Eric Brende is the author of the book “Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology,” about his family’s experiment living without electricity for one year.  A graduate of both Yale and MIT, he has long been interested in determining which forms of technology improve our lives and which have a less positive effect.  Eric and his family now live in Saint Louis, living frugally and without being monopolized by technology. He operates a bicycle rickshaw, manufactures magnificent soaps out of his home, and writes and speaks about the importance of community, the pitfalls of technology, and the advantages of simplifying your lifestyle.

(Eric’s Thursday night talk is FREE and co-sponsored by the Monroe County Public Library.  7:30pm at the library auditorium)

Aaron Newton is the co-author (with Sharon Astyk) of “A Nation of Farmers: Defeating the Food Crisis on American Soil.”  He is passionate about supporting local food systems and creating a new generation of farmers whether they are focused on small urban gardens or larger more commercial farms.  Aaron lives in North Carolina and is currently working on a farm incubator that will help young farmers establish themselves and get growing in the face of high land prices and steep learning curves.

(Saturday night talk is FREE at 7:30pm at Bloomington Playwrights Project.)