School of Self-Reliance

LUNCHTIME CRAFT WORKSHOP
2020-02-27 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, February 27, Noon, LUNCHTIME CRAFT WORKSHOP, WITH STONE, BONE, AND WOOD, $25
During this lunchtime session, you’ll see some of the simple but effective methods for working bone and shell into cutting instruments and hooks, working stone into useful tools, and some woodworking. Gloves and eye protection suggested. Bring your water container and soup bowl as well. Hahamongna Watershed Park, Location 2.

ROCKS AS TOOLS, PLACERITA CANYON FREE TALK
2020-01-19 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Sunday, January 19, 2 to 3 p.m., Rocks as Tools, Free Placerita Canyon Class
This is a free public presentation held at Placerita Canyon Nature Center, 19152 Placerita Canyon Rd, Newhall, CA 91321. Christopher Nyerges will share how rocks and stones were used in North America (and elsewhere) for making fire, processing food, making bows, and just about every daily activity. A very heavy topic! Come early for seating.

SHELTER WORKSHOP
2020-01-18 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, January 18, 10 a.m., SHELTER WORKSHOP, $40.
We’ll explore a wild area and learn about shelters, both man-made shelters that you can carry in your pack and the type of shelter that you’d have to create using only what nature has provided. You will learn by doing so wear gloves if necessary. Along the way, you will learn about the uses of plants of the area, for food, medicine, tools, etc. Location: Orcas Park, in the Big Tujunga Wash, northeast of Hansen Dam, in Lake View Terrace. From the 210, exit Osborne and go east to Orcas Ave. and enter the park. We’ll meet in the southern-most parking area. [Thomas Guide pg. 503, A2]

LUNCHTIME PLANT ID WALK AND SOUP! $25
2019-12-26 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Hahamongna Watershed Park
Join us for a short walkabout in the Hahamongna Watershed. We’ll learn about the local plants, make fire, and cook some soup. We’ll meet at Location 2, upper area of Hahamongna Watershed Park.

TO REGISTER
2019-12-21 10:00, 2019-11-09 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Call (626) 791-3217 (office) or (323) 605-7283 to pay with a credit card;
Or mail a check to School of Self-Reliance, Box 41834, L.A., CA 90041. Indicate class you will attend, and how many will attend. E-mail (or Paypal) to christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com. Check the website for new classes.

WEEKEND WARRIOR WORKSHOP SERIES #3
2019-12-14 10:00 UTC
PRIMITIVE SURVIVAL SKILLS – part of our certificate and certification program.
This is a 4-part series which will occur on the first Saturdays of the month, including today, Sept. 14, and continuing through the year. This Session begins with a workshop on FIBRE: Plants which produce fibre, processing plants to make cordage, making sandals, nets, brushes, and other useful items. You’ll never look at rope and cordage the same! Class includes a short walkabout, hands-on, some plant gathering, and fire-making.
Pricing: $65 per class; if you pay in advance, you pay $195, meaning, you get the 4th class FREE.
Location 2, Hahamongna Watershed Park.

FULL MOON WALK, $25.
2019-12-13 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
We’ll explore a foothill area and discover how you can identify plants by odor and silhouette. Learn how sounds travel. We’ll see some stars, and discuss how to use stars for navigation. And maybe we’ll hear some of the night animals. Meet at the intersection of Ventura and Windsor in Altadena. From the Windsor exit of the 210 freeway, drive north on Windsor until Ventura, where you will park in the parking area on the west side of the street, overlooking the Arroyo Seco.

WEEKEND WARRIOR WORKSHOP SERIES #2
2019-12-07 10:00 UTC
PRIMITIVE SURVIVAL SKILLS – part of our certificate and certification program.
This is a 4-part series which will occur once a month. This Session begins with a workshop on WATER: Finding it, Purifying it, Storing it. We’ll make a solar still, transpiration bag, and review how to find and purify water under harsh conditions. Class includes a short walkabout, hands-on, some plant gathering, and fire-making.
Pricing: $65 per class; if you pay in advance, you pay $195, meaning, you get the 4th class FREE.
Location 2, Hahamongna Watershed Park.

NATIVE AMERICAN FOODS lecture, FREE
2019-12-04 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Christopher will present a free public lecture at Topanga Library, 122 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Participants will learn about the wild plants that were used by the local indigenous people for food, medicine, tools, etc. Come and see these plants, and ask questions. Books by Christopher will also be available for sale.

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE, $65.
2019-11-30 10:00 UTC
In this walkabout, we’ll learn about the uses of the wild plants, how to make fire, making cordage, building shelters, purifying water, cooking, and more. We cover a lot in the day. Dress comfortably, and carry water, a bowl, and bring your knife. Hahamongna Watershed Park, Location 2.

THANKSGIVING DAY!
2019-11-28

LUNCHTIME PLANT WALK, $25.
2019-11-21 12:00 UTC
We’ll walk in a section of the Arroyo Seco and explore the history and unique plantlife of the area. We’ll be near the original Busch Gardens, and near the Suicide Bridge. We’ll see edible and medicinal plants. Bring your bowl for salad, and bring your canteen. We’ll meet in the parking area of the Casting Ponds/ Archery Range. Casting Ponds, Lower Arroyo, location 8. This is south of the Rose Bowl in the Arroyo Seco.

NATIVE PLANTS OF THE WEST lecture, FREE
2019-11-16 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Christopher will present a free public lecture at the Hacienda Heights Library, 16010 La Monde Street, Hacienda Heights, free to the public. Participants will learn about the many native plants found in our area, and their many uses in the past by indigenous peoples. You will get to see many of the common native plants used for food, medicine, fire, soap, etc., as well as some of the non-native plants that are very common.

LUNCHTIME SHELTER WORKSHOP, $25.
2019-11-14 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles), 2019-10-10 12:00 UTC
Learn the most basic of wilderness shelters, and continue to work on a traditional shelter. Meet at Location 2, Hahamongna Watershed Park. Bring gloves.

WEEKEND WARRIOR WORKSHOP SERIES #2
2019-11-09 10:00 - 13:30 UTC
PRIMITIVE SURVIVAL SKILLS – part of our certificate and certification program.
This is a 4-part series which will occur on the first Saturdays of the month, including today, and continuing each second Saturday. This Session begins with a workshop on WATER: Finding it, Purifying it, Storing it. We’ll make a solar still, transpiration bag, and review how to find and purify water under harsh conditions. Class includes a short walkabout, hands-on, some plant gathering, and fire-making.
Pricing: $65 per class; if you pay in advance, you pay $195, meaning, you get the 4th class FREE.
Location 2, Hahamongna Watershed Park.

FIRST AID / CPR / AED
2019-10-26 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
This 5-hour class covers Standard First Aid, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, Automated External Defibrillator use.
You will learn about scene safety, personal protection equipment, bleeding control, wound care, general injuries, sudden illness first aid, and environmental first aid. Being outdoors people, we will put extra emphasis on outdoor first aid. You will be demonstrating proper CPR on manikins, so please dress in comfortable clothing. Several topics from the Advanced First Aid class are covered in this standard class since they are important topics to understand. First Aid Kits will also be discussed.
The class runs 5 hours, which includes a very short lunch break (bring your own lunch – no time to go out to lunch).
Please bring a camp chair, note pad, sunscreen and anything else you would like to bring along.
Class fee is $40 for the lecture and hands-on practice. If you would like a 2-year certification through ECSI (Emergency Care and Safety Institute) there is an additional fee of $20 and you will also receive a first aid book in addition to the certification card. – You must RSVP to this class as we need to cap this class at 12 to assure proper instruction and proficiency. With your RSVP, please let us know if you will be doing the certification or just coming for the knowledge and hands-on experience.
All RSVPs must be in 10 days prior to the class to assure the proper amount of supplies (and books – if getting certified) are ordered, and all reservations must be pre-paid.
If you will be getting certified, please provide an email address – the cards are now sent electronically to your email after you complete the class.
Taught by Keith Farrar, certified to teach Standard First Aid, Advanced First Aid and Title 22 First Aid (for First Responders).
Keith teaches to State Park Docents, Sierra Club leaders as well as other organizations.

FIELD TRIP, TO BE ARRANGED.
2019-10-19

LUNCHTIME YUCCA WORKSHOP, $20.
2019-10-17 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join us at this lunchtime workshop where we’ll do a short walk to learn about native and introduced flora. We’ll also discover some of the uses of the yucca plant, such as food and fibre. You will learn how to make twine, brushes, nets, and sandals from the yucca plants. Bring water. Meet at the intersection of Ventura and Windsor in Altadena. From the Windsor exit of the 210 freeway, drive north on Windsor until Ventura, where you will have to carefully park in the parking area on the west side of the street, overlooking the Arroyo Seco.

WEEKEND WARRIOR WORKSHOP SERIES #1
2019-10-12 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
PRIMITIVE SURVIVAL SKILLS – part of our certificate and certification program. Focus on FIRE.
This is a 4-part series which will occur once a month – see schedule for subsequent classes in this series. This Session begins with a workshop on FIRE: The four principles for creating fire, making fire from your car, using the sun to make fire, using batteries, flint and steel, and creating your own fire-by-friction kit. You will learn by doing. Class includes a short walkabout, hands-on, some plant gathering, and fire-making. Pricing: $65 per class; if you pay in advance, you pay $195, meaning, you get the 4th class FREE. Location 2, Hahamongna Watershed Park.

WEEKEND ETHNOBOTANY SERIES, session #4
2019-09-28 10:00 UTC
WILD FOOD AND USEFUL PLANTS– part of certificate and certification program.
Because Thanksgiving is in a few days, we’ll also prepare a few other wild food dishes today, in addition to our ACORN processing and cooking. This is a 4-part series which will occur on the third Saturdays of the month. Today is part four of four. You can attend just this class, or sign up for the series.
Session four is a complete lesson on the historical value of the ACORN in west coast native societies, along with some nutritional information. We will include other seeds and greens which can be dried and used for wild breads and pancakes. You will then go through the entire process of turning the raw acorn into a delicious food. You’ll shell, grind, leach, test, leach some more, and blend with a few other ingredients to make acorn food products. There will be minimal walking today, but still bring your field notebook.
Pricing: $65 per class; if you pay in advance, you pay $195, meaning, you get the 4th class FREE.
Location 2, Hahamongna Watershed Park.

LOCATIONS
Location 1
Upper Arroyo. West end of Altadena Drive, Alt. 3 blocks west of Lincoln [pg. 535, F4].
Location 2
Hahamongna Watershed Park; entrance at Foothill and Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena. Meet at south end of the upper area (across from La Canada High School), near the outdoor bathrooms. One way to get here is to travel on the 210 Freeway westbound, and exit on Foothill in La Canada. Turn right (east) and take Foothill about a half-mile to its end, which is the entrance of the park. Enter and drive south until you see the outdoor bathrooms (do not make the left hand turn which goes downhill). [pg. 535, E5].
Location 3
Switzer’s Camp, Angeles National Forest. From the 210 freeway in La Canada, drive up the Angeles Crest Highway 10 miles to Switzers. You will see the large sign on the Highway. Drive down the road and park in the parking lot. Meet near the bridge. NOTE: You will need a Forest Adventure Pass for this location. [pg. 505, H2]
Location 4
Angeles National Forest. From the Angeles Crest Highway and Foothill (or from the 210 freeway), drive 2 miles up the Angeles Crest Highway (above the large new houses) until you see the turnout on your right. You really need to look at your odometer for this one. [535, C1] .
Location 5
Millard Canyon, Altadena. Drive up to Loma Alta by going north on either Fair Oaks (from the east) or Lincoln Ave. (on the west). From Loma Alta in Altadena, go north on Chaney Trail all the way to the campground. [pg. 535, H2]
Location 6
Arroyo Seco, north of the Rose Bowl, Pasadena. Meet at the SW corner of Washington and West. Be sure to look at your map here, for more people seem to get lost finding this location than any other. The Rose Bowl is easy to find – and West is the north-south street on the west side of the Rose Bowl. You can simply drive north on West to the top of the T intersection, and park to your left in the dirt parking. Washington is the east-west street that dissects the golf course; so if you come from the east side of the golf course and the Rose Bowl, drive west on Washington until it ends in the T intersection, and then just drive forward into the dirt parking area. [pg. 565, E1].
Location 7
Cobb Estate, Extreme north end of Lake Ave., Altadena. Exit on Lake Avenue from the 210 freeway and head for the hills. [pg. 536, A3]
Location 8
Casting Ponds, Arroyo Seco. Entrance to “Lower Arroyo Park” is from Arroyo Blvd, just west of Norwood Drive. Where the 210 meets the 134 freeway in Pasadena, go south on the short extension to the 110. [If westbound on the 210, you take the 110 south; if eastbound on the 134, stay in the right lane and go south on the unfinished 210 south spur.] Go south on this short extension which ends at California Blvd. Turn right (west) on California, and travel to where it ends, at Arroyo Blvd. Turn right (north) on Arroyo Blvd. and look for the sign on your left for the Lower Arroyo Park. Drive down the road and park. [pg 565, F5].
Location 9
Orcas Park. NE of Hansen Dam, in Lake View Terrace. From the 210, exit Osborne and go east on Foothill to Orcas Ave., then go south into the park. We’ll meet in the southern-most parking area. [pg. 503, A2]

CLASS TBA
2019-09-26 12:00, 2019-09-21 10:00, 2019-09-19 12:00, 2019-09-12 12:00, 2019-09-07 10:00, 2019-09-05 12:00, 2019-08-22 12:00 UTC

BOW MAKING, $45
2019-08-31 10:00 UTC
In our class time, you’ll learn how to select a piece of wood for making a bow. You’ll learn the basics of creating a long bow (aka self bow). You will learn how to determine the belly from the back, how to slowly reduce, how to tiller, make nocks, etc. Your goal will be to learn all the steps involved in making a functional bow. If you rush because you simply want to take a bow home, you might be disappointed. If you have tools, such as sharp axe, draw knife, files, rasps, etc., bring them. We do bring tools if you don’t have any. Location 2, Hahamongna Watershed Park.
