Upcoming screening features a documentary that says the future is ours to fix
After several years of trudging through economic hardship, it can be overwhelming to think about the future. But what if all people need is a boost of inspiration to think outside the box in order to create jobs and build economic prosperity? That’s the message in the PBS documentary Fixing the Future, which Transition Santa Cruz and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) will be hosting a free screening of on Tuesday, Aug. 28.
The film itself features host David Brancaccio visiting people and organizations across America who are determined to reinvent the American economy. The film highlights effective, creative community practices such as local business alliances, community banking, time banking/hour exchange, worker cooperatives and local currencies.
“It’s a good sign of the times . . . [and it] does a good job of covering the efforts of people to re-localize their local economics in their own communities,” Transition Santa Cruz committee member Rick Longinott says of the film. He believes it may lend insight into how to remedy Santa Cruz’s own current economic situation, given that “our employment rate is higher than the national average,” he says. The county’s unemployment rate was 9.7 percent in July, according to the Employment Development Department, compared to 8.2 percent nationally and 10.8 percent in California.
“We still have a lot to learn about how to be more economically resilient,” says Longinotti.
Fixing the Future will screen on Tuesday, Aug. 28 at the Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. There will be a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. followed by the film at 7 p.m. Family friendly event. Admission is free, however donations are welcome. For more information, or to coordinate carpool rides, the organization asks that you email ra*****@cr****.com .
