Time to Plan and Organize...

Hello!
We had an amazing meeting last Sunday so many thanks to all that came out to help on the plot. We hand crafted some cute signs to identify the different areas of the plot, added more California native plants, and lined the back wall with tree twigs to bring a more natural feel. Try and drive/bike/walk by when you can to see all the new additions (or I'll be putting up a photo soon). On Monday and Tuesday of thise week we mett with Matt Lyons head of the Long Beach Water Department(LBWD), one of the LBWD's landscapers, a representative of the Surfrider Foundation, and the REA (redevelepment..) of Long Beach. All of the meetings were very very successful. Urban Paradise got Matt Lyons' full support and a very strong interest in the project from the Surfrider Foundation. The REA is also very enthusiastic about the project. Although we have made these connections we keep hearing the same thing. We cannot move forward or use these connections until we have the approval from the city for the rooftop. So this is now our main focus; Presenting to the city of Long Beach and Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal so Urban Paradise can gain access to the Main Library rooftop gardens.

Let's discuss our next plan of action...
This Sunday Meeting Febrary 1st
3pm in front of the plot on Ocean and Pacific

Urban Paradise Logo Competition:
If you haven't noticed Urban Paradise lacks a logo so lets design one! Everyone is welcome to submit a logo and is not limited to just one. Bring your design to the Sunday meeting!
Logo requirements:
Must say Urban Paradise
any plants incorporated must be California Native

Signs and Logos for Urban Paradise

Hey everyone,
Let's make some signs for our plot and an Urban Paradise logo!
Our meeting with the Long Beach water department and Surfrider foundation is this upcoming Monday..ah! Come work on the plot with us this Sunday painting signs and planting more California native plants to show them our vision of an Urban Paradise in Long Beach . Just make sure you wear some clothes you don't mind getting dirty or paint on.

This Sunday Meeting January 25
3pm in front of the plot on Ocean and Pacific
Keep an eye out for these items to bring on Sunday:

• Recycled wood (any size or shape and we can pick and choose from there)
• Stakes, nails, and hammers
• Paint (any color) or sealant
• Paintbrushes

Urban Paradise Logo Competition:
Design will be chosen February 1st at the Sunday meeting.
If you haven't noticed Urban Paradise lacks a logo so lets design one!
Everyone is welcome to submit a logo and is not limited to just one.
Logo requirements:

• Must say Urban Paradise
• any plants incorporated must be California Native

**Also! If you went on the field trip to the Beach two weeks ago please send us your pictures from that day or any other pictures you would like to go on the blog.
**Spread the word :) tell at least one person this week about Urban Paradise and share the blog oururbanparadise.blogspot.com
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**Landscape Classes - Long Beach Water Department
Choosing the Best Plants for You
~ April 25th ~ May 23rd~
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way
Parking: Park in the structure and the cost is $6, but admission to the aquarium after the class is FREE!

Native Plants for Public Space - Sustainable Landscape Design Seminar
February 12, 2009 (thursday)
At the Metropolitan Water District Headquarters

By invite only. On February 12th, 2009, the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council, with sponsorship from the Metropolitan Water District, will host a landscape design seminar for professionals in Southern California. To contribute to landscape architect, designer, and project manager familiarity with the nuances of native landscapes, we have developed a one-day program that provides a comprehensive overview of current best design, build, and management practices.
Click here to visit the website and view the schedule of speakers.
Registration is now available online.
Space is limited and early registration is highly suggested.

First Annual Long Beach Green Fest
May 9^th 2009- …call Elliot Gonzalez for more information 562-786-3874…more info to come.

Field trip this Sunday!

Hi Folks!
We had a very successful Urban Paradise meeting last Sunday thanks to everyone that showed up. Lots of exciting ideas were flying across the circle and the project seems to be taking off in a great direction. As you'll see in the notes below we have a meeting with the LB water department to move towards a positive relationship with the city.

This Sunday Meeting January 11^th
Field trip, picnic, and working on the Plot!

12pm-Meet at the plot on Ocean and Pacific. At 12:15 we'll be carpooling to a beach in San Pedro (right below the Donald Trump Golf Course). We'll be collecting rocks for our plot and checking out the Native Plant restoration project they have there.

2:00pm-Carry our heavy load up the cliff and enjoy a vegetarian potluck picnic overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

2:30pm-Leave San Pedro and head over to the plot to start gardening at 3pm

3:00-5pm-Meet at the plot on Ocean and Pacific to do some gardening, maintenance, and rock designs!

What to bring:
-Something vegetarian to share for a picnic pot luck
- Gardening gloves if you don't wanna get your hands dirty
-A rock you may have you want to add to the garden!

Please RSVP if you need a ride to San Pedro, can offer seats in your car, or have any questions. If you plan on leaving your car downtown, probably best to park in the civic center parking structure on the other side of the Library. If you can't make it to the field trip but still want to come help at 3pm at the plot no problem...see you there!

Events this Weekend...Mark your Calendar!
Sat. January 10, 8:30am-12- Free Residential Landscape Classes at the Long Beach water department. They would like for anyone planning to attend to pre-register through their office: 562-570-2300 (thanks Ty!)
Sat. January 10, 12-2pm- Estuary Explorations at the Colorado Lagoon. Come help salvage native salt marsh plants!
May 9^th 2009- First Annual Long Beach Green Fest…call Elliot Gonzalez for more information 562-786-3874…more info to come.

Meeting Notes for January 4, 2009

URBAN PARADISE
community project 2009
Long Beach, CA

Minutes from meeting January 4, 2009 @ 3pm
Present: Rachel Bennish, Elliot Gonzalez, Heidi Nye, Ty Teissere, Marcy Sandoval, Jerry Schaefer, Eric Zahn, Diana Parmeter, Monique, Brian Bello

Small Picture: Make our first plot beautiful and complete to present to the Long Beach water department and Surfrider Foundation on January 26, 2009.

• A partnership with the Long Beach water department
• grants to fund our project
• A portfolio to present to the city

Big Picture: Use entire rooftop garden on top of the library as a community garden, art, music, and education center. Start planting rooftop garden by November 2009!

• Create timeline
• Partnership with other environmental community groups in Long Beach
• Connect with community

Check Out...
KCRW's Le Show with Harry Shearer January 4, 2009. Heidi Nye recommended this segment because of the biannual art festival going on in New Orleans. Inspiration that even while New Orleans is getting back on its feet it can put something amazing like this on.

Seedsavors.org Since 1975, Seed Savers Exchange members have passed on approximately one million samples of rare garden seeds to other gardeners. this link shows you that we can get some California Poppy from them in the future :)

E-mail Mayor Bob Foster and Councilman Suja Lowenthal! Jerry wrote Bob Foster an e-mail suggesting he save the library and turn the rooftop into a community gathering place for the arts, music, etc. E-mails like this can really show the council/city that this is something we want and are willing to work hard for! thanks Jerry!

See you Next Year!

Urban Paradise wants to wish you all a...
Happy holidays and a Happy New Year!

Just popping in to let you all no there will be no Urban Paradise meeting this Sunday. We all deserve a little break but can't wait to get started back up in the new year! Make sure you drive past the plot on Ocean to see the wonderful work Marcy, Allison, Rachel and Elliot did last Sunday. New cool rock design and few new plants. Next meeting is:

Sunday January 4, 2009!!! @ 3pm
We'll meet at our usual spot..our plot on Ocean and Pacific.
If it's raining we'll meet at the cafe right across the street.
(Call Elliot at 562-786-3874 if you can't find us or have any questions)

Here's what we're working on:

• continuing to make our first plot beautiful and complete
• A partnership with the Long Beach water department
• grants to fund our project
• A portfolio to present to the city

Like always, you are more than welcome to every meeting and we really want to see new volunteers or faces we haven't seen in a while. 2009 is an opportunity to continue this project with fresh energy and to take it where it needs to be taken. We are so grateful to have you all as part of the Urban Paradise community. Once again have a wonderful holiday and a booty shakin' , champagne drinkin', loud singin' New Years!

-Rachel and Elliot

Come work on the plot this Sunday!

During our meeting last Sunday we came up with the most brilliant artistic plan to use for our plot...ROCKS! Maybe it doesn't sound too exciting now but just think of all the beautiful designs we can create with rocks (plus we've already gotten the city's approval; a big plus).

We've got some more plants and seeds to put in our garden plot as well as arranging rocks in some fun designs so come prepared with your green thumb and artistic eye.

this Sunday December, 21 @ 3pm (like always!)

At 3pm we will be meeting at the cafe on Ocean right across from the plot. there is parking on both sides of the street so don't fret. We all hope to see you there...this project really needs help and energy from each and every single one of you. We have made large strides but our big goal is still so far away. Please come this Sunday, bring a friend, and let's make this plot look beautiful!

It's time for Art and Gardening!

Hello Urban Paradise! (yes that's you)

Congratulations on getting to phase one of Urban Paradise...our first garden plot! If you don't already know we had our ground breaking in November for our plot on Pacific and Ocean on the wall of the main library. Thanks to all of you that helped, the 30x70 ft plot is now filled with wonderful baby drought resistant and California Native plants! So what's next? I'm glad you asked the question.

ART and more GARDENING!! Come join us tomorrow
Sunday, December 14 @ 3pm
at Viento y Agua (on 4th and termino right across from Fremont elementary school)

While it's raining tomorrow and our baby plants are getting watered; this is a chance for all of us to bounce all our artistic ideas off one another so that in the next couple of weeks we can continue gardening and making the plot look absolutely beautiful. Can't wait to see you all there for a warm cup of tea and artistic discussion!
-Rachel