More about OFFCenter

Looking over past posts, it's hard to miss that garden posts outnumber others by something like 5 to 1. Time to address the gap. Let's start by meeting arts and community service organization that is probably iCreate's most important partner. 

OFFCenter Community Arts Project hosts our music outreach classes, recitals and concerts (next one May 20th - watch for more about it!) at their community artspace in downtown Albuquerque. Programs include a wide range of workshops, working groups and an emerging artists program.  Albuquirky House Tour on May 7th and the Folk Arts Festival in September are two events you are likely to already be familiar with. House Tour tickets available now, and you can submit your own  quirky Mini House creation until the end of April: "Little House's" call for Artists.

Even if your interest is in the Community Garden rather than creative mentoring outreach projects (just music at the moment but have included writing and could - in my opinion should - include other arts), please take the time to learn more about our partners and their programs, starting with OFFCenter. Information on the two exhibits below is from the latest OFFCenter email notice, being blogged in pieces for formatting convenience. Subscribe by sending an email message with JOIN in the subject line to info@offcenterarts.org. You can also follow OFF-Center Arts on Facebook.

Gallery Exhibit Opening - Friday, April 1st, 5 - 8 pm

OFFCenter Arts is honored to host an exhibit of artwork which was created in response to the "Through a Narrow Window: Friedl Dicker-Brandeis and Her Terezin Students" Exhibit which was presented by UNM Associate Professor Dr. Linney Wix at the UNM Art Museum in Feb. and March. "Through a Narrow Window..." was a unique exhibit containing more than 50 works created in early 1943 by artist/teacher Friedl Dicker-Brandeis and her students in the Terezin concentration camp in former Czechoslovakia. Dicker-Brandeis utilized her Bauhaus training to teach art to the children and youth during their internment in the concentration camp 50 miles north of Prague. Dr. Wix conducted response art making/writing workshops in conjunction with the exhibit, as well as artists in the OFFCenter community were invited to see the "Through the Narrow Window..." exhibit and create artwork in response to: the children's artwork; what they learned about Terezin; the children interned there or artist/teacher Friedl Dicker-Brandeis.

Dr. Wix's research compiled in a companion book from UNM Press

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Creative Albuquerque hosts OFFCenter Artists, April 4- May 6

Starting Monday, April 4th, Creative Albuquerque will be hosting a group exhibit of nine different OFFCenter Artists. CreativeABQ is located at 115 4th Street - in the pedestrian mall at Copper Ave. 

We will celebrate the exhibit with a closing reception on Friday, May 6th from 5 - 8 pm to be held at Creative Albuquerque.

Please stop by to see CreativeABQ's new gallery/business space and to view these artists' works: 

Henry Armijo, Jill Cooper, Sharie Fabian, Ricardo Gutierrez, Gloria Hajduk, Mary Lambert, Marcia Sednek, Ayren Valery, Venae Warner

Good gardening and other news

I see from my mailbox that Tomas has submitted the the ScottsMiracle-Gro Grant. He writes,

The MiracleGrow  gardening grant application has been submitted. 

Phone numbers and e-mails are included in the grants for Kay Stillion as Executive Director of iCreate, 

Joan Embree as project director (of the community garden) 

and me, Tomas Wolff as garden coordinator are included.

We should hear by May 20th for a grant up to $1,500. 

That's a lot of drip hoses, wheel barrows and perhaps some shade cloth, and other necessities. 

Lets keep our fingers crossed.

PS. We should start planting some spring vegetables. 

Joan is returning from California soon, so we should plan a garden meeting, 

say Saturday, April 9th at 10 am AM? or the week following?

In other news, not about the Community Garden or gardening but about the other side of iCreate, the call for submissions for the memorial poetry anthology project is, pending just a bit more feedback, ready to roll on schedule, April 1st, the first day of National Poetry Month. More, much more on that and the month itself in separate posts... a month of poetics-appropriate festivities, rollicking versification and general merry-making planned at both Poets and Writers Picnic locations, in the blogosphere and on Facebook, (none IRL or, as far as I know, recognized by the MMAC poetry/writing subcommittee).

We interrupt this short update on and commercial for poetry to return to our gardening news....

Grow Your Own – Time To Start Digging! Posted: 30 Mar 2011 07:14 AM PDT by John Weckerle Well, it's past time to start digging, at least for some of us, and digging we have done – largely sponge pits for new and existing trees and shrubs, but we've also taken some time to start prepping the beds for this year's crop.  With luck and time, we'll be adding new beds this year, and maybe even experimenting with some new varieties and soil mixtures. As we approach the season, we thought we'd share a few resources that might be useful to our readers in getting (and keeping) the ball rolling  (go to John's "Grow Your Own" post for the rest ~ a hint, more good Extension resources; while there check out other articles in the gardening category and admire the pictures) Happy tilling!

#Mountainair Community Garden updates

Correction to last iCreate post: Tomas not Scott as incorrectly reported is writing the the Community Garden application for the Scotts (no doubt where the 'Scott' came from) Miracle-Gro Community Gardens and Open Spaces grant that I pointed them to (a hint to keep me posted). We have no idea how tight the competition will be, but the grant requirements look like a good fit.

And now back to the garden... 

Recently, Tomas Wolff (assistant garden manager and Joan Embree stand in but not dressing the part) and other Community Gardeners have been occupied with getting the new art center ready for use ~ but not before starting early seedlings in the Mojave Rose greenhouse to have a selection, including popular herbs and tomato varieties, ready to sell at the May 5 opening of the new Mountainair Farm & Garden Market.  

Reports have been scant but seedlings are coming along nicely and a good selection will be available for opening day. Some may also be available for purchase directly from the Community Garden on workdays. I'll keep you posted... if the gardeners do the same for me (and will remind them if they don't).

March Garden Update from Tomas (should be more, my next step will have to be writing exciting fictional updates to post):

March 12: The tomatoes are popping out all over. I also planted 25 bell peppers and have them over at my house where I can put them on a heating pad. There are some more cups available, but we are running out of planting soil. I'll try to get some this weekend, so we can plant more peppers and spices and seedlings for our own community garden, perhaps during this coming week. We probably have about 250+ seedlings planted so far.

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More information about the Scotts Miracle-Gro Grant ~

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Offers Grants for Community Gardens and Green Spaces: World's Largest Lawn and Garden Company Launches Program Helping Communities to Cultivate a Green Thumb   

The goal: to plant 1,000 gardens and green spaces across the U.S., Canada and Europe by 2018. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company wants to make that happen and launched a new program called GRO1000, offering $1,500 grants to deserving communities and organizations in the hopes it will get people involved in creating more community gardens and green spaces where they call home. 

"Something happens when communities grow and learn together," said Jim King, ScottsMiracle-Gro's senior vice president of corporate affairs. "People develop a sense of pride and accomplishment when they get involved in cleaning up their neighborhoods, growing flowers, or cultivating their own healthy local food, and we want to help them get the job done." 

Communities interested in pursuing 2011 GRO1000 grassroots grants can apply online by March 31, 2011. Projects should include the involvement of neighborhood residents and foster a sense of community spirit.

This year's crop of ScottsMiracle-Gro's community gardens is already underway. On March 1, teachers, parents and students at Morning Star School in Tampa, FL, got their hands dirty planting edible and learning gardens on the school's campus. 

Throughout 2011, Scotts Miracle-Gro and its partners: Keep America Beautiful, Plant A Row for the Hungry, Garden Writers Association, the National Gardening Association and Franklin Park Conservatory will establish gardens and green spaces in Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, New York, Ontario, Canada and Lyon, France. 

Carol Ledbetter

 Program Administrator, Plant A Row for the Hungry
5281 Holly Springs Dr.~ Douglasville, GA 30135
Tel/Fax: 877.GWAA.PAR, E-mail: par@gardenwriters.org
PAR is a public service campaign of the Garden Writers Association Foundation

Saturday Mar 26: iCreate meeting

...11 am at the Shaffer Hotel, #Mountainair, for the record and in case you missed earlier announcements 

Presumably adequate reminders have sent by, whether or not to the extended list, I cannot say. If so, then advance apologies but not regret if I send this link around as reminder, brief catch up and agenda. Meeting are open: visitors always welcome to join us. 

I included points from the agenda notes in "Coming up this week end in Mountainair" post on Mountainair Announcements.  This version is more developed. There is, however, no guarantee (little likelihood for that matter) that the meeting will follow the order below:

Announcements

• Joan Page will be moving this summer and stepping down from the board at that time or sooner
• Scott Remmich has offered to write the Scotts Miracle Grow grant that I sent information on for the community garden, blog post waiting in the wings. The deadline is a March 31 EST.
• iCreate will be publishing an anthology of poetry in memory of Merris Atman. Submission deadline is May 24, 2011. Limited calls and out to Poetry in the Schools program and other interested parties with the wider general scheduled for April 1 to coincide with the beginning of National Poetry Month 2011

Reports

• Minutes of February meeting
• Treasurer's Report
• Poetry project: call for poems to publish online; offering hard copy printed on demand if interest warrants 
• Meeting with Ben Steinlage Saturday March 12 before about update on poetry project, specifically information ~ costs, options, etc ~ on producing a print version of the anthology
• Community Garden (if available, otherwise wait until I comb through my emails and post a separate report here. As a general rule, garden updates, reports and announcements are posted separate from iCreate
• Weekly Jam Sessions
• Grant spending update: 2 earned guitars and recitals (approx $100/each)

Old Business

• May 20 concert at Off Center Arts: nine performers have been lined
• 2010 annual report

New Business

• Come up with a catchy name for concert
• Discuss and vote on whether or not to renew MMAC membership
• New board member to replace Joan Page

Not really on agenda but mentioned and could come up:

• Participation in mentoring program, Anne Ravenstone, MES
• Joint project with arts council to offer program to help fill after school gap

KGI News: Growing & Sharing the Good Life

Assorted Community Garden, Music Outreach Program, back to poetry (that one will take some explaining) and other updates coming soon. Promise. Today, for that green mood and to remind us that Gardening is Global, here are excerpts from the March KGI newsletter: read the rest here

Planting Asparagus from Crowns Planting an asparagus bed may well be the smartest thing you do this year, right up there regular flossing and wearing sunscreen. Think about it: how many things can you plant in your vegetable garden that will allow for harvests over 20 years or more? To be smart, however, you must be smart in how you start your bed. This photo tutorial will help you reap bountiful harvests for many years to come. Continue reading here. back to top

Understanding Lettuce Types These days, lettuce can be one of the most beautiful crops in your garden, and it's much easier and more intriguing to grow than in the days when iceberg lettuce was the salad-bowl staple. Here's a guide to the full range of lettuce choices. Continue reading here. back to top

La Vida Locavore: Sampler Platter

... assorted food news and links from across the internet

I realize the big news right now is Japan. And just behind Japan are Wisconsin and Libya. So it feels totally tonedeaf to post a bunch of food news. But the funny thing about news is that it doesn't stop happening, even when there's much bigger news happening somewhere else. So get your Libya, Japan, and Wisconsin updates from Amy Goodman or Al Jazeera English, and read the Tonedeaf Edition of the Sampler Platter, below, for food news...

• A bill in Florida would make it a felony to take a picture of a farm without the written consent of the owner.

• Alternet asks: "Why are California regulators turning a blind eye to massive groundwater pollution from dairies?"

• Perhaps the best coverage I've seen yet on the UN report on agroecology: "Africa: Save Climate and Double Food Production With Eco-Farming" And Tom Philpott's piece on this is so good that I'm afraid I have to assign it as required reading.

• Here's a great idea: food swaps! OMG, what a GREAT way to go! What will you give me for a pint of lemon marmalade? I'm definitely in the market for some homemade tomato sauce.

• The Nation has a piece that features San Diego's City Heights farmers' market. Very cool! This market was absolutely a labor of love by the people at the IRC. Better yet, the impact of making this market accept food stamps is that once the managers realized the value of doing that and learned how to do it, they now made several other markets in San Diego accept food stamps too. (H/t to Daniel Bowman Simon for sending me this one.)

• Sam Fromartz takes on GMOs and the myth of feeding the world.

• From Marion Nestle: Once again, kids prefer food in packages with cartoons. You need research to tell you that?

• I have no words for this. But I could think of a nice use for that napkin, one that would involve being in a bathroom with your pants down.

• The blog US Food Policy takes on agricultural subsidies. On Civil Eats, the wonderful and talented Brian Depew takes on the same issue here. And rural resident Steph Larsen demands her subsidy check :)

• Marion Nestle provides an industry view of food allergies.

• Barry Estabrook tells about recent actions by farmworkers and their allies with the group Coalition of Immokalee Workers.

• Also from Estabrook: "Co-opting an Unsustainable Food System: Student-Run Collectives Replace Junk Food Franchises on College Campuses"

• In the world of GMO's: "China to promote GMO planting over the next 5 years;" after massive protest kept Bt eggplant out of India, it may be it may be introduced in the Philippines; Mexico approved a GE corn pilot project; Ugandans are working on GM bananas; the EU made its rules more permissive on GE animal feed; and here at home, lawmakers urge FDA to go slow on GE salmon.

via lavidalocavore.org

iCreate Student Recital

We invite you to join us for a special event at Off Center Arts Friday, March 11 at 3:30 pm. Each student completing iCreate's Music Outreach Program performs at a recital at which the student is awarded the musical instrument earned by completing the program. 

iCreate is honored to award Jaen Emanuel Ugalde a guitar for completing the program criteria, which include this recital. Jaen is a 21 yr old student at UNM and CNM whose favorite band is Hill Song United.

Program:

Elephant Walk

A Minor Waltz

A Minor Dream

Spring Blossom

Legato To Staccato

Congratulations Jaen! Enjoy your guitar and keep making beautiful music

iCreate appreciates and thanks the McCune Foundation for making this guitar and celebration possible. We also thank Off Center for hosting Music Outreach. Learn more about Off Center online, download and read the current issue of Gleaners, follow Off Center on Facebook.

3/31 deadline: Garden Grants from ScottsMiracle-Gro

Attn: #Mountainair: Town, 4-H, Chamber, MPS, Community Garden, MMAC for the open space at the new Art Center, Rodeo/Gymkhana Association, other service group or church ... somebody should take a look at this. Whoever/whichever, please remember that community is an inclusive word, not limited to a particular community subgroup or organization. 

 

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The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Offers Grants for Community Gardens and Green Spaces

World's Largest Lawn and Garden Company Launches Program Helping

Communities to Cultivate a Green Thumb

 

The goal: to plant 1,000 gardens and green spaces across the U.S., Canada and Europe by 2018. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company wants to make that happen and launched a new program called GRO1000, offering $1,500 grants to deserving communities and organizations in the hopes it will get people involved in creating more community gardens and green spaces where they call home. 

"Something happens when communities grow and learn together," said Jim King, ScottsMiracle-Gro's senior vice president of corporate affairs. "People develop a sense of pride and accomplishment when they get involved in cleaning up their neighborhoods, growing flowers, or cultivating their own healthy local food, and we want to help them get the job done." 

Communities interested in pursuing 2011 GRO1000 grassroots grants can apply online by March 31, 2011. Projects should include the involvement of neighborhood residents and foster a sense of community spirit.

This year's crop of ScottsMiracle-Gro's community gardens is already underway. On March 1, teachers, parents and students at Morning Star School in Tampa, FL, got their hands dirty planting edible and learning gardens on the school's campus.

Throughout 2011, ScottsMiracle-Gro and its partners: Keep America Beautiful, Plant A Row for the Hungry, Garden Writers Association, the National Gardening Association and Franklin Park Conservatory will establish gardens and green spaces in Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, New York, Ontario, Canada and Lyon, France.

Carol Ledbetter

Program Administrator, Plant A Row for the Hungry
5281 Holly Springs Dr.~ Douglasville, GA 30135
Tel/Fax: 877.GWAA.PAR, E-mail: par@gardenwriters.org 
PAR is a public service campaign of the Garden Writers Association Foundation