NELA Transition News | May 5, 2011

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North East Los Angeles Transition News May 5th, 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 Compost Workshop NELA Transition’s Reskilling:Compost 101 workshop drew over a dozen participants to a Highland Park backyard one sunny Saturday. We shared a very full afternoon, with learning, work, comraderie, & fun. Read More   First Learning Garden Work Party Volunteers from NELA Transition and Throop Unitarian-Universalist Church worked together on Saturday, April 23 to lay the groundwork for a Learning Garden on the church's site in Pasadena. Their efforts were the result of a decision by both organizations to pursue a partnership to create a community space to bring people together to share skills that can make our community more resilient.Read More   Bike Week in Pasadena May 16th to 21st - Join the festivities and events that celebrate and encourage bicycling as a healthy alternative to the automobile. Bike Week webpage   Thank you Volunteers! Thank you for your NELA Transition Outreach in April 2011 at the Economics of Happiness screening, All Saints Earth Day event, Pasadena's Earth and Arts Festival , Southern California Permaculture Convergence, Good LA, Awakening the Dreamer Seminar and more. Read More     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. If you are interested in volunteering, contact people@nelatransition.org     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   350 Home and Garden Challenge Organizing a 350 Home & Garden Challenge in your town (or city, village, county, parish, island) not only helps raise awareness and continue to build local resiliency, it offers an opportunity for your citizens to be a part of something much larger. And we are going to help make it as easy as possible for YOU to bring this incredible challenge to your community. This is the perfect opportunity for Transition communities across the country to come together on a single weekend and show their solidarity. Take Action   Potluck with a Purpose End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream Saturday, May 7th and Friday, May 13th Presented by: NELA Transition Join us for a community potluck, screening of "End of Suburbia", and discussion at one of the two screenings. Saturday, May 7th at 6:30 PM Throop Church 300 S Los Robles Ave Pasadena, CA 91101 Facebook page Friday, May 13th, 6:30 PM All Saints Episcopal Church 5619 Monte Vista St. Los Angeles, CA 90042 Facebook page 6:30 PM - Potluck 7:00 PM - End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream 8:20 PM - Discussion THE END OF SUBURBIA: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of The American Dream "We're literally stuck up a cul-de-sac in a cement SUV without a fill-up" - James Howard Kunstler Since World War II North Americans have invested much of their newfound wealth in suburbia. It has promised a sense of space, affordability, family life and upward mobility. As the population of suburban sprawl has exploded in the past 50 years, so too has the suburban way of life become embedded in the American consciousness. Suburbia, and all it promises, has become the American Dream. But as we enter the 21st century, serious questions are beginning to emerge about the sustainability of this way of life. With brutal honesty and a touch of irony, The End of Suburbia explores the American Way of Life and its prospects as the planet approaches a critical era, as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply. World Oil Peak and the inevitable decline of fossil fuels are upon us now, some scientists and policy makers argue in this documentary. The consequences of inaction in the face of this global crisis are enormous. What does Oil Peak mean for North America? As energy prices skyrocket in the coming years, how will the populations of suburbia react to the collapse of their dream? Are today's suburbs destined to become the slums of tomorrow? And what can be done NOW, individually and collectively, to avoid The End of Suburbia ? Hosted by Barrie Zwicker. Featuring James Howard Kunstler, Peter Calthorpe, Michael Klare, Richard Heinberg, Matthew Simmons, Michael C. Ruppert, Julian Darley, Colin Campbell, Kenneth Deffeyes, Ali Samsam Bakhtiari and Steve Andrews. Directed by Gregory Greene. Produced by Barry Silverthorn. Duration: 78 minutes If you would like to help out with setup or cleanup or would like to have a table at either of these events, contact 626-794-2587 or email theresegbrum@yahoo.com   Learning Garden Planning Meeting Monday, May 9th, 6:30 PM Presented by NELA Transition This will be the first meeting for the creation of a Learning Garden at Throop Church. This project is a collaboration between Throop Church and NELA Transition. The garden is located at the corner of Los Robles and Del Mar in Pasadena. It will include edible foods, xeriscaping, and reflect principles of permaculture. Please RSVP for directions. eric@einem.us 626-388-0046 The meeting will take place in Highland Park, Los Angeles, 90042   Inner Transition Discussion Wednesday, May 11th, 6:30 PM Presented by NELA Transition This is a discussion group which topics might include the psychology of change, the heart-and-soul of transition and inner transition. This event starts with a potluck. Wed, May 11, 6:30 pm RSVP for directions. nlsayre@PacBell.net 818 793-3001 Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA 90042   NELA Transition Meeting Sunday, May 15th, 5:00 PM Presented by NELA Transition This is our monthly North East Los Angeles Transition meeting. RSVP for the address. people@nelatransition.org.   Bike Week: Film Night Monday, May 16th, 6:30pm-9:30pm Presented by C.I.C.L.E. and the City of Pasadena Kick off Bike Week Pasadena with bike films! Our hosts, L.A. Streetsblog, will be screening short bicycle films and leading discussions on how we can re-envision our streets. Come learn how we can make the city more bicycle friendly. There will be snacks and a cool raffle prize from REI. Location:Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue,Pasadena, CA CICLE Calendar Facebook Event   Bike Week: Family Night Tuesday,May 17th, 5:30pm – 8:00pm Presented by C.I.C.L.E. and the City of Pasadena Join Mayor Bill Bogaard of Pasadena and other local officials at a family-friendly event promoting bicycling as a safe and sustainable transportation alternative. Festivities include a petting zoo, raffle prizes, and a REI Bike Clinic. At 6pm we will embark on a short 3-mile ride through the Civic Center allowing new riders and younger riders a safe venue for them to practice their riding skills. Everyone's invited, tell your friends! Location: Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave. Pasadena, CA 91101. Festivities will be located on the north side of City Hall along Thurgood Marshall St. CICLE Calendar Facebook Event   Bike Week: Ladies Night Wednesday, May 18th, 6:00pm – 9:00pm Presented by C.I.C.L.E. and the City of Pasadena Hey ladies! This one is for you. A mini fix-it and mend-it bicycle clinic is followed by a short, sweet and social ride through Pasadena before ending back at the Paseo for some special treats from the Paseo shops. Location: Paseo Colorado: Common areas of south Garfield Promenade at Green Street CICLE Calendar Facebook Event   Bike Week: Bike to Work Day Thursday, May 19th, 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM Presented by C.I.C.L.E. and the City of Pasadena Pat yourself on the back today for being a dedicated bicycle commuter or pledge yourself to start commuting on the nationally recognized Bike to Work Day. Grab some coffee, high fives and hang out with C.I.C.L.E. and your fellow cyclists for this morning rally. Location: Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave. Bike Week: ArtNight Ride Friday, May 20th 6:00pm – 10:00pm Presented by C.I.C.L.E. and the City of Pasadena Art, culture and bicycles come together for this special evening. Pasadena’s premiere art museums and gallery spaces open their doors free of charge and C.I.C.L.E. is here to host a guided 7-mile tour to many of them. A must-do, must-see event of the year! Meeting Location: Memorial Park Pasadena (Raymond Ave & Holly St) CICLE Calendar Facebook Event   Bike Week: Shopping by Bike Workshop & Fair Trade Ride Saturday, May 21st 10:00am-1:00pm Presented by C.I.C.L.E. and the City of Pasadena Transporting groceries and goods using a bicycle has never been so easy. C.I.C.L.E. will lead this educational workshop followed by “A Taste of Fair Trade” ride giving attendees a tour of Pasadena businesses that sell Fair Trade food and products. Our stops include Whole Foods, Coffee by the Books, and Ten Thousand Villages. Riders will be treated to bananas, sweets, coffee and more! Bring your friends on this delicious and ethical 5-mile bike ride! Location: Shops on South Lake, 345 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 9110 CICLE Calendar Facebook Event     Square Foot Gardening Workshop Saturday: May 21, June 25 Prsented by the Los Angeles Arboretum 10am-1pm, your choice of dates: May 21st or June 25th Garden for All Seasons & Education Greenhouse Jo Ann Carey, instructor $25 members/$28 non-members“Saving the world, one square foot at a time.” Nothing compares to the flavor of food that is grown in healthy soil, without pesticides, and allowed to grow until just the right time for harvesting. Square foot gardening uses only 20% of the land space of a conventional garden and saves both water and time. There is no tilling of the soil so anybody can do it. Recommended reading: All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew, available in the Arboretum Garden & Gift Shop. More information at: www.arboretum.org   Arroyo Seco Ride & Bike Week Pedal Party Saturday, May 21st 6:30pm-11:00pm Presented by C.I.C.L.E. and the City of Pasadena Join us for our grand finale ride and Pedal Party! Experience a spectacular sunset bike tour of the Arroyo Seco with stops overlooking the Rose Bowl and at the Gamble House. Once we return to the One Colorado Courtyard, it will be Pedal Party time! Enjoy our DJ spinning cool tunes, delicious food from Whole Foods, cold New Belgium brews, and a grand prize raffle by REI! Come and celebrate with your new bicycle-crazed friends. Meeting and Party Location: One Colorado Courtyard CICLE Calendar Facebook Event   Chickens and Bees Saturday, May 28 Presented by the Los Angeles Arboretum 10 am–Noon / Bamboo Room $25 members/$28 non-members John Lyons, instructor This class is an introduction to having backyard chickens and bees. Learn all the basics about both disciplines including chicken varieties, housing, feeding and disease control. Learn about bees and their care, beehives, equipment and harvesting honey in addition to the organic care of the bee colony. More information at: www.arboretum.org   Altadena Urban Farmers Market Sunday, May 29 · 1:00pm - 4:00pm Presented by the Arroyo Time Bank Zane Grey Estate 396 E Mariposa Street Altadena, CA Come shop for homegrown and homemade stuff, mostly food, from your neighbors. Get inspired--maybe you are a potential vendor for the next market! Bring your family, pet some goats. Enjoy an afternoon on the grounds of Altadena's Zane Grey Estate from 1pm to 4pm. Don't wait in line! Download the membership form at www.arrroyotimebank.org and fill it out in advance! Date it for the day of the market. Walk or ride your bike to the market and get a free raffle ticket for a 100% organic cotton grocery bag with the Altadena Urban Farmers Market logo! Interested in being a vendor at a future market? Submit your application any time atwww.arroyotimebank.org