High Technology: Smart Antennae Guides Grader Blade on our Emerging Landscape

Member David Tucker took this photo on Tuesday evening from near the top of our building site.You can see one person still working on a bulldozer to the right. Attached to the post in the center of this picture is what looks like a Trimble Antennae - maybe an SPS585 GNSS Smart Antennae - which is part of a GNSS-based guidance system that controls the blade of a grader so that the grading will be accurate.

The wire next to the post runs down to what looks like a large car or marine battery on the ground. You can see the Trimble receiver mounted on a high pole at the front of the bulldozer.

Polished Concrete Floors - A Good Choice for our Commonhouse

We are seriously considering using Polished Concrete flooring in our commonhouse as well as some of our individual units. It's a "green" choice, has low maintenance, is durable, and is more attractive than you might think. If you'd like to know more, here's a good link: http://www.homedit.com/guide-to-polished-concrete-floors/

Field Trip on Friday!
We expect construction on the Prairie Hill commonhouse to begin very soon, and we've decided to see a variety of  polished concrete flooring to help us in decision-making. This Friday, May 12, we are taking a tour of several local businesses that have chosen polished concrete in their buildings. If you're interested in joining us, please email nanjfawcett@gmail.com for more details. We'll be starting at 4:30 on the west side of Iowa City, and will end up in North Liberty to see one last floor in a restaurant where we can also share a meal.

Grand Celebration on Prairie Hill Site

On Friday, April 21, Great Western Bank sponsored a celebration to mark the completion of our construction loan with them. They are proud to be financing the first cohousing community in Iowa, and we are delighted to have the loan application over and accepted. Steve Schmidt, our general contractor, cleared off an area on the east side of the infrastructure work, and a canopy was set up. Tables were spread with delicious edibles, and champagne was served to toast the project and our wonderful professionals who have all helped make Prairie Hill Cohousing possible.

Here is a list of all the professionals who were able to make it to the celebration. Of course, there are many others who have been part of the work and were not present but who are equally appreciated.

Great Western Bank: Rick Oehler, Melissa Schooley and Patrick Donnelly

Apex Construction: Steve Schmidt, General Contractor

John Shaw, architect

C-Wise Designing and Consulting: Martha Norbeck, architect and LEED consultant

Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County: Tracey Achenbach and Casey Cooper (staff). Ellen Habel and Jerry Anthony (board of directors)

The Housing Fellowship: Maryann Dennis, Executive Director. Mike Dennis and Silas Hugill (staff)

City of Iowa City: Jim Throgmorton, Mayor

Cohousing: An Antidote to Isolation

We will all experience loneliness at some point in our lives, but it doesn't stem from being alone. It comes from a lack of connection. Loneliness can be the result of our built environments, the very homes we choose to live in, says architect Grace Kim. She notes that many of us live in homes where we don't really know our neighbors, which can contribute to a sense of isolation. An increasing number of people are choosing to live instead in cohousing spaces, where they still have their own home but share indoor and outdoor spaces with neighbors. "It's not a new concept; it's an age-old way of living," says Kim. And in a time when loneliness has been called a public health epidemic, with isolated individuals facing a higher risk of death, the stakes couldn't be higher. "Cohousing could save your life," she says.
From Fast Company: Are Dorms For Adults The Solution To The Loneliness Epidemic?
<https://www.fastcompany.com/40413748/are-dorms-for-adults-the-solution-to-the-loneliness-epidemic>

Grace Kim imagines a future of cohousing as an antidote to social isolation.

Photo by Bret Hartman/TED

She speaks at TED2017, April 26, 2017, Vancouver, BC Canada:
http://blog.ted.com/connection-and-community-the-talks-of-session-7-of-ted2017/

Cohousers Well Represented on Earth Day Weekend

Barbara Schlacter Run/Walk Fundraiser for Victims of Climate Change, 4/22:
The fun began at 8:30 at City Park. Excitement was high as people of all ages and abilities gathered to first hear Mel Schlacter speak about his wife's unbounded and enthusiastic work on the challenge of climate change. Then the "race" began, runners first and then walkers. We trekked the 4.1 miles from City Park to the Terry Trueblook Recreation Area (some of us wiping out half-way and going the last 2 miles in a shuttle). We were glad to find edibles and drink at the end, as well as various tables displaying information about local environmental organizations including Prairie Hill. And we were inspired about positive steps addressing climate change from several speakers, including Iowa City mayor Jim Throgmorton. By signing the Covenant of Mayors in February 2015, Iowa City has joined mayors of 7,400 cities in committing to take effective climate action.

 Prairie Hill Display

 Mayor Jim Throgmorton speaking to the crowd

New Bo Market Eco Fest - Earth Day Celebration in Cedar Rapids, 4/22:

As some of us were running/walking on Saturday morning, others set up our display in Cedar Rapids outside New Bo Market. This event attracted families with children, who enjoyed doing origami at our table with member Carolyn Dyer and others. We had the chance to tell everyone about how wonderful Prairie Hill will be for parents and children.

 Carolyn folding butterflies

A family looking at Prairie Hill photos

Gloria Zmolek with the new 4-fold display

East Side Recycling Center: Craft Your Environment, 4/23:
And finally on Sunday, we were represented yet again, joining Donna Rupp with her wonderful display of art made from the creative re-use of materials. There was plenty of room to put up our own Prairie Hill exhibit, and we continued to spread the word.

All in all, a busy weekend! And a good one for reaching out to the wider community.

Iowa City is rated as the second best place to live in the US in 2017!

We know it's a great place to live. That's why we've chosen it as the location of Prairie Hill Cohousing. But it is nice to have that confirmed by Livability. Check out what they have to say about our city: http://livability.com/ia/iowa-city/real-estate/why-iowa-city-iowa-is-a-top-100-best-place-to-live.

Last Installment about Great Oak Cohousing: Community Meetings and Common House

ALL-COMMUNITY MEETINGS:

Frequency: Great Oak used to have a community business meeting twice a month. Then they decided to have only one of these two meetings focused on community business, and to devote the other one (called "alternative meeting") to other things: teaching a craft, show and tell, fun activities, or if needed, planning for something that has come up quickly.

Facilitation:  Good facilitation is the most important factor for good meetings. The whole Great Oak community has been trained in facilitation techniques. Each meeting is led by two co-facilitators. Not only does this help during the meetings, but there is also a half hour of de-briefing for the facilitators after each meeting. With so many people being trained to facilitate, there is a large pool to draw from. Having co-facilitators means there is a wider range of skills represented, there is someone to take over if one facilitator has to leave early or arrive late, or when one facilitator is presenting an item.

Agenda:

1. Introductions of new people or guests 
2. Welcome and Ice-Breaker
3. Agenda Review
4. 2-3 agenda items
5. Announcements
6. Evaluation (by group) of meeting

Committee Reports: Great Oak does not include committee reports in their all-member meetings. Committees meet once or twice a month. Meeting minutes are taken at each meeting and are sent by email to all members.

Decisions: Decisions are made by consensus. 

COMMON HOUSE

After the relatively large Common House in their original design, Great Oak Cohousing built a smaller common house because of the economic pressure of financing the larger building. Even so, it meets their needs. They  have one guest room, 3 offices (for members' professional use), a children's room, multi-use room, laundry, media room, workout room, kitchen and dining room. 

Great Oak has been in existence for 14 years, and the changeover has been slight. Currently 2/3 of their population are original members.