I’m
writing
to invite you to the screening of an exciting new film, ‘The Economics
of Happiness’, showing Friday, February 22nd at the downtown Indiana
Theater.
This is the first in a series of films and discussions hosted by The
Indiana County Center for Community Growth, a new citizen organization
in
Indiana
focused on the economy, sustainability, and social justice projects.
The film series features a movie screening on the last Friday of
every
month – February to July – and includes a group discussion on how to get
involved with issues locally.
All films are open to
the
public. Admittance is a suggested $5 donation, and each film is
scheduled for 7:30pm at the Indiana Theater in Downtown Indiana. Below
is
a description of the first four films in the series.
‘The Economics of Happiness’ (2011), our first film in
the
series, explores the global economy and the focus on growth and
increased production at the expense of the well-being of individuals and
the
environment. Featuring international voices, especially from women, the
film examines how buying local food and goods contributes to a
healthy
local environment and economy. The Center believes that the objective of
establishing a sustainable economy is relevant to the
Indiana
community, and that the film will provide a solid starting point from
which to begin discussing ways of improving our local economy.
Screening:
Friday, February 22, 7:30pm. Preview: http://www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org/
Divide’ (2012) documents the 18-month investigation by the Ohio
newspaper the ‘Public Herald’
into the environmental and health impacts of shale oil and gas
fracturing at the headwaters of the triple continental divide of north
central
Pennsylvania. The investigation exposes a multitude of recurring
problems, from illness, to the fragmentation of forests, to the danger
of
contamination to rivers and watersheds in the entire northern Appalachia
region. The Directors of ‘Triple
Divide’,
Melissa Troutman and Joshua B. Pribanic, will be joining us for the
discussion of the film. Screening: Friday, March 29,
7:30pm.
‘YERT: Your Environmental Road Trip’ (2013) documents
an unlikely group of artists and scientists on a yearlong road
trip
to find innovative thinkers and doers who are creating environmentally
sustainable design and technology. Humorous, powerful, refreshing, and
in
all ways unorthodox, “YERT” takes an unexpected approach to finding
environmental solutions, and opens our eyes to the creative potential of
the
individual to make a difference in the world.
Screening: Friday, April 26, 7:30pm.
‘Urban
Roots’ (2011)
ventures
into the lives and challenges faced by residents of Detroit, Michigan to
show how a new movement in community gardening can bring vitality and
unity
to a city struggling in the wake of industrial collapse. ‘Urban Roots’
is a poignant demonstration of the power of community and presents
urban
gardening as a new approach to restoring health and revitalizing the
economy. Screening: Friday, May 31,
7:30pm
At each film a discussion will be held to generate ideas about
how to begin addressing related issues
in
Indiana County. Representatives from local organizations will also be
present to speak with interested audience members about their work
in
the community, and how others can get involved. Your participation in
these discussions will be appreciated. Student attendance vouchers will
be
available.
If you would like to become involved in planning the series, or
if
you would like to support this event financially, e-mail us at theindianacenter@gmail.com. You may also contact event organizers for
more
details:
· Lindsey Quakenbush, l.s.quakenbush@iup.edu
· Amanda Poole, pooleab@iup.edu
·
Susan Comfort, Susan.Comfort662@gmail.com
· G.
Smith,
g.e.smith@gmail.com
· Rev. Joan Sabatino, joansab@comcast.net
More about our upcoming films can also be found here http://theindianacenter.wordpress.com/ or at “The Indiana County Center
for
Community Growth” Facebook page. Donations at any level would be appreciated and can be made at
http://theindianacenter.wordpress.com/about/become-a-member/.
Sincerely,
Susan Comfort