I had the great pleasure of hearing William Powers speak about his book 12 by 12 a few years ago. He’s returning to Los Angeles for a book talk and signing at Skylight Books on Saturday October 3rd at 5 pm. Powers is a very thoughtful, honest and engaging speaker. Living simply in the big city is, obviously, a subject close to our hearts.  From the book description:

New Slow City
Living Simply in the World’s Fastest City

Burned-out after years of doing development and conservation work around the world, William Powers spent a season in a 12-foot-by-12-foot cabin off the grid in North Carolina. Could he live a similarly minimalist way in the belly of the go-go beast — New York City? To find out, Powers and his wife jettisoned 80 percent of their stuff, left their 2,000-square-foot Queens townhouse, and moved into a 350-square-foot “micro apartment” in Greenwich Village. Downshifting to a 20-hour workweek, Powers explores the viability of Slow Food and Slow Money, technology fasts and urban sanctuaries, rooftop gardening and beekeeping. Discovering a colorful cast of New Yorkers attempting to resist the culture of Total Work, Powers offers an inspiring exploration for anyone trying to make urban life more people- and planet-friendly.

Skylight Books (a big supporter of our two books, by the way) is located at:
1818 N Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA

A conflicting event will prevent us from being there, but please tell Powers and the folks at Skylight that Root Simple sent you.

We’ll be demonstrating how to make seed tape this evening at the Natural History Museum’s Summer Nights in the Garden program. It’s a popular event and, as usual, has already reached RSVP capacity. But if you show up early you can still pick up a ticket at the door. Once you get in you’ll also need to get another ticket for the seed tape demo (also free). But wait, there’s more:

MUSIC: live jazz and hip-hop with Mocky and Friends
HUSHconcerts provides headphones …hear live music or listen to a soundscape
MAKE SEED TAPE with authors, Erik Knutzen & Kelly Coyne (*timed-ticket required)
BUILD A BEE HOTEL with NHM Entomologists (*timed-ticket required)
WISHING TREE
ROCK ART with Barnsdall Arts
BOTANICAL TOURS with NHM Garden Staff
SMOKE FLY SAMPLING with NHM Citizen Scientists
PATIO CHATS: The Story of P-22, L.A.’s Famous Mountain Lion
ENCHANTING TOY THEATER PERFORMANCES by NHM Performing Arts Staff
LIVE ANIMAL PRESENTATIONS
ART INSTALLATION, “Edge of Color” by Sarah Rara of Lucky Dragons
LADWP Save the Drop Photo-Op

Hope to see you there. More info on the Museum’s website.

Join us for what I promise will be the Burning Man of butter making this Friday evening at the Natural History Museum. We’ll be doing a hands-on shake your own butter demo with live drummers. Best of all it’s freeeeeeeeeeeee, but you need to RSVP. And there’s more:

MUSIC with COASTIN (5-7 pm) and Evan Weiss from Junk (7-9pm)
BUTTER MAKING with authors, Erik Knutzen & Kelly Coyne (*timed-ticket required)
POTTING SUCCULENTS (*timed-ticket required)
SPRAY PAINT MURAL with Self Help Graphics & Art
BOTANICAL TOURS with NHM Garden Staff
SMOKE FLY SAMPLING with NHM Citizen Scientists
ENCHANTING TOY THEATER PERFORMANCES by NHM Performing Arts Staff
LIVE ANIMAL PRESENTATIONS
ART INSTALLATION, “Edge of Color” by Sarah Rara of Lucky Dragons
LADWP Save the Drop Photo-Op
*Activities require a timed-ticket; available on a first-come, first-served basis; ticket distribution located at the activity.

This is your chance to see one of the best gardens in Los Angeles, hear some music and smoke some flies. Or sample some smoked flies, or something like that. These events are crazy popular so RSVP soon. For more info head over to the Museum’s website.

Want to learn how to use a drop spindle? Or how to spin? Our friend Anne Schwartz is teaching some classes this month at the Keystone Art Space on San Fernando Road.

In this fun two-hour class you will learn the basics of spinning yarn on a drop spindle, and will receive your own spindle and fiber to keep!

This is a great way to start spinning because you’ll learn the basics – drafting fiber, adding twist and plying yarn – in a way that can be easily controlled, and using an inexpensive tool! Even if your goal is to spin on a spining wheel, you will learn skills and principles that will also be used on your wheel!

In addition to drop spinning, Anne offers private one-on-one spinning lessons.

For more information, check out her website spinnerscircle.com.