Summer Food Preservation Series

August 16, Course #2: Canning

The Coalition Culinary Club invites you to its new three-"course" food preservation series. We hope to make this an annual affair!

Our first Course, on Fermenting, was a great success. 15 people gathered at Michelle Dohrn's kitchen counter and learned how to make healthy, homemade fermented vegetables and all kinds of flavored soda pops. The main critique of the class from attendees was - it should have been longer! It was so interesting and with no lack of questions being asked.

Michelle demonstrated an array of fermented products during the Fermenting Course

Up next is Course #2 on Saturday, August 16. Our instructor, Christa Bandringa, has a Masters in Art Education from UCSB with a B.F.A in printmaking and photography. She grew up on a farm where her parents grew fruit trees, luscious gardens of vegetables, and large patches of black berries, all organically, (before the word was coined). With this abundance of homegrown produce, Christa's mother would can till the pantry was filled.

Now Christa would like to pass on her knowledge of canning with an intro-level workshop. This workshop will demonstrate how to can fruit jam using traditional methods with fruit and calcium based pectin along with various low-glycemic approaches using agave nectar, stevia or honey. Those attending this class will take home a small jar of jam and sample 'canned' goods made by professionals from around the Valley.

We'll wrap up the series on Saturday, September 6 with Course #3. Risa Horowitz will take us into the world of dehydrating and its endless possibilities. Learn how to make crackers, kale chips and other wholesome goodies. Risa will discuss the pros and cons of different types of dehydrators versus the sun - which we all have available to use! There will be sampling and take-home baggies of dehydrated edibles.

The ingredients used will be organic and locally sourced as much as possible. Net proceeds from courses will further our good work in the Ojai Valley. Thank you Michelle, Christa and Risa for donating your time and sharing your knowledge as part of the Coalition's community skill building efforts.

All demonstration courses will be held 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Meiners Oaks area and space is limited to 18 attendees per course.

• OVGC Members - $35 per course
• Non-members - $40 per course

Head over to our website for payment options and further details. Registrants will receive a confirmation with location address and other specifics.

To Whom It May Concern:
Waking Up to Water

by Deborah Pendrey, Director

Reprinted for those who just receive our monthly e-News.

The list of meetings and events below are mostly about getting informed, because we believe it's true that 'knowledge is power'. That said, our powerful knowledge must then be funneled into activism.

Check out empowersbc.org and saveourh2o.org

Take your pick - help plant drought-tolerant native plants in yards or the creek, show up at City Council and County Supervisor meetings, attend Board meetings of our public water agencies and the companies you invest in. Why? So they know you are paying attention - the list and needs are endless.

Endless - I think that's where so many of us can and do get stuck. Just about every day - in the words of my favorite global warming 101 video: I try to Wake Up to what is going on around me, I definitely Freak Out about it, and then I Get a Grip and do my best. It's okay, it has to be. What counts is what we do with being freaked out or overwhelmed or however challenges are showing up for us.

Water is a big one for us right now . . . will you commit to showing up for at least one offering on the list below? And don't everyone pick the one with the free wine (it takes about 31 gallons of water to produce one glass according to the World Water Day folks).

To see how you can participate, click here.

6th Annual

A Call for Sponsors, Exhibitors and Tour Sites

We've changed the name (it's been the Green Home & Building Tour) and hired Cynthia Grier, event planner extraordinaire: this Year's Going to be Awesome!

The Coalition's signature annual Green Living Home Tour and Show is slated for Saturday, October 25. We've hired OVGC Board member Cynthia Grier to take the event to the next level of engagement and education. Cynthia is the ideal tour coordinator with her marketing and event planning experience. That she is a professional interior designer with an 'eye' on the environment, health and universal accessibility is icing on the cake.

This year we are showcasing a broader "Green Living" theme and, along with green building techniques, we are including a variety of other general lifestyle alternatives for reducing our environmental impact. If you represent a business that provides 'green' products and/or services, please consider participating in this popular community event drawing attendees from around the region.

SPONSORSHIPS  

Top Billing Key Sponsor
Whoever comes in as the highest Overall Contributing Sponsor !!! 

Platinum Level - $1000  

Gold Level - $500  

Silver Level - $250  

Green Level - $100

Sponsorship Application Form

HOME SHOW EXHIBITORS 

Business/Commercial - $65 

Non-profit/Government - $40  

Exhibitor Application Form

Email Cynthia to recommend a tour site or ask a question.