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.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
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!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Review for Garbage Warrior
The movie Garbage Warrior follows a man named Mike Reynolds. Reynolds went to school and studied to be an architect. Once he finished, he realized that the school he just went through missed an excellent opportunity to teach people how to create buildings with the future in mind. They needed to deal with water shortages and the wasting of resources, but they weren't. Being a stubborn man, he decided to try to fix it himself and provide an example for everyone else to follow. He set out on constructing houses out of reused materials like glass bottles, aluminum cans, tires, dirt and adobe. He wanted the house off the grid and to be self sustaining. The result was the Earthship.
"You couldn't worry about what it looked like, you just wanted it to work"
Since Reynolds was exploring nontraditional ground for American architecture, he also did a large amount of experimenting. This unstandardized approach brought him issues however. His self designed, eco friendly neighborhoods and homes violated countless laws that city of Taos, New Mexico had in place. So he sets out to comply with the laws and then sought permission to have an experimental community, similar to the resources the government puts into testing out a weapon.
The documentary covers this story and shows you countless examples of these amazing, unique structures and introduces you to some of the people learning the techniques themselves. The houses are easy enough to construct that the process can be taught with relative ease to people in countless situations using the available resources. Because they take advantage of what is available, they are also generally much cheaper to construct than a normal home.
Some people might be turned off by the design of some of these buildings, but if you have any sort of ecological leaning or are interested in sustainable housing, I am pretty sure this documentary can be inspiring to you.
"You couldn't worry about what it looked like, you just wanted it to work"
Since Reynolds was exploring nontraditional ground for American architecture, he also did a large amount of experimenting. This unstandardized approach brought him issues however. His self designed, eco friendly neighborhoods and homes violated countless laws that city of Taos, New Mexico had in place. So he sets out to comply with the laws and then sought permission to have an experimental community, similar to the resources the government puts into testing out a weapon.
The documentary covers this story and shows you countless examples of these amazing, unique structures and introduces you to some of the people learning the techniques themselves. The houses are easy enough to construct that the process can be taught with relative ease to people in countless situations using the available resources. Because they take advantage of what is available, they are also generally much cheaper to construct than a normal home.
Some people might be turned off by the design of some of these buildings, but if you have any sort of ecological leaning or are interested in sustainable housing, I am pretty sure this documentary can be inspiring to you.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Goode Family?
After reading a few short articles online, I decided to make an effort to watch the premier of "The Goode Family" tonight, the new animated tv show from Mike Judge about a family trying incredibly hard to be, well, "good" and make the correct decisions about social, political and environmental issues. They are a family of vegans with a hybrid car and an adopted, South African son.
I have to admit I have a soft spot in my heart for "King of the Hill" as it captures some aspects of living in Texas I find difficult to explain to people that never lived there. It reminds me of things I don't experience everyday anymore. I knew some info about this new show beforehand, so I knew it might not hit me the same way.
With that said, the show was a little much at moments. At times I got the impression that they were trying to make fun of how much information there is to gather when trying to make an informed decision (should you buy the organic, organic local, organic local free trade or conventional apples? The only thing different is the sign and price!) At the same time I think the extreme over-the-topness at moments gives almost everyone a chance to laugh, even if you are deeply embedded in the green/socially correct/etc movements. Like the vegan dog that is obsessed with chasing after every living animal in the neighborhood. Since when does a vegan dog know he should ignore his instincts to chase & eat animals?
There is more to think about beyond that though, which of course doesn't really come across in this show. This is the first episode however, which means the characters are still not developed (I think back to the first episode of the few show I really like and they all progressed dramatically after that point.) I am happy that this sort of topic has made it to a tv show on ABC. Maybe this is the way to get the idea through to more people? I wonder how long a show like this could last on tv considering the characters are so narrowly defined thus far.
I plan on trying to catch the show a couple more times at least before I make a final decision (and before the digital tv switch over - I can't get ABC with my converter box!) It's a small piece of popular culture that maybe I can talk with other people about. As the show stands right now, it makes environmentalism, being socially aware and other things out to be some overwhelming decision without an underlying motivation (then again, I think many people have different motivations and as a result take these decisions to different degrees). If this show opens a dialog with people that normally wouldn't talk about these things, I see that as a positive thing.
I have to admit I have a soft spot in my heart for "King of the Hill" as it captures some aspects of living in Texas I find difficult to explain to people that never lived there. It reminds me of things I don't experience everyday anymore. I knew some info about this new show beforehand, so I knew it might not hit me the same way.
With that said, the show was a little much at moments. At times I got the impression that they were trying to make fun of how much information there is to gather when trying to make an informed decision (should you buy the organic, organic local, organic local free trade or conventional apples? The only thing different is the sign and price!) At the same time I think the extreme over-the-topness at moments gives almost everyone a chance to laugh, even if you are deeply embedded in the green/socially correct/etc movements. Like the vegan dog that is obsessed with chasing after every living animal in the neighborhood. Since when does a vegan dog know he should ignore his instincts to chase & eat animals?
There is more to think about beyond that though, which of course doesn't really come across in this show. This is the first episode however, which means the characters are still not developed (I think back to the first episode of the few show I really like and they all progressed dramatically after that point.) I am happy that this sort of topic has made it to a tv show on ABC. Maybe this is the way to get the idea through to more people? I wonder how long a show like this could last on tv considering the characters are so narrowly defined thus far.
I plan on trying to catch the show a couple more times at least before I make a final decision (and before the digital tv switch over - I can't get ABC with my converter box!) It's a small piece of popular culture that maybe I can talk with other people about. As the show stands right now, it makes environmentalism, being socially aware and other things out to be some overwhelming decision without an underlying motivation (then again, I think many people have different motivations and as a result take these decisions to different degrees). If this show opens a dialog with people that normally wouldn't talk about these things, I see that as a positive thing.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Phantom Galleries
A few years ago while walking past an unused furniture store front in Pasadena along Colorado Blvd., I noticed it wasn't filled with furniture, and the building wasn't even open, but there was art in all of the windows! Each set of windows had a different exhibit with a small plaque with an artists' name. The art consisted of paintings, textiles, sculptures, abstract and concrete. The exhibits rotate a few times a year. I later found of this exhibit and the others that replaced it were part of a larger project called Phantom Galleries.
Phantom Galleries are art galleries available for public viewing for free 24 hours a day. They are placed in empty store fronts. It makes the streets more interesting to walk on and gives people a place to show different types of art to pedestrians. Los Angeles has a few of these galleries in Pasadena, downtown LA and Long Beach.
Since the store fronts aren't necessarily the most ideal viewing conditions, it does lead to different impressions of the art. That in itself enhances the experience in some ways. I also never get a chance to look at the Pasadena installations during the night, which means reflections from the street sometimes interfere with the art.
I find myself excited to walk past these displays. Even if I have seen the pieces before, they look different with varying weather or window dirtiness. Based on the Phantom Gallery website, it looks either the current display in Pasadena is being switched out at the end of the month or it will go away completely.
If you're in these neighborhoods, I'd recommend trying to make an effort to walk past a phantom gallery! Check out the website for current locations.
Phantom Galleries are art galleries available for public viewing for free 24 hours a day. They are placed in empty store fronts. It makes the streets more interesting to walk on and gives people a place to show different types of art to pedestrians. Los Angeles has a few of these galleries in Pasadena, downtown LA and Long Beach.
Since the store fronts aren't necessarily the most ideal viewing conditions, it does lead to different impressions of the art. That in itself enhances the experience in some ways. I also never get a chance to look at the Pasadena installations during the night, which means reflections from the street sometimes interfere with the art.
I find myself excited to walk past these displays. Even if I have seen the pieces before, they look different with varying weather or window dirtiness. Based on the Phantom Gallery website, it looks either the current display in Pasadena is being switched out at the end of the month or it will go away completely.
If you're in these neighborhoods, I'd recommend trying to make an effort to walk past a phantom gallery! Check out the website for current locations.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Big Belly Tra$h cans
Last week while walking around Pasadena, my coworker noticed something new -- a solar trash can! Actually it's a Big Belly Solar Trash Compactor.
This more expensive than normal Trash Can is promoted on the premise that by having the trash compacted, it doesn't spill all over the streets from overflowing trash cans, animals can't access the trash and the cans don't have to be emptied as frequently (the can supposedly holds 5 times the normal volume of a city street trash bin). The money saved and pollution reduced by picking up trash less frequently offsets the $3750 price tag + maintenance and battery replacements. The compacting is accomplished with the power of the sun, harnessed by the solar panel on top of the can.
One thing that is weird about these cans is that you have to open a door that is reminiscent of the Post Boxes on the street. There is a clear person-throwing-trash-away symbol on the front, but I can imagine some mail has made it into these bins. I also wonder if these cans are more difficult and time consuming to empty. It appears that they can't be emptied without a key and I'd image they also weigh 5 times as much as a normal trash load.
This particular can is on Los Robles near Green Street. I haven't seen any others around Pasadena, but it seems like there were a few around for 6 months a couple of years back. CalTech also seems to have had some bins at some point. The idea makes sense, but I have to admit that if they save as much money as claimed, I wonder why I don't seem them more frequently. This is the first time I've noticed one and I walk and bike around various parts of LA a fair bit. It does make me wonder if that means Pasadena is giving up on recycling as I can't imagine recycling is easier after compacting everything. There are no recycling bins on the streets of Pasadena from what I've seen.
This more expensive than normal Trash Can is promoted on the premise that by having the trash compacted, it doesn't spill all over the streets from overflowing trash cans, animals can't access the trash and the cans don't have to be emptied as frequently (the can supposedly holds 5 times the normal volume of a city street trash bin). The money saved and pollution reduced by picking up trash less frequently offsets the $3750 price tag + maintenance and battery replacements. The compacting is accomplished with the power of the sun, harnessed by the solar panel on top of the can.
One thing that is weird about these cans is that you have to open a door that is reminiscent of the Post Boxes on the street. There is a clear person-throwing-trash-away symbol on the front, but I can imagine some mail has made it into these bins. I also wonder if these cans are more difficult and time consuming to empty. It appears that they can't be emptied without a key and I'd image they also weigh 5 times as much as a normal trash load.
This particular can is on Los Robles near Green Street. I haven't seen any others around Pasadena, but it seems like there were a few around for 6 months a couple of years back. CalTech also seems to have had some bins at some point. The idea makes sense, but I have to admit that if they save as much money as claimed, I wonder why I don't seem them more frequently. This is the first time I've noticed one and I walk and bike around various parts of LA a fair bit. It does make me wonder if that means Pasadena is giving up on recycling as I can't imagine recycling is easier after compacting everything. There are no recycling bins on the streets of Pasadena from what I've seen.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Guilty until you prove your Worth
So the Sheriffs have become more aggressive about checking passes recently on the Red and Gold Lines. At times it seems like they are at the Union Station TAP stations at the Red Line and at the top of the stairs at the Gold Line every other day. In about 30 minutes I tap my card when entering the Red Line, tap my card to the sheriff's card reader, tap my card at the Gold Line and tap my card on another sheriff's card reader.
This has frustrated me more than once. Many times the one or two sheriffs with the card readers are off talking to someone else and not paying attention for people coming toward them. The process of a flood of people trying to tap their cards at once has caused me to miss trains more than once. As it is, the amount of time I spend waiting for a transfer train can almost half of to equal to what it would take me to drive to work. Some days it is difficult not to think about this.
Today I also realized that every cent on making sure me, a paying customer (no, I've never been on the train before without paying!!) actually did pay is a wasted cent. I already paid. They aren't going to get anymore unless something horrible happens or I lose my ticket. So does that mean the money they spent on making sure me and all the others that paid actually did pay is still less than what they gain by finding the few people that actually didn't buy a pass or just had a crappy day? Suddenly riding the train took on such a different level of stress. They're waiting for me to fail so they can take as much money as possible from me? They don't care if me, a paying MTA patron, gets so fed up with the delays that I stop using their transportation? Losing that money is more than worth the money made by ticketing people after paying for the 8-10 sheriffs standing around to check my pass?
The only other explanation I can come up with is that they are gaining some other form of information by making this happen that makes the cost of sheriffs checking my pass multiple times in a day worthwhile. Maybe this is how they force some data to be collected (seeing how long I'm on the train, where I am going, how long it takes me to get to the next connection, how long they need you to stand in one place for them to get the desired image of you.)
Either way, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. When I questioned one of the sheriffs about it today she replied "Well this is what you have to do at the airport!" That's hardly a reason to bother your paying customers multiple times in a day and delay them, but I'd also never ride an airplane every single day, partially because it is such a hassle. I don't think that's the sort of idea they want to promote.
I've always been pretty bull headed. It's something I can't deny. I've always been one to question things, which can be frustrating to myself and others. I work in an industry that leaves me a bit more attuned to these types of situations as well. I sometimes wonder how many things would be different about Los Angeles public transportation, sidewalks and bike paths if the people making decisions about them had to also utilize them every day.
This has frustrated me more than once. Many times the one or two sheriffs with the card readers are off talking to someone else and not paying attention for people coming toward them. The process of a flood of people trying to tap their cards at once has caused me to miss trains more than once. As it is, the amount of time I spend waiting for a transfer train can almost half of to equal to what it would take me to drive to work. Some days it is difficult not to think about this.
Today I also realized that every cent on making sure me, a paying customer (no, I've never been on the train before without paying!!) actually did pay is a wasted cent. I already paid. They aren't going to get anymore unless something horrible happens or I lose my ticket. So does that mean the money they spent on making sure me and all the others that paid actually did pay is still less than what they gain by finding the few people that actually didn't buy a pass or just had a crappy day? Suddenly riding the train took on such a different level of stress. They're waiting for me to fail so they can take as much money as possible from me? They don't care if me, a paying MTA patron, gets so fed up with the delays that I stop using their transportation? Losing that money is more than worth the money made by ticketing people after paying for the 8-10 sheriffs standing around to check my pass?
The only other explanation I can come up with is that they are gaining some other form of information by making this happen that makes the cost of sheriffs checking my pass multiple times in a day worthwhile. Maybe this is how they force some data to be collected (seeing how long I'm on the train, where I am going, how long it takes me to get to the next connection, how long they need you to stand in one place for them to get the desired image of you.)
Either way, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. When I questioned one of the sheriffs about it today she replied "Well this is what you have to do at the airport!" That's hardly a reason to bother your paying customers multiple times in a day and delay them, but I'd also never ride an airplane every single day, partially because it is such a hassle. I don't think that's the sort of idea they want to promote.
I've always been pretty bull headed. It's something I can't deny. I've always been one to question things, which can be frustrating to myself and others. I work in an industry that leaves me a bit more attuned to these types of situations as well. I sometimes wonder how many things would be different about Los Angeles public transportation, sidewalks and bike paths if the people making decisions about them had to also utilize them every day.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Friends of the Los Angeles River Clean up 2009
Last weekend my boyfriend and I headed to the LA River in Balboa Park for another LA River clean up, this time for the 20th anniversary of the Friends of the Los Angeles River Cleanup. This was our 3rd LA River clean up in the San Fernando Valley's Balboa Park -- the previous 2 were with Heal the Bay.
Not the best photo, but the Friends of the Los Angeles River had a little tent set up, making them easy to spot. That particular morning the park was packed with soccer games and army recruiting. FoLAR provided us with tshirts with a rather cute drawing on the front and as my boyfriend and I collected gloves and bags, an egret flew overhead. "It's good luck!", one of the people exclaimed. Like the other cleanups I've done, we had to sign release forms, but instead of a long formal training, they let us immediately get on our way and begin cleaning! They also provided live musical entertainment and I couldn't help but to sing along quietly to myself when they played "16 Tons".
People walking along the edge of the LA River. There is a rough concrete steep walled surface in this area of the LA River, with a more natural river bottom in the center.
Stepping into the natural river is truly walking into another world when you consider the surrounding city. It's all overgrown with vines, bamboo, thistles and uncommon trees. The bird populations are different and the sounds they make are new music after hearing the birds that live in the more concrete areas of the city. There are sounds of water flowing over rocks and prickly plants to avoid. There are challenges in trying to figure out how to move and new views around every corner. I love seeing this all - it's one of the side benefits to the River Cleanup.
----------------------------------------------------------------
But the nearby civilization makes itself painfully present when you see the various bits of trash all over. By far, the most common we saw were plastic and styrofoam.
I came across a large mound of styrofoam peanuts, cups, plates and other random packaging mixed in with dirt. Piece after piece, each smaller than the last. Plastic appeared in the form of all sorts of bags, food packaging, many sealed single-serve toothpicks, straws, caps, lighters, breath mints, Easter grass and other random bits. This group of individuals put some serious effort into dislodging a giant piece of plastic from the river.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
We had to leave a little early, so we didn't see the final result of the day's efforts, but this was the pile of sorted recycling and trash before we left.
This was by far one of the better organized cleanup events I've been to. They also provided reusable water bottles and a water cooler to fill up bottles, which was nice. I'm always frustrated with the large amount of waste simply generated by the beverages provided at some of these events. We brought along our Klean Kanteens and just refilled at the cooler. As long as I'm able to, I think this is another volunteer event I will add to my yearly calendar!
Not the best photo, but the Friends of the Los Angeles River had a little tent set up, making them easy to spot. That particular morning the park was packed with soccer games and army recruiting. FoLAR provided us with tshirts with a rather cute drawing on the front and as my boyfriend and I collected gloves and bags, an egret flew overhead. "It's good luck!", one of the people exclaimed. Like the other cleanups I've done, we had to sign release forms, but instead of a long formal training, they let us immediately get on our way and begin cleaning! They also provided live musical entertainment and I couldn't help but to sing along quietly to myself when they played "16 Tons".
People walking along the edge of the LA River. There is a rough concrete steep walled surface in this area of the LA River, with a more natural river bottom in the center.
Stepping into the natural river is truly walking into another world when you consider the surrounding city. It's all overgrown with vines, bamboo, thistles and uncommon trees. The bird populations are different and the sounds they make are new music after hearing the birds that live in the more concrete areas of the city. There are sounds of water flowing over rocks and prickly plants to avoid. There are challenges in trying to figure out how to move and new views around every corner. I love seeing this all - it's one of the side benefits to the River Cleanup.
----------------------------------------------------------------
But the nearby civilization makes itself painfully present when you see the various bits of trash all over. By far, the most common we saw were plastic and styrofoam.
I came across a large mound of styrofoam peanuts, cups, plates and other random packaging mixed in with dirt. Piece after piece, each smaller than the last. Plastic appeared in the form of all sorts of bags, food packaging, many sealed single-serve toothpicks, straws, caps, lighters, breath mints, Easter grass and other random bits. This group of individuals put some serious effort into dislodging a giant piece of plastic from the river.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
We had to leave a little early, so we didn't see the final result of the day's efforts, but this was the pile of sorted recycling and trash before we left.
This was by far one of the better organized cleanup events I've been to. They also provided reusable water bottles and a water cooler to fill up bottles, which was nice. I'm always frustrated with the large amount of waste simply generated by the beverages provided at some of these events. We brought along our Klean Kanteens and just refilled at the cooler. As long as I'm able to, I think this is another volunteer event I will add to my yearly calendar!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
giving and freecycle
I've been on the freecycle mailing list for my area for years. From time to time I'd look through the emails, not really see anything I wanted and that was about it. I had considered offering items, but I was a little weirded out about meeting with people.
The past few weeks have been filled with spring cleaning, so I finally got a fire under my ass and decided I had to try freecycle out. I decided to offer a stack of magazines. I quickly received an email from someone interested in the magazines. We set up a meeting time in front of a close by grocery store and everything went as smoothly as possible. All of my worries, while valid in some ways since I am meeting someone off the internet, weren't too big issues when sitting in front of a grocery store with a lot of foot traffic. I also was in the process of trying to get rid of some old pots and pans when someone on my list asked for pots and pans! Awesome! Today I finally was able to set up a time to pass those on as well. How awesome to be able to set up these situations with just a few emails and a little of your time. It's not as if I would be able to deduct much on my taxes by donating these items to a charity and it can be difficult to get items to those locations. Additionally there is a bit of satisifcation knowing that someone that needs or wants these items is directly getting them, which lets me get directly involved with the transfer. I think I realized that is the aspect of volunteering on a project that I always enjoyed. That's why donating money is never quite the same to me.
Anyway, I would highly recommend looking for your local freecycle group and looking at it or just keep it in mind when you are looking to get rid of something. Even though your tv might be old and useless to you, someone else might not have a tv at all or prefer something smaller. Some people drop their magazines off at libraries or doctors offices, but this is another great way to get rid of something that would other be recycled. Reuse before recycling!
The past few weeks have been filled with spring cleaning, so I finally got a fire under my ass and decided I had to try freecycle out. I decided to offer a stack of magazines. I quickly received an email from someone interested in the magazines. We set up a meeting time in front of a close by grocery store and everything went as smoothly as possible. All of my worries, while valid in some ways since I am meeting someone off the internet, weren't too big issues when sitting in front of a grocery store with a lot of foot traffic. I also was in the process of trying to get rid of some old pots and pans when someone on my list asked for pots and pans! Awesome! Today I finally was able to set up a time to pass those on as well. How awesome to be able to set up these situations with just a few emails and a little of your time. It's not as if I would be able to deduct much on my taxes by donating these items to a charity and it can be difficult to get items to those locations. Additionally there is a bit of satisifcation knowing that someone that needs or wants these items is directly getting them, which lets me get directly involved with the transfer. I think I realized that is the aspect of volunteering on a project that I always enjoyed. That's why donating money is never quite the same to me.
Anyway, I would highly recommend looking for your local freecycle group and looking at it or just keep it in mind when you are looking to get rid of something. Even though your tv might be old and useless to you, someone else might not have a tv at all or prefer something smaller. Some people drop their magazines off at libraries or doctors offices, but this is another great way to get rid of something that would other be recycled. Reuse before recycling!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Earthquakes and Phonebooks
Here in Los Angeles we've had quite a few noticeable earthquakes within the past few months. A couple years back I realized I should finally be a little more serious about preparing for earthquakes. While I keep a well stocked pantry, I never buy bottled water, so I never had any around, despite being one of the most important things to have around. There were countless other items like this. While there are many websites that do a better job of explaining what you should do to prepare, there are some things I still feel like I am missing, including first aid information.
Nothing can replace actual experience and training, but I knew I needed to start someplace. I usually use the internet as a resource, but I need to be reasonable and consider that we won't have phone access, electricity or access to a computer in an earthquake. Recently I hit up a local used bookstore near the Orange Line, Next Chapter Books and picked up a First Aid and Personal Safety handbook from the American Red Cross. I also found out that phone books have more than just phone numbers! This may sound silly, but I never really bothered to look in the front of the book. Before you reuse or recycle your old phonebook, look through the front section of the book. You should find a short first aid section. You might also find some local maps with important resources marked (hospitals, water), disaster prep lists and lists of emergency numbers (just check to make sure they haven't changed). Just tear out these sheets, fold them up and place them in a waterproof bag. These are especially good for tucking into an emergency kit you keep in the car or at work where you usually don't have a phonebook.
Nothing can replace actual experience and training, but I knew I needed to start someplace. I usually use the internet as a resource, but I need to be reasonable and consider that we won't have phone access, electricity or access to a computer in an earthquake. Recently I hit up a local used bookstore near the Orange Line, Next Chapter Books and picked up a First Aid and Personal Safety handbook from the American Red Cross. I also found out that phone books have more than just phone numbers! This may sound silly, but I never really bothered to look in the front of the book. Before you reuse or recycle your old phonebook, look through the front section of the book. You should find a short first aid section. You might also find some local maps with important resources marked (hospitals, water), disaster prep lists and lists of emergency numbers (just check to make sure they haven't changed). Just tear out these sheets, fold them up and place them in a waterproof bag. These are especially good for tucking into an emergency kit you keep in the car or at work where you usually don't have a phonebook.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Farmers Market Recipe - Applesauce
I love going to the Farmers market. The ones near me don't necessarily have the best prices on food all of the time, but there are some great tasting items you can't find in the normal grocery stores. Recently I picked up a couple pound of "second-rate" organic apples without wax for $1 a pound. I honestly have no idea what variety they were -- they were a molted red/green color. They were fairly sweet when snacking on little slices. I was excited to use organic apples as according to the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen list apples have one of the highest pesticide loads of a large variety of produce.
I'd never made applesauce before, but I set out to turn my second-rate apples to first-rate applesauce! It is super sweet considering I didn't add any sugar.
8 medium apples
few tablespoons of lime/lemon juice (I pick whatever citrus I can find in my neighborhood that is in public areas)
water
spices, as desired: cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger
Fill a large saucepan or pot with an inch or so of water. Add a couple of tablespoons of citrus juice.
Wash and core all apples. Do no peel! Cut into cubes and add to pot of water. Continue until all apples have been cut.
Cover apples in pot and turn on medium. Allow to simmer until the apples have become soft and begin falling apart, stirring occasionally.
Turn off burner. Using immersion blender (or some other device for mashing/pureeing), puree applesauce until it is the desired consistency. Season to taste with spices and additional lemon or lime juice.
I'd never made applesauce before, but I set out to turn my second-rate apples to first-rate applesauce! It is super sweet considering I didn't add any sugar.
8 medium apples
few tablespoons of lime/lemon juice (I pick whatever citrus I can find in my neighborhood that is in public areas)
water
spices, as desired: cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger
Fill a large saucepan or pot with an inch or so of water. Add a couple of tablespoons of citrus juice.
Wash and core all apples. Do no peel! Cut into cubes and add to pot of water. Continue until all apples have been cut.
Cover apples in pot and turn on medium. Allow to simmer until the apples have become soft and begin falling apart, stirring occasionally.
Turn off burner. Using immersion blender (or some other device for mashing/pureeing), puree applesauce until it is the desired consistency. Season to taste with spices and additional lemon or lime juice.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Review for Go Green by Nancy Taylor
Title: Go Green - How to Build an Earth-Friendly Community
Author: Nancy Taylor
Published: Jan 2008
Other: Printed on recycled paper
The first thing that struck me about this book was that it simply looked different than most books. It had a soft back, but was made completely out of matte (not shiny) recycled paper, has rounded corners and the whole book is printed with an aqua colored font. I do a large amount of my reading standing on the train and I found the book to fit easily in the palm of my hand while holding it open with the other.
The book begins with a simple call to action. You are seeing there is climate change occurring, something must be done about it. This book has some easy steps and ideas to get yourself and your community going in that direction. The author covers a variety of basic topics including saving energy, building remodeling and green buildings in general, transportation, food and water. Each chapter is a quick read at 20 pages or less. Each briefly explains the things that are targets of attention and why these behaviors are causing some issues. She then explains some easy steps and ideas to get yourself and other thinking about what can be done. The chapters then conclude with a list of action points. Some ideas are for the home while others are definitely more long term projects that take the support of a group of others in your community.
I would recommend this book to people looking to get into more green living. It is a good place to start for ideas for action, but is just an introduction. This book has the advantage of being more than a blurb from someone trying to sell you their "green" item while still not jumping full into a history of garbage in the U.S., for example. After picking a topic, to really get some of these projects going I'd do more research.
Author: Nancy Taylor
Published: Jan 2008
Other: Printed on recycled paper
The first thing that struck me about this book was that it simply looked different than most books. It had a soft back, but was made completely out of matte (not shiny) recycled paper, has rounded corners and the whole book is printed with an aqua colored font. I do a large amount of my reading standing on the train and I found the book to fit easily in the palm of my hand while holding it open with the other.
The book begins with a simple call to action. You are seeing there is climate change occurring, something must be done about it. This book has some easy steps and ideas to get yourself and your community going in that direction. The author covers a variety of basic topics including saving energy, building remodeling and green buildings in general, transportation, food and water. Each chapter is a quick read at 20 pages or less. Each briefly explains the things that are targets of attention and why these behaviors are causing some issues. She then explains some easy steps and ideas to get yourself and other thinking about what can be done. The chapters then conclude with a list of action points. Some ideas are for the home while others are definitely more long term projects that take the support of a group of others in your community.
I would recommend this book to people looking to get into more green living. It is a good place to start for ideas for action, but is just an introduction. This book has the advantage of being more than a blurb from someone trying to sell you their "green" item while still not jumping full into a history of garbage in the U.S., for example. After picking a topic, to really get some of these projects going I'd do more research.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Homeless Count
This past weekend I was approached by a woman at the Studio City farmers market. She was there asking people to volunteer for the Los Angeles Homeless Count.
Every 2 years the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) requires the main group dealing with homeless issues to count the Homeless in their county. This allows them to obtain funding.
This year the Los Angeles count is over a 3 day period, January 27, 28 & 29, 2009. Different parts of the county have their counts on different nights. It seems like it will be about 4 hours, from 8pm-12am, and you will be with a group. Each group gets an area to walk around and there is a training session.
I have to admit that riding the trains and subway frequently and being an avid walker, I don't carry much cash on me. By being in these places, I am also exposed to the homeless issues more frequently. There are some people I can count on seeing in certain places and others that I notice along the train and bus lines at different shelters. I realized that I felt bad many times when people asked me for things though. I've handed out bags of recyclables in the past, but I don't have enough to give to everyone every time I am approached. I realize that this volunteer project is a good way to at least try to do my part to make sure people can get more help.
If you don't have a car, don't fret! They actually ask on the volunteer form if you have a car or bike. This information helps place you in an area you can get to and move around.
Every 2 years the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) requires the main group dealing with homeless issues to count the Homeless in their county. This allows them to obtain funding.
This year the Los Angeles count is over a 3 day period, January 27, 28 & 29, 2009. Different parts of the county have their counts on different nights. It seems like it will be about 4 hours, from 8pm-12am, and you will be with a group. Each group gets an area to walk around and there is a training session.
I have to admit that riding the trains and subway frequently and being an avid walker, I don't carry much cash on me. By being in these places, I am also exposed to the homeless issues more frequently. There are some people I can count on seeing in certain places and others that I notice along the train and bus lines at different shelters. I realized that I felt bad many times when people asked me for things though. I've handed out bags of recyclables in the past, but I don't have enough to give to everyone every time I am approached. I realize that this volunteer project is a good way to at least try to do my part to make sure people can get more help.
If you don't have a car, don't fret! They actually ask on the volunteer form if you have a car or bike. This information helps place you in an area you can get to and move around.
Monday, November 24, 2008
NBC/Universal Red Line Project
Today is the last day to send feedback on the Environmental Impact Report to jon.foreman@lacity.org about the NBC/Universal Project planned on top of the Metro Universal City Red Line station.
This particular topic hits close to home for me because this project is planned on top of the subway station I use every day to get to work and home. After reviewing the Environmental Impact report I was rather stunned in the lack of consideration for the people that are already using the Red Line in this neighborhood. I know there are those statistics floating around from a few years ago about people not using the Metro Rail Line in their neighborhood despite living close to the stations, but that still doesn't mean anyone is using them. If any of those people are like me, I honestly had no idea I lived near a Red Line station for about a year. It wasn't really advertised and frankly a little weird looking elevator structure that I passed on the street didn't scream "Public Transportation HERE" to me.
The project has no planned pedestrian or bicyclist mitigation that I can find besides a potential Pedestrian Bridge leading from the Red Line to the current Universal Studios property. Even that isn't a definite. Many of the project's significant and unavoidable impacts directly affect those that walk and bicycle to the train station. The project is expected to generate 15,000 additional car trips in the area per a day (they only expect 2000 public transportation trips from their employees per a day). The resulting traffic issues will spread all through the area past all path ways that bicyclists and pedestrians must walk. There are about 8 or 9 nearby freeway on and off ramps that will have additional traffic on as a result. Some of these ramps are already extremely unsafe as drivers are both exiting and entering at high speeds and are generally not looking for slow moving bikes and pedestrians. There is also 7 years of construction planned that would at one point include moving hundreds of trucks of dirt out of the site and onto the freeway, every day.
Air quality levels around the construction sites (that are on top of the Red Line) during the 7 years of construction will be affected negatively. Multiple air quality measurements will exceed safety thresholds. This is where people must walk and bike to get to their public transportation without the covered safety of a car. There is no mitigation planned to deal with this.
The planned project will also include excessive noise, which again pedestrians and bicyclst are particularly susceptible to since they do not have the closed in car to protect them. Construction is set to go on for 21 hours a day at some points of the project.
The end project also includes a huge number of animated, moving and illuminated signs, which again come with no mitigation to ensure that pedestrians and bicyclists will be safe while moving through this area. These sorts of signs have a tendency to draw people's attention away from the street, which is a major safety issue.
For a project that is being touted as LEED certified, I am amazed at the lack of consideration for the already existing "greeness" of the surrounding community. This project also has a stated goal of encouraging use of the transit system and as the plans stands, there is a very real possibility of this project discouraging those that are currently using the system to continue. The train stop where I get off for work has been under construction for the past 2 years. As much as I hate driving, I found driving to be less stressful than dealing with some of the construction near the rail stop, so I stopped riding the train for a period of time until the construction was completed. There was no consideration taken for those that had to walk along the sidewalks without closure warnings, past people using jackhammers, sidewalks were closed and left with huge open trenches for weeks on end. Sidewalks were constantly littered with screws, nails, stray pieces of metal and wood and who knows what else. I got my tetanus shot as a precaution. Marked sidewalk closures only lead people to even worse sidewalk conditions. Cars were equally confused by closures, which then puts pedestrians at a higher risk. If we want people to use the public transportation systems we need to not treat those riding them as 3rd class citizens. Walking and biking through construction for 7 years with a result of increased traffic and no safety measure for bicyclists or pedestrians is an alarming development for a "green" company.
I urge you to please write to jon.foreman@lacity.org and email him any questions or comments you have on this project and what they plan to do to preserve the current metro ridership and help keep people out of their cars.
This particular topic hits close to home for me because this project is planned on top of the subway station I use every day to get to work and home. After reviewing the Environmental Impact report I was rather stunned in the lack of consideration for the people that are already using the Red Line in this neighborhood. I know there are those statistics floating around from a few years ago about people not using the Metro Rail Line in their neighborhood despite living close to the stations, but that still doesn't mean anyone is using them. If any of those people are like me, I honestly had no idea I lived near a Red Line station for about a year. It wasn't really advertised and frankly a little weird looking elevator structure that I passed on the street didn't scream "Public Transportation HERE" to me.
The project has no planned pedestrian or bicyclist mitigation that I can find besides a potential Pedestrian Bridge leading from the Red Line to the current Universal Studios property. Even that isn't a definite. Many of the project's significant and unavoidable impacts directly affect those that walk and bicycle to the train station. The project is expected to generate 15,000 additional car trips in the area per a day (they only expect 2000 public transportation trips from their employees per a day). The resulting traffic issues will spread all through the area past all path ways that bicyclists and pedestrians must walk. There are about 8 or 9 nearby freeway on and off ramps that will have additional traffic on as a result. Some of these ramps are already extremely unsafe as drivers are both exiting and entering at high speeds and are generally not looking for slow moving bikes and pedestrians. There is also 7 years of construction planned that would at one point include moving hundreds of trucks of dirt out of the site and onto the freeway, every day.
Air quality levels around the construction sites (that are on top of the Red Line) during the 7 years of construction will be affected negatively. Multiple air quality measurements will exceed safety thresholds. This is where people must walk and bike to get to their public transportation without the covered safety of a car. There is no mitigation planned to deal with this.
The planned project will also include excessive noise, which again pedestrians and bicyclst are particularly susceptible to since they do not have the closed in car to protect them. Construction is set to go on for 21 hours a day at some points of the project.
The end project also includes a huge number of animated, moving and illuminated signs, which again come with no mitigation to ensure that pedestrians and bicyclists will be safe while moving through this area. These sorts of signs have a tendency to draw people's attention away from the street, which is a major safety issue.
For a project that is being touted as LEED certified, I am amazed at the lack of consideration for the already existing "greeness" of the surrounding community. This project also has a stated goal of encouraging use of the transit system and as the plans stands, there is a very real possibility of this project discouraging those that are currently using the system to continue. The train stop where I get off for work has been under construction for the past 2 years. As much as I hate driving, I found driving to be less stressful than dealing with some of the construction near the rail stop, so I stopped riding the train for a period of time until the construction was completed. There was no consideration taken for those that had to walk along the sidewalks without closure warnings, past people using jackhammers, sidewalks were closed and left with huge open trenches for weeks on end. Sidewalks were constantly littered with screws, nails, stray pieces of metal and wood and who knows what else. I got my tetanus shot as a precaution. Marked sidewalk closures only lead people to even worse sidewalk conditions. Cars were equally confused by closures, which then puts pedestrians at a higher risk. If we want people to use the public transportation systems we need to not treat those riding them as 3rd class citizens. Walking and biking through construction for 7 years with a result of increased traffic and no safety measure for bicyclists or pedestrians is an alarming development for a "green" company.
I urge you to please write to jon.foreman@lacity.org and email him any questions or comments you have on this project and what they plan to do to preserve the current metro ridership and help keep people out of their cars.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
