Mar Vista Artist Turns Trash Into Eye-Opening Art

The Last Supper



White Trash

Mar Vista artist Marina DeBris has been picking up trash along Westside beaches and creeks for over a dozen years. She will be our guest at the MVCC Green Tent on May 29th with an exhibit of some of her new work. Stop by and see the trash she’s transformed into eye-catching art! “With this work, I’m hoping to dramatize in a playful way some of the problems our waste creates,” says DeBris, who regularly lends her artistic talents to Heal the Bay, Friends of Ballona Wetlands, 5 Gyres and other environmental organizations. “I use humor to startle viewers into taking a closer look at things we usually ignore. The goal is to encourage people to rethink their use of disposables and, ultimately, reduce waste.” Her sculptures often aim to show the interconnectedness of current topics like the housing crisis, toxic toys, and runaway consumption.

Her mission began over twelve years ago when she moved from Bondi Beach, Australia to LA’s Westside. “In the beginning I would just pick up stacks of Styrofoam cups and bring them to the local 7-11, but I soon realized that this wasn’t really attacking the root problem. I needed a creative way to draw attention to it. The whole idea of making beach detritus into art started just three years ago from the realization that the waste we create always comes back to haunt us.” “My first goal is to provoke viewers into thinking about the consequences of our habits,and how we can change them. My second goal is to get rid of all the garbage in my garage! In a responsible way, of
course.” Her work can also be seen at http://www.washedup.us/.

It's the 4th Sunday - The Master Gardners Return!

Photo Courtesy  Seed Library of Los Angeles

It's the 4th Sunday and time for the Master Gardeners to visit the MVCC Green Tent! Stop by this Sunday May 22nd – the Master Gardeners will be offering their guidance plus a wide array of seeds and seedlings! While you're there, ask them about the Seed Library of Los Angeles and find out about Grow LA Victory Garden classes throughout the LA area! 

Since 1978, UC Cooperative Extension's Common Ground Program has made gardening possible for many Los Angeles County residents, particularly low-income and traditionally underrepresented families. The program goals are to improve nutrition; increase access to fresh, low-cost produce; offer gardening education; build bridges between neighbors and communities; help create employment opportunities; and encourage a cleaner, greener Los Angeles. We are thrilled to have them as our guest at the booth on the 4th Sunday of every month! Families learn how to garden, grow their own food and prepare it in a healthful manner. In addition, the program trains community volunteers and Master Gardeners, who in turn, volunteer their time to community and school gardens. This is a wonderful program - you may even want to explore signing up for the Master Gardener volunteer training program!

Smart Sprinklers? It’s an Option!

Ok – you've taken the tour and now you’re inspired. Want some tips? Stop by the MVCC Green Booth at the Mar Vista Farmers Market on Sunday May 15th  to get a look at how to utilize computer technology and the internet to conserve our most precious natural resource. Our guest is Cyber Rain. Come by and check out their irrigation controller with a brain. 

It utilizes weather information received from the internet to adjust the volume of water which is distributed to your plants on a daily basis. When it’s cool and damp, less water is distributed. When it’s hot and dry, your plants will receive more water. When rain is forecast, the system will automatically turn itself off. Precise calculations are made each day based upon weather conditions.

A small adaptor connects to your wireless router and delivers weather information to your sprinkler system each day. The weather information you receive is based upon your specific zip code. All of your existing wiring and sprinkler valves remain exactly as they are currently. Because Cyber Rain is a “cloud based” system you can manage your irrigation system from any internet connected computer and even a Smartphone. Savings of both water and money are substantial and the controller qualifies for sizable water district rebates.