Confused About GMO's?

Andy Shrader will be our guest at the  MVCC Green Tent on Sunday October 2nd - stop by to learn why he wants to get the labeling of genetically modified foods on the ballot in 2012!

Since the early 1990’s the United States has allowed companies to include genetically-engineered (GMO) ingredients in foods without labeling them, involving children and adults in a long-term health experiment without their knowledge or ability to make an informed choice about what they put in their bodies.

Genetic-engineering is the direct human manipulation of an organism’s genome using modern DNA technology, generally involving the introduction of foreign DNV or synthetic genes into the organism.  There are, so far, three generations of genetically-modified crops: crops modified to resist insects and herbicides through the introduction of herbicide or pesticide genes into their seeds; crops modified to improve salt, drought, and cold tolerance; and pharmaceutical crops which contain edible vaccines and other drugs.  Additionally, some farm animals have been genetically-modified with growth hormones to increase their size.

According to the Millions Against Monsanto website:

- 91 % of soybeans grown in the U.S. are GMOs.

- 88% of cotton is genetically-modified.

- 75% of corn has been genetically-modified.

If not certified organic, these foods most likely contain GMOs:

Beef, Pork, Poultry
Dairy
Fish
Eggs
Corn syrup
Corn starch
Corn oil
Cornmeal
Fructose
Dextrose
Glucose
Soy meal
Lecithin
Isoflavone
Soy protein isolate
Vegetable oil
Cottonseed oil
Canola oil
Aspartame
Vitamin E
Xanthan gum
Tempeh
Tofu
Vitamin B-12
Baking powder
MSG

Although the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) scientists warn of possible increased allergies, toxicity and unforeseen possible health implications, the head of the FDA (a former employee in the biotech industry) instead established a policy of “substantial equivalence,” which means that a novel food should be considered the same and as safe as a conventional food if it demonstrates the same characteristics and composition as the conventional food. 

There have been no controlled, long-terms studies on the health risks to humans. Since there is no labeling, foods cannot be tracked.  Please see Robyn O’Brien’s TED talk (www.labelgmos.org)  to watch a short video that explains much of the background on this issue.  

Over 30 countries, including the European Union (EU) and Japan, label genetically engineered foods.  The EU has a “precautionary principle” of “prove it is safe before selling it” when dealing with products with potential health issues whereas the USDA and FDA have a policy of “use it until proven dangerous.”  There have been several unsuccessful attempts to move labeling legislation through Congress since 1999.  Fourteen states have adopted some sort of labeling legislation.   The Center For Food Safety and the California State Assembly have attempted labeling legislation numerous times over the years.  Earlier in 2011, CA Assemblyman Huffman (D-Marin), introduced AB 88 which would have required labeling of genetically engineered fish, should the FDA approve the Aquabounty Salmon which has been poised for market since last year.   The bill did not make it out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. 

Standing up to tremendous industry pressure and financial muscle against GMO labeling, this year a grandmother from Chico, California, Pamm Larry, has introduced “Label GMOs,” a California Ballot Initiative for 2012.

Come learn more about the issue and what you can do, this Sunday, 9am – 2pm at the Mar Vista Green Committee booth from grassroots organizer and former MVCC Councilmember, Andy Shrader, who, in 2003, introduced the resolution founding the Mar Vista Farmer’s Market to give his neighbors a convenient organic alternative to Frankenfood.

For more information

Label GMOs in California: http://labelgmos.org/

Organic Consumers Association: http://www.organicconsumers.org/

Millions Against Monsanto: http://www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/

Also, please find each of them on Facebook.

Sunday is HEROS DAY at the MVCC Green Tent!

Dear Mom, Dad, kids and friends; 

WELCOME to the Los Angeles Costume Swap. Our costume swap event is fast approaching and on September 18th from 9 a.m. – 2p.m, at Mar Vista’s Farmer’s Market, we will be giving you just a preview of whats to come in October. We are a non-profit – our goals are to show that Halloween can be Green and fun by embracing our imaginations.

This coming Sunday is HEROS DAY. We'll have a contest for those dressed as their favorite hero, with the winner being chosen by the loudest cheers at 11 am from the audience. The Superhero will be awarded package will be filled with goodies:

Four tickets to Natural History Museum of Los Angeles (contest is not sponsored by Natural History Museum of Los Angeles)

Emerald Green Aluminum Drink Container

Tulip Craft Mat

Endangered Species Chocolate Bar

Alien Hero T-Shirt

Runner-up – Halloween skeleton by Toymakers

At 12 Noon, we have a Steampunk Contest

See the amazing costumes or come dress in your best Steampunk fashion (no villains) and win a Steampunk Box filled with treasures! 

Set of 4 3D Steampunk Robot Magnets by Zach manchester and available only on NeatoShop.com

Infinity 101, SPIKE Ray Gun by Agent of Chaos

Four tickets to Skirball Cultural Center (contest is not sponsored by Skirball)

Treasure Box by Artist Andrea Gibson

Runner-up- Steampunk inspired costume dress

More Contest Information - http://www.losangelescostumeswap.com/Contests.html

We are also offering free samples, accepting your Chocobag contest designs to be shipped to Chico for the contest and will provide more information about our Trashion show and contest!

Sincerely,


Alivia Hunter
(323) 744-1667

FREE Green Living Workshops and Free Goodies Too!

Free workshops and free goodies too! Shower heads, faucet aerators, CFL lights, reusable bags, tire pressure gauges, food bars – each night of the workshop you will leave with a special give away to help you on your path to sustainability. And each week one lucky person will win a raffle item too!

The Sustainable Works Green Living Workshop returns to Mar Vista on October 5^th! Stop by the MVCC Green Tent this Sunday 9/18 to get more info or pre-register. 


Are you one of the lucky 100+ that took the FREE Sustainable Works Green Living Workshop in Mar Vista? It's coming back - please help us spread the word! OUTREACH, EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION are key components that can’t be ignored with the new LADWP rate plan. This is our chance to send them that message!

Normally, this course is only offered in Santa Monica and a $50 donation is requested from LA residents. Based on the incredible impact that had in our community Councilman Bill Rosendahl awarded them an LADWP grant and there will be 5 more FREE workshops held in LA. Also, for the first time ever, they will offer 20 FREE business greening consults! Our goal – and the reason for our 2010 pilot – is to get these funded by the City of LA on an ongoing basis (as it is in Santa Monica). With rates for water and power climbing, we KNOW that the increases can be offset by the simple tips you learn in these programs.

Each week’s class focuses on a separate aspect of greening your home and life – water, energy, waste, chemicals, transportation and shopping. The classes give you a deeper understanding of the issues and each week you leave with 10 actions that ultimately help you to – 

• divert solid waste through recycling
• become water efficient
• eliminate toxic chemicals
• minimize transportation impacts
• reduce energy use
• and learn to make better consumer choices

Please help us spread the word! Email sherri@marvista.org if you would like us to email you flyers. We are so grateful for Bill Rosendahl’s support on this - help us make sure that LA gets a very clear message that this will make a difference. 

A Special Thank You to Laura Bodensteiner!

Laura Bodensteiner  with Jeanne Kuntz,  Sherri Akers and Joseph Treves, accepting a Certificate of Recognition from LA City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl.

It was with profound sadness that Albert Olson conveyed to the MVCC Board the resignation of one of our most esteemed members, Laura Bodensteiner. For all of us whose lives have been touched by the MVCC Green Committee, the loss is particularly poignant as Laura founded the committee and has served as its Co-Chair since its inception.

Laura and her family are moving to a new home in a new city – we have to envy the new community for what they will gain. While managing an active household with three small children and her amazing business, Tickled Plum (doing custom handcrafted stationary, invitations and announcements), she also invested untold hours for our community. She served as Secretary of the MVCC Board and as Editor of the MVCC Newsletter. It will be a challenge to fill those shoes. 

For the Green Committee, we are losing an amazing partner. Behind the scenes, Laura made the inside business run like clockwork and did the wonderful graphics and maps for the Green Garden Showcase. Personally, she was my sounding board and my teacher. The committee that she launched has changed my life and I will forever be grateful. For all of us whose lives have been touched by the emphasis on sustainability in Mar Vista, we have Laura to thank.

The September 13^th MVCC Board meeting will be our last chance to thank Laura and say goodbye. Please join us to wish her well! For those of you on facebook, feel free to post your best wishes on our Facebook wall.

With deep admiration and gratitude,

Sherri Akers

Learn How to Reduce the Cost of Going Solar!

Translucent SANYO HIT roof deck

Brennan’s roof deck

Open Neighborhoods returns to the Green Booth on Sunday September 11^th to demonstrate how property owners can reduce the cost of going solar by 75%!

Mar Vista neighbors James Brennan and John Ayers will be on hand on Sunday, September 11^th to present information about the Los Angeles County Solar Challenge – offering up to $40,000 to school booster clubs, religious institutions and other non-profit organizations in LA County who help their communities switch to clean energy from the Sun.

As part of the Solar Challenge, Open Neighborhoods has pre-negotiated a thirty-three percent group discount from leading Los Angeles-based solar installer PermaCity on the purchase of solar panel installations – bringing the cost of going solar down to $4.40 per Watt of power provided, compared to the recent city-wide average of $8.50 per Watt.  Alternatively, as part of the program participants can opt for a 25% discount on a zero-down lease option with monthly payment less than your electric bill.

Brennan and Ayers will be joined at the Green Booth by a representative from PermaCity to demonstrate a new innovation in solar technology that helps reduce installation costs. The new system, called AC Unison, includes built-in “microinverters” that make it economical to get started with a single panel.  Developed by Austin, Texas-based SolarBridge Technologies, the microinverters are an energy conversion device that is mounted on the back of each solar panel.  The technology avoids the additional expense of installing a separate inverter to convert solar energy into AC power.  This makes the panels more efficient by reducing the energy waste that typically occurs when power is transferred from a solar panel to a separate inverter.  The AC Unison system is manufactured by AU Optronics, the world’s third largest producer of flat-screen TV’s.

Also available though the Open Neighborhoods program are a solar carport as well as other popular solar panel models such as the translucent SANYO HIT  installed on Brennan’s roof deck in Mar Vista (pictured), which allows filtered light to pass through and increases efficiency by also generating power from reflected light on the underside.

This month the Los Angeles DWP solar incentive program has just restarted -- offering rebates to property owners who install solar.  The rebates can reduce installation costs by roughly 50% for average homes after group discounts are applied.

For more information or to request a free solar assessment visit www.openneighborhoods.net/gosolar.

Sustainable Works Green Living Workshop Hits Los Angeles

Six Topics Covered in the Workshops

The LA Kick Off - Mar Vista, 2010

I don’t know about you, but when I hear the word “workshop”, I usually think “work!” ala Maynard G Krebs.  But Gina Garcia’s performance at the opening night of the free Green Living Workshops in Pacific Palisades felt more like a night out. The 90-minute event combined environmental awareness with a potpourri of memorable anecdotes, electrifying images, sobering facts and, thank God, easy to implement solutions for our environmental woes. Since I had taken the Mar Vista GLW over a year ago with Nancy Barba at the helm, I thought I would already know it all.  I soon realized that I had forgotten more than I remembered.  Like the fact that the average Mar Vistan uses more than 40 time their fair share of the Earth’s resources.  (Translation: Our carbon footprint is way too big.)  I particularly enjoyed the clever anecdotes delivered at regular intervals throughout the event. For example, do you know where our obsession with lawns originated?  In 18^th century England the well-to-do left a wide swath of earth planted with lawn, rather than vegetables in their front yards.  This advertised to the neighborhood that they could afford to sacrifice some of their precious earth for pure enjoyment rather than the necessity of food.   Commoners, on the other hand, used every bit of land to grow much-needed crops.  That’s right, lawns are a snobbish sign of aristocracy.  Isn't that why we broke away from England to begin with?

If you missed this workshop, don’t fret.   We will have our own Green Living Workshop series starting up on October 5 at the nearby Bundy Campus of Santa Monica College, Wednesdays from 7-8:30.  

Learn more at the Mar Vista Farmer's Market this Sunday, September 4, where Sustainable Works will be the guest at the Green Tent.

Jeanne Kuntz combines sustainable, stress-free living with health and wellness. Learn more about successful behavior change on her website, TeachingWellness.com