Hi Dean! Welcome to our group! You are wise to seek kindred spirits and there are lots in Southern California! I live in Orange County and we have a group of natural hygienists (and those interested in making the transition to a raw or predominately raw diet) who meet the last Wednesday of each month for dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the Soup Plantation in Costa Mesa. I can give you more info via e-mail or you can call our coodinator, Wally Stratton at (714) 898-6850. If you live in L.A., contact Don Kidson at the Hardware Humanitarian House (310) 395-6337. They have live food potlucks and classes there. Also I have contacts in San Diego County. Where in SoCal do you live? Smiles, Sandy