We've Got Some Gardens to Grow is a music video that encourages people to "spread the news" about the prevalence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in consumer and private food crops. Simultaneously, the music video draws attention to the radiation levels currently in the pacific ocean-- a byproduct of the Fukushima nuclear reactor meltdown. Despite the dense content, the music video itself is lighthearted, family focused, and community driven. The music video aims to empower viewers with the comprehension that everyone can grow their own gardens; more so, that there are already community supported agricultural projects in the Northeast San Fernando Valley and all around Los Angeles. The music video is being produced by Doren Damico (DreamingD Enterprises), filmed by Violet Soto (Youth Speak Media), and edited by Michael Ray De Los Angeles (The California Environmental Legacy Project, For Learners of All Ages Revolution). The short documentary debuted during Sangha Cinema Night, hosted by the 13th Floor Arts Society at Win Within Sangha in South Los Angeles.
Doren Damico is an artist, musician, educator and freelance writer based in Los angeles, California. Her blog, Many
Windows
One
(DorenDamico.com), is an
Doren eye-
opening look at the creative’s world. Doren often writes articles on parenting and education. She also includes her perspective on topics such as music—street performing, poetry— spoken word artists, and speculative fiction— a survey of masters of sci-fi. Doren’s writing is a celebration of the Art of being Human. Violet Soto, SOTOLENSE is a passionate photographer who is inspired by all mediums of art. From the moment she got her hands on her first camera, she has rocketed upward and onward. At the age of 16 she held her first solo artist photography exhibit at Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural and a year later she would be featured in the book and film “Rushing Waters Rising Dreams: How The Arts Are Transforming A Community. Currently Violet is a production crew member of Youth Speak Media Solutions, and is photographing special events, bands, and festivals throughout Los Angeles county.
Wait! Don’t use that, me and my pals really love eating out of your garden.
Ingredients: 2.5 Gal Water (Hot) 1/2 to 2/3 bar of Chandrika soap (Grated) 1 cup Borax 1 cup washing soda (or “Oxy Clean�) Add grated soap into hot water Stir until it dissolves. Add Borax and Washing soda Stir until they dissolve, Add 1.5 Gallons of cold water. Stir. Let mixture sit overnight. Use 3/4-1 cup per full load.
Ingredients: 1 cup Epson salt 2 tablespoons raw coconut oil Essential oil: Tea tree Rosemary Jasmine Jojoba Thoroughly mix together the coconut oil with the epson salt. Add you’re a few drops of your favorite essential oil(s) to the mixture. Salt scrubs are great for skin care, and this DIY project also makes a great gift.
The field guide provides a detailed description of a diverse variety of plants that grow in North America, both perennials and annuals. In addition, the guides illustrates the region(s) that each of the plants listed grows in, as well as the country of origin. For example miner’s lettuce, Montia perfoliata, is located in “valleys, lower mountain slopes, springs and moist sites” within America but is actually from Europe (Elias et al 95). The guide also cites related species, how to identify, prepare and avoid “poisonous look-alikes.” The text even contains a section devoted to plants that should not be ingested. The seasonal key to plants within the guide is immeasurably useful. Most of the plants that are mentioned in the text appear alongside full color illustrations, a complement to the descriptions of the plants found within the guide. The visuals assist the reader by addressing more than the physical descriptions of the of the plants, such as its leaves, stalk and colors. The photos that are used present the plants in various stages of growth, seasons or even how they appear as part of a larger landscape. This variability in presentation reminds the reader that all plants are part of a interconnected ecosystem.
Published in Arcata, California, the publication contains a wide variety of resources that pertain to the Humboldt county region. The book compiles recipes, personal narratives, and full color photos of food, animals, plants and the people involved in the care, cultivation and preparation of these resources and foods. The appendix includes listing of the farmer’s markets, restaurants, information on community supported agriculture (CSA), and even information on foraging, fishing and hunting. The book reveals the vast amount of resources that are available to people living within the Humboldt County region, but more so, it also demonstrates how important a local food identity is to the residents of the area. The recipes of the book focus on seasonal platters, using ingredients that can be acquired in Humboldt. The Locally Delicious places a focus on eating locally by citing its benefits such as fresher food, and a diverse community and economy. Lastly the book takes an approach against industrial agriculture, citing the effects that it has both on the region and its people. Read: Locally Delicious by Ann Anderson today!
Peter Del Tredici’s field guide reimagines the urban landscape, trumping the myth that cities are devoid of plant diversity. Many urban areas consist of parking lots, concrete walkways, alleys, gutters and chain link fences and thus the amount the amount of nature within these areas is thought to be minimal, especially in relation to plant life. Tredici’s guide unveils the misconception and provides the reader with multiple photos of each plant entry, throughout lifecycle. Also Tredici includes the “ecological function” and habitat preference of each plant. The approach that Tredici takes allows for one to see a parking lot as something that contains not weeds but bull thistle, Cirsium vulagre, or broadleaf plantain, Plantago major L. Essentially, how one interprets a bioregion, helps to construct the narrative of the region. Within the urban landscape, a reevaluation of plant narratives is needed. Tredici’s demonstrates a comprehension of this need for reevaluation in several of his entries, he accomplishes this by including the cultural significance of particular plants . His cultural plant key is compiled with other standard aspects of a plant field guide, such as the physical description, scientific name of a plant.
The dystopian Californian road novel evokes images similar to those seen in Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath–mass migration and ecological
turmoil
due
to
the
inappropriate
use natural resources are two major literary elements. The heroine of the novel, a multiethnic
adolescent
named
Lauren
Olimina, caravans from Southern California to Northern California and during her venture challenges social, gender and racial norms.
In
doing
so,
the
author
of
the
novel, Octavia Butler presents metatextual commentary on issues of race, class, gender and ecology. In a world that has been desensitized by violence,
plagues
of
fire
and
numer-
ous crime waves Lauren is unique; she is sensitive
to
pain
others–whether
of
thief or
the
plights,
struggles
family,
and
animal,
harlots she feels their strife,
literally. Not only can she physically feel the
emotions,
other
but
and
Lauren
physical
feels
that
ailments she
of
has
the
ability to shift the dominant paradigm of violence that is present within the world that she knows. Her confidence in a paradigm shift is detailed within her Earthseed collection.
The
collection
that
she
has titled Earthseed is a series of verses which appear throughout the novel and discuss her views on human interconnectivity and the circular nature of life on planet Earth.
Each
of
her
Earthseed
entries
is
written as poetry but like her hypersensitivity,
is
kept
private
due
to
a
fear
of being ostracized. This text is listed on the California Department of Education rec-
The 13th Floor Art society is unveiling the latest addition to their toolbox of artivism, the 13th Floor Laboratory. This unique space will be located in the San Fernando Valley, and offering a wide range of resources to aspiring artisans, master craftsmen (and women); as well as tools for students and visiting artists from around the world. Http://Level13.org | https://www.facebook.com/13thfloorcollective/
Michael Ray, a.k.a., “Michael Ray De Los Angeles,” California grown artist and cinematographer behind Why We Climb (California Environmental Legacy Project) and Open Up Your Eyes (Parthenia Grant, CRN Digital Talk Network), is now a featured artist of Seed Genie: Custom Seed Packets For Large Scale Events And Promotions, promoting art, Earth, and GMO free seeds. Inspired by the ecologically-minded, efforts of Ron Finely, Tree People and muralist Peter Quezada, artist Michael Ray has designed this series of seed packets to draw attention to the need for non GMO seeds, and foods. A continued effort on the parts of Seed Genie, who have been selling exceptional, non GMO (genetically modified seeds) seeds for over 39 years, as well Michael Ray, who has been an advocate of urban green space, and community supported agriculture, the seed packet designs are ecological, artfully captivating and empowering. The designs featured in Michael Ray’s series utilize familiar icons (hearts and flowers) but present them in a new light;Fertile Heart features a blue rose, World United presents a heart-shaped world (and was first presented at the 2011Pasenda Chalk Art Festival); additionally, Transcend andPrecious glow, utilize a “flower of life” as a centerpiece. As a collection, the designs reflect Michael Ray’s artistic skill, eye for detail, and evocation of ecological wonder. A vital aspect of The Seed Genie is their unique promotional medium for artists and business owners, seed packets. The works by Michael Ray, featured Seed Genie artist, are now accessible through seed genie’s site, and can be ordered online. For commissions, interviews, public speaking engagements and inquiries please contact Michael Ray at 323.592.7649.
“Greetings!
Happy New Year! I’m starting off 2016 by releasing an inspirational, humorous, and socially conscious, spoken word-put-to-music-documentary, featuring Grammy nominated songwriter, singer and rapper, Jane $$$; Grammy nominated producer Simon Morel and Eric Taylor; and, Dr. Parthenia Grant, as Writer, Narrator, and Director.
Please share if you care about even one of the issues in this video such as: protecting your right to privacy and sovereignty over your body; freedom from forced vaccines and forced medical treatments; the right to breathe air free of Chem Trails; pure water, free from fluoride and Chlorine; GMO and pesticide free whole foods; criminalizing corruption in government; or protecting your Constitutional Rights.
Even if you don’t give a damn about any of these issues and just want to talk shit, share the
video anyway and get a dialogue going … You might learn by accident, just from listening. And let me know if you would like for me to set up a screening and discussion of the video for you and your family, friends, church or community organization.
Peace and blessings for this year and the years to come.
Love,
Parthenia”
Watch online via Http://TheGreatMoon.com/Cinema