Go Dirty for the Drought, October 12

In January 2014, Governor Brown announced a State of Emergency: California is having the worst drought in recorded history. Nine months later, Los Angeles has not decreased water use, and Angelinos are still using 122-129 gallons of water per day. We must spread the word about the severity of the drought and do our part to conserve water. 

Stop by the Green Tent this Sunday between 9:30 and 1:00 and sign the pledge to Go dirty for the drought by not washing your car for 60 days. You can also sign the pledge online; click here to access the website. 

When you take the Dirty Car Pledge to conserve water for LA, you'll receive a Dirty Car Pledge sticker to put in your car window and help spread the word. It’s a static cling sticker, so it won’t ruin your car paint.

Not washing your car for 60 day saves time, saves money and, most importantly, saves water. And the car sticker will save your image as well.

A Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase  volunteer will also be at the Green Tent from 9:00 till 2:00. Sustainable gardens are long term water savers. The Green Garden Showcase is dedicated to encouraging them to sprout throughout Mar Vista. Would you like to be a garden scout? Are you interested in showing your garden in the 2015 tour? Do you have questions about converting to a drought tolerant garden? Stop by and chat.

Driving on Sunshine October 5

Stop by the Green Tent this Sunday and learn about EV/PV: Electric vehicles running on solar energy. Of all the things Americans can do to reduce energy use and pollution, changing their energy to clean, renewable solar (or wind) and changing their car to run on that very same energy belongs near the top of the list.

Greg Gustafson of Solar City will speak about the economics of solar energy and what kind of roof you need to be "solar viable". For many people, solar is less expensive than dirty energy from the utilities. For them, they are losing money by not going solar. Greg will bring everyone up to speed on the latest in solar energy.

Electric cars are the other half of the equation. If you drive an internal combustion car, switching it to an electric car, or plugin hybrid, allows you to "drive on sunshine". Guest Paul Scott has been doing that for 13 years and will describe the reasons everyone will be doing the same very soon. He'll also discuss the various cars available and the relative costs.

Master Gardeners, September 28

The UCCE/Master Gardeners of L.A. County return to the Green Tent on Sunday, September 28th  from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They can help with your autumn garden by providing information and support in the areas of water wise gardening, pest issues, planting your seeds, soil and compost questions, and more. 

As usual, you can pick up a free plant and two packets of seeds to grow this season. This month the LACMGs have beautiful fall edibles to share with you: Glory Frisée, Italian Roma Bush  and Classic Slenderette Beans, Giant Japanese Spinach, Durket Leafy Dill, Cilantro, Flashback Calendula, Italian Arugula, and Famers Market Lettuce Blend (sweet greens and reds).  Come pick up a plant to put into your fall garden!

Just a reminder: here’s a GREAT link with monthly tips for Southern California gardens.And as the drought continues, please continue to be water wise. You can get great information and tips online at: http://bewaterwise.com.

Thanks to all of you who have brought the Master Gardeners your empty plastic "six packs". They always need more, so please continue to donate so they can keep planting for you! 

Seed Freedom LA, September 21st

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Saving our SEEDS

A coalition of Los Angeles area seed and food garden activists launched Seed Freedom LA in 2012 to make Los Angeles a GMO Free Zone! 

Working with our Mayor and our City Council, SFLA will ensure the food grown in our school, community and home gardens remain GMO free! One of the group's founders, David King will be at the Green Tent to introduce Seed Freedom Los Angeles!

Many plants are wind pollinated. GMO plants have the GMO gene

in every cell including their pollen so those wind-pollinated GMO plants (corn and beets are the terrible two right now) can cross with the corn and beets growing in your gardens making your plants GMO. Come by the booth and learn what you can do to prevent your plants from turning into GMO plants!

There aren't many GMO-type commercial farmers here within Los Angeles. Creating large geographic areas which are pure of genetic engineering provides greater security as we save seeds for the future, and do our part to secure our food supply.  

As seed-savers, Seed Freedom LA members understand that our city gardens are great places to preserve heirloom and heritage seed varieties, because the genes won't become tainted by agricultural mishaps. The GMO-Free Zone will create a safe zone for saving and preserving heirloom seeds -- plus growers in the area will be able to call their food "GMO-free"!  Ultimately, a GMO-Free Zone will make great strides toward having a GMO-free local food supply. 

David King is the Gardenmaster of The Learning Garden on the grounds of Venice High School, one of our neighborhood's best source for horticultural information.

Tree Musketeers September 14th

Our guest at the Green Tent this Sunday, September 14th will be Tree Musketeers.

Unlike most youth groups that are run by adults for kids, Tree Musketeers was founded by third graders in 1987 as a place where kids are boss.  With a mission to empower young people to be environmental leaders, Tree Musketeers operates two programs from its South Bay headquarters.  Locally, the Hometown Program creates a “living laboratory” where young executives engage other kids in urban forestry, youth leadership and public education projects.  The young entrepreneurs then share these replicable models for implementation in other hometowns through their internationalPartners for the Planet Network.  The current thrust in both programs is the Partners for the Planet3x3 Campaign, a multi-year effort with objectives to document 3 million trees planted by three million kids.  Goals aim to create a healthy Earth, inspire youth leadership, establish global collaborations and engage the public.

To learn more about Tree Musketeers visit us at TreeMusketeers.org and sign up for our volunteer mailing list here.

Courageous Hearts, September 7

The Green Tent is taking the day off. We're excited to have Courageous Hearts Youth Services in our space. 

As a non-profit based in Los Angeles, Courageous Hearts endeavors to bring out the best in each child and teen by supporting them in realizing their own inherent value and magnificence.

Since it’s inception just over a year ago, it has delivered food, supplies and uplifting resources to 100's of homeless youth living in L.A. In June, they partnered with the LAUSD’s Homeless Education Department and helped celebrate and honor 85 homeless teens graduating from high-school.

In July, they launched a project called The Courageous Youth Artisans, with the intention to make an even greater difference in the lives of these amazing, and yet challenged teens. Stop by the Green Tent space and see the results. They'll be selling hand made, high quality scarves, necklaces and bracelets - all made by homeless and at-risk youth. EVERYTHING IS DESIGNED AND MADE BY THEIR ARTISANS. An artisan will be on hand making customized bracelets for market shoppers. 

Each of their employed teens are INCREDIBLE, AMAZING, and COURAGEOUS young people who have lived through and are living through some incredibly challenging and heart-wrenching times. Some have single parents or no parents around to guide and support them. Some have experienced homelessness, violence, death, and families torn apart by unfortunate circumstances. Despite these obstacles, all have endured and have dreams, wishes, and hopes for a successful future.They are Resilient, Bright, and are the future of our Community. 

Street Tree Adoption, August 31

Trees are the lungs of our planet

Trees

    - Combat the greenhouse effect

    - Clean the air

    - Provide oxygen

    - Cool the streets and the city

    - Conserve energy

    - Save water

    - Provide homes for local wildlife

Stop by the Green Tent this Sunday and learn about the Bureau of Sanitation’s “Adopt a Street Tree” program. 

Street trees improve walk-ability of our neighborhoods while helping reduce the impacts of climate change. 

Learn how you can request planting of a tree along your street in the public right of way. Many different tree varieties are available. 

Tree adopters are responsible for the early care and watering of the sapling. We'll have information about different watering options to make this task easier.

Click here to find out about all of free tree programs available from City Plants, a public-private partnership between the City of Los Angeles, local non-profit organizations, community groups, residents, and businesses. 

Master Gardeners, August 24

The UCCE/Master Gardeners of L.A. County return to the Green Tent on Sunday, August 24th  from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are there to help you keep your garden thriving and to answer any questions you may have on on pest issues, water usage, soil and  mulch, and  more…. 

As usual, you can pick up a free plant and two packets seeds to grow this season. This month the LACMGs have some late summer plants to share with you: round zucchini, lemon cukes, beans, stir fry greens, and mixed greens. Fingers crossed - they might have some cilantro as well. Come pick up a plant to put into your hot summer garden.

Just a reminder: here’s a GREAT link with monthly tips for Southern California gardens.And as the drought continues, please continue to be water wise. You can get great information and tips online at:http://bewaterwise.com.

Thanks to all of you who have brought the Master Gardeners your empty plastic "six packs".   They always need more, so please continue to donate the  so they can keep planting for you! 

Urban Bat Preservation, August 17

Bats are perceived as malicious when they are really just misunderstood! People have the wrong idea about bats. They aren't vicious, blood sucking creatures; they are a crucial part of our environment. A single little brown bat can eat up to 600 mosquitos in an hour! 

Francesca Pavia, our guest at the Green Tent this Sunday, will bust the myths about bats and you'll understand their gentle and beneficial nature! Come get information on bats and their role in our community and how to help preserve this incredible animal. 

Pick up plans for your very own bat house to help stop habitat loss and enter a raffle to win a homemade bat house! Play bat trivia for sweet bat treats and send your kids to make bat crafts. Learn how to be an animal defender in your neighborhood.

Green Real Estate, August 3

IN REAL ESTATE, GREEN IS GOLD!

Did you know that "Green" homes often sell faster and for more money than the traditional home? 

Not only does your investment into "green" home upgrades save you money with lower utility costs and rebates, but it helps put more "green" in your pocket when it's time for you to sell. Save yourself money, "green" our community and help save the Planet, too.

Come by the Green Tent to meet local National Association of Realtors GREEN Designee Susan Klos, and get green upgrade ideas to help transform your home to be sustainable, eco-friendly and a more valuable property.

Susan has a free wildflower seed packet for our Green Tent guests.