‘Sustainable’ summer

Earth-conscious developers host a day of educational workshops and discussions to celebrate summer solstice 

By Justin Chapman, Pasadena Weekly, 6/19/2014

Saturday marks the summer solstice, the day when the sun is at its highest, a Pasadena-based sustainable design and urban landscape architecture company is throwing a party to celebrate all things local.
La Loma Development Co.’s Summer Solstice Festival will include a plant sale, place-making workshops, panel discussions, community archive collection, music and food. The event will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. at La Loma Development’s headquarters at Lincoln Avenue and Washington Boulevard, dubbed “The Shed” by La Loma’s executive and creative directors, Marco and Michelle Barrantes.
The Arroyo Time Bank will be there to present an orientation on exchanging services without money. Attendees will also be able to sign up for waste-less living residential and commercial compost pick up. Panels will discuss innovative and inexpensive ways to reduce energy bills at home (including solar, solar thermal, wind and lighting), how to become a licensed cottage food operator and developing an organic understanding of the food we consume by discovering the hidden messages in food.
Three cooperatives, Arroyo Food, Mondragon and Pacific Electric Workers, will discuss how co-ops create jobs and encourage community building.
The evening will be capped by the Los Angeles County premier screening of urban fruit.
La Loma Development has been converting The Shed, once utilized by historic Paul’s Auto, since June 2012. The 30,000-square-foot yard and warehouse is now being used as a center for green job training, ecological skills, sustainable development, urban architecture, permaculture, food systems and art space. 
“This whole location is the natural extension of La Loma’s original goal,” said Marco, “which is promoting, designing, creating and supporting sustainable communities with a big emphasis on local watersheds and food systems.”
The Shed is also located in the middle of a large food desert in Northwest Pasadena. Marco said they want to have a food commissary on the property to help solve that problem.
The Shed is also available for rent to the general public for films, weddings and other events. Call (626) 354-8993 for more information on renting the location.
Tickets for Saturday’s Summer Solstice Festival are $10 in advance, $15 at the door and free for those under 21. The Shed is located at 1355 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena. Visit lalomadevelopment.com for more information.