March 25, 2012

Seed swap in Glendora

Hello fellow gardeners,  I've been thinking how fast Spring is coming
and thought it would be a good time to get together and trade seeds,
plants, info or anything else you want to bring.  Here are the
details:

Seed swap
Saturday, March 31st 1-3pm
310 S. Vermont Ave.
Glendora, CA 91741
(right next door to the Liddle and Liddle law office)


*Mary Beth and Todd, would you mind forwarding this to the food not lawns group?

Happy gardening, Juanita
www.foothillfriendsfoodcoalition.snappages.com

--
Cuatro Caminos Collective

*Meaningful Work,
*Wholesome Local Food,
*Appropriate Technology,
*Intergenerational/Cross-Cultural Dialogue and
 Cooperation

ivcaminos.blogspot.com
562-448-2619

March 18, 2012

Greece on the breadline: cashless currency takes off

To see this story with its related links on the guardian.co.uk site, go to http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/16/greece-on-breadline-cashless-currency

Greece on the breadline: cashless currency takes off
A determination to 'move beyond anger to creativity' is driving a strong barter economy in some places
Jon Henley in Volos
Saturday March 17 2012
The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/16/greece-on-breadline-cashless-currency

In recent weeks, Theodoros Mavridis has bought fresh eggs, tsipourou (the local brandy: beware), fruit, olives, olive oil, jam, and soap. He has also had some legal advice, and enjoyed the services of an accountant to help fill in his tax return.
None of it has cost him a euro, because he had previously done a spot of electrical work ? repairing a TV, sorting out a dodgy light ? for some of the 800-odd members of a fast-growing exchange network in the port town of Volos, midway between Athens and Thessaloniki.
In return for his expert labour, Mavridis received a number of Local Alternative Units (known as tems in Greek [http://www.tem-magnisia.gr" title="]) in his online network account. In return for the eggs, olive oil, tax advice and the rest, he transferred tems into other people's accounts.
"It's an easier, more direct way of exchanging goods and services," said Bernhardt Koppold, a German-born homeopathist and acupuncturist in Volos who is an active member of the network. "It's also a way of showing practical solidarity ? of building relationships."
He had just treated Maria McCarthy, an English teacher who has lived and worked in the town for 20 years. The consultation was her first tem transaction, and she used one of the vouchers available for people who haven't yet, or can't, set up an online account.
"I already exchange directly with a couple of families, mainly English teaching for babysitting, and this is a great way to extend that," said McCarthy. "This is still young, but it's growing very quickly. Plainly, the more you use it the more useful to you it gets."
Tems has been up and running for barely 18 months, said Maria Choupis, one of its founder members. Prompted by ever more swingeing salary cuts and tax increases, she reckons there are now around 15 such networks active around Greece, and more planned. "They are as much social structures as economic ones," she said. "They foster intimacy and mutual support."
The network is currently busy transforming a disused building owned by Volos university into a permanent exchange and barter space. It will host a daily market from next month at which members can meet and exchange without using cash. Several highly successful open-air markets were held throughout last summer, Choupis said, until the weather got too cold.
"They're quite joyous occasions," she said. "It's very liberating, not using money." At one market, she said, she approached a woman who had come along with three large trays of homemade cakes and was selling them for a unit a cake. "I asked her: 'Do you think that's enough? After all, you had the cost of the ingredients, the electricity to cook ...'
"She replied: 'Wait until the market is over', and at the end she had three different kinds of fruit, two one-litre bottles of olive oil, soaps, beans, a dozen eggs and a whole lot of yoghurt. 'If I had bought all this at the supermarket,' she said, 'it would have cost me a great deal more than what it cost to make these cakes.'"
What rules the system has are designed to ensure the tems continue "to circulate, and work hard as a currency", said Christos Pappionannou, a mechanical engineer who runs the network's website [http://www.cyclos.org" title="] using open-source software.
No one may hold more than 1,200 tems in the account "so people don't start hoarding; once you reach the top limit you have to start using them."
And no one may owe more than 300, so people "can't get into debt, and have to start offering something".
Businesses that are part of the network are allowed to do transactions partly in tems, and partly in euros; most offer a 50/50 part-exchange.
"We recognise that they have their fixed costs, they have to pay a rent and bills in euros," said Pappionannou. "You could say that their 'profit' might be taken in Tems, to be reinvested in the network."
Choupis said she thought the network would have grown even faster that it has if people were not so "frozen, in a state of fear. It's like they've been hit over the head with a brick; they're dizzy. And they're cautious; they're still thinking: 'I need euros, how am I going to pay my bills?' But as soon as people see how much they can do without money, they're convinced."
The Greek parliament recently passed a law encouraging "alternative forms of entrepreneurship and local development", including exchange networks such as Volos's, giving them official non-profit status for tax purposes.
Choupis said there was a new mood abroad in Greece, a determination to "move beyond anger to creativity".
"You are not poor when you have no money," she said, "you are poor when you have nothing to offer ? except for the elderly and the sick, to whom we should all be offering."

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March 16, 2012

Agrarian Dreams: The Paradox of Organic Farming in California



This seems like an interesting book worth reading.  Fellow growers have talked about some of the challenges inherent in organic farming, land (and access to it) being a huge hurdle.  There's a joke about farming, and it goes like this:  "How do you make a small fortune in farming?  Start with a large one."

From what i've read so far, the book seems to be alluding to the fact that all our talk about consuming and producing organic stuff don't mean jack if the land ain't ours and it's priced out of our ability to work with it in a natural way.  No time to cover crop, 'cause that mortgage has to be paid...because the banks gotta eat.

Another thing.  By all the lists out on the interweb about young, white organic growers making headlines, you'd think that California's fields would be a english speakers paradise.  I guess it makes sense, in light of the fact that these young, white farmers have access to capital that other minority farmers do not.


"As soon as the land of any country has all become private property, the landlords, like all other men, love to reap where they never sowed, and demand a rent even for its natural produce. The wood of the forest, the grass of the field, and all the natural fruits of the earth, which, when land was in common, cost the labourer only the trouble of gathering them, come, even to him, to have an additional price fixed upon them. He must then pay for the licence to gather them; and must give up to the landlord a portion of what his labour either collects or produces. This portion, or, what comes to the same thing, the price of this portion, constitutes the rent of land ...."



--

"la accion es la madre de la esperanza."

-Pablo Neruda



--

"la accion es la madre de la esperanza."

-Pablo Neruda

March 12, 2012

Institute of Domestic Technology: March Classes















March Classes
Instittute of Domestic Technology
Rediscovering the Furture of Home Economics
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Institute of Domestic                                     Technology
March Classes
at the Institute of Domestic Technology
 


Home Beer Brewing
An all-grain beer brewing workshop
Saturday, March 31, 10am ~ 4pm

 What is the best way to experience a true "Craftsman" beer? ~ by making it yourself…duh! This full-day home brewing workshop takes you step-by-step through the process of brewing beer from scratch using malted barley.  Geared towards both the beginner beer-curious, as well those of you wanting to move beyond extract brewing. This hands-on course will guide you through the beer making process from the "mash" to bottling. We will show you how easy it is to begin brewing your own signature beer at home using simple, easily sourced equipment and ingredients, some of which you probably already own!
Register Here

Coop to Kitchen
Sunday, March 25, 10am~noon
A workshop in humane
chicken harvesting
The proliferation of backyard chicken keeping has generated a need for reliable instruction in safe and humane harvesting of chickens. Whether your goal is to dispatch older hens to refresh your laying flock, or you'd like to try your hand at raising healthy meat birds for your family, The Institute comes to the rescue with a hands-on workshop that will give you the confidence and know-how to responsibly manage your flock.

Register Here

Foodcrafting 101
Saturday, April 14, 10am-4pm

Unleash your inner foodcrafter. This full-day, hands-on workshop held in Altadena at an urban micro-dairy will set you on your way to making your own artisinal bread, cheese, jam and mustard from scratch. Your d.i.y. ambassadors are some of the city's finest food crafters. The workshop includes four, 1-hour foodcrafting sessions, a catered lunch and morning beverages & scones. Each participant will go home with their very own bread, cheese, fruit preserves, mustard and a custom instruction manual with recipes and resource guide.

Register here

 
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March 06, 2012

Fresno Solar Cooking at Earth Day and more.....

Fresno Earth Day is  Saturday 4-14-12 from 11 am to 4 pm at 2672 E
Alluvial Ave., Clovis ( @ the Unitarian Universalist Church's facilities).
Thank you, to everyone who has already offered to help with our
presentation.  We would like to demonstrate a variety of cookers and
different foods that can be solar cooked.  Carl will start setting up about
9:30 am and would appreciate a couple helpers then.  Those of you who can
bring your own cookers or ovens it would be nice if you could be there by
10:30 am so we are ready to go by 11am.  If you would like to bring
something to  cook in our oven or cooker let us know so we can be
organized.  We also need people to help with explaining solar cooking to
Earth Day attendees and help signing up new members.

April 26,2012 Reedley College is having a Green Summit from 9 am to 2
pm.  We have agreed to do a demonstration there too.  This is a Thursday so
if you could help with this let us know.

Our first cooking meeting is scheduled for April 29th at the San
Joaquin River Parkways River Ranch on old Friant Rd.  from 1-3pm.  They
have a nice picnic area.  We would like to make this meeting a pot luck.
So bring something to cook, some thing you cooked at home or just a salad,
fruit or snacks.  Everyone should bring their own plates, utensils and
something to drink.
Ellen and Carl Peters

Central Valley Solar Cookers
http://cvsolarcookers.org/

March 05, 2012

Culture Club 101 March 2012 Newsletter


Culture Club 101
Scientist Under Attack (film)
Traditional Soda Workshop
Lecture Night with David Barker

Liver Pate and Rillettes


Dear Culture Club 101 Members and Friends,

I'm happy to announce that the Real Food Symposium will be on May 6 and you'll be getting a lot more information about that soon.

Currently many of us are working to get the labeling of GMO foods on the ballot.  In keeping with this effort, we'll be showing the film Scientist Under Attack, the story of the scientist who first began to speak out about the effect of GMO foods.  Another highlight of this evening will be the traditional nutrient dense and luscious foods we'll be serving.

Traditional Sodas are a delicious and healthy way to introduce your family to "live" foods, make sure that everyone is getting probiotics and wean your family away from drinks containing sugar and high fructose corn syrup.   Our class on making these sodas includes the "ginger bug" and a recipe for "real" root beer. 

Many of you have commented on the delicious pates we have offered here at CC101.  This month, Monica Ford will be teaching  how to make liver pates, rillettes and sprouted wheat crackers. 

Once again we'll be hearing from David Barker who has some amazing new information for us about how to efficiently lose weight and increase fitness as well as speaking about cholesterol's relationship to health and showing us how scientific data has been manipulated to such an extent that it's become fact in many minds.  A light buffet will be served. 

And remember... It is all about the food!

-Elaina



Food and Film Night - Scientist Under Attack
Thursday, March 8, 2012  7 p.m.

Scientist Under AttackWhen scientist Arpad Pusztai reported that genetically modified (GM) foods caused serious health problems in rats, he was a hero at his prestigious UK institute - for two days. But after two phone calls (apparently) from the Prime Minister's office, he was fired, gagged, and mercilessly attacked. When UC Berkely professor Ignacio Chapela discovered GM corn contamination in Mexico, he too faced a firestorm of distortion and denial that left him struggling to salvage his career. Find out how the biotech industry "engineers" the truth and what they are trying to hide from you. Register Now.

The event cost is $25.  It fills up fast, so register soon.
You must be a member or sign up for a temporary 1-month membership ($5.00) when you arrive for the class.



Traditional Sodas Workshop

Monday, March 12, 2012 7:00 p.m.

SodaTraditional Sodas Workshop Edit Learn to make sodas in the old tradition and health-promoting way! We'll be making real root bear and other delicious bubbly beverages. These lacto-fermented sodas are jam-packed with probiotics, enzymes, antioxidants and ....

 

You must be a member or sign up for a temporary 1-month membership ($5.00) when you arrive for the class.



Lecture: David Barker - Deconstructing Modern Myths about Food, Health and Nutrition
Thursday, March 22, 2012: TIME: 7:00
 


Changing what you know about food for the better. An evening that will help you eat healthier and live longer.  Cholesterol's real and vital relationship to health.  The truth about oils and fats.  And much much more.  Plus ..... 




As always, a nourishing traditional food/beverage will be served. The event cost is $25.  It fills up fast, so register soon.
You must be a member or sign up for a temporary 1-month membership ($5.00) when you arrive for the class.




Liver Pate, Rillettes and Sprouted Wheat Crackers
Sunday, March 25, 2012 7:00 p.m.

Learn to make healthy and delicious liver pate, pork rillettes, and sprouted grain crackers.  What a fabulous way to get your family to eat liver.  Appetizers that everyone will want more of.  This class will be taught by Monica Ford.  Take home pate and sprouted wheat crackers.

 


Class Tuition $65.00  Learn more and Register here.  


You must be a member or sign up for a temporary 1-month membership ($5.00) when you arrive for the class.



Weston A Price Pasadena Chapter Meeting
Thursday, March 29, 2012 6:30 p.m.

Seating is limited, so you need to reserve your seat by by RSVPing to: wapfpasadena@gmail.com

Cost: $3.00 to be paid at the event.  

Location Nature Friends, 6:30 p.m.


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Classes and More
Food and Film Night
Traditional Soda Class
Lecture: Nourishing Traditional Diets
Liver Pate, Rillettes Workshop
WAPF Pasadena Chapter Meeting


The "Real" Food Symposium Now Available on DVD

Real Food Symposium 2011 SQUARE
   The Second Annual Real Food Symposium, presented by Culture Club 101 on May 1, 2011 is now available on DVD!
   This two-disc set features talks from the event, with speakers Mark McAfee of Organic Pastures (raw milk), John "Dey Dey" Bruin (grass-fed beef), Rosann Volmert (a doctor's perspective), and David Barker (real food "myths"). The bonus disc includes informative personal interviews with the speakers and more!

 
Introducing RAWMI 
We here at Culture Club 101 support the work of the Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) and hope you will too!  It's time for all of North America (U.S. and Canada) to come together with one common voice: Freedom to choose and have access to nutrient dense raw milk!  Our freedoms are being challenged, so now is the time to make a difference!  Join CC101 in supporting the Raw milk Institute now!  [Learn More]
A Few of Our

Favorite Places


Weston Price Foundation
Organic Pastures Logo
FTCLDF Grassroots Natural Market & Kitchen
US Wellness Meats Logo
CLASS AND EVENT SIZES ARE LIMITED
Pre-Registering With Payment Reserves Your Seat

Register on our web site, or click the "[LEARN MORE]" links above to be taken directly to the class or event page to learn more and register. All classes are held at Culture Club 101.   

 

Classes are Open to Members and Temporary Members  

 

If you are not a Culture Club Member and you want to register for the class, you will be asked to become a Temporary member ($5.00 for one month) when you arrive for the class.   

Weston A. Price Foundation - Pasadena Chapter Weston A. Price
Interested in learning more about the benefits of nutrient-dense traditional foods? Come to the next monthly meeting of the Pasadena Chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation and share an evening of food, friendship, and fascinating information.

For meeting details, visit the chapter website.

 

This email was sent to ivcaminos@gmail.com by elaina@cultureclub101.com |  
Culture Club 101 | 30 S. Wilson Ave | Pasadena | CA | 91106



--
Cuatro Caminos Collective

*Meaningful Work,
*Wholesome Local Food,
*Appropriate Technology,
*Intergenerational/Cross-Cultural Dialogue and 
 Cooperation

ivcaminos.blogspot.com
562-448-2619

Cuatro Caminos Calendar