Category — HOUSING

Where:  Arbutus Ave., Chico (please, RSVP for exact address)

When:  Saturday January 28, 2012 from 10:45 am till 4:00pm (with Lunch)

What:  Participants learn about greywater basics through a one hour lecture, and then are led through the design and installation of one type of greywater system (a laundry to landscape system). In small groups that rotate, participants learn about the plumbing, the landscaping, and the materials needed for the installation. All skill levels are welcome and people who have less hands-on experience are encouraged to practice using tools in a safe, supportive, learning environment.

Why:  You will learn how to divert water that would usually go into the sewers into your yard. This saves you money, time and the environment.

Stephanie and Tim of GRUB went down to Oakland for one of these workshops and have said it was one of the best.  They learned so much and had a great time.

How:  Please, RSVP to Stephanie Elliott at 354-1646 or stephanie@grubchico.org as there are only 20 spaces.

Fee:  Sliding scale of $20-$50.

Thank you and see you there,

Stephanie

On January 3^rd, the Chico Grange is hosting an event with the goal of learning how one neighborhood formed a group to connect neighbors and meet the neighborhood’s needs. Everyone is invited to attend and encouraged to invite a neighbor as well.

WHAT:  Connecting Neighborhoods for a Transition through Unstable Times, How Love Chapman was formed

WHEN: Tuesday, January 3^rd – Potluck 6pm, program at 6:20pm. Grange business meeting follows at 7:30pm. Attendants are welcome to stay for the whole evening or just part of it.

WHERE: At the historic Chico Grange, 2775 old Nord Avenue.

This program aims to show an example of how one group of people came together to work as a team to meet a larger groups needs. Love Chapmantown Community Coalition is a neighborhood organization that was formed in the spring of 2011. The coalition holds its regular meeting on the 3rd Friday of each month at 6pm at 574 E. 12th st. in Chico, Ca. Come learn how this group formed, created a mission, and began working in their neighborhood, and how you may be able to do the same thing in your neighborhood.

Hope you and a friend can join us. For further questions call Stephanie at (530) 354-1646.

Stephanie Elliott

Chico Grange Member

About 4o Chico-area residents showed up for the meeting to discuss about building supportive neighborhood networks.   Here are some of their remarks.  Others organizational meetings will shortly be announced for January and February.

North East Chico

1) What do you like about your neighborhood + preserve?

Trees, share dinners on block, proximity to downtown – can ride or walk, density provides neighborly comfort

Just moved: trees, house type, getting together with neighbors, rural feel but connected to town, bike riding, mix of home owners and renters

Quite and peaceful, absence of “hummers”

Common love of the area

2) What would you like to see grow or develop?

City Repair – Portland Citywide program coordinates projects in neighborhoods 10 year program – skill building, artsy, Maby implement in chico  ripe.
Develop Neighborhood Husbands: mentorship on “how to” appliance repair.
Sharing tools, vehicles, ride share, among neighbors.
Sharing gardens, meals items.
Extra food sharing; purchasing for each other on same trip, communication.
Community board – electronic or physical.
Group consensus to share items

3) How might neighbors connect around these needs that are fun?

Start with commonalities: food, celebrate, block parties.
Release a balloon with ideas and see where it lands.
Ask kids what they would like to see, funner, prettier?
Drop off food packages to neighbors.
Share roses and oranges in tradition of old owner.
Wheel barrel of beer around the neighborhood on St Patricks Day.
Build a neighborhood campout.

Central West Chico

1) What do you like and want to preserve, about your neighborhood?

Trees and small open spaces, would like to keep those and orchard.
Trees (some sick and dying)  Garden space in park strips..
Trees – Keep them.  Likes “funkiness” of the neighborhood.  Can ride bike everywhere.
Trees. Liked the mix they used to have (Families). Neighbors watch out for each other and gardens.
Bike line on Warner.
Trees. Gardens. Easy to walk in neighborhood.  Would like more contact with neighbors.
Lindo Channel – walking. Housing is modest. Not pretential. Likes younger families choosing the more modest houses.
Likes street with little traffic. Likes no sidewalks. Generally quiet neighborhood. Neighbors friendly and respect each others spaces. Likes being close to park.

2) What would you like to see grow or develop in your neighborhood?

More gardens and trees. Would like to be able to know neighbors and get together with the other neighbors.
More people talking to each other. Have dinner? More personal relationships. Plant gardens in public “strips” between yards and street.
More interaction between neighbors. Empty lot – Turn into community garden.
More families with young kids. Neighborhood parties. More community.
Community Center.
Plant in strips in front by streets might encourage people to meet and talk. Gardening – exchange of ideas. Hard with rentals. 2 empty lots in the streets. Permission to use the space.
Building community. Community garden.
More gardening. Sharing ideas about gardening. Neighborhood sharing tools. Sharing compost. Neighborhood cafe. Neighborhood coming together for Emergency Preparedness.

3) How might neighbors connect around these needs and desires in ways that are fun?

Neighborhood watch get to know neighbors. Big BBQ for neighbors. People timit, but wants to bring neighbors.
Annual block party. 4th of july party – close street off.
Movie nights. Neighborhood Watch. Sharing tools and other things that not everyone needs. Talents to help other people with, such as pet care.
Potlucks, BBQs, Community gardens. Being ready for emergency Prep.
Community center and community gardens.
Walks. Going to yard sales. Tea. Asking neighbors about growing a garden.
Block party. Each person took charis to the front yards. One person appetizers, desserts, etc. Maybe have at school?
Seconds everything. More front yard gardens. Emergency Preparedness committee. Planning block party, neighborhood tea.

Chico

What we like and want to preserve.

Eaton – Likes openness doesn’t want too much congestion, likes that people have lived there a long time.
Barber – loves trees, neighbors, would like more sidewalks.
Renting on road.  Not so familiar with neighborhood. Likes spaciousness, would like more connection among neighbors.
Hooker Oak Park – lots of big old valley oak trees, neear big Chico creek, beautiful greenery, lot of foot paths. Likes openness, parkland nearby.
E 1st Ave. Likes that neighbors are calm and quiet and near activity.

What would you like to see grow or develop in your neighborhood?

We’d like a park.
More sense of community – common gardens, fruit trees, better integration. Less pavement – more dirt.
More natural space. Benches, where people can stop and enjoy. Common gardens.
Community Center, tea shop, gathering place. More things to slow down traffic and facilitate bikes. Houses re-oriented to face each other.
Free campground, where homeless people can sleep without danger. Bathrooms and showers.
See people accept each other. Sense of community.

How might neighbors connect in ways that are fun?

Community garden that is also a meet and greet. Outdoor park/ garden/ kitchen. where old and young people can teach each other.
Has thought about block party. But neighbors pretty spread out. About a year ago, people had objections to a proposed development. Got together in meeting format. Some self sufficiency planning and emergency preparedness. What neighbors need help in emergency, etc.
Less connected than 100 years ago. Urbanization has replaced our community connection. Would be good to have email or phone list.
Christmas parties – get better acquainted.
How clear barriers to connection I want space. But also connection.

- ADDITIONAL NOTES -

General reasons to call neighbors together:

Getting to know the neighbors, neighborhood needs, and mutual support when needed.

Neighborhood or house parties.

Discussing interest in a common vision or activities for the neighborhood.

 Ways to reach neighbors.

Leaflet all homes with an invitation to come to an event to meet and start connecting.

Leaflet to ask people to share emails with the organizer for neighbood announcements.

Create a neighborhood website with and set up a webmaster.

Phone tree.

Common interests and needs to share or announce at a gathering, with flyers, and/or by email.

Neighborhood parties, house concerts, video nights or watching sport events with beer and popcorn.

Sharing skills like gardening, sewing, or home repairs.

Swapping skills as in time banking.

Clothes or tools swaps or giveaways.

Garden “club” or talks about gardening, fruit trees, pests, soil tests, plant lists, seed and plant sharing.

Sharing land for a community garden.

Helping each other create gardens or plant trees

Garden produce, fruit and plant swaps, giveaways, or gleaning invitations.

Picking up and sharing a load of compost, straw, trees, etc.

Sharing, borrowing, or commonly owning tools, equipment, crutches, wheelchair, etc.

Lawnmower or equipment repairs.

Jumping a car battery.

Helping find lost pets.

Help needed for moving, illness, or after a new baby, surgery, etc.

Ride sharing in town or out.

Emergency ride to the hospital.

Health and safety notices, no burn days, emergency notices and responses.

Street improvements.

Christmas caroling together.

Investment or book club.

Tutoring or child care.