December 14, 2004

Knit Together (and crochet too!)

Explore the Rhythm of Your Soul

TIME: 7:00pm to 9:00pm
WHERE: Path to Freedom
COST: FREE. Please bring healthy snacks and drinks to contribute to the munchies table!

EVENT DESCRIPTION: Join us and fellow crafters as we gather to knit / crochet, chat, and interact. It's the perfect way to relax, meet others, practice your technique and skills, share favorite patterns and show off your creations.

No experience necessary. Whether you've never knitted or crocheted a stitch before in your life, have done so a long time ago, just learned, or are an expert -- all skill levels are welcome!

If you've made an extra hat. scarf, or sweater you don't need, you can leave them to be donated as gifts to the City of Hope for the cancer patients or Union Station for the homeless.

November 11, 2004

PTF at "Outstanding Recycler Awards Ceremony"

Path to Freedom
Winner of 2004 Outstanding Recycler Award
for Preservation of Natural Resources
presented by the City of Pasadena & Patagonia


6:30pm
FREE
Organic appetizers and refreshments will be provided.

Armory Center for the Arts
Raymond Ave
Pasadena, CA

September 07, 2004

PTF Exhibit at "GardenLAb"

September 7th - Cctober 16th

the gardenLAb experiment
in the wind tunnel
Art Center College of Design
950 South Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, California
11:00am - 8:00pm every day except sunday

August 29, 2004

WORKSHOP: Design in Partnership with Nature

Instructor: Robina McCurdy

Introduction to permaculture design principles, tools and process, and applying theses to needs of the land, specifically to identify, enhance and create sacred spaces, restore areas in need of healing and balancing and to protect and create wildlife habitat.

TIME: 9:00pm to 5:00pm
WHERE: Path to Freedom
COST: COST: $135 - $65 (income-based sliding scale) Fee includes Permaculture Gardens Around the Planet Slideshow entry.

COST: $135 - $65 (income-based sliding scale) Fee includes Permaculture Gardens Around the Planet Slideshow entry.

Workshop participants - bring a bagged lunch or food to share in a potluck as a combined meal for lunch and also for dinner.

HOW TO REGISTER:

We accept credit cards ( Visa, Mastercard, Discover ), checks and money orders.

You may register by any of the following methods:

Download (and mail): pdf registration form

Call: 626.795.8400

Email: Register for Workshop (you will receive an invoice to fill out and return.)

Register online using our secure registration form:

Amount Paid:

($135 - $65

sliding scale)
$

DESCRIPTION: Introduction to permaculture design principles, tools and process, and applying theses to needs of the land, specifically to identify, enhance and create sacred spaces, restore areas in need of healing and balancing and to protect and create wildlife habitat.

FACILITATOR / TUTOR'S BACKGROUND: Robina is a New Zealander who also identifies herself as a planetary citizen. She is co-founder / resident / trustee of Tui Land Trust & Community and founder / trustee of the Institute for Earthcare Education Aotearoa. She is a state and Steiner trained primary school teacher, and has a Permaculture Diploma in Trusteeship, Media and Education, and qualifications in Seed Technology.

For three decades Robina has been engaged in broadscale community development, and for the past 18 years in permaculture design and teaching, organic growing, the development of environmental educations resources and the creation of participatory processes for decision making and collective action. She has taught and applied these powerful community-building methods with households, neighborhoods, schools, farms, ecovillages, and bioregions, in Aotearoa/New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, Brazil and USA.

Robina was the originator/coordinator of Golden Bay's 'PLANET Organic' a year-long vocational training in community-scale sustainable landuse design, management and facilitation. Throughout her life, she has worked with minimal resources to bring about significant changes in the lives of people. their communities and their environment. Consequently, human capacity building is one of Robina's special skills - inspiring, guiding and offering specific tools and techniques for people to access their gifts, develop their potential, build their resourcefulness and live their dreams.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Workshop Host / Teacher:

Robina McCurdy

www.planetorganic.org.nz

August 24, 2004

Knit Together (and crochet too!)

Explore the Rhythm of Your Soul

TIME: 6:00pm to 9:00pm
WHERE: GardenLAb - Art Center College of Design
COST: FREE. Please bring healthy snacks and drinks to contribute to the munchies table!

EVENT DESCRIPTION: Join us and fellow crafters as we gather to knit / crochet, chat, and interact. It's the perfect way to relax, meet others, practice your technique and skills, share favorite patterns and show off your creations.

No experience necessary. Whether you've never knitted or crocheted a stitch before in your life, have done so a long time ago, just learned, or are an expert -- all skill levels are welcome!

If you've made an extra hat. scarf, or sweater you don't need, you can leave them to be donated as gifts to the City of Hope for the cancer patients or Union Station for the homeless.

August 08, 2004

Biodiesel Mixer

Instructor: Jules Dervaes

Forget sky-high gas prices, dump the petroleum addiction and Oil Cartels and learn more about clean and renewable Biofuels.

TIME: 5:00pm to 9:00pm
WHERE: Path to Freedom
COST: $5 - $10 donation.

Small donations ($5-$10) are welcome and will help cover the cost of utilities as well as used to instruct and expose others to biofuel/ environmental education. This event includes a potluck so bring food and drink to share. Space is limited so please RSVP.

EVENT DESCRIPTION:Biodiesel is an alternative carbon-neutral, sulfur-free fuel made from recycled vegetable oil and is renewable, sustainable, domestically produced, and oil dependence free. Homebrew a clean alternative fuel in your backyard! Find out why small scale home production of Biodiesel is efficient and sustainable.

At this demo, you will see how to make your own Biodiesel, become familiarized with a fumeless water heater processor, and last but not least “smell the tailpipe” exposition.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

5:00 WELCOME — Open Garage
5:15 BIODIESEL 101 — Learn about biodiesel, its history and benefits as an alternative fuel. An "Introduction to Biodiesel" will be handed out.
6:00 POTLUCK — Please bring healthful foods and drinks (non-alcoholic) to share and contribute to the Potluck.
6:30 HOMEBREW BIODIESEL— Become familiar with the compact fumeless water heater processor as Jules demonstrates the process of safely brewing biodiesel.

8:00 VIDEO SHOWING :

“THE VEGGIE VAN VOYAGE” — Joshua Tickell’s film shows what life is like on the road in “the Van.” Follow Joshua on a journey from Florida through Texas, the northeast US and the Midwest into Colorado and Nevada, and California from Los Angeles to San Francisco. (12min)

“FRENCH FRIES TO GO” — This award winning film features the self-described Granola Ayatollah of Canola, Charris Ford, founder of Grassolean Solutions LLC and his passion for biodiesel. (14min)

“FAT OF THE LAND” — In the first kitchen-grease powered road movie, five women tour America in a biodiesel van from New York to San Francisco. Through interviews and chance encounters, the video sardonically critiques the stranglehold petroleum has on our economy while investigating one fuel for the future - vegetable oil! (40 min)

June 10, 2004

PTF Exhibit at "Community Food Summit" sponsered by Community Food Security Coalition

June 10 - 11
USC College Campus

June 06, 2004

Open Homestead Tour

COST:$20

May 23, 2004

WORKSHOP: Homebrew Biodiesel

Instructor: Jules Dervaes

Forget sky-high gas prices, dump the petroleum addiction and Oil Cartels and learn more about clean and renewable Biofuels.

TIME: 2:00pm to 6:00pm
WHERE: Path to Freedom
COST: $50

DESCRIPTION: Hands-on, interactive, "how-to" biodiesel class for beginners on making fuel from restaurant "waste" oil. At this workshop, you'll be involved in the nitty-gritty details of home-brewing biodiesel and get to make a full scale batch of fuel in a fumeless processor.

Different basic aspects of homebrewed biodiesel will be addressed as well as the kind of equipment you would need to start brewing your own biodiesel.

Introduction / Overview:

- Safety first!

- Autonomy of a fumeless processor

- What is Titration, and why does it have to be done?

- "Transester-what???"

- Know the lingo (Flyer handout)

- How to start, what equipment do you need?

Quick Chemistry:

- KOH catalyst versus NaOH catalyst

- Free fatty acids and water

- What is happening in a biodiesel process

Hands-on activities:

- Safe handling of Lye

- Waste oil filtering

- Titration and pH testing to determine amount of Lye and Methanol

- Testing

- Trial batches

- Mixing / Adding Methanol and Lye to waste oil

- Operating a Fumeless Water-Heater Processor

- 10 gallon biodiesel batch making

See in action:

- Wash techniques

- Processor mixing

- Settling of Glycerol

- Testing of soaps and catalyst

Conclusion:

- Problems with biodiesel in cars / changing filters and fuel lines

- Final words

NOTES: Safety goggles, gloves and masks will be provided. Please bring any other safety equipment you may be more comfortable with, such as plastic aprons and sleeve protectors, etc. Wearing old clothes is strongly recommended. Bring a bag lunch and remember notepads and pens for note taking!

May 09, 2004

FILM SCREENING: The End of Suburbia - Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream

A documentary on oil depletion and fate of industrial society, The End of Suburbi explores the American Way of Life and its prospects as the planet approaches a critical era, as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply

TIME: 6:00pm
WHERE: Path to Freedom
COST: $2.00

(Seating space is limited to approx. 50 people, so please MAKE A RESERVATION )

DESCRIPTION: A documentary on oil depletion and fate of industrial society, The End of Suburbia explores the American Way of Life and its prospects as the planet approaches a critical era, as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply

Since World War II North Americans have invested much of their newfound wealth in suburbia. It has promised a sense of space, affordability, family life and upward mobility. As the population of suburban sprawl has exploded in the past 50 years, so too the suburban way of life has become embedded in the American consciousness.

Suburbia, and all its promises, has become the American Dream.

But as we enter the 21st century, serious questions are beginning to emerge about the sustainability of this way of life.

What does Oil Peak mean for North America? As energy prices skyrocket in the coming years, how will the populations of suburbia react to the collapse of their dream? Are today's suburbs destined to become the slums of tomorrow? And what can be done NOW, individually and collectively, to avoid The End of Suburbia?

SCHEDULE:

6:00
POTLUCK AND SOCIAL GATHERING — Please bring healthful foods and drinks (non-alcoholic) to share and contribute to the Potluck.

7:00
START OF SCREENING:

"The End of Suburbia" -- With brutal honesty and a touch of irony, The End of Suburbia explores the American Way of Life and its prospects as the planet approaches a critical era, as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply. World Oil Peak and the inevitable decline of fossil fuels are upon us now, some scientists and policy makers argue in this documentary. The consequences of inaction in the face of this global crisis are enormous. (78 minutes)

Hosted by: Barrie Zwicker.

Featuring: James Howard Kunstler, Peter Calthorpe, Michael Klare, Richard Heinberg, Matthew Simmons, Mike Ruppert, Julian Darley, Colin Campbell, Kenneth Deffeyes, Ali Samsam Bakhtiari and Steve Andrews.

Directed by: Gregory Greene.
Produced by: Barry Silverthorn.


9:10

DISCUSSION — Share your thoughts and feelings with others in a discussion on the coming peak in oil production, the consequences and the actions that can be taken.

How did the documentary affect you - personally?

What does this mean for our future?

How will we - as a nation - cope with the collapse of the suburban dream?

What can be done NOW, individually and collectively, to deal with The End of Suburbia?

May 03, 2004

Knit Together (and crochet too!)

Explore the Rhythm of Your Soul

TIME: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
WHERE: Path to Freedom
COST: FREE. Please bring healthy snacks and drinks to contribute to the munchies table!

EVENT DESCRIPTION: Join us and fellow crafters as we gather to knit / crochet, chat, and interact. It's the perfect way to relax, meet others, practice your technique and skills, share favorite patterns and show off your creations.

No experience necessary. Whether you've never knitted or crocheted a stitch before in your life, have done so a long time ago, just learned, or are an expert -- all skill levels are welcome!

If you've made an extra hat. scarf, or sweater you don't need, you can leave them to be donated as gifts to the City of Hope for the cancer patients or Union Station for the homeless.

May 02, 2004

WORKSHOP: Soapmaking 101

Instructor: John Mikrut - Master soapmaker and proprietor of "Bruno's Beach House", a soap business based in Long Beach, Ca.
TIME: 2:00pm to 8:00pm
WHERE: Path to Freedom
COST: $25.00 (Pre-register by April 23rd)
Special Savings Offer: The Soapmaker's Companion by Susan Miller Cavitch
Workshop and Book -- $38.00

(Fees are NON-REFUNDABLE for "no-shows") There will be a potluck table so please bring along some healthful snacks and drinks to share.

EVENT DESCRIPTION:Master Soapmaker, John Mikrut, proprietor of "Bruno's Beach House" soap business based in Long Beach, CA will demonstrate the sudsy process of making your own beautiful, scented, natural soaps from scratch.

In this workshop, students will learn how the finest all-vegetable based herbal soaps are made today. Gain the confidence to start making your own gifts and pampered luxury soaps for yourself, your family and friends, or for a homebased business. Mother's Day is just around the corner so why not pamper her with some natural, refreshing, herbal-scented soaps.

Natural homemade soaps not only cleans but nourishes and moisturizes your skin and is free of detergents and petrochemicals that most corporate supermarket soap bars contain. Once you've tried homemade soap, you'll never go back to commercial soaps again!

This workshop will simplify the soapmaking process and concentrate on all-vegetable oil based soaps with natural ingredients. Students will be exposed to the proven techniques, tips, ingredients, materials and methods involved in cold-process soap making. Find out what supplies you will need, how to safely handle lye, and watch the miracle of saponification take place.

Other topics include: The basics about oil properties, recipes, natural scents, and how to formulate your own unique soap recipe suited to your desires and needs.

There will be soaps available for purchase. ($4.00/bar or 4 for $15.00) Try them and feel the difference from commercial soaps if you need extra convincing before you delve into making your own.

March 14, 2004

Seed Swap and Potluck

TIME: 4:00 to 7:00 pm

WHERE: Path to Freedom

COST: Free. But please remember to bring some seeds to trade, envelopes and pens and don't forget snacks and drinks to share! Space is limited so please RSVP.

EVENT DESCRIPTION: Hey plant lovers! It's that time of year to come out of hibernation and start thinking about digging in the warm soil. So, come join us for a fun afternoon of swapping seeds (and more!) with fellow gardeners.

SCHEDULE: Afterwards, join us for a potluck and a video showing of The Global Banquet: the Politics of Food (60 minutes) This video explores the politics that threaten global food security, and demonstrates the destructive aspects of the corporate globalization of food. We (Path to Freedom) will be offering some of our unusual seeds to trade from our diverse seed collection that have been saved from our organic garden.

MAKE A RESERVATION - For more information, you can contact Anais Dervaes at 626.795.8400
or email: anais@pathtofreedom.com