The Illusion of Money - Corvallis HOUR Exchange
Transcription
The Illusion of Money - Corvallis HOUR Exchange
HOUR Trader “Making Community Connections with Local Currency” Community Directory Issue #37 Spring 2011 The Illusion of Money ~ by David Korten In business school, we were taught to assess investment options to maximize financial return. I don’t recall that the professor ever mentioned that this meant maximizing returns to people who have money—to make rich people richer. Or that money is a system of power and that the more our lives depend on money, the greater our subservience to those who control the creation and allocation of money. Nor do I recall asking my professors, “What is money?” “Why do we assume that maximizing financial return maximizes the creation of real value?” “How does the conversion of natural living wealth to financial wealth create real value?” “What about the many fortunes built through financial speculation, fraud, government subsidies, the sale of harmful products, and the abuse of monopoly power?” I may have had some doubts, but kept them to myself for fear of being dismissed as hopelessly stupid. Perhaps those who taught us economics, finance, and accounting did not themselves recognize the difference between real living wealth and phantom financial wealth. Real wealth has intrinsic value. Examples include fertile land, healthful food, knowledge, productive labor, pure water and clean air, labor, and physical infrastructure. The most important forms of real wealth are beyond price and are unavailable for market purchase. These include healthy, happy children, loving families, caring communities, a beautiful, healthy, natural environment. Real wealth also includes all the many things of intrinsic artistic, spiritual, or utilitarian value essential to maintaining the various forms of living wealth. These may or may not have a market price. They include healthful food, fertile land, pure water, clean air, caring relationships and loving parents, education, health care, fulfilling opportunities for service, and time for meditation and spiritual reflection. Money, a number on a piece of paper or created with an accounting entry, has no intrinsic value. Wall Street generates it in astonishing quantities through accounting tricks, financial bubbles, and debt pyramids. It appears from nowhere and can disappear in an instant, as a phantom in the night. The market, of course, makes no distinction between the dollars acquired through means that enrich society, those created by means that impoverish society, and those simply created out of thin air. Those engaged in creating phantom wealth collect handsome “performance” fees for their services and walk away with their gains. When the bubble bursts, borrowers default on debts they cannot pay and the bubbles and debt pyramid collapse in a cascade of bankruptcies. It is easy to confuse phantom financial assets with the real wealth for which they can be exchanged. Indeed, the illusions of phantom wealth are so convincing that most Wall Street players believe they are creating real wealth. The market, of course, makes no distinction between the dollars acquired through means that enrich society, those created by means that impoverish society, and those simply created out of thin air. Money is money, and the more you have, the more the market eagerly responds to your every whim. It is still only a number with no existence outside the human mind. Those who benefit from the creation of phantom wealth may never realize that their gain is unfairly diluting everyone else’s claim to the available stock of real wealth. They may also fail to realize that Wall Street and its international counterparts have generated total phantom-wealth claims far in excess of the value of all the world’s real wealth, thus creating expectations of future security and comforts that can never be fulfilled. It is easy to confuse phantom financial assets with the real wealth for which they can be exchanged. The deceptions are built right into our language. We refer to speculation as “investment” and to phantom financial wealth as “capital.” Indeed, when we hear the terms wealth, capital, assets, or resources we have no way to know whether the reference is to a real asset or only to a phantom financial asset. Our language gives us no way to make this essential distinction. It is no wonder we get confused and fail to recognize that Wall Street produces nothing of real value. David Korten (livingeconomiesforum.org) is the author of Agenda for a New Economy, The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community, and the international best seller When Corporations Rule the World. He is board chair of YES! Magazine and co-chair of the New Economy Working Group. This Agenda for a New Economy is part of a blog series co-sponsored by CSRwire.com and YesMagazine.org based on excerpts from Agenda for a New Economy, 2nd edition. The ideas presented here are developed in greater detail in Agenda for a New Economy. Inside: Over 200 ways to use Corvallis’ local currency, HOURS. Use this list to find community-minded people and businesses, many of whom aren’t listed in the phone book or any other directory! H O U R E x c h a n g e w P.O. Box 1534 w Corvallis, OR 97339 w www.hourexchange.org Cultivating a Vision ~by Christina Calkins Springtime is always a fascinating time of year. Out of the winter doldrums comes a flush of new life on the landscape. It is the time when seeds that have been sleeping through the winter stir to life, sprouting fresh new beginnings. I have always thought of springtime as the season of the HOUR Trader. It was ten years ago in the spring that the HOURS currency got its start, and new ideas began bursting forth throughout Corvallis about how we would approach our future. In the last ten years there have been many organizations in our community cultivating a variety of approaches on how to help this region become sustainable. The HOUR Exchange is one approach that takes on the development of sustainable economies, and reshaping the belief that money is something from somewhere else. In 2002 we first broke ground with the idea of local currency, and it has been exciting to watch these young dreams and ideas take root. At the start of our tenth year I can see that this program is beginning to bloom into what it potentially could be. In our first five years founding members helped to build this organization from the ground up. When we started there was no “How to Start a Local Currency for Dummies” book. We didn’t mail order a starter kit. Relying on the model of the Ithaca HOUR (NY) that Paul Glover started in 1993, we created our own local version of the HOUR and the accompanying organization to promote community based economics. From the beginning this organization planned our system to operate with the help of volunteers, so the workload needed to be kept to a minimum. The program was planned to operate in the rhythm of the seasonal cycle. At the start of each season we publish a new directory of participants and hold a community gathering. We have gathered four times a year around the natural seasons for community celebrations throughout our existence. This seasonal model has been successful. This spring we held our 37th community gathering and this HOUR Trader marks our 37th issue. During these formative years we also focused on creating the basic systems of how we operate. This included practical things like membership forms and processes for accounting and the disbursment of the currency. We had to learn how to get these tasks done on a shoestring budget, and did so by creating a working Board of Trustees. In 2005 we incorporated as a non-profit and elected our first Board of Trustees. We adopted the mission of “…providing the education and tools to promote ecologically sustainable, community-based economics.” Our Board operates differently than a regular non-profit Board of Directors. We have no paid staff, so the work of our organization is accomplished by the Board members and their committees. This has helped us stay financially within our means and engages our membership in operations. It allows everyone to feel a sense of ownership and have an equal voice in what we are doing. Engaging people in civic participation is the type of future we need to grow. In 2010 our fifth elected Board of Trustees continued the rhythm of cycles, the latest pioneers driving the wagon for this new economic system for our region. Each of these Board members helps the energy of the organization continue to spread deeper roots, while we continue growing naturally in the community. It is deeply satisfying to be part of a community that encourages its members to build a sustainable future. What we are doing is demonstrating how we as a community can cultivate a shared vision. The future is in all of our hands; don’t ask for change in the world, be the change. This spring when you are out into the garden, remember that you play an integral part in growing sustainability in this community. Join in the areas that interest you and get involved. Collectively, we sow the seeds of solutions, ideas and dreams that will grow, blossom, and bring the harvest of a bright future. HOUR Trader Issue #37 Spring 2011 The HOUR Trader is the quarterly newsletter of the HOUR Exchange and is published in mid-March, June, September, and December. Short articles and items of interest are welcome. Please send email or standard mail to addresses below. Deadline is the first day of the month prior to new publication. Editor-in Charge: Christina Calkins Contributing Editors: Christina Sever Contributing Writers: Christina Calkins, Valerie Stanik, Illusion of Money Article by David Korten reprinted under the Creative Commons License with permission from Yes! Magazine. www.yesmagazine.org Event poster designer: Christina Calkins HOUR Trader design & production: Christina Calkins. The HOUR Trader and the HOUR Exchange accept no responsibility for the quality or availability of goods or services listed in the HOUR Trader. The HOUR Exchange is a non-profit organization providing education and tools to promote ecologically sustainable, community-based economics. To accomplish our mission we: HOUR We Doing? Over the past nine years 1,538 HOURS, or the equivalent of $15, 380.00, has been distributed to members of the HOUR Exchange. These HOURS have added tens of thousands of dollars worth of trade and commerce to our local economy. Having these extra dollars in circulation has helped people boost their income and encourages individuals to do jobs they enjoy. This issue of the HOUR Trader features the latest offerings of goods and services that can be purchased with HOURS. Now entering into our tenth year, the HOUR Exchange continues to be run as a non-profit organization by dedicated volunteers. This membership-based system is designed to keep the control of the currency in the hands of its participants, encouraging democratic participation. As our membership base expands, so does our overall level of participation. You can also contribute to the growth of our program by helping out as a volunteer and encouraging your friends and neighbors to join our network. 2010 Highlights The HOUR Exchange launches a new website which includes an online version of the HOUR Trader. Corvallis Hours joins the social network of Facebook with a fan and friend page. Through this new media we connect with Southtown resilience network and continue to reach new audiences. May 2010, The HOUR Exchange spoke on a panel at a Lane Community College discussing economic sustainability in collaboration with the Emerald Time Exchange. June 2010, Block party at FireWorks fundraiser raises $395 for the HOUR Exchange. October 2010, First Alternative Co-op members voted for the HOUR Exchange to receive the Carts for Corvallis Fundraiser in September 2011. ~ oversee the creation, issuance, and administration of a local currency; ~ produce a directory listing all currently registered members who agree to accept HOURS as some portion of payment for goods and/or services rendered; ~ actively work to promote acceptance of HOURS within the geographic area of focus; ~ and educate members and the community at large about the benefits of locally based economics. Membership is open to anyone living, working, or doing business in the Benton County. Members receive HOURS by placing an offer of an ongoing good or service listing. Support memberships are also welcome. 2010-2011 Board of Trustees: Courtney Childs, Joe Esker, Valerie Stanik, Raina Wickham. HOUR Exchange P.O. Box 1534 Corvallis, OR 97339 541-602-9546 hourexchange@peak.org www.hourexchange.org The HOUR Exchange Community Outreach participates at Sustainability Town Hall, Local 6 Breakfasts, and Corvallis Saturday Farmers Market. Membership 2010 2010 HOURS Circulation Statistics 93.0 40.0 53.0 HOURS disbursed to members HOURS to new members HOURS to renewing members Total HOURS in circulation = 1538.0 equivalent of $15,380.00 USD New Memberships 30% Renewing Memberships 70% Funding to produce the HOUR Trader comes from our display advertisers, all of whom accept HOURS. Please support these businesses whenever possible and mention that you saw their advertisements in the HOUR Trader. HOUR TRADER Directory The HOUR is our $10.00 bill This directory lists the individuals and businesses who have agreed to accept HOURS as full or partial payment for their goods, skills, and/or services. The Half HOUR is our $5.00 bill Use this list to find community-minded people and businesses, many of whom aren’t listed in the phone book or any other directory! The Quarter HOUR is worth $2.50 Call people on this list who are offering or asking for goods or services. The Eighth HOUR is worth $1.25 Offer any combination of direct trade, dollars, or HOURS. ACCOUNTING Accounting/ business bookeeping Joy 541-368-5575 BREWING SUPPLIES Fermentation supplies: beer, wine, cider, sake, mead Corvallis Brewing 758-1674 BUSINESS SERVICES ACUPUNCTURE Natural Healing Veterinary Acupuncture, 25% HR Dr. Becky Jester 503-867-3857 Acupuncture for Everyone! S/S $15-35 Corvallis Community Acupunture 753-8000 Green Job Search Assistance Human resource assistance & development ADVERTISEMENTS CAREGIVER - See also Nursing Advertisements in HOUR Trader-100% HRS Christina 753-0595 Michael Ken 757-7334 541-207-4688 APPLIANCE REPAIR Small appliance repair Handyman, gas appliance Art Journaling Workshop, supplies provided (excl.journal) jessica.varin@gmail(.)com Custom mixed media wall sculpture Alana 541-905-2111 Matted/framed nature/landscape photos Joe 908-1855 Watercolor cards Valerie 757-9820 BAKING Annette 230-1237 Melissa 231-7934 BARBER Simple cuts & trims Dave 758-3527 Mary’s Peak Botanicals 740-5949 Pacifica Coffee 760-2442 Mary’s Peak Botanicals 740-5949 BICYCLES Bicycle repair, csbikestowork.com Bicycle education and consulting Cycle Solutions Cycle Solutions Browsers Books CATERING In home catering, vegetarian& vegan, gluten free options Raina 541-609-0194 Prenatal & Postpartum Massage Beeara 752-1997 CHILDRENS’ Childrens clothing, furniture, accessories,maternity Replay Children’s Wear 753-6903 Infant massage & craniosacral instruction Beeara 752-1997 COMPUTER Computer service & sales Computer help & repair Rick Shafer Michael 738-0282 757-7334 Ken Williams 929-4296 COOKING COUNSELING - See also Health & Wellness, Life Strategies Counseling heartandsoulwellness.com Professonal counseling Tina Taylor, RN, MS 753-2255 Russ Phillips 752-1997 CRAFTS 740-0497 740-0497 Beads & classes 25% HOURS Day Dreamers 752-2323 DANCE LESSONS Contact Improv Lessons, heartandsoulwellness.com Tina Taylor, RN, MS753-2255 BOOKS Used books & DVD’s - 50% HRS Healthcare, 000044268CNA John M Burt 753-6094 Respite for MRDD children & their parents, 25 yrs exp.Michael S Baker 753-1461 Whole Foods, fermenting BEVERAGES Beer! Oregon Trail Brewery Honey Kombucha: aka “JUN” Fresh Organic Coffee, 3/4 HOUR per lb Wood-fired Artisan Chai Concentrates 541-410-7761 757-7334 CHILDBIRTH ART Bread, muffins, pies, cookies Vicki Cheryl 758-1121 Welcome to these new members, or to new offers by current members: Acupuncture: Corvallis Community Acupuncture Acupuncture: Dr. Becky Jester Art: Jessica Beverages: Mary’s Peak Botanicals Career Consulting: Dennis Food: Mary’s Peak Botanicals Graphic Design: Jessica Handmade Goods & Gifts: Alana Handmade Goods & Gifts: Colleen Health & Wellness: Margie Carlson Home Maintenance: Ben Small Massage: Margie Carlson Painting: David Kieres Pets: :Lisa Pets: Dave Kieres Photography: Kusra Stationary: Kusra Tutor: Lisa Veterinarian: Dr. Becky Jester Wildcrafting: Alana Writing: Jessica Yoga: Kusra HOUR Notes: Springtime Plant & Seed Swap Initial Your HOURS! How many initials do YOUR HOURS have? If you look at an HOUR note you might notice names and dates scrawled around the edges. We like to encourage members to initial and date their HOURS as they receive them. This is a sort of informal tracking method to see that the HOURS are cycling around in the community and the frequency at which they are being spent. When you see it has been traded 5, 6, 7 and more times you can multiply its value in our community! Initial your HOURS and see how long they take to get back to you! Join us for our 10th Annual Spring Gathering, Saturday, April 2, 3-6pm, at the Westminster House 121 NW 23rd Street in Corvallis. Gardeners and plant lovers are encouraged to bring seeds, starts, bulbs, plants, and other items for exchange. Please come prepared with established plants and label your plants well. This event has been a favorite of many in the past and is a great start to the upcoming gardening season. HOUR Exchange members are welcome and encouraged to bring other handmade goods or samples of items you make to show others and make trades. Contact Raina at 541-609-0194 for more information or email hourexchange@peak.org. 10 years, 10th HOUR Note As we enter into our tenth year, the idea of creating a tenth HOUR note to celebrate our tenth anniversary is being considered. A tenth HOUR note would be the equivalent of a $1 bill. If you have any interest in joining a steering committee on the planning and design of this exciting project, contact Christina at 541-753-0595 or email hourexchange@peak.org. Facebook Friends Find Corvallis Hours on Facebook. Facebook users can follow the HOUR Exchange to find out about upcoming events and more. Members are welcome to post on the wall to network with others. On Facebook, visit our fan page, Corvallis HOUR Exchange, and our profile page, Corvallis Hours. Share us with your friends digitally and you will virtually help our network here in Benton County grow strong! DELIVERIES Errands Posters and flyer distribution Kay Jennifer 753-3599 760-1045 EDITING - See also Writing Editing/proofreading: I’m better than a spell checker Marge Editing, proofreading Christina 754-3528 753-3913 EDUCATION - See also Tutoring Enneagram consults, group work Joe 908-1855 Tutor for GED, senior high lit, social studies, writing, biology classes. 1HR for 1hr. If I come to you, you pay gas/mileage George 207-3291 Human Anatomy & Physiology Courtney 766-8229 HOUR Traders Summer Folk Festival Please join us at the onset of summer for our Tenth Annual Summer Celebration & Local Folk Festival on Sunday, June 26th, from 1pm-10pm at FireWorks in South Corvallis. It’s a celebration of all things local: local food, arts, crafts, fun, with music and dancing throughout the afternoon and into the evening. This street party is one of our most anticipated events of the year. This event is also a fundraiser for the HOUR Exchange so drop by for some fun and know that your presence benefits the program! HOUR Traders welcome the community to vend their arts, crafts, and any other handmade, homemade, homegrown, or locally produced items. In addition, we invite folks to contact us if they would like to give demonstrations, organize activities or games, perform music, or dance. This is a celebration of all things local; we need you! For more information about how to get involved please contact Raina at 541-609-0194 or email hourexchange@peak.org. Gardening, now with bio-char! Jefferey Dodson 541-367-5750 Providing affordable garden help, 20% HOURS Gorilla Gardening367-5750 GARDEN PLANTS & ITEMS Earth’s Rising Trees 541-847-5950 Certified organic fruit tree nursery stock Veggie, herb, flower starts Margi 753-9507 Food harvest networking, and redistribution Ken Williams 929-4296 Organic plants, seeds, and veggie starts Raina 541-609-0194 GARDEN & FARM PRODUCE - See also Food FARMERS’ MARKET Cow milk, $6 gallon, raw or pastuerized Jude 929-5110 Goat dairy products & kid goats 4 Wands Farm 929-4354 Homemade fruit jam Mike 754-1858 Homesteading skils and products 4 Wands Farm 929-4354 Organic grown/wild mushrooms, outdoor/indoor kits The Mushroomery258-5855 Organic produce Kings Valley Garden 929-4054 Organic produce Raina 541-609-0194 World’s best eggs, all colors 4 Wands Farm 929-4354 Organic grown/wild mushrooms @ Corvallis markets The Mushroomery 258-5855 Pad Thai, Tofu burgers, pancakes, lemonade @ Sat. MarketTofu America 847-5950 GRAPHIC DESIGN FOOD - See also Beverages, Produce, Restaurants Graphic Design Powerpoint/Poster Design ELECTRONICS REPAIR Video games, ipods, phones Artisan bread made to order Food harvest networking, and redistribution Fix My Gadget 250-0349 Stasi 541-570-0423 Ken Williams 929-4296 Pad Thai, Tofu burgers, pancakes, lemonade @ Sat. Market Tofu America 847-5950 Cheese making supplies & ingredients Tempeh, soyless, fresh & alive Corvallis Brewing 758-1674 Mary’s Peak Botanicals740-5949 FORESTRY - See also Land Management Forestry consulting Steve 231-0878 GARDENING - See also Lawn & Yard Work Compost Compost tea advice on soil fertility Soilsmith Services, Inc 231-3225 Soilsmith Services, Inc 231-3225 John Ame 231-7428 jessica.varin@gmail(.)com HANDMADE GOODS & GIFTS - See also Art, Jewelry, Pottery Hand beaded jewelry, at HOUR Markets, 100% Christina 753-0595 Handmade journals: 100 pages, hardboard covers, leather Shari Ame 231-0229 Handmade gifts - 25% HOURS Day Dreamers 752-2323 Hand-tied OR fishing flies Vicki 541-410-7766 Knit hats, scarves, wrist warmers Colleen 758-8210 Lavendar Sachees, 100% HOURS Alana 905-2111 Sock Monkeys Raina 541-609-0194 Watercolor cards Valerie 757-9820 KEEP THIS LIST BY THE PHONE FOR USE THROUGH JUNE 2011 THANKS! Thanks to contributions of our volunteers over the last season: Courtney Childs, Cheryl Good, Michael Vilardos, Raina Wickham, Carolyn Fonyo, Valerie Stanik, Zuzana, Joe Esker, Eric Nicholson, Christina Calkins, Jennifer V., Christina Sever, Alana Kenagy, Stephanie and Xia, Greg, Quija Moonflower, Dimitri, Donna Pezzulo and Raina, Kate, Jared Good, Terra Connors. Thank you for your time and support! Calendar All members are welcome and encouraged to attend any or all of these events. April 5 – Board of Trustees, organizational meeting, 5PM, 101 NW 23rd Street, Corvallis April 18 – Currency Disbursement, 6PM, Corvallis Public Library, Upstairs Study Room May – Board of Trustees, organizational meeting, 101 NW 23rd Street, Corvallis, date and time TBA June 1 - HOUR Trader deadline for new listings, membership renewals, articles, display ads June – Board of Trustees, organizational meeting, 101 NW 23rd Street, Corvallis, date and time TBA June 6 - Currency Disbursement, 6PM, Corvallis Public Library, Upstairs Study Room June 21 – Summer Solstice, longest day of the year June 26 – Summer Celebration & Local Folk Festival, 1pm-10pm, FireWorks Restaurant, Corvallis JEWELRY - continued HAULING Enclosed cargo trailer Have truck, you load Mark Meyer Kay 368-5369 753-3599 HEALING ARTS - See also Acupuncture, Massage, Yoga Craniosacral Therapy Russ Phillips Herbal Health Consultations Margi Massage Instruction, 1HOUR/hour LMT#2109 John M. Burt Massage w/Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Beeara 752-1997 753-9507 753-6094 752-1997 HEALTH & WELLNESS - See also Nutritional Healing, Vitamins Ayurveda Consultations Margie Carlson 760-7587 Exercise Buddy/Advisor Marge 754-3528 Gluten free Consultation Marge 754-3528 Individual EDGU, evolutionary spinal maintenance Kusra Kapuler 207-4434 Stress solutions, heartandsoulwellness.com Tina Taylor, RN, MS 753-2255 HERBAL PRODUCTS Herbal Education Medicinal Herb Tinctures Organic echinacea & other tinctures Organic medicinal mushroom tinctures Wildcrafted local medicine Margi 753-9507 Margi 753-9507 Kim 847-6178 The Mushroomery258-5855 Mama Donna’s Herbs 753-0450 HOME MAINTENANCE Caprentry, painting, trellis Handyman, partial HOURS/Trades Ben Small Mark Meyer 757-0759 368-5369 Lani 753-7389 HOUSESITTING Housesitting JEWELRY Bead jewelery Beaded jewelry 26 Zuzana Kate 757-3606 758-7075 Beaded jewelry - Lizzies Pretties Enamel, ceramic, metal, mixed media Freshwater pearls, hand-painted eggs Gemstone designs, Dancing Stones Hand beaded barrettes, pouches, custom work Jewelry beading repair, 1HR per hr work Jewelry repair/Hospital for lost earrings Miscelania Jewelers: Earrings by Ivy & Rachel OR Outback Beaded Jewelry Liz 541-207-5168 Alana 541-905-2111 Claude 752-1726 Donna Pezzullo 753-0450 Christina 753-0595 Cheryl 757-7334 Alana 541-905-2111 Ivy & Rachel 753-4617 Vicki 541-410-7761 LAND MANAGEMENT Medicinal plant ID on your land Margi 753-9507 LAWN & YARDWORK -See also Gardening,Tree Services, Landscaping Pruning Scything, push mowing Courtney Ken Williams 766-8229 929-4296 LESSONS Art lessons tailored to specific interests Watercolor for children & beginners Alana Valerie 541-905-2111 757-9820 MASSAGE THERAPISTS: OR LICENSED 1hr Massage Therapy, 20 yrs exp, blended modalityMaggie Carlson 760-7587 Classes, group or private, heartandsoulwellness.com Tina Taylor, RN, MS 753-2255 Massage, LMT#16829 Carolyn, LMT 760-4196 Infant massage& craniosacral instruction Beeara 752-1997 Massage w/Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Beeara 752-1997 Massage, 3 HOURS, LMT#2109 John M. Burt 753-6094 Massage Instruction, 1 HOUR/hour, LMT#2109 John M. Burt 753-6094 Prenatal & Postpartum Massage Beeara 752-1997 MEDIATION Mediation heartandsoulwellness.com Tina Taylor, RN, MS 753-2255 Get the full natural experience right here at home! 541-753-7689 www.neighborhood-naturalist.com neighborhood naturalist • Quarterlynewsletter featuringnature intheWillamette Valley.Freeemail subscription. • Free,monthlylocal fieldtrips. • Localnaturemovies onDVDandbird soundsonCD. MUSIC LESSONS Fiddle lessons: Irish, scottish, old-timey, beggining-advanced Shari Ame 231-0229 Guitar Lessons Eric Nicholson 683-5532 Marimba from Zimbabwe, all ages Ancient Ways 541-258-8710 MUSICAL PERFORMANCE Live background piano music Marimba from Zimbabwe Performer/musician, singer/songwriter Joe 908-1855 Ancient Ways 541-258-8710 Eric Nicholson 683-5532 Neighborhood Naturalist 753-7689 NUTRITION Quality vitamins, minerals & herbal supplements Stoker’s Vitaworld 754-8487 Alana 905-2111 Christina 753-0595 The Mushroomery 258-5855 Steve 231-0878 Ken Williams 929-4296 WOODWORKING 368-5369 WRITING - See also Editing Technical documentation. Exact, expedient, flexible. Dave 231-5734 Poetry Critiques/Workshops jessica.varin@gmail(.)com YOGA NURSING Private duty RN heartandsoulwellness.com Tina Taylor, RN, MS 753-2255 ORGANIZATIONAL SERVICES Grassroots Organizational Consulting Alana Organizing/fundraising/event planning Valori Computer spreadsheet design & programming Dave Document layout & formatting Dave Meeting planning / facilitation Cheryl Technical documentation. Exact, expedient, flexible. Dave 541-905-2111 766-8229 231-5734 231-5734 757-7334 231-5734 1 hour per full session Laura Pagano Gouy, blisslikethisyoga.com Yoga & EDGU Kusra Kapuler 207-4434 Yoga/meditation heartandsoulwellness.com Tina Taylor, RN, MS 753-2255 WANTED Items and services our members have requested OUTDOOR RECREATION Free Nature Walks Bulk dried lavendar buds California white sage, 1/4 HR per bundle Ethically wildcrafted mushrooms Mushrooms: chantrelles, boletes, shitakes, more Seaweed Custom work, see markmeyerwoodworking.com Mark Meyer NATURAL WORLD Free Nature Walks WILDCRAFTING Neighborhood Naturalist 753-7689 PAINTING Painting; 100% HOURS, Outdoor/Indoor Dave Kieres 971-645-3736 PETS Pet sitter Lisa 738-2889 Pet sitting & Bathing Kay 753-3599 Weekday dog walks Dave Kieres 971-645-3736 Used 50-100 CD changer Alana 905-2111 FOR SALE Help find these fine items a new home Brand new HP 15 cartridge, still in package Christina 753-0595 Matching quilt fabrics>fat quarter, 6 1/4 yds total jessica.varin@gmail(.)com Modern clothing patterns, factory folded, size 12-24 jessica.varin@gmail(.)com PHOTOGRAPHY Photographer Photography Portrait Photography Caroline 503-957-8003 Kusra Kapuler 207-4434 Alana 541-905-2111 POTTERY Functional Pottery - mugs, bowls, etc Zuzana 757-3606 “Inflation is when you pay fifteen dollars for the ten-dollar haircut you used to get for five dollars when you had hair.” - Sam Ewing RECYCLING Where to recycle, ?’s, help Michael 757-7334 REPAIRS Repair for your items (jewelry, sewing, etc.) Cheryl 757-7334 RESTAURANTS & CAFES Max 1 HOUR with $20 minimum purchase FireWorks 754-6958 Pad Thai, Tofu burgers, pancakes, lemonade @ Sat. Market Tofu America 847-5950 SEWING Mending - nothing too small Cheryl STATIONARY: CARDS, PAPER, JOURNALS Botanical Greeting Cards Handmade cards Nature note cards/stationary Participating members of the HOUR Exchange get the best advertising deal around. Display advertising is available to our members at an exceptional value. Keep your advertising dollars local by supporting in the HOUR Trader! 757-7334 Kusra Kapuler Kate Zuzana 207-4434 758-7075 757-3606 Courtney 766-8229 TREE SERVICES Pruning - fruit and ornamental It’s the best deal around. TUTORING - See also Education Basic Windows computer skills Courtney 766-8229 Grades K-6, credentialled teacher Lisa 738-2889 Tutor for GED, senior high lit, social studies, writing, biology classes. 1HR for 1hr. If I come to you, you pay gas/mileage George 207-3291 Buisness Card Size $30.00 per issue $100.00 - 1 yr/ 4 issues (1 year - $30.00 savings!) 2” x 5” Size $45.00 per issue $150.00 - 1 yr/ 4 issues (1 year - $55.00 savings!) 5” x 5” Size $80.00 per issue $250.00 - 1 yr/ 4 issues (1 year - $70.00 savings!) VETERINARIAN Natural Healing Veterinary Acupuncture, 25% HR Dr. Becky Jester 503-867-3857 VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS Quality vitamins, minerals & herbal supplements Stoker’s Vitaworld754-8487 And, yes, we take 100% HOURS for advertising. For more information contact Christina at hourexchange@peak.org. Ask about our Supporting Business Membership plan! HOUR TOWN Meet some of the participants of the HOUR Exchange. This is their story of how they have been trading HOURS for goods and services that they can use. Sharilyn Ame has been a participant in the HOUR Exchange since it was founded in 2002. She has earned HOURS over the years selling pottery, teaching fiddle, performing fiddle, and singing. She has also made journals for HOURS, too. She has spent the HOURS earned on eggs, cheese, jewelry, plant starts and candles. She has bought meals at Nearly Normal’s and Tofu America, bareroot trees from Earth Rising, Zuzana’s gift cards, blueberries from Andrea at Kings Valley Gardens, mushrooms from Steve, for purchases at the businesses Purple Moon and Corvallis Brewing Supply, and hired Paul to build a canoe trailer for our bikes. “I am deeply excited by the work of building local culture and networking with people who are taking control of their lives. Teaching fiddle and building a momentum for folk music in Corvallis is a key part of that work for me, building a sustainable local culture, where people can choose to turn off the TV and play music with friends, meeting their own needs without imported inputs. Plus I’ve met some wonderful, strong and beautiful people through the HOUR Exchange, and I have a real sense of belonging to this place and this community because of that.” Seeding the Future Replay Children’s Wear in Corvallis recently joined the HOUR Exchange. People may use HOURS in the store towards their purchases of children’s clothing, bedding, shoes, maternity wear, toys, children’s equipment and furniture. Replay uses the HOURS that they earn to pay people for work in our store tagging, hanging, and sorting merchandise. “It excites us to know that the HOURS are earned and traded in the community. We do as much as we can to support our community by supplying a reasonably priced alternative for children’s clothing, maternity, bedding, furniture and equipment.” Laura Pagano-Gouy owns the Bliss Like This Yoga Studio in South Corvallis and accepts One HOUR towards a full session of yoga. She offers a flowing, dynamic form of Yoga called Vinyasa as well as a complementary form called Yin. She also offers Prenatal Yoga and Mama Baby Yoga. As a newer member of the Exchange, she is looking at spending some of her HOURS on sewing, music lessons, and handyman services. “I think the HOUR Exchange is a progressive and a responsible response to some of the concerns that face humans today. I also think it is so important for communities to wake up to these issues and create solutions. I want to be part of the solution!” HOUR Town is a regular feature in the HOUR Trader and we would like to include you in an upcoming issue. Send your name and phone number or email address to hourexchange@peak.org. We will help share your story and experience with the community. PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER Corvallis Hours Supporting Business Members Volunteers needed to help us plant the seeds for a sustainable economy in our region. There are many ways to contribute. Different volunteer positions are available so you can contribute one time or an ongoing basis. q q q q q q q q Board of Trustees (meets monthly) Business Outreach (quarterly) Community Outreach (different tasks & variable time commitments) Contributing writers to the HOUR Trader (once or every 3 months) Events committee (meet every 6 weeks) Help table at community events (occasionally) HOURS distribution to members (once every 6 weeks) Musicians and entertainers (at quarterly potlucks) Contact hourexchange@peak.org or 541-753-0595 For more information about business memberships visit our website at www.hourexchange.org - memberships, or email hourexchange@peak.org. My Side of the Elephant ~ by Valerie Stanik We are not out of money, darn it. This attitude is an illusion based on ingrained conditioning that leads to the belief that the U.S. dollar is the only form of money. If this were true, civilization would have failed to thrive and ended long ago. In our lifetime, yes, the dollar seems essential, but for those who are not able to earn “enough” dollars, temporarily or otherwise, a deeper look might be in order. What is money? One way to think of money is as stored energy. I also strongly concur with the concept that money, in its ultimate definition, is an agreement between users that the currently used symbol represents stored energy and is tradable for any other form of energy that the users have to offer. In the past, this symbol, or agreement, has been in the physical form of salt, gold, cattle, and myriad other solid goods viewed by the culture as valuable. Currently, this symbol is commonly the U.S. dollar. This U.S. dollar is gradually evolving into other symbols such as the credit card or electrons flowing through cyber space. HO U R E X C H A N G E Making Community Connections with Local Currency ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP ENROLLMENT: All persons, businesses, and organizations supportive of the HOUR Exchange are eligible for membership. As a participating member, your ongoing listing of goods and/or services will be published in the next four issues of the HOUR Trader and you are entitled to one vote at membership meetings. New participating members are eligible to receive 2 HOURS by mail, renewing members receive a 1 HOUR. Supporting memberships (no listings) are also welcome. NEW RENEWAL SUPPORTING As a participating member I agree to accept HOURS as full or partial payment for the goods and/or services listed below. I am responsible for the trade of the goods/services listed below and will notify the HOUR Exchange if my contact information changes. Printed name_________________________________________ Signature_____________________________________________ Address______________________________________________ ____________________________________________ E-mail_______________________________________________ Yes, I could help as a volunteer. Listings in the HOUR Trader are published both in print and online. Listings are limited to 60 characters per line including name and phone number. Please use additional paper for more listings. You listings will run for four consecutive issues. Category: Offer: Details NAME (as you want it listed) Phone Category: Offer: Details NAME (as you want it listed) Phone Category: Offer: Details NAME (as you want it listed) Phone Listings for Wanted or For Sale sections: Listings are limited to 60 characters per line, items will run one issue. WANTED FOR SALE NAME (as you want it listed) Phone WANTED FOR SALE NAME (as you want it listed) Phone # of Listings x $1 = ______ Basic Membership $10-$30 = ______ Low Income/Student Membership $7 = ______ Total Enclosed _______ Mail this form with payment to: HOUR Exchange, P.O. Box 1534, Corvallis, OR, 97339. Make checks payable to the HOUR Exchange. Sponsorships available. HOURS are distributed every 6 weeks. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY: Payment Received Date Recieved Renewal SP SU FA WI HOUR DISBURSEMENT HOURS to be disbursed Date disbursed There are other forms of this agreement or stored energy. In localities around the world, local currency and the local people who use it are alive and well. The city of Corvallis, in the county of Benton, Oregon, as many readers already know, is fortunate to have one of these local currencies already in use and available to anyone who lives, works, or does business in Benton County and desires to participate. Anyone who has skills, goods or services to offer is a potential receiver of this local currency called the HOUR. In our little network of the HOUR Exchange, HOURS earned by the seller can be used to purchase any of the other goods, services and skills offered by others in our network. Take a look at the list just inside this issue of the HOUR Trader. You can change your conditioned perspective and agree that HOURS store community energy and help keep your local economy thriving and sustainable, all without the dollar. The HOUR Trader is published quarterly and we include MY SIDE OF THE ELEPHANT as a forum to explore the larger point of view. Do you have insights, ideas, theories, experiences, or some innate wisdom regarding local currency? Send your name and a phone number or e-mail address to hourexchange@peak.org. We’ll help you put your view of the elephant into print. RETURN THIS COUPON BY JUNE 1, 2011 TO BE LISTED IN THE NEXT ISSUE Accountant, Acupuncture, Art Supplies, Auto Mechanic, Auto Detailing, Barber, Bed & Breakfast, Calligraphy, Car washing, Carpentry, Catering, Children’s Parties, Chimney Sweep, Clothing, Cut Flowers, Dance lessons, Dentist, Farmers Market Vendors, Feng Shui, Floor Refinishing, Garden Rototilling, General Labor, Gutter Cleaning, Hair Salon, Interior Decorating, Knife & Tool Sharpening, Naturopath, Painter, Plumber, Produce & Farmers, Restaurants, Rototilling, Roofing, Shoe Repair, Stained Glass, Wooden Kitchen Tools, Welding, Tax Preparer, Taxi Service, Tree Pruning, Veterinarian,Window Washing, Web Design, Yoga All of this and more can be listed in the HOUR Trader. What do you have to offer?
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