Wrigley Garden

Garden closed so is the blog

2011-06-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

Hello followers!

This is my last entry here on the Wrigley Garden site. We are all cleaned up (almost, we have 1 more load with the shed and a few soil runs but pretty cleaned up) and pretty much moved out. Nothing more to say except thank you and I appreciate everything.

This blog will be archived here so we can access the recipes and information. Please follow our new blog and adventures at Farm Lot 59. See you in the field!
http://fl59.blogspot.com/
http://www.longbeachlocal.org/

Wrigley Garden Clean Up

2011-06-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

Garden is looking good. Everything is almost out. Thanks again to everyone who helped on Friday. We did a few runs with the trailer and the trucks and we are pretty much down to the wire.

Thank you Jenny and Jenifer for pulling weeds along the fence. I know there are probably plenty of weeds to be pulled elsewhere but I sure appreciate it.

Wrigley Garden Clean Up and Move- this Friday & Saturday

2011-06-09T10:36:00.000-07:00

Last week kicked so much ass that we are already ready to start moving our stuff out of the garden. Please come down either Friday or Saturday. If we are not at the garden we might have gone on a run to drop the goods off at the farm, we will be right back. There is plenty to do!

If you were waiting to come on the 22nd please come now. We might be all wrapped up by then. Cross your fingers!

Please wear closed toed shoes and bring some water for yourself. Gloves and tools will be provided.

Check the dates below and come on down to help us out. Its only 2 more weekends so please try and make it.

June
10th
11th
17th
18th

SoCalHarvest

2011-06-08T14:41:00.000-07:00

Hello again harvesters !

We have an opportunity to do an orange, tangerine and lemon harvest on Saturday, June 11th @ 9 a.m. The home is in Long Beach near Stearnlee and Conant. (Address forwarded upon RSVP)

The trees are fairly accessible; ladders likely not needed. SoCal Harvest will bring 10 long-handled fruit baskets (pickers) and 10 pairs of leather gloves and multiple boxes. Extra boxes are always helpful.

Canvas bags are also helpful - can you bring one? Please wear closed toed shoes (long pants and long sleeves are at your own discretion!

Are you available this Saturday for 60, maybe 90 minutes?

Let me know!

Cindy
SoCal Harvest
323-678-6036
SoCalHarvest.org

Queen of the Sun at the Found Theatre

2011-06-07T17:02:00.001-07:00

Hello Long Beach Local-

I wanted to invite you to a screening of Queen of the Sun at the Found Theatre in downtown Long Beach. I will be there Sunday the 19th before the show to introduce the film. There will be also be a Q&A after the film to discuss bees and gardening in the city of Long Beach.

Here is the information for the film. Hope to see you there.

Don't miss the new film “Queen of the Sun: What are the bees telling us?” premiering Long Beach, CA at the Found Theatre for THREE-DAYS JUNE 17th-19th! Queen of the Sun is a profound, alternative look into the problems and solutions of the global honeybee crisis from Taggart Siegel, the acclaimed director of the award-winning, grass-roots hit The Real Dirt on Farmer John. To view our Official Trailer click here. Box Office Magazine calls it,“The Feel-Good Advocacy Movie of the Year.” FOR MORE INFO VISIT: WWW.QUEENOFTHESUN.COM

http://www.foundtheatre.org/

http://www.everythinglongbeach.com/found-theatre-queen-of-the-sun/

Sasha Kanno
Executive Director, Long Beach Local
562.230.7207
sashakanno@mac.com
www.longbeachlocal.org

Peach Pie

2011-06-07T11:59:00.001-07:00

Peach Pie

Adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/single-crust-peach-pie/Detail.aspx

Serves: 8
Preparation Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

3/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 fresh peaches - pitted, skinned, and sliced
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust pie
Cream sugar and butter together. Add flour and nutmeg; mix until mealy. Spread 1/2 of mixture in pie crust. Arrange peaches on top of crumb mixture. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture on top of peaches.
Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for ten minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking for 40 minutes, or until brown.

Wrigley Garden Clean Up- this Friday & Saturday

2011-06-07T10:49:00.000-07:00

Hello gardeners-

Thank you to all the awesome volunteers who came to help last week. The garden is almost ready to go in just those 2 days! Amazing!

This week Friday and Saturday we will be disassembling the greenhouse, plumbing and finishing cleaning up the grounds. Please wear closed toed shoes and bring some water for yourself. Gloves and tools will be provided.

Check the dates below and come on down to help us out. Its only 2 more weekends so please try and make it.

June Hours are from 9-12
10th
11th
17th
18th
Big Move on the 23rd, 24th and 25th!

Time for the big clean up- garden move!!

2011-05-18T13:54:00.000-07:00

Hello gardeners and friends of Wrigley Garden-

Its time for us to put out the call for help. Our lease has expired and its time to move on.

Starting June 3rd and working every Friday & Saturday until the big move on the 23rd. Hours are from 9-12. Please wear closed toed shoes and bring some water for yourself.

Everyone is welcome and all efforts are appreciated.

Please check the dates below and come on down to help us out. Its only 3 weekends so please try and make it.

June
3rd
4th
10th
11th
17th
18th
Big Move on the 23rd, 24th and 25th!

Vegetarian Recipe: Strawberry, Walnut & Goat Cheese Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette

2011-05-13T14:34:00.000-07:00

Vegetarian Recipe: Strawberry, Walnut & Goat Cheese Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Kickin' Collard Greens

2011-05-11T14:45:00.000-07:00

Kickin' Collard Greens
Adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/kickin-collard-greens/Detail.aspx
This recipe can be adapted for many different types of greens, just adjust cooking times.

Serves: 6
Preparation Time: 1 hour

3 slices bacon
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
3 cups chicken broth
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 pound fresh collard greens, cut into 2-inch pieces

Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add bacon, and cook until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, crumble and return to the pan. Add onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, and cook until just fragrant. Add collard greens, and fry until they start to wilt.
Pour in chicken broth, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until greens are tender.

Wrigley Garden is offically CLOSED

2011-05-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

Thank you everyone who participated in Wrigley Garden. Our 2 year project was a great success. We reached out to the Henderson Ave neighbors and made a difference in a big way.

We taught numerous school groups about seed starting, transplanting seedlings, how to harvest ripe produce, and how to make a yummy snack. The kids were so interested in where their food came from we decided to keep the schools involved and developed an ongoing program and have worked with a different school each year.

We held workshops on how to raise chickens in the city and even kept a few bee hives.

I am so happy to have had the opportunity to build this garden with you.

Thanks again-
sasha kanno

Garden is Closing- Don't forget

2011-04-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

Hello gardeners-

Don't forget this weekend is your last chance to remove all your personal belongings. After Sunday all items will be considered abandoned and we will start the demo.

We will be planning to move the remaining items out of the garden starting the middle of June. If you are interested in helping us please check back here or subscribe to the mailing list at www.longbeachlocal.org. Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks and see you all soon!
Sasha

Zucchini and Swiss Chard Soup

2011-04-27T18:34:00.000-07:00

Zucchini and Swiss Chard Soup
Adapted from: http://www.notonlypizza.com/2009/06/24/zucchini-and-swiss-chard-soup/

Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 30 minutes

4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 cup finely chopped white onion, or 3 leeks, white part only, sliced
1 bunch Swiss chard, thinly sliced, stems removed and chopped as well
3-4 medium zucchini coarsely grated
1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
2 tsp. sea salt
4 cups vegetable broth
4 slices of whole wheat bread for topping (optional)
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

For the croutons:
Eliminate the bread crust, and cut the slices in cubes. Drizzle 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a pan, and add the cubed bread. Toast the cubes until golden brown.
For the soup:
Warm up the oil in a pot, then add the onions and chopped swiss chard stems, and sauté them until tender, about 7 minutes.
In the meantime grate the zucchini, and add them to the onions. Cook them for 5 minutes.
When the zucchini are getting soft, add the Swiss chard leaves, 4 cups broth, the turmeric, and cook for 3 more minutes. Blend the soup until creamy. If the soup is too thick, add some more broth. If it's too liquid, let it simmer until it reaches the desired consistency.
Serve your soup topped with croutons, if you like.
Note:
* If you want a richer soup, substitute 1 cup vegetable broth with 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk.

2030 Plan for Long Beach

2011-04-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

If any of you are interested in being part of the future of Long Beach please contact the planning department and ask to be added to this list. Your input is valued and requested. Let's work together to make LB even greater than it already is.

CITY OF LONG BEACH
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
333 West Ocean Blvd., 4th Floor Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: 570.5237 Fax: 570.6205

April 20, 2011

Dear Neighborhood Association Members,

2010 was another successful year for Long Beach neighborhood associations, which helped advance Long Beach’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life within the city. We saw continued successes in neighborhood revitalization, citizen participation, and code enforcement. From your direct involvement in planning projects, your efforts have led to the beautification of our parks, neighborhoods, and street parkways, and enrichment of the overall fabric of our city.

Your successes are related to your many outstanding volunteer efforts and contributions toward the betterment of Long Beach. In 2010, the Willmore City Heritage Association (WHCA) won Neighborhood, USA’s “Neighborhood of the Year” first place award in the category of Physical Revitalization – Single Neighborhood, for restoring a 106-year-old house, saving it from demolition, and helping a local family purchase the home – removing two blighted vacant lots in the process. At one Craftsman Village Historic District’s monthly graffiti removal and neighborhood clean up alone, 200 volunteers removed nine tons of trash and debris from surrounding streets and alleys. This is just one of many similar efforts that took place throughout the city. Neighborhood associations have also contributed to greening efforts by planting trees throughout Long Beach. At the North Alamitos Beach Association’s Neighborhood Tree Planting last July, volunteers planted 35 new trees in the area. And the neighborhood associations also help build community, such as the West East-Side Community Association’s extremely successful annual Halloween Carnival at Orizaba Park where approximately 700 people attended the festivities.

In 2011, the Planning Commission will need your help with our planning processes for now and the future. We are working on our Long Beach 2030 plan, which includes evaluating zoning requirements within the city. Our successes in that effort count on community participation and support. We encourage you to recruit and involve as many of your neighbors as possible to participate in the process.

On behalf of all the members of the Planning Commission, we again thank you for your commitment to improving our neighborhoods.

Sincerely,

Charles Durnin
Chair
Long Beach Planning Commission

Amy J. Bodek, AICP
Director
Long Beach Development Services

Gladys Ave Urban Farm tour

2011-04-14T14:19:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, April 23rd, 9:30am, join us for a tour of a local Long Beach farm, that is growing many of the greens found in beachgreens boxes these days.
Gladys Ave Urban Farm is about 3000 sq. feet of urban land plot that has been farmed organically by Charles Moore for almost 20 years. Come and see your food growing, and be inspired by what is possible!
Free for beachgreens customers
Non-beachgreens customers: $7
We ask that you RSVP, as the farm has limited capacity for holding large groups of people, and we need to plan accordingly. Call Aliye at 562.852.6659, or email aliye@beachgreens.com.
Exact location and directions will be disclosed with RSVP.
We will also be sampling some greens from the garden, and local chefs will be on hand.

Turkish Carrot Salad with Yogurt

2011-04-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

Turkish Carrot Salad with Yogurt
This can be used as a side salad, or a starter course

Serves: 5-6
Preparation Time: 35 minutes

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 pound carrots, grated
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sweet or hot paprika
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
salt, to taste
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
1 cup yogurt
Dill or parsley, for garnish

In a medium size skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat; Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes, being careful not to burn. Add carrots and cook until they turn a bright orange color, but are still crunchy. Remove mixture from heat and place in a bowl. Add spices and salt. Let cool to room temperature.
Stir in most of the walnuts and most of the yogurt, reserving the remainder for garnish.
To serve, place in a shallow bowl. Top with remaining yogurt and sprinkle with walnuts. Garnish with dill or parsley if desired.

Harvest Dinner at the Beach!

2011-04-13T14:18:00.001-07:00

Join beachgreens, Primal Alchemy Catering and chef Michael for a night on the beach
Friday April 22nd, 2011 from 6:30pm-9:30 pm

Location: Alfredo's Beach Club at Granada Launch Ramp
5101 East Ocean (at Granada) Long Beach, CA 90803

Local Chefs Paul Buchanan (Primal Alchemy Catering)
Chef Michael Poompan (sip at the Renaissance) will be cooking up a delicious multi-course family style meal made from locally grown sustainably grown ingredients.
beachgreens will be providing Long Beach grown produce!

For Complete Menu

$60 per person, children 10 & under $40
B.Y.O.B: Beer & Wine only, glasses will be provided

Dress: This dinner is on the beach with toes in the sand, so dress accordingly

Your check is your reservation, to be received no later than April 17th

Mail or drop to Primal Alchemy at 3819 East 7th Street, Long Beach CA 90804

Please include guest names & email

Questions? call: Dana Buchanan at 562. 708. 6998

Menu Subject to evolve dependent upon fresh ingredients & chefs' creative whim. We love families. However, this event is not recommended for children under 6.

What's in the Farm Box this week?

2011-04-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

I'm on a bit of a farming hiatus until this baby comes. Thanks to Aliye from beachgreens for providing all the produce in this weeks box.

Artichokes
Carrots
Lettuce
Broccoli
Dandelion Greens
Fennel
Spring Onion
Parsley
Cilantro
Strawberry
Avo
Meyer Lemons

Ewaste drive this weekend.

2011-04-11T17:23:00.000-07:00

Hello, friends and neighbors!

Just wanted to let you know that the Green Teams at Longfellow Elementary School and Hughes Middle School are teaming up to host an e-waste and shred drive this Saturday, April 16, on Longfellow’s upper playground (California Ave. at Bixby Rd.) from 9am to 1pm. This is a drive through event. Just load up your unwanted electronics and old documents and drop them off with us! If you have sensitive documents to shred, you may park and watch their destruction on site.

This is a fundraiser for Longfellow and Hughes. It is open to the public and it is FREE!

Do some spring cleaning and help our schools in the process!

Thanks!
Heather Morrison
PS—Here is a link to a map. The playground is behind Longfellow next to Hughes.

Farm Box Pick Up This Wednesday

2011-04-10T18:06:00.000-07:00

Our next pick up is April 13th at Bella Cosa, 3803 Atlantic Ave, in Bixby Knolls. The pick up hours to 5-6:30.

Each box is $30 and packed full of seasonal veggies, fruit and herbs. We also have fresh eggs available for $5 a dozen. If you have any egg cartons please bring drop them off. We also take back the produce boxes or some folks bring their own bag to collect their produce.

Everything is grown organically or beyond organically and with ethical practices. Recipes are posted on our website under the recipe tab. www.longbeachlocal.org

If you are interested in signing up you I would need payment no later than the Monday before the desired pick up. If you have any questions just ask.

Thanks!
Sasha

Earth Day Events

2011-04-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

Sat., April 16
Crenshaw Community Garden (South LA) 11 am–2 pm – Snacks & Info in Spanish, Korean & English
Fountain Avenue (Hollywood) 11 am–3 pm – Mosaic Tile Project
Ocean View Farms (Santa Monica) 9:30 am–noon - Composting Workshop
Raymond Avenue (West Adams) 10 am-2 pm - Plant & Food Sale

Sunday, April 17
Milagro Allegro Community Garden (Highland Park) 10am-2pm – Community Work Day

Sat., April 23
Eagle Rockdale Community Garden (Eagle Rock) 11 am-2 pm – Totem Pole Art Project
Solano Canyon Community Garden (Dodger Stadium) 10 am-4 pm – Open House
120th & Avalon (Watts) 9:00 am-4 p.m Work Day with The Travel Store to build Stanford Avalon CG addition

Easter Sunday, April 24
Venice Community Garden 9am – Seed Balls 4 Kids & Easter Egg Hunt; 12 noon - Pot Luck Picnic

Please Join our network for news & inspiration.book: Facebook: LA Community Garden Council / Twitter: LAGardens

Wrigley Gardeners- Don't forget

2011-04-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

Hello gardeners-

Please don't forget your move out date is quickly approaching. Everything that belong to you needs to be out of the garden by May 1st. After that is will become property of Wrigley Garden.

If you cannot break down your plots by yourself please get in touch and we can make arrangements to help you.

Please be respectful of our time and energy and do not just abandon your plot with all your items. Its already tons of work for us to move and unnecessary items left behind are just creating more work for us.

Thank you and please let me know if you have any questions.

-sasha

Earth Day at Carmelitos

2011-04-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

Please contact Jimmy with any questions or just show up and have a great time!!

The Growing Experience is hosting our 2nd annual Earth Day celebration on Thursday, April 21 from 2:00-5:00 pm. There will be local sustainable foods, demonstrations on energy/resource conservation, arts & crafts projects and vendors. Hope you can join us!

Jimmy Ng, Project Manager
The Growing Experience
Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles
Farm Address: 750 Via Carmelitos, Long Beach CA 90805
Mailing Address: 1000 E. Via Wanda St, Long Beach CA 90805
562-984-2917
www.growingexperiencelb.org

Chickpea Rice Soup with Cabbage

2011-03-30T15:28:00.001-07:00

Chickpea Rice Soup with Cabbage
Adapted from: http://www.theppk.com/2010/12/chickpea-rice-soup-with-cabbage/

Serves: 4-6
Preparation Time: 45 minutes

Olive oil (1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons, however much you want to use)
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced, or 2 stalks green garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dry thyme
1 teaspoon salt
Fresh black pepper
1/2 cup jasmine rice, rinsed
2 large carrots, chopped
1 lb cabbage, shredded (about 1/4 of a big head)
6 cups broth of your choice
1 24-oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (about 3 cups)

Preheat a stock pot over medium heat. Saute onion in olive oil with a pinch of salt for about 5 minutes, until translucent. Add garlic, thyme, salt and pepper and saute a minute more.
Add rice, carrots and cabbage and then pour in the broth. Cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, bring down to a simmer, add the chickpeas, and let cook for about 15 more minutes, until rice is cooked and carrot is tender.

What's in the Farm Box this week?

2011-03-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

Bunch of beets
Delicata Squash
Spinach
Lettuce
Cabbage
Carrots
Green Garlic
Strawberry's
Navel Oragnes
Bunch of Mint
...and available for sale fresh eggs!

Farm Lot and Gulch Clean Up- This Saturday!

2011-03-29T13:09:00.001-07:00

Think Green!
Litter Clean up this Saturday
April 2nd - 9 am to Noon

We were rained out last time but we are going to try again this Saturday!

Clean Streets is a community project for The California Heights Neighborhood Association. We have been picking up litter every Thursday for over one year. Last year we began our quarterly Saturday Clean Sweeps and this one will be very interesting.

Join us at the Willow - Spring Gulch (the area between Willow & Spring and California & Orange in Long Beach) on Saturday April 2. Councilmember James Johnson will kick off the morning with a brief presentation about this amazing 55 acre space. The entire area is rich with history and interesting topography- it's definitely worth checking out. And it's in desperate need of some litter removal.

Volunteers will enter on California near 28th Street. Bags and gloves will be provided. Students will get volunteer credit and two lucky winners will receive tickets to the Long Beach Aquarium. Please wear comfortable shoes and- parking is limited so car pooling is encouraged.

Hope to see you there!
Stacey Morrison
Clean Streets Organizer

Email us with questions / info@calheights.org

Farm Box Pick Up and fresh eggs!

2011-03-29T04:38:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday March 30th is our next biweekly Farm Box pick up at Bella Cosa, 3803 Atlantic Ave, in Bixby Knolls. We also have fresh eggs for sale. You do not have to be part of the Farm Box to purchase eggs but they do get first choice. Come on by between 5-6:30 on Wednesday if you have any questions or would like to sign up for Farm Box.

Each box is $30. If you would like to try it out for one pick up I completely understand. If its something you would like to continue with I ask everyone to bring payment with them when they pick up their last box for the month. For instance the last pick up in January was the 19th so most people paid for February on that pick up.

Each box is packed full of seasonal veggies, fruit and herbs. I am one of the farmers contributing to the boxes. Everything is grown organically or beyond organically and with ethical practices. Recipes are posted on our website under the recipe tab. www.longbeachlocal.org

If you are interested in signing up you I would need payment no later than the Monday before the desired pick up. Email or come visit us at our next pick up if you have any questions.

Thank you, sasha

Its a CSF!

2011-03-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

Please contact Margie directly if you are interested in purchasing sustainably caught fish. If enough people are interested maybe our Farm Box can be a pick up point. Yum yum!!

Hi Fish Folk,

Latest news....Morro Bay commericial fishermen and cable companies awarded us a $10,000 grant in February to grow this program. They saw how many SLO County consumers wanted to support our fishermen and think it's worth the investment to broaden their market.

We have delivered 1440 pounds of fish since the 2 1/2 pounds we delivered on June 3, 2010.

We now provide a "fish option" for home and business deliveries of fruits and vegetables in partnership with SloVeg.

We now have a website at www.slofreshcatch.com.

Some of you took the risk of going with this start-up program and experienced our growing pains. We spent time interviewing the East Coast CSF's and made changes accordingly. There is still more to do.

Thank you.

Margie Hurd
S.L.O. Fresh Catch
(805) 481-5827

Wrigley Garden - lease expires a lot sooner than we thought!

2011-03-21T18:21:00.000-07:00

Hello gardeners and friends of Wrigley Garden-

I just received an email from Patrick Ure from the Long Beach Housing Development office informing us that we must vacate Wrigley Garden by June 1st 2011. Our lease was not signed until September 8th, 2009 and with normal calculations a 2 year lease would have put us at October 1st as we have planned. But according to him and his office since the lease was drafted in June that is when it will also expire.

You are all probably just as devastated and shocked as I am. We have been planning an October move since the beginning of the garden. I know lots of you, myself included were excited to have one more summer season at the garden.

Please stay tuned for the big move to Farm Lot 59. We will need all hands on deck for this. If you have any contacts or suggestions on how to make the move easier please let me know. We will need to move the shed, greenhouse, soil, boxed trees, EVERYTHING. Like I said we were planning on moving but didn't know it was going to be so soon.

Again, I am terribly sorry for the bad news. Thank you for all your participation and hard work. I will keep you posted on progress, dates and any information that comes my way.

Happy Growing!
Sasha Kanno
Executive Director, Long Beach Local
562.230.7207
sashakanno@mac.com
http://wrigleygarden.org

Soil Blocks

2011-03-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite gardeners and chicken wranglers, Guy helped me make a bunch of soil blocks this week. We seeded enough for our gardens and a few extra. Thanks Guy for all your help. You are awesome!

Tangerine tree in full bloom

2011-03-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Its a beautiful site. I hope the tree sets this much fruit.

Roasted Beets and Turnips with Balsamic Glaze

2011-03-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

In this weeks Farm Box we had beets, onions and turnips. Thanks beachgreens for this recipe and for the great produce. Today's box was looking good!

Roasted Beets and Turnips with Balsamic Glaze
Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

3-4 beets, cut into chunks
4-5 turnips, cut into chunks
1 onion, cut into chunks
3-4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped (or green garlic, see note below)
1 Tablespoon herb of your choice (rosemary or thyme work well)
3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/3-1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 Degrees. Toss beets, turnips, onion and garlic with herbs, vinegar, olive, salt and pepper. Roast until edges are crispy, and veggies are soft.

Note: If using green garlic, cut the stalks into chunks, and add during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Serve over Red Frills Mustard Greens, roughly chopped, and drizzled with a bit of balsamic vinegar.

Variation: Add 2 chopped apples, tossed with ¼ cup sour cream or plain yogurt, and juice of ½ lemon. Serve atop salad greens, topped with 2 Tablespoons goat or blue cheese, and 1/3 cup toasted pecan or walnut halves.

Naan Bread Pizza

2011-03-10T11:54:00.000-08:00

Naan Pizzas with Arugula Pesto

recipe adapted a bit from Sunset magazine...

Photo: Jeffery Cross; Styling: Randy Mon

Ingredients

For the pesto I used this recipe for Arugula Pesto.

SALAD and pizzas- I used different ingredients because I used what was on hand. This is the original list, you can adapt from here.
1/2 cup slivered red onion
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 naan breads (3 oz. each)
3/4 pound Italian turkey sausages, casings removed
1/4 cup diced roasted red peppers
8 pitted kalamata olives, quartered
3/4 cup manchego cheese shaved with a vegetable peeler
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. Make pesto
2. Start salad: Combine onion, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a bowl; set aside.
3. Make pizza: Put naan on baking sheet; bake until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Brown sausage in a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat, breaking into chunks, 8 to 10 minutes. Spread naan with pesto, then arrange sausage, peppers, olives, and a layer of manchego on top.
4. Bake until cheese softens, 8 minutes. Add arugula and oil to vinegar mixture. Toss to coat; arrange over pizzas.

It was really good and plenty to eat for the 2 of us. Serve with a small salad and its a great dinner. Enjoy!

Maple-Roasted Heirloom Vegetables

2011-03-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Let's enjoy those winter veggies. It will be summer soon and too hot to turn on the oven. Roast while you still can!

At my house we are cleaning out the freezer and pantry too. Cooking up all those stored veggies from last summer. Tomato sauce, squashes and beans are all getting used up. It feels good to remember what we grew last year and help plan this years growing season.

What were some of your favorites?

Today in the garden...

2011-03-04T07:07:00.000-08:00

Thank you to my wonderful gardeners for moving the chicken coop. I was out of town and they were totally successful in moving the ladies. I know those girls can be a handful but am so thankful the coop got rotated. They loved it under the eucalyptus tree but time to work on another grub filled section of the garden. Go chicken go!

Today in the garden we will be doing a little bit of cleaning up. The rains have been wonderful but left things a little messy. The weeds are popping up everywhere but so are the carrots and peas. Nice to have a snack along the way.

Don't forget to enjoy those winter crops. Beets, broccoli, romanesco and all the greens are coming in strong. But its already time to get ready for spring. Time to get those tomatoes, corn and beans started. Hope you all made those seed orders. If not let me know we still have Baker Creek Seeds for sale.

Hope everyone is enjoying these first signs of spring. At our house the daffodils and freesia are blooming and its just beautiful.

Happy growing!
Sasha Kanno

Roasted Beet and Sugar Snap Pea Salad

2011-03-02T19:37:00.001-08:00

Roasted Beet and Sugar Snap Pea Salad
Adapted from: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roasted-Beet-and-Sugar-Snap-Pea-Salad-606#ixzz1FNR0jaX4

Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 1.5 hours, largely unattended

3 medium beets, trimmed
1/2 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or 1 tablespoon dried dill
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 bunch fresh arugula, trimmed (or other greens, such as lettuce, or chard or spinach)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Wrap beets in aluminum foil. Bake until tender, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Cool. Peel beets and cut into wedges.
Cook sugar snap peas in large saucepan of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Drain. Rinse with cold water; drain well. Pat dry.
Mix mustard and vinegar in small bowl. Gradually mix in oil, then dill and sugar. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover sugar snap peas and chill. Cover dressing and beets separately and let stand at room temperature.)
Line platter with arugula. Mix beets, sugar snap peas and dressing in medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon atop arugula.

This Saturday's work day canceled!

2011-02-16T19:22:00.000-08:00

Saturday's clean up at the farm canceled due to heavy rains. Will post when we reschedule. Thanks everyone.

Original post here.

Arugula Recipes

2011-02-16T15:57:00.001-08:00

Lots of arugula in this weeks box. Make some pesto!

Arugula Pesto

The idea for this recipe comes to us from Gina Caywood, long-time beachgreens customer, and co-owner of Cross Fit Long Beach http://crossfitlongbeach.com/. She says its great on top of burgers, and I also think it would make a terrific dip for Holiday gatherings.

Makes: ½ cup

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

1 bunch arugula, rough chopped

¼ cup walnuts, toasted

2 cloves garlic

¼ cup Parmesan Cheese

¼ cup olive oil

Salt and pepper

Throw everything besides olive oil in food processor. Process while adding olive oil, until desired consistency is reached. You may also add some lemon zest or lemon juice for extra brightness. Season with salt and pepper.

Farm Box- Pick up today!

2011-02-16T15:33:00.000-08:00

Don't forget today is pick up for Farm Box from 5-6:30. I also have a few dozen fresh eggs available on a first come first serve basis. They are $5 a dozen.

See you tonight!

This week's box contains:

Radish, Arugula, Lettuce, Scallions, Artichokes, Apples, Navel Orange, Satsuma

Rutiz Family Farms

2011-02-14T15:29:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Aliye from beachgreens for introducing me to Jerry Rutiz from Rutiz Family Farms. Jerry and his wife Maureen are farming the right way and I am proud to have met them. They are the other 1/2 of our Farm Box. If we can't grow it ourselves we get it from them. Thanks Jerry!

Aliye and I went on a little field trip to visit the farm, enjoy the pictures.

Sesame Kale

2011-02-11T16:36:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the Heirloom Gardener for this recipe. Click on the image for it to get bigger!

Sweet & Smooth Arugula Salad

2011-02-10T10:36:00.000-08:00

Wrigley Garden Volunteer Days on Hiatus

2011-02-04T09:13:00.000-08:00

Hello volunteers-
Thank you so much for logging countless hours at Wrigley Garden. I hope you have learned something by coming by on our Friday volunteer days. We had many school groups come for a tour, seed starting lessons, chicken 101, planting tips and on and on.

I am putting our volunteer days on hiatus. Some of you may know that I am expecting a baby in the next few months and its time to take it easy.

Thank you again for your interest and dedication to urban farming and community gardening. I'll let you know when we are open again for volunteers. Please keep checking the blog for recipes, what to do now in your own garden and updates for Farm Lot 59.

See you soon.
Happy Growing!
Sasha

February Happenings

2011-02-02T08:43:00.000-08:00

Hello Long Beach Locals-

I wanted to let you all know about our first work day at the farm. On Saturday, February 19th starting at 9am we will be cleaning up the site. Its not just cleaning up the farm but the entire gulch property. If you have not had the chance to come and check out the land this would be a great opportunity to do so. The clean up is being hosted by Cal Heights Clean Streets, 7th District Council Office and Litter Free Long Beach. Community hours will be signed for, tools and refreshments will be provided and two lucky volunteers will win tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Litter Free Long Beach will also be collecting tires and e-waste - if it has a cord attached, it’s e-waste, excluding large appliances. Please wear sturdy shoes and a hat. There is parking available along California Avenue as well as 28th Street.

Farm Box has been a huge success, especially after our write up in the LA Times. Our next pick up is tonight, Feb 2nd at Bella Cosa store in Bixby Knolls. I have changed the pick up hours to 5-6:30 as most people are coming after work and needed a later pick up.

Each box is $30, there are 2 pick ups in February so if possible its best to pay for both pick ups at the same time. Its a little easier for me to keep track of payment this way but if you would like to try it out first I completely understand. If its something you would like to continue with I ask everyone to bring payment with them when they pick up their last box for the month. For instance the last pick up in January was the 19th so most people paid for February on that pick up.

Each box is packed full or seasonal veggies, fruit and herbs. I am one of the farmers contributing to the boxes. Everything is grown organically or beyond organically and with ethical practices. Recipes are posted here on our site under the recipe section. If you are interested in signing up or have more questions please let me know.

This past week a few of us attended the Ecological Farming Conference in Pacific Grove, California. It was inspiring to be among my farming peers and other land stewards. I met with Michael O'Gorman from the Farmer Veteran Coalition and was able to hear more about the wonderful work they are doing. I hope to be working with them soon. People were amazed that we were farming in Long Beach and excited about the food shed we are creating. It was a great conference to attend and I feel inspired once again.

Thank you everyone for your efforts and hope to see you on the 19th.

Happy Growing!
Sasha Kanno
Executive Director, Long Beach Local

Write up in the California Heights Newsletter

2011-01-30T10:17:00.000-08:00

Thank you John and California Heights for the article in your newsletter and for organizing the clean up effort on February 19th. See you all there!

For the newsletter in its entirety please click here.

A Future for Willow Gulch?
Most of you have driven past Willow Gulch without giving it a glance. Why would you? From the street, there’s not much to see. Bounded by California, Orange, Spring and the cemetery along Willow, the 55 acre site is used primarily by Signal Hill Petroleum for access to oil wells and as a catch basin for 405 Freeway runoff. In 1933 it accommodated the rubble from hundreds of buildings that failed in the Long Beach earthquake, and more recently it was considered for the now defunct sports park, doomed by a lack of funding. The rusting Amerigas plant at Orange and Spring finally came
down last fall, and Sasha Kanno, of Wrigley Garden fame, is in the midst of cultivating a small urban farm on the site near 28th and California.
On December 11th, Councilmember Johnson invited active community members to tour the site, led by Larry Rich, City of Long Beach Sustainability Coordinator, who has been introducing locals to the history and future possibilities of Willow Gulch for the past several years. Once enveloped by the rolling nature of the property, we quickly lost sight of the city surrounding us and began to understand how the land could become a gem of an urban oasis where residents and visitors might escape the hustle and bustle of urban life. We learned that Willow Gulch got its name from a natural spring that ran to the LA River, lined the entire way with native willow trees. In fact, the area near the Willow Blue Line stop was home to a small farming community called Willowville, dubbed “Hicksville” by higher society Long Beach folks. To remove the stigma, the residents cut down the trees and eventually covered over the creek altogether. Today it lives on only in the names of Willow Avenue and Spring Street, where drivers speed by, oblivious to the history in their midst. The rolling topography and a steep hillside along the eastern edge that contains the second highest point in Long Beach were an expensive obstacle for the sports park. Uplifted by the Newport Inglewood fault, Willow Gulch rests along a chain of hills that stretch from Cal State Long Beach through Alamitos Heights and the inclines near PCH and Redondo, to Signal Hill, through Cal Heights and Bixby Knolls and off to Dominguez Hills. “Why flatten one of the most topographically interesting sites in our city?” asked Mr. Johnson. Limiting grading significantly reduces expenses while preserving the hills that lend shelter and unique character to our mostly flat cityscape.
We’ll keep you posted on progress for possible plans at Willow Gulch, where reduced activity has given rise to a young crop of willow trees already reestablishing themselves!
If you are interested in learning more, contact the 7th District Council Office at 570-7777.

Plan to join Cal Heights Clean Streets on February 19th as we dedicate our next quarterly
Saturday Clean Sweep to removing litter and debris here.Join Cal Heights Clean Streets for our quarterly Saturday Clean Sweep at Willow Gulch, with our 7th District Council Office and Litter Free Long Beach.
Volunteers will pick up litter and debris in and around the site. Community hours will be signed for, tools and refreshments will be provided and two lucky volunteers will win tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific!
Litter Free Long Beach will also be collecting tires and e-waste - if it has a cord attached, it’s e-waste, excluding large appliances.
To join the Clean Streets email list visit calheights.org, click on Clean Streets. Please wear sturdy shoes.
Parking will be limited so carpooling is recommended.

Roasted Parsnips with Mint and Sage

2011-01-29T11:02:00.000-08:00

More recipes from our Farm Box users, keep 'em coming! Its great to know how you guys are using your veggies.

Ingredients:
4 parsnips, peeled and cut into large
sticks
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon honey

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
Directions:
1. Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
2. Place the parsnips into a mixing bowl and toss with the olive oil. Sprinkle in the garlic, honey, salt, and black pepper to taste. Toss until evenly coated, and spread out evenly onto a baking sheet.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until the parsnips are tender, about 30 minutes. Scrape into a mixing bowl, and toss with the mint and sage.

Roasted Beets and Sweets

2011-01-29T11:01:00.000-08:00

Here is a recipe from one of our Farm Box users. Looks yummy, thanks for sharing!

Ingredients

* 6 medium beets, peeled and cut into chunks
* 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1 teaspoon sugar
* 3 medium sweet potatoes, cut into chunks
* 1 large sweet onion, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. In a bowl, toss the beets with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil to coat. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
3. Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sugar in a large resealable plastic bag. Place the sweet potatoes and onion in the bag. Seal bag, and shake to coat vegetables with the oil mixture.
4. Bake beets 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Mix sweet potato mixture with the beets on the baking sheet. Continue baking 45 minutes, stirring after 20 minutes, until all vegetables are tender.

No Work Day This Friday

2011-01-25T17:38:00.001-08:00

Hello Wrigley Garden volunteers-

No work day this Friday. I will be out of town attending the Ecological Farming Conference in Northern California. I hope to come back inspired and full of knowledge. See you next Friday.

Playground in Wrigley- Come help build it!!

2011-01-25T17:20:00.001-08:00

COME ONE, COME ALL TO BUILD DAY!
No prior experience needed!

WHEN: Saturday, February 12, 2011

TIME: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

WHERE: Wrigley Pocket Park (21st Street and Riverbed)
Located west of San Francisco Ave.

PURPOSE: To build a playground in ONE DAY and to build community bonds that will last a lifetime!

The KaBOOM! Vision: A great place to play within walking distance of every child in America

Good news! Foresters, non-profit organization KaBOOM!, the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance, and the City of Long Beach are joining together to provide the Wrigley neighborhood with a playground. We have a Build Day scheduled on Saturday, February 12, 2011 and we need the entire community involved because this playground will be built in just ONE day! No experience is necessary and food/drink will be provided. There are jobs for people of all ages (men, women and children) and abilities!

If you need more information or would like to volunteer to build, please contact Jill Hill at: jhill2075@verizon.net or 562-212-9397.

We look forward to seeing you on BUILD DAY!!

Farm Box

2011-01-19T19:38:00.000-08:00

Hello Farm Box-

Everyone seemed so happy today at the pick up. I'm so glad to see all your smiling faces.

I hope everyone has a great dinner tonight and gets inspired to cook something yummy. Please send me pictures or recipes and I'll post them for you.

Happy eating!!
-Sasha

This Weeks Farm Box and Recipes

2011-01-19T13:38:00.000-08:00

This week we are offering:

Kale
Spinach
Yam
Lettuce
Butternut Squash
Broccoli
Leeks
Parsley
Cilantro
Meyer Lemon
Avocado
Navel Oranges

Sweet Potato Chicken Curry
Adapted from: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001932650

Serves: 7
Preparation Time: 2 hours (good to prepare when you have an afternoon to cook and eat throughout the week!)

2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups vertically sliced onion
1 1/2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger (I used about ½ teaspoon powdered ginger)
2 garlic cloves, minced
14 oz. chicken broth
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups (1/2-inch) cubed peeled sweet potato
3/4 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained (I threw in the whole can)
1/2 cup frozen green peas (optional)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Combine curry powder, coriander, turmeric, salt, black pepper, red pepper, and bay leaf in a small bowl.
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan; sauté 5 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Remove chicken from pan. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion to pan; cook 10 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Increase heat to medium-high; return chicken to pan. Cook 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Stir in ginger and garlic; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add curry powder mixture; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add broth and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour. Stir in potato and chickpeas. Cook, uncovered, 30 minutes. Add peas; cook 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice. Discard bay leaf.

Sesame Spinach and Broccoli
Adapted From: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sesame-Spinach-and-Broccoli-101099#ixzz1BPyZqd9A

Serves: 2
Preparation Time: 20 minutes

1/2 bunch broccoli (about 1/2 pound)
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1 bunch spinach (about 1 pound)
2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil

Cut broccoli into 1-inch flowerets and cut stems lengthwise into 2 x 1/4-inch sticks. Mince garlic. In a dry 10-inch heavy skillet toast sesame seeds over moderate heat, stirring, until golden and transfer to a small bowl. In skillet heat vegetable oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook broccoli, garlic, and red pepper flakes, stirring occasionally, until broccoli is crisp-tender, about 7 minutes. Add spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and toss vegetables with sesame oil, seeds, and salt to taste.

Limoncello recipe

2011-01-16T14:17:00.000-08:00

Its citrus season, time to repost the limoncello recipe. This is one of the most requested recipes I have ever posted. You guys know a good thing when you see it. Last year I switched it up and added rosemary. It was also amazing but you can leave it out if you like.

Rosemary Limoncello

You can use any clean glass bottle, even the original vodka bottle as long as its glass. Cost Plus has some nice bottles with the swing top that also work well.

Please make and enjoy...

Rosemary Limoncello

10 lemons
One bunch rosemary sprig
1 bottle of vodka, I use Monopolowa from Trader Joe's it a great vodka for the price.
1/2 cups sugar

1. Juice lemons, strain and set aside.

2. Put rosemary in your jar.

2. In a saucepan, bring 1 cup water and 1 cup lemon juice to a boil and add sugar. Cook, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Let sugar syrup cool to room temperature. Add to jar.

3. Add syrup and remaining vodka to jar, seal container. Let sit in a cool, dark place for about 2 months. I put it on the calendar so I don't forget.

5. Serve chilled or over ice. So good.

New recipes posted

2011-01-05T18:55:00.001-08:00

This weeks recipes to go along with this weeks Farm Box. Thanks Aliye!

http://www.longbeachlocal.org/recipe

Organic or local?

2010-12-30T16:31:00.000-08:00

"Organic does not necessarily mean that the food was grown in an ecologically, energetically, or socially sustainable way." If you send it half way around the world before it is eaten, an organic food still may be "good" for the consumer, but it is "good" for the food system? Quoted from Joan Gussow, nutritionist. Exert taken from Coming Home to Eat by Gary Paul Nabhan

This raises a good point. Does everything we consume need to be organically grown? Can we trust the labels that have been slapped on the packing by the marketing team? Would you prefer it to be ethically grown, but not necessarily organic? Ethically including both a healthy environment for the workers and nature.

Just something to think about as the new year approaches. Where do you want to go with your food choices? Are you able to pay top dollar for Whole Foods pricing or are you willing and able to get dirty and grow it yourself? Do you know your farmer? Are you part of a CSA meat or veggie? Have you purchased a whole pig and stashed it in the freezer?

2010 was a great year. Wonderful things happened at Wrigley Garden, Farm Lot 59 got started, Farm Box is available for you to pick up, my family joined J&J Grassfed Beef CSA. We are eating eggs from our own chickens. The more people I meet the better I feel about our city. It seems everyone is trying to do right. I feel healthy and energized because of you. There are many ways for us to eat locally and responsibly and its not more expensive. It does require a little bit extra effort and taking time to make a meal but the payoff is totally worth it. You feel better about the choices you have made and the food you are feeding yourself and your family.

2011 is going to be awesome. Please share your sources and experiences with us. Where do you shop, what are you planning to grow this year? What was your favorite thing from last year? Its something to reflect on as 2010 is put to rest and 2011 is on the horizon. Thank you so much for being part of something wonderful

Happy New Year!

Farm Box- Next pick up January 5th

2010-12-27T13:42:00.000-08:00

Hello Long Beach Local-

Just a friendly reminder that Farm Box will be starting up again in January. If you are interested in subscribing here are the details.

Price: $30 flat rate price
Pick up days: Wednesdays
Location: Bella Cosa, 3803 Atlantic Ave in Bixby Knolls 90807

Payment for January is due by the 3rd for the pick up on the 5th. You can drop it off to me or mail it in. Please make check to:

Sasha Kanno
2076 Eucalyptus Ave
Long Beach, Ca 90806

I hope you all had a wonderful and feast filled holiday. See you on January 5th!

Happy Growing!
Sasha Kanno
Executive Director, Long Beach Local
562.230.7207
sashakanno@mac.com
http://wrigleygarden.org

Please join our mailing list: www.longbeachlocal.org

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/wrigley.garden?ref=name#!/pages/Farm-Lot-59/157161800972837
http://www.facebook.com/wrigley.garden?ref

Cooking Classes start again in February

2010-12-16T21:55:00.000-08:00

Perfect opportunity for you to learn how to use what is in your Farm Box and have a great dinner to boot! Last series was a ton of fun. Bring wine, some friends and make a meal. Aliye teaches knife skills and the smart way to break down your veggies. You get fed and inspired without having to work too hard. See you there!

Time
Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 7:00pm - Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 9:30pm
Location Culinary Enterprises: www.foodiscool.com
937 E. 27th St.
Signal Hill, CA
Created By
Aliye Aydin
More Info 5-class series: Thursdays, 7-9:30pm. February 10th, 17th, 24th, March 3rd, 10th.
$35 per class, or $175 for entire series.
Learn the basics of making delicious soups, salads and healthier delicious sodas at home!
Produce used will all be fresh, seasonal, from www.beachgreens.com
To sign up call 562-243-3099 or email monica@foodiscool.com

Farm Box- Pick up today!

2010-12-15T13:14:00.000-08:00

Hello good foodies!

Farm Box pick up is today. Our box is going to be filled with fresh harvested produce including the following:

-black kale
-beets
-parsnips
-lettuce
-carrots
-parsley
-persimmon
-satsumas
-apples

Seasonal recipes are posted our website www.longbeachlocal.org under recipes. Thanks to Aliye from beachgreens for the great looking goods and for the yummy recipes.

See you at 4 for your pick up.

If you have not signed up its not too late. You can start or stop at any time. Each box is $30 and are available for pick up in front of Bella Cosa on Wednesdays from 4-6. You must preorder so we know what to harvest for you. Today is the last pick up for December, we will resume again January 5th. If you need more information please email, call or search this blog under Farm Box.

Thanks-
Sasha

Hollywood Farmers Market needs our help. Write a letter!

2010-12-12T09:12:00.001-08:00

Action Alert: Save Hollywood Farmers Market

Action Alert: Hollywood Farmers Market Needs your help... We could lose a twenty year quality of life....

Dear Fellow Community Leaders,

As you may have learned, our flagship certified farmers' market, The Hollywood Farmers Market(HFM), no longer has a permit to continue operating. The city is withholding our permit renewal because the L.A. Film School wants the farmers situated south of Selma Ave. along Ivar Ave. (approx 50) to vacate the area so that they may have access to 120 rooftop parking spaces - on a day when they do not even hold classes. The farmers' market footprint is a complex ecosystem and one that took 20 years to develop. It cannot be easily reconfigured within the existing neighborhood without multiple ramifications, including the possibility of losing the Farmers' Market in its entirety, and inflicting serious losses to our non-profit that operates the HFM and other markets and educational programs in underserved areas of Los Angeles.

The HFM is not only important for Hollywood and the surrounding neighborhoods but also supports SEE-LA's small community markets we operate in neighborhoods such as Watts, South Central, Crenshaw/Baldwin Hills, Canoga Park, Echo Park and East Hollywood. These markets provide a safe environment for families to purchase fresh produce with funding such as SNAP/EBT (food stamps) & WIC and also bring food education classes to parent centers and schools in those areas.

I am asking that you, as influential community members and supporters of SEE-LA, send a letter of support to the authorities responsible for approving our pending permit. We are waiting to have a permit issued by the Department of Public Works/Bureau of street Services. I have attached a sample letter to be used as a template for your convenience. The letter should be on your organization letterhead and addressed to:

Honorable Eric Garcetti, President of the City CouncilCity of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Board of Public WorksCity Hall200 N. Spring St.Los Angeles 90012councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org

Andrea AlarconBoard of Public WorksDepartment of Public Works200 N. Spring StreetCity Hall, Rm 361Los Angeles 90012andrea.alarcon@lacity.org

City of LA - PW/Bureau of Street Services

Attn: David Rivera

Investigation & Enforcement Division

1149 S. Broadway, Suite 400

Los Angeles, CA 90015 david.rivera@lacity.org

Thank you all for your support. We will keep you updated on this issue.

Sample Letter You can use.
December 9, 2010

Honorable Eric Garcetti, President of the City Council

City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Board of Public Works

City Hall

200 N. Spring St.

Los Angeles 90012

 <org> </org></name> <address> RE: Hollywood Farmers’ Market Street Closure Permit Dear Council President Garcetti and Commissioners of the Board of Public Works: I am writing to express my support for the application for Special Event Street Closure currently under review by the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works, submitted by Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles (SEE-LA), the operator of the Hollywood Farmers’ Market I strongly urge the Board and Bureau of Street Services to issue the necessary permits to allow SEE-LA to continue operating the HFM as it has for the past 19 years. I believe the HFM is an important community event which brings many social, economic, and public health benefits to Hollywood, and hope that you will recognize the tremendous public support for this beloved Los Angeles institution by allowing it to continue to operate in its current layout, on the 1500 and 1600 blocks of Ivar Ave., the 6300 block of Selma Ave., and the 1600 block of Cosmo Street in Hollywood. Thank you for your consideration. Please feel free to contact me at <phone email="" or=""> to discuss this issue of great concern to us and many other loyal Hollywood Farmers’ Market supporters. Sincerely, <name> <title>

Here is the location of the word document...

http://www.zumodrive.com/share/8VjdMmZiM2

Farm Box

2010-12-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone for participating in Farm Box. The excitement on everyone's faces was wonderful. If you have recipes to share or pictures to post of the meals you make please share them. I'll post them for everyone to drool over.

If you have not signed up and are interested please let me know. We are currently on a biweekly schedule, next pick up is December 15th. I should receive payment by the 13th. Then we are off for the holidays and start again January 5th.

Thanks for supporting local agriculture.
-Sasha

Cyclists need somewhere to camp...

2010-11-30T02:14:00.000-08:00

Hello Long Beach Local's-

I received this email from Charlotte and Ned. They will be in the LB area by the end of the week and are looking for somewhere to camp. Any suggestions?

Hi Sasha

My boyfriend Ned and I are currently cycling down the West Coast visiting farms and food projects on the way, blogging as we go - www.cropcycle.org.
We came across your project through the Greenhorns and thought it would be interesting to visit if at all possible. We will be cycling right through Long Beach and will probably be there in a couple of weeks. Would it be possible to stop by? We could even volunteer if you have anything for us to do! We're very interested in urban food projects, and have seen some really great projects on our trip. As we might return to England and set up something urban ourselves it would be great to meet you.

We look forward to hearing from you.
Charlotte and Ned

Farm Box- New program with a Wednesday pick up in Bixby Knolls

2010-11-22T08:00:00.001-08:00

Farm boxes are a slightly different size than their regular home delivery boxes and cannot be modified but you will receive 7 different types of vegetables, 2 herbs, and 2-3 different types of fruit. Only the freshest in-season produce will be harvested and packed for you. Farm boxes are $30 per week and can be ordered weekly or biweekly with a monthly commitment.
Local farming makes it possible to distribute fresh and pesticide‐free produce to local consumers. The consumer who buys ethically and responsibly farmed products is considered more nutritious because of their freshness. We are providing healthy fresh food for you and your family. The vision of eating well and living healthy lives is possible and easy with our Farm Box. You are helping build a sustainable community and promoting food security for our children and us. Thank you for supporting farm fresh produce.
If you would like to sign up please email sashakanno@mac.com or call 562.230.7207. You can also visit our website www.longbeachlocal.org and join the CSA mailing list

Thank you!

2010-11-22T07:55:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful weekend I had.

Starting on Thursday at The Growing Experience I was invited to come and share with the kids. We made toilet paper roll pots for them to take home, seeded and labeled ready to sprout. It was wonderful being out at the farm with Jimmy and the gang. I loved it. Thanks to Micky for putting it on and to Jimmy for keeping the farm alive.

Friday was a great workday at the Wrigley Garden. Thank you everyone who came to pull weeds, move the mural and get the garden looking good for Saturday.

Saturday was the big tree planting event. Thank you Wrigley is Going Green for writing the grant that enabled us to plant 60 trees in the neighborhood. It looks amazing and I can't wait until they all flower. Thank you Lisa for my beautiful mural, I love it. And thanks to Erica for designing my logo that will live on forever.

Sunday was Patchwork. Beautiful handmade crafts and cupcakes from Shortnin Bread followed by our Harvest Dinner at the Infinite. Thank you Tonya and Aliye for inviting me to participate with you in this event. It was beautiful to be part of on the planning side as well as the eating side. The food was amazing, it restored my faith in Long Beach as a place where people make food. I was starting to wonder.

Thanks for all the support with our work. We are working for a better Long Beach through food, farming and everything in between. We appreciate all of you for what you are doing to be part of the progress.

Lots of love and appreciation to you all.

Local Harvest Dinner at The Infinite

2010-11-20T12:18:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow. Go enjoy Patchwork and grab some treats then we will see you for dinner.

November 21st 6:30-8:30 Local Harvest Dinner at The Infinite, 517 Pine Ave, Long Beach. Join local community gardeners, farmers, organic produce providers & chefs around the table. Learn where your food comes from, who is growing it and why. We will share a communal meal, give thanks to those who bring us nourishing food and meet new friends. Bring a vegetarian dish to share (6-8 people). In addition we will have a trading post to exchange products & produce from your Fall Harvest's surplus. Be Green: Please bring your own place setting (plate, cup, napkin, utensils)

Tree Planting- Tomorrow!!

2010-11-19T08:35:00.001-08:00

November 20th 9-? Tree planting at Wrigley Garden!! Please join us for the unveiling of the garden mural and planting of 60 trees. All volunteers will be entered into a raffle to win four turkey dinners, just in time for Thanksgiving, provided by the Wrigley Albertsons on Willow Street. Shovels and gloves will be provided. Students who volunteer will receive credit for community service hours.
Thanks to Wrigley is Going Green and the Neighborhood Partners Program for doing this for Wrigley Garden and the Henderson neighborhood. The trees will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood which has been seeing vast improvement since the Wrigley Garden. For more information please email wrigleyisgoinggreen@hotmail.com, check out our facebook event page http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=160752220614305,

Big week

2010-11-14T15:35:00.000-08:00

Hello gardeners-

This week is jam packed with action. Thursday I will be at the Growing Experience doing a seed starting demo and hanging out at the farm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Click on the link to get more information and directions. I am still taking donations for toilet paper rolls and newspapers. Let me know if you have some to donate.

Friday is a work day at Wrigley Garden to finish getting ready for Saturday. On Friday we will be prepping and installing the mural and cleaning up for the big event. Hours are 9 until we finish.

Saturday is the big day! Wrigley is Going Green will be planting 60 trees in the neighborhood. We will have donated items to share, seeds and seedlings for sale. Its a great day to come out and volunteer and make some friends. Its always a nice day in the garden. Just bring your smiles, gloves, shovels and everything else will be provided. Hours are 9 until we finish getting them all in the ground and watered.

Sunday is our potluck at the Infinite. 517 Pine Ave, Sunday, November 21st, 6:30 – 8:30pm. This should be fun and casual. Come down, bring a dish to share and meet some folks.

See you this weekend around Long Beach.
-Sasha

Tree Planting pre-dig

2010-11-08T10:25:00.001-08:00

We will also be doing a pre-dig this Wednesday if you are available to help out we would love to have you.

Hello Tree Fans,

In just two short weeks we'll be unveiling the mural by local artist Lisa Wibroe and planting 60 trees in the neighborhood around the Wrigley Garden on Henderson Avenue.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. on November 20 at the Wrigley Garden, which is located at 1950 Henderson Avenue, Long Beach CA 90806. See attached Map.

As a bonus for helping us out, all of our volunteers will be entered into a raffle to win 4 turkey dinners provided by the Wrigley Albertsons on Willow Street, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Students who volunteer will receive credit for community service hours. ** Attention students: Please bring your paperwork.

This event is made possible by the Neighborhood Partners Program, many local businesses: Albertsons, El Paisano Market, Northgate Supermarket, Shortnin Bread, Starbucks, and Walgreens, plus all our wonderful volunteers, including Councilmember Dee Andrews of the 6th district.

As always, we look forward to seeing you on November 20 to continue to help this neighborhood blossom.

Best,
Mauna Eichner, and Lee Fukui

Farm Box- New program with a Wednesday pick up in Bixby Knolls

2010-11-03T18:28:00.000-07:00

Long Beach Local in conjunction with beachgreens, a local Long Beach based business, would like to invite you to join our farm box program. beachgreens delivers locally and organically grown produce direct from the farmer to our drop off point at Bella Cosa located at 3803 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807. Pick up day is Wednesday between the hours of 4-6pm.
Farm boxes are a slightly different size than their regular home delivery boxes and cannot be modified but you will receive 7 different types of vegetables, 2 herbs, and 2-3 different types of fruit. Only the freshest in-season produce will be harvested and packed for you. Farm boxes are $30 per week and can be ordered weekly or biweekly with a monthly commitment.
Local farming makes it possible to distribute fresh and pesticide‐free produce to local consumers. The consumer who buys ethically and responsibly farmed products is considered more nutritious because of their freshness. We are providing healthy fresh food for you and your family. The vision of eating well and living healthy lives is possible and easy with our Farm Box. You are helping build a sustainable community and promoting food security for our children and us. Thank you for supporting farm fresh produce.
If you would like to sign up please email sashakanno@mac.com or call 562.230.7207. You can also visit our website www.longbeachlocal.org and join the CSA mailing list.

November calendar and Farm Box!!

2010-11-02T17:24:00.001-07:00

Hello Long Beach Local-

I hope fall is treating you well. This Indian summer sure is good for sweetening up our fall crops. They love a little heat before the cooler nights set in.

Thank you to the LA Community Garden Council for the wonderful Halloween event last weekend. Wrigley Garden was there representing Long Beach. It was great to see all the people out in costume supporting gardening and living well. Pictures are up on our facebook page.

Few things coming up this month:
Wrigley Garden is located @ 1950 Henderson Ave, Long Beach 90806

November 10th 9:30-12 We will be doing a pre-dig for our tree planting event on November 20th. Please meet at Wrigley Garden if you are available to help out.
November 19th 9:30-? We will be finishing up our pre-dig and getting the mural in place for the unveiling.
November 20th 9-? Tree planting at Wrigley Garden!! Please join us for the unveiling of the garden mural and planting of 60 trees. All volunteers will be entered into a raffle to win four turkey dinners, just in time for Thanksgiving, provided by the Wrigley Albertsons on Willow Street. Shovels and gloves will be provided. Students who volunteer will receive credit for community service hours.
Thanks to Wrigley is Going Green and the Neighborhood Partners Program for doing this for Wrigley Garden and the Henderson neighborhood. The trees will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood which has been seeing vast improvement since the Wrigley Garden. For more information please email wrigleyisgoinggreen@hotmail.com, check out our facebook event page http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=160752220614305,
November 21st 6:30-8:30 Local Harvest Dinner at The Infinite, 517 Pine Ave, Long Beach. Join local community gardeners, farmers, organic produce providers & chefs around the table. Learn where your food comes from, who is growing it and why. We will share a communal meal, give thanks to those who bring us nourishing food and meet new friends. Bring a vegetarian dish to share (6-8 people). In addition we will have a trading post to exchange products & produce from your Fall Harvest's surplus. Be Green: Please bring your own place setting (plate, cup, napkin, utensils)

And lastly I am excited to announce our Farm Box!!
Long Beach Local in conjunction with beachgreens, a local Long Beach based business, would like to invite you to join our farm box program. beachgreens delivers locally and organically grown produce direct from the farmer to our drop off point at Bella Cosa located at 3803 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807. Pick up day is Wednesday between the hours of 4-6pm.
Farm boxes are a slightly different size than their regular home delivery boxes and cannot be modified but you will receive 7 different types of vegetables, 2 herbs, and 2-3 different types of fruit. Only the freshest in-season produce will be harvested and packed for you. Farm boxes are $30 per week and can be ordered weekly or biweekly with a monthly commitment.
Local farming makes it possible to distribute fresh and pesticide‐free produce to local consumers. The consumer who buys ethically and responsibly farmed products is considered more nutritious because of their freshness. We are providing healthy fresh food for you and your family. The vision of eating well and living healthy lives is possible and easy with our Farm Box. You are helping build a sustainable community and promoting food security for our children and us. Thank you for supporting farm fresh produce.
If you would like to sign up please email sashakanno@mac.com or call 562.230.7207. You can also visit our website www.longbeachlocal.org and join the CSA mailing list.

Thank you for everything you are doing to help us make Long Beach a sustainable city. See you around town!

Happy Growing!
Sasha Kanno
Executive Director, Long Beach Local
562.230.7207
sashakanno@mac.com
http://wrigleygarden.org

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/wrigley.garden?ref=name#!/pages/Farm-Lot-59/157161800972837
http://www.facebook.com/wrigley.garden?ref=name

Cooking classes this Thursday with Aliye from beachgreens.

2010-11-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

I have attended the first 2 in the series and the meal alone is worth the price. You can bring your own wine and some friends, its a good time had by all.

The first 2 classes were 'breakfast' and 'lunch'. There are 3 classes left each class is a different menu. This week we are making 'dinner'.

I am a pretty good cook and I am inspired. I'm making her Turkish Green Beans tonight for dinner. The classes are great if you are a novice or just looking for some new ideas. All ingredients are freshly harvested and picked up from the farmers the day before class.

You can come to one class or purchase the remainder of the series. Hope to see you there.

Please contact her directly if you are interested in attending. The classes will be held at Culinary Enterprises at 927 E. 27^th St., in Signal Hill. For more details, and to sign up, go to: www.foodiscool.com.

Remaining classes will be held; Nov 4, Nov 11, and Nov 18. Classes are $35.00 individually.

Menu to include: (subject to change)

Class 3: Dinner

Paprika Laced Roasted Cauliflower

Saucy Chicken and Chard

Beet & Carrot Salad with Cumin Vinaigrette

Class 4: Baking

Tomato Tart

Apple Bake with Cheese

Broccoli Gratin

Class 5: Dessert

Inside-Out Carrot Cake Cookies with Carrot Cream Cheese Frosting

Homemade Fruit Soda

Avocado Ice Cream

Happy Halloween- Event this Sunday!

2010-10-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's a Halloween/Dia de los Muertos event! The Haunted Picnic will celebrate the fall bounty with a farmer-grilled carne asada buffet with garden-grown veggies.

This harvest event will boast:
-- live gypsy jazz music from AK & her Kalishnikovs (aka Alissa Kueker of RocknRoll CG),
--two hours of Latin American entertainment with a standup comic, mariachi and folklorico dancers.
--a Dios de los Muertos altar created by Alex Alfarov (of Fountain AvenueCG and formerly of Self-Help Graphics)
--a kid-powered sand sculpture (led by Emilio Casillas),
--a garden swap (organized by Milli Macen-Moore of Milagro Allegro CG)
--lots of ghouls, zombies, vampires and witches.

The LA community Garden Council hopes you will have a table display for your garden.
You can use this as a fundraising opportunity for your garden--sell plants and seeds, bake goods, whatever you like. If you can complement our theme of the Haunted Picnic with a Halloween/Dia de los Muertos flavor at your table, that would be tremendous!

We will provide the tables which will be located in the Haunted Picnic's Garden Resource area. Please drop us a note at: mareaucontraire@yahoo.com or leave a message at (323) 666 2137.

Please share this scary news with your friends; feel free to post the attached flyer in your garden or on a bulletin board.

WHAT: HAUNTED PICNIC!

WHO: MONSTER gardeners, community gardeners and wait listers, guerilla gardeners, backyard farmers, hungry ghosts, and friends of urban agriculture

WHEN: Sunday Oct. 31st, 11am to 4pm

WHERE: Stanford-Avalon Community Garden
658 E. 111th Place, LA 90059.

The Stanford Avalon Community Garden is a 9-acre garden was founded in Watts in 2006, with nearly 200 families, most of whom came from South Central Farms at 41st and Alameda.

Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes and bring their families. This event is FREE to all; suggested donation: $10.

Plants and seeds available for you!

2010-10-20T10:49:00.000-07:00

Hello gardeners-

Here is a list of what's available right now for your fall garden. Our greenhouse is filling up so come on down and check it out. Hours are Fridays from 9-12 we are also going to be selling at our tree planting event on November 20th. If those hours do not work for you give email me and we can work something out.

Prices: $3 4x4
$7 6-pack
Seeds: $2.50 pack

All varieties are heirloom started by me at the Wrigley Garden.

Russian Kale
Parsley
Red Malabar Spinach
Chinese Kale
Broccoli
Green Leaf Gailan Chinese Broccoli
White Venia Kohlrabi
Tatsoi
Cour Di Bue Cabbage
Purple Sprouting Broccoli
Romanseco Broccoli

November 20th, put it on the calendar!

2010-10-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

Wrigley Garden is the place to be on November 20th. We will be planting trees for our neighbors, having a fall/ winter plant sale and our Baker Creek Seeds will be available for sale.

Come on down!

All of our volunteers will be entered into a raffle to win 4 turkey dinners provided by the Wrigley Albertsons on Willow Street.

Students who volunteer can receive credit for community service hours.

In addition to planting trees, we will be unveiling the Wrigley Garden mural created by our very own local artist Lisa Wibroe. This was also a part of our grant from the Neighborhood Partners Program.

Many local businesses are supporting this event: Albertsons, El Paisano Market, Northgate Supermarket, Shortnin Bread, Starbucks, and Walgreens. More will be joining soon!

We look forward to seeing all of you on November 20 to continue to help this neighborhood blossom.

Best,
Mauna Eichner, and Lee Fukui
Wrigley is Going Green!

Aliye from Beachgreens is hosting cooking classes...

2010-10-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

Please contact her directly if you are interested in attending. Should be super fun and the menu looks amazing.

Get ready to be inspired in the kitchen! I will be teaching a 5-part cooking class series this fall. Are you “trying to incorporate more vegetables into your diet but had bad memories of boiled beets as a kid?”

Classes will be held on Oct 21, Oct 28, Nov 4, Nov 11, and Nov 18. Classes are $175.00 for the entire series or $35.00 individually.

The classes will be held at Culinary Enterprises at 927 E. 27^th St., in Signal Hill. For more details, and to sign up, go to: www.foodiscool.com.

Menu to include: (subject to change)

Class 1: Breakfast

Baked Eggs with Kale and Bacon

Potato and Zucchini Fritters

Strawberry and Mint Salad with Feta Cheese

Class 2: Lunch

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette

Turkish Style Braised Green Beans

Chamomile Cordial

Class 3: Dinner

Paprika Laced Roasted Cauliflower

Saucy Chicken and Chard

Beet & Carrot Salad with Cumin Vinaigrette

Class 4: Baking

Tomato Tart

Apple Bake with Cheese

Broccoli Gratin

Class 5: Dessert

Inside-Out Carrot Cake Cookies with Carrot Cream Cheese Frosting

Homemade Fruit Soda

Avocado Ice Cream

LA Community Garden Council wants us!!

2010-10-12T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hello gardeners-

We have been personally been invited by the board of the LA Community Garden Council to participate in their upcoming event. I would love to go and represent Wrigley Garden and Farm Lot 59 but I cannot do it alone. If any of you are interesting in participating please let me know. It seems like a really fun event. We can go and promote our garden as well as sell seeds, jam, produce and other items to help raise much needed funds for the garden.

Please let me know if you are interested in helping out. See information below my signature.

Happy Growing!
Sasha Kanno
Executive Director, Long Beach Local
562.230.7207
sashakanno@mac.com
http://wrigleygarden.org

Please join our mailing list: www.longbeachlocal.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wrigley.garden?ref=name

Yes, it's a Halloween/Dia de los Muertos event! The Haunted Picnic will celebrate the fall bounty with a farmer-grilled carne asada buffet with garden-grown veggies.

This harvest event will boast:
-- live gypsy jazz music from AK & her Kalishnikovs (aka Alissa Kueker of RocknRoll CG),
--two hours of Latin American entertainment with a standup comic, mariachi and folklorico dancers.
--a Dios de los Muertos altar created by Alex Alfarov (of Fountain AvenueCG and formerly of Self-Help Graphics)
--a kid-powered sand sculpture (led by Emilio Casillas),
--a garden swap (organized by Milli Macen-Moore of Milagro Allegro CG)
--lots of ghouls, zombies, vampires and witches.

The LA community Garden Council hopes you will have a table display for your garden.
You can use this as a fundraising opportunity for your garden--sell plants and seeds, bake goods, whatever you like. If you can complement our theme of the Haunted Picnic with a Halloween/Dia de los Muertos flavor at your table, that would be tremendous!

We will provide the tables which will be located in the Haunted Picnic's Garden Resource area. Please drop us a note at: mareaucontraire@yahoo.com or leave a message at (323) 666 2137.

Please share this scary news with your friends; feel free to post the attached flyer in your garden or on a bulletin board.

WHAT: HAUNTED PICNIC!

WHO: MONSTER gardeners, community gardeners and wait listers, guerilla gardeners, backyard farmers, hungry ghosts, and friends of urban agriculture

WHEN: Sunday Oct. 31st, 11am to 4pm

WHERE: Stanford-Avalon Community Garden
658 E. 111th Place, LA 90059.

The Stanford Avalon Community Garden is a 9-acre garden was founded in Watts in 2006, with nearly 200 families, most of whom came from South Central Farms at 41st and Alameda.

Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes and bring their families. This event is FREE to all; suggested donation: $10.

Tree planting November 20th.

2010-10-11T18:47:00.000-07:00

Hello Tree Fans,

As we told you in our last email, Wrigley is Going Green has been awarded a grant from the Neighborhood Partners Program to plant 60 trees on the streets around the Wrigley Garden on Henderson Avenue.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. on November 20 at the Wrigley Garden which is located at 1950 Henderson Avenue.

All of our volunteers will be entered into a raffle to win 4 turkey dinners provided by the Wrigley Albertsons on Willow Street.

Students who volunteer can receive credit for community service hours.

In addition to planting trees, we will be unveiling the Wrigley Garden mural created by our very own local artist Lisa Wibroe. This was also a part of our grant from the Neighborhood Partners Program.

Many local businesses are supporting this event: Albertsons, El Paisano Market, Northgate Supermarket, Shortnin Bread, Starbucks, and Walgreens. More will be joining soon!

We look forward to seeing all of you on November 20 to continue to help this neighborhood blossom.

Best,
Mauna Eichner, and Lee Fukui
Wrigley is Going Green!

CSA Farm Boxes

2010-10-08T16:13:00.000-07:00

Hello good foodies-

I'm sure you heard about the closing of the Sunday Farmers Market in California Heights. Due to high overhead and lack of participation the weekly market is no more. Not to say something else wont be happening in the future but for now you can visit the Thursday FM in North LB or check Local Harvest.org to find a market near you.

The same thing goes for the Farm Stand at Wrigley Garden. Due to lack of participation I am no longer opening the Farm Stand on Friday's. I will however will still be offering fresh produce in the form of a CSA box. Boxes start at $10 and are packed with what's in season. Sorry that at this time I cannot hand pick the box for you, its simply what is available that week. You can add on hand tied flowers or purchase additional items when you come to pick up your box.

We will be starting this Friday October 15th. Please email me @ sashakanno@mac.com if you are interested. The pick up time can vary depending on your availability. I am there from 9-12 so mornings are better but if that does not work for you we can work something out.

Thanks for doing your part to support local agriculture.

-Sasha

The Daily Danny: Beauty All Around

2010-10-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Daily Danny: Beauty All Around

Yay for rain!

2010-10-04T19:28:00.001-07:00

What a sweet relief from the record breaking heat wave that killed all my peas last week. This rain is much needed in may ways. Its washing off all the dirty city crap we have all over our house and everything else and also putting some much needed water back into the ground water. For those of you who installed rain barrels this summer, you win! I'm still gutter-less so no barrels for me. Maybe next year. We will put some at the farm as soon as we have some buildings to collect with.

Let us know what you have planned for your fall garden. Any interesting varieties we should know about?

No Farm Stand Tomorrow

2010-09-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

Hello gardeners-

Tomorrow, Friday the 30th we will be working at the garden from 9-12 then calling it a day. If you need volunteer hours or just want to come by please do.

First Fridays is also tomorrow night http://www.firstfridayslongbeach.com/ and also this weekend is the Studio Tour, http://lbopenstudiotour.com/ hope to see you around town this weekend.

Thanks,
Sasha

Stay Cool Long Beach

2010-09-27T14:53:00.001-07:00

For my farmer friends with chickies. Please make sure they have lots
and lots of water. If you can spray down the coop and the run. Keep
those chickies cool!

Thank you,
Sasha Kanno

Farm Stand-cancelled

2010-09-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks, I have to leave the garden. See you next time...

Thank you,
Sasha Kanno
562.230.7207

Farm Stand Friday- tomorrow

2010-09-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow please come to Wrigley Garden. Our Farm Stand will be open from 2-5.

Available this week:
Heirloom tomatoes- Cream Sausage, Green Grape and the favorite Hawaiian Pineapple
White long eggplant
Variety of chillies and peppers
Variety of herb's
Swiss Chard
Kale
Sorrel

Fresh eggs $5 doz
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds- Fall seeds available and summer seeds on sale!
Hand tied flower arrangements starting at $5.

Everything is grown beyond organically and with lots of love.

See you tomorrow at the Farm Stand!
-Sasha Kanno

Beachgreens event at SIP

2010-09-21T20:04:00.000-07:00

Come join us at SIP for a Beachgreens event. I'll be there, supporting local agriculture and enjoying some wonderful treats.

Thursday October 7, 2010 from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm.

Enjoy "The Flavors of Fall Seasonal Eating Event" on the beautiful outdoor deck of the SIP Lounge at the Hotel Renaissance at 111 E. Ocean Blvd., in Long Beach 90802.For just $15.00 per person in advance ($17.00 at the door) participants will enjoy three unique, freshly prepared seasonal menu items and one special seasonal complimentary cocktail.
Participants will also enjoy SIP's happy hour prices throughout the duration of the event for other food and beverages ordered.

"The Flavors of Fall" was created by friends and mutual seasonal foodie experts Aliye Aydin of the local organic and sustainably grown farm to door delivery service beachgreens, and Chef Michael Poompan of SIP Lounge.

The evening will showcase both the bounty and variety of sustainably grown local produce offered by beachgreens delivery service and the seasonal creativity of the SIP Lounge.

"The Flavors of Fall Seasonal Eating Event" will also have a short presentation about the importance of seasonal and sustainable eating and opportunities for that here in the local Long Beach area.

The evening's menu will include:
-Red butter lettuce wraps with Asian pear, persimmon, mint, chile and duck confit
-Roasted winter squash, golden raisin and maple vinaigrette, pecans
-Individual plate with roasted beets and radishes in goat butter
-Perfectly Plum Sparkling Wine cocktail

To Order Tickets Click Here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/128337

Farm Stand is open!!

2010-09-17T13:47:00.000-07:00

Come on down to Wrigley Garden at 1950 Henderson ave and pick up some
fresh produce. Open till 5.

Farm Stand Friday- tomorrow

2010-09-16T20:13:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow please come to Wrigley Garden. Our Farm Stand will be open from 2-5.

Available this week:
Heirloom tomatoes- Cream Sausage, Green Grape and the favorite Hawaiian Pineapple
White long eggplant
Variety of chillies and peppers
Variety of herb's
Swiss Chard
Kale
White cucumbers - great for pickles!
Sorrel

Fresh eggs $5 doz
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds- Fall seeds available and summer seeds on sale!
Hand tied flower arrangements starting at $5.

Everything is grown beyond organically and with lots of love.

See you tomorrow at the Farm Stand!
-Sasha Kanno

What to do in your garden now.

2010-09-13T09:14:00.000-07:00

Well folks that's a wrap on summer. Well, almost anyway. I'm not ripping out my heirloom tomatoes just yet and I do have a second planting of cucumbers that are just starting to flower but its time to think about fall.

Now is the time for you to be planning and prepping your beds for your next round of crops. Whether you grow edibles or ornamental I could guess that all the beds could use a fresh load of mulch. You want to make sure you get this done before the rain's come. I'm being optimistic about the rain. I know it wont happen for a while yet but I do know that it will happen. The weather has been so nice these last few weekends that a little shoveling will hardly make you break a sweat.

If you are in the need for mulch and don't know where to get it. We have some at Wrigley Garden! For a small donation you can fill up your buckets or truck bed. Just give me a shout and we can work something out. Once we get rolling on Farm Lot 59 there will be a much bigger mulching operation but for now we can fulfill those mulching needs at WG.

If you plant bulbs now is the time to make those orders and get ready to put them in the ground. I just leave mine in the ground all year. I cannot wait until my lilies, daffodils, astilbe, and paperwhites come popping up in the spring. Maybe this year I'll try something new. Lilies do so well here, maybe I'll try a new variety.

If you have an edible garden bed now is the time to get excited. Now that Tomato mania is winding now its time to think about asian greens, root crops and lettuces. If you have the time and space you could plant a cover crop it couldn't hurt to buy a little soil testing kit so you know exactly what cover crop would suit you best. Another cheaper method is to collect your yard clippings. I leave a bin outside and all the neighborhood yard guys leave me their grass clipping. These clippings are an excellent source of nitrogen and most likely free.

If you are not into growing food get out and enjoy the farmers market. Squashes and gourds are beginning to arrive. Figs and pears are in season for a short time and soon fresh apples will be back.

So get out there, do some gardening, grow, eat some beautiful produce and support local business and agriculture when ever possible.

Thanks so much-
Sasha

Heirloom Tomatoes

2010-09-10T11:52:00.000-07:00

Purple calabash and tappy's heritage. The summer is winding down, come
get some of the last batches of 'maters.

Farm Stand open today from 2-5 @ Wrigley Garden. 1950 Henderson Ave,
90806

Farm Stand Friday- tomorrow

2010-09-09T17:47:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow please come to Wrigley Garden. Our Farm Stand will be open from 2-5.

This summer has been crazy with the wacky weather. Cool mornings and a lingering marine layer made for unpredictable produce. We were lucky to get in early though and my pantry is packed with winter squash and pumpkins. Time to make some pie fillings and stuff the freezer.

Available this week:
Heirloom tomatoes- Cream Sausage, Green Grape and the favorite Hawaiian Pineapple
White long eggplant
Variety of chillies and peppers
Variety of herb's
Swiss Chard
Kale
White cucumbers - great for pickles!
Sorrel

Fresh eggs $5 doz - only a few available

I have been working hard in the greenhouse to get that fall crop ready to go in the ground. We have already started beets, purple sprouting broccoli, rapini, asian greens and lots more salad varieties. Let me know if there is something you are craving and maybe I can grow it for you.

See you tomorrow at the Farm Stand!
-Sasha Kanno

There is a young man who needs our help.

2010-09-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

Hello gardeners and friends-

This is totally off topic from gardening and the usual stuff I post about but its worth mentioning. Over the last month or so I have noticed a young black man parked outside our house. He just sits in his car in the evening and uses his little notebook computer. I have called the police a number of times asking him to move on but he always comes back. So either he knows someone who lives on the block or something. He must have his paperwork in order because he has not had his car towed or repossessed.

Last night I asked my husband to go out there and speak with him. Turns out his name is Alan and he is homeless. Young black male in his 20's. He did not get all the details as to why he is living in his car but it really made us sad.

When The Husband walked up to his car he was stealing the internet from a neighbor but he had job application sites open for Walmart. I'm not sure if we will see Alan again or if he has moved on for good but if there is anything you folks can suggest for him please let me know.

I know of Operation Hope at the UBOC on Atlantic but they might just let you use the computers for free. I'm not sure if they do job placement or training. If you know of any programs or job seeking strategy please let me know.

Thank you-
Sasha

Farm Stand - open!!

2010-09-03T12:45:00.000-07:00

Farm Stand Friday- tomorrow

2010-09-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

Hello good foodies-

Tomorrow Wrigley Garden Farm Stand will be open from 2-5. If you are interested in volunteering please email or call. I would appreciate the help. I will be there from 9-1 harvesting and prepping. If you would like me to set aside a farm box for you please also let me know. Prices start at $10 and can go up depending on the add ons.

Almost everything I grown is an heirloom variety, everything is grown beyond organic, no spray, no chemicals only love.

Crops in season next week:

Heirloom tomatoes- many varieties
Burgundy and green okra
Salad mix
Herb bundles
Hand tied flower arrangements with homegrown flowers

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds summer seeds are on sale for $2.00 and the fall selection are $2.50

Farm to Table at the Growing Experience

2010-08-31T20:30:00.001-07:00

Farm to Table Dinner in Long Beach at our neighbor farm The Growing Experience.

Please come out to support local agriculture along with our wonderfully talented chef friends. The Growing Experience is a gem of a farm located in North Long Beach. Farmer Jimmy provides The Factory restaurant and Beachgreens Farm to Door Delivery with beautifully grown produce.
Jimmy along with Chef Paul, Chef Michael and my favorite pastry Chef Justina for a night of beautiful food in what can only be an amazing setting. Please join us in our local food movement. Your dollars speak numbers on events like this. If you come out for this one there are certain to be more. Can you imagine it? Birthdays, holidays everything spent on our growing grounds. These farms are your farms, these chefs are your chefs. We do it all for you. Please reserve your tickets soon. Post and repost its only a success if you make it one.

Its a carrot?

2010-08-30T12:15:00.000-07:00

Its a carrot, no its a bike rack. Its a carrot bike rack!! Thank you public works. It took about a year but it was worth the wait.

Kickstarter

2010-08-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

2 more hours on Kickstarter. Thank you to all my Backers, thank you Kickstarer. You are all amazing!!

Happy Growing!
Sasha Kanno
Executive Director, Long Beach Local
sashakanno@mac.com
www.longbeachlocal.org
http://wrigleygarden.org

http://www.facebook.com/wrigley.garden?ref=name

Farm Stand Friday at Wrigley Garden

2010-08-27T20:02:00.000-07:00

Thank you everyone who came to support local agriculture at the Wrigley Garden. Today was great fun. Next Friday we will do it all again.

Almost everything I grown is an heirloom variety, everything is grown beyond organic, no spray, no chemicals only love.

Crops in season next week:

Fresh heirloom tomatoes
Burgundy okra
Salad mix
Cucumbers
Bell peppers,
Free range eggs
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Hand tied flower arrangements, fresh from the garden.

See you next Friday.
-Sasha

Free Piano and you?

2010-08-27T07:25:00.000-07:00

GONE! - Free Honky Tonk Piano (Long Beach)

View the ad on Craigslist
Date: 2010-08-26, 4:07PM PDT
Reply to: sale-xefmx-1921114422@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

GONE! Free 1925 Gulbransen upright piano! It's very cool, very heavy, and sounds great. It measures 53.5" high by 62.5" long by 28" deep. It has one broken string and one or two others that should probably be replaced also. It was last tuned a couple years ago. The only reason we're getting rid of the piano is we need the space asap. We cannot help you move the piano, and you will need help moving it. Reply to the craigslist email address if you're interested.

If more than one person is interested in the piano, we are giving priority to anyone who has donated to Farm Lot 59 Kickstarter in Long Beach, so be sure to mention you're a Farm Lot 59 supporter if you are. There's more info here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1011418737/farm-lot-59

Thank you for reusing, reducing, and recycling.

Farm Stand Friday

2010-08-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

Good news for those folks who are planning their fall crops. New seeds just in from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. All seed packages are $2.50 except for a few varieties that will have to wait until next spring/ summer those are $2.00 and will store just fine in the fridge until their planting season comes around again.

New this week for sale at the Farm Stand are:

Garden Pea- Little Marvel
Lincoln Pea
Shisho
Parsley- Giant of Italy
Morris Heading Collards
Russian Red Kale
and our all time favorite the Parisienne Carrot. If you have not grown carrots or have not grown this variety its fantastic. Little round balls of goodness.

See you at the Farm Stand this Friday from 2 till....

Happy growing!

Wrapping up Kickstarter and other exciting things...

2010-08-23T15:47:00.000-07:00

Hello Long Beach Local-

I hope you are staying cool and keeping those plants watered, its finally the Southern California summer we are accustomed to and man it is hot. I think the tomatoes are ripening before our very eyes.

Few things coming up that I wanted to share with you.

Farm Stand Fridays at Wrigley Garden, Farm Stand is open. Please stop by for a $10 farm box or you can also purchase veggies individually. Please check the website for details. The purpose of the Farm Stand is to provide not only Long Beach residents but residents immediately surrounding Wrigley Garden with fresh fruits and vegetables. If you would like to participate or sponsor a family please let me know. You can also preorder your box by emailing me and I will reserve one for you.

This Saturday, August 28th will wrap up our fundraising efforts at Kickstarter. If you have not yet pledged to Farm Lot 59 you have 5 days left. As of right now we have raised $10,432 toward the start up of the farm. If you have not viewed Kickstarter or our video please check it out here http://kck.st/aP1hWS. We are doing some amazing things and your financial support is needed. Thank you to everyone who has already pledged, I can't wait to get this farm growing!

Also on Saturday the 28th from 10:00am - 12:00pm is the recognition ceremony for the Peace Garden. Located at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, 1133 Rhea St. Long Beach, CA. If you are interested in starting a community garden or doing a type of neighborhood garden project this is the perfect opportunity to come and meet the experts. I'm proud that Wrigley Garden and Long Beach Local is part of the supporting team for this garden.

Lastly please mark your calendars for November 20th for a street tree planting at Wrigley Garden, 1950 Henderson Ave, 90806. Our friends, Wrigley is Going Green, wrote and was awarded the Neighborhood Partners Program (NPP) grant and will be planting 60 street trees. Our goal for this tree planting is to leave something beautiful behind after our garden has moved on. We are also planning on having a BBQ/ pot luck this day. Please get in touch if you are interested in volunteering for this event or would like to help organize the BBQ. More information will become available as the date gets closer.

Thank you for being supportive in everything we are doing. It is much appreciated.

Please view our Kickstarter campaign and spread the word. Only 5 more days!!
http://kck.st/aP1hWS

Happy Growing!
Sasha Kanno
Executive Director, Long Beach Local
562.230.7207
sashakanno@mac.com
www.longbeachlocal.org
http://wrigleygarden.org

http://www.facebook.com/wrigley.garden?ref=name

Farm Stand Friday is BACK!!

2010-08-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

Hello gardeners-

My family vacation was wonderful. Thanks to everyone who watched my dogs, chickens and gardens. Its a lot of work and I appreciate the many hands it takes to keep it all alive.

Farm Stand will be open this Friday from 2-6. I hope this will now be a regular thing. It all depends on the produce and the helpers. All proceeds go back to the garden to help pay the bills. We will also be starting seeds next week if anyone wants to help with that. I'm ready to get that next crop in the greenhouse. Oh yeah!

Shout out to all my chicken nerd friends. If you have feed bags can you please save them for me? When you open the bags try and not butcher them so I can reuse them. Bags need to be dry and as clean as possible. Nothing icky please.

Other than that I am working to get Farm Lot 59 up and running. Still working out the insurance, permits etc. I am shooting for September 1st as a start date. I'll keep you posted.

Kickstarter ends in 17 days so please, please pledge and spread the word. We will reach our goal of $10,000 but the more money the better we will be. There are so many things we need. Seeders, irrigation and hopefully a mini tractor. :)

See you Friday at the Farm Stand at Wrigley Garden from 2-6. If you want me to pack a box for you please let me know. Farm boxes are $25 and include our fresh eggs as well as whatever else is in season.

Aloha-
Sasha

Garden Update

2010-07-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

Hello gardeners-

I would like to personally thank these individuals for coming on Saturday to the garden work day. Katie, Maureen, Colleen, Barbara, Henry, Brenda, Mychele, Ben, Darry, Vicente, Lisa, Stephen, Craig, Sareth, Karen, Justin, Justina, Michael and Nathan. I hope I got everyone but I feel like there were more hands on deck. I wanted to especially thank YOU folks for coming to work on a Saturday. The garden looks amazing and its because of you. When we all work together look how fast things get done. The coop got moved, all the weeds were pulled and new mulch was spread. We got a new gardener, friends got to hang out and as always new friends were made.

Community garden work days are necessary for the upkeep of the property. At WG we have very few mandatory work days. I do not believe in nagging others to do what they know they should do. When you are at the garden tending your plot you are responsible for the surrounding area including watering and pulling weeds. When these duties fall behind is when we have to go in as a mob and tighten things up. Saturday was a great example of how working together can accomplish things quickly. Although next time I think we need some music. Shoveling to a tune is much more fun.

To all the gardeners and community members who told me they were coming and did not show up, you are missing out. Its not just a work day at the garden but a chance for you to be part of something bigger. We chat with one another, share the work load and then share a meal. These are the things that build a better community. The garden is just an outlet to connect with friends and neighbors with a common interest.

We all have busy schedules and hectic lives but you must pick your priorities, if you commit to something than you should follow through. Its disappointing to the team if you do not show up when people are counting on you. My coach always told me, "many hands make small work". I have always loved that saying but its not only the work its the infrastructure we are building to build a better Long Beach.

Wrigley Garden will be on Henderson Ave for one more year (October 2011). After that the project is finished, we will move out and the Long Beach Housing Development Company will build Habitat for Humanity housing on the property. Let's make the most of this last year. All the things we talked about doing, now is the time. We need to have more parties, BBQ's, music, cooking demos, all of it. If you are interested in having an event in the garden or want to be part of something we are already doing over there please let us know. Let's make this project a memorable one.

Lastly, mark your calendars for November 20th. Our tree planting partners, Wrigley is Going Green, wrote a grant to plant flowering street trees all along Henderson Ave. We thought its the least we could do to leave this gang torn neighborhood with a little bit of garden. It will be sad for us to move out of this neighborhood who needs this garden so much. But at least we can leave behind some flowering beauty. More details on this will come later.

I hope everyone is having a nice summer take a minute to stop and smell the flowers.

Please view our Kickstarter campaign and spread the word!
Kickstarter: http://kck.st/aP1hWS

Happy Growing!
Sasha Kanno
Executive Director, Long Beach Local
562.230.7207
sashakanno@mac.com
www.longbeachlocal.org
http://wrigleygarden.org

http://www.facebook.com/wrigley.garden?ref=name