This March, Twin Oaks Industries was the lucky recipient of an all-expenses paid, trip for two to Las Vegas! The trip included attending a NASCAR race and getting your picture taken with a real live NASCAR driver. This was thanks to a lathe we own, and the promotional campaign of a machinery company. The question then became: who would take the trip? About 15 people were interested, and on the appointed day, everyone interested gathered in the hammock shop and we drew colored checkers to determine who would go. Danele and Gra were our grand prize winners.

in november, tom made twin oaks history by becoming the first man to be approved for a pregnancy request. in past years, we have had a man approved for an Adoption Request, but never Pregnancy. Luckily Tom’s partner Promethea supports him in this request (although she was not part of the approval process) and we hope to hear the pitter patter of little feet within the year. Also approved for pregnancys were Doug and Mara, who will first take some time off in a Personal Affairs Leave for 6 months, living outside of Charlottesville.

The Hammock Shop Auction was a great success. From November to February, every hour of hammocks a member worked earned them one "hammock dollar." Hildegard used photographs of various members and made up bills in denominations of one, five, ten and twenty, which were handed out at the end of each week. Over $3500 Hx were spent, and the top three items bid on were a cushion swing donated by the GMT ($410Hx from Felix), a pair of rabbit-fur socks handknit by Hildegard ($240Hx from Gisela) and a dinner party for 6 catered by Promethea ($210Hx from Marie).

Like everywhere else, Y2K at TO came and went without any of the catastrophes predicted. We celebrated with two parties -- a "quiet" party, which included board games and a moment of silence for world peace at midnight, and the usual rock-n-roll love-fest at Tupelo. We had stored food supplies for several months in case of the breakdown of civilization as we know it, and now our main Y2K proponent Rollie is eating crow as we eat the rice, beans and figs stockpiled at EC. (we love you Rollie)

When current Dairy Manager Cameron came across a cow dying in the last stages of milk fever, he acted quickly. After determining she could not be saved, and contacting the local agricultural extension agent, once she had died he set about butchering the cow. With Doug and Mosha’s help, almost 150 pounds of beef were harvested.

In January, Twin Oaks received a phone call informing us that Ari ex-member (aka Chard, Tzumi) had been found dead at the farm where he was living in Ecuador. Keenan, who was spending 3 months elsewhere in Ecuador with Kristen and the kids, stepped in to help with arrangements, etc. We held a memorial service here on the farm for Oakers to remember Ari and to mark his passing.

Room Changes: Piper’s Reading Windows tutoring program moved from Kaweah/Bijou Outreach Office to the Degania front bedroom. Imani gets the Outreach Office for her bedroom. This increases the number of community bedrooms, and the number of child bedrooms, each by one.

We use the internet a lot these days, not only for web browsing and e-mail but for selling hammocks. Over half our 1999 retail customers either heard of us on the internet or, more often, used our web site while shopping. We need reliable internet service, and more speed than we have now so we are trying to find a provider to give big bucks to for an ISDN internet connection.

Another community band bites the dust. Tears for Bon Jovi made what was probably their final performance at the Validation Day dance. Elliot the drummer left Twin Oaks soon after, vehemently denying that his departure had anything to do with the fistfights that marred the show’s finale. (Just kidding.) The show’s high point featured nubile groupies unbraiding Grá’s purple and brown hair mid- song, allowing him to swing it about in true 80’s hard rock fashion.

Concerns about the community’s economic well-being surfaced again as the Economic Planner announced that we lost money again in 1999. It wasn’t a lot of money, and it is calculated after we salt away some for fire insurance and our old age. However, Twin Oaks prides itself on economic conservatism, so any loss is worrisome. Reasons appear to be over-spending on health care (especially dental) and failure to make our income goals. To avoid this in the future we plan a more rigorous mid-year income review in 2000.

The "new" rope machine is finally regularly making rope. Now we just need some more rope makers to keep it and the old one running. Interim-substitute- non-manager Melissa says the new machine is quieter, and requires a lot less operator attention. Eventually one ambitious operator will be able to run both machines.The rope product is smoother and thinner when fresh (like Romoco rope of old) but it puffs up in the proper manner. Finished rolls are a whopping 15 pounds but better ergonomics offset of the lifting. Stocking the creel rack is much easier because you tie on new yarn rolls any time. The shop currently looks a bit sterile -- no accumulated memoribilia from rope makers past, but Melissa says it’s brighter and has much better acoustics for singing after the machine is turned off.

With hammocks sales up, especially Pier 1 fabric bed hammocks, the stretcher shop is humming. One day we bundled 680 sticks. However we’re still barely keeping up. They fly out to Other Entity shops and our own as fast as we can make them. A significant minority are stained, instead of just oiled, which is a pain in the butt.

Last fall, Twin Oaks made the very difficult decision to help open a hammock workshop in near-by Mineral. It was an emotional, contentious debate, with a hasty decision required by threatening Pier 1 order deadlines. This Spring we are revisiting the issue in a careful, considered way.

Not only are we looking at the shop in town (called Knotwork), but we are taking the opportunity to ask some Big Questions about other aspects of the hammocks business, other income possibilities, the labor credit system, and even whether some Oakers could chose to live at different material standards of living from others.

By mid-March "the Process" was in full swing. Members posted seven different proposals for change. Regular meetings began with discussion at first limited to positive, constructive dialog. (Facilitators said things like, "Pretend you like each proposal; make suggestions for improving it.") Later we’ll move to the "doubts and concerns" debate.

The seven proposals vary a lot. Some range far afield from the original problem getting enough hammocks made. However, we can already see that key points in all of them are compatible with the others. That is a heartening sign.

Here is a brief description of each proposal:

1. Start or buy a new eco-friendly and a new high tech business, and keep hammocks healthy in order to support these new efforts.

2. Substitute higher-price, lower-volume retail hammock sales (mostly from the internet) for present overload of lower-price, higher-volume wholesale sales.

3.Start web programming business, change membership policies to attract and hold more members, keep the hammocks business but reduce the production work done here.

4. Use the hammocks business to support the growth of more communities and/or other self-managed coops or individuals.

5.Reduce the size of the hammocks business, at least at Twin Oaks, and improve communication, accountability, and morale within the business and the community.

6. Give members more options for satisfying, eco-friendly work, lower quota, and simpler living.

The mid-November ’99 Art of Community conference in New York’s Catskill Mountains was great! Four of us from TO participated. Alex was the Event Coordinator, a heavy responsibility, but she enjoyed herself nonetheless. As Info Table manager, Ira was in the center of things, just the way she likes it. Paxus and I helped out some with the event, but also circulated and met cool people and talked up Twin Oaks.

Over 200 people attended. Dozens of communities and community-related organizations were represented. There were inspiring keynote speakers, a wide choice of workshops and discussions, plus group singing, dancing, and just plain hanging out. And eating, of course. The food was pretty good if you weren’t vegan. Many of us loved the always-available hot and cold running drinks: just push a button for orange and apple juices, raspberry or kiwi-strawberry teas, coffee, and cocoa. The Catskills is a beautiful area, and we appreciated the unseasonably warm weather.

There’s a lot going on in the communities movement, and a lot of fascinating people at the conference talked about their experiences and ideas. Bunches of co-housing projects are moving ahead. Established groups shared their different approaches to age-old challenges of decision- making, conflict resolution, personal relationships, and so on. New, enthusiastic individuals and groups shared their cooperative dreams.

Plus there’s the eco-village movement. It is an exciting place for Twin Oaks to get more involved. We are one of the most integrated, sustainable operations around these days (though in our typical Oaker way we often focus too much on our short- comings). We have the knowledge, the experience, and the resources to make Twin Oaks even more of a model eco-village, plus the networking and outreach opportunities to bring our model to more people’s attention.

I rode home to Virginia from the Art of Community with a new friend from Asheville, NC. He had never been to Twin Oaks. I had fun showing him around and telling stories, even though we arrived well after dark. As we toured the old and new buildings, walked through the gardens and woods, I saw my home in a new light both literally and figuratively: the moon was full, the temperature a balmy 60 degrees despite being just days from Thanksgiving, we had been talking about community non-stop for three days, and here we were immersed in a place that’s been the real thing for over 32 years. We passed small groups of people, talking and laughing on the path in the dark. We had a fine organic dinner, with full vegan option. The O&I Board is full of news and group issues to ponder, with a dash or two of spicy conflict. Commie Clothes was crowded with the usual assorted clothes for the taking. Original art and examples of creative decorating are everywhere. The moon shone on the perfectly still pond.

This is a magical place

Wow! Acorn has had an amazing year! In the past twelve months or so we have doubled our membership, acquired a new business, and in many ways revitalized ourselves. As a result we are getting pretty cramped and we are seriously looking at building projects such as a straw bale structure of some sort and probably a trailer in the meantime.

New Members since last Leaves article: Danyell, who is artistic and hardworking and a very caring individual, she is a big part of our new business (which I will cover last because people come first) Jared who is the big mover and shaker in our hammock shop and has as well taken on RoomUse Coordinator. Lee ( the best thing to happen to Acorn this millennium) who definitely has a vast array of knowledge and a great spirit, she has taken on Food Management much to Peter’s delight and is working with shipping in the seed business. In addition to those great people, Elke (from Ganas /Sandhill) has just been accepted for membership and we look forward to hearing from her soon. Elke is a really hard worker and has a lot of experience in community, she also has a fantastic daughter, Joe.

Seed Business, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange which Acorn ha s recently acquired, is an open-pollinated and heirloom seed catalog. It’s a real feel good type business with the potential of bringing in a lot of income without being toxic or any of the bad things we often end up worrying about in income opportunities. Right now it’s still in theinvestment stage for us, both in paying off the business and making it workable while maintaining our quality of life. Did I mention it was set up in our living room. Hopefully by working and pulling together, and continuing to bring in so many great and dedicated people we will be able to make this investment pay off, relocate the business into it’s own building while creating the financial stability that Acorn has sought for quite a while.

But not all news is happy, many of our loved ones will be or may be leaving us. Peter is beginning his great adventure to find a new home within the next month or so, Rabbit will likely be leaving. Michelle is gone and Owl, who has been on family leave may be dropping her membership. Speaking for myself that is a tremendous combination of love care and tenderness that Acorn will miss (especially if they don’t come back to visit often which I hope they will.)