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Ok, so maybe that title is a bit over the top, but it expresses how I felt awhile ago when I noticed a little eco-urban love-fest happening on our very own website.

Floyd was actually the one who pointed it out to me. Joy at Café Refugio left a comment on our Midtown beekeepers page announcing that her shop would soon be carrying their honey. Let it be known that we had nothing whatsoever to do with this connection, other than simply celebrating both of their eco-urbanist efforts.

What Makes a Hero?
Actually, this simple exchange represents one of the very reasons why we included the Heroes page on our site. If our mission is to be a catalyst for social change towards eco-urban community, it has to be a foregone conclusion that “its not all about us.” We recognize that people everywhere are doing things to make a difference, both here in Sacramento and elsewhere. They do it because they care, because they’ve got their eyes open and see that it takes individuals acting in good conscience with everyday-type decisions to change anything, because they aren’t satisfied with the normal excuses for doing nothing (namely, apathy, cynicism and ignorance); often they do it because their own quality of life is better for it. Sometimes, these good people have chosen a few focal points within their sphere of influence to really make their mission; sometimes, they’ve got their hands in all kinds of related activity. And sometimes, its just a single, simple action, diligently applied or one, humble choice in the face of difficult obstacles. And these people—our Hereos–often do what they do without any recognition, because recognition isn’t really their end goal. Which means they usually don’t see themselves as “Heroic” material at all.

But we do.

A Microcosm of Eco-Urban Community
So, being the community-minded folk we are, we decided these people needed a place to be affirmed for what they are doing, and to see what other people are doing and be inspired. We hoped that as the page grew, visitors would find new ways to make a difference or make connections with others who are making a difference. Actually, in a small way, the page would reflect the kind of community we ideally envisioned forming in the projects we’re building. Can you imagine living in a community where you and your neighbors each care enough to “do something (anything) to make a difference”? I can. Its what we’re working to create.

So, here we are, only three “Heroes” into it (a fourth Hero is forthcoming soon…) and its already beginning to happen. With one simple exchange—local honey at a local coffee shop–the world is better, cleaner, healthier and happier. How cool is that!

So, our thanks once again to Joy Moscovian and Erik and Makayla for being your wonderful eco-urbanist selves and demonstrating to us the simple but incredible potential of an eco-urban community.

Doing Something
Hopefully, you’re now thinking, “that’s cool, I should nominate someone”… or “maybe I should tell them about the stuff I’m doing.” If you are, DO (we’ll even give you a free coffee at Refugio to do it)! We figure, the more people are featured the more we’ll see the kinds of exchanges like the one that prompted this entry. Community forms, the world is a better place to live and everyone wins. Or you could drop your own line of encouragement in the comments section, because when you’re in the marathon of “making a difference,” its nice to have some cheering along the way.

Jason

P.S. Update on the Midtown Beekeepers, they’ve grown to about 45 hives and are stilling selling out fast. Oh yeah, and Joy’s had a few leads on unbleached napkins.