On Thursday, Ivan and Heather of the Culver City Rainwater Harvesting Program came over to M n R’s on Rhoda Way and installed a rainbarrel, just in time to catch Friday’s rains. If you would like to do some guilt-free watering during the dry spells, while protecting the watershed from polluted city run-off, read on for more information about this wonderful program.
Culver City Rainwater Harvesting Program
The City of Culver City and the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission have partnered to implement a city-wide rainwater harvesting program. The program offers Culver City residents and commercial properties in the community the opportunity to receive a professionally installed rain barrel at a drastically reduced rate.
The first 500 residents to sign up can take advantage of this opportunity for a professionally installed rain barrel for a suggested donation of $40 to cover material costs for the barrel, an estimated value of over $250!
What is a Rain Barrel?
A rain barrel is a collection and storage system used to harvest rainwater from your roof before it’s lost to urban runoff. A rain barrel consists of a 55 gallon industrial strength food-grade plastic container, a hose bib for watering your garden and landscape, a mesh screen to prevent the entry of trash and insects, a vinyl hose to redirect excess rainwater to permeable areas in your yard.
Advantages of Rain Barrels
The US EPA estimates that outdoor water usage comprises nearly 40% of a typical family’s water budget during the summer months. Collected rainwater can be stored for times of drought and provides a plentiful source of chlorine and calcium free “soft water” – great for watering gardens or washing cars – and costs a homeowner practically nothing.
Registration Information: If you live in Culver City and are interested in this pilot program, Email Questions and Application forms to rainwater@santamonicabay.org. Heather (424) 645-7017 or Ivan (310) 961-4606 or go to http://ballonawatershed.org/CCrainwater.html
Thanks to all who participated in our Bag It! screening on Thursday and the Culver City Bicycle Coalition Family Ride on Sunday.
Around 45 people attended our screening of Bag It!, a documentary exploring single-use plastic bags and packaging and the multiple effects they have on our lives. We were particularly pleased that Culver City councilmember (and former mayor) Andrew Weissman and former Culver City mayor and councilmember Gary Silbiger were in the audience, along with students, activists, small businessowners, children, and an array of residents from Culver City and surrounding communities. We thank everyone for coming and participating in the lively discussion after the film. Earlier in the day, the local paper Culver City News, published investigative journalist Gary Walker’s article about our film screening on its front page. Check it out:
http://www.culvercitynews.org/latest-news/documentary-targets-proliferation-of-plastic/
If you would like to become more involved with Transition Culver City’s efforts to reduce waste in our community, contact us: transitionculvercity@gmail.com
On Sunday, 50 riders of all ages participated in Culver City Bicycle Coalition’s monthly Family Ride. What a stunning turnout for the Coalition’s 2nd ride! We began at Culver City’s Town Plaza, rode Ballona Creek Path north, past the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook to Syd Kronenthal Park, where the kids had a play break, then headed back to the Plaza. Rides take place every last Sunday of the month – please join us for the next one on March 27th.
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Bag It! Screening tonight. Hope to see you there!
Bag It! Screening > Thursday Feb. 24, 7-9 pm
The Clean Seas Coalition and Transition Culver City present:
“Bag It!” the award-winning documentary about why we’re banning plastic bags and looking at our relationship with single-use plastics
Doors open at 7pm, screening at 7:30pm – public forum discussion after the film
Culver-Palms United Methodist Church – 4464 Sepulveda Blvd – Culver City, CA 90230
Requested donation: $5 (to help pay for the screening) – Everyone donating will be entered into a drawing for a DVD copy of the film, signed by the filmmakers
Knitting Circle Update – from Nicky
A small group of women met on a cold wintry night for our first Knitting Circle in a warm living room. Some of us were established knitters. One had never knit before but learnt that night. At half time, we had tea and an assortment of healthy desserts.
We want to increase our numbers and welcome all who knit, crotchet, needlepoint or quilt.
Our next meeting is on March 24th, 7-9pm. Email Nicky to RSVP and get directions: verbreg@aol.com.
Please join us this week for the screening of Bag It! the Timebank Potluck, and the Family Bike Ride!
Bag It! Screening > Thursday Feb. 24, 7-9 pm
The Clean Seas Coalition and Transition Culver City present:
“Bag It!” the award-winning documentary about why we’re banning plastic bags and looking at our relationship with single-use plastics
Doors open at 7pm, screening at 7:30pm – public forum discussion after the film
Culver-Palms United Methodist Church – 4464 Sepulveda Blvd – Culver City, CA 90230
Requested donation: $5 (to help pay for the screening) – Everyone donating will be entered into a drawing for a DVD copy of the film, signed by the filmmakers
Our Time Bank Potluck > Saturday Feb. 26, 2-5 pm
Our Time Bank (OTB) is a community of people living and working in the Culver City, Palms and Mar Vista area who support each other by bartering time
Orientation for new members will be at 2:00 p.m. and the potluck will be from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Culver-Palms United Methodist Church – 4464 Sepulveda Blvd – Culver City, CA 90230
Don’t forget to bring your own plates and utensils – and a dish to share with the group. See you there!
Culver City Bicycle Coalition Family Ride > Sunday Feb. 27, 10 am – 12 pm
The Culver City Bicycle Coalition (CCBC) hosts an easy-paced family-friendly bike ride to encourage and educate people to bike more in Culver City every last Sunday of the month.
This month we’re riding the east portion of the Ballona Creek Bike Path to Syd Kronenthal Park and back (route map).
When: Sunday, Feb 27
10am Gather, sign waivers, bike adjustments
11am Ride!
12pm Hang out, grab lunch.
Where: Starts and ends at Town Plaza, near the Culver Hotel 9400 Culver Blvd. Culver City 90232
Requirements: Bicycle, helmet and a signed waiver for each rider. Please come at 10am so we can have the paperwork done before 11am. Bring some coffee in a thermos to share, and some water bottles.
Future rides: MAR.27 – Bunny Ride/APR.24/MAY29/JUN.26 School’s Out Ride!/JUL.31/AUG.28 – Ride to Fiesta La Ballona/SEPT.25/OCT.30 – Halloween Ride/NOV.27 – Turkey Ride/ No ride in Dec. – it’s Xmas!
Happy 2011!
Transition Culver City has been an exciting hub of change, enthusiasm, transformation and inspiration since its formation in March of 2009. We have certainly been busy and would like to express our deep thanks to all of who have participated in our workshops, trainings, films, discussions and celebrations.
This is what we were up to in 2010:
- Sense of Place: Does Culver City Have It?
- Water Use in California: How Ocean Friendly Gardens Conserve this Precious Resource
- Connecting Community and Environment: Our Ballona Creek Context
- Connecting With Places Along Ballona Creek: A Bicycle Tour
- Local Food: What Is It? Panel Discussion
- Urban Regenerative Design and Permaculture Practicum
- “In Transition” Film Screening
- “Dive” Film Screening
- Talking Stick
- Plant-a-Seed activity at Fiesta La Ballona and Homegrown Culver City
- Repurposing Old Clothes
- 10/10/10 Plastic Bag Challenge: Community Think Tank
- Chickens Of Gratitude: Chicken Run Party
- Simplifying the Holidays: Craft-It-Yourself Workshop
My favorite event of the year was Chickens of Gratitude, where we built a chicken coop & run in a Culver City garden, with participants of all ages, live music, a delicious potluck and 2 beautiful rescue chickens! The event that garnered the most media attention was the 10/10/10 Plastic Bag Challenge, with 350.org. There’s good news on the plastic bag front: on November 16th, L.A. County Board of Supervisors banned plastic bags in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles and is paving the way for incorporated municipalities like Culver City to do the same.
We are grateful for our partnership with Our Timebank, are thrilled that Culver City passed its very first Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, and welcome the newly-formed Culver City Bicycle Coalition.
Looking Forward:
In 2011, we are excited to launch our “Grass Uproots Campaign” to transform our lawn culture into beautiful, habitat-friendly, sustainable living gardens. We will be working with our local Farmers Market on a “Make your own produce bag” event, and more. Please share your Transition ideas with us – we would love to collaborate with you on new events.
Enjoy the winter and best wishes for a Happy New Year!
- from the Transition Culver City Team
Community Think Tank: The Plastic Bag Challenge
part of the international 10/10/10 “Global Work Party” organized by 350.org
The California State Senate voted against banning single-use plastic bags in California (SB1998) this summer. Yet the problem of plastic bag pollution remains.
Transition Culver City facilitated a community conversation to gather information and work toward a solution to the plastic bag dilemma. This lively discussion forum for thinking collectively about local solutions for our pollution, waste, oil dependency and ailing watershed had 50 participants, including several children who helped to create a temporary art installation out of plastic bags.
Photo by Jonathan Levy
Participants were urged to bring used single-use grocery bags for the art piece, in exchange for hand-made re-usable bags.
Community-generated solutions included:
- proposing a Culver City municipal plastic bag ban
- initiating a “buy-cott” or “carrot mob” to motivate businesses to discontinue offering single-use plastic bags
- following Ireland’s “Plas-Tax” model
- replacing plastics with biodegradable materials
- reducing consumption altogether
- starting campaign to eliminate plastic bags from our local Farmer’s Market
- putting pressure on mega-companies such as Target and Wal-Mart to stop using plastic bags
There has been good news since our event:
On November 16th, the L.A. County Supervisors voted to ban single-use plastic bags and charge 10¢ for paper bags in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. They also approved an Environmental Impact Report encompassing the entire county, which will make it easier for incorporated cities like Culver City to pass bans of their own. Culver City activists present at the hearing agreed to keep the pressure on the city to act swiftly on the matter.
See our video of the event here: 10/10/10 Community Think Tank
