Audrey Ava Julia

The Mole!

This issue is specially written by Audrey, Ava, and Julia

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The Mole!

Soil is the root of all life.

Without it, plants, animals, and all organisms on earth would be nonexistent. Plants mainly grow with soil, and oxygen is produced by plants. All organisms need oxygen to breath, or to even live at all.

Animals eat plants too, so without them, maintaining life on earth would be very difficult.

Our health depends mostly on plants, such as fruits and vegetables, so it all traces back to soil.

We wouldn’t be able to have a natural place to

store dead organisms without soil. When an animal dies, where do we put it? We almost always put dead bodies in the ground, to honor their “going back to join the soil,” but how would we do that without soil? We need to keep our Earth’s soil healthy, for all of the reasons, to keep us alive. We’ve skillfully chosen our Organism of the Year, an organism that helps our soil, our Earth, and we announce the mole! Moles are vital to earth’s way of

life. They live in the soil and are very smart animals. Once you get to know them, they can be very cute.

Moles have adapted so that they can breathe in higher levels of carbon dioxide, meaning that they can live very deep in the soil. They have large, scooped claws for digging, and can dig up to 20 yards a day!

Moles help our soil very much. They provide aeration, meaning that their tunnels help air

flow through the dirt. If water is clogging up your lawn, you can count on moles to help with drainage. Mole hill soil is actually very good to use in gardens because it has no clumps, rocks, or weeds. And lastly,

moles help plants filter nutrients to their roots.

People often underestimate this furry little creature. Yes, some people think that moles mess up their gardens by digging holes and making mounds of dirt everywhere, but they are just helping make your soil and garden better.

Moles can save you some money if you use the soft piles of dirt that they build.

The History Of the Arlington Garden

By Audrey S.

in The Arlington its place. It took more Garden is a beautiful than three years to garden that is cared construct the large for by so many peo- “chateau”, as it was a ple in the area. It is reconstruction of one claimed to be in France, seen by “Pasadena’s only Mr. Durand, who dededicated public gar- cided to build one just den,” and is cared like the original. for by everybody.

Beautiful gardens were planted all Before the Arlington around the house, with many different Garden was built, species of fruits and there was an flowers. Almost the “elegant” house at 275 Arlington Drive. every single plank of It was originally cre- wood on the house ated in 1885, and in was carved by hand, and the inside of the 1902, the land was bought by John Du- house, a variety of rand, along with ten beautifully finished woods - oak, walnut, more acres, about mahogany - had a half a block of glittery gold tint added homes known as to each and every “Arlington Heights.” wall and floor. In the end, the house was After the beautiful declared the largest “Victorian” house home in South Caliwas taken out, a new house was built fornia.

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The land stayed in the Durand Family’s possession until John Durand III died in 1960.

The furniture and decorations were sold at a public auction in 1961, and the house was torn down. After the house was removed, gardens were planted in its place, almost like the ones that were once in its front yard.

The garden still stands on Arlington Drive, and flowers are still being planted.

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Ron Finley Garden

By Ava H. The Westridge class of 2020 recently went to a community garden owned by a spectacular man named Ron Finley. He planted his garden because there is a food desert in South Central Los Angeles, where he lives. A food desert is where there is a lack of markets, grocery stores, etc. within a mile, where people have to resort to eating fast food. Fast food is very bad for you, and it can make you obese or just plain sick. Even if you don’t live within a mile from a grocery store, you still have transportation and money for your groceries. A person with low income and no transportation can have a lot of trouble making trips to the market.

So, Ron came up with the nifty idea of planting his very own community garden full of

fruits and vegetables. Anyone can take as much as they need and at least have a bit of a nutrition boost. The garden is on the sidewalk right outside of his house, and it is thriving. He has such a variety of healthy, delicious food ranging from swiss chard to pomegranates. There is no fee or anything like that, you can just simply grab your food and that’s it.

The students enjoyed the trip so much because of Ron Finley’s attitude and dedication. He had a goal, and he reached it. It is something that communities can do so easily. It is

cheap, easy to access, and very nutritious. As cheesy as it might sound, it brings people together. If everyone contributes their part, it makes the whole neighborhood so happy. Not only do you feel good while doing it, but it has such a great benefit to everyone in the process. People get to link with nature, and it’s scientifically proven that gardening lifts one’s mood. Ron’s project is a win for everyone, and so much has come out of it.

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I Love Soil

By Julia V. Soil is so important to me and the rest of the world. I was inspired to make a painting that would show my appreciation for soil. Ff we don’t have soil we don’t have fruits, vegetables, plants and more. Without soil we have no plants and without plants we wouldn’t be here. In my painting I said that I love soil and I painted

two flowers, growing from the soil. This shows how soil can help make the little things that mean so much to me.

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Poems Weekly A Letter to a Flower

By Ava H. Above me, I see the intricate patterns the clouds have formed, And I hear the birds commenting as well.

But then my eyes magnetize to the sight of you.

Your soft, beautiful blankets of sapphire spread all around you, Your mossy body creates a miniature forest I only dream of.

You reason with the wind, Dancing to the beat.

The birds join in with their smooth voices, The bees hum along, And the soil takes it all in.

The soil, Your mother, Your home.

The soil is so proud of what her children can do, And to hear them create a song is a true gift.

You might feel small, little flower, But the impact you’ve made on me is huge.

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A Bright Gray Day

By Audrey S.

The ashen sky looms above, Clouds concealing the blue beyond.

Trees perch on the horizon, As if they’re waiting for the rain.

Birds chirp wearily as they prepare for the downpour And shelter their belongings under their wings.

Further into the parched city, The sound of cars reminds me of crashing waves.

The musty, damp scent of soil soaks the air, And ants wander the ground with ecstatic steps.

A flower dances in the wind Like a citrus flame.

The clouds began to slowly disperse.

The birds chirp brighter and louder.

The city, still parched, The ants still marched I think I’ll be alright.

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Before Dusk

By Julia V. Flower stem Crunched; silent but loud Empty but so full Tall and short Deadly but peaceful Quiet yelling Quick then slow sing the birds White dimples of the distance Trumpets Gentle and clean fragrances A curious creature taking in the air Nostrils up high Looks to the sky Let all tiptoe by me

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Dirt

By Audrey S. There’s a magical thing, That you can’t always see.

It sustains all life, Including you and me.

My sweat feeds the ground, My tears quench its thirst And all of my life, From me, it has nursed.

It blows in the wind, It sits near the trees.

Do you feel it beneath you?

Does it bring you to your knees?

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Drop

By Julia V. Drop so close Can you hear it?

The change of life The growth of it The sensation of my fingertips overwhelms me Crumble and fall Fingertips pushed together to spread the love Of soft soil Does it harden with care?

No Keep my friend alive I’m depending on the thing everyone depends on but doesn't know Where's the credit?

At least care for my friend Drop Dropped it!!

I cant hear it anymore The sensation is gone I got more Again

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Body

By Ava H. When people say they love nature, That statement carries a lot more than they think.

We fit with the elements, We create and pursue an organized cycle.

Why is the ground so desirable?

Because a person loved nature, presumably, But they repaid the blanket of green that gently caressed their feet.

The grass wouldn’t turn green if humans weren’t meant to rest in it.

So why would you fill a body with chemicals, Just to see it lying dead?

Everyone has to pay their part for this world, It’s just not worth it to waste such a precious body.

I am meant to rest in the ground, And I am meant to make the grass green.

Newsletter Title

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Letter from the editor

By Audrey S.

The Soil Unit has taught me so many things about life in soil, as well as how we can keep soil healthy, and what it does to help us live. It’s important to learn about soil and plant life, because if we know, then we will know how to care for our planet by helping the ground. When we educate ourselves, we can take action in planting gardens and composting, and the more composting, the healthier the soil gets.

With healthy soil, grows healthy plants, which are an important part of creating the oxygen we need to breath. All plants produce oxygen, through photosynthesis, by taking in carbon dioxide and light from the sun. The main thing that we need to survive

is oxygen, which is only produced by plants. In order for plants to effectively produce oxygen, they need healthy soil, which means they need small critters and other animals living in the ground.

My favorite field trip was going to Ron Finley’s garden. Ron Finley lives in a food desert, and he decided that he’d had enough of needing to drive thirty minutes to a supermarket, just to buy expensive produce, that wasn’t even fresh. When we went to see Ron Finley’s garden, we learned how much we can grow on their own. Mr. Finley taught us how to keep a healthy, all natural, and lush compost bin to produce healthy soil, and with healthy soil, we can grow healthy produce instead of having to go to a fast food restaurant

and eat something unhealthy. With a nearby garden, Mr. Finley was able to step just outside of his house to pick the most fresh produce that he would need.

Soon after he planted the food, other people started showing up to his garden, and he started letting people take a few fruits or vegetables for themselves and their families.

It’s such a miracle that such an ignored substance that everyone steps on, is such an important key to life. Soil is the reason we are all here, and I’m so grateful that I get to learn about why.

Volume 1, Issue 1

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Letter from the editor

By Julia V.

During the soil unit I learned about the differences between weeds and mulch. I learned about the history of Arlington garden and how important soil is to us. My favorite part about the Arlington gardens was the labyrinth, I felt so connected with myself. I noticed how my breathing got to a slow steady pace and the speed of my walking felt like I was moving in slow motion. I really liked the feeling after I exited the Labyrinth. I was very calm. Although the chattering of the other classes and my group changed the way I felt quickly.

I got a little irritated with myself because I wasn’t able to hold the tree pose for seven seconds without falling on myself. I wish that I could have gotten a little more time because I felt pressured to finish. I was the last person to enter and exit the Labyrinth, so I noticed later that people were waiting and I sped up. I didn’t exactly get to share all of my thoughts when we were going around in a circle talking about how we felt. I would really like to go back to Arlington gardens and walk through the labyrinth again, but by

myself. I think that if I go again, I will do things a little bit differently.

Instead of doing the tree pose, I plan on holding child's pose for as long as I feel I need it.

Every night for the first five days I wrote nightly reflections about what I learned, a challenge, something I’m proud of and something that surprised me. I enjoyed writing these because they made me think about what I that day and how I feel about myself. I always felt accomplished with myself because I knew I learned something. I’m really proud of myself for not looking up at all as I was walking through the labyrinth . I almost tripped on rocks and people called out my name, but not once did I pay attention to them. The Arlington garden field trip was my favorite because of the labyrinth.

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Newsletter Title

Letter from the editor

By Ava H.

I have had the most remarkable time during the soil unit. It was jam -packed with the coolest things and I truly mean it when I say I learned a lot. The things I learned interested me so much I would just educate everyone around me.

There are so many things that I can do to benefit the soil and prevent harm. It’s pretty cool to think that I will remember this forever because I have been so fascinated by this whole thing.

The first day was really calming. We went to the gorgeous garden where I conversed with a flower and that was pretty memorable. I also went in a labyrinth and walked at a very slow, steady pace. The purpose of a Labyrinth is to help you forget your

worries and that worked super well. I felt so Zen by the end of that day.

The second day was my absolute favorite day by far. It was magical. I felt so warm and happy inside when I went to Ron Finley’s garden. It was full of plants that were beaming with joy. One thing that really stuck with me was the sunflowers.

They just stood there and smiled at anyone that would cross their path. I saw the heads of every single person on the train turn and gaze at the sunflowers and the garden.

I got to show a bit of my poetic side on the third day because I was talking about the relationship with humans and soil. It makes perfect sense, and I was really proud of myself if I’m being completely honest. I also took in a lot

more information about soil and how it’s made, etc. The same goes for the fourth day where we got to see cool organisms like bacteria and mold.

And finally, after spreading mulch and going on treacherous hikes (not really), I felt very satisfied with my soil unit experience and it was an absolute blast. I can’t wait to take some of the skills I learned and incorporate them into my daily life. What a wonderful two weeks I had.

Volume 1, Issue 1

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