Marina DeBris, December 29

Miyuki wearing "Crusastea" in front of
"Aquarium of the Pacific Gyre"

Marina DeBris has been picking up trash off Los Angeles beaches for over 14 years. She uses the found objects to make works of art that help raise awareness about single use plastics and waste.

Come learn about her recent trip to Australia working with groups that are researching the impact of plastic pollution on the marine environment. She'll bring a few samples from 5Gyres.

Marina's also bringing a few pieces for display, including some new ones. You can see more at her website, Washed Up. Come and be inspired…perhaps to make your own art, definitely to reduce your contribution to her raw materials.

Pearls before Swine

The New Year is a great time to set realistic, achievable goals that support a cleaner, greener Earth. What life style changes can you make to shrink your carbon footprint in 2014? Perhaps it's carpooling to work one day a week, planting a tree, shunning styrofoam, packing a zero-waste lunch for your kids…the possibilities are endless. 

Get some help - or give some - at the Green Tent. Stop by and tell us your sustainable resolution and receive an official MVCC foldable shopping bag - just in time for the start of the Los Angeles plastic bag ban. We'll help you stay on track by sending you a reminder of your goal in 2014!

Master Gardeners, Dec. 22

This month, the UC/Cooperative Extension LA County Master Gardeners are back with an array of seasonal greens. 

Have you ever wanted to become a Master Gardener? Applications are now being taken for the next class--January 3 is the last day to request an application, and deadline to submit is Jan. 15. Click here for more information. 

Meantime pick up some seeds and seedlings that the MGs have lovingly planted up for you

• Mesclun mix -- a selection of salad greens that you can divide into separate plants or just grow, cut, and watch them grow again.
• Braising greens -- a mix of brassica greens that work wonderfully in a stir fry
• Siberian Kale -- the super food that everyone loves
• Rainbow Chard -- as beautiful to look at as to eat
• Arugula -- you like it spicy? This is your plant
• Bok Choy -- speaking of stir frying...also delicious braised
• Baby Spinach -- lovely little leaves of iron-richness
• Italian parsley -- this is the flat leaf variety

Please bring your empty six packs so we can keep planting more for next month.

See you at the Green Tent!

The Learning Garden, December 15

The Learning Garden will be at the Green Tent this Sunday, with some free seeds and Learning Garden DVD's to give away.

Over the last 12 years, The Learning Garden has become a Mar Vista institution serving the community as our neighborhood botanical garden. We're very lucky to have such a valuable resource in our community! 

The Learning Garden wishes to solidify its connection to the people who support its efforts.

Seeking to connect even more with the people around them, it is launching a new program called Friends of The Learning Garden. The Learning Gardens wants to be be more of what it's been – to better fill its role in helping people of all ages become better gardeners and stewards of the earth they call their own.

Help The Learning Garden be an even better community partner. Come find out about its Friends program and dig the dirt with them!

Celebrating Sustainability, Dec. 8

The Mar Vista Farmers' Market welcomes three organizations that promote sustainability and the environment this Sunday. The Downtown Women's Center and Food Forward are sharing the Green Tent's corner. Nearby - right next to Santa Claus - you'll find Heal the Bay.

Downtown Women's Center

The Downtown Women's Center is celebrating 35 years of service to the women of Skid Row! On Sunday, December 8, DWC will be at the Green Tent to share information about their programs, and will display beautiful gifts locally hand-made from sustainable materials as part of the MADE by DWC social enterprise. The Ladies of MADE generate economic and social capital by conceiving, producing, and marketing handMADE products such as blank journals bound from salvaged library book covers and chic travel pouches sewn using reclaimed fabric remnants rescued from landfills. 

Heal the Bay

As an environmental non profit focused on protecting our waterways in LA County, Heal the Bay volunteers will be at the Farmers' Market (Santa Claus adjacent) to answer any questions you may have. Visit them for information about the Los Angeles plastic bag ban that goes into effect January 1, ocean pollution, and how to get involved. And don't forget to play the interactive games for fun giveaways!!

Food Forward

Food Forward is sharing the Green Tent space this Sunday with the Downtown Women's Center.

Food Forward rescues fresh, local produce that would otherwise go to waste, connecting this abundance with people in need, and inspiring others to do the same. Their innovative and replicable urban harvesting program conducts produce recovery events on public and private properties and at local farmers markets in the greater Los Angeles region. 100% of the produce recovered is distributed within 72 hours to over 65 hunger relief and social service agencies in the Los Angeles region. 

To learn more about Food Forward's Programs visit www.foodforward.org.