Chasing Clean Air

Jamzilla: February 14-18, 2014 Los Angeles Residents Start Preparing Now

Jamzilla!

The busiest freeway stretch in the world is closing! What will happen in Los Angeles when the 405 freeway closes for 4 days? Peaceful or a mess?

The massive closure is happening during President's weekend. Four days between February 14-18, 2014! 80 hours! No northbound 405 Freeway lanes between Getty Center Drive to Ventura Boulevard. Zilch! In order to pave a future carpool lane, the city will divert traffic onto Sepulveda and throughout the Westside and Canyons. No doubt, if you can get out of town prior to what may be mayhem or quiet (who knows?), great! If not, stay home!

The outcome is certain: A paved carpool lane.

The degree of mayhem or quiet, only time will tell.

405 Freeway - Long Stretch - To Close for 80 Hours

As one who lives in the Sepulveda pass, and is a first-hand witness to the spotty management of detours where diverted cars are free to speed recklessly on quiet residential streets at all hours of the night--granted, it's not easy to please hundreds of thousands of disgruntled commuters and residents--I can only hope Metro and Keiwet are up to the task. I can only hope they put up speed signs and deploy traffic cops throughout the Sepulveda pass. Especially near the most populated and congested areas. So far, I've heard about what can't be done to help with speed signs, not what will be done. I remain hopeful. What's the alternative?

May we experience another quiet Carmeggedon but I take nothing for granted. I'll consider leaving town. The added freeway lane and bridge revampment have been stressful.

 

Get Out of Town Ideas

 

Ideas for traveling out of Los Angeles but close to home: San Luis Obispo (take the train!), Three Rivers,(listen to my radio show for more info!) Sequoia National Park, San Diego (take the train!), Catalina (the boat!)

If city officials are reading, from any city worldwide, learn from Los Angeles's city planning and transportation mistakes. Please.

Prioritize public transportation always. First!

 

Cars CARS CARS!!

Great Books and Blogs To Learn From

 

Sustainability and Cities: Overcoming Automobile Dependence by Peter Newman and Jeffrey Kenworthy - This is an AWESOME book I checked out at the library. It tells the history of cars, the most sustainable cities in the world and why, and the most sustainable public transit cities in America and why. How you too can go carfree, and promote better conditions in your cities and towns.

2013 Green Travel For Thanksgiving on Amtrak

Naftali Camiel Took Amtrak Train To San Diego

Friends and family have been calling about their travels this 2013 Thanksgiving almost weekend. Naftali wins the green travel award because starting in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, he walked, took buses, and trains to visit his mom in San Diego!

Going carless -- the relaxing, carbon-light way to go.

In his own words,

Amazon Fresh - Groceries To Your Front Door

This is my review using AmazonFresh for the first time. As luck would have it, my first cold in years descended--Ha-chooo!--on my nose, chest, and refrigerator.

I'm hungry!

Climate Change and 2013 Philippines Disaster: What You Can Do Too

Extreme climate change events include the 2013 Philippines Typhoon Haiyan disaster. One of strongest storms of all times - 195 mph winds. When you heat up oceans and the air is warmer and moist, as it is in the Philippines, winds are stronger. 

How about joining me going car-less or car-light?

How To Live Well Without Owning A Car

How To Live Well Without Owning A Car: Save money, breathe easier, and get more mileage out of life is an informative, inspirational guidebook to going carless. Or car-less, hyphenated, as Chris Balish's 2006 book describes in this gem of a going carless book. I read the first half in almost one sitting.

Going Carless: Bird-watching in Los Angeles

Going carless in Los Angeles for me means a lot of walking. I look to my right! Left! Up. Swooping down. He's hiding! Peek-a-boo! I see you! Focus. Snap. Ahhh!