FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA ADVISORY For March 22, 2009

CONTACT: Claudia J. Hernández, 213-503-2131 Irene Peña, 323-774-7824

cjh003@sbcglobal.net irenetothemax@yahoo.com

SUMMARY: The rebirth and regeneration of Proyecto Jardín, a communal garden in the heart of Boyle Heights, will be marked by a community-wide open house that aims to increase neighborhood awareness about and access to the garden.

WHAT: The celebration, "Nuestro Jardin Es Tu Jardín," Our Garden Is Your Garden, will feature a panel of community activists and urban farmers whose presentations map intersecting pathways that link community gardens to food security and a healthy sustainable community. A range of workshops are planned to showcase the garden's unique and visionary design, which combines structural elements and landscape features that support physical fitness, urban gardening, community education, traditional healing practices, environmental stewardship, and artistic expressions-all on a tiny piece of land (less than 1/3 acre) donated by White Memorial Medical Center as a community benefit initiative.

WHEN: Sunday, March 22, 2009

1:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.

WHERE: Proyecto Jardín Community Garden

1718 Bridge Street

Los Angeles, CA 90033

WHO: Panelists combine their expertise to create a "pipeline" of health promotion messages that leads visitors on a guided tour linking individual behavior choices about what we eat to the larger community context and social conditions that determine health outcomes, such as: (1) where we live (Dr. Rob's talk connecting food to the built environment), (2) how our neighborhoods grow (La Luchadora del Pueblo's talk about tenant rights), (3) how we engage with the land (Narcisso's talk about la tierra de sus suenos and agricultura cura), (4) where we obtain our food (Tezozomoc's talk about Community Supported Agriculture and food justice), (5) how art and healing interact within our community (Lilia's talk about art, healing and community), and (6) how environmental pollutants disproportionately impact communities of color (CaterGreen's talk about waste, stryrofoam products, and safe alternatives).

Panelists:

Dr. Robert Krochmal, MD, Founder of Proyecto Jardin Proyecto Jardin Then and Now: Food, Health and the Built Environment

Narcisso Roldan, M.A.T. (Maestro de Agricultura Tradicional), Tierra de Mis Sueños: La Agricultura Cura.

Tezozomoc, SCF Coop, Community Supported Agriculture & Food Justice in Urban Communities

Lilia Ramirez, Mercado Caracol & First Street Studios Art & Healing in Community.

SCHEDULE: 1:00 - 1:45 Danza Azteca Cuahtemoc-SCF with guest Cindi Alvitre

1:45 - 2:40 Panel of Speakers (see above) plus 15 min Q & A

2:40 - 2:50 La Luchadora del Pueblo: Tenant Rights

2:50 - 3:00 Cater Green/Zero Waste: Environmental Justice

3:00 - 5:00 WORKSHOP ROTATIONS

1) La Comida Cura: Cooking with Dr. Rob IN THE GARDEN

2) La Agricultura Cura: Narcisso's Human Plow Technique

3) La Savila Cura: Healing body & skin with Aloe

4) La Tierra de Mis Suenos: Healthy soil for healthy food

PROYECTO JARDIN'S OUTDOOR FITNESS CENTER, Featuring 20 minute workouts led by certified fitness instructors

ZUMBA CLASS, by Daniel & Julissa Rodriguez, Certified Latin Dance Fitness Instructors

CARDIO KICK-BOXING, by Natalia

CAPOEIRA, by Tim Michael

YOGA, by Juan Carlos Larios

WHY: To promote community-wide awareness about Proyecto Jardín and increase neighborhood access to and participation in the variety of programs and services planned in 2009.

SPONSORED BY: Proyecto Jardín; East LA Community Corporation; South Central Farmers Coop; and Cater Green/Zero Waste Solutions

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Alos, if you are participating in a community garden, pick up all the Organic Gardening tips you can and incorporate them into your planning.