Here's what's going on recently:

We asked folks what they'd like to see in the way of amenities. The short list: do something with the privy, build showers. We've been working on these but the down side was having to raise the rates for events.

The tanked privy, although much nicer and equal to 5 porta potties, requires a visit from the honey wagon after each event, sometimes during too. The tank holds 275 gallons and costs $1/gallon (roughly) to have it pumped.

So, here's a story that we've been keeping up on, and we wanted to do our part to spread the word. While we haven't had the legal difficulties they have, we are still watching them closely because we see a lot of parallels between the Maetreum and own endeavors here at ASP. The Wild Hunt has a series of articles which give a pretty good rundown. 

I light this candle of Healing and Peace that is may shine it's light on the victims of the tragedy in New Town, CT.

NPR just published an article with pictures taken in South Africa, Costa Rica, and an Iowa cornfield.  The results are shocking: Hundreds of plant, animal, and insect species within a one square meter area of the grass and treetops- 

Happy birthday to ASP's founder and abbess, Sue!  The ASP community is grateful for all you've done here.

Tomorrow is our Samhain event! 

While many people observe the holiday on the same day as Halloween, Oct 31, the actual astrological date falls in the first week of November this year.  Like any other sabbat date based on the agricultural cycles, the dates are largely determined by the local climate- Beltaine is held when the last frost has just passed, Lammas is held when the grain is ready to be harvested. 

This recent piece in the New York Times points out that a more natural and balanced approach to farming can (surprise, surprise) equal or exceed the results of factory farming- Less waste, less polutants, and all at no loss of profits.