a list

[Joelle Lyons Everett]

In a message dated 4/17/07 5:27:01 PM, raffi at BK.RU writes:


> 17. You get very anxious that the produce stalls are arranged in rows and
> not in a circle. And propose to the market coordinator that the run an OST
> meeting, "The Setup of Our Farmer's Market: issues and opportunities."
> 
> 18. You get even more anxious that the people working the stalls are not
> looking at people at other stalls to acknowledge all the wisdom present at
> the farmer's market.
> 
> 
I had a great friend (who unfortunately died of leukemia a few years ago) 
whose mission in life was to encourage meaningful conversations.   His annual 
birthday party was a wonderful, intergenerational gathering of friends and 
friends of friends--the invitation always included the line, "Someone will be there 
that you need to talk to."   Whenever I planned an event that would bring 
people together for important conversations, I could count on him to put up 
posters around the county.   After a conversation with Chuck, I knew I had been 
listened to with full attention, and heard.

At one point, he was the coordinator of the Olympia Farmers' Market, at a 
period when the market was outgrowing its space, and plans were being drawn up 
for a new market area.   He made three requests, which were honored:   

1.   Vendors were encouraged to sell some ready-to-eat foods, as well as 
fresh produce.
2.   A central area in the market would have tables where people could gather 
to eat and talk.
3.   Musicians were invited to play in the market area.

Thus, the market, which had been a place for selling and buying, became also 
a place for the community to come together and talk.

This all happened before I knew about Open Space, but Chuck was a wonderful 
example of someone who lived his life in open space.

Joelle







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