NELA Transition News | December 7, 2011

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North East Los Angeles Transition News December 7th, 2011 NELA Transition is a community group working on positive changes in our community as we face global warming, peak oil and economic decline. We share our skills working on projects which increase our local resilience and strengthen community connections. Our members are located in the Los Angeles neighborhoods including Pasadena, Altadena, Highland Park and Eagle Rock. nelatransition.org   The Seven Ages of Transition By Rob Hopkins While there has been much discussion in terms of Transition and diversity over the past few years, little has been said about the issue of age. It’s not something we’ve explored here at Transition Culture in the past. Sometimes it is suggested that Transition only appeals to older people, whereas Occupy, for example, tends to attract more younger people. But is that the case? Is it that straightforward? How might Transition best serve people at the different stages in their lives, and what might they, in turn, bring to it? Read More HM 157 Fundraiser Dinner a FUN Raiser! A team of six began food prep midafternoon on Nov 15 from rescued food that was solicited from three local farmers markets , one CSA and bread and bananas rescued from a local market. The intent was to create a special vegan menu under the inspiration of Megan Hobza , queen of community dinners. The menu turned up surprisingly scrumptious, HM 157 was decorated inside and out in true Victorian Christmas style with twinkly lights and candles throughout. The guests felt at home, cheerful and ready for the culinary adventure. The menu included Baba Ganouj and Fruits of Uncertainty as appetizers, Fossil Fuel salad greens,Global Warming soup with winter roots, Mayacoba beans, WInter's Coming baked squash, 99% Potatoes with 1% basil garlic pesto, Whirled Peace persimmon and frozen banana puree with Karen's Lemon Iced Banana Bread. A splendid time was had by all and the raffle's big prize basket was won by Melinda Grodsky. HM 157 reports that at $500 this was their biggest fundraiser yet.         Transition Los Angeles is a "city hub," in the L.A. basin which helps facilitates the sharing of information and resources between local Transition Groups. There are monthly leadership meetings which are open to the leadership of any of the local groups. www.transitionla.org     Learning Garden Resources Needed The Learning Garden which is a project of NELA Transition and Throop Church is looking for donations of the following for transforming the existing lawn into a beautiful, xeriscaped garden. Cardboard - not waxed, preferable with tape removed. This will be used for sheet-mulching the entire lawn on the South side of the building. Gravel - To help with drainage in key locations. Broken Concrete, flagstone, pavers, or cinder blocks If you can donate any of these items, contact people@nelatransition.org, or call 626-388-0046 Climate Refugees December 8th, 7:00 PM Presented by Conscientious Projector Millions of people from around the world have already been displaced by the devastating effects of climactic disaster, their lives forever disrupted, their homes, communities and livelihoods lost. Their story, a story millions more are facing, is told in Climate Refugees–this month’s Conscientious Projector presentation on Thursday, December 8, 7:00 p.m. at The Armory Center for the Arts. Writer-director Michael Nash set out to make a film about the human face of climate change, and the result is both moving and alarming, portending further grand scale challenges for every society on every continent on Earth in this new era of planetary transformation. A community discussion follows the film. The Armory is located at 145 N. Raymond in Old Pasadena. Admission is free and the facility is accessible to disabled persons. Event page   Potluck presented by Arroyo & Echo Park Timebanks and NELA Transition Saturday, December 10 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm We're having a joint potluck with some local great organizations . Come and meet others involved with these organizations. This event is open to everyone. Bring some food or drink to share. It is time to put our heads and hearts and resources together to share info and ideas on community building. How else but over food! Join the potluck and find out more about the many creative, dynamic and energetic groups focused on community right here in town. Throop Church 300 S Los Robles Ave. Pasadena, CA 91101   Learning Garden at Throop Church, Work Party Sunday, December 11th 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Throop Learning Garden is on a deadline to complete the project in order to claim the state turf removal funds so now more than ever we need helpers. The garden looks dramatically different after our Sunday work party. Thanks to Lucinda, Connor, Therese, & Cindy, the herb garden is almost ready for planting. Liz, Michael, & Qrys neared completion on the swales. Gingko, January, & Jacob continued work on the wall & the area around the patio. The peas Jean planted recently are already 6"tall & growing. A special thanks to Therese for her work in securing an olive tree & grant writing, and to Michael for organizing us, engineering the irrigation, & collecting materials. We have been offered a specimen sized olive tree in a 42" box by Cal Tech and may need special ideas on getting it to the Throop Garden. Come be part of the fun: Sunday December 11 from 9am to 2pm Throop Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church 300 S Los Robles (corner of DelMar) Pasadena 91101 RSVP: January 626.840.9375 Bring a hat, sunsceen, & wear a sturdy pair of shoes. We will provide water & gloves. The church serves a potluck lunch around 12pm, a great opportunity for conversation & a well earned rest. This week we will finish the swales & herb garden mulching. We can begin planting the herb garden!!! Other projects will continue: setting patio pavers, constructing the wall along DelMar, & begin preparing the fruit tree guild area for planting. We continue to be blessed with many wonderful people helping to make this garden come alive. Thank you all for your hard work and support. Hope to see you Sunday,   "The Magic of Co-Creation: Building Power in Groups" Workshop with Starhawk December 17th 12:00 to 6:30 PM Presented by Project Butterfly From Cairo to Wall Street, all over the world people are coming together to create change, organizing without top-down leadership or hierarchies. In thousands of groups everywhere, people work together to create everything from community gardens to media to new ways of living. Such circles can be enormously creative and empowering, but they can also be cumbersome and frustrating. Yet when they work well, they liberate our imagination and change the world. In her latest book, The Empowerment Manual, A Guide for Collaborative Groups, Starhawk draws on four decades of experience in circles and collectives to show us how to foster connection, clear communication and positive power in ourselves and our groups. In this workshop, she will use the tools of magic, meditation, trance, and ritual to explore issues of personal and social power. She'll look at ways to create nurturing and healing group structures, to deal with difficult people and embrace constructive conflict. She'll raise and focus group energy to celebrate our connectedness and nurture resilient communities that can be joyful and effective agents of change. Workshop 12-3 Meal & Winter Solstice ritual follow Pricing varies depending on sections you wish to attend. Hosted by Project Butterfly Time :: 12:00pm – 6:30pm | Doors Open at 11:45am Location :: Fais Do Do Ballroom 5257 W. Adams Blvd. | LA, CA 90016 http://www.projectbutterfly.org/   #Seize2012 New Year’s Sunrise Hike to Mount Hollywood/Potluck Breakfast Sunday, January 1 6:15 am – 10:00 am Where: 2800 E. Observatory Road, Los Angeles, 90027 Join all the Transition Initiatives in the Greater Los Angeles area at the top of Mount Hollywood New Year's morning at 6:59 am. Take the Mount Hollywood trail from Griffith Observatory. We will gather at the top of Mount Hollywood and hike down together. Come as a group or on your own. A large contingent from Korean Town makes this pilgrimage, so you can't get lost nor will you be alone. Those not able to hike may meet us down at the Observatory for a potluck breakfast at 8:00. Come prepared with the following in your car: food, beach chairs, tablecloths, picnic blankets, eating utensils, and dishware. Come and seize 2012 in solidarity, self-empowerment, and joy. If you have any questions, please email pacpal.transition@yahoo.com. Facebook event page     NELA Transition Meeting Our monthly NELA Transition Meeting is usally held on 3rd Sundays every month. The location changes each month. RSVP to get the address - people@nelatransition.org Sunday, December 18th, 5:00 to 7:00 PM