Go West Young Man, Go West: Transition Los Angeles

Transition Town: California Communities Network
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In my past article regarding Transition Town, I spoke about the New York bite. So, I thought I would learn about what the West Coast is doing. Living in Maine, as I gaze upon mounds of snow outside my window, I tend to wish to look at warmer climates. I also wish for more functional community engagement to get us functioning as a local community, befriending and exchanging support with our neighbors"which returns me to the topic of Transition Towns.

I do want to emphasize my wish is for the reader to research her own area. Being a member of Transition in Maine, I am having a great time nosing about the wide variety of Transitions in the United States. Perhaps there are more awake people in the world than what you and I realize? Some of them may even be your neighbors and mine.

As such, I hope these articles give you food for thought, both in terms of joining a Transition Initiative as well as fostering the development of a local initiative.

In my research of the Los Angeles area website, I came across the group's calendar. Here is an example of the types of work they are engaged in:

When: Thu, January 28, 4:30pm -- 6:30pm

Where: Community Garden at Holy Nativity, 6700 West 83rd, Westchester (LA 90045)

Description: NEW HOURS! Come join garden veterans and garden enthusiasts as we tend and harvest the Community Garden. Our garden is maintained cooperatively (as a team) and the produce goes to benefit needy local families via LAX Food Pantry or similar distribution centers.

Our weekly "work together days" are a great time to meet new friends and to pick up garden tips and tricks. We might harvest vegetables, weed, water, deadhead, transplant, or seed new crops, depending on what the garden needs that day. Feel free to bring all your vegetable gardening questions for discussion as we work. We usually get started at a casual 4pm to 4:30pm and we work until dusk. We supply some small tools, but bring your personal favorites (gloves, hat, clippers, etc). Drop in-basis, but if you feel you've got to contact somebody, you can phone (310) 670-4777

Sounds like fun! Plus, this initiative addresses reducing corporate-government control over feeding the poor, which during times of conservative politics is reduced! We can eradicate poverty. Do we truly need corporations and governmental "flip-flops" to care for our neighbors and us? Or do we operate as a community in getting our needs met? Does this speak to Rob Kall's ideal of "bottom-up" governance?