MPC Event Calendar

Center Avenue Community Garden

October 15th, we built an Herb Spiral in what I call the Lobby area of CACG. The various sized tree rounds are circled to form a mound that by next year will be a mound of medicinal and culinary herbs. The filling is horse manure and tree chips with a little soil on top. A layer of cardboard separates weeds below from this new growing medium above. We have not planted any herbs here yet. Probably better to wait for the mixture to settle and a little rain would most certainly help to break it down into beautiful soil. Check out Tipnut's How to Build an Herb Spiral article and video.

We invite you to visit our MPC Blog and our Community Garden page for more details and pictures as the development of the garden progresses.

Donations: Now all we need are a few more cash donations to purchase the half-inch wire mesh for the gopher barrier in the bottom of the raised keyhole beds and we can complete the 2nd row of beds. The gopher population on this lot makes it necessary for us to install this protection on the bottom of the beds so our crops will grow and flourish without the nibbling gophers at the roots. Please go to MPC¡¯s website Community Garden page and scroll down close to the bottom of the page to make your tax-deductible contribution through PayPal.

Many thanks to those who have already contributed financially and we hope that new sponsors will soon be able to help us continue the development of Center Avenue Community Garden right into spring. Every little bit helps to support the creation of a place where we can all come together, share our special gifts and learn about new and diverse ways to live more sustainably and with resilience.

This coming Saturday, January 21st, we will be meeting at the garden at 10 a.m. as usual and leaving promptly at 11 a.m. (carpool or BART) for a Field Trip to the Golden Gate Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers Scion Exchange at Laney College Student Center in Oakland, CA. MPC will be looking for fruiting vines and fruit trees starts for the Center Avenue Community Garden. We would be delighted if you would like to join us for an education in growing rare fruits.

For more information about this group, please visit the CRFG Scion Exchange webpage.

Ongoing, Saturdays beginning at 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., we will be working at the garden. No working on Sundays to respect the First Baptist Church′s congregation and scheduled services. During the week, we will only be working in the garden when it fits in with our regular work schedule (very spontaneous).

There is a definite design we are working on in the garden with Permaculture principles as our foundation. For now, it is important that someone from the Martinez Permaculture Center guides the development, at least at this moment in time. Once the garden is more established, it will be easier to create a task list for whomever can show up to help, on their schedule. But for now, Saturdays are the best time for us to be there. If you have any questions, please go to our Contact Us page and send us a note.

Garden Location: The Center Avenue Community Garden is actually located on the property of the Pacheco First Baptist Church, 333 Center Ave., Martinez, CA 94553, which is less than a block from the Martinez Permaculture Center. The church is loaning this parcel of land to the Martinez Permaculture Center for the development of a permaculture community garden. There is no requirement to be a member of the church to participate in the development of the garden or just to enjoy it. Center Avenue Community Garden is available to the entire surrounding community.

We welcome your support in anyway that feels good to you. Please stop by anytime to take a look at what we are doing and read our Community Garden mission statement on the Notice Board. Feel free to drop-in on Saturdays after 10 a.m., just to say hello or lend a hand.

** February 2012 MPC Screening **
the Power of Community:
How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
Friday, February 17, 2012

the Power of Community directed by Faith Morgan – When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba′s economy went into a tailspin. With imports of oil cut by more than half – and food by 80 percent – people were desperate.

This film tells of the hardships and struggles as well as the community and creativity of the Cuban people during this difficult time. Cubans share how they transitioned from a highly mechanized, industrial agricultural system to one using organic methods of farming and local, urban gardens. It is an unusual look into the Cuban culture during this economic crisis, which they call The Special Period.

This fascinating and empowering film shows how communities pulled together, created solutions, and ultimately thrived in spite of their decreased dependence on imported energy. For more information, please visit the the Power of Community website.

Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
You are welcome to arrive at 6 p.m. This is a BYOD event – Bring Your Own Dinner. There will be time for eating and socializing with others interested in sustainable life practices before we begin. Please arrive by 6:30 for our opening circle of introduction, and the film will start promptly at 7 p.m.

Location: Martinez Permaculture Center
2421 Center Ave., Martinez, CA 94553

Donations Will Be Accepted: To support MPC projects such as the Center Avenue Community Garden, cost of the movie, and use of our home.

RSVP Required: (limited seating available) davidmudgegardens@yahoo.com, http://www.martinezpermaculturecenter.com/contactus.html

Community Events

POSTPONED - May 1st Greywater Workshop in Concord, CA

Cheri Jaques is graciously allowing us to present a Greywater Installation workshop at her home in Concord, CA. The focus of this workshop will be installing a simple Greywater system, influenced by the principles of Permaculture and taught by Master Landscaper, David Mudge. David and his partner Teresa will guide us through a hands-on experience of installing a Greywater system that diverts water from a kitchen sink to be used as irrigation for the garden. Please register to receive directions to the Concord workshop location & what to bring.

Day/Date: New Date in 2011 To Be Determined - Maybe sometime in the fall.

Cost: $30 - $100 Sliding Scale

The Martinez Permaculture Center is delighted to be sharing this workshop and has a huge passion for bringing this information to anyone who wants it. We strive to make it affordable for as many people as possible (and work trade is available too, let us know if you are interested). But if you are able to, please consider paying towards the top of the scale because you will make it possible for us to do more low cost workshops for more people.

Attire: Dress for Gardening, bring your gloves

RSVP: davidmudgegardens@yahoo.com or call Cheri Jaques at 925-360-3738

Sliding Scale

GW1 $30.00 GW2 $40.00 GW3 $50.00 GW4 $60.00 GW5 $70.00 GW6 $80.00 GW7 $90.00 GW8 $100.00

Stay tuned as we continue to slowly build our MPC Event Calendar. More classes, workshops, and community gatherings will be posted during February, 2012.