NELA Transition News | March 12, 2011

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North East Los Angeles Transition News March 12th, 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 Community comes together for a Potluck With a Purpose North East Los Angeles Transition held their second event, A Potluck with a Purpose. About 60 people gathered for a community potluck and a screening of "In Transition 1.0: From Oil Dependency to Local Resilence" at Throop Church in Pasadena on March 5th, 2010. The documentary reviewed briefly the issues of peak oil and climate changed and showed the achievements of established Transition Towns, mostly in the UK, where the Transition Initiative started. The Transition Initiative is a response to the issues of peak oil, climate change and economic crisis. It responds with a positive vision and people coming together to make their community more resilient. Read more and see pictures from the event     Principles of Transition First Principle: Positive Visioning Transition Initiatives are based on a dedication to the creation of tangible, clearly expressed and practical visions of the community in question beyond its present‐day dependence on fossil fuel. Our primary focus is not campaigning against things, but rather on creating positive, empowering possibilities and opportunities. The generation of new stories and myths are central to this visioning work. Read more Sophy Banks on the Psychology of Change Watch this 22 minute video where Sophy talks about how it's important to address the psychological aspects transition, and about how the response to an awareness of environmental and economic crisis seems to be that similar to what faces when loosing a loved one. There are stages of loss which include denial, anger, barganing, and acceptance.   Arroyo Time Bank Time Bank members list the services they want to give and receive on the Time Bank website, where members are introduced to each other and the exchange of services is facilitated. For every hour you help another member, you earn a Time Bank hour. Then you can use that hour to have a neighbor help you: getting a ride, learning the computer, getting a haircut, gardening, etc. The Time Bank values everyone’s contributions equally. The idea is pretty simple and the goals include having people helping each other reweave communities with support, strength & trust . http://arroyotimebank.org/ NELA Transition will have it's first Highland Park event on March 17th at All Saints Epsicopal Church - "The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil". We will also have a presence at a number of events coming up in the Pasadena area. This should be a great month for increased awareness in North East Los Angeles about the issues of oil dependency and the transition to a more self relient and connected community. Turn a Lawn into a Garden Saturday and Sunday, March 12 & 13th Presented by: Larry Santoyo of Earthflow Design 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM - Larry Santoyo of Earthflow Design will teach this hands-on class on how to transform a water-guzzling lawn into a garden paradise. 4867 Wiota St. LA CA 90041 The cost is $25 per day or $40 for both days with one payment. Learn the basics of Food Forestry, garden design, sustainable landscape construction, sheet mulching, raised-bed building w stone and broken concrete. garden construction, tree planting and vegetable garden design and installation. RSVP for details and pre-register via paypal to reserve your space to Joan Stevens at mamabotanica@sbcglobal.net *Please no persons under 18 years old -no pets Workshop on Rainwater Harvesting March 12th, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Presented by: The City of Pasadena Pasadena residents and others will learn how to harvest rainwater during a free workshop Saturday, March 12, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Salvation Army Pasadena Tabernacle, 960 E. Walnut St . Rain gardens conserve water, replenish groundwater supplies and create sustainable oases around homes. Workshop participants will learn principles, practices and tips for water-harvesting rain gardens and earthworks. "Living in a semi-arid climate, it is important to find a way to capture rainwater and put it to good use," said Nancy Long, water conservation manager at Pasadena Water and Power. "Rain gardens quickly infiltrate rainfall into the soil where less is lost to evaporation." The workshop will be taught by rain gardens expert Brad Lancaster, who has more than 15 years of experience in permaculture education and design. Examples of rain barrels will be displayed at the event. Free raffle prizes will include two rain barrels and for four sets of books written by Lancaster . Product exhibitors will be at the workshop, many offering discounts to consumers. Registration is required to attend. Participants can register at www.cityofpasadena.net/savewater or (626) 744-7926. Sponsors of the event are Pasadena Water and Power, Foothill Municipal Water District, Glendale Water and Power and Burbank Water and Power.   Free Fruit Trees at Milagro Allegro Community Garden Sunday, March 13th, 12:00 noon to 2:30 PM Presented by: Milagro Allegro Community Garden Due to a generous donation, Milagro Allegro Community Garden is delighted to be able to offer free bare root fruit and nut trees this Sunday, March 13th from 12-2:30pm Tell your friends! Two trees per household as long as they last! Please bring your own newspaper and plastic bags to transport your trees. Varieties available: Non-Pariel Almond, Ne Plus Ultra Almond, Anna Apple, Royal Apricot, Black Mission Fig, Desert Delight Nectarine, Tropic Snow Peach, Florida Prince Peach, Start Saturn Peach, Monterrey Pear, Fan Sil Pear, Dwarf Santa Rosa Plum, Beauty Plum Tree giveaway is free to the community; donations to the garden are greatly appreciated! Milagro Allegro Community Garden www.hpgarden.org Garden location: 115 S. Ave 56, LA 90042 1 block SE of Figueroa, behind the Highland Theater Nicole M. Gatto, MPH, PhD Director, Milagro Allegro Community Garden info@hpgarden.org www.hpgarden.org   The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil March 17th, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Presented by: NELA Transition FREE: Potluck / Screening / Community Discussion When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba's economy went into a tailspin. With imports of oil cut by more than half – and food by 80 percent – people were desperate. This film tells of the hardships and struggles as well as the community and creativity of the Cuban people during this difficult time. Cubans share how they transitioned from a highly mechanized, industrial agricultural system to one using organic methods of farming and local, urban gardens. It is an unusual look into the Cuban culture during this economic crisis, which they call "The Special Period." The film opens with a short history of Peak Oil, a term for the time in our history when world oil production will reach its all-time peak and begin to decline forever. Cuba, the only country that has faced such a crisis – the massive reduction of fossil fuels – is an example of options and hope. www.powerofcommunity.org All Saints Episcopal Church, 5619 Monte Vista Street, Los Angeles, CA 90042 Invitamos a los que hablan español Pelicula: El poder de la comunidad - cómo Cuba sobrevivió al pico del petróleo (con subtítulos en español) For questions or if you can help with setup or takedown, contact people@nelatransition.org, 626-388-0046 Arroyo Food Co-op Book Club March 28th Presented by: Arroyo Food Co-op www.arroyofoodcoop.com Come to meet like minded people who are active in making the Arroyo Food Co-op a reality in our community. Share your thoughts and insights. We will start with the first book (In Defense of Food) and move down the list. Send me recommendations if you know of some good books that this group would be interested. Vroman's Bookstore 695 E Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA 91101