Dreameco Crafts, October 2

DREAMECO CRAFTS is an eco friendly company born out of artistic sensibilities and household discards. They are artists and educators who are teaching the public how to use what they have in their homes to create art and household products and extend the life of their items to produce less waste. Classes include crafts, sewing and visual arts. Through classes, workshops and free events they turn strangers into neighbors.

DREAMECO CRAFTS will be at The Green Tent on Sunday, October 2nd, from 9am-2pm.  Stop by and learn about upcoming events including...

The first ever Fun-A-Day LA! Dreameco Crafts is putting together #FunADayLA for 2017! If you're interested in creating an art piece every day of January and then participating in a group show in February at Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean then share your idea at dreamecocrafts@gmail.com! This is a FREE UNJURIED ART SHOW! There will be classes in January to keep you on track!

Art by Amy. Stop by reDiscover Center to enjoy the mixed media work of Amy Bauer including creative ways to display your family and friend's art. From collages to mobiles and paintings to barrettes made from wall paper and old buttons! Plus an all ages workshop where you will create your own art to take home! 

Master Gardeners, September 25

The UC/CE LA County Master Gardeners return to the Green Tent on Sunday, September 25, from 9 am to 1 pm. This month they’re handing out free plants and seeds; here’s what they’ve grown for you and are bringing to the Farmers Market:

Lacinato Kale — everyone’s favorite, “Dinosaur” Kale aka Lacinato. The classic. And its baby brother/sister: Tuscan Baby Leaf Kale

Rainbow Chard — eye-catching vivid color combo, delicious and also ornamental

Nasturtiums — edible flowers


Broccoli Raab, aka rapini, a constant favorite with the Mar Vista crowd

Rosette Tatsoi — Asian greens

Gourmet Greens — Renee's Braising Mix

SUNFLOWERS!!! Come early, these are going to be very popular 

For tips on what to do and when in your Fall garden visit: http://celosangeles.ucanr.edu/UC_Master_Gardener_Program/ Garden_Tips_for_Los_Angeles_County/.

Please don’t forget to bring your empty plastic six packs so the MGs can plant more good food and flowers for you next month.

Ballona Institute, September 18

BALLONA WETLANDS

...an environmental treasure in our own back yard 

Photo of Great Horned Owl by Jonathan Coffin

You may have heard about the 600+ acres of the Ballona Wetlands just to the south and west of Mar Vista. But have you visited this wild habitat where coyote and the beautiful and rare White Tailed Kite hunt?

Drop by the Green Tent on Sunday, September 18, to learn more about these fragile and beautiful wetlands, which are a mosaic of different habitats: seasonal ponds, wet meadows, salt pannes, sand dunes, prairie grassland and more!

Photo of Coyote by Jonathan Coffin

 Biologist Roy Van de Hoek (perhaps you know him from the Feathers & Foliage walks in Mar Vista or have seen his Blue Bird houses in our trees) and and Marcia Hanscom, Executive Director of the Ballona Institute will be on hand to talk with you. Ballona Institute is known as "The Voice for nature on the Los Angeles Coast."

Learn about Ballona Institute's latest campaigns, including the most important one of all - the threat that bulldozers we once chased from the Ballona Wetlands are threatening to return! Stop by to learn what YOU can do to help save the Ballona Wetlands again!

Photo of one of the historical sloughs at 
Ballona Wetlands by Marcia Hanscom

Click here to learn about the threats and treasures at Ballona. And watch this video to see just some of the miracles at the water's edge.

School Gardens, September 11

Our local school gardens...making a difference

This Sunday at The Green Tent, the Garden School Foundation and representatives  are making seed bombs with the kiddos, cultivating a new generation of guerrilla gardeners and teaching the little ones that you can garden anywhere!

Representative from the Walgrove and Grand View Elementary school garden programs will also be on hand. Our students grow and cook organic vegetables right from their own gardens, learning elementary level botany and horticulture in the process. 

• Which plants like hot weather and which ones like cold weather?

• Why does it makes sense for us to eat food that is in season where we live?  

• What are the 5 basics stages in the life cycle of a plant?

• What is the best way to avoid getting stung by a bee?  (HINT: Don't act like a bear!)

Learn the answers to these questions and more as you play the Mystery Box Game. Then take the "Veggie Pledge".

The Garden School Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides interactive garden-based education to under served-children across LA in their outdoor living classrooms. Since 2003, they’ve been turning asphalt into ecosystems, working to create a healthy, educated and aware future generation that care for their bodies and for the earth.

Currently, they serve over 2500 students and their families at six Title 1 elementary schools, bringing to life what's taught in the classroom and giving kids the tools they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. 

Greywater Systems, September 4

What is greywater? It's the "waste" water from your washing machine reused to water your fruit trees or perennial plants instead of being sent to the reclamation plant and then out to the ocean. 

With a greywater system, every time you do a load of laundry your plants get a good drink and you save money as well.

As everyone knows, California has experienced an extreme drought for many years and it will most likely continue. Water is probably the most important resource for every living species on our planet. Learn how to double the usage of your water!

Green Tent guest Art Lee holds workshops that cover all the information you need to install a grey water system at your house. He's bringing a mini greywater demo system so visitors  can see how it works and will answer your questions. He'll also have a signup sheet for those interested in attending a future workshop.