The Earth First! Organizers’ Conference (OC) and Winter Rendezvous (Rondy) will be held in the beautiful mountains of Santa Barbara. Traditionally, this conference is a time for members of radical environmental campaigns to come together to discuss ideas and strategies, ideally creating a stronger, more unified front. We expect this year’s gathering to help connect and strengthen existing campaigns within the movement, as well as look at how current social and political trends impact the biosphere in increasingly devastating ways. We hope the conference will inform and inspire new comrades to join the struggle in defense of the Earth—along with eating good food and doing a bunch of hootin’ and hollerin’!

Complete announcement: EARTH FIRST ORGANIZERS by by Winter Rondy

Your assistance is requested to support the RELOCATION of the WCGC to a non culturally and environmentally sensitive location.

The Los Padres Forest Service is accepting public comments on the 20 yr permit of the Winchester Gun Club (WCGC) opposed by the Coalition to Save Husahkiw-Chumash Windcaves and Sierra Club, with many supporters in the fields of Archeology, Anthropology, Rock Art Specialists, Natives and Non-Natives.

Full announcement: Help Save the Chumash Wind Caves by AIM Santa Barbara

From the loose network of affinity groups that brought you the 2009 Round River Rendezvous, comes the first annual Earth First! California Roadshow! We will be presenting skill-shares, music, history and theory of direct action and radical ecology in events up and down the state.

The first annual Earth First! California Roadshow will be traveling through the state this month to build connections between bioregions and different ecological resistance groups, and to promote the upcoming Organizers' Conference (OC) and Winter Rendezvous in Santa Barbara. We will be holding skillshares/workshops, presenting radical history and critical analysis of our movement, and delivering great music and/or food.

Full announcement and tentative schedule: Earth First! Roadshow traveling thru California Jan. 12th - 24th!!! by Gambit

Tesla management and the Google major stake holders Larry Page and Sergey Brin along with former owner of Paypal Elon Musk are moving ahead with plans to build a “green” auto assembly plant at the toxic downey dump site in southern California where hundreds of workers have been sickened. They have also received a $465 million loan from the Obama Department of Energy DOE to build the non-union assembly auto plant. Why would these billionaire owners need a US government loan to build a green electric car plant if they believe in this product?

. . . The California Coalition For Workers Memorial Day and the Peninsula Raging Grannies will be having a press/education/musical event in conjunction with the Detroit Auto Show which opens in Detroit on January 8, 2009.

Story: Google/Paypal Owners Building "Green" Electric Car On Downey Toxic Dump Site?1/9 by California Coalition For Workers Memorial Day

Related: Is Tesla Nuts? by California Coalition For Workers Memorial Day | | IATSE Local 44 Movie Propmaker Steve Basile At Tesla Motors To Report On Downey Toxic Dump by Labor Video Project

The Los Angeles City Council approved a legal settlement that puts an end to the controversial development of 24 luxury homes in El Sereno’s Elephant Hill. As a result of the settlement, the City will acquire approximately 20 acres of hillside open space in this low-income community located in Northeast LA. The agreement resulted from a lawsuit filed against the City by developer Monterey Hills Investors after the Council required additional environmental review of the project before it would issue building permits.

Elephant Hill is the largest undeveloped hillside remaining in Northeast LA. Located on the border with South Pasadena, the110-acre area commonly known as Elephant Hill is geographically part of the Repetto Hills, a low but steep range that extends from the LA River to the Montebello Hills.

Story: Settlement Puts an End to Controversial Elephant Hill Development in Los Angeles by Elva Yanez

This victory was also discussed on KPFK's Sojourner Truth with Margaret Prescod on November 12 (second to last segment). It can be downloaded for 90 days at KPFK's Audio Archives.

On October 24th, thousands of rallies and actions were planned around the world to draw attention to the environmental crises caused by humans. The global action was organized by 350.org, and the actions, which will be presented at the UN Climate Negotiations in Copenhagen in December of 2009. Several events took place in Southern California, many of them pictured at 350.0rg.

Also, in Los Angeles, a large banner was seen being held up over the 134 Freeway near the San Rafael exit, and on Tuesday October 27 a banner was still hanging over the Ventura Freeway in the San Fernando Valley.

In Eagle Rock, the 350 demonstration and public outreach had a turnout of at least 40 people. Some were from the community, many belonged to the Converging Storms Action Network, and others were with the Northeast LA Radical Neighbors (NELA-RAD), which hosted the event.

Story and photos: International Day of Climate Action in Eagle Rock (part 1) | (Photo set 2) by R of the Northeast LA Radical Neighbors ("bad-asses who care")

Steve Murphy is being charged with a 2006 E.L.F. action in Pasadena, CA. The complaint accuses Steve of allegedly decommissioning a tractor and placing an incendiary device in a housing development construction site in the name of the Environmental Liberation Front.

Report: New Earth Liberation Prisoner - Steve Murphy by GK

People who live in Southern California and have traveled up Highway 39 to the East Fork road to play in the water during the heat of the Summer will have noticed the unbelievable amounts of litter and heaps of garbage down in the river. Many families might also have been subjected to violence and threats by people illegally living and mining along the river and were drive back to their vehicles out of fear.

In the aftermath of the Morris Fire, an opportunity to collect, bag, and haul large amounts of accumulated garbage out of the San Gabriel River along the East Fork of the Angeles National Forest. . . . With the Forest closed, the USFS, fire fighters, and volunteers have been afforded the opportunity to go in to that section of the river safely to collect, bag, and haul a mountain of garbage in an effort to restore the East Fork and the San Gabriel River to a healthy and safe environment suitable for families once again.

Story: San Gabriel River Clean Up by Fredric L. Rice

SOUTH EL MONTE — Residents of area communities and supporters of the Whittier Narrows Natural Area strongly criticized and rejected a controversial $30 million regional watershed visitor center proposed for the county Natural Area during a public meeting held Wednesday at South El Monte High School to discuss the project and its recently released draft environmental impact report. No member of the community spoke in favor of the proposal during the meeting.

The project, the San Gabriel River Discovery Center, would dramatically increase the human footprint within the only wildlife sanctuary on the San Gabriel River, located between the Montebello and Puente Hills. It would replace the existing 2,000-square-foot nature center with a building nearly 10 times bigger, and it would destroy important wildlife habitat within a county Significant Ecological Area to build a 150-car parking lot and other manmade features. Full Story: No community support for $30M Discovery Center at EIR meeting by Jim Odling

There is a better way to deal with insects. Various companies make a science toy called the Bug Vacuum. (The one I've been using is made by a company called Summit, which I bought at a school supply store .) It sucks insects into a transparent holding area so that children can study them and then turn them loose. However, for the last several years, I've been using it to catch bugs in my home and set them free outside.

Story and photos: Obama Needs a Bug Vacuum by RP

Friday, June 12, 2009 LOS ANGELES -- Crowds of curious onlookers surrounded a group of indigenous rights activists, members of the Peruvian community, and environmentalists as they demonstrated in front of the Peruvian consulate today through dance, procession, chant, and speech.

At this latest in a series of demonstrations in front of the large building on the Koreatown stretch of Wilshire that houses the consulate, protestors angered by President Alan García's use of military force against indigenous rights activists decried the massacre of an unknown number of people. They also lashed out against the "free trade" policies the victims gave their lives fighting against. Full Report: Protest at Peruvian Consulate by Rockero

One block east of Figueroa, an empty lot belonging to the city of Los Angeles has been transformed into a vegetable garden and community space. The project, a long-held dream by many, has been made a reality with the efforts of community members spearheaded by Nicole Gatto.

The garden has been broken up into plots which are available to members of the community by application. A circle has also been created in the center of the space, where gardening workshops and other activities will be held.

The Opening Ceremony was attended by community members and others, including supporters of the South Central Farm which was bulldozed in 2006. . . .

Story and photos: Grand Opening of Community Garden in Highland Park by Anna Kunkin | | Press Release by Nicole M. Gatto | | Highland Park Adds a Garden by Milagro Allegro Community Garden

Web Site: Milagro Allegro Community Garden

On April 25, supporters of the South Central Farm held their third demonstration outside Forever 21 in Old Town Pasadena. (Background information can be found here.) The turnout was high: between 20 and 30 people, and the demonstrators were vocal and lively. . . .

This campaign is country-wide. However, not all of Forever 21's stores have the same name (even within Southern California). The names tend to be variations on Forever 21, like Forever Fabulous.

Report back and photos: Never Forever 21: Round 3 by RP

A creative group of transit activists staged theatrical performance on the Palms overpass of the 405 freeway for a captive audience of drivers stuck in traffic last Friday, March 13, 2009. As passengers stuck in the usual gridlock looked on, a giant 100 foot banner was hung from the overpass, urging motorists to advocate for more public transit, and less freeways. The sign read “If we had trains, you’d be home by now!”

Press release: Mass Transit Advocates Action: 100 foot banner drop over 405 Freeway by A

I thought Fuel was very well-made, important, and informative--there's a lot to absorb. I don't agree with every point of view expressed in the film, but I realize the movie has to communicate to diverse people. . . . Still, the movie features a lot of provocative ideas like vertical farms (skyscraper-like farms that would exist in the middle of cities and other places where space is scarce), and there is some great historical information. For example, details of Rudolf Diesel's sudden and very suspicious death is discussed as well as the long and insidious history of Standard Oil (which was broken up 100 years ago but is now reunited as Exxon-Mobil). Also, a compelling case is made that Prohibition was really about stopping a car that Ford put out that ran on ethanol. As soon as Ford gave up on this car, Prohibition was lifted.

. . . I was glad to see depictions of monorails in the film (though they're never discussed). I think they could be a solution to some of our problems (at least until our population crisis is dealt with--if it is ever dealt with), as they have been in other countries for a century. . . .

Article: "Fuel" (review) by RP

In a crucial attempt to protect a densely populated Latino neighborhood in Los Angeles, environmental justice advocates and community residents filed an appeal in court on March 3, 2009, seeking to overturn a decision to build luxury homes on a fragile hillside in El Sereno. The development on Elephant Hill would endanger residents and strip the community of its last open space.

“The community of El Sereno needs parks and open spaces, not McMansions,” said Tim Grabiel, project attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “Elephant Hill is a greedy project pushed forward by developers at the risk of jeopardizing the health and safety of residents and the environment.”

Story: Groups Appeal Elephant Hill Ruling by Hugo Garcia

February 2, 2009: Another demonstration took place outside the Forever 21 in Old Town Pasadena. The turnout was even higher than the previous action of December 13, 2008. One demonstrator reported giving a leaflet to someone entering the store. This person looked at the flier, turned around, and exited. Many other passersby showed interest. Participants were asked to contact other Forever 21 outlets (see the list following this article) to remind them of the boycott.

Story and photos: Actions Against Forever 21 Continue by RP

Inland Empire - January 25, 2009: The Marines want to use 188,000 acres of our desert for "live-fire training and maneuvering exercises." The land is currently available for public use, and is enjoyed by many families for driving off-road vehicles. But they won't be able to if the land is annexed by the Twentynine Palms Air Ground Combat Center.

What can we do? Remarkably, the Marines want to know what we think about their proposal! Unfortunately, they are only accepting public comments until January 31! That only gives us FIVE DAYS!

Go to the base website and download the comment form, fill it out, and send it in! That's all it takes! But please, don't delay!

Call for action: Act Now to stop the militarization of public lands! Jan 31 deadline by IEvoice

“For more than a decade California Safe Schools has led groundbreaking efforts to ensure that school children and the public have a right not to be poisoned, a right to learn, work and live in a healthful environment. Today we discussed not only challenges, but also actions for change. When we work together great things can and do happen”, said Executive Director of CSS, Robina Suwol, who Produced the event and was recently named by UTNE Magazine as one of “ 50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World.”

Report: California Safe Schools "Your Life is Now" 2008 Environmental Event of the Year by California Safe Schools

Despite the threat of rain and many competing activist events today, there was a very good turnout at the demonstration in front of Forever 21 in Old Town Pasadena. There seemed to be about 25 people during the time I was there (i.e., the first hour of the three-hour event).

Forever 21 intends to build warehouse space on the land of the South Central Farm, which developer Ralph Horowitz acquired by dubious means. (More details here.)

Story/photos: "BOYCOTT FOREVER 21! BOYCOTT FOREVER 21!" by RP

On September 20 and 21, Long Beach's Aquarium of the Pacific hosted the fourth annual Native American festival, Moompetam Gathering of the Salt Water People. Moompetam (which means “of the ocean” in Tongva) is comprised of several maritime tribes, including Tongva, Acjachemen, Chumash, Costanoan, and Luiseno.

As one of the speakers at the event pointed out, this was a rare opportunity to experience Native cultures up-close vis-a-vis storytelling, food, one-on-one conversations, music, and workshops.

Story/photos: Moompetam Gathering of the Salt Water People by RP

On July 2, Angelinos overcame the City-planned divides between rich and poor, cultural differences, and even broke through language barriers in the fight to restore the South Central Farm. When the developer proposed a diesel-spewing warehouse distribution center for the site, Farmers and Farm supporters threw a wrench in the cogs of City Hall and won a round in the fight to force Horowitz to do an Environmental Impact Report: they forced a twenty-one day delay for more public comments, and gained a glimmer of hope to restore the Farm. The fight between the people and developers' grip on City Hall could be decided by this Wednesday, July 23, 2008, the new deadline for public comments and the second hearing, a week or two later on the tenth floor of City Hall, in front of a small advisory board.

From the Newswire: Save the Farm. Deadline: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 by Leslie Radford
GOOD NEWS FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL FARM by South Central Farmers
Saving the South Central Farm: Listening to the Land by Juan Santos and Leslie Radford

GAS FACT: Slowing from 75 to 55 mph boosts gas mileage 33 percent in both sedans & large SUVs. On Sunday, July 6, 2008, I set my cruise control to 55 mph, turned on my Flip video camera, & entered the south-bound 101 Freeway at the base of the Conejo Gade in Camarillo, California. I filmed for over one hour, traveling toward Orange County. My quest? To see if fellow motorists were saving gas & cash by driving 55 mph. And my findings?

Video: Driving 55 MPH: An Experiment on S. California Fwys by DF, mom4education

July 2, 2008: Former Santa Monica Green Mayor Mike Feinstein spoke against approving a warehouse on the land of the South Central Farm, and the conflict such approval would have with the Los Angeles General Plan Framework, at the City of Los Angeles Hearing Agenda.

Also, Linda Piera-Avila (County Councilmember, Green Party of Los Angeles County) spoke against approving a warehouse on the land of the South Central Farm, and the negative air quality impacts it would have.

Videos: VIDEOS: South Central Farm - Feinstein, Piera-Avila oppose warehouse at Farm by Mike Feinstein

Related article: South Central Farm Shows Alternative to Industrial Ag Monocultura

Note the "h" shape of Horowitz's planned warehouse.

On the former site of the South Central Farm Construction of a warehouse facility and distribution center with approximately 643,000 square feet of warehouse and ancillary support space in a 46-foot high, two-story structure on a 10.04 acres site (437,196 square feet after dedication) in the M2-2 Zone. The project includes subterranean parking of approximately 114,399 square feet for 306 cars. Parking for another 39 cars would be provided at grade level for a total of 345 parking spaces.

We need your help!

Action: July 2nd - Stop warehouse on old South Central Farm Land by FYI

Algalita Foundation JUNK boat made of 150,000 recycled bottles set sail for Hawaii to raise awareness of pollution from plastics and water bottle waste in the worlds oceans.

Crew members Joel Pascal and Marcus Eriksen left the harbor on their hand made boat towed out by the larger research catamaran also named "Algalita." Floating on fifteen thousand empty recycled water bottles that they salvaged from the dump, the two will attempt reach the Hawaiian Islands using prevailing currents and sail power once the boat is towed past the last of the Channel Islands, St Nicolas.
Story and photos: JUNK boat set sail Sunday by Lee Maidoff

Australia seems to be far ahead of the U.S. in terms of producing science fiction movies with content. Alien Visitor (originally released as Epsilon in 1997) makes blunt statements about our civilization's disregard for nature and the environment. One reason why such a film is possible in Australia may be because that country has already begun to feel the impact of our pollution (the same reason why permaculture caught on there much sooner).
Review: I Wish More Science Fiction Films Were Like This by RP

LOS ANGELES, April 30, 2008 – Environmental activists from AmazonWatch with support from the LA Greens and other local groups paid a visit to Occidental Petroleum’s corporate headquarters today. Dressed up in Haz Mat uniforms demonstrators staged a mock toxic clean up outside the Oxy building in Westwood.

Activists are demanding that Oxy pay for the clean up of an area of the Amazon home to the Achuar people. Oxy is blamed for the poisoning of an entire ecosystem that the Achuar depend on for their survival. Today’s demonstration was the first of two planned for this week. The next protest will be held at Oxy’s shareholders meeting this Friday, May 2nd at 9am at the Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica.From the Newswire: AmazonWatch Clean Up Crew Hits Occidental Petroleum Headquarters | | PHOTOS - From Oxy Protest | | "This is What a Clean-Up Looks Like!" by RP | | MP3 AUDIO – Protest at Occidental Petroleum Headquarters by A

On Wednesday April 30 and Friday May 2, there will be demonstrations against L.A.-based Occidental Petroleum over pollution and illness caused by nearly 30 years of oil sdrilling in the Peruvian Amazon. The first event, a mock clean-up will take place at the company's headquarters, the second will be outside the annual shareholder's meeting. According to Amazon Watch, Occidental Petroleum is sensitive to this kind of publicity. Full story: Two Upcoming Events to Expose Pollution, Sickness in Peru Caused by Occidental Petroleum by RP Announcements: Wednesday event Friday event

Documental en audio de 11 minutos sobre la Granja Sur Central, con breve historia de la granja, el desalojo y la lucha actual.
South Central Farm by Radio Zapatista

On Saturday I participated in the Green Resolutions Ride, a tour of ecological landmarks in Maungna (Silver Lake/Los Feliz) via bicycle, which I was told, accommodated beginners like me.

Liz Allen, co-organizer of C.I.C.L.E. (Cicylists Inciting Change Through Live Exchange), began by addressing one of the biggest fears for bicyclists (or would-be bicyclists): auto traffic. “We tell them, ‘That’s not the big fear, especially when we know what we’re doing. ’” she said, adding that car-bike accidents “only account for about 18% of all collisions that a cyclist has. Out of that 18%, over half are due to us making mistakes.
Coverage: Report Back/Photos: Green Resolutions Ride (part 1) by Ross Plesset | Green Resolutions Ride (more coverage)

Between June 2006 and August 2007 tree rats entered my house. My (ultimately successful) quest to achieve peaceful coexistence with them was very much of a learning process. It seems that we have achieved not only peaceful coexistence but also a symbiotic relationship. The following story is based on a journal I kept during this period.

Story and photos: Year of the Rats: How I Achieved Peaceful Coexistence with My Rat Neighbors by LM

At a community meeting sponsored by LAUSD at Frank del Olmo Elementary School on 1/30/08, LAUSD officials presented several alternative sites to the 100 plus attendees. Indicating that they have just started exploring these alternative sites and are not prepared to make a decision at this point, officials announced that there would be several more community meetings over the next few months.
Update and calls to action: UPDATE: LA Eco Village

A WWII Era Iron Foundry spews Ton of Particulates and Toxic Gases Just Upwind of the Rio Vista School and Headstart Program
Story/call for action: El Monte Iron Foundry Pollutes Community by Joe Blackburn

On Saturday, Febuary 2, a demonstration was held in front of Office Max in Pasadena, one of some 30 similar actions at Office Maxes in the U.S./Canada. Office Max sells paper derived from ancient forests that are home to the Grassy Narrows First Nation. The issue is described in greater detail here.

Report and photos Demonstration Against Clear-Cutting at Office Max in Pasadena by RP

Update: victory! In a recent newsletter, Rainforest Action Network has stated: "Yesterday, Boise, the company that supplies paper to OfficeMax, announced that it 'wishes to honor the request of Chief Fobister to discontinue sourcing fiber from the Traditional Use Area of Grassy Narrows.' What this means: Boise's announcement that they will stop purchasing pulp from Grassy Narrows means that your efforts to pressure OfficeMax and Grand & Toy worked!"

Cal State L.A., long a leader in "green" technologies, will be hosting a day-long discussion by local faculty, staff and students on creating a culture of sustainability. Cal State L.A.'s participation, sponsored by Associated Students as well as by the campus chapters of Earth L.A. and The Humanist Association, will take the form of a day-long series of discussions, roundtables, lectures and videos, all on the broader topic of Sustainability. Information: Focus The Nation Day, January 31: Global Warming Teach-In at CSULA!

Join C.I.C.L.E. and friends (Saturday January 26, at 10:00 AM) as we explore the Silver Lake and Los Feliz neighborhoods by bicycle in search of green and sustainable living ideas on our Urban Expeditions “Green Resolutions Ride”.

Have you already broken your New Year’s Resolutions? Now is your chance to pedal into a resolution you can keep! Join C.I.C.L.E. and friends as we explore the Silver Lake and Los Feliz neighborhoods by bicycle in search of green and sustainable living ideas on our Urban Expeditions “Green Resolutions Ride”. Details: In Search of Green Resolutions: The Ride by C.I.C.L.E

Update: This event has been rescheduled for February 23.

On Tuesday December 11, 2007, I joined in a community effort to welcome and support a coalition of Native American Nations and environmental justice groups in their ongoing effort to defend Arizona's San Francisco Peaks from proposed ski area development. The coalition had traveled from Arizona in order to be present for a Federal Appeals Court hearing in which developers would challenge a precedent-setting court victory won by the coalition, which halted plans to expand the skiing business by making fake snow out of sewage waste. This case is viewed as precedent-setting in the realms of religious freedom and public health, and particularly in establishing an interpretation for the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

As a person of faith, what struck me about the gathering is how deeply important the theme of religious freedom was. . . Full report from newswire: This is how we (could) pray by Amy L. Dalton

Report on the court proceedings: Tribes & Environmental Groups Defend Religious Freedom & Human Health in Federal Court | | Report with photos: March and Vigil to Save the San Francisco Peaks by Self-Hating Caucasian | | More photos: by Raul Roa | | Related: A Native American on How Non-Indigenous People Can Stop Colonialization

The San Francisco Peaks are a unique mountain ecosystem which are managed as public lands in Northern Arizona. The Peaks are held Holy by more than 13 Indigenous Nations. A small ski area is threatening expansion and attempting to make fake snow from treated sewage effluent filled with harmful contaminants. A coalition of tribes and environmental groups have unified to prevent the environmental destruction, community health hazards and extreme desecration that would be caused by the proposed development. Although the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the ski area plan, the case will be reheard in Pasadena on December 11th, 2007. See: SAVE THE PEAKS CALL FOR SUPPORT! - Legal Battle to Protect Sacred Site Comes to Pasadena by Indigeneous
Additional coverage: Uprising Radio, Uprising (follow-up, Dec. 7)
From the Calendar: Defending the Land: Indigenous Cultural Survival

The Green California Schools Summit happens on December 4-6, 2007 at the Pasadena Conference Center Pasadena, CA. Learn how California Safe Schools (CSS), a nationally celebrated children's environmental health and justice coalition founded in 1998, successfully spearheaded the most stringent schools pesticide use policy in the nation, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), at the Los Angeles Unified School District. IPM uses low risk methods to eradicate insects, weeds and other pests, eliminating a major source of indoor and outdoor pollution. . . . Info: Join Robina Suwol of California Safe Schools

A wildlife corridor in Echo Park is threatened by development. On Wednesday, November 14th, there will be a public hearing at City Hall concerning the developer's request for “a Small Lot Subdivision - from 3 into 16 lots and a zone change from R1 to RD6 rezoning.” It will take place in room 1020 at 10:30am. The issue will also be addressed at the Greater Echo Park Neighborhood Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 13th, 7pm at Logan Street School (1711 West Montana).
Story: Hidden Oasis Threatened by Development by Ross Plesset

"In the Angeles National Forest, the Curve Fire of 2002 did extensive damage, damage that was made worse by the flooding of 2005.

"On 28/Oct/07 I did a survey of one of the burn areas across from Valley of the Moon in a stand of pine trees and this is what I saw. . . ." Photos: New Growth Aftermath Curve Fire by Frederic L. Rice

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, October 24, 2007 – While corporate media provides real time images of fires from helicopters and speeches from elected officials eager not to miss a photo opportunity, independent media is showing another side to the fire disaster. The clear links to global warming, oil wars and over development go unreported and instead the fixation with apocalyptic images is broadcast and rebroadcast. Bush is scheduled to visit the area tomorrow and there are calls for protests against his visit.

Clearly even the mass media with all its wealth and resources is unable to convey the full scope and meaning of the disaster unfolding before us. Independent news and viewpoints are however finding outlets through this site and others. Collected here are some recent postings from our readership:

Malibu fires show class divide as rich evacuees get massages, yoga by WSQT Guerrilla Radio 87.9 FM in DC
Breaking News on local fires by FYI
What is the Border Patrol doing in an evacuation zone? by Mexicanos Unidos en Defensa del Pueblo
Let Malibu Burn: A political history of the Fire Coast by Mike Davis
Worse than Katrina: Burned-up Residents Fault Officials for SD's Devastating Fires by Miriam Raftery
Unnatural Disaster Part II: FEMA, HLS and Bush to invade Southern California by IMPEACH NOW
Images of a City Surrounded by Fire by A
Money for Firefighting & Prevention; Not for War by repost
¡ FUEGO!... ¿ARDE CALIFORNIA? (Nota de PUMHA) by Ramon Godoy

Also see San Diego IMC for breaking news

Environmental Education Center nature trail foot bridge restoration was completed successfully. Photographs and a video are available at the link provided. Story: Update on Crystal Lake, Angeles National Forest by Frederic L. Rice

Related: Spring Break Vacation / Volunteering by Frederic L. Rice

Strykers are basically large, relatively fast-moving, armored, 19-ton vehicles that look like tanks. Each Stryker vehicle has a cannon – a great big gun - that can fire Depleted Uranium, explosives, and titanium. A total of 4,000 soldiers (and their families) are hoping to be positioned permanently inside Hawaii to perform military training that reportedly prepares them for urban warfare inside cities in Iraq. And for obvious reasons, it is apparently easier to get soldiers and their families to commit to staying for long deployments in Hawaiian paradise than it is to get them to move to Colorado or Alaska!
Full story: EASY Ways to Stop the Military Radioactive Contamination of Hawaii by Cathy Garger

We, the undersigned, members of an international coalition of many NGOs, biologists and activists concerned for the welfare of wild animals, are writing to express our grave concerns on behalf of Venezuelan decision in Margarita Island (Nueva Esparta State) to authorize and support the operation of a zoo and aquarium inside the facilities of the amusement complex made up by the Dolphinarium Waterland Mundo Submarino – Marino and Diverland Park. For the last 15 years, Water Land 's show has generated controversy around the world. In Argentina they took Cheryl (a Russian dolphin) away from Mr. Ric O’Barry, against the decision of a court order that gave him the permit to transport and release that dolphin. The company ran away with Cheryl and then in 1997 the dolphin died because of stress in Margarita Island, inside their facilities.
Full text here: COALITION FOR ANIMAL FREEDOM by angela expósito

This upcoming 10/16/07 will be an International Day of Action against the McDonalds corporation, an entity responsible for factory farming cruelty and pollution, rainforest clearcutting, worker abuse and increasing heart disease by serving cholesterol saturated burgers to the consumers and calling it nutritious food! Show your resistance to this fast food megacorporation at a McDonalds store near you!

Complete announcement: 10/16; Global Day of Action Against McDonalds! by !NO MAS Factory Farming Cruelty!

California Safe Schools is recognized for spearheading the most stringent pesticide policy in the nation at Los Angeles Unified School District (2nd largest in the nation) The policy called Integrated Pest Management (IPM), uses low risk methods to eliminate pest and weeds. The policy was the first in the United States to embrace the Precautionary Principle and Right to Know about pesticides used on school campuses. Today it has become the model for school districts internationally. Full announcement: Join Robina Suwol at Western U.S. Pollution Prevention Conference by California Safe Schools

LOS ANGELES 14 June 2007--Two hundred people came to the South Central Farm tonight to watch the corn grow. The familiar train whistle, the one that warned us each night of the encampment of the devastation to come, echoed in the night air. Fresh tractor treads scored the fallow land where Ralph Horowitz, developer, had plowed under the shoots of the ancient heirloom maiz seeds that determinedly sprout in this land, as they have sprouted for millennia, a developer's response to the people's vigil. But there was still no warehouse, not even the touted soccer field. A year after dozens of people risked arrest to preserve a way of life, the Farm is in limbo, neither converted into another concrete-block monolith for human labor nor allowed to offer up food to the three hundred and fifty people who relied on it for fourteen years. The economics of declining property values and the determination of the people have kept the Farm alive, but just barely. The California black walnuts are dying and still living, their roots cut to fit in wooden boxes, guy wires holding them aloft as they fight for life.

The two hundred people neither mourned nor celebrated: they got to work. The energy that has been gathering for the past year broke out at last Sunday's tianguis, when people hopped, skipped, and danced around a ceremonial drum to a reggae rendition of "La polic ía, la migra, la misma poquer ía" on the southern boundary of the Farm, amid tables awash in the harvest of the new farm. Tonight more joined on the north side in music and speeches and two vigil walks, an old Farm ritual. The banners joined the Farmers' battle cry "¡Aqui estamos y no nos vamos!" with their new call to the community: "Desplazados pero no derrotados" Displaced, but not defeated.

Reports from the newswire: The South Central Farmers: No derrotados! by Leslie Radford | | The South Central Farm: The Struggle Continues by RP | | South Central Farm: Encampment Reunion 2007 | | Photos from South Central Farm re-union

VIDEO: Video from South Central Farm Reunion Party by A

AUDIO: MP3 Audio: John Quigley & the Farm 1 year later | | MP3 Audio: Dele Aileman speaks at the Farm Reunion | | En Espanol: AUDIO: Campesina de South Central Farm

. . . In addition to today being National Trails Day, an Eagle Scout candidate would be organizing a rock bridge effort along Golden Cup Nature Trail. The amount of work that needed to be done certainly required the large number of Scouts and others that gathered since Golden Cup has two fairly badly flood-damaged sections. The section that was going to get a new bridge would fill in the missing section of the loop that had been washed away. Full story: LA: Crystal Lake update by Frederic L. Rice

This month marks the one year anniversary of the brutal and violent eviction of the South Central Farmers. Today, they gather for a special monthly gatheringi at their Tianguis to reflect and celebrate moving forward.

Reflection and photos: South Central Farmers: Displaced, NOT Defeated by a friend

UPDATE: South Central Farmers' Encampment Re-Union and Vigil this Wednesday

Planning a vacation to the American West this summer? How about boycotting the State of Montana in protest of their intended slaughter of 300 wild bison, including many small nursing calves, in the next few days.

The Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) has set up a bison trap near the West Yellowstone airport, on state land and they intend to begin capturing approximately 300 wild buffalo, including tiny newborns and their whole families, beginning Thursday, May 31. Call to Action: Boycott State of Montana this summer... by D. Grant

Scenes and public commentary from the MTA's public hearing on the recent fare hike, as well as general commentary on the event and a discussion as to what prevents Los Angeles from creating the mass transit system it direly needs.

Story and video: The Battle for Mass Transit in Los Angeles by Francisco Frias | | More video: MTA Fare Increase footage from May 24th by Jesse

The Los Angeles MTA has announced astonishing fare hikes. A day pass will increase from $3 to $5 in July and to $8 by January, 2009, and a monthly pass will go from $52 to $75 in July and to $120 in January, 2009. Not only will these fare hikes punish poor people, the proposal presented by MTA officials works against the declared goals of our society of reducing petroleum dependence, decreasing traffic, improving air quality, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Full story: The Disturbing Case of Antonio Villaraigosa by Francisco Frias

Bike Week Pasadena is a grass roots initiative organized in cooperation with the city of Pasadena that brings together “everything bike” for a weeklong salute to the bicycle and its many uses, from commuting, to exercising, to just plain having fun. More than 15 free events are planned starting Monday, May 14 through Sunday, May 20. Full announcement: Bike Week Pasadena by Liz Elliott

In the Angeles National Forest about fifty or sixty young volunteers from a variety of religious youth organizations (the UCC, "United Church of Christ" and many other groups from all around Southern California) gathered together with representatives of the Sierra Club, the San Gabriel Mountains Trailbuilders, and the U. S. Forest Service at the Rincon Fire Station in the San Gabriel River Ranger District. Full story: Crystal Lake Update by Frederic L. Rice

Westchester, Los Angeles, April 14, 2007 - A local grassroots group called Environmental Change Makers held a march up and down Sepulveda Blvd this Saturday to bring attention to the threat of global warming. They are calling for an 80% cut in carbon emissions by the year 2050. Also joining in the march were members of the LosAngeles Green Party who are planning a series of Earth Day events this month, including a presentation on the South Central Farmers the coming Wednesday, April 18th. Photographs: Environmental Change Makers March in Westchester by A

Human activity on Earth is heating up the planet. The polar ice caps are melting and at the current rate will be gone before the end of the century. The rain forests, which have served for millions of years as a carbon sink for greenhouse gases, are being turned into barren deserts. Around the world there are over 40 different wars and civil conflicts. Many of these conflicts are directly related to the effects of global warming and the destruction of balanced ecosystems.

In response various environmental groups have put out the call for a series of international days of demonstrations to raise awareness and to take action to halt the deterioration of the earth’s environment.

Upcoming Events: Earth Day LA | | Childrens Earth Day | | LA Green Party | | Earth First | | Tree Planting | | Biotech IMC

LOS ANGELES, CA --- President , George W. Bush (PGWB) a Rap artist? With the Internet swarming with PGWB parodies, it was time to exercise the First U.S. Amendment, “Freedom of Speech” utilizing clearer communication about war, profits and the environmental impact. Writer-Producer-Musician-Environmentalist, Jon Hartmann has released “George Bush Sings” in a rap-funk-groove download on http://cdbaby.com/cd/jonhartmann4 , featuring tracks, “Don’t Believe Me,” “Let Us Bomb,” “Stay The Course,” “My Heart Breaks,” and “Start A Business” which talks about America’s addiction to oil. Other new tracks will be added to the site for download as they are produced. Story: MUSICIAN-ENVIRONMENTALIST JON HARTMANN ADDRESSES AMERICA’S OIL ADDICTION WITH BUSH RAP by Stacey Kumagai

. . . The presentation emphasized the proposed system’s use of clean technology and its minimal impact on “farmlands, wetlands, and sensitive habitats” by using existing right-of-ways (i.e., train and freeway routes) with stops confined to urban areas. . . . Some of the film’s computer-generated imagery depicted wind generators powering the system. Report: The Proposed L.A. to Palmdale High-Speed Train by Ross Plesset

The fare hikes come at a time when the car as the primary mode of transportation strains the society and becomes ever more expensive. Ironically, by so drastically raising the price of the alternative, more people will buy into the exorbitantly expensive transportation model and exacerbate the problems associated with it. However, there are alternatives that would yield far more beneficial results to the society than the proposed fare hikes. Full Article: An Alternative to Los Angeles Metro's Fare Hikes by Francisco Frias

" . . . These plantings are controversial, I should note, since a great many of the saplings die for lack of water. Many of the saplings continue to live, however, since they get planted in places where pine trees like to grow. Because of the beetle infestation and the fires that have gone through the region, a great many trees have died and statistically newly planted trees such as these have a better chance of surviving to grow into adulthood now than in years past where competition and disease is less." Report: Watershed Restoration Tree Planting Day! by Frederic L. Rice

Robina Suwol has helped protect millions of kids from harmful pesticides and toxins. After seeing her own children walk through a cloud of pesticides outside their school door, Suwol founded California Safe Schools to protect students from dangerous toxic substances. Suwol's incredible dedication to safeguarding children prompted the American public to name her a finalist in the 5th Annual Volvo for life Awards. As one of nine top heroes selected, Suwol will receive $25,000 for her cause, and now has a chance to win an additional $25,000 and a car for life. Story: VAN NUYS WOMAN NAMED VOLVO AWARD FINALIST by Haberman & Associates

The Crystal Lake Creation Area, located in the Angeles National Forest within the San Gabriel River Ranger District, has been receiving repairs and restoration through the work of contractors and unpaid volunteer organizations in the hopes that the Recreation Area will eventually be re-opened. The work is part of the restoration efforts taken in the aftermath of the Curve and Williams fires, and as a result of the beetle infestation which has destroyed much of the area’s forested stands. Update: Los Angeles: Crystal Lake Update by Fredric L. Rice

At the weekly peace vigil in Highland Park, we meet numerous homeless people. A few months ago, one of them in particular piqued my interest. The first time I saw him, he was diligently and meticulously collecting small pieces of garbage to prevent them from entering the storm drain. He was also very dedicated to sweeping up leaves and garbage at the nearby veterans’ memorial, and he stopped a young child from scaring pigeons. One of our vigilers claims to have seen this man praying while picking up litter. Full story: An Interview with a Homeless Environmentalist by R of the Northeast LA Radical Neighbors

On February 1st you can participate in the worldwide greatest action against climate change!!! Turn everything off - On February 1st between 7:55 p.m. until 8 p.m. Various environmental organizations are asking the peoples of this planet to hold 5 minutes of silence. to bring attention to other inhabitants, the media and politicians about the daily waste of energy. An act which takes only 5 minutes, which cost nothing, but shows the governments that climate change should be on the top agenda of world politics. Why this date? On February 1st the United Nations is publicizing the newest results and knowledge base on climate change. SO...TURN OFF AND SEND THIS EMAIL TO YOUR FRIENDS by Stop Global Warming

Many of the schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District are virtually treeless. In collaboration with Planet Green and TreePeople I created a solution that you can put into action today! By recycling inkjet cartridges you can earn cash and a sponsored tree planting at your school! (Photo courtesy of Natosongs.com).Full story: Help Green LAUSD with Trees and Funds Renee van Staveren

In December 2006 & January 2007, the Japanese whaling fleet will begin to illegally kill 1,000 whales in the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary. Fifty of these whales will be endangered humpbacks and another fifty will be endangered fin whales. Although the Japanese claim research as their motivation, the only research they are undertaking is product development and marketing of whale meat – to turn their illicit whale flesh into dog food, cosmetics, and sushi dishes they make huge profits. Full story:Act NowtoEndWhaleSlaughter Oceans Forever

ALSO: $25,000 Reward for Japanese Whalers’ Coordinates Sea Shepherd

The fight for the land at 41st and Alameda goes on still, in courtrooms and in low-key conference rooms. Some of the original Farmers have gone in different directions. Some are digging plots in Venice, and some in gardens in Watts, newly opened because of the Farmers' eviction. Some have given up the skills of generations. But some, a hundred or so families, are holding on to the original vision to raise fresh, healthy food for the inner city.Full story:The Winter Harvest of the South Central FarmersLeslie Radford

LOS ANGELES, December 5, 2006 - It was bittersweet, turning right on 41st Place off Alameda. The South Central Farmers were celebrating the opening of their community center. There they were, the Farmers bringing fresh organic vegetables into South Central, where Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and Trader Joe's dare not tread. The Farmers had lined the tables at the tianguis with chard, radishes, pomegranates, almonds, squash, and grapes. Grapes not too sweet, grapes that tasted like a crisp, slightly fruity wine. Four dollars could be swapped for two plastic bags of fresh produce, all from small farmers in the local food shed. Full story:The Farmers'PromiseLeslie Radford

In the past two years there has been a resurgence in the number of bed bug infestations in North America. Bed bug city has maps showing the extent of the plague, with the situation being worst with some of the heaviest infestations spreading in the Western Coastal regions of the United States which has a climate the most favorable to year round bed bug travelling (they are killed in winter should they be found outside the warm comfort of a nest in someone's bedroom, which inhibits their ability to travel in some regions of the country).Full story:SleepTightBrent Herbert

LOS ANGELES, November 19, 2006 - Six UC students and three community members were forcefully dragged from the UC Regents board meeting on Thursday by police after they informed the Regents that they would not allow the board to convene its DOE lab oversight committee, the Regents’ body in charge of UC’s nuclear weapons research, design, and manufacturing labs in Los Alamos, New Mexico and Livermore, California. The civil disobedience action was conducted by The Coalition to Demilitarize, a group of students and community activists who seek to end the University of California’s participation in the production of nuclear weapons.Full story:Students arrested for blocking UC nuclear labssawucsb@gmail.com

The exhibit (which runs from October 21 to December 31) explores the inventive objects and strategies created by artists in response to the environmental, political and social issues of our time. The objects featured will include protest art meant for public display as well as tools for socially conscious living.Full story:SocialCraftinLAJoap

". . . With few sources of water and difficult-to-find places for shade, the Southwestern Mojave is a dangerous enough place. The people who actually live out here are almost always as sun-crazed and violently paranoid as the gila monsters, buzzards, coyote and kit fox that inhabit these regions. . . ."Full story:FrenchFriesintheAmericanSouthwestFrederickL.Rice

Bring your Bikes to the October 5th World Can't Wait Rally. What better way to demonstrate against the Bush regime's war for oil and against it's deception on climate change and environmental issues, than on a bike? Bring your bike and a sign to Pershing square, for a Critical Mass style ride. The mobility of the bike will allow us to be seen on streets where the marchers would otherwise not be seen on. Also it will demonstrate an alternative method of transportation not dependant on oil. Full story:BikesNotBombsattheOct5RallyEric

On September 30, 2006 Los Angelinos will have the opportunity to enjoy an evening of fun celebrating and demonstrating Car-Free and Car-Lite transportation choices. C.I.C.L.E., (Cyclists Inciting Change thru LIVE Exchange) a local bicycle advocacy group, will be presenting their first ever Car-Free celebration entitled ‘Life Can Be So Car-Free’ at the new Los Angeles State Historic Park in downtown Los Angeles. Interpretive walks, bicycle rides, live music by local car-free and car-lite bands Telematique and Triple Chicken Foot, interactive exhibits featuring examples of utilitarian forms of car-free transportation, and short film selections by local cyclist and filmmaker Ashira Siegel are all slotted in as part of a fun-filled evening. Full story:LifeCanBeSoCarFreeLiz

These efforts are part of the on-going effort to re-open the camp grounds in the aftermath of a series of fires and floods which closed the grounds in 2002. The re-opening of the grounds is somewhat controversial since the main highway – Highway 39 from Azusa, California – has been closed long enough for the litter and graffiti that plagues these mountain canyons to degrade and virtually disappear (with considerable help from volunteers over the years.)

From the newswire: Crystal Lake Eagle Scout Project / Los Angeles by Fredric L. Rice

The destructive bulldozer raid by real estate developer Ralph HorowitzCo. & LA Sheriffs' on LA's southcentral community farm only resulted in strengthening the resistance and improved networking between sc campesino farmers, ecoanarchists and permaculture communities. Full Story: Ecoanarchists help reclaim southcentral farm

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, August 23, 2006 - the San Gabriel Mountains Trailbuilders returned to the Crystal Lake Recreation area to finish the trail work needed to complete the Lost Ridge Trail, a fairly easy hike where one end of the trail is at Deer Flats and the other meets Lake Road.

Hiking trails are established in these recreation areas in an attempt to concentrate foot traffic (and thus erosion and pollution) along official routes through the mountains while providing some measure of safety for hikers and campers. While the Crystal Lake Recreation area is currently closed and has been since 2002, the area is being worked on by professional, commercial companies and by volunteers such as the San Gabriel Mountains Trailbuilders.
Full Story: Lost Ridge Trail Almost Completed by Fredric L. Rice

Derrick (Jensen) is a very articulate advocate for a world view that is increasingly going to be making more sense to people in the industrialized world in the very near future. This world view has been labeled many things, from primitivist, to anti-civilizationist, to green-anarchist to autonomist. Whatever one chooses to call this world view, it is becoming more and more obvious to more and more people that this 10,000 year experiment in Western Civilization has been one of the worst disasters to have befallen humanity in the history of its existence on this planet.

Derrick Jensen In Los Angeles: A review of an evening in reality by Jeff Hendricks.

Apocalypse No! by Juan Santos

Green is the new Red…the 1950s had their vast Communist conspiracy, Congressional hearings, blacklists, and red-baiting. Today, we have “Eco-Terrorists…” secret databases, Congressional hearings, indictments, grand juries, raids, surveillance, arrests, convictions, and potential life sentences.

Join acclaimed activist and author, Derrick Jensen, for a night of dialogue, debate, controversy, and an exploration of the nature of what's been termed THE GREEN SCARE.

Saturday, July 29th... Los Angeles
7:00pm- 9:30pm
Sandpaper Books
3706 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, Calif., 90065
(Near Figueroa St. & W. Avenue 37 off the 110 Freeway)
Read Complete Information...

There's enough rain falling on the desert to sustain human life at our present level of overconsumption. You just need to use it rather than let it flow into the street and be reclassified as "sewage".

Rainwater Harvesting: Brad Lancaster shares DIY water wisdom by Jennifer Murphy

LOS ANGELES - On Sunday, January 29th, Jan Lundberg and Tezozomoc will speak at an event called "Petrocollapse and Food Security" at the South Central Community Farm. It may sound like an unlikely combination, Jan Lundberg, an oil analyst and presenter at peak oil conferences, and Tezozomoc, an organizer with South Central Farmers Feeding Families, but they actually have much in common. Full Story by Eric Einem

The San Gabriel Mountain Trail Builders build hiking trails and perform repairs and maintenance on trails in an effort to limit the human environmental impact in the San Gabriel Mountain chain. In areas where humans hike, bicycle, picnic, and camp, the lack of established, professionally developed trails results in a number of unplanned trails that are almost always dangerous since they take a direct route from parking areas to rivers. Numerous unplanned trails caused more extensive erosion to microenvironments and cause some spreading out of litter that gets dumped along the trails.

Full article: Dumpster Recovery in San Gabriel Mountains by Fredric L. Rice