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This week we explore three special hiking experiences helping to build community. Plus, the twisted tale of the Altadena Werewolf.
A community-driven, mobile crafting group combines, hiking, and outdoor sewing in Los Angeles.  (Courtesy of Kim Silverstein)

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Going for a Hike in a California Park? Don’t Forget Your Sewing Supplies

Hiking clubs are nothing new. But a group in Los Angeles is now trying to stretch their creative muscles while making new community. Los Angeles’ Hike and Sew members gather every other week in Los Angeles to get into nature with their needle and thread.  Reporter Clare Wiley joined the group as part of our Community Connections series, highlighting Californians who are bringing joy to their neighbors in big and small ways.

Motorized Wheelchairs Making Back Country Hiking More Accessible

California is home to more than 18,000 miles of hiking trails. But many of them are out of reach for people with physical disabilities. In Southern California, the city of Burbank is trying to change that. Susan Valot reports that a new program there lets people borrow motorized, off-road wheelchairs to explore rugged trails that were once inaccessible. Advocates are hoping to open up this option to thousands more people in the state.

How to Explore Muir Woods After Dark

Marin County is home to Muir Woods – known for its historic redwood trees. It’s one of the most visited national parks sites in the country, even though you can’t camp there. But as KQED’s outdoors reporter Sarah Wright tells us, once a month, park-goers who nab a ticket can  experience the wonders of the park at night.

An American Werewolf in Altadena? How a Local Monster Sparked Community Tensions

After the Eaton Fire burned through Altadena a year and half ago, an unusual sight reappeared amid the ashes and debris: a giant werewolf wearing a t-shirt with a big rainbow-colored heart that said “I Love Altadena”. The mysterious lycanthrope became a source of inspiration and resilience as the community continued to recover and rebuild. And then, as with any good werewolf story, the full moon appeared, a transformation happened and the pitchforks came out. But in the end, peace prevailed. Reporter Steven Cuevas has the story.

 

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