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- Bike to the Eat Real Festival on Saturday & Sunday, July 16th & 17th at Helm’s Bakery.
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- Eat Real is a free two-day festival at Helms Bakery that celebrates eating, making and growing good, affordable food. L.A.’s best food trucks will converge with numerous food skill demonstrations, which include learning how to make butter, grow balcony food gardens, craft kimchi, raise backyard chickens, and concoct fresh gazpacho using a bike blender! Also on the menu is a panel on food writing, live music, butchery contest, and craft marketplace. Read more about the festival here.
The Culver City Bicycle Coalition is teaming up Bikerowave to host a free bike valet service and lead DIY fix-it workshops and bike tuneups! We’ll also have a Bike Wheel of Fortune raffle. So ride your bike, spin for chance to win awesome prizes ranging from beer, swag, food, and great bike stuff, and beat the “Carmegeddon” heat.
The valet is along Venice Blvd. – between National and Helms. It will run from 10am-6pm on Saturday, 10am-5pm on Sunday.
For those coming from L.A. – biking to Eat Real couldn’t be any easier, especially with our guided bike tour! The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) will take the lead on guiding two-wheel rides to the event. Meet at the courtyard at the Wilshire and Western station of the Metro Purple Line at 10:30 a.m., and the ride begins promptly at 11 a.m. You’ll arrival at the event no later than noon, with plenty of time to enjoy the food fun. Ride happens at both days, same times.
Questions? ccbicylecoalition@gmail.com ~ 310-845-5831
Want to volunteer? Sign up here!
Clean Energy is patriotic.
1,000,000 Strong Against Offshore Drilling just posted a series of Green Patriot Posters.
Here are some favorites:
If you’re wondering what 350 is – get thee to 350.org – and join Transition Culver City in planning our big Moving Planet event on September 24th! Join a coalition of local environmental & community groups in moving Culver City beyond fossil fuels:
transitionculvercity@gmail.com
Join the Work Party — Saturday, June 25th 9am-2pm & Sunday, June 26th, 9am-3pm
on Madison Ave. in Culver City (please RSVP transitionculvercity@gmail.com for address)
Grass-UP-Roots campaign launch in April
Come help convert a local lawn into a sustainable garden, with food, music & lots of community spirit. The Transition Culver City Grass-UP-Roots Campaign is a pay-it-forward work party (with emphasis on the party!) where two Culver City homes are being awarded the “treatment” of experienced on-site lawn conversion guidance and support plus access to materials in order to transform their front lawns into drought tolerant food gardens.
On Saturday, June 25th, we will gather materials for our first lawn conversion and prep the site for the next workday. On Sunday, we will sheet-mulch and plant.
Volunteers are a key element of the project. Participants will learn first hand how to transform a lawn to a water-conserving space for natives, vegetables and other plants suitable for a Mediterranean climate. Bring gloves, sunscreen & your garden tools or use tools provided. Part of the fun is a group meal provided by the host for all the volunteers.
The Grass-up-Roots campaign offers an opportunity to build community in your neighborhood, make new friends and have fun while tackling a large project. Picture old-fashioned barn-raising—conquering inertia for change through camaraderie and skillful goodwill. Fill out the volunteer form here.
RSVP for address and more info: transitionculvercity@gmail.com -or- (310)845-5831
—– Also don’t miss the Eco-movie night on Saturday 6:30 pm – see this post for details! —–
This family-friendly evening will include a screening of the documentary The Economics of Happiness while children are invited to make art out of recycled materials and/or watch the animated short film, Simon Says, ‘Let’s Stop Climate Change!‘
Refreshments will be served, $5 suggested donation (to pay for the screening rights)
Co-sponsored by Transition Mar Vista and Transition Culver City
The Economics of Happiness features a chorus of voices from six continents, including Vandana Shiva, Bill McKibben, David Korten, Samdhong Rinpoche, Helena Norberg-Hodge, Michael Shuman, Zac Goldsmith and Keibo Oiwa. They tell us that climate change and peak oil give us little choice: we need to localize, to bring the economy home. The good news is that as we move in this direction we will begin not only to heal the earth but also to restore our own sense of well-being. The Economics of Happiness challenges us to restore our faith in humanity, challenges us to believe that it is possible to build a better world.
By by Helena Norberg-Hodge, Steven Gorelick & John Page
http://www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org/
Simon Says, ‘Let’s Stop Climate Change!‘ is a 28 minute animated film recommended for children ages 4 and up. With humor and song, the film teaches kids about global warming, the food chain, carbon footprints, composting, carbon offsetting and eco habits like the “three r’s” (reducing, reusing and recycling).
By Denis Thomopoulos
http://www.hippoworks.com/
About the space:
ReDiscover promotes creativity in early childhood and elementary education while encouraging environmental responsibility. ReDiscover recycles everyday discards donated by business and gives them new purpose as hands-on learning materials. ReDiscover is a community art center, reuse warehouse, gallery and event space.
http://www.rediscovercenter.org/
Questions?
transitionculvercity@gmail.com
transitionmarvista@gmail.com
May is National Bike Month – so hop on your bikes & join us at these inspiring events!
GrassUProots Campaign
Do you want to pull up your lawn in order to plant a sustainable garden, but lack the people-power to do it?
Transition Culver City has launched its GrassUProots campaign to help two local households make the change our planet needs!
To apply (and learn more), just fill out the survey here.
This is a community-powered effort: to volunteer for the GrassUProots campaign, click here!
May 5, Thursday, 6PM-7:15PM
Culver City New Community Garden Group has a vision to create a learning garden – a marvelous resource for the entire community, an inclusive place where community members gather to garden, learn and share. Join a monthly planning meeting.
Contact Michelle, michmobile2000@yahoo.com, 310-390-3021
May 7, Saturday, 10AM-2PM
Confident City Cycling: Second Session
This 2-day class is designed to help cyclists age 16 and up gain confidence and skill to ride a bike safely and legally in city traffic. League of American Bicyclists certified Cycling Instructors give students practical guidance through both classroom and hands-on instruction. Cost: $75 per person.
Presented by Sustainable Streets, co-hosted by Transition Culver City & Culver City Bicycle Coalition
Location: Linwood E. Howe Elementary School, 4100 Irving Pl., Culver City, 90232
Pre-register with Sustainable Streets by email at info@sustainablestreetsla.org or by phone at 424-288-1747.
May 11, Wednesday, 7PM
Energy Policy: the Perfect Storm
Michelle Weiner of Transition Culver City joins a panel speaking on energy issues and solutions at the Culver City Democratic Club monthly meeting. The public is invited and welcome. Along with TCC’s Michelle Weiner, panelists include: Evan Gillespie, Sierra Club Regional Representative & lead organizer on the LA Beyond Coal campaign; Brian Treanor, Director of Environmental Studies at Loyola Marymount University; and Dr. Jimmy Hara, Vice-President of Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles.
Location: Veterans Auditorium, Rotunda Room, 4117 Overland Ave., CC.
For more information, click here.
May 16, Monday, 6:30PM-9PM
Knitters’ Circle
Inviting all people who knit, crotchet, needlepoint or quilt to a joint meeting of Our Timebank and Transition Culver City groups. Please bring a healthy snack to share. Drinks will be provided.
RSVP to Nicky for location: verbreg@aol.com; 310-837-7332.
May 19, Thursday, 6:30PM
Film night feature: GAS HOLE
Join TCC for a home screening of Gas Hole, a new documentary film about the history of oil prices and the future of alternative fuels. Narrated by Peter Gallagher, the film features a wide range of viewpoints including the US Department of Energy.
Contact Michelle, michmobile2000@yahoo.com, 310-390-3021
May 29, Sunday, 10AM-1PM
Family Ride
The Culver City Bicycle Coalition hosts a monthly family-friendly bike ride. Meet at Town Plaza in Culver City at 10am. Helmet required.
More info coming soon at http://ccbike.org/
Grass-UP-Roots Campaign: Culver City Lawn Conversion Work Party Launches April 30, 2011
If you’ve been thinking about swapping out your front lawn for a more sustainable garden solution but lack the know-how or get stuck on the daunting size of the task, come catch the wave of change with Transition Culver City’s (TCC) Grass-UP-Roots Campaign launching April 30 at the Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase.
The Grass-UP-Roots campaign is a pay-it-forward Work Party (with emphasis on the party!) where two Culver City homes will be awarded the “treatment” of experienced on-site lawn conversion guidance and support plus access to materials in order to transform their front lawns into drought tolerant food gardens. In true TCC style, the campaign offers an opportunity to build community in your neighborhood, make new friends and have fun while tackling a large project. Picture old-fashioned barn-raising Transition-style—conquering inertia through camaraderie and skillful goodwill.
The Grass-up-Roots Campaign launches on April 30 at 1:30 pm with a DIY Lawn Removal Q&A Forum at the Blades residence, one of the homes participating in the Mar Vista Garden Showcase taking place that day (details below).
If you wish to participate in the contest to be chosen as one of the two Spring/Summer Grass-up-Roots project houses, fill out the TCC online survey and tell us why you deserve the Grass-up-Roots team to come help you take the leap
toward sustainability. The TCC selection committee will award two Culver City homes the honor, to be scheduled sometime between May 30 & Sept 1. Go to the online application.
Applications will also be available at the Launch on April 30.
All applications due by May 7, 2011.
Hints from the selection committee: can you rustle up your own crew from the family or neighborhood? Are you interested in learning how to grow edibles? Volunteering to help others start a garden? Sharing produce with your community?
According to the Public Policy Institute of California, a major factor in escalating water demand in California is the dominant land-use pattern of single-family homes with lush lawns. An edible garden uses half as much water as a span of green turf while providing hundreds of pounds of food per year, increasing a family’s grocery resilience in challenging times.
Be a part of the solution! Let the Grass-UP-Roots Campaign ignite your passion for sustainable community change. Whether or not your home is selected as one of the project houses, TCC hopes that the networking and information exchange at the DIY workshop will lead to neighbors helping neighbors reach sustainable living goals.
The informational DIY Lawn Removal Q&A includes a forum of Culver City homeowners who have
navigated the transformation sharing their experiences….what worked and some pitfalls to avoid.
John Tikotsky, sustainable landscape architect, will also be on hand with professional tips.
See the event flyer here: Mar Vista Garden Showcase & DYI Lawn Removal Flyer
Meet at 1:30 pm at:
The Blades Family home,
11375 Matteson Ave
Los Angeles CA 90066
(Map 1-K of the Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase homes).
Description and directions here.
Want to bike to the Grass-UP-Roots launch and tour the Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase afterwards? Meet TCC members at 12:30 pm at Culver City Hall for the ride to Mar Vista.
Transition Culver City (TCC) is a grassroots organization seeking community
solutions to the global challenges of climate change, peak oil, and economic
instability. TCC is a part of the international Transition movement and is one
local group in a growing network of Transition initiatives throughout Los
Angeles County. See our website for more info.
Join TCC on a ride to the Mar Vista Green Garden Show Case & help kick off our GrassUProots campaign!
Need inspiration to transform your yard into a water-saving food friendly garden? We’ll meet and visit selected gardens that feature water harvesting, food production, backyard chickens and more! Meet at Culver City Hall (9770 Culver Blvd. 90232) at 12:30 to bike to Mar Vista. At 1:30 we will present the kick-off to our GrassUProots Campaign at the Home of the Blades Family, 11375 Matteson Ave. (Map 1-K of garden tour homes). Come hear about garden transformation from folks who have jumped in with their own muddy boots!
Return to Culver City at 4pm.
Not able to join us by bike? The Showcase is from 11am-4pm: check out Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase to plan your self-guided tour.
The 2011 Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase will be held on Saturday April 30th from 11:00 AM to 4 PM.
TCC core member Ginny LeRossignol Blades, whose house is on one of the gerrymandered corners of Culver City in the 90066 area code west of Sawtelle is participating. Her initial inspiration came from the FREE drought tolerant gardening classes offered at Vets Auditorium in 2007-2008 sponsored by West Basin under the encouragement of Ed Little — back when CC residents were first being notifed of impending lawn watering restrictions.
11375 Matteson Avenue
This is how she describes the conversion from grass to “green” (reposted from the Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase website):
Starting with zero knowledge in gardening, in 2008 this family stopped their battle with a monoculture lawn and began learning how to cooperate with nature on their learn-as-you-go journey of drought tolerant landscaping and urban gardening.
Their hope is to model creative self-reliance and to encourage growing food and community in a frontyard display that is friendly and inviting and not too “farm-y.” This entire DIY project has had strict budgetary parameters (everything cheap, recycled or free) as the homeowners slowly converted their post-lawn moonscape into a creative garden hodge podge complete with stealth edibles mixed in with drought tolerant natives and succulents, small “urbanite” terraces and swales, planter boxes crafted from unusual recycled materials, and a bistro-style hardscaped frontyard room with homemade concrete planters and pavers. The L-shaped corner lot features a spectrum of microclimate sectors from sunbaked to mossy deep shade which has provided a steep learning curve for these beginning permaculture enthusiasts. Some areas are handwatered, others left to the seasons. The front entry of river rock, DG & flagstone is wide & inviting as well as easy to maintain. In efforts to fuzz the boundary between public and private, the family placed a bench next to the sidewalk and enjoys growing a few edibles in the parkway with signs inviting passersby to pick & enjoy. Some areas are still unresolved (blank canvasses!). On the learning curve has been resculpting the berm with mini-swales and a keyhole feature to help prevent mulch and water runoff and learning about soil pH and the impact of excess lime from concrete leaching.
“Our reason for participating: We have had such fun with the project so far — we really want to encourage others to be brave and take up their lawns. Now that the biggest physical part of the work is done, we are discovering the many joys of puttering in the garden and growing some of our own food. Plus since we’re out front for all to see, a side benefit has been connecting with neighbors and building community!”
They will also share information and materials about the local chapter of the Transition movement.
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TCC will organize a bike tour to this year’s Garden Showcase >> join us! transitionculvercity@gmail.com
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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