author: Debbie Simpson
It’s hard to believe that 2010 is over. It has been a great year for Transition San Fernando Valley. A big “Thank You” goes out to the Steering
Committee for all of their efforts.
*2010 – Year in Review*
Over the past year, Transition SFV had several events including the C-Realm Salon, The Future is About Resilience, Intro to Transition, Transitioning in Place (2 parts), the Crash Course salon series and a Permaculture movie night. Featured workshops included Mead-Making, Self-Watering Containers, Worm Composting and an Introduction to CA Native Plants. Outreach was conducted at several “green” events in 2010 including the Topanga Earth Day Fair, The Valley Water Expo, and at Burbank Green Alliance’s free screening of “Crude” in September.
In July, our founding member, Bill Maxwell, held a meeting in response to people wanting to create an alternative local economy. He encouraged interested members to make a go of it. On September 1st, we launched a pilot program called the San Fernando Valley Time Exchange. The results have been positive. The SFV Time Exchange offers public workshops and events in collaboration with Transition SFV. It is a group of volunteers that help one another with a focus on sustainability. For each hour of service a member provides to someone in the group, they earn an an Exchange Hour. They can then use that Exchange Hour to receive service from anyone in the group. Potluck meetings are held each month, which are quite fun.
Our communications coordinator, Carol Hart, has been hard at work networking with various groups. Her focus is on inter-generational projects. She is now on the board of the Valley Interfaith Council and is working with them in planning a community garden. By developing these important relationships, she is paving the way for community projects that Transition SFV can be a part of.
Our founding member, Bruce Woodside, has completed several permaculture projects at his home in Valley Village. His home is now the model for which the Transition SFV members will now strive to achieve at their own homes. As soon as the fish are in the pond and the chickens in the coop, Bruce will be our ‘resilient one’. He has opened his home for a variety of Transition meetings, workshops and events. He is the ever gracious host.
Thank you to Don, Jonathan, Mitzi and Jude for their contributions to Transition SFV and SFV Time Exchange this past year. It is much appreciated.
*Looking Ahead in 2011*
The Pilot Program for the SFV Time Exchange will be coming to a close in January. In February, the group will move forward as an independent time bank and will be accepting new members at the February Orientation/Potluck. Membership is free. Members can offer and/or receive services as well as have access to more classes and events. As membership increases, we will form neighborhood groups.
The Steering Committee is looking forward to continuing their outreach efforts. Please spread the word about Transition SFV to people you know. We will be starting the process to create an Energy Descent Action Plan (EDAP) for the San Fernando Valley this year.
*Upcoming Public Events:*
A World of Health: Connecting People, Place and Planet:
Featuring Marla Scripter R.N., D.C
This six-session discussion course from the Northwest Earth Institute explores good health, the connections between human health and the
environment, and how we can sustain both. Each session includes readings, video clips, short assignments and accompanying group discussion questions. See the flyer: http://nwei.org/files/world-of-health-flyer Materials fee: $20 (book)
Maximum – 10 participants. To sign up, send an email to SFVTimeExcha…@gmail.com Please specify “*World of Health Series*”.
Class will meet 6 Tuesday evenings, starting January 11th from *6:30pm – 8:30pm*
- Discussion Group 1: Redefining Health – Tuesday, January 11th
- Discussion Group 2: Eating Well – Tuesday, January 18th
- Discussion Group 3: Cleaning House (Avoiding Toxins) – Tuesday, January 25th
- Discussion Group 4: Building Healthy Communities – Tuesday, February 1st
- Discussion Group 5: Curing Consumption (Buy fewer items) – Tuesday, February 8th
- Discussion Group 6: Healthy Planet, Healthy Self – Tuesday, February 15th
*Permaculture Discovery Series:
Featuring Jude Janett, Permaculture Graduate, and guest speakers
Discover permaculture for yourself by attending this series which will include discussions, videos and hands-on activities. Learn how to observe your land and work with nature (not against it). To sign up, send an email to SFVTimeExcha…@gmail.com Please specify. Series will meet every other Saturday in Woodland Hills, starting January 23nd from *1pm – 5pm*
- Session 1: Water & Soil
- Session 2: Landscape Design
- Session 3: Natural Buildings
- Session 4: Alternative Currencies
*Clothes Swap/Refashioning Clothes Event*
on Sunday, January 30th (4pm – 8pm)
Bring gently used clothing, buttons, zippers, elastic, patterns, etc. that you would like to give away. If you have a sewing machine and small folding table, bring it too. Pick out what you like and we will give old clothes new life by refashioning them into our own creations. This is a great,
sustainable way to add items to your wardrobe. To sign up, send an email to SFVTimeExcha…@gmail.com Please specify “*Refashioning Clothes*”.
*SFV Time Exchange Orientation/Potluck*
on Sunday, February 6th (4pm – 8pm)
Membership will be open in February! By joining, you will have access to more classes and events. You can also offer/receive services through our Circle of Giving. For a list of services, check out the right hand column on http://SFVTimeExchange.webs.com Heard of speed dating? Well, try out our “Speed Exchanging!” Be part of the fun. To RSVP, send an email to SFVTimeExcha…@gmail.com Please specify “*February Potluck*”.
*Spring Seed Swap/Recipe Swap*
on Saturday, February 12th (11am – 3pm)
Bring your extra seeds that you have been saving or better yet, collecting from your garden. If you have heirloom varieties, those would be great to share with the group. We will also have a recipe swap. Bring your best vegetarian, vegan or raw recipes. Make 10 copies of each recipe to share. We’ll have fun socializing too. To sign up, send an email to SFVTimeExcha…@gmail.com Please specify “*Seed & Recipe Swap*”.
*Spring “Free For All” & Picnic*
on Saturday, March 12th (10am – 2pm)
Do your spring cleaning early this year and set aside those items you would like to give away. We will have a *BIG* get together in a park where we set out our items on blankets and tarps. After you setup your display, browse what others have brought and take what you like. If you have large, heavy items like couches, beds or washing machines you would like to give away, keep them at home and bring pictures of them instead to display. If someone wants the item(s), you can make arrangements for pick up. Bring a potluck dish for our picnic in the park. Come meet new people. To sign up, send an email to SFVTimeExcha…@gmail.com Please specify “*Spring Free For All*”.
For more event details, go to http://SFVTimeExchange.webs.com We actually have more events coming up (see bottom of website).
