I have been going to the City more recently, for years I avoided it like the plague. I found the Meet Up sight and have joined several Meet up groups that deal with things I an interested in like Gardening. I have been Dahntahn [ for those of you who are not familiar with Pittsbughese Dahntahn is the opposite of Up Town,
] a lot more since I found them. I joined several Gardening groups and an environmental group. Turns out there are Meet Up group that deal with almost everything from Young Mothers who want a play date for their little ones, to back packers, to bikers, to Gay/lesbians to people who like to drink wine. What ever floats your boat, there is a meet up group for you. They are a National thing with Meet up Group around the country. I had never heard of it, but once I found it I have been to several interesting meetings about organic pest control, perma culture, reducing your carbon foot print, a seed and plant exchange and now I am attending a meeting about sustainability tomorrow. Its a drive for me to get to the City, so I pick and choose which meetings I attend, but I have enjoyed the ones I have attended. I have to say that it hasn't done anything for my Carbon Footprint though. I feel badly about driving 40 miles to talk about reducing my carbon footprint, it seems anti productive to me some how. Talking to interesting people and sharing ideas is a good thing though and if I have to burn some Gas to get that done I guess it is OK.
Never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has.