Saturday, September 13, 2025

Regrow Altadena workshops (9/13-14)


Episode 2: Regrow Altadena
It's FREE and live and full of music
(Frankie Norstad) April 22, 2025: Frankie Norstad sits down with Laurie Scott, founder of Regrow Altadena—a grassroots project literally rooted in healing. What began with a rescued pothos [popular houseplant] and a shelf of propagated succulents has blossomed into a powerful community effort to re-green the landscape of Altadena, one plant at a time. Scott shares how this initiative grew from personal loss and a deep love of gardening into a broader mission to reconnect neighbors with nature, hope, and each other. Together, they talk about everything from soil remediation and native plants to the quiet grief of losing more than just a house—like the beloved garden pots passed down from family or the fig tree that somehow survived. It's a conversation about rebuilding not just structures, but ecosystems, memory, and meaning. For anyone looking for tangible ways to nurture resilience and re-root themselves, this episode is a beautiful place to begin.

Saturday workshops
Community Assets - Saturday 9/13 at 5:00 pm
Heidi Adams, CEO BASEstud.io
Focus: This panel looks at how communities can strengthen resilience by building and sharing assets—whether it’s local knowledge, renewable solar power, water cisterns, public gardens, or neighborhood fire detection systems. We’ll explore how these shared resources not only improve safety and sustainability but can also generate new streams of community revenue. Panelists will discuss models that turn community-owned assets into long-term economic drivers, keeping value circulating locally while protecting against climate and infrastructure risks.

People-Focused Mobility – Saturday 9/13 at 6:00 pm
My mobility is more important than my marriage
Focus: How we move shapes how we live. This session explores the future of mobility in Altadena, from safer walking and biking infrastructure to accessible public transit and EV adoption. Panelists will share visions for reducing traffic, improving safety, and creating people-first streets that connect neighborhoods, support local businesses, and reduce emissions. The discussion will highlight how mobility can be both sustainable and deeply rooted in community needs.

Building Better – Saturday 9/13 at 6:30 pm
How tiny is big enough? Love of natural wood
Focus: This panel highlights innovations in resilient and affordable building design. From modular homes and ADUs to climate-ready retrofits, panelists will share strategies for rebuilding smarter, faster, and with long-term sustainability in mind. We’ll explore how fire-resistant materials, energy-efficient systems, and equity-centered planning can create housing that not only shelters families but also supports healthier, stronger neighborhoods.

Light Equity – Saturday 9/13 at 6:45 pm

Taming urban light pollution is very important.
Focus: Street lighting is more than infrastructure—it’s about safety, connectivity, and community well-being. This panel will look at how next-generation lighting can reduce energy costs, improve public safety, and expand access to digital connectivity. Panelists will discuss how “light equity” ensures that all neighborhoods, regardless of income or geography, benefit from resilient infrastructure—empowering communities through solar-powered lights, Wi-Fi hotspots, and adaptive lighting that protects people and ecosystems.

Sunday workshops
Future Altadena – Sunday, 9/14 at 5:00 pm
How will we get around in the future?
Focus: This panel explores how Altadena’s unique history of neighborhood identity and grassroots organizing shapes its path forward. We’ll discuss the role of micro-communities in building resilience, how thoughtful commercial and economic development can strengthen local identity, and what lessons from Altadena’s past can guide a more equitable and sustainable future. Panelists will share perspectives on housing, small business growth, cultural preservation, and creating opportunities that reflect Altadena’s diverse community fabric.

Clean & Healthy Living – Sunday 9/14 at 5:00 pm
Good food's sustainable food that's healthy for all
Focus: Resilience is not just about surviving disasters—it’s about thriving every day. This conversation will focus on health, wellness, and sustainability in daily community life. Panelists will discuss the links between clean energy, indoor air quality, access to green space, and healthy foods. Together, we’ll imagine how Altadena can ensure all residents benefit from a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable future.
Home Hardening – Sunday 9/14 at 6:00 pm
Can a home survive a high heat brushfire?
Focus: As climate threats intensify, protecting the home has become a frontline strategy for community resilience. This session will examine practical approaches to “hardening” homes against fire, flood, and extreme heat. Panelists will cover everything from defensible space design to roofing, insulation, and retrofits that reduce risk and save money. We’ll also look at programs and funding streams that make these upgrades more accessible for at-risk households.

Fire-Adaptive Vegetation & Heat Islands – Sunday 9/14 at 7:00 pm
Panel hosted by Cassy Aoyagi (FormLA.com)
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Tongva (Kizh) tribe representation
Focus: Fire risk and rising heat are reshaping how communities manage their landscapes. This panel explores how native vegetation, shaded corridors, and green infrastructure can reduce wildfire risk while lowering urban heat. Panelists will discuss approaches to land stewardship that balance ecological health with public safety, and how residents can turn yards, parks, and public spaces into buffers against fire and extreme temperatures.

Light Equity – Sunday 9/14 at 7:00 pm
What can one person do? Plant seeds?
Focus: Street lighting is more than infrastructure—it’s about safety, connectivity, and community well-being. This panel will look at how next-generation lighting can reduce energy costs, improve public safety, and expand access to digital connectivity. Panelists will discuss how “light equity” ensures that all neighborhoods, regardless of income or geography, benefit from resilient infrastructure—empowering communities through solar-powered lights, Wi-Fi hotspots, and adaptive lighting that protects people and ecosystems.

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