I've now been living in an apartment without any outside space for 5 years. At first, I dealt with it, but my 5 inch wide windowsills have gradually been overgrown with plants. As the years have gone on, finding a place to garden has become more of a priority to me as I learn more about my food and take more interest in producing food on a more local level and see the benefit in putting time instead of just money into good food that can also benefit those around me. I currently grow chives, sage and have a few sprouted avocado pits on my windowsill.
I've looked into the Community Gardens in Los Angeles, but none are close enough to my apartment to be practical. I want to garden someplace I'll be every day, not someplace that is miles away (this matters, especially without a car). The other problem is that many community gardens in Los Angeles have extremely long wait lists. I've been eying a somewhat abandoned looking piece of land near my apartment building for years, wondering if it could be turned into a community garden. It's currently used by people walking their dogs, people walking to the nearby Metro station or for homeless people to sleep. The low covering bushes frequently collect trash and there are no trash cans nearby. Recently I ran into someone that could actually help turn this land into something more and have found additional people interested in the idea of fixing it up. The problem is that even if we could make it into somewhat of a community garden, I think it would be prone to theft and therefore better for less desirable things, like herbs. So I was super excited to find GrowFriend.org.
The GrowFriend site can be thought of as personal ads for the garden-minded. You can sign up as a land owner who needs help or is willing to let someone else grow things on your land or as a gardener, looking for some land to sow. When you sign up, you fill out a profile, detailing what you want to do or what you need. Once your profile is filled out, you can begin looking for others in your area and exchange information. The GrowFriend site offers a variety of guidelines helping you decide how to split costs and responsibilities with your fellow land owner and gardeners and to help maintain some of your privacy before jumping into things with someone else. The site is free to sign up and seems to be available to people anyplace. Right now there appears to be about 50 people signed up in the Los Angeles area.
It seems like this site still has a lot of room to grow, but I was excited to see gardening opportunities within a short bike ride of my home. I will still continue working on the community garden area near my apartment, but this is a really exciting solution to a common problem for potential gardeners like myself and many others living in apartment buildings and condos!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
happy summer!
One thing I love about the summer in California are the fruits and veggies. It's hard to resist the beautiful and unique things that you can find at the farmers market and growing on trees available for public use. The foods come with delicious smells, unique textures and a rainbow colors. Some of the flavors are so intense and delicious there is no need to do anything else with the foods besides washing them. Biking to the Studio City farmers market early Sunday morning makes for an enjoyable beginning of the summer.
my take away this week: tomatoes, cucumber, lime, summer squash and a variety of pit fruit including apricots, pluots and a peach. most of it is organic, all of it is local. total spent: $4.
my take away this week: tomatoes, cucumber, lime, summer squash and a variety of pit fruit including apricots, pluots and a peach. most of it is organic, all of it is local. total spent: $4.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
These are the things in your neighborhood
Sometime at the end of 2007/beginning 2008, when gas was crazy expensive, I realized I was only using my car for weekly errands, recycling and visiting friends. I already had been riding the train to work for a few years and did a bunch of errands in Pasadena, where I work, on foot. I was driving about 2000 miles a year. I realized how awesome it would be if I could actually do most of my errands on bike though. I had already walked the 4 miles round trip on Sunday mornings to the farmers market with some frequency. It was doable, but not always fun. The path was all along Ventura Blvd and in some places there are no sidewalks. My neighbor from New York that didn't own a car thought I was a little nuts for doing that. My friend and I walked from my apartment to his apartment in the middle of the San Fernando Valley and I realized I could walk and use my body to move myself much further than I had originally thought possible. So I decided I would buy a bike.
I struggled for months though, wondering where I would I store the bike. I wasn't allowed to put anything outside of a car in my apartment garage. I don't have a porch, utility room or hall in my 1 bedroom apartment and couldn't put heavy duty hardware in my walls. I didn't really have a solution to this problem, but I decided that I should start visiting the garage sales in my neighborhood and looking for a bike.
I realized how difficult and annoying it was to go to some garage sales in a car. I had to find parking on a street that generally had way more cars than normal. At one point, I found a bike, but didn't have enough cash on me. I went home to grab cash and as I managed to get my car in a parking spot, I saw the bike being placed in someone else's trunk. Grr. But I continued on and eventually came across a cheapish used bike that fit me (I'm kinda short). Almost instantly I loved the freedom that came with the bike. It didn't take long before I was able to do most of my weekend errands by bike
Now I'm to a point where I don't even have a car anymore. I bought a new bike when I realized my old bike was a little too cheap in some ways and not exactly the right size for me. I use the train a lot, I've taken way more buses than I did in the past and I still continue to walk a great deal. But I do enjoy biking the best. It's caused me to rethink where I am living and understand the area bit more. I am amazed at the distances I can travel while not even feeling tired afterward. Many of my friends now have bikes and will go out on rides. Some things are more difficult though, while others have become even easier. One of the things that has become easier is visiting the weekend garage sales in my neighborhood.
Simply due to the fact that I have a tendency to bike through more residential areas to get to my weekly errands, I'm already in the areas where the garage sales are. I don't even have to get off my bike to take a good look at what's available. I keep a mental inventory of things that I will need in the near future, but not immediately and keep my eyes open. It's awesome because I don't have to go to some special store to buy these things-- I just keep my eyes open where I already am going.
I don't buy a lot of furniture and other large items, but I generally don't need these items. If you really need that giant chest, it's worth talking to the sellers about holding it while you go get a car or find some other way to get it home. I recently bough a folding wooden chair that matched the 2 I already had at home from a previous thrift store visit. I always carry bungee cords in my backpack with me when biking, so I managed to strap the chair onto my bike rack with the legs of the chairs sticking out straight behind me. I'm sure I looked weird, but I made it home! I've found glass jars to store my bulk bin items, small gardening items, embroidery thread and an awesomely colored silk scarf for 25 cents! (ok, I really didn't actually need that, but I'm surprised at the number of ways I've found to use it!)
At garage sales I always keep an eye on my bike when I need to step away for a moment so that people don't think my bike's for sale. I must keep in mind whether I have enough space in my backpack or panniers to take home whatever I to buy. It's satisfying to know that this is one of the most local types of shopping I can do and I am buying reused things. I've had some fun moments too with people I'd never get a chance to interact with otherwise. One day a red crowned parrot appeared in my neighborhood. These parrots make me giddly like a small child when I see them in Pasadena, so I was excited to point it out to others at the garage sale and have a chance to talk with them about it. Freecycle is still great, but some things people are less likely to give away or you might be waiting for a while or need to travel longer than expected. Garage sales, especially on bike, can be incredibly efficient to visit, a fun way to explore your neighborhood and a super earth friendly activity.
I struggled for months though, wondering where I would I store the bike. I wasn't allowed to put anything outside of a car in my apartment garage. I don't have a porch, utility room or hall in my 1 bedroom apartment and couldn't put heavy duty hardware in my walls. I didn't really have a solution to this problem, but I decided that I should start visiting the garage sales in my neighborhood and looking for a bike.
I realized how difficult and annoying it was to go to some garage sales in a car. I had to find parking on a street that generally had way more cars than normal. At one point, I found a bike, but didn't have enough cash on me. I went home to grab cash and as I managed to get my car in a parking spot, I saw the bike being placed in someone else's trunk. Grr. But I continued on and eventually came across a cheapish used bike that fit me (I'm kinda short). Almost instantly I loved the freedom that came with the bike. It didn't take long before I was able to do most of my weekend errands by bike
Now I'm to a point where I don't even have a car anymore. I bought a new bike when I realized my old bike was a little too cheap in some ways and not exactly the right size for me. I use the train a lot, I've taken way more buses than I did in the past and I still continue to walk a great deal. But I do enjoy biking the best. It's caused me to rethink where I am living and understand the area bit more. I am amazed at the distances I can travel while not even feeling tired afterward. Many of my friends now have bikes and will go out on rides. Some things are more difficult though, while others have become even easier. One of the things that has become easier is visiting the weekend garage sales in my neighborhood.
Simply due to the fact that I have a tendency to bike through more residential areas to get to my weekly errands, I'm already in the areas where the garage sales are. I don't even have to get off my bike to take a good look at what's available. I keep a mental inventory of things that I will need in the near future, but not immediately and keep my eyes open. It's awesome because I don't have to go to some special store to buy these things-- I just keep my eyes open where I already am going.
I don't buy a lot of furniture and other large items, but I generally don't need these items. If you really need that giant chest, it's worth talking to the sellers about holding it while you go get a car or find some other way to get it home. I recently bough a folding wooden chair that matched the 2 I already had at home from a previous thrift store visit. I always carry bungee cords in my backpack with me when biking, so I managed to strap the chair onto my bike rack with the legs of the chairs sticking out straight behind me. I'm sure I looked weird, but I made it home! I've found glass jars to store my bulk bin items, small gardening items, embroidery thread and an awesomely colored silk scarf for 25 cents! (ok, I really didn't actually need that, but I'm surprised at the number of ways I've found to use it!)
At garage sales I always keep an eye on my bike when I need to step away for a moment so that people don't think my bike's for sale. I must keep in mind whether I have enough space in my backpack or panniers to take home whatever I to buy. It's satisfying to know that this is one of the most local types of shopping I can do and I am buying reused things. I've had some fun moments too with people I'd never get a chance to interact with otherwise. One day a red crowned parrot appeared in my neighborhood. These parrots make me giddly like a small child when I see them in Pasadena, so I was excited to point it out to others at the garage sale and have a chance to talk with them about it. Freecycle is still great, but some things people are less likely to give away or you might be waiting for a while or need to travel longer than expected. Garage sales, especially on bike, can be incredibly efficient to visit, a fun way to explore your neighborhood and a super earth friendly activity.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
NBC disappointment
Maybe it's just too late, but since I was awake, I decided to put on Conan tonight. I usually never watch "late night tv", but after hearing about the trip on the show to the 99 cent store I frequent (should I be embarrassed to admit that? They actually sell a fair number of organic products and are one of the closest "all purpose" stores near me outside of garage sales), I decided I'd watch out of curiosity. Anyway, it's frustrating to watch segments on NBC covering the topic of "what I need to know about living in LA" and the first thing that is discussed is that you will be driving a great deal. This is on NBC. I thought NBC was all about the "green image". Don't they tell me that I need to use compact fluorescent light bulbs and reusable bags to be green? Now they are telling me the only way around LA is in a car? I thought they wanted to build tons of building, partially to house this show, right on top of the Metro station I use every single day so people could use the trains! They want to bring thousands of extra cars and car trips to the places that pedestrians and bikers walk and bike adjacent to this train station as well. Argh. Like I said, maybe it's just too late for me, but this is rather disappointing.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
on and on
A few days after getting hit by a driver of a Rav4, my friend is in stable condition in the ICU. Her known injuries include a shattered ankle, a broken femur (the strongest bone in the human body), a collapsed lung, major skin abrasions including areas where large chunks of skin are missing and multiple skull fractures. At the end of last week, her family requested people donate blood, if possible, in her name.
I'd never donated blood before. Through a combination of temporarily disqualifying myself with tattoos and piercings over the years and honestly being scared of giving blood, I'd never done it before. Summer is already a slow time of the year for donations and with a specific request for blood and realizing that any amount of discomfort and pain I would experience is dwarfed by my friend's state, I decided to go ahead and do it. I'm so glad I did it because donating blood wasn't half as bad as I was imaging in my head. I went along with so coworkers for moral support and made sure to eat a decent lunch beforehand and take advantage of their food and drink offers afterward. I felt a little lightheaded in the hours afterward, but I was fine biking 12 miles this morning to do errands, 2 days later. I think previous experiences with fasting blood tests mislead me as to how much actually being able to eat and drink before and afterward helps.
This week we should find out more about my friend's injuries and hopefully more people can visit her once she is out of the ICU. It's sad and difficult at times to see how one of those 30-second simple stories about a pedestrian or biker getting hit by a car online or on the news can become so drawn out when you actually experience it. It has caused me to think a lot more about how I am living without a car. I think at moments, emotionally, I think I might be doing the wrong thing. When I really think about the whole situation though, I realize I am still doing the right thing. Walking is a perfectly natural action that people should be able to do safely. It makes sense as a form of transportation, especially in Southern California. I've hesitated at times sharing these details, but I hope that others can understand how driving without being able to see "because of the sun" can have serious consequences. I want people to realize how powerful a car is when compared to a human and how quickly it can hurt someone else. There are things that can be done to fix some of these issues, but they take more change in thought and actions than what is being done now.
I'd never donated blood before. Through a combination of temporarily disqualifying myself with tattoos and piercings over the years and honestly being scared of giving blood, I'd never done it before. Summer is already a slow time of the year for donations and with a specific request for blood and realizing that any amount of discomfort and pain I would experience is dwarfed by my friend's state, I decided to go ahead and do it. I'm so glad I did it because donating blood wasn't half as bad as I was imaging in my head. I went along with so coworkers for moral support and made sure to eat a decent lunch beforehand and take advantage of their food and drink offers afterward. I felt a little lightheaded in the hours afterward, but I was fine biking 12 miles this morning to do errands, 2 days later. I think previous experiences with fasting blood tests mislead me as to how much actually being able to eat and drink before and afterward helps.
This week we should find out more about my friend's injuries and hopefully more people can visit her once she is out of the ICU. It's sad and difficult at times to see how one of those 30-second simple stories about a pedestrian or biker getting hit by a car online or on the news can become so drawn out when you actually experience it. It has caused me to think a lot more about how I am living without a car. I think at moments, emotionally, I think I might be doing the wrong thing. When I really think about the whole situation though, I realize I am still doing the right thing. Walking is a perfectly natural action that people should be able to do safely. It makes sense as a form of transportation, especially in Southern California. I've hesitated at times sharing these details, but I hope that others can understand how driving without being able to see "because of the sun" can have serious consequences. I want people to realize how powerful a car is when compared to a human and how quickly it can hurt someone else. There are things that can be done to fix some of these issues, but they take more change in thought and actions than what is being done now.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Close Encounters of the Unwanted Kind
Last night while walking in Pasadena, one of my coworkers was struck by a car. She is alive, but she's currently in the hospital, unconscious. She's one of my few walking pals at work (so many other people will whine and complain about the idea of walking a full mile during lunch and then go work out in a gym later on) and just a couple of weeks ago she finally sold her car.
Although there have been countless news stories recently of people being hit by cars and buses, bikers being struck and killed, her story, I suppose, wasn't sensational enough (only 1 person involved, she wasn't killed on site and there wasn't a bus involved) to make it to any of these avenues. It makes me pause and think a bit more about the true number of people getting injured in these types of accidents every day in LA, California, U.S. and the world. It's mindblowing. Then add on top of that the number of people being killed in offhand ways by cars, such as through air pollution that increases cardiovascular issues, and it's amazing that cars are used as frequently as they are.
From what I've read, there are things that car makers can do to make vehicles less harmful to pedestrians in accidents, but these are not standards or frequent.
As someone that has been walking all around Los Angeles for miles nearly every day for the past 4 to 5 years, I've had my fair share of "almost" accidents. I have walked through some signals so many times that I know when they will change when I hit the buttons, I know which ones have left turns, that people frequently blow through and to always be super careful next to the freeway and certain driveways that people simply can't see around well. I've been with another coworker when we both crossed the street, me in front, only to have a car get close enough to touch his body, but not to injure him. We had a crossing signal and there were no other cars in the intersection. The driver saw me, but somehow completely missed him. Another time a car got close enough for my hand to touch the hood when I instinctively stuck out my hand as the car turned a corner, completely ignoring me. I've almost been hit while on my bike as well and I find myself trying to not bike during certain hours when I know more cars are around. I don't like wearing a helmet, but I do it and have embroidered reflective patches for my bag.
I have already been frustrated with the number of accidents that have been popping up in the news. As a pedestrian and bicyclist I know that more needs to be done to both encourage these forms of transportation as well as make it more of a pleasant experience. New York has figured that out recently. Sometimes the things done here in LA are enough to drive me mad.
I want things to be better for myself. I want others to be able to walk as well. I want people to feel safe doing this perfectly natural thing, walking. It wasn't until I spent a large amount of time outside of a car that I realized how threatening some drivers and cars can be. As people slowly inch toward you in their car, anxious for you to get out of the way, it can be alarming. You must watch drivers because they can easily never look in your direction and just drive, completely unaware because they are just looking for cars. Despite laws on the books that make it illegal for people to hold their cell phone and talk, an extremely large number of people do this. Once you pay attention to cars with missing headlights and dead street lamps, you realize these things are not as rare as one might hope.
I do not know what I will do, but this has put a fire under my ass to want to do more. This morning I thought about the risk I take as a pedestrian every day, walking past the 101 freeway entrance across from Universal Studios and today I find out one of my coworkers and friend has been hurt in exactly this way. The things done to make Los Angeles a more walkable and bikeable city are not complete and viewed by the big picture. Major streets live Ventura Blvd don't even have sidewalks, bike lanes lead to no where. Any suggestions are welcomed.
Although there have been countless news stories recently of people being hit by cars and buses, bikers being struck and killed, her story, I suppose, wasn't sensational enough (only 1 person involved, she wasn't killed on site and there wasn't a bus involved) to make it to any of these avenues. It makes me pause and think a bit more about the true number of people getting injured in these types of accidents every day in LA, California, U.S. and the world. It's mindblowing. Then add on top of that the number of people being killed in offhand ways by cars, such as through air pollution that increases cardiovascular issues, and it's amazing that cars are used as frequently as they are.
From what I've read, there are things that car makers can do to make vehicles less harmful to pedestrians in accidents, but these are not standards or frequent.
As someone that has been walking all around Los Angeles for miles nearly every day for the past 4 to 5 years, I've had my fair share of "almost" accidents. I have walked through some signals so many times that I know when they will change when I hit the buttons, I know which ones have left turns, that people frequently blow through and to always be super careful next to the freeway and certain driveways that people simply can't see around well. I've been with another coworker when we both crossed the street, me in front, only to have a car get close enough to touch his body, but not to injure him. We had a crossing signal and there were no other cars in the intersection. The driver saw me, but somehow completely missed him. Another time a car got close enough for my hand to touch the hood when I instinctively stuck out my hand as the car turned a corner, completely ignoring me. I've almost been hit while on my bike as well and I find myself trying to not bike during certain hours when I know more cars are around. I don't like wearing a helmet, but I do it and have embroidered reflective patches for my bag.
I have already been frustrated with the number of accidents that have been popping up in the news. As a pedestrian and bicyclist I know that more needs to be done to both encourage these forms of transportation as well as make it more of a pleasant experience. New York has figured that out recently. Sometimes the things done here in LA are enough to drive me mad.
I want things to be better for myself. I want others to be able to walk as well. I want people to feel safe doing this perfectly natural thing, walking. It wasn't until I spent a large amount of time outside of a car that I realized how threatening some drivers and cars can be. As people slowly inch toward you in their car, anxious for you to get out of the way, it can be alarming. You must watch drivers because they can easily never look in your direction and just drive, completely unaware because they are just looking for cars. Despite laws on the books that make it illegal for people to hold their cell phone and talk, an extremely large number of people do this. Once you pay attention to cars with missing headlights and dead street lamps, you realize these things are not as rare as one might hope.
I do not know what I will do, but this has put a fire under my ass to want to do more. This morning I thought about the risk I take as a pedestrian every day, walking past the 101 freeway entrance across from Universal Studios and today I find out one of my coworkers and friend has been hurt in exactly this way. The things done to make Los Angeles a more walkable and bikeable city are not complete and viewed by the big picture. Major streets live Ventura Blvd don't even have sidewalks, bike lanes lead to no where. Any suggestions are welcomed.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Things to do!
Recent Bicycle recalls:
-Giant 2009 model TCR Advanced SL Fork
-Dahon and REI 2008 Novara Folding Bicycles
-REI 2005 Novara Trionfo Bicycles
-Specialized 2009 Cross Trail Comp, Myka HT Comp, Myka HT Elite, Rockhopper, Rockhopper Comp and Rockhopper Comp 29 Bicycles
-Specialized 2004 Roubaix Comp and Roubaix Pro Bicycles
-Electra 2009 Model Electra Bicycles with Front Trays
-Salsa 2007- 2008 Ala Carte, El Mariachi, Casseroll Triple, Casseroll Single and La Cruz Handlebar Stems Bicycles
-Cannondale 2008 Adventure 2, Adventure 3, Adventure 2 Feminine and Adventure 3 Feminine Bicycles
-Cannondale 2009 Six 5, Six 6, Six Carbon 5 and Six Carbon 6 Bicycles
Check this link periodically for new recalls!
The City of Los Angeles Bicycle Master Plan is currently being released in pieces for public review. The current maps for the San Fernando Valley, Central/Westside and South LA/Harbor Area are available.
If you bike in LA or would like to bike in LA, but feel unsafe due to lack of bike lanes, it's worth taking some time to look at these maps. You can submit feedback by mail or email (jordann.turner@lacity.org or the address is on the website). The city needs to know what we need as bikers. We are trying to reduce traffic, reduce air pollution, get exercise, enjoy the outdoors of Los Angeles and get to know the city better, but we need help from the city. Take some time to care for the places you live, work and play and you can make it better for yourself and others!
-Giant 2009 model TCR Advanced SL Fork
-Dahon and REI 2008 Novara Folding Bicycles
-REI 2005 Novara Trionfo Bicycles
-Specialized 2009 Cross Trail Comp, Myka HT Comp, Myka HT Elite, Rockhopper, Rockhopper Comp and Rockhopper Comp 29 Bicycles
-Specialized 2004 Roubaix Comp and Roubaix Pro Bicycles
-Electra 2009 Model Electra Bicycles with Front Trays
-Salsa 2007- 2008 Ala Carte, El Mariachi, Casseroll Triple, Casseroll Single and La Cruz Handlebar Stems Bicycles
-Cannondale 2008 Adventure 2, Adventure 3, Adventure 2 Feminine and Adventure 3 Feminine Bicycles
-Cannondale 2009 Six 5, Six 6, Six Carbon 5 and Six Carbon 6 Bicycles
Check this link periodically for new recalls!
The City of Los Angeles Bicycle Master Plan is currently being released in pieces for public review. The current maps for the San Fernando Valley, Central/Westside and South LA/Harbor Area are available.
If you bike in LA or would like to bike in LA, but feel unsafe due to lack of bike lanes, it's worth taking some time to look at these maps. You can submit feedback by mail or email (jordann.turner@lacity.org or the address is on the website). The city needs to know what we need as bikers. We are trying to reduce traffic, reduce air pollution, get exercise, enjoy the outdoors of Los Angeles and get to know the city better, but we need help from the city. Take some time to care for the places you live, work and play and you can make it better for yourself and others!
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