La Cima Magazine

LA CIMA AN ENCHANTED NATURE WALK / BOTANICAL GARDENS

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR WASTE / RECYCLING EFFICIENTLY

The Green Issue Spring 2018

LA CIMA MAGAZINE

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04

Signs of Spring 06

The Healing Power of Plants

08

5 Green Spring Drinks 11

Go Green: Tips to be Eco-Friendly 12

Making Use of Old Newspapers

15

The History of St. Patrick’s Day

16

A Los Angeles St. Patrick’s Day

20

Getting to Know Your Waste

23

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

24

An Enchanted Nature Walk

26

Chado: A Way of Tea

28

You Wanna Get High?

From the Editor

The theme for this issue of La Cima Magazine rooted from the color green.

When brainstorming with the staff about what we can get from the color green, we thought of the environment, plants, drinks, and St. Patrick’s Day, which happened to be right around the corner.

We ultimately stuck with the green theme and put together this very magazine. In this issue, you’ll find must-try green drinks, hiking trails that’ll give you a nice workout and view, and some background information on the most celebrated Irish holiday, among other green things.

Enjoy.

Ramon Alvarado Editor

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30

Vegan Street Fair

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STAFF

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Johan Alfaro Ramon Alvarado Danielle Anzures Jaime Aparicio Arline Chaidez Rodrigo Coraza Gilberto Espana Jennifer Espana Jake Laurell Jonathan Meza Anthony Moreno Edward Perez Steven Perez Cynthia Rizo Alex Rodriguez Natalie Solano Sara Tabarez

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Signs of Spring

“Signs Of Spring: A Day in the Garden,” is an exhibition by the California Art Club that celebrates how nature marks the arrival of springtime. Inside the gallery is a spring expo that features many paintings that displayed the essence of spring. From colorful flowers to the change of hue in the leaves that occurs from the transition of winter to spring. There are over 40 paintings that show off the uniqueness of spring and the development of the flowering season.

All the participating artists in the exhibition are juried members of the California Art Club. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside the gallery so there is now way of seeing

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STORY

JOHAN ALFARO, EDWARD PEREZ

PHOTOS

these amazing paintings unless you go see for yourself!

Besides that though, there is a stunning garden outside the gallery that people can venture through. Throughout the garden, there are many various plants and flowers that can be seen.

There is even a place at the end of the garden where people can sit and enjoy the garden in its wholesome.

The “Signs of Spring” exhibit is definitely a place recommended to go on a date to and revel in the gallery and garden.

This exhibition will be open from January 16 to May 20 at the Old Mill in San Marino, CA. Parking is also free, just outside in front of the entrance of the Old Mill.

JOHAN ALFARO, EDWARD PEREZ

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rianne Garcia’s obsession with plants has just recently started within the past year. She lives and breathes plant life and pretty much has her own arboretum inside her bedroom.

Garcia recalls her first time purchasing a plant for her room as invigorating. “I felt like I was adding something to my room that made it pop.”

She wanted to make her room more inviting and saw online how awesome plant life within a room looks. Garcia’s 2018 has been immersed in all things GREEN. Her collection has amassed nine different unique plants.

She also says the many positive benefits that plants give off is another reason her obsession has reached its peak. The main benefits she’s noticed is mostly her positivity that her life has been brought. She loves how her collection brings everything around her to life and feels as if her life is even healthier because of this new craze of hers.

Garcia’s nine plant collection include Hedera’s, split leaf philodendrons, cactus and succulents, sansevieria laurentii AKA snake plant, dracaena, epicremnum aureum AKA Devil’s Ivy, cat palm’s, and the ever popular strelitzia reginae AKA birds of paradise.

Each of these all have all of their very 6

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STORY

ANTHONY MORENO

own benefits that help the owners. The Ivy is a rampant, clinging evergreen vine that has the ability to reduce inflammation, eliminate congestion, speed healing, soothe the stomach, increase oxygenation of the body, boost the immune system, and heal the skin.

Garcia recommends the Ivy to no end, she feel like the Ivy is the main beneficiary within her collection. Next, is the split leaf philodendron which helps the home’s humidity level when it is especially low. Cactus is somewhat beneficial but that is when it is being consumed, these include hair growth because cactus oil contains double the amount of fatty acid, fiber, and protein as the popular argan oil. Succulents likewise do not have any clear benefits but do retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The Snake Plant nicknames “diehard” are highly pest-resistant but in poor conditions, they can get mealybugs and/or spider mites. Dracaena help improve air quality.

Wiping both the upper surfaces and undersides of the leaves regularly with a damp cloth allows the plant to exchange air freely giving the place it resides an cool feeling. Devil’s Ivy while not beneficial to Brianne so much is beneficial in aquariums! This is beneficial to the plant and the aquarium as it absorbs many nitrates and uses them for growth. Cat Palms and the Birds of Paradise are some more plants that do not seem to benefit Garcia in any way other then she likes to look at it.

Indoor plants in particular have many well-known benefits. Plants help reduce stress and create a feeling of well-being. A substantial body of academic research, has shown that interior landscaping has dramatic effects on the wellbeing of occupants which Brianne can attest to. Comfortability is also a huge benefit that plants can help with. Studies actually show that having plants in an indoor environment can actually reduce noise quality. This can PHOTOS

DIANA JUAREZ

keep a more tranquil environment and help calm those in the presence of the plants.

Particular benefits of interior plants include: -Reducing carbon dioxide levels -Increasing humidity -Reducing levels of certain pollutants, such as benzene and nitrogen dioxide.

-Reducing airborne dust levels -Keeping air temperatures down

Some other pretty interesting facts

and says she has felt cleaner every day since.

Something pretty profound Garcia said collecting plants has helped her with is responsibility. To care for plants you truly need to be responsible and make sure they are fed and get enough sunlight daily. Brianne accepts and appreciates the new responsibility she has and it shows in the growth of the plants. Her ivy which is one of her only hanging plants is growing daily and that makes her happy. If having plants teaches responsibility then maybe we all should take up this hobby and start going green.

about. Brianne plans to add to her collection are the Peace Lily which removes mold from the air, the Boston Fern that acts as your very own air humidifier, and a Gerbera Daisy which releases oxygen at night an removes benzene from the air.

Her newfound hobby has cost a pretty penny as well, Garcia has spent about $200 for her plants but does not intend to stop anytime soon. “its like tattoos once you get one you can’t stop buying them!” Garcia also has many tattoos so who knows when her plants will outweigh her desire for ink.

The plant collection is definitely a family affair. Mother Shelley Navarro and grandmother Dina Navarro are plant maniacs as well. Garcia says, “my grandmas had plants in her garden her whole life” and thanks her for inspiring her to appreciate the green.

Shelley is the newest member of the all female plant club in the house. Shelley saw how these plants have positively affected her daughter and decided to get in on the craze LA CIMA MAGAZINE

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Avocado day dream

Banana green house 8 Ingredients Serves: 1 Produce: 2 Whole 1/2 Cup 1 1/2 Cup 1/2 Cup 1 Cup

7 Ingredients Serves: 1 Produce: 2 Whole Banana 1 Cup Pineapple 1 Cup Kale 1 Cup Spinach 1 Whole Green Apple Condiments: 1 Cup Vanilla Yogurt

Avocado Mango Pineapple Kale Spinach

Condiments: 1 Cup Vanilla yogurt

Drinks: 1/2

Drinks: 1 Splash Coconut water Frozen: 1/2 Cup

Blend

Cucumber lime margarita

pring’s in the air, birds are chirping, plants are flowering, and summer is already looming in the horizon. For many on social media, it’s the start of the “summer body” diet trends. If it’s not Green, organic, raw, gluten free and vegan why do you even bother? But some of us aren’t willing to give up our favorites because of a trend. And let’s be honest, who can afford to keep this up on the daily?

Fear not, friends, for we have found a way to incorporate some of these trends into drinks that actually taste good.

It’s impossible not to feel some level of guilt over not living your best life, whatever

that may be. After all, we all want to detoxify, fortify, moisturize, and revitalize ourselves.

Do you like bananas? This high fiber fruit is packed with potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, folate, niacin, riboflavin, and vitamin B6. How about avocados?

The millennial favorite is also full of good things like omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, vitamins C, E, K, and B-6, as well as riboflavin, and potassium. Cucumbers? Multiple B vitamins, fisetin, vitamin C, and a lot of antioxidant flavonoids. Green apples?

Cronch on that fiber, antioxidants, iron, and protein. Or maybe even jalapeños? This spicy vegetable has more vitamin C than your average orange, has about 20 percent of your

recommended daily allowance of vitamin A, promotes a strong immune system, prevent bacteria growth, aids in weight loss, and may even be a possible natural treatment for cancer by turning off the protein that promotes a tumor’s growth.

So how do you incorporate these healthy fruits and veggies in a way that will have you feeling like you’re living your best life without bargaining away flavor and fun or spending your entire check on groceries? From healthy green juices to start your day to delicious cocktails to get the party going; these five recipes will have you wondering why you didn’t try them before.

Produce: 2 Whole 5 1/2 Cup

Combine

Blend

LA CIMA MAGAZINE

STORY

DIANA JUAREZ

PHOTOS

STEVEN PEREZ

Drinks: 1 Splash

Frozen: 1

combine

Cup

Blend

SIT 8hrs

Tequilla Ice

and

serve

jalapeno tear drop

7 Ingredients Serves: 2

Produce: 4 1 Cup

Produce: 2 Cups Fresh Pineapple 1/2 Sliced Jalapeno *Jalepeno is for garnish *

Green apples sliced Green grapes Cut 1/2

Condiments:

combine White grape juice Apple cider

Beer, Wine & Liqour: 1 Bottle White wine Frozen:

and serve

Ice

6 Ingredients Serves: 4

Drinks: 3 Cups 2 Cups

Agrave syrup Club soda

Beer, Wine & Liqour: 3 0z

and serve 8

Cucumbers Fresh mint Leaves Lime juice

Condiments: 4 tsp

serve

Green apple Sangria

7 Ingredients Serves: 2

Almond Milk

Frozen: 1 Cup

Ice

and

Cup

Shake

Ice to your liking

and Serve

Condiments: 4 tsp 1 shake

Agrave syrup Tabasco hot sauce

Drinks: 1 Splash

Orange juice

2 Splash

Pinapple juice

Beer, Wine & Liqour: 3 0z

Tequilla

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Go Green!

THIS WEEK

The median list price in WHITTIER, CA this week is $535,250.

Inventory has been lightening lately and the Market Action Index has been trending up.

These are mildly positive indications for the market.

R AVE AGE D

N LOT S DIA I

6,501 8,000 sqft

ZE

ME

$348

S ON MAR AY

85

PERCENT OF PROPERTIES WITH PRICE DECREASE 32%

T (DOM) KE

PER SQU ICE

E FOOT AR

ASKING PR

MEDIAN LIST PRICE $535,250 PERCENT RELEASTED (RESET DOM) 12%

PERCENT FLIP (PRICE INCREASED) 5%

MEDIAN NUMBER OF BEDROOMS

3.0

MEDIAN NUMBER OF BATHROOMS

2.0

MARKET ACTION INDEX • STRONG SELLER’S 47.1

MEDIAN HOUSE SIZE (SQ FT) 1607

No change Strong upward trend Strong downward trend Slight upward trend Slight downward trend

NEIGHBORHOOD TOP/FIRST $895,000

UPPER/SECOND $598,944

Sq.ft - 2,874 Lot size - 0.25-0.50 acre Beds - 4.0 Baths - 3.0 Age - 52 Inventory - 44 New - 3 Absorbed - 5 DOM - 55

Sq.ft - 1,793 Lot size - 6,501-8,000sqft Beds - 3.0 Baths - 2.0 Age - 60 Inventory - 44 New - 3 Absorbed - 7 DOM - 75

LOWER/THIRD $499,900

LOWER/FOURTH $429,900

Sq.ft - 1,452 Lot size - 4,501-6,500sqft Beds - 3.0 Baths - 2.0 Age - 65 Inventory - 45 New - 7 Absorbed - 12 DOM - 55

Sq.ft - 1,124 Lot size - 4,501-6,500sqft Beds - 3.0 Baths - 1.0 Age - 65 Inventory - 45 New - 11 Absorbed - 11 DOM - 65

Characteristics per Quartile Investigate the market in quartiles where each quartile is 25% of homes ordered by price Most expensive 25% of properties Upper-middle 25% of properties Lower-middle 25% of properties Least expensive 25% of properties

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Cell 562-318-6965 • Fax 562-464-5811 14758 Whittier Blvd. Suite B Whittier CA. 90605 Cynthia Rodriguez

It’s 2018 and yet bulbs. You would not we don’t seem to be only be saving energy assertive in helping the and money but you’d environment. Our mother be helping mother earth is suffering all beearth. cause several people say • Instead of using that a thing such as global plastic bags use reuswarming is nonexistent. able bags when you The time to act is now. go on your grocery Here are some ways to go runs. According to go green that will benefit reusethisbag.com, the not only you, but the enviaverage reusable bag ronment as well. has a lifespan equal • Switch to reusable wato 700+ disposable ter bottle containers. bags.

At times it might seem • Install and automatic like a hassle, washing faucet. This will help it everyday but better conserve water in the long run.

• Instead of using • Always, always, always paper towels, use the recycle. hand dryers provided to you.

• Don’t litter. Trash that ends up on the street will eventually make its way to the ocean, harming the oceanic wildlife. Always cut up the six pack rings into individual pieces so that animals don’t get caught and cause harm to themselves by trying to get rid of them.

• Try alternative ways of transportation. Instead of driving everyday, maybe switch days and walk and or/bike to your destination.

• Change your lightbulbs. If you change from incandescent light bulbs to energy saving fluorescent

STORY

from Unilever. For your makeup empties you should research if they have any recycling programs, MAC allows you to exchange 6 certain empty MAC containers for a brandnew tube of lipstick.

• If a makeup brand doesn’t have recycling program some alternatives include seeing if there are stores near you that will recycle your old makeup compacts like Origins.

• If you’re too far from a store that does helps with recycling there are programs that will let you mail in your recyclables, TerraCycle • See if your household and Garnier teamed qualifies to have solar up and will recycle panels. certain products to • If you can donate see which ones check it, donate it. You out their website at can even do a thrift terracycle.com exchange among friends and donate the rest to a thrift store or shelter.

• For all the makeup fanatics out there you should look into recycling your empty beauty product containers. Over 29 million tons of plastic ends up in American landfills each year and despite knowing they should and can recycle empties less than half do it according to an interview

JENNIFER ESPANA, GILBERTO ESPANA

• Whenever you wash your hands or brush your teeth, avoid leaving the faucet on.

Help conserve the usage of water.

• Along with recycling makeup containers you should also change your buying habits for certain products to help minimize waste. Some brands even offer refillable makeup pans; like Sephora, Tarte, Smashbox, and Mary Kay. • If you are more into DIY or you couldn’t recycle some of your makeup containers another tip is to reuse them, for example old lipstick and chapstick containers can be reused by filling them with DIY lip balms and lip scrubs.

LA CIMA MAGAZINE

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Making Use of Old Newspapers

Steps to Creating Your Own Bag Out of Newspaper Have some old newspapers lying around the house? Don’t just throw it out!

Get a little cretive and make those papers useful by creating a bag out of a couple pieces of paper, no matter the size!

Materials Needed 2 pages of any newspaper 2 15 inch pieces of rope Hole-Puncher Stapler

STEPS

1. With the newspaper folded in half, staple the top every 2 cm 2. On the edge with the staples, fold inward 5 cm 3. Flip the newspaper to the opposite side 4. Fold the stapled edge 5 cm inward again 5. Fold the sides inward by pressing the middle 6. On the bottom, make a small folding of 1 cm 9. Staple the folding 10. Fold the bottom 4 cm 11. Fold the bottom 4 cm in the opposite direction 12. Press inside the newly formed newspaper bag by pushing the bottom carefully to form and strengthen the base 13. Punch holes 8 cm apart for the bag handles 14. Insert rope through each holes 15. Tie the ropes tightly Your paper bag is ready to use!

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STORY

ARLINE CHAIDEZ, RAMON ALVARADO

PHOTOS

RAMON ALVARADO

LA CIMA MAGAZINE

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The History of Saint Patricks Day

Saint Patrick’s Day, celebrated March 17 will have most Americans celebrating by wearing green and drinking beer, but most can’t tell you much beyond that it originated from Ireland. So what are its origins? Let’s start with the Saint himself, Saint Patrick.

his master had been so fearful of his return he decided it was better to burn.

Born as Maewyn Succat, Patrick was neither Irish or a Saint. In fact, he seemed to have followed a more pagan lifestyle up until he was taken by Irishman Raiders at age 16. When brought to Ireland he was sold into slavery to a druid chief who he served for six years it was during this time he became a Christian.

One day he heard a voice telling him to escape on a ship waiting for him and he made it back to Britain where he studied in a monastery for 12 years.

There he decided that his mission would be to convert the pagans of Ireland to Christianity.

Contact Info:

562.772.5692 sales@cabannafashion.com @cabannafashion._ 14

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Location:

10233 Long Beach Blvd.

Ste. #C Lynwood Ca. 90262

www.cabannafashion.com

He would eventually adopt his Christian name, Patricius, or as we more commonly know it, Patrick.

He made his return to Ireland now as a Bishop and was successful in his mission, this often got him arrested by druids who didn’t like that. None of the arrests stuck and he got out of jail each time.

As he worked through Ireland he established schools, churches, and monasteries. He even decided to go back to his former master to pay his ransom.

However, when he got there, the place was burning as STORY

DANIELLE ANZURES

PHOTOS

Outside of that, there are few legends of him raising people from the dead and driving snakes out of Ireland. Though it should be noted that there are no records of snakes being in Ireland at anytime, so we can probably count both of those as legend.

After spending 30 years converting the Irish when Patrick died, he was named the Patron Saint of Ireland. The holiday Saint Patrick’s Day, also known as Feast Day, became a national holiday in Ireland in 1903 celebrated March 17, the day was spent going to church and gathering for a feast.

The holiday was later brought to America, and other places, by Irish immigrants in the early 1700s where it would become a day celebrated by people of different religious background around the world and is generally centered around drinking and celebrating all things Irish.

Ireland caught up to the rest of world in 1970s finally allowing alcohol on the day and is using the holiday as a chance to drive up tourism with events like their sponsored multi-day St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin. The event includes parades, activities, and performances.

VIA GOOGLE IMAGES

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s e l e g n A A Los y a D s ’ k c i St. Patr

C

asey’s Irish Pub is located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, near the crossing of Wilshire Ave. and Hope St. It held its annual St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival Saturday, March 17. Green beer, green hair, and green aliens were on hand as music blared through the Downtown LA streets.

The St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival wasn’t as traditional as parades held in Ireland for the holiday.

Hundreds of people, aged 21-and-over, showed up to the festival throughout the Irish holiday. The event started early St. Patrick’s Day, opening up its entrance at 6 a.m. After 1 p.m., there was a $20 entry fee, but that didn’t stop people from joining in on the festivities.

There was Jameson Irish Whiskey on hand for guests who wanted a stronger kick of liquor, and Guiness beer for those who wanted to sip (or chug) through the night. Casey’s Irish Pub had its doors open for guests to come in and enjoy a wider variety of drinks. There was a long line to get inside the pub for most of the event, however.

People were at the St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival the entire day and night. The festival music and fun didn’t end until 2 a.m.

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STORY

RAMON ALVARADO

PHOTOS

The street festival did, however, provide a place for all who entered to drink and celebrate the holiday like they were Irish, regardless of their background.

ALEX RODRIGUEZ

LA CIMA MAGAZINE

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Los Angeles is a Laker town, so you don’t see Boston Celtics gear in LA often.

The green Celtics attire was everywhere in Downtown LA for St. Patrick’s Day, though.

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Getting to Know Your Waste:

left - Along with other recycling centers located in southern California, Whittier Auto Dismantling contributes as much as possible to reuse past materials. The sometimes overbearing load of scrap metal can be an endearing task to wisk through with future loads coming in not too long after previous loads.

Helping California Recycle More Efficiently

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEZA

We all do it every week. Some more so than others depending on our living situations. Whether you’re living on your own or with a reasonable sized family, the amount of products we consume impacts the trash companies that have to deal with the waste we produce. In California, about a quarter of the waste produced by consumers tossed in the blue bins, which are meant for recyclables only, will not be

recycled properly. And for the waste that is not sorted out properly, much of that is shipped out to China for processing.

“The public is doing wishful recycling,” said Mark Murray who is executive director of Californians Against Waste.

The problem with recycling that the state has found itself in, is that consumers are not separating their waste properly and thus creating a domino effect that will impact the processing

power of the waste and recycling centers. PVC parts, unwanted vinyl products, and other misplaced goods can jam up sorting machines used. Because of this, machines not working to their full capacity slows down the production of it all and then offers little value of the ending product to be sold which Eloisa Orozco, a spokeswoman for garbage company Waste Management, expresses her worry about.

Separating the waste from recyclables is actually time consuming and very costly. The recycling system faces tons of challenges and the state, with local governments, demand a more efficient solution to take care of the waste being added to the already overwhelming piles of waste at dump sites throughout the Southern California area.

left - Located in Whittier, CA, workers at Whittier Auto Dismantling do their best to recycle their backstock of scrap metal in order to make way for future loads.

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STORY

JAIME APARICIO PHOTOS

JONATHAN MEZA

In the 1990’s, the recycling program of placing our trash, recyclables, and waste from cut down foliage, began to take place. Although however this may have been a better solution to help the waste centers to separate the trash, haulers found it time consuming to individually empty out each bin as they drove each of their routes. The cost also rose to ensure the haulers who would indeed climb in and out of their trucks to make sure the trash they collected was spaced out efficiently. Due to this then new process of sorting trash, the system shortly returned to its previous ways but again, was too costly in having the waste being separated by machine and hand than to have the consumers do it themselves with the provided bins.

And with innovations that the late Steve Jobs helped create over at Apple, the way consumers take in the news media drastically changed from being reliable to newspapers and magazine stands, to now reading the latest news on a high-definition screen that can be placed in your pocket. To add with a surprising amount of

top - All kinds of materials find their way to recycling centers. Such materials as metal, aluminum, and plastic are the staples of what gets thrown out along with what’s considered regular trash.

boxes that would contain shoes, collectibles, or house goods, the company of Amazon and their next-day delivery system has brought another factor in recycling the many boxes that are thrown out after use.

When reaching out to Waste Management, Marlene G. Hernandez, who has worked with the company for a little over two years as a commercial sales representative, stated that, “Waste Management is indeed innovating the recycling business, as the biggest hauler of our time.

The city’s we service for trash are now mandating recycling. Along with this we are re-educating out customers to make sure they are aware of all they [purchase] can be considered recyclable. Our mission is to reduce what goes into the landfills and increase recycled goods, not to mention we use our landfills as a source of natural gas to fuel our truck thus making less of a negative impact on the environment.”

Hernandez also says that

because of her community having

a different hauler, her company does play a crucial role in the ways that local communities contact Waste Management in knowing how to help keep their streets free of waste and making sure that their recycling is done properly.

Susan Collins, leader of Culver City-based container Recycling Institute had this to say regarding the ways people consume the news and products of today.

“The innovation in our world is giving us more different types of things. Recycling is constantly battling against that challenge of taking the diversity of material, and trying to create concentrations of commodities suitable for manufacturing. It’s possible to do it, but it’s a real challenge given the economic realities.”

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21

AMERICANA

AW GROUP

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Immigration and Naturalization Law Firm

Making the American Dream a Reality for Everyone.

Hiking makes you feel connected to yourself and to the earth. Up mountains, over hills, along plains, through forest, hiking is a great and wonderful opportunity to get in touch with nature. It’s an important reminder of how small we are and how beautiful and enormous the world is.

Hiking can be a unique way to explore a new place and give you physical space but more importantly the emotional and mental distance needed to momentarily place aside the pressures of balancing work, relationships, finances and health.

It’s easy to stick with hiking becasue the frustration level for beginners is low and you can controlthe intensity of your workout and find the pace that works for you. It’s a chance to experience the world directly and without a filter, and to rediscover the rhythms of the day and the seasons. Hiking

Monrovia Canyon Park

is an unscripted experience where spontaneity is the rule.

Even a trail hiked many times before will deliver surprises that keep boredom at bay.

Thanks to the convenience of trails located in or near the city, you can fit hiking into a normal day routine.

Azusa Canyon Trail

Topanga Trail

Connie Isais Esq. Americana Law Group

877-287-8472 / 877-2USVISA

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The sweat pouring down your face, you can feel your heart picking up speed, and you can hear each breath you take. You know you’re going to be feeling the burn tomorrow, but it’s all worth it just to escape from the usual city life.

Listening to nature is one of the best parts about hiking. If it starts raining, it may sound like you’re in a tropical rainforest.

If you hear a swarm of bees, you’ll know it’s time to pick up the pace a little. Listening to your surroundings is beautiful, but also necessary.

STORY

CYNTHIA RIZO

There’s something about being on the trail, feeling the wind brush against your skin and the sun beat against your back, that’s the feeling that has hikers constantly going back for more.

Adventure Awaits

PHOTOS

ALEX RODRIGUEZ

LA CIMA MAGAZINE

23

An Enchanted Nature Walk

The Huntington’s highlights are outdoors in its vast jigsaw of botanical gardens, arguably the most glorious in the entire Los Angeles region. The acres and acres of public gardens are divided into a variety of themes, including a prickly desert garden, a serene Japanese garden and bamboo forest, as well as an ever-expanding assembly of Chinese pagodas, pavilions and bridges.

Even the happiest of urbanists need to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city to walk among natural beauty from time to time. A visit to a botanical garden is a great way to get outdoors and indulge the senses.

You could wander these gardens for hours, taking in tropical forests and waterfalls, trees and fish.

These gorgeous grounds in Arcadia, very close to the Santa Anita racetrack, have been designed as an educational facility but many people simply come here for a little peace and quiet. As this gorgeous 127-acre garden is inhabited by many lovely flowers and plants. The land upon which it was built has a rich history that dates as far back as 500 B.C., when its earliest inhabitants dubbed it the “place of many waters.” There are 10 unique gardens to explore, each seemingly with its own unique climate and aesthetic. Also, there are peacocks.

Meyberg Waterfall Planted with an array of attractive foliage and flowering plants, a mix of tropical and temperate plants. This is a favorite spot for photographing or just relaxing by the splashing water.

One of the largest outdoor collections of cacti and succulents in the world, the Desert Garden includes more than 5,000 species of desert plants in sixty landscaped beds.

Queen Anne Cottage Constructed in 1885, this building is an ornate example of Victorian extravagance set in a lakeside landscape. The cottage and grounds are a rare survival of Southern California’s Golden age.

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STORY

CYNTHIA RIZO

PHOTOS

Botanical Gardens

CYNTHIA RIZO

Reflecting the traditional style of scholar gardens in Suzhou, China, the Garden of Flowering Fragrance features a 1.5-acre lake, a complex of pavilions, a teahouse and tea shop, stone bridges and waterfalls set against a wooded backdrop of mature oaks and pines.

The iconic Japanese Garden includes a drum bridge, Japanese house, walled Zen garden, expansive bonsai court, and a ceremonial teahouse and tea garden.

In and near the waterways at the Arboretum, visitors can see many species of resident and migratory birds, aquatic creatures, as well as numerous small reptiles and mammals.

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C H A aDway O of tea CHADO ORIGINS:

Chado opened on West 3rd Street in 1990 as a small, almost quaint tearoom with few tables, but with 300 canisters of teas from all over the globe lining the walls. In 1993, Reena Shah and her husband, Devan, acquired Chado and began quietly revolutionizing how people in greater Los Angeles think of tea.

In 1999, Reena hired well-mannered and highly educated Tekeste (“Tek”) Mehreteab as cook. Tek’s conscientious work, honesty, and dedication to tea soon made him a manager and in 2002, he became a partner with Devan and Reena in opening a second Chado location in Pasadena.

Today, Chado’s three locations in the greater Los Angeles area serve as role models in America’s tea renaissance. Reena and Tek’s dedication to sharing their love of tea and refinement has influenced and inspired thousands, and made them major contributors to tea’s growth in the U.S. Chado supports tea education of every sort at every level through projects such as the Los Angeles International Tea Festival and Alson’s Tea for Siblings of the Disabled, which Reena started in memory of her own disabled brother, Alson.

At the corner of 1st Street & Alameda, The Chado Tea Room sits in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. As you walk in the lovely aromas of the daily soups, and the varuiety of teas make up the room where the sun peaks through the glass windows as guests gather around the welcoming decor.

The very extended menu consists of sandwiches, soups, and dessert platters that bring together a tea house. Appetizers are set on a three-leveled tier Loved this place! The whole atmosphere is very nice and intimate; everything was so delicious. Defiently for a Fisrt Timer the side of their tomato cream soup, the little white calabash tea, and the passion fruit green tea is a way to go.

Later while our visit the afternoon Tea Service came out and it was this beautiful 3 tier display of small sandwiches, a scone and mini desserts. OMG... best scones I’ve had. They come out fresh and super warm. The jelly and cream combo spread on those scones were Deeeeeelicious!! The scones and small sandwiches were so tasty with the tea. And although it seemed like small portioned, the entire meal was actually pretty filling. Didn’t even have enough room to eat the dessert portion of the meal!This place is great when in Los Angeles visit this spot defiently a one to go!

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SARA TABAREZ, RODRIGO CORAZA

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SARA TABAREZ, RODRIGO CORAZA

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You Wanna GEt HIGh?

Your Helpful Guide to using Cannabis

Now that the citizens of california have been given the green light to smoke as they please, ways to use weed has grown and into a plethora of options and variety for stoner use. The science and understanding of the plant has also grown significantly since the days of your grandpa smoking a doobie while he was attending Berkeley in the 60s.

With all the different types of strains out there for weed, all the different ways to consume weed (from eating it to drinking it) it can confusing on what exactly might be best for you: CBD (cannabinoids) because of its non euphoric 28

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feelings when ingested is used to a wide variety of issues: Medical News Today published how CBD as an extract could be used to treat anti-inflammation, it is an anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antiemetic, anxiolytic, antipsychotic agent, or even used to treat severe epilepsy. NBC news published a story last year stating how. Dr. Orrin Devinsky,director of the New York University Comprehensive Epilepsy Center was part of a study conducted oxidative injury, vomiting and nausea, anxiety and schizophrenia with the potential treatment of neuroinflammation.

Purple Kush, Master Kush, and Northern Lights are indica strains of weed responsible for giving you that body high or treating insomnia to help a person sleep. Strains Jack Herer, Green Crack, and Sour Diesel are sativa strains are perfect for those looking to be proactive during the day, boost creativity, relieve anxiety, or give you that uplifting feeling.

Blue Dream, and White Widow are hybrids that tend to fall on either side of this spectrum and can be sativa or STORY

JAKE LAURELL

indica dominant with its effects following suit according to Leafly.com.

“Wax” as it is commonly called is most likely the most powerful version of marijuana concentrate out there reported

by Complex magazine in their article named “Everything You Need to Know About Marijuana Wax”. It involves the process of a butane (lighter fluid) and what is called a “rig” (a device usually with a long pipe which can resemble a bong and a tray to heat up with butane). After heating up said trey or whatever you are using to consume wax with to 320 degrees and putting on the refreshly heated tray prepare to cough. Although you can find devices that vaporize the wax instead of smoking it such as the HK vaporizer pens. As such, the process of vaping wax instead of burning it was found to produce a cleaner hit and less toxins are found according to Complex.

Wax was found to be according to Complex over 80 percent pure THC and will get you high the faster than any other method. It was also found to have the potential of being highly hallucinogenic as stated in the previously mentioned article.

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JAKE LAURELL

Kief is the small tiny sticky crystals that cover the cannabis plant. It usually the residue left grinder or container.

Due to its nature, kief is a concentrate that will usually cost significantly less than wax which can usually cost around anywhere from $20 a gram to $55. Now kief has a many uses in the realm of week smoking, as it is commonly found sprinkled on joints, bowls, as one of the oldest forms of weed hash, cannabutter, or used to make Moonrocks (“Nugs” of weed wrapped around layers of wax that is dipped in kief. Would not try unless you are regular smoker.)

Edibles can be tricky and ask any veteran stoner and they will have a edible story to tell. Edibles are usually made with concentrated cannabutter infused in the cooking process.

When taking edibles there is a few things to consider: Do you understand the labels mean and fully understand the dosage? 10 mgs is considered to be one standard dose so consider what you are fully looking at and consuming before you eating. What is your usual tolerance level, are you a new to consuming weed? Do you smoke all the time? This can play a factor your experience

With marijuana being broken down into a science it seems like, there is a strain out there for any specific requirement you might need. From needing to help build an appetite to a creative boost for that next morning presentation there is a weed procduct you are bound to enjoy.

with edibles. And the last thing you have to consider and do while consuming an edible is are you being patient enough and showing restraint? Do you eat before getting eating an edible? Do you have possibly a few hours to kill?

Although there is edibles where it is absorbed through your mouth, most edibles will start the process of absorption through your liver. Because it is processed through your liver, it is slower but more potent when it comes to extracting THC. That is where you get that “I ate one cookie an hour ago and nothing happened, then it hit me like a semi-truck,” story comes from.

Just because all this dollar fine. Carrying more weed is here and causing than an ounce will land you six California months to making in jail billions to or face doesn’t mean a $500 there isn’t dollar restrictions to fine. Prop getting high.

64 does Concentrates not also are illegal protect to produce from unless you haven a state marked license.

All weed products if out in the Wax that is not oil based usually come in two types, shatter or crumble. Don’t try this open in public at home though becuase making wax can must be kept

This delicious edible cookie is called “The Surfer” from the Venice Cookie Co. that contains 150 milligrams or 15 doses contained with in this white chocolate treat.

be extremely dangerous.

in the special marked containers provided or risk a $250 fine. No consumption of marijuana in a public space or a face $100 fine. Smoking in a nondesignated smoking area can cost such as a school can you cost you a $250

employment screenings from drug tests or possible ramifications from them.

Wax and edibles or with anything is obviously not for everyone as for anything discussed on this article should be approach with mindful caution. as stated in the previously mentioned article.

One kid of the age of the 17 back in 2013 reported using a vaporizer and two minutes describe seeing everything in 3-D, seeing lights, and saying that he felt like he was going to die reported by the LA Daily News. Wax is obviously not for everyone as for anything discussed on this article should be approach with mindful caution. So this upcoming 4/20 ladies and gentlemen remember with large amounts of weed… comes… wait… what was that last part again?

Smoke on safely and responsibly my stoner friends.

This wax oil that is vaporized with this common battery attachment to the left is from Tahoe Og. An idica dominat strain from one of the most prominent makers of this knid of wax.

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NATALIE SOLANO

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NATALIE SOLANO

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Rio Hondo College 3600 Workman Mill Road Whittier, CA 90601 (562) 692-0921 ext. 3345