Gardenmaster Shed Break In

The lock still intact, the hasp bent but not broke, it was the screws pried from the wood that proved to be the weaker point as the thieves simply heaved them out of the door to gain entry to the Gardenmaster Office. 

Not so much a loss to the Garden, but for the third time the Gardenmaster shed has been broken into.  This time the criminals evidently knew there was a possibility of music instruments in there and sadly they were right.  Stolen items include the Gardenmaster's bass and guitar as well as several tool bags of music gear, items which wouldn't have been there had there not been an injured wrist the day of a band rehearsal last week and these were left to a time of less painful lifting. 

The culprits made a much bigger mess of the place by pulling out drawers and dumping the contents and doing the same to my other tool bags - like the grafting and sharpening bags that are used in teaching these subjects.  But the only things taken were music gear - not even a power drill and electric saws; our computer in there was too old to bother stealing and they left it and all sorts of other tools behind.  Total loss is in the neighborhood of $2000, but the biggest loss is the heartbreak.  

At least that will be healed with time and a spirit, a determination and creativity cannot be stolen.  Looking for a good used acoustic/electric bass, preferring an Epiphone Natural El Capitan with a cutaway (they don't make 'em anymore).

david

It's True!

Not certain if it's a broken or not, but it's certainly painful!  Chasing the dog around the drive and he made a U-turn that I didn't.  Damn dog cheated using his lower center of gravity.  Actually, it was in front of the prostrate rosemary plants and I think I slipped on their detritus on the asphalt .

Anyway... it will slow us down but a bit!  I'll take lots of ibuprofen and keep it elevated - thanks to all those volunteers who keep us running with and without me! 

I had planned to be gone on Sunday anyway; I'll be out for a minute on Saturday AM to finish off some things I left hanging when I took my header, and I'll be back on regular schedule on Tuesday.  


Last Thursday's pickling didn't happen - I'm hoping we can do it this Thursday - I'm going to try out a new steam canner.   I saw this in operation last Fall and it's the cat's meow because it can do a lot more than just be a canner - and it's stainless steel!  Awesome! 

david

After this was posted, I did get a call from my doctor and the x-rays show no broken bones, just a bad sprain.  Two weeks - or so - in the brace.  Good news!  

Last Class for Victory Gardens This Sunday!

Betty Goldstein (left) and Nancy Mills (center) discuss a point with two of our current crop of Victory Garden students last Sunday.

It's hard to believe that it's already been three meetings and this coming Sunday will be our last class of our Victory Garden Series.  Betty has taught the last two classes and Nancy has been the lead TA for all of them.  Sunday's class will have to choose if they are going to keep meeting and how often.  We hope they will become a core group that is a part of The Learning Garden and our ongoing mission.

david

Earth Day Tours of TLG

Venice High School students work on the presentation table this last Monday...

Because of inclement weather last Thursday, the actual day of Earth Day, tours of the Garden were postponed to this last Monday.  Students from Walgrove Middle School and Beethoven Elementary School came through our Garden and visited a variety of booths that provided information on some environmental challenge faced by our society today:  there was a cloning booth, farm workers booth, plastic bottle booth, composting booth and many, many more.  The visiting students were not only educated by the Venice High School students, there were games to play that reinforced the learning and treats for all visitors.  

It didn't rain on either the real Earth Day or our celebration of Earth Day, but both days were cold and cloudy and rain seemed to be imminent on almost every day between.  

david

Wheelchair Accessible Garden Beds

One of the groups that really make things happen at The Learning Garden is CAA (Creative Artists Agency)!  They come out once a year to celebrate Earth Day - last year they built our iconic grape arbors - this year, LOOK!  Garden beds!  We are really grateful for CAA and their help in making The Learning Garden a more spectacular, and user-friendly garden! 

david

Finally! An April Version of Mark Your Calendar for The Learning Garden!

APRIL – all through the month! – summer seedlings on sale – come and see what we have available for you. All our plants are appropriate to be planted now. $1 and up...

April 17^th – 10 AM to 2 PM – The Learning Garden and Venice High School's Culinary Arts and Sustainable Agriculture Academy (CASAA) will have non-disposable bags and vegetable seedlings for sale at the Mar Vista Farmers Market, Grand View and Venice Blvd.

April 17^th – 4-8 PM – Adopt-a-Plant, Acupuncture students who maintain a garden of Chinese Medicinal Herbs have a lot of extra plants to share and are offering plants free to a good home for folks who want to grow some of the healing herbs from the Traditional Chinese Medicine pharmacopeia. Live music, a tour of the herb garden and munchies round out the gala event.

April 22^nd – the 40^th Annual Earthday! The Garden and the students of CASAA will host Walgrove Middle School and Beethoven Grade School as they learn about the CASAA program and environmental issues in the world today.

April 25^th – 2 to 6 PM 2^nd Annual Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase – Celebrate the 40^th Earthday with a free self-guided garden tour of drought tolerant gardens, edible gardens, rainwater capture systems and homes transitioning to sustainability! Visit www.marvistagreengardenshowcase.com to plan your very own tour... Stop by The Learning Garden for our plant sale and relax in the shade of our Chi Patio!

April 25^th – 6 – 9 PM Potluck for Gardens of Gratitude Whether you volunteered for this or your garden was one of the new ones installed, or you just want to hang out with the Westside Permies, bring a dish to share, your own plate and tableware and join in the party! http://www.gardensofgratitude.org/howitworks.html 

May 1^st  –  9 AM to Noon The next installment of What To Do and When To Do It  April is THE time to get all our summer garden planted – you won't want to miss this class because if you miss April, you will be behind the rest of the year! Still only $25 for one class, $100 for five... Plants and other things available too! Look for the possibility of a seed swap reappearing at Noon! 

May 2^nd – 10 to 11 AM – The Lost 'n' Found Band (the Garden's own!) on stage at the Westside Farmer's Market's Bandstand playing originals and more! Acoustic guitars and harmony on the Americana homefront andfree!! Get a cup o' joe, your veggies for the week and listen to the tunes - what else are you doing on Sunday morning.  OK, other than that...

Ongoing In The Garden

Friday --12:30 PM, The Garden Feast, a potluck with staff and volunteers (and anyone else who show up with a good attitude) at our picnic tables.  The food is always fresh, delicious and abundant.  It is the essence of the SLOW Food Movement, so come prepared  with a tasty bite, a healthy appetite for the bounty of others  and a desire for eclectic conversation. Be sustainable and bring your own plate, tableware and cup!

Saturday – - 10AM Henry Jun Wah Lee, L.Ac. Medical Qigong Classes Return Saturday Mornings in the Garden; Henry, a long time Qigong instructor, will be starting a new set of classes in the Learning Garden starting mid April. Weekly Saturday classes will start May 1.  9-10am for beginners and 10-11am for more advanced practices. $10 per class. Half of all fees will be donated to the Learning Garden. Please contact Henry to RSVP if you plan to attend either the introductory class or the weekly ongoing class.  Phone: 323-540-4180. Email: info@HenryJunWahLee.com. Web: http://www.HenryJunWahLee.com

Sunday --10 AM Seth Leon has an informal Harmony Style Qigong practice on our Chi Patio. It is free.

www.thelearninggarden.org

www.tlgdaily.blogspot.com

310.722.3656

13000 Venice Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90066

david

Upcoming THIS **SATURDAY!!**

Refreshments, live music with "Lost and Found" the Garden's own original duo and others, 4 to 8 PM.  Good peeps and great vibes.  Adopt a plant with the healing vibes that sing to your heart!  

(NOTE:  this post originally indicated it was for SUNday, but it's on SATURday!)  
email me for more info... 

david