Weekend Guide

ydt Alert: Our “Sustainable Works” podcast is now up and running. Sorry for the fumble. Watch it here.

Do you live in LA but feel like you never see as many celebrities as you think you should? Tonight, you can buy into enough celebrity spottings to last you a year AND do some good for the green movement. Special Musical Performances by Sheryl Crow and Gavin Rossdale. Celebrity Co-hosts for the evening include: Orlando Bloom, Penelope Cruz, Marisa Tomei, Kate Bosworth, Rosario Dawson, Heather Graham, Dominic Monaghan, Damien Rice, and more. Plus, proceeds from the event support Global Green USA’s Green Schools initiative which is helping create green schools across the country (learn more at www.globalgreen.org)

Date/Time: Thursday, 2/19, 8pm. Location: Avalon, Hollywood (1735 Vine St. Los Angeles, CA 90028. Tickets: $125 and up. Online ticket sales are now closed. To purchase tickets, please call Judy Sitzer at 310-899-9191. There will also be tickets available at the door. Website: globalgreen.org/Oscars.

Have you seen a mass of bicyclists on Friday night somewhere around the city and wondered, “What the hell are they doing”? Good chance it was a group of “Midnight Ridazz” a group of 1300+ bike enthusiasts who ride around town to have fun, meet new people and promote biking

Westside: “Tattoo Ride #7 Sacred Valentine Ride” on Friday, February 20th. Meet at Crank Mob Park (across the street from Blockbuster at 9201 Venice Blvd.) at 10pm; will leave around 10:30pm/11pm. This will be around a 18+ mile moderate paced ride. For more information, contact jabwai@gmail.com.

Eastside: “The Ride with No Name” on Friday, February 20th. Meet at From Bloom’s General Store (1/2 block East of 3rd and Traction or 2 blocks East of Alameda and 3rd) at 8:30pm; leave at 9:30pm. $2 Tecates on ice beforehand at the store. The Kogi BBQ truck will be at the Japanese American Museum (1st and Alameda) before the ride too! Flat ride and chill pace. Bring front and back lights, extra tubes, pump, etc. For more information, contact barleye@hotmail.com

Now I’ve always thought this was a cool idea, but have been too big of a chicken to do it. You see, I’m what you might call a bike wimp – afraid to get squashed by the car of a mindless LA driver. Alas, there is a class for people like me (and you?): Smart Cycling – Street Skills 101. Here’s the lowdown

What: 10-hour course designed to give the confidence and skills to ride in all types of city traffic situations.
Location: Community Corp., 502 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, CA
Day One: Features a comprehensive presentation on bike & helmet fit, the principles of vehicular cycling, and basic bike adjustments and preventative maintenance. Sunday, February 22, 2009 10am-3pm (reg. 9:15am). $15 LACBC members/$20 non-members.
Day Two: Develop bike-handling skills and learn essential evasive maneuvers on a vacant paved area. Then apply what they have learned and receive constructive feedback that encourages safe riding techniques during a 5 – 6 mile road test. Requires a bike in good working condition and a CPSC or SNELL approved helmet. Saturday, February 28, 2009 9am-3pm. $25 LACBC members/$30 non-members.

The class fills up quickly. Please call or email Ron Durgin (424) 288-1747, rdurgin@gmail.com to reserve your spot.

This Sunday learn more about the current honey bee crisis by watching the “Pollen Nation” documentary. And no I don’t mean sitting at home alone, but joining the quirky group at Path to Freedom and Urban Homestead for a vegetarian potluck and film screening.

Location: 626 Cypress Ave. Pasadena. Time: 5:00 – 9:00 PM. Cost is $10. Space is limited so reservations are necessary; call (626) 844–4586 or register online at www.pathtofreedom.com/form/eventregistration.htm.

About the Potluck: Try to bring foods grown within a 100-mile radius of your home.
About Path to Freedom: A family-operated, viable urban homestead project
established by Jules Dervaes in 2001 to promote a simpler and more fulfilling lifestyle and to sow a “homegrown revolution” against the corporate powers that control the food supply. Learn more at www.PathtoFreedom.com