What Say You? The Downtown Specific Plan

SUSAN CLOKE

Clock Tower Building Downtown Santa Monica
Photo courtesy City of Santa Monica

Columnist
Santa Monica Mirror

“This is my city and...”  It’s what you hear at public meetings as person after person speaks on behalf of the city they love.  Their passion for the city is part of why I love Santa Monica.   Now they are helping to shape the future of the downtown.

The Santa Monica Downtown Specific Plan Workshop, held in the East Wing of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on December 5, 2012, was the 3^rd in a series of planning workshops. People were invited to:
 “learn about how the plan is shaping up and give feedback on unique experience, places and buildings that make downtown so special and (learn about) our deas for creating a walkable and complete downtown filled with great buildngs, public spaces, an exciting downtown for residents and visitors.”(http://www01.smgov.net/planning/DowntownSpecificPlan/upcoming.html)

Neal Payton, a principal in the architecture firm of Torti Gallas and Partners, told the 160 or so people in the audience that the LUCE is the “bible” for the development of the downtown.  He listed goals for the plan including creating: “a great walk” with wider sidewalks and great destinations; authenticity to be achieved by creating the right spaces for events and activities that could only be in Santa Monica; downtown neighborhood parks, the possible readaptive use of the post office building as a public space; and to “ensure that new buildings are of a quality that enhances and enriches downtown.” 

In his presentation of what makes a downtown great Neal Payton also talked about identifying “opportunity sites.”  Places where the City would consider exceeding height and other zoning requirements in exchange for community benefits.  “These opportunity sites would be sites, he said, for “iconic architecture.”

Danilo Bach, a long time Santa Monica resident, said of the idea that one cannot predict a building will become iconic.  “I think it’s a clumsy concept.  A building only becomes iconic over time and because of what it means to the community.”

Payton lost the audience when he started talking about the 275 feet high One Wilshire building.  He thought it had admirers in the City.  From the audience reaction, if there are admirers of the building, they weren’t in that room. 

Newly elected Council Member Ted Winterer would like to see the workshop more directly address people’s major concerns.  “Look at all these people here.  They want to talk about scale and height of the buildings.  They want to talk about traffic and how to solve the traffic problems of getting around downtown and through downtown to other parts of the City.  Instead we’re being asked to talk about gateways.  For 160 people to give up their Wednesday evening they want it to be meaningful.”
 

On September 27, 2011 the City Council voted to approve a contract with Torti Gallas and Partners for $655,500 (includes a 15% contingency) “to provide land use and urban design services, transportation planning, economic analysis, architectural and urban form studies, circulation and parking analysis, and community outreach services related to the preparation of the Downtown Specific Plan.”  (http://www.smgov.net/departments/council/agendas/2011/20110927/s2011092703-J.htm)
 

A successful downtown is essential to the well being of the City.  Most of the contract monies will go to the consultants doing data gathering, research and analysis.  Only a portion will go to Torti Gallas.  Whatever that portion is, to earn it, they need to convince us of their understanding of the city we love.   

Many good ideas were presented at the workshop.  Wider sidewalks, more parks, historic preservation, cultural activities and careful attention to building design are an important consideration for any Specific Plan.  What we need to know is that this plan will be specific to Santa Monica and will protect the scale and character of the City.

What Say You?

What Say You? Thought For Food. "Localicious"

What Say You?  Thought for Food. Localicious

SUSAN CLOKE

Columnist, Santa Monica Mirror

The Santa Monica Annenberg Beach House glowed in the early evening dark.  ‘Localicious’, www.goodfoodfestivals.com/localicious a partnership of farmers and restaurateurs, created a menu of local and delicious tastes of California  seasonal foods for several hundred happy eaters. The event was a fundraiser in support of FamilyFarmed  www.familyfarmed.org

All the food was local, but the politics of the Good Food Movement are national and international.  Food is on the way to becoming a new force in politics.

Will Allen (yes, the former basketball star) is now an urban farmer, the founder of Growing Power www.growingpower.com and the author of “The Good Food Revolution.”  He writes about how good food can transform communities. 

“My vision,” Allen said, “is to have a world where everybody has access to good food.  Growing Power, Inc, is a non-profit organization and land trust supporting people from diverse backgrounds and the environment in which they live by helping to provide equal access to healthy, high-quality, safe and affordable food.  This mission is implemented by providing hands-on training, on-the-ground demonstration, outreach and technical assistance through the development of Community Food Systems that help people grow, process, market and distribute food in a sustainable manner.  Growing Power has farms located in Wisconsin and Illinois.  Some of our farms are in urban neighborhoods and other farms are in rural settings. “

Growing Power is part of the “good food movement,” dedicated to promoting locally and sustainably grown food.   It’s a big tent movement with farmers, communities, restaurateurs and community markets, health care providers, environmental organizations and health care organizations, all united by the idea that industrial food production is in need of reform.

Cheap food has long been a goal in the United States.  But it is no longer an uncontested one.  Cheap food is now being understood as having severe public health and environmental consequences.  Put simply, the real costs of cheap food are too high.  

Michelle Obama is the most prominent advocate of the good food movement.  Her work to end childhood obesity and to promote healthy eating has already had a profound effect on the new, national dialogue on food.  "In the end, as First Lady, this isn’t just a policy issue for me. This is a passion. This is my mission. I am determined to work with folks across this country to change the way a generation of kids think about food and nutrition."

In fact every one is a participant in this dialogue because we all eat and that means we all make decisions about what we eat and where we get the food we eat.  As Will Allen said, “Food is the most important thing in our lives.  It is the very core of our being.  It puts all people on an equal level.”

Count yourself a member of this movement if you support schools providing healthier school lunches and snacks, if you buy food that has labels such as, organic or cage free or pesticide free, if you voted for the ballot measure to label genetically modified crops; if you buy produce at the Farmers Markets. 

A challenge the good food movement is taking on is the charge of elitism.  Activists for sustainable farming are tackling the related problem of hunger and poverty and working to come up with solutions.  In Pasadena, at the inner city John Muir High School, Mud Baron is teaching his students to be farmers.  Because of the farming they do, the students are able to bring food home to their families.  This brings them the double reward of being able to really help their own families and to grow their own self-esteem as they grow their crops.  Edgar Hercila, an Iraq War veteran, works with homeless vets to teach them sustainable farming in order to reintegrate them into a productive life. 

Environmental organizations, such as the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have added their voice as they warn us that the current food system (the farming and the distribution of food) is not sustainable.  The food system in the United States uses about a fifth of the total American use of fossil fuel energy and emits more greenhouse gas than is sustainable.  We have to address food production and distribution if we are to address global warming and climate change

The most direct motivation for being part of this movement comes from wanting to be a healthy person.  We know that eating sugar and fat added processed foods greatly increases the probability of getting type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer.  These diseases create personal suffering on a huge scale and add economy-threatening costs to our health care system. These are preventable diseases and linked to the standard post WWII American diet.

Oprah Winfrey has joined Will Allen in the good food movement.
In speaking about his appearance with Winfrey he said, "It is wonderful to see that this good food revolution has become so mainstream and so inclusive.  As the message spreads, the demand for better food grows. So when someone as popular and as influential with people’s lifestyle choices as Oprah Winfrey picks up the banner, we know we have come a long way.

“The thing I would want to add, though, is that we still have a lot of work to do. We have won over the hearts and minds of the public: all generations, all cultures and all classes. Now we have to win over the food industry and the government, to see that supplies of better food meet this growing demand. And we have to ensure that this occurs equitably, so that it is no longer just a lifestyle choice for some but a life necessity for all.”

What Say You?

Giving Politics A Good Name: Henry Waxman And Betsy Butler

Courtesy Photos

Left: Henry Waxman is running for the newly created 33rd Congressional District on Nov. 6, which includes Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Agoura Hills, Venice, Mar Vista, and the South Bay. Right: Betsy Butler is running for the newly created 50th Assembly District on Nov. 6 to represent Agoura Hills, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Malibu, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Topanga, West Hollywood, and Westlake Village.

What Say You?  Giving Politics A Good Name.  Henry Waxman and Betsy Butler
Susan Cloke
Columnist, Santa Monica Mirror
October 27, 2012

Politics and politicians have a well deserved and hard-earned bad rap as being in for the power, the prestige, and for personal gain. I’m sure you know who they are. They are the ones wanting to “play with the big boys.” And there is a lot to worry about right now as we hold national elections. But there is also a political surge creating optimism. An optimism made possible, in part, through using new technology on the side of democracy. So take a deep breath and another look at the many political names, some venerable and some rising stars, across the country, who define themselves as public servants and patriotic defenders of democracy and are, everywhere, giving politics a good name as they throw the proverbial “hat into the ring.”

Henry Waxman and Betsy Butler give politics and politicians a good name. In this column I write to praise the work, the leadership, the skills, and the values of Henry Waxman and Betsy Butler.

When people talk about Congressman Henry Waxman (henrywaxmanfor congress.com) we hear words like, “relentless, effective, hard working, caring, dedicated, smart, and savvy.” His actions show that he is in the job to find solutions and, if you’ll allow the expression, “make the world a better place.” And he has an impressive list of endorsers, headed by President Barack Obama, President Bill Clinton, Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, California NOW, California Democratic Party, and the LA County Federation of Labor.

Addressing the pressing economic conditions of today, Waxman worked successfully to pass a plan to cut taxes for small businesses, increase incentives for clean-energy jobs, and invest in infrastructure projects that directly create jobs. He is also a strong supporter of the Make it in America agenda which promotes domestic manufacturing and creates high-skill, high-wage jobs in the United States.

One of the chief sponsors of the Affordable Care Act, Congressman Waxman opposes repealing the Affordable Care Act for moral and economic reasons. He warns that repealing the law would “add significantly to our national debt, increase the number of uninsured Americans and raise costs on individuals and businesses.”

As a protector of the environment and public health he has worked successfully to strengthen the Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, reducing toxic pollutions and improving air quality.
His focus on public health is broad and includes his leadership on the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act, the Ryan White CARE Act which provides care and treatment to people living with AIDS, and legislation which helped create the generic drug industry and has saved consumers billions on the cost of prescription drugs over the past decade.

He sees “Santa Monica as a dynamic and vibrant city that illustrates the importance of preserving our precious natural resources – that sound environmental and economic policies are not mutually exclusive.”

Henry Waxman sees the big picture and he sees the details of people’s lives.  Waxman will go up against independent Bill Bloomfield on Nov. 6 in the newly created 33rd Congressional District, which includes Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Agoura Hills, Venice, Mar Vista, and the South Bay.

Betsy Butler is another public service politician (betsybutler.com).  She is relatively new as an elected leader but she is not new to politics. In the California State Assembly she is a recognized environmental, public health, and social justice leader.

She worked as a field representative for Leo McCarthy; she served at the Department of Commerce as a Clinton Appointee. She came back to California to work at CLCV (California League of Conservation Voters).

As an Assembly Member, Butler worked to protect school funding in difficult economic times and is an advocate for the Education funding propositions on the ballot. “Funding will be contingent on the voters’ approval of the Governor’s proposed modest increase in temporary sales tax and an equally modest income tax increase on the wealthiest Californians. I am confident that every candidate will join with me in urging voters to approve that measure and secure this $6 billion in additional funding for our schools.”

Because of her environmental leadership work in Southern California she knows about Santa Monica’s work on sustainability. Butler says she congratulates Santa Monica on its focus on renewable sustainable water policy and planning. “As an Assembly Member, I intend to address water issues across the state and implement policies similar to Santa Monica and its reuse of water,” she says. “My work to ban toxics in products used by babies and my electric vehicle bill, both which were signed by Governor Brown in 2011, earned me the California League of Conservation Voters and Sierra Club endorsements. This year, I have established my record as an early, strong and effective opponent of the unregulated practice of ‘fracking’ by oil companies. This process used in drilling threatens our underground aquifers and must be regulated. My record affirms my lifelong commitment to the environment.”

Butler also has a long track record when it comes to protecting communities from development pressures. “Like many people here I am disappointed in how some local and state officials allow themselves to be bullied or bought by development interests who cynically use the recession as justification for damaging our communities and the quality of our lives,” she says. “Every candidate promises to ‘stand up to the special interests.’ I have done so consistently.”

Butler has an enormous endorsement list which you can read on her website. Just a few are listed here: The Consumer Federation of California, Equality California, the United Farm Workers (UFW), the California League of Conservation Voters, the National Women’s Political Caucus, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, Assembly Member Julia Brownley, Assembly Member Karen Bass, Sierra Club California, Lily Ledbetter, the California Democratic Party, Planned Parenthood, California Attorney General Kamala Harris, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel, Santa Monica Rent Control Board Member Todd Flora, Santa Monica City Councilmember Kevin McKeown, Santa Monica Former Mayor, Denny Zane, Women’s Political Committee, United Nurses of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC).

Her knowledge of the District, her record as a leader for the environment, education, jobs, technology, and social justice are clear.

Butler says of the 50th Assembly District, “It would be an honor and a privilege to serve this District. We are so blessed with the creativity and ingenuity of the people of the District and with our desire to be leaders on the many issues of our time. We need to invest in education, support new green technology, promote working families, meet the needs of our seniors. All politics are local.”

A new district, the 50th Assembly will represent Agoura Hills, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Malibu, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Topanga, West Hollywood, and Westlake Village. She is up against Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom on Nov. 6 for the 50th Assembly District seat. In all, there are 80 assembly districts in California.

All politics are local and all politics are about people. We have so many reasons to vote in this election. Henry Waxman and Betsy Butler are two good reasons.

What Say You?

Hometown Heroes: The City Council Candidates Parts 2 and 3

Susan Cloke
Colunmist, Santa Monica Mirror
October 6,  2012

Imagine you are elected to the City Council and it is four years from now. How will you be remembered? On which issues will you lead the Council and the City?
That was my question for each of the 15 people running for one of the four City Council seats under consideration in this November 6 election.
Since the winning candidates will be responsible for deciding the future of the City, I thought they should tell us, in their own words, what they would want to accomplish as council members.
The candidates are, in ballot order, Terry O’Day, John Cyrus Smith, Bob Seldon, Ted Winterer, Shari Davis, Gleam Olivia Davis, Steve Duron, Tony Vasquez, Roberto Gomez, Frank Gruber, Richard McKinnon, Jonathan Mann, Armen Melkonians, Jerry Rubin, and Terence Later.
This is column two of two to allow everyone some ‘ink.’
.
John Cyrus Smith, Teacher/Journalist/Producer  www.johnsmithsmcc.com
“Four years from now, more people than ever before will be supporting my reelection, because I’ve always kept my promises and put their interests ahead of everything else. I’ll be remembered as the Councilman with a common name who finally brought common sense to the Council... a political newcomer who started strong and always stood firm against the rampant pace of development, never took a dime from developers and fought against the many forces so willing to sell off the soul of our city, for profit.
Voters will say I was the one who finally got a real plan in place to bring a ‘subway to the sea’ to Third and Wilshire. They’ll also say I never shied away from taking on powerful interests and tough issues. Teachers and families will support me again because I vigorously support our schools. Seniors, parents and renters will say I have their backs and I never let them down, and that Santa Monica is a much better city because of my leadership.
Most of all, I hope to be remembered as a Councilman who promised to keep Santa Monica a special place for the people who live here and backed up that promise with fresh ideas and action. A person who found compassionate but firm answers to homelessness... a leader who found real traffic solutions on the streets and in neighborhoods... and a man who worked so kids have more parks and places to play. I’ll be remembered as the councilman who said finally said “No” to mega-developments that profit developers and not people who live here... a councilman who stuck by his word, made our city better and always puts people first.”

Bob Seldon, Attorney  seldon@speakeasy.net
“I will be remembered as a vocal part of a team of resident-focused candidates swept into office by voters who had had enough of the City Council’s cozy relationship with developers that had led to crushing overdevelopment and perpetual gridlock. I was a constant and leading voice for the residents, as the new majority on the Council turned the City away from developer-favoring policies detracting from the quality of life in Santa Monica.
I was a leading proponent and vocal supporter of:
• an immediate one year moratorium on new commercial and residential projects that increased on-site density, allowing the City to evaluate the effects of projects already approved before going forward with variances sought by those wishing to build projects that did not comply with the new zoning requirements;
• resident-friendly zoning codes that were enacted after the election over the objections of certain Council members favoring a different interpretation of LUCE;
• increasing the number of lanes in one direction on some of the city’s major streets with synchronized traffic lights and dedicated bus and bicycle lanes to facilitate the flow of traffic, while reducing the number of its lanes in the opposite direction to permit access to businesses and parking.
• closing Santa Monica Airport if possible or minimizing its flight operations, and meaningfully including the affected neighborhoods in planning its future as a low-impact, neighborhood-serving site;
• the inclusion of neighborhood leaders and neighborhood associations as a “kitchen cabinet” resource that brought residents into planning decisions in a meaningful way and functioned as a reality check.
I was the one who consistently asked the question “How will this enhance the quality of life of residents who already live in Santa Monica?”

Ted Winterer, Planning Commissioner  www.tedforcouncil.com
“As I write this I’m just back from a breakfast meeting at which the 2012 Sustainable City Report Card was released. Over the years the City has made great progress in many of the categories the report card measures such as Open Space/Land Use and Resource Conservation. However, it’s troubling that we are falling short of our goals for Environmental and Public Health and for Housing. I would hope if I’m elected that in four years I enabled improvement on these fronts by addressing the pollution from the Santa Monica Airport, doing more to heal our bay with Measure V funds and through other means, adopting more stringent green building standards, assuring new development provides housing for all incomes, and creating a new revenue stream for affordable housing production.
Traffic is an issue that impacts all Santa Monicans. It’s time we did more than pay lip service to the no new net pm trips policy of our Land Use and Circulation Element. We already know from environmental impact reports the number of new car trips to anticipate from projects which are approved but not yet built, so the Council should require regular reporting from staff about how those new trips are being offset by circulation improvement strategies. Our Transportation Management Ordinance, written in 1992 to reduce employee car trips, is out of date and needs to be revised. And just as neighboring cities have done for years, we should impose a Transportation Impact Fee on new development to fund tools to make traffic flow rather than clog our streets.
Finally, I hope that four years hence I will have provided the leadership and consensus building skills to assure that Santa Monica remains culturally and physically similar to what it is today while continuing to provide superior services and first rate public safety departments. Culturally, we’ve always been a socioeconomically diverse city with progressive values, a town that’s always looked to help those who are less fortunate than others. Physically, we’ve enjoyed a built environment that provides an intimate relationship with our ocean breezes, our mountain views and our Mediterranean light and that relationship should be preserved. Change is inevitable, but it must work to the benefit of our community rather than to the detriment.”

Shari Davis, Non-Profit Policy Advisor  www.sharidavis2012.com
“In four years from now, I hope I am known for my: balance, problem solving, innovation and collaboration. They’re my strengths now, and they’re what I believe Santa Monicans are looking for in their elected leaders.
I will have championed actions to implement and advance the “Cradle to Career” initiative, Santa Monica’s groundbreaking research-based collaborative approach to providing community services, lifelong learning, quality education and support for our community members from birth to our senior years. It is a long-term investment in people that accomplishes social justice goals and creates a healthy, non-violent, sustainable community. As one who has studied and dedicated countless volunteer hours on this issue, I will have provided leadership locally and regionally to address homelessness, through multi-faceted, housing-first, comprehensive programs, creating more housing for homeless vets at the VA and by pushing for more region-wide solutions.
Working with fellow Councilmembers, the Community Corporation of Santa Monica and other advocates, I will have found funding solutions for more affordable housing in the wake of the State’s dissolution of Redevelopment funding.
Along with tens of thousands of other, I will have celebrated the opening of the Expo Light Rail line in Santa Monica and left my car at home to travel eastbound and back, helping to alleviate congestion on our streets and freeways.
My attention to the City’s budget and expertise in municipal finance will have ensured that Santa Monica’s AAA credit rating is intact, and that we have transparency and accountability in our finances.
Providing leadership to bring disparate interests to work together, I will have approved development agreements that bring tangible benefits to our community as we carefully allow appropriate new projects, with an emphasis on housing, and I will have worked tirelessly to vote on zoning codes that align with the LUCE.
I will be proud to look back at the votes I have cast to enhance public safety, environmental protections, education and our wonderful way of life in Santa Monica.”

Gleam Olivia Davis, Councilmember  www.gleamdavis.com
“I hope to be remembered as a tireless advocate for working families, seniors and youth. My commitment to our local schools and lifelong learning will remain unmatched and I will have championed implementation of the City’s “Cradle to Career” initiative that helps local youth reach their full potential. I also will have spearheaded efforts to increase learning opportunities, activities and services for seniors. For example, we will have expanded door-to-door service that helps seniors and disabled persons get groceries and other items into their homes.
I also will be known for preserving our safe, wonderful neighborhoods and their diversity by protecting rent control and encouraging the building of more affordable housing, particularly for families and seniors. Residents will have expanded recreational and social opportunities because I will have fought to improve existing parks and found opportunities to create new public open spaces. Operations at the airport will be significantly reduced or it will be closed.
The City will have adopted a new zoning code and I will have helped to build consensus around ensuring that new development is properly scaled and has a positive impact on our residents. Water self-sufficiency and primary reliance on renewable energy sources will be on the near horizon. The City’s economy will remain diverse and robust because I will have worked with local business owners to encourage residents to “Buy Local” and we will have created a healthy climate for entrepreneurs and others that want to keep or bring good-paying, green jobs to Santa Monica. The Expo line will have opened and, with my leadership, the City will be providing local bus service and other transit options that make it easier for residents and visitors to get around without a car.
Most importantly, Santa Monica still will be a great place to live.”

Tony Vazquez, Local Business Owner  vazquezforcitycouncil2012@yahoo.com
“It is early 2016, Mayor Pro-Temp Tony Vazquez has made a major impact on the overall quality of life for our residents and is seeking re-election for city council after a successful four year term in office.
Tony led the fight to reduce the Santa Monica Airport foot print as it became a true “recreational” airport prohibiting corporate jets from the facility and in turn, increased neighborhood open space/parkland and greatly decreased the level of noise and air pollution.
He was a strong proponent of remaking downtown Santa Monica into the most transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly city in California and built park-once structures at the east end of the city where visitors and employees were encouraged to park their cars as they worked or shopped in the city.
He also was a leader on the “responsible” growth issue that put an end to over-development and put forth an ordinance that requires all new development to pay for important community projects like affordable housing.
Tony continued his almost 40 year support of the city’s partnership with the local school district and community college that eventually created the state of the art high school at Samohi.
Every time the state attempted to undermine local authority and negatively affect our destiny, Tony was there to stand up for our community in times of need. In short, he created a legacy for future generations to build on.”

Roberto Gomez, Community Volunteer  www.stopcitydestroyinghousing.com
“I will be remembered for the not having failed my constituents in the matters of trust and performance. That I dealt with the public with integrity and honesty in all City dealings as it related to them. But most importantly, bringing in the Federal Investigators to investigate the City for corruption.
I will bring in Federal Investigators concerning the questionable dealings the City have had with developers who have had projects approved against the wishes of the majority of the public. For example the Miramar Project is opposed by a huge number of residents. Yet the City Council pushes it through. When these very same residents ask for a hall to accommodate them the City Council denies their request. It can’t be about a lack of money because the City Attorney’s office spent $75,000 to $100,000 to defend an $86 dollar rent decrease by a City tenant at the City owned property where I live (Mountain View Mobile Home Park). In the end, the City was able to knock off $6.
I will lead on issues of overdevelopment, wasteful spending, homelessness, and the closing of the airport. The City Council should have nothing to do with the future of the Airport. They simply cannot be trusted. They have shown collectively where at least five out of the seven council members vote in blocks. How can five people think the same way most or all of the time? Check out their voting record which most times favors developers.
One would certainly agree that the issue of corruption is a very real possibility with the profit that can be had with help from strategically placed City allies. Huge money is at stake. When the Federal Investigation takes place in the City of Santa Monica, the City of Bell will pale in comparison.”

Richard McKinnon, Corporate Adviser  www.richardmckinnon.com
“In four years the Bike Plan will be completed (except the San Vicente path and Seventh Street bridge) and we will have started another as part of my “Bikes Everywhere” policy. We will have solar panels on 20 percent of the roofs in Santa Monica, be headed towards self sufficiency in water with zero waste; and we will have planted another 3000 street trees; all part of “Deep Green Santa Monica” environmental policy. We will have tackled traffic problems with different routes and bus sizes for Big Blue Bus, introduced tough Transport Demand Management measures on commercial and retail, and put priority on walkable streets. There will be an anti smoking in apartments ordinance; and the City and School District will work together to open new green space and playing fields for residents. The Airport will be smaller and headed towards closure.
The general view will be that I am an environmentally leader, bike advocate, tough on development and architecture councilor focused on resident needs.”

Jonathan Mann, Teacher  net_democracy@yahoo.com
“If I were elected I would be remembered for my persistence and determination in advocating for a Virtual Town Hall on the city website with moderated public forums on burning issues, and city wide free WiFi.
I would lead the Council and City by using this electronic interface to empower residents to have a voice in policy decisions that currently favor special interests domination over the present council.
A Virtual Town Hall would level the playing field so penniless/paperless candidates could overthrow the current political machine and represent the residents rather than special interests.
I would have the budget on line with a search function so residents could see for themselves how the city wastes money while our schools are deteriorating.
I would also work to “throw the bums out” and elect a new council that would support closing the airport in 2015, put a moratorium on development, and freeze wages for all city employees.”

Terence Later, Entertainment Consultant  www.votenowforlater.com
“Woke up this morning with a well managed city budget. Took my rescued pup to “Dogtown Dog Beach” for a leash free run and a dip in the pristine Pacific. Then off to run some errands pick up my shoes at Maya Shoe repair to wear to the Palisades Park holiday lighting ceremony tonight. Next stop Evett’s Model shop for some local shopping. From there breakfast at Marmalade the new addition looks marvelous all dressed up for the holidays. Some more local shopping on Montana. Pick up my vitamins at Montana Natural. Make reservations at the recently landmarked Chez Jay for dinner after the Menorah is lit and Nativity scenes taken in. I love parking in the free for Santa Monica citizens parking structure or at the meters with my SM gratis hangtag. The kids are rehearsing with SM Symphony for the show at the newly restored SM Civic Auditorium. After a great dinner party at Chez Jay off to tuck the kids in and knowing that there’s a Mountain Lion Mama somewhere up on SM ridge telling her cubs not to cross Sunset Blvd. Peace Through Victory.”
In these two columns this week and last you’ve read the candidates as they imagine the contributions their leadership will bring to the City.

To meet the candidates in person, come to the Hometown Forum, hosted by The Mirror, this Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Library at 601 Santa Monica Boulevard. Hope to see you there.

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John Cyrus Smith, Teacher/Journalist/Producer www.johnsmithsmcc.com

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Bob Seldon, Attorneyseldon@speakeasy.net

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Ted Winterer, Plannning Commissioner www.tedforcouncil.com

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Shari Davis, Non-Profit Policy Advisor www.sharidavis2012.com

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Gleam Olivia Davis, Councilmember www.gleamdavis.com

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Tony Vazquez, Local Business Owner vazquezforcitycouncil2012@yahoo.com

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Roberto Gomez, Community Volunteer www.stopcitydestroyinghousing.com

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Richard McKinnon, Corporate Adviser www.richardmckinnon.com

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Jonathan Mann, Teacher net_democracy@yahoo.com

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Terence Later, Entertainment Consultant www.votenowforlater.com

Hometown Heroes: The Santa Monica City Council Candidates. Part 1

Susan Cloke
Columnist, Santa Monica Mirror
September 29, 2012

Imagine you are elected to the City Council and it is four years from now. How will you be remembered? On which issues will you lead the Council and the City?

That was my question for each of the 15 people running for one of the four City Council seats under consideration in this November 6 election.

Since the winning candidates will be responsible for deciding the future of the City, I thought they should tell us, in their own words, what they would want to accomplish as council members.

The candidates are, in ballot order, Terry O’Day, John Cyrus Smith, Bob Seldon, Ted Winterer, Shari Davis, Gleam Olivia Davis, Steve Duron, Tony Vasquez, Roberto Gomez, Frank Gruber, Richard McKinnon, Jonathan Mann, Armen Melkonians, Jerry Rubin, and Terence Later.

Their answers will be published in three columns to allow everyone some ‘ink.’ Today’s column features candidates Terry O’Day, Steve Duron, Frank Gruber, Armen Melkonians, and Jerry Rubin.

Terry O’Day, Incumbent Council Member and Environmental Executive  www.terryoday.com
I will continue and expand his work on the following issues:  “Led passage of Measure R in LA County, which generated the funding for Expo Line that brought the line to Santa Monica. Developed the LUCE as commissioner and councilmember, which re-envisioned the city as pedestrian-friendly, protected neighborhoods, and reduced projected global warming pollution from land use by more than 30 percent. Implemented the LUCE vision with bike investments, bus lines integrated with Expo, and protections for Pico neighborhood from Expo development. Helped remake downtown SM into a live-work-play center that is the most transit-rich, pedestrian-friendly city in Southern California.
Led the city to become the first in Southern California that stopped importing water from streams and rivers of Northern California and the Colorado River. This saved the people of Santa Monica money, improved their neighborhoods, safeguarded their water supply, prevented the extinction of multiple species, improved water quality at the beaches and reduced energy consumption and global warming pollution.
Found new ways to produce affordable housing, parks, and other priorities in Santa Monica after the state raided redevelopment funds. This enhanced the city’s diversity, reduced the affordability crisis, increased park and recreation space, and improved the livability of the city.
Supported the city’s partnership with the school district and college, which created the best learning continuum in California. Was a leader in passing Measure Y and extending city support of operations, then helped to pass Measure ES, which funded capital improvements in the schools. Each time the state threatened to diminish the quality of our schools, he backed them up and got them what they needed to serve our children and give them all an equal and high-quality start in life.”

Steve Duron, Attorney  www.steveduron.com
“If I am fortunate enough to have served our community for four years, I will have accomplished the following: A “pro-development” minded council will change into a “community-first” minded council. No new developments received my support unless developers agreed to compelling benefits for the community to offset the impact the development would impose upon the community; Creation of the Traffic Congestion and Parking Commission – focused on improving traffic congestion and parking issues. For example, they will conduct risk/benefit analysis on road changes such as eliminating left turns on our busiest corridors, or developing a one-way street system on our busiest corridors; Parks are renovated and upgraded to include sitting areas with chess/backgammon/card tables, more exercise equipment is installed for our more-active residents and expanded/renovated playgrounds are completed for our children; Airport is closed in 2015. Funding is being secured for development of a great park with an amphitheatre for classical music and live theatre at the airport site; Mindful of responsible growth for our city, plans are underway to develop and use unobtrusive technology to capture solar, wind and wave energy making the city more self-sustainable. Eventually, this innovation will transform the city into an exporter of energy, creating more jobs, revenue and opportunity. A portion of the Airport site is used for the research, development and execution of this project.”

Frank Gruber, Journalist  www.gruberforcouncil2012.com
“In four years, as we approach the 2016 election, I hope that myself and all other city councilmembers, and all of Santa Monica, will have united behind a parks bond that’s on the ballot. This bond would finance a park on the parking lot of the Civic Auditorium (which has been in the Civic Center Specific Plan since 1994), a new park on the Fisher Lumber site, and, best of all, a new park, a huge precedent-setting park, at what’s now the Santa Monica Airport. This presupposes that the City will have closed the airport, which is one of my primary goals as I run for council. I want to close the airport not only to terminate the noise, pollution and safety problems the airport creates, but also to gain the once-in-a-generation opportunity to return the airport to the community. In fact, I would want to close the airport to take advantage of this opportunity even if the airport had no environmental issues. We have the opportunity to close the airport because the 1984 litigation settlement agreement with the FAA states explicitly that the City will not close the airport until July 1n, 2015, implying that the City has the right to close the airport after that date. We must not lose sight of this clause, which Santa Monicans have relied on for nearly 30 years. The City cannot simply bow to pronouncements from the FAA that notwithstanding the plain language of the agreement, the City has no right to close the airport.
The City needs to be willing to use all means at its disposal, including its proprietary rights as airport owner and lessor to the operators there, and its rights to reclaim the westernmost parcel of land at the airport, to achieve this goal.”

Armen Melkonians, Civil and Environmental Engineer  www.armen4sm.com
“I will make two leaps to increase our quality of life; both will have lasting positive impacts – one will speak loudly – the other bark. I will introduce a brand new sustainable responsible growth policy – NetZAID – Net Zero Adverse Impact Development policy; and I will make Dog Park Beach a reality.
NetZAID will replace Development Agreements which do not work. In concept, a development agreement provides density bonuses to a developer who provides community benefits. More often than not – and arguably in every case – these development agreements leave our community with greater adverse impacts than the community benefits they provide.
Zoning laws are developed through community input and physical constraints and are meant to insure our quality of life. The ability of a city to adequately service its residents and businesses through its existing infrastructure (i.e. traffic/ congestion) is not addressed through the Development Agreement policy. NetZAID will ensure that all development projects leave a net Zero Adverse Impact on our community.
Santa Monica is a built-out city and development agreements fail to address this. If our City is a bucket – it is full. We cannot increase the size of our bucket, we must insure that our bucket doesn’t overflow – this is NetZAID. Existing development agreements defy zoning codes – causing the bucket to overflow – decreasing quality of life. NetZAID recognizes our bucket is full and increases quality of life – the only job of City Council.
What I will be most proud of however? Making Dog Park Beach a reality – receiving licks, wags, and a woof-woof as appreciation. As a civil and environmental engineer, I will represent our four-legged community and bark out-loud. I will work with State Parks and Recs to eliminate any environmental impacts. I look forward to a ribbon chewing ceremony in the near future.”

Jerry Rubin, Peace and Environmental Activist  www.jerrypeaceactivistrubin.com
“It is November 8, 2016: I thought I might watch the election results with lots of people at the local Democratic office. But I decided to watch it at home with my wife Marissa and our kitty kids Sunny and Polly. How exciting and historic to have Hillary Clinton as our first female president! Much more important than whether or not I’m re-elected to the Santa Monica City Council. But I do feel I have been a good Council Member, and many others in the community do as well. I always felt I would be a good member of our City Council. I’m honest, hard-working, and truly love Santa Monica. I’m a fast learner and already had loads of activist experience. I’m an independent thinker. Sometimes I even disagree with myself. But, everyone, including me, was surprised when I was elected in 2012. I’m glad that we saved Paul Conrad’s “Chain Reaction” landmarked peace sculpture. What a wonderful rededication ceremony. It seemed everyone was there. The City, the community, and the Conrad family all worked so cooperatively to make it happen. I’m happy the City is planting many more trees and our Urban Forest Task Force is doing such an ongoing tree-mendous job. I’m glad more people are now getting out of their cars and the Big Blue Bus was able to restore needed service previously cut. And the Expo Light Rail is running smoothly. Even better than we ever expected! I’m pleased with the revitalized Miramar Hotel and there’s lots of open space for student concerts. The Moreton Bay Fig Tree is the open design centerpiece! More adjacent affordable housing and loads of positive community benefits. With some minor design and logistic compromises, the project worked out to be a fantastic win-win positive endeavor for Santa Monica. I think the decision to close the Santa Monica Airport was a good decision. But there are still challenges ahead during the aircraft phase-out period and the community SMO land design process. What a relief that we were able to get more funding to help Emeritus College and bring back some lost classes. I do think it’s now time for Santa Monica to embrace the idea of starting an advisory S.M. Youth Commission.
And I’m sure pleased we were able to get a much-needed and long-overdue Santa Monica Dog Beach. So whether I’m reelected or not, I’ll still, as an activist, be attending all the City Council meetings. And yes I’ll continue holding weekly community input meetings at my bumper sticker table on the Promenade. Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Holidays, and Happy 2017. Peace.”

I join Jerry in wishing “Peace” to everyone. Read the next column as more of the candidates imagine the future. To meet the candidates in person, come to the Hometown Forum, hosted by The Mirror, Oct. 10, 6:30 p.m. at the Main Library, which is free and open to the public.

Courtesy photo

Terry O’Day, Councilmember www.terryoday.com

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Steve Duron, Attorney www.steveduron.com

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Frank Gruber, Journalist www.gruberforcouncil2012.com

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Armen Melkonians, Civil and Environmental Engineer www.armen4sm.com

Courtesy Photo

Jerry Rubin, Peace and Environmental Activist www.jerrypeaceactivistrubin.com

Justin Morrill: A Hero in Every American Hometown

Senator Justin Morrill
Photo courtesy Library of Congress

Hometown Hero: Justin Morrill

SUSAN CLOKE, Columnist

Santa Monica Mirror

September 14, 2012

 

Justin Morrill, 1810 – 1898, is a hero in every American hometown.   We have all benefited from his historic piece of legislation, The Morrill Act, creating the Land Grant Colleges.

If you went to UCLA you went to a Land Grant College.   Now, 150 years after the passage of the Act every State has at least one college or university made possible by the Morrill Act and, with the exception of MIT and Cornell, they are all public.   If you want to know if you went to a Land Grant college go to: http://www.highered.org/resources/land_grant_colleges.htm

The Act provided each state with 30,000 acres of Federal land for each member in their Congressional Delegation.  Since every state has two senators and at least one representative even the smallest state received 90,000 acres.  The land was then sold by the states and the proceeds used to fund public colleges. 

During the Civil War, President Lincoln signed into law, on July 2 1862, the first Morrill Act.  Officially titled "An Act Donating Public Lands to the Several States and Territories which may provide Colleges for the Benefit of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts."

Every state that had remained in the Union received a grant of 30,000 acres of public land for every member of its Congressional Delegation.  Originally sixty-nine colleges were funded by land grants, including Cornell University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Previous attempts to pass the Act had been blocked by legislators from Southern States.  With succession, and the absence of the Southern Legislators, Morrill again introduced the Act and was successful.  In 1890, after the Civil War, Morrill proposed and was successful in passing a second Morrill Act, specifically for the purpose of extending the Act to the sixteen southern states that had formed the Confederacy.

Morrill was the son of the town blacksmith in Strafford Vermont.  At the beginning of our country’s history we had universal education only for children.  University was only for the privileged.  Morrill wanted to go to college, but his family didn’t have the money.  Instead he became a 19^th century merchant and eventually owned and operated four successful general stores, which in the 19^th century allowed him, even required him, to develop the skills of a trader, an accountant, a lawyer, a postman, a politician and a diplomat. 

He was so successful that he was able, at age 38, to retire from business, to pursue his interests in architecture and horticulture and to become the Congressman and then the Senator from Vermont.  He started as a Whig but became a Republican, having joined the ‘Party of Lincoln.’  At that time in history the Republican Party was known as the “party of the working man.”

Strafford Vermont, the birthplace of Justin Morrill www.morrillhomestead.org, celebrated the sesquicentennial of the Morrill Act this summer with a symposium, symposium@morrillhomestead.org, “Carrying forward Justin Morrill’s vision for the future of higher education in the 21^st Century.”

Welcoming the audience to the symposium, Vermont State Senator Dick McCormack said, “the austere, angular dignity and probity of our Yankee ancestors are expressed in the architecture of this town house where we gather together today.”

Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, Rutgers University Professor Clement Price, and John Merrow, NPR and PBS education correspondent were among the featured speakers.

Correspondent John Merrow set the tone for the symposium lamenting the fall of the number of U.S. students graduating from college and university so that we are now in 20^th place internationally.  He said, “America had historically recognized investing in people was good for the country.”

Merrow told the audience, “The challenge of education is to create new leaders, to create the desire to be part of something bigger than oneself.  We’ve lost our way in education.  We’re thinking small.  Education is exploration. The job of education is to grow citizens. Instead we have monetized education.   Public support used to be in grants but now two-thirds of graduates have debt and being in debt when you graduate changes your life and career choices making it harder to go into service careers as a result.

Professor Clement Price spoke eloquently of the “coming apart of the Union and the long, nightmarish, brutal Civil War.”

Price lauded the 1868 Land Grant Act saying, “Morrill’s vision of a nation of ordinary, but educated Americans was an expansion of democracy.  The 2^nd Morrill Act, passed in 1890, “must be placed alongside the Emancipation Proclamation as education was associated with a new birth of freedom” he said.

“With emancipation from slavery the work of freedom could begin.  The sons, and later the daughters, of ordinary people could begin the path to the American century.

Price warned, “The Legacy of Land Grant Act has been interrupted – education is at risk and so is the American future.  When Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation there existed an ethos of social good, the abolitionists and other reformers embraced a vision of social good, an expansion of the American Revolution, the promise of American citizenship.  By comparison our time is seemingly bereft.”

Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy closed the Symposium with these words; “We cannot overstate how much the Morrill Act made millions of people’s lives better due to his vision and values.  Morrill’s commitment to education, to agriculture, to lifelong learning, to business, to architecture, to horticulture and to political service defined his life.”

We in Santa Monica have shown our commitment to education but as we begin the new school year are we asking the right questions?  Are we, in the words of the speakers at the Symposium, “thinking big”?  Are we “educating citizens”, are we “expanding democracy” and “carrying on the work of freedom”?  Aren’t these the questions we, and every generation, must ask and answer if we are to pass on the values that created this nation to the next generation?

 

What Say You: Cedar Circle Farm

Cedar Circle Farm Field and Paddock

What Say You:  Cedar Circle Farm

SUSAN CLOKE

Columnist, Santa Monica Mirror

“Organic, biodynamic and integrated pest management systems are working all around the world and are the hope not only for food sustainability but for the control of global climate change. Even normally conservative World Bank scientists maintain that 51% of greenhouse gasses come from agriculture. This has to change, and local, organic and sustainable agriculture are the answer.” Will Allen.

Allen is an acclaimed leader in the organic food movement, a public policy advisor, an educator, part of the California Certified Organic Farmers Organization from his days in California, and the author of “The War on Bugs” making a compelling a argument against the use of chemical pesticides.   

Most of all he is a farmer and he and Kate Duesterberg are the co-managers of the 52 acre Cedar Circle Farm in Thetford Vermont.  They met, when Duesterberg worked at the Center for Sustainable Agriculture in Burlington Vermont and Allen was heading the Sustainable Cotton Project.  When they decided to marry they looked for a farm where they could put their beliefs into action and found a beautiful, riverfront farm that already had barns, a farmhouse, greenhouses and a farmstand.

The non-profit Azadoutioun Foundation of Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Duesterberg and Allen’s recommendation, bought the farm.  The Foundation retains ownership with Duesterberg and Allen as farm managers.  The previous owners, the Stones, had sold the development rights to the Vermont Land Trust, so Cedar Circle land, is protected, in perpetuity, as farmland. 

The farm grows blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, melons, flowers, corn, all the brassicas (broccoli and more), beets, onions garlic, leeks, carrots, potatoes, winter squashes, pumpkins and herbs such as basil, parley, and dill.

Produce is sold at their farmstand and at local farmers markets.  They participate in CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) where people buy shares ahead of the growing season and so pre-pay for a share of the coming season’s fruits and veggies, which helps the farmers pay for seed and provides produce at lower prices to members.

Cat Buxton, the Education Programs Coordinator for the farm, and I sat early one morning in the farm café, drinking their delicious coffee.  Actually, I was drinking the delicious coffee, Buxton declined, having just finished her usual morning drink, a smoothie she shared in the kitchen. (The smoothie recipe varies with supply and with the seasons. That day it was 1 avocado, 2 bananas, 1 pear, 1 peach, 1 cucumber, 1 head. lettuce, ½ bunch kale, ¼ bunch parley, 1 lemon (all but the rind), water to thin to a drinkable consistency.)

We talked about a recent thunder and lightning storm and Buxton, describing the safety procedures on the farm said, “at the first sound of thunder all field crew know to come in.  Even if that means that sometimes you’ve got to leave what you’re doing and get yourself to a safe house.”

40 of Cedar Circle’s 50 plus acres are cultivated.  Farm buildings, internal roads and trees and a 50’ buffer zone, one of the requirements of an organic farm, occupy the other 10 acres.  On the Connecticut River edge there is a wildlife corridor of oaks and maples and native flora to create habitat and prevent erosion. Buxton told me that  “Deer, fox, groundhogs, raccoons, skunk and bears all use the corridor.”

3 draft horses live, and are used for work, on the farm.  Buxton said, “as part of our ecological mission we are working toward “horse drawn agriculture in order to reduce petroleum use.  Currently, in addition to using the horses we use 9 tractors as well.” 

Buxton works on all the community outreach programs. “We have lots of families that come here to spend the afternoon, strolling, picking berries (on the traditional Vermont honor system).  We have lots of events, Dinner in the Field happens once or twice a year; we have a harvest festival, a strawberry festival and a pumpkin festival.  We’ve had over 1000 people come to the festivals.  The festivals feature music, education tables, horse drawn wagon rides and, of course, food and produce.  There is no entry free for those who come by foot or by bike. There is a $5 parking fee if people come in their cars.  We are also part of the Tour de Taste, a recreational bicycle event with stops for good food at farms along the way.

“We offer gardening and cooking classes, the fees depend on the length of the classes.  We hold free community garden clinics in Thetford and White River and we sponsor the school garden at Thetford Elementary where we teach a ‘food loop’ from seed starting through planting, garden care, and harvesting.  Then the produce the kids have grown goes into the cafeteria and they love eating the food they’ve grown themselves.  Garden waste goes into compost and the compost is used for the next season’s garden, hence a ‘food loop.’  Crispy kale is now a favorite at the school cafeteria!”

In talking about the future, Buxton said, “Our mission is large. We want to stay on the same track but we don’t want to get too big because that wouldn’t be sustainable.”

Alison Baker and Justin Barrett were the chefs of the Dinner in the Field al fresco banquet at Cedar Circle Farms.  Baker is the KitchenManager at the farm  and Barrett is the founder of Piecemeal, a local enterprise in community driven food. Barrett trained in architecture before focusing his talents on sustainable food, working in Portland, Oregon and in Manhattan before coming to Vermont.

Long, trestle tables were placed end to end on a grassy lawn with rows of crops abutting one edge and a horse paddock at the far end.  Draft horses, used for pulling plows on the farm, were munching away on the grass in their paddock. 

Dinner in the Field Menu Boards

About 25 happily anticipatory people sat at the tables; among them a professor from Dartmouth, a banker from the Netherlands, a holistic health coach, volunteers from the farm, the director of online education at Dartmouth Medical School, a local housecleaner, locals and vacationing families, all looking forward to a dinner showing off the splendor of locovore, the name given to the choice to eat local, sustainably grown food.  Alison Baker welcomed us, sharing her pleasure with everyone sitting down together, outside in the light of early evening, and next to the field where the food is grown.

A festive mood, created by the gorgeous day, the glamorous farm where all was perfection. (May I use the word glamorous when talking about a farm?  It’s not the usual adjective for a farm but it fits this farm).  The air was soft, the breeze gentle, the blue sky painted with the pinks and yellows of the coming sunset and the soft whites of occasional clouds.

The dinner, delicious and local and communal represented the antithesis of most of the food grown in the United States.  Will Allen describes that food, “So much of what we eat is at its core fossil fueled. Let's begin with fertilizer. Fossil fuels power the nitrogen manufacturing plants. U.S. farmers use more than 24 billion pounds of nitrogen fertilizer every year. To manufacture that nitrogen more than 660 billion pounds of nitrous oxide are released. Nitrous oxide is 300 times more destructive as a greenhouse gas than CO2. Two-thirds of our drinking water is contaminated with nitrogen fertilizer runoff. More than 400 oceanic dead zones are caused by nitrogen fertilizer runoff. Growing the crops in the U.S., which are mostly for animals, requires enormous amounts of fossil fuel for tractors, swathers, combines, and dryers. After the crops for feed or human food are harvested they are shipped 1500 to 3000 miles, using more fossil fuel. Shipping and storage require cooling and freezing, and more fossil fuel.  Clearly, this is not endlessly sustainable.

“We have organic, biodynamic and integrated pest management systems that are working all around the world and are the hope not only for food sustainability but for the control of global climate change. Even normally conservative World Bank scientists maintain that 51% of greenhouse gasses come from agriculture. This has to change, and local, organic and sustainable agriculture are the answer.”

So the challenge is before us and the danger is clear.  Food that is grown with petrochemicals is harmful to our health and the health of our soil and water.  That is the message.  Now it is up to us to do our part.  We are the consumers, if we let the places where we buy food and go out for food know we want sustainably grown food, food grown without petrochemicals, they will respond and we will be able to complete the farm to table cycle for healthy food.   

Let us support our local farmers, going to farmers markets for our produce, buying locally, supporting restaurants and markets that carry local, sustainable and organic foods. 

Alison Baker, as she and Justin Barrett were being applauded at the end of this summer’s Dinner in the Field, said, “There is no end to the deliciousness possible with local food, sustainably grown.”

What Say You?