| | | LA Permaculture Guild Newsletter :: :: January 2009 | Happy New Year!
Let's celebrate 2009 as The Year of Permaculture-in-Action... Coming this year: a series of hands-on events, as well as monthly challenges to take action in your own home, neighborhoods and, why not, around the world too! Start by sending us your ideas, events and actions... Let's see all that we can do together. Check out "Gardens for the Future" and "Guardians for the Future" below... Sure, there's a lot in this newsletter -but hey, it's a big, big, beautiful city out there!
Peace & prosperity to all,
| Kayak the LA River By Frederick Reimers
"...in 1938, a massive flood killed 85 people and caused millions of dollars in damage, sealing the river's fate. Three years later, workers began laying 3.5 million barrels of cement and 7 million tons of reinforced steel onto the river's banks... It was indicative of Los Angeles' convoluted water practice: The river-the city's sole water source for 100 years-became nothing more than a storm drain..." | SOCIAL, ECONOMIC & ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS & VIEWS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kayaking the Los Angeles River Who knew you could paddle from the Burbank Airport to the Long Beach port?
Please Obama -just say No to Vilsack! Oppose Tom Vilsack's Confirmation as Secretary of Agriculture Obama Picks Pro-GMO, Pro-Agribusiness Ex-Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack to Head Agricultural Dept. Despite a massive public outcry, including over 20,000 emails from the Organic Consumers Association, President-Elect Obama has chosen former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack to be the next Secretary of Agriculture. Sign OCA's Petition to the US Senate Now!
Californians Shape Up as Force on Environmental Policy By Lyndsey Layton California Democrats will assume pivotal roles in the new Congress and White House, giving the state an outsize influence over federal policy and increasing the likelihood that its culture of activist regulation will be imported to Washington.
Inspiration for LA... Growing Power In a space no larger than a small supermarket live some 20,000 plants and vegetables, thousands of fish, and a livestock inventory of chickens, goats, ducks, rabbits, and bees.
Legalize Sustainability! Silver Lake Farms owner is cited by city agency for composting waste not generated in her home...
The Chaparral Is Not Our Enemy: It's Just Very Misunderstood, Leading to Disastrous Fires By Robert Muller "...We have also been told that old chaparral is "senescent" and "needs" to burn in order to retain its vigor. Fire releases nutrients that have built up in the undecomposed litter, and is necessary to rejuvenate a stagnant ecosystem. Again, the evidence does not support such conclusions..." VIDEO-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------GlobalTribe: Mexico Eco-PunksIn Mexico, host Amy Eldon got to meet a group of punks who are helping the over-populated and sprawling Mexico City launch an ecological revolution. From them, we learn about permaculture, natural methods of home improvements, and the importance of nature in the fight against urban decay.http://www.archive.org/details/CreativeVisionsGlobalTribeMexicoEcoPunks------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Permaculture-in-Action
Lawns into Gardens for the Future: A Free Community Exchange Program
· Swan Song for the Lawn · Lawn Gone · Breakin' the Lawn · Down by Lawn · Pass on Grass · Grass my Ass · Lawn way from Home · Lawns Away · Garden Grows -Lawn Blows · Lawn: Tragic -Garden: Magic · Lawn: Doody -Garden: Beauty EXCHANGE YOUR LAWN -FOR A GARDEN
Here's How it Works... You supply the materials. We supply the design and organize a workshop to help you build a beautiful and bountiful Food Forest Garden. -All at NO COST.
The Catch?!?
You must grow organically, of course -and when the time comes... All you have to do is GIVE AWAY some of the extra fruits and vegetables! We'll even supply the fruit boxes and a listing on our community "lawns into gardens" links. Please, Front Yards Only ( other conditions and restriction may apply) Coming Soon to Your Neighborhood. Program and Services are Now Available
Can't Convert your Own Front Yard?
You can still participate and help others by donating time, materials and money to this program. Your participation helps support the training programs for our FoodForestry Gardening Services! Easy to Enroll -Sign up Now... | CITY PERMACULTURE NEWS & NOTICES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Permaculture Solution (R)Evolution Series Continues! January 3 & 4, Saturday 9-5, Sunday 10-5.
Meet Scott Pittman, President, Permaculture Institute with Larry Santoyo for a Permaculture LA Workshop. Topics include: Designing & Building Your Own Home Ecosystem, Food Forestry, How to get involved with the Local, National & Global Permaculture Movement A Back to The City Movement... The Los Angeles Permaculture Guild has one of the largest and most dynamic City Permaculture groups in the world -who now work beyond the garden to bring sustainable solutions to city planning and community activism.
Location: Project Butterfly Loft, 821 Traction Ave #108, Los Angeles, CA 90013 www.projectbutterfly.org Cost: $90. per day or $175. per weekend More Info: http://earthflow.com/LAPDC0708.php
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Introduction to Permaculture Monday, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM; 5 sessions starting January 5, 2009, ending February 9, 2009
Come find out about Permaculture, a holistic approach to integrating human shelter, plants, animals, soils and water to create a more sustainable community. This powerful course covers everything from natural building materials to creating edible, water saving gardens, and takes a look at useful stratgies used by communities to lessen their carbon footprint. register on-line Class cost $85 Instructor: Taylor Arneson Location: Santa Monica College - Bundy Campus Important: No class 1/19. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Women's Permaculture Gathering hosted by Joan and Camille Jan 13 (Second Tuesday) 7-10pm
Post-holiday re-gift exchange: Bring any gifts that you know were meant for someone else. Maybe you'll find the one you were supposed to get! Joan's House, 2709 Medlow Ave. LA 90065 Contact Joan to RSVP 323-630-4673 or mamabotanica@sbcglobal.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HeartBeet Gardening is seeking to diversify its operations with an urban CSA program.
We have hopeful ideas that this could become a really revolutionary program for urban edible gardening, but we need to start small and see if our idea will work. We seek to start in the spring of 09. email us at HeartBeet Gardening info@heartbeetgardening.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CRSP Institute for Urban Ecovillages at the Los Angeles Eco-Village -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Will Work for Permaculture! Hands-On Permaculture -on-going
The Chance Garden in Sherman Oaks is transforming into a community center for creativity and sustainable solutions. Also seeking workshop leaders and participants in music, dance, writing, art, permaculture, healing, sustainable design, alternative economics, etc. Bring what you have to the table and we'll see how we can work together. Joseph DeRusha <jderusha@gmail.com> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tours of the Eco-Home™ environmental demonstration home in the Los Feliz area
An on-going living research center that demonstrates ecological living in an urban environment. The Eco-Home™is a restored and retrofitted California style bungalow, circa 1911 that shows us how simple but wise property improvements can make your home warm, friendly yet environmentally sound and healthy. This historic home incorporates solar hot water heating, photovoltaic panels, ultra low flow water systems and other energy and water conservation measures. This "pioneering" home has hosted over 15,000 guests since opening its doors to the public in 1988. www.ecohome.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Be sure to check out... everything gardens design everything gardens, inc. is a landscape design and install firm in Los Angeles. We believe that good urban design achieves a seamless blend of nature, art, and technology. Whether you are renewing a neglected corner, or starting from scratch, our sustainable gardens are built for lasting pleasure. 3010 glendale blvd, los angeles, 90039, 310.343.0741 www.everythinggardens.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CITY PERMACULTURE RESOURCE BOOKS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Urban Homestead: Your Guide to Self-sufficient Living in the Heart of the City by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen (Process Self-reliance Series) purchase Toolbox for Sustainable City Living: A do-it-Ourselves Guide by Scott Kellogg and Stacy Pettigrew (South End Press) purchase The Planner's Guide to the Urban Food System by Arly Cassidy and Bowen Patterson (Self-published; via Post Carbon Cities)
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VOLUNTEER & DONATE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Help Teach the Teachers...
" We believe that teaching teachers Permaculture Design is one of the best ways to effect beneficial change. For over 10 years, EarthFlow Design Works has provided tuition scholarships to all kinds of Educators, from University Professors to HomeSchoolers, Village Activists and Family Advocates. You can help us help them -so they can reach many!" -earthflow design works
100% of your donation goes directly to help educators complete the Certificate Course. Please Donate to the Scholarship Fund for Teachers and help effect Change with Your Change!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Emerald Necklace is a vision for a 17-mile interconnected network of multi-benefit trails, parks and greenways touching twenty cities and over 1/2 million residents along the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel Rivers. http://www.amigosdelosrios.org/necklace.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hunger Action L.A. feeds needy people around Los Angeles.
They would very much welcome donations from your backyard. Drop off fruit in bags at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood at 6054 Yucca St. at Gower. Tuesdays from 1-5pm or Sundays at 12pm. For more info contact: 213 388-8228
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help Support A Growing Trend! Become a volunteer, Provide needed supplies, Plant-a-Tree program Sponsor-a-Vet program. Buy Plants, vegetables and flower arrangements. For special orders or for more information on how you can help the ongoing projects of the Vets' Garden, contact Merle Fishman, 310/268-4062 http://www.gla.med.va.gov/vetsgarden/vetsgarden.cfm | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PERMACULTURE COURSES: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New LA Permaculture Course Added in 2009
6 month Permaculture Design Community Action Courses SEASON 7 1) April 09 - Sept 09 2) Oct 09 - March 010 The 1st Weekends of each Month -in and around LA Fire, Water, Earth & Air, Designing and Building the Home Ecosystem, Economy, Community & Culture... The LA Permaculture Design Course permaculture@earthflow.com
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Permaculture Design Course in India January 15-26th, 2009
Permaculture Design Certification Course taught by Warren Brush at the Satya-Jyoti farm (satya-jyoti.com), in the Alwar district of Rajasthan in Northern India. Satya-Jyoti is a unique skill-based education program that supports young women.
Kolmi Majumdar at info@quailsprings.org or 805-886-7239.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applied Watershed Restoration for Drylands -The Permaculture Institute with Craig Sponholtz Dates: June 6-10 -or- August 15-19 2009
This is an intensive, project-oriented class -intellectually challenging and involves physical labor. Highly recommended for water professionals and serious conservationists. www.permaculture.org
"...This course changed the way I teach... it not only changed my long established proffering on "Water in the Landscape" but my own, personally revered, disquisition on "Pattern Understanding" was challenged - and changed for the better. The Permaculture Institute and Craig Sponholtz presented complex dynamic systems ecology in a way that actually made fluvial geomorphology - fun and interesting (and how many people and organizations can you say that about!) ...we learned to build and actually apply appropriate techniques... and we were fortunate enough to witnessed the evolutionary stages of watershed restoration from Craig's site work over the past several years - it was a rare and incredibly valuable experiential education opportunity..." L. Santoyo, EarthFlow Design
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Costa Rica -Permaculture Design CourseFebruary 27 - March 13, 2009
Location: La Florida (Southern Pacific Region), Costa Rica at True Nature Community. Two-week residential intensive training in all aspects of permaculture with Scott Pittman and guests. www.permaculture.orgRegister Now------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jamaica- Permaculture Design & Development Course in Ocho Rios, April 19th - May 2nd 2009 Community Development Project with Larry Santoyo, Toby Hemenway, Karl Kras & Local Experts.
Island Music, Culture & Food, Beaches, Zip-Line Canopy Tour, Horseback Riding & More. Permaculture Jamaica
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Open to all Design Course Graduates ADVANCED Permaculture Course Applied Site Planning & EcoVillage Design Catskills, New York -May 15th-22nd 2009 Larry Santoyo and Toby Hemenway One-week applied Site Design for Broad Scale & EcoVillage Development. Projects include Site Evaluation: Reading the Landscape, Building Retrofit, Water Systems Design and Aspects of Economics & Permaculture. info@earthflow.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VERY SPECIAL EVENT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guardians of the Future January 9-11, 200 9
"The most remarkable feature of this historical moment on Earth is not that we are on the way to destroying the world... It is that we are beginning to wake up, as from a millennia-long sleep, to a whole new relationship to our world, to ourselves and each other." Joanna Macy
Joanna & Fran Macy are coming to the Central Coast. The event is being held at Dancing Deer Farm in Templeton, CA (dancingdeer.org) sponsored by the Mothers for Peace and the Terra Foundation. -It is a rare and wonderful opportunity to experience the work of this world-renown eco-philosopher and activist - a woman who shares her deep wisdom freely and with great humor. She is a systems theorist, a Buddhist scholar, and the developer of The Work that Reconnects. (joannamacy.net) information and registration
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR RENT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROOM AVAILABLE
Come share this beautiful Eagle Rock home with me. It's a great house - incredible views from every window. Built in the 30s, has lots of charm. Has a nice yard. The place is gorgeous. Amenities include a huge bathroom, gas fireplace, (brand new) gas stove, washer and dryer, hardwood floors, lots of storage in the garage, wireless internet, front porch/breakfast nook (exceptional view), gourmet kitchen. Rent is $875/month with $875 deposit. Utilities are split. Contact Joan Stevens 323-630-4673 for more details
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Beautiful house in Sherman Oaks, great location, must see. $800 shared bathroom -and- $1200 private bathroom -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROOMS FOR RENT
Urban Eco-Community Forming in West L.A.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bravo! to long-time housing advocate and community leader -Lois Arkin... RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES in and near the L.A. Eco-Village
These opportunities are within the jurisdiction of the new Beverly-Vermont Community Land Trust (BVCLT) which will be acquiring more properties in the next few years to ensure permanently affordable ecological housing for low to moderate income households in the area. "...The more eco-oriented residents there are in and around LAEV and the BVCLT, the greater will be our collective strength in demonstrating the processes for making neighborhoods more sustainable..." For more info, please call Lois Arkin, CRSP Institute for Urban Ecovillages at: L.A. Eco-Village (LAEV) 213-738-1254
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T-Shirt Fundraiser... 100% OF PROCEEDS GO TO PERMACULTURE PROJECTS
PermacultureXCrossbones T-Shirts $25 each black s-m-l-xl-xxl
by el santoyo designs hecho en los angeles ORDER
Permaculture Solution(R)Evolution (banksy ripOff) T-Shirts $25 each white s-m-l-xl-xxl by el santoyo designs hecho en los angeles ORDER
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Compost- Tim Dundon 626-794-1351 theroyalsoil@2doo.com Tim is the King of Compost.
He will deliver a huge dumptruck of horse manure and sawdust for $80.00 to your hungry soil. He might offer you some sage philosophy for free while he's at it.
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Path to Freedom's Peddlers Wagon Practical goods for your home and garden, including ollas, solar ovens, bike trailers and more. From the wonderful Dervaes family homestead! http://pathtofreedom.com/peddlerswagon/
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Permaculture Books
Gaia's Garden: a Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture By Toby Hemenway
Permaculture Designers' Manual by Bill Mollison
Toolbox for Sustainable Cities By Scott Kellogg... and More! http://earthflow.com/books.php
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