Francis' environmental message. 

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La Vista is a member of the Ecological Consortium, sponsor of this program.

More information will be coming soon.

Wed., March 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17, 2019

7:00 - 8:30 pm

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Last year we engaged Pope Francis' letter Laudato Si by way of a prayer form called Lectio Divina, or sacred reading. This year we will take six themes from Laudato Si to pray using Lectio Divina as well as Visio Divina, sacred seeing.  Each theme will be explored by way of a reading as well as a short video followed by contemplative sharing of the Light within each person.

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Cost:  Donation

Registration:  Email info@lavistaelc.org or call 618-466-5004

Saturday, March 23, 2019  2:00 – 4:00 pm

Ancient equinox rituals are varied and rich, and you can enter this window on the world during our annual celebration.  Anthropology students from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and their professor will be joining us to share the anthropology of equinox. Please bring a snack to share, your lawn chair and a spirit of adventure as we welcome springtime! 

Cost:  Please bring a donation to support La Vista’s programming.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Registration:  Email info@lavistaelc.org  or call 618-466-5004.

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Saturday, April 6, 2019   10:00 am - 3:30 pm

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As a special part of your celebration of Earth month, please join us for a day of retreat among the trees at La Vista.  We’ll receive input from an architect who will share the work of an artist on our inner sapling, participate in a hike among the trees led by a master naturalist, and have time for journaling and conversation as we consider the intelligence, wisdom, and social nature of trees and of ourselves.

What to bring:  

* something from your area such as a rock, leaf, flower, that will be  

   used for ambience and conversation

* a favorite quote or brief reading about trees

* a healthy snack like fruit, nuts, bread, to complete a lunch of hearty soup we will provide.                                 

* a lawn chair, if you wish, and your water bottle.

Cost:  Your donation will be greatly appreciated and well-used.

Registration:  Call 618-466-5004 or info@lavistaelc.org.

This event is a project of the Confluence Climate Collaborative.

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Sat., May 18, 2019   10:00 am—noon

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Investigate the world of backyard birds! Drawing lessons, hints, tips, and nature journaling sugges- tions will get you well on your way to the enriching experience of sketching birds and recording your observations. Beginners and those who wish to broaden their drawing skills are welcome. Artistic skills are not required.

Cost: $20
Presenter: Angie Jungbluth is a veteran sci- ence and nature journaling teacher whose enthusi- asm is contagious.
Supplies: unlined drawing paper (in a binder or journal with space to sketch and write), pencil, eraser
Registration: Send payment to La Vista.

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Sat., June 22,  2019  2:00 – 4:00 pm

Frogs and toads might call your backyard home if you make it welcome to them.Why bother? Amphibians are the most endangered group of vertebrate wildlife on the planet, with nearly one-third of species at risk of extinction. Learn how to maintain frog habitats in your backyard. You’ll not only help them by providing a pock- et of habitat, but you will also be rewarded with a frog sym- phony in the spring, summer and autumn months. You’ll also be caring for creation!

Presenter: Vernon DePauw, celebrated woodcarver and nature enthusiast.
Cost: Please bring a donation to support La Vista’s programming. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Registration: Email info@lavistaelc.org or call 618-466-5004.

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Sat., June 29, 2019   10:00 am—noon

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Do you enjoy exploring the world of flowers and wish you could creatively record your discoveries somehow on paper? Please join us as we begin our investigation of flowers by covering a variety of techniques to creatively capture your observations on paper. This inside study will include taking a flower apart and observing all of the components of its make-up, as well as their functions. We will then go outside to observe wildflowers in nature and record our discoveries from the techniques pre- sented inside.

Both beginners and those that want to broaden their sketching and recording skills are welcome. Artistic skills are not required.

Presenter: Angie Jungbluth, expert nature journaler and teacher.

Supplies: unlined drawing paper (in a binder or journal with space to sketch and write), pencil, eraser, coloring tools (colored pencils or watercol- ors), camp chair

Cost: $20
Registration: Please send payment to La Vista.

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Sat., July 20, 2019  7:30 - 9:30 pm

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Celebrate the beauty life cycles and habitats of moths, among the most diverse and successful beings on Earth.  View moths up-close and learn to make "moth brew" to attract them to your back yard.  Celebrate the anniversary of the first moon walk 50 years ago.  Bring your binoculars and hope for clear skies.

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Cost: Donation based event
Registration: Please let us know you are coming via email.  info@lavistaelc.org

8/23, 9/27, 10/25, 11/22       7:00 - 8:30 pm  

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Each evening we'll view a documentary described as "deeply subversive, challenging the status quo". Topics include education, ecology, eco-consciousness, future design.  If you enjoy ideas that turn our current worldview on its head, you will appreciate the perspectives offered in these films and the interesting conversations to follow.

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Cost: Donation based event
Registration: Please let us know you are coming via email.  info@lavistaelc.org

Mon., 9/16, 30; 10/7, 21; 11/4   7:00 - 8:30 pm  

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What we eat matters!  We will discuss how food choices have an impact on a range of issues, including ecosystem health, factory and farm worker treatment, our global economy and your family's health.

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Cost: Book of readings is $30 plus donation for hosting this course.
Registration: Please call 618-466-5004 by September 6th.

Sat., Oct. 5,    2:30 - 5:00 pm

Dr. Sasi returns to delight us with a second cooking class.  Join us and have your traditional ideas of how to cook turned on their heads.  Participants will do prep work as we create a meal sure to delight you in every way!  Learn to make authentic Sr Lankan dishes your can recreate at home.  Wake up to an alternative way to cook.

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Dr. Sasi Balasundaram is an anthropologist, farmer, food and environmental justice advocate. Cost: $15

Registration:  Send payment to 4300 Levis Lane Godfrey, IL  62035