<![CDATA[Arroyo S.E.C.O - Blog]]>Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:34:11 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Annual Craft Fair and Potluck]]>Sat, 31 Oct 2015 04:08:19 GMThttps://www.arroyo-seco.org/blog/annual-craft-fair-and-potluckCraft Club Sale and Potluck at the LA Eco Village 117 Bimini Place #221, LA, 90004 on Saturday, November 7th from 12-4PM. 

Buy hand made goods for time dollars for the time spent to make them and federal dollars for the materials. Non members can make purchases with federal dollars. This is a great opportunity to get all your holiday shopping done in one place. Jewelry, bags, soap, preserves, T-shirts and more. Made with love by local artisans.
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]]><![CDATA[Ask Mama Weaver]]>Sun, 18 Oct 2015 21:24:42 GMThttps://www.arroyo-seco.org/blog/ask-mama-weaverPicture
Dear Mama Weaver, 
Isn't TimeBanking like bartering? 
signed, Wondering

Dear Wondering,
It is, but the big difference is that you don’t have to pay back the person who does you a favor. It is a “pay-it-forward” system. That’s one of the reasons why people find it so much easier to do things for others in a TimeBanking system. You don’t have to figure out what to give back to the person who helped you. You can choose how to pay it forward doing what you want, when you want.
Love, Mama
]]><![CDATA[New Loan Recipient Melba Thorn]]>Sun, 18 Oct 2015 21:16:29 GMThttps://www.arroyo-seco.org/blog/new-loan-recipient-melba-thornTime Bank Member Melba Thorn recently received a loan from our Community Revolving Loan Fund. Her beautiful hand made designs are crafted from recycled materials. She makes custom glass lamps, chandeliers, tiles, knobs, planters, bowls, vases, jewelery and home accents all made from recycled and scrap glass. Check out some of her work at, http://www.houzz.com/pro/melbathorn/__public

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]]><![CDATA[Time Bank Love]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2015 22:50:50 GMThttps://www.arroyo-seco.org/blog/time-bank-lovePicture
Long time member Jennie Cooks tells us why she loves the Time Bank,

One time, I got to meet Edgar Cahn, the Time Bank founder speak at the  Echo Park Film Center. I was so excited after he spoke, I hugged him. (He’s not a hugger.) The excitement was in hearing him talk about the power of connecting in a personal, neighborly way; through our  humanity. He was authentic and inspirational, and he was clarifying everything I believed in. 


This huge and amazing city has often overwhelmed me. I’m not the best time banker in the world.  I forget to add exchanges, I forget to follow through and sometimes I forget what an amazing resource it is in my life. Knowing it’s there however, gives me peace, in the most glorious, Los Angeles is wonderful, kind of way. 

I know there are countless folks in and around my neighborhood who will help me, no matter my errant documentation, as they have helped me in the past.  We all believe in the kindness of community. It's a beautiful blessing.

-Jennie Cooks Member since 2008
]]><![CDATA[One for One]]>Mon, 10 Aug 2015 04:57:26 GMThttps://www.arroyo-seco.org/blog/one-for-one
Dear Mama Weaver,
Why is everyone's time given the same value, one time credit equals one Hour?
Signed, Curious


Dear Curious,
At first glance, it seems crazy that someone is paid the same for web design and pulling weeds, but this turns out to be the core of what makes Time Dollars really work. In the “Yin” or “caring economy” everyone’s time is valued equally – just like it is inside a family. You wouldn't ask your cousin to give you two hours of dog walking for every hour you spend fixing his computer.


As for services that are in demand, such as legal advice or healthcare, professionals can offer members a set number of hours per month or year based on whatever they can handle.
]]><![CDATA[Charles Eisenstein in Pasadena 3/19/15]]>Tue, 17 Feb 2015 02:23:52 GMThttps://www.arroyo-seco.org/blog/charles-eisenstein-in-pasadena-31915
The Local Economy Incubator of the Arroyo Sustainable Economies Community Organization is excited to host renowned author and visionary Charles Eisenstein at the Armory Center for the Arts on Thursday, March 19th at 7pm. Mr. Eisenstein will give a talk on the critical failings of the mainstream economy and opportunities for change, the topic of his widely acclaimed book, The More Beautiful World our Hearts Know is Possible.

"In a time of social and ecological crisis, what can we as individuals do to make the world a better place? This inspirational and thought-provoking book serves as an empowering antidote to the cynicism, frustration, paralysis, and overwhelm so many of us are feeling, replacing it with a grounding reminder of what’s true: we are all connected, and our small, personal choices bear unsuspected transformational power. By fully embracing and practicing this principle of interconnectedness—called interbeing—we become more effective agents of change and have a stronger positive influence on the world.” - www.charleseisenstein.net

Learn how a shifting paradigm is gaining momentum in communities throughout the world and  how you can get involved in local efforts to promote more sustainable, human-scale economics. A community discussion will be held immediately following the talk.

What: Charles Eisenstein
When: Thursday, March 19th, 7-9pm
Where: Armory Center for the Arts 145 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
Price: Donations in the amount of $5-25 gratefully accepted at the door/online
Tickets: http://charleseisensteinpasadena.eventbrite.com
]]><![CDATA[Peter Dreier’s “Pasadena: A Tale of Two Cities”]]>Mon, 09 Feb 2015 22:16:03 GMThttps://www.arroyo-seco.org/blog/peter-dreiers-pasadena-a-tale-of-two-cities
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The Local Economy Incubator of the Arroyo Sustainable Economies Community Organization is excited to host scholar and activist Peter Dreier at the Armory Center for the Arts on Tuesday, February 17th at 7pm. Mr. Dreier will present his recent Pasadena Weekly article and report, A Tale of Two Pasadenas which both document the widening income gap in Pasadena and the Los Angeles region:

“In Pasadena, the income of households near the top ($249,841) is almost 10.8 times greater than the income of those near the bottom ($23,042). Only four of the 37 California cities with more than 140,000 people have a wider rich-poor gap — San Francisco (12.4), Oakland (11.2) Glendale (11), and Los Angeles (10.9). No other cities have a rich-poor gap in double digits.” - Pasadena: A Tale of Two Cities

Learn what this widening gap means for Pasadena residents and how strong community advocacy is needed now to inform the City’s General Plan.

A community discussion will be held immediately following the presentation.


What:      Pasadena: A Tale of Two Cities with Peter Dreier
When:     Tuesday, February 17 at 7pm
Where:    Armory Center for the Arts, in the Community Room
                (145 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena)
Price:      Free and open to the public, donations gratefully accepted
RSVP:     To attend, email asecolocaleconomy@gmail.com


About Peter Dreier
Peter Dreier writes widely on American politics and public policy, specializing in urban politics and policy, housing policy, community development, and community organizing. He is also a frequent speaker on these topics. Dreier is co-author of three books about cities and urban policy, including The Next Los Angeles: The Struggle for a Livable City (2005). He is also engaged in civic and political efforts at the national and local levels. Dreier joined Occidental in 1993 after serving as housing director at the Boston Redevelopment Authority and senior policy advisor to Boston Mayor Ray Flynn.
]]><![CDATA[Incubator Workshop: California Food Law]]>Tue, 09 Dec 2014 22:18:36 GMThttps://www.arroyo-seco.org/blog/incubator-workshop-california-food-lawPicture
Thanks to a mini-grant from Shareable, the Arroyo S.E.C.O. Local Economy Incubator presented a December workshop!

CALIFORNIA FOOD LAW:
Locally Grown, Made and Shared

Held on Saturday, December 6th this workshop was designed to create more awareness about recent California legislation that makes local food production, selling and sharing more accessible.

Legislation covered:
  • AB 1990   Community Food Producers
  • AB-551     Urban Agriculture Act
  • AB-2561   Neighborhood Food Act
  • AB-1616   Homemade Food Act

This workshop covered a variety of topics related to food sovereignty:
  • How to forage, glean and sell legally
  • How to certify a home kitchen to start a home-based food business
  • The do’s and don’ts, along with personal stories from food activists on the front lines

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Attendees also enjoyed samples of ASNTB cottage-produced food and networking after the workshop.

Workshop Facilitators:
Mark Stambler, cottage bread baker and co-author of the Homemade Food Act with the Sustainable Economies Legal Center
Hector Gutierrez, policy analyst at Community Health Council

Thank you to the Armory Center for the Arts for the use of their space for time dollars. And thank you to the ASNTB cottage producers who provided delicious samples!
]]><![CDATA[Incubator Workshop: Branding 101]]>Tue, 09 Dec 2014 21:54:30 GMThttps://www.arroyo-seco.org/blog/local-economy-incubator-workshop-branding-101Picture
Thanks to a mini-grant from Shareable, the Arroyo S.E.C.O. Local Economy Incubator present the second in a new series of workshops!

BRANDING 101:
How to Share Your Story

Held on Saturday, November 1st this hands-on workshop was designed to help entrepreneurs, small business owners, cooperatives and organizations demystify branding and the branding process – from core messaging and on-brand copy to design and visual identity.

Led by ASNTB members, branding and communications specialists, this workshop offered the opportunity to explore, understand and refine one’s brand in order to tell a compelling story. Participants also learned how to identify which social media platforms are the best fit for their needs and how to efficiently use them.

ASNTB Branding Facilitators:
Helen Kim, The Think Farm
Sarah McGowan Dear, Business Therapy
Anne Louise Bannon, Writer, Blogger and Columnist

Thank you to the Armory Center for the Arts for the use of their space for time dollars and to everyone who attended! 
]]><![CDATA[Incubator Workshop: Mompreneurs]]>Tue, 09 Dec 2014 21:44:14 GMThttps://www.arroyo-seco.org/blog/incubator-workshop-mompreneursPicture
Thanks to a mini-grant from Shareable, the Arroyo S.E.C.O. Local Economy Incubator is excited to announce the first in a new series of workshops!

Mompreneurs:
Women Making Dollars and Sense

More than ever before, American families are relying on the mother’s earnings with as many as 40% depending solely on her income. And yet women still earn .70 for each dollar that a man makes in an identical position. Unsurprisingly, many moms are creating work for themselves that compensates them fairly and that supports their childrearing and caregiving responsibilities.

Held on Saturday, September 20th, this mompreneur workshop was developed to empower mothers and mothers-to-be who are interested in creating their own financial security through work that supports their mothering and provides a viable income source outside of the extractive economy.
Led by three ASNTB mompreneurs who shared their personal experiences, triumphs, trials and tribulations, attendees got practical advice on starting a small or home-based business. The group also formed a mompreneur support network to provide each other with ongoing encouragement and skill sharing.

ASNTB Mompreneur Facilitators:
Valerie Krasny, Orange Blossom Bakery
Khadija Anderson, Little Bohemians Daycare
Diane Carroll, Business Consultant and Owner of Maverick Center

Thank you to the Armory Center for the Arts for use of their space for time dollars and to all of the women who participated!
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