Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Citizens Climate Lobby, July 31

Have you noticed how the hot days in Mar Vista are getting hotter? 

No surprise—2015 was the hottest year on record worldwide. Eeek!

"What can I do about global warming?" you might ask yourself. And the drought, you muse … I already turn off the spigot while I’m brushing my teeth. What else can I do?

Thus Sunday at the Green Tent you’ll find out. Our guest, the Citizens Climate Lobby is working to create the political will for a Carbon Fee and Dividend policy that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions 52 percent below 1990 levels within 20 years, while improving the economy and returning revenues from the fee directly to households. That means this carbon tax will not grow government, and that’s why it’s supported by economists of all political stripes.

Still, you’re a Westsider, and you didn’t fall off the turnip truck. So you may be wondering if Carbon Fee and Dividend will throw people out of work, and come down hardest on poor people and minorities. Not to worry: a study by Regional Economic Models, Inc. found that a steadily rising fee on carbon-based fuels, with revenue from that fee returned to households in equal shares, would act as an economic stimulus. In 20 years, that would add 2.8 million jobs to the American economy. And the money returned to households would constitute a larger percentage of their income for the poor than the rich.

Don’t believe this? Want to learn more? 


Come to the Green Tent on July 31st.  There you’ll not only find answers to your questions, but also what you can do—whether that means asking friends and relatives to sign a letter to their member of Congress or writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Maybe you’ll eventually meet with your member of Congress.  

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Master Gardeners, July 24

The UC/CE LA County Master Gardeners return to the Green Tent on Sunday July 24 from 9 am to 1 pm. In deep summer, there are still lots of edibles for you to choose from and seeds to take home — all free! Here’s the “menu”:



Crookneck Squash - buttery yellow crooknecks, with tender flesh and sweet nutty flavor

"Ace" tomatoes are 5 or six inches in diameter, weigh 6 to 8 ounces and have a sweet flavor with less acid that other tomatoes.

English Cucumbers - thin-skinned long cucumbers

Dark Green (Raven) Zucchini

Japanese Cucumbers are slender, thin-skinned, void of developed seeds, never bitter and entirely edible.

Bush French Filet Beans (Rolande) - no trellis needed

Tuscan Melons, originating in Italy, the 3-5 lb fruit yields crisply sweet orange flesh.

And a few other mixed melons

And don’t forget the herbs!

  • Heirloom Arugula
  • Profumo di Genova Basil
  • Slow Bolt Cilantro 
  • Scented Basil Trio
  • Italian Flat Leaf Parsley
Stop by for free plants and seeds, gardening advice and conversation! 

The MGs are proud to announce the publication of Master Garden Erin Mahoney Harris’ new book, “Visit California Farms,” which tells you all about winery and farm stays across our golden state. 

Please remember to recycle your plastic 6 packs so the MGs can plant up more seedlings for next month’s market.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Food Forward, July 17


SHARING ABUNDANCE WITH THOSE IN NEED


Learn how you can help provide fresh fruits and veggies to the hungry in your community! Food Forward is a Southern California based non-profit that recovers produce from backyard fruit trees, farmers markets and LA's downtown wholesale market and then donates 100% of what is collected to local hunger relief agencies. 


Food Forward not only battles hunger in Southern California but also works to curb the environmental issue of food waste. Recent studies have shown that 40% of the food in the country never makes it to the table and 20% of what goes into municipal landfills is food. Southern California is an abundant land of agriculture and donating surplus food to the 1.28 million food insecure in LA county is a win-win!

Since forming in 2009, Food Forward has collected over 20 million pounds of produce, which has helped to feed 100,000 clients a month through 300 diverse distribution partners across Southern California. Sign up to volunteer at https://foodforward.org/events/




Food Forward hosts 100+ volunteer-powered events per month so, whether you'd like to pick fruit or go to the farmers market with us, there are many opportunities to contribute to our efforts in providing nourishing fruits and veggies food to those most in need. 

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Seed Library of Los Angeles, July 10

This Sunday at the Mar Vista Farmers' Market, representing the Seed Library of Los Angeles, David King will have seed samples and information on upcoming SLOLA events! SLOLA is our local organization protecting the diversity of our food supply – find out why that's important and learn about the Guatemalan Farmers of Qachoo Aloom and their amaranth growing project at The Learning Garden. Always something fun going on at the monthly Seed Library meetings – which are free!


David is Garden Master of the Learning Garden at Venice High School, a Mar Vista institution serving the community as our neighborhood botanical garden.

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Selva International, July 3

Conservation Done Right

SELVA International, a Mar Vista based environmental non-profit, has partnered with conservation biologist and sustainable landscape professional Steven Williams to offer EcoGardens, a landscape service to help you convert your water thirsty lawn to an ecological garden.

4536 Irvine Ave., Studio City 91364 - BEFORE
4536 Irvine Ave - AFTER (9/13/14 - Charlene Mathers)


Learn how your garden can:

• Conserve water
• Save money
• Grow native plants to attract birds and butterflies
• Reduce polluted runoff to our beaches
• Collect and use rainwater
• Support our local community - SELVA International hires and trains students at Venice Youth Build, an at-risk youth skills-building program, which also allows them to lower your cost.

At the Green TentSELVA International will display before and after pictures of sustainable, "Ocean Friendly Gardens." They'll have information handouts on SELVA's EcoGardens program, LADWP funded Hands On Workshops (HOWs), and Surfrider's Ocean Friendly Gardens program. They'll have some CA native plants local to our area. Get your questions answered and free advice on ecological landscaping!


2006 S. Crescent Heights Blvd., LA, 90034 - BEFORE   
2006 S. Crescent Heights Blvd., LA, 90034 - AFTER (10/11/14 - David Beeler    )