NELA Transition News | July 23, 2011

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North East Los Angeles Transition News July 23rd, 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 Resilient Arroyo by David Cutter An important step in transition is forming working groups. Since there are many sustainbility minded groups in northeast Los Angeles, it occurred to me that perhaps some collaboration between groups was possible. Read More   Learning Garden News June 21, 2011 by January Nordman The Throop Memorial Church Learning Garden project continues to take shape. A group of us met on Saturday July 16 to talk about the upcoming lawn conversion, pick produce, tend the garden and share conversation. The permaculture rose garden, by the church steps, continues to bloom. The compost tea really inspired the roses to put out many fragrant blossoms. The bees and the neighbors seem very happy with this. The vegetable garden continues to flourish, thanks to many hands, bountiful sun, nutritious earth, and Jean's dedication to watering. Read More   Rob Hopkins Conference Call by David Cutter On Monday July 18th 329 people participated in a conference call. For the most part we listened to Richard Heinberg interview Rob Hopkins. The first 20 minutes Rob gave a report on the Transition Conference in the UK. It was held in Liverpool and while most attendees were from the UK, there were some folk from other countries including Japan. The main thing to come out of the conference was a recognition that social enterprise can't depend on deep pockets or government support. Read More   Arroyo Seed Library Launched by Michel Breard The Arroyo Guerrilla Gardeners have launched their Seed Library in response to Monsanto's GMO products. Arroyo Guerrilla Gardening is a small grassroots group in North East LA that focuses on urban gardening , local resilience and neighborhood activism. The Arroyo Seed Library, based on the SLOLA model (Seed Library Of Los Angeles) will be hosted at Milagro Allegro, the Highland Park community garden. When they are not busy collecting and swapping seeds, the Guerrilla Gardeners churn compost piles, throw seed bombs, beautify their neighborhood, organize potlucks, and have a good time.. http://www.meetup.com/arroyogg/ Los Angeles Permaculture Design Course Series Urban Homesteading | Resilient Communities EarthFlow's 11th Permaculture Design Course Series in Los Angeles One weekend a month for six months... Starting weekend: October 8/9, 2011 - Final weekend: March 10/11, 2012 Tuition: $1050.00 (register now and save $150) Permaculture Design offers decision-making protocols, based on nature, for problem-solving, critical thinking and design. This course introduces you to new career directions, home improvement projects and community food, water and energy security. http://earthflow.com Volunteers Needed NELA Transition is looking for volunteers volunteers for setup and take-down at events, to teach reskilling workshops, and to table at other upcoming events. NELA Transition and Throop Church are members of the Arroyo Time Bank and can pay in Time Dollars for volunteer work. If you are interested in volunteering, contact [email protected]     The Transition Handbook “There is no more important book than this one for any community seeking to change toward ecological sustainability” – Jerry Mander, founder/director of the International Forum on Globalization Transition Handbook, download Transition Handbook, order   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 [email protected], or call 626-388-0046 Eastside Permaculture Potluck+More Saturday, July 23rd, 4:00 PM Eastside PC HQ 4867 Wiota St. LA 90041 RSVP 323-630-4673 Presented by Eastside Permaculture What: potluck/bbq/meet-up for NELA/Eastside permaculture enthusiasts but open to anyone else in and around LA When: 7/23/11 Saturday starting at 4 pm - going until 7??? 4-5 for potluck (cross your fingers and we might get the bbq to work!) Let's plan to start any "formal" discussion around 5. Please RSVP so we know how many to expect. Also please BYOB. there will be some food and drink for us but the more you bring the more we'll have!   Reskilling: Natural Childbirth Sunday, July 24th 3:00 - 4:00 PM Madison Casita 805 N Madison Ave, Pasadena Presented by the Arroyo Timebank Gladys Batan, natural child birth advocate, will share the information she has found on her quest to know more about natural child birth. Men and women, at every stage in life, are welcome. Disclaimer: Gladys is not a trained medical professional and is not giving any medical advice. She is "simply a woman who is looking for answers about the question of childbirth. Always refer to your doctor to get any of your questions answered."   Arroyo Timebank Working Meeting Wed, July 27, 6:30pm – 8:30pm Zane Grey Estate, 396 E Mariposa, Altadena, CA 91001 Presented by the Arroyo Timebank Come help shape the Arroyo Time Bank! The time bank grows through the individual contributions of its members, be part of creating the type of community you want by participating at our monthly working meetings. Board members and committee members are strongly encouraged to attend and give brief progress reports.   Altadena "Barn Raising" Party Sat, July 30, 9am – 3pm 512 E Alameda St, Altadena, CA Presented by the Arroyo Timebank Come out Saturday July 30th for the Time Bank Garden Groups next "barn raising" Party! Earn time dollars for gardening, bringing food or drink to share (potluck items or something to grill), playing music, offering child care, or any other service that will make this great. We'll get started early, at 9am, before it gets too hot, then at 1pm we'll break for lemonade, lunch, and celebrating.   Reskilling: Pasta Making Sunday, July 31st 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Madison Casita 805 N Madison Ave, Pasadena Presented by the Arroyo Timebank Local culinary expert Don Warriner will lead you through the simple and delightful process of making homemade pasta. Don will guide us through a hands-on demo from 11am-12pm and from 12pm-1pm we'll feast on our delicious creations! What a great way to use all those home-grown tomatoes and basil!   Community Dinner at Historical Monument 157 Tuesday, August 9, 7:30pm – 8:30pm Weekly on Tuesdays Historical Monument 157, 3110 N. Broadway, L.A., CA 90031 Presented by Historical Monument 157 Doers of all persuasions are invited to come network and walk away in cahoots. Gourmet vegan dinner is provided for $5 most weeks. On fundraiser weeks (once a month) the cost is $10 if you rsvp, $20 at the door. To earn time dollars, come work in the kitchen starting around 4pm. Please RSVP on the Arroyo Lowdown (https://www.facebook.com/TheArroyoLowdown) where the menu is posted on Monday nights. BYOB. A description of HM 157: http://www.laweekly.com/locations/historical-monument-157-771838/   Conscientious Projector 180° South August 11th, 7:00 - 9:00 PM Armory Center for the Arts 145 North Raymond Ave, Pasadena Free Presented by Sustainable World & The Armory Center for the Arts 180° SOUTH is the story of one of the most unique and prolific environmentalists of our time -Yvon Chouinard. Rather than re-living Yvon's story through old photos and his life's work with pie charts, 180° SOUTH weaves Chouinard's tale through a modern day expedition. http://www.180south.com     Learning Garden Work Party Saturday, August 13th, 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM Presented by NELA Transition We will be working on drainage in preparation for the Permaculture transformation being planned for the South lawn. 300 S Los Robles Ave., Pasadena     Resilient Arroyo Potluck Sunday, August 14th, 6:00 PM Hosted by The Arroyo Time Bank NELA Transition Arroyo Food Co-op Throop Church Conscientious Projector Calif Federation of Time Banks HM157 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. We are planning a special unique activity illustrating the interconnections of all life at this event. Bring some food to share and earn 1 Time Bank Hour! 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 Invite others on Facebook   Inner Transition meeting Thursday, August 18, 6:30-8:30 Presented by NELA Transition Pasadena, CA Please read this page for a feel of what we are coming together around: http://www.joannamacy.net/thegreatturning/personal-guidelines-t.html This will be a potluck event. contact [email protected] for the address   NELA Transition Meeting Sunday, August 21st, 5:00 to 7:00 PM Location TBD   Learning Garden Work Party Saturday, August 26th, 8-10 AM Presented by NELA Transition 300 S Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA   Thich Nhat Hahn September 3rd Thich Nhat Hahn will lead a meditation in Central park followed by a talk at Pasadena Civic Auditorium. More Info   Thích Nhất Hạnh is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who now lives in France. Read More on Wikipedia Saturday, September 10 Back to September 2011 10:00am - 12:00pm Rain Barrels & Rain Gardens Saturday, September 10th, 10:00 AM - Noon L.A. Aboretum Palm Room $25 Arboretum members/$28 non-members Stephen Williams, instructor Learn why cities have programs to promote the construction of tens of thousands of rain gardens nationwide. See how to design and install a rain garden and barrel system at your home to capture seasonal rain water from your property to divert for future use and/or gather for infiltration through a depressed garden area to re-charge the ground water. Discover how you can develop a sustainable landscape which promotes native wildlife, utilizes less irrigation, and uses fewer fertilizers and pesticides. The presentation will also emphasize soils, amendments, plant selection, irrigation, mulching, and maintenance for a successful Southern California Mediterranean garden. Pre-registration preferred; please call 626.821.4623 to register for classes. You may also email [email protected]   Moving Planet Day walking tour of green locations September 24th promoted by 350.org Elaine Ingham & Dave Jacke presentations can be taken without the whole PDC course. Saturday, September 24 Back to September 2011 8:30am - 5:30pm Permaculture Design Course at the L.A. Aboretum 5 Weekends, starting September 24th, 8:30am – 5:30pm September 24 & 25 October 8 & 9 October 22 & 23 November 5 & 6 November 19 & 20 TUITION: $1400 · Includes catered lunch, tea, snacks, and an excellent line-up of instructors · Non-refundable $200 deposit to reserve your place due by August 15 · Full tuition due by Sept. 12 TO REGISTER: Call: (626) 821-4623 or Email: [email protected] DOUBLE BONUS: Students attend ‘Soil & Compost’ 2-Day Workshop with Dr. Elaine Ingham AND 2-Day ‘Garden Like a Forest Workshop’ with award-winning author, Dave Jacke! Permaculture is sustainable land-use design based on ecological principles and ethics. Its aim is harmonizing habitats and inhabitants within sustainable cultural, food, shelter, energy, water, and waste systems. This hands-on course unites theory with practical applications. Our transformative 80-hour curriculum prepares individuals to become pro-active ecological designers, and covers the following topics: • Permaculture Principles and Ethics • Rapid Soil Rehabilitation • Water Harvesting • Food Forests • Renewable Energy Solutions • Animal Systems • Designing with the Patterns of Nature • Natural Building • Aquaculture • Regenerating Resilient Communities   Bill McKibbin of 350.org October 27, 27,29, 30 Claremont College Brave New Planet, Imagining Ecological Communities   NELA Transition Fundraiser dinner at HM157 November 14th This will be a great opportunity to meet a unique challenge creatively with an attitude of resilience. We will create a meal for a crowd on a few hours notice of what produce we will have to design the meal around. We will be looking for some cool entertainment ideas as well. Feel like you always wanted to be a party planner? Contact Therese [email protected] More details to be announced.