The District Weekly - Latest Comments in WAR ON TERRA

Re: WAR ON TERRA

Gardener too! — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:36:00 -0000

This story is 100% TRUE!!!! My husband and I are gardeners there. The writer described Lonnie to a tee!! And same with Joan. Those women must have had something bad happen in their pasts, that theynwo ffeel the need for POWER!!!! The first thing my husband and I said to each other after our orientation to become a member, was that Lonnie needed to get a life!! Then we realized that the LBCG WAS her life! We have not been there our full year yet, and have not decided if we will renew our membership next year. We love to garden, but the NAZIs are just too much!!! At one Work Day/Meeting, one of the members suggested that we bring in a speaker every once in ahwile, and the member even volunteered to be in charge of arranging it. She thought that having fun gatherings would bring the "community" into the community garden. Well, Lonned just mumbled that she'd tried that before, and it didn't work, then just walked away!! It was the rudest thing!!! So that was the end of the discussion. Joan, the president, follows Lonnie like a puppy, so nothing else was said about the member's idea and suggestion.
Yes, gardening is fun and theraputic, but these women are WEIRD!!!!

Re: WAR ON TERRA

Nitpicked — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:41:04 -0000

I am a current gardener at LBCGA and have gardened there for many years. The article was funny and true. The board is an older group who spend every day in the garden. Most of the problems in the garden are personality issues. The board doesn't handle things well and make people angry. They used to have friendly notices that they sent out if you had a problem that could head to a notice but they eliminated them. So, you could have something you think is fine and the whammo. Also, instead of noticing everything that is in violation at one inspection, they seem to give you one notice and then next inspection you get whammied with something else. Plots are put on watch lists (told to me by a board member) so if you get on that list you are more heavily scrutinized. I just try to do my best, but sometimes it doesn't feel like enough. Now about the gates and the rules, I do think they are absolutely necessary. There are over 200 gardeners and would be absolute chaos without some order. Also, the garden is under very strict guidlines from the city. So I can see the need for regulation, they just need to be nicer about it and not complain about every little infraction. Lonnie can be very abrasive and I would not say she has alot of fans in the garden. She does truly love and care about the garden and volunteers countless hours to make it a nice place. But in this case, Lonnie really blew it. It could have been a beautiful article about all the good in the garden. She should have accepted an interview and nicely as asked for it to be scheduled after registration ends. But she over reacted and gave her typical behaviour that makes many cringe. Now when we're talking we quote the article, knock on our head and say "What are you stupid?" It was an unfortunate but accurate portrayal.

Re: WAR ON TERRA

Happy in LB — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:53:15 -0000

The absurdity of that whole story made me laugh so hard! Then I felt a little guilty, because I know those gals are working hard to keep the gardens nice. I love it there because I do feel safe, it is very organized and they are serious about growing food. And nobody ever walks up to me in my backyard and hands me a homegrown loofah like today!! Gotta love the community at the community garden....it's not all bad, not even half bad.

Re: WAR ON TERRA

sws — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:15:55 -0000

And now, you're(Long Beach Organic/Wild Oats garden) putting up your own fences. Open space should remain open space. Nobody has the right to fence public property.

Re: WAR ON TERRA

Happy in LB — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:42:04 -0000

There are ups and downs for sure at the community garden. I thought the article was funny and absurd, but I also felt kinda sorry for the ladies who do run a pretty tight ship. I like that it is a secure location and enjoy feeling safe there. As I told my friend yesterday after an adjoining gardener walked over with a surpise..."ya know, no one ever walks up and hands me a loofah when I am working in my back yard. It's so cool to be out here experiencing the garden culture together" I just love it!

Re: WAR ON TERRA

Gardener — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:56:00 -0000

Yes indeed, the Garden Board was not raised by my mother (as in my mother didn't raise any rude children). Trespassers (and some garden members) have been known to take fruit and vegetables from gardens, and it is disheartening to find your plants stripped when you have been waiting for just the right amount of ripening in order to pick them. Weeds, spreading from adjacent plots by rhyzome and seed are annoying. So the rules are to protect our work, but the rudeness is pretty awful (and pretty funny). The weed notices are also not very even handed --- some plots are full of weeds year after year and other, less overgrown, are threatened and served notice. The Board is really very hard-working and often generous with its time. Too bad they are so unbalanced. A garden member (so far).

Re: WAR ON TERRA

DWR — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:14:13 -0000

I propose the community garden and it's over-politicized, despotic board be abolished and the land returned to the indigenous flora and fauna.

Anyone who wants to grow her own veggies for personal consumption can just use his own backyard or use gardening containers like my apartment-dwelling neighbors. Or just buy your produce at the supermarket where you'll have to go for all your other supplies anyway.

The real on-going tragedy is at the nearby animal shelter, not in the cabbage patch....

Re: WAR ON TERRA

CURRENT MEMBER — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:05:48 -0000

When I heard about this article (by a neighboring gardener) I had to rush home to read it myself. Being a member of LBCGA for over 8 years, I have found myself at the constant nit-picking of the Board/Monthly Inspectors. I come to realize whether they like you or not, if another board member or “True-Friend” of the board wants to relocate to a bigger, better location, nicer or better plot neighbors for whatever reason, they (board/monthly plot inspectors-which consist of board members – of course) start working on the current occupant of the desirable plot with malicious little written warnings; “please weed more frequently, no container growing (I have a container in my plot that I had brought down starter plants in for planting in my garden, and has been EMPTY for almost a freaking year!) and now all of a sudden they see something growing in this EMPTY container! By the way there is NO mention in the RULES about container growing (but did notice that you are allowed to GROW mint only in a container) explain this! They nit-pick everything. When I’m gardening and see them roaming around, I cringe in hopes they don’t come over, they ALWAYS have something NEGATIVE to offer in telling what you should do with your plants. Never kindly offering friendly advice or suggestions, but rude offensive control! I’m at wits end, I know I’m NOT the first member they have nit-picked to get you so frustrated in hopes you leave the membership on your own, or their desire you to the brink of crazy by their pitiful written warnings clipped to your plot fencing, in such accumulation to justify formal warnings and have you removed. For a place when I started was a kind and wonderful environment and I cherished every second I spent sweating and sore for days working my plot. NOW I’m actually DEPRESSED that my love, passion and pleasure of gardening is robbed from you. I don’t talk to anyone, not knowing who you can trust and if they’re in ‘cahoots’ with a board member, very hard to even make a friend if so desire. IT’S VERY TRUE! The same board is re-elected year after year after year, WHY because NO WANTS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH ANY OF THE CURRENT MEMBERS, IF ONE NEW PERSON IS ELECTED, IT WON”T MAKE ONE BIT OF DIFFERENCE. THE ONLY FIX IS TO HAVE THE CITY STEP IN AND COMPLETELY REMOVE THE CURRENT BOARD! Second is to send a letter to every plot member asking for all new board to be assigned. Start over; start fresh with ALL new people. It certainly can’t get any worst! Seriously, I suspect 85 to 90% of the general members DO NOT CARE FOR THE CURRENT BOARD, each year it gets worse and worse.

Re: WAR ON TERRA

beebeebeeleaves — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:25:26 -0000

Okay y'all ...

First off, one man's weeds is another man's medicinal plants. So eat my dandelions!

Gardens should be happy places. They should invite, include, inspire.

We love our Wild Oats Organic Community Garden, our community spirit is growing, thriving and most importantly, we do have fun! Please do not drag us into this compost pile. We are not striving for perfection, only a willingness to enjoy the good earth, to learn more about sustainable living practices and to give nature a chance in your life. The first and third Saturdays, the peeps of the LBC are welcomed to stop by and see great energy at work, as we farm and work the land, and do join in on our potluck!

All gardens, everywhere, should live by this credo: "When the world wearies, and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden." Gardens should be a place you go to be at peace, and find peace. It's what nature intended.

We plant on ... because the more we plant, the more we grow!

Re: WAR ON TERRA

Michael (Ouch!) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:56:03 -0000

Wow! This article is amazing! I haven't read a journalist article that didn't speak more to me than this one. Megan (article writer/journalist) blew me away by the way she makes me feel that I am there along with here on the journey. I visualized the people and the place clearly because of all the detail and the dialogue. Now I want to go there myself and see what shanagins I get placed into. Amazing work, hope to read more from her.

Re: WAR ON TERRA

wrongbeachJohn — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:03:48 -0000

is this how Mike Ruehle feels when he's trying to represent the Belmont Shore residents? Only in wrong beach!

Re: WAR ON TERRA

john — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:52:31 -0000

Sounds like the Belmont Shore Parking Commissioners.

Hey Mike do you like to grow vegetables?

Re: WAR ON TERRA

john — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:50:56 -0000

Sounds like the Belmont Shore Parking Commissioners or the members of the BSBIA. Only in wrong beach.
Hey Mike, you like to grow vegetables?

Re: WAR ON TERRA

John_B — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:01:24 -0000

Megan: This is the best, funniest and most absurd piece of reporting that it has been my pleasure to read in quite some time. Since this story was published I have referred it to many others and have, myself, re-read it several times…always when I need a good belly laugh. You have quite a talent, Megan!

Thank you so much for effectively communicating the absurdity that the Long Beach Community Gardens seems to have become!

Re: WAR ON TERRA

John_B — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:31:12 -0000

Megan: This is the best, funniest and most absurd piece of reporting that it has been my pleasure to read in quite some time. Since this story was published I have referred it to many others and have, myself, re-read it several times…always when I need a good belly laugh. You have quite a talent, Megan! Brava!

Thank you so much for effectively communicating the absurdity that the Long Beach Community Gardens seems to have become!

Re: WAR ON TERRA

hopefully invisible — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:27:51 -0000

The board only allows candidates they approve of to run to join them on the board. Steve who made the website was on the board, until they created fake violations to remove him from the board and revoke his garden membership.

You don't understand, you cannot "get involved". At this place you keep your head down, and hope you don't incur the wrath of the board. When anyone questions the board, they make false weed violations, give them 3 violations in one envelope and have the Park Rangers forcibly remove undesirables. Just like the Park Ranger in the article who was made to remove an 80 year old woman. It's sick.

Re: WAR ON TERRA

John_B — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:00:36 -0000

Megan: This is the best, funniest and most absurd piece of reporting that it has been my pleasure to read in quite some time. Since this story was published I have referred it to many others and have, myself, re-read it several times…always when I need a good belly laugh. You have quite a talent, Megan! Brava!

Thank you so much for effectively communicating the absurdity that the Long Beach Community Gardens seems to have become!

Re: WAR ON TERRA

John_B — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:53:22 -0000

Megan: This is the best, funniest and most absurd piece of reporting that it has been my pleasure to read in quite some time. Since this story was published I have referred it to many others and have, myself, re-read it several times…always when I need a good belly laugh. You have quite a talent, Megan! Brava!

Thank you so much for effectively communicating the absurdity that the Long Beach Community Gardens seems to have become!

Re: WAR ON TERRA

hopefully invisible — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:47:40 -0000

This is a super idea. Would LB Organics want to take over this garden? It's much bigger than their little garden and has no much bad history, they may not want that headache? My neighbor Paul is on the LBO board, I'll ask him.

Re: WAR ON TERRA

hopefully invisible — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:44:46 -0000

This bullying at the garden has been going on for years. Look at board member Steve's site http://lbcga.org Scroll down to see Lonnie's famous brown tomatoes. She keeps a terrible weed filled plot with long dead plants, yet holds other people to a high standard? Come on.

It's easy for Steve to say "REMEMBER THE GARDEN BELONGS TO THE GARDENERS NOT THE BOARD" But they threw him off the board and revoked his garden plot. It belongs to the board, not the city or the gardeners.

Anyone who dares to complain about unfairness is targeted for removal. Especially if they are black or suspected of being gay. Several middle-aged men and women on the board are always gossiping about people's sexuality. It is so junior high.

And the last time I checked holding people to a higher standard of weeding because they are black, cambodian, possibly gay or outspoken is called "discrimination".

These control freaks on the board also instructed a woman to stop bringing her friend to the garden, even though the rules allow guests, because "retarded people are more likely to get hurt and are not covered on our insurance". First , that's not true. Second, this guest was not retarded. I think he had cerebal palsey or something that affected speech, but not retarded.

The board only allows approved people to run for board, so there is no way to get them out of power. You just have to stay off their radar and hope they have enough people to pick on and don't get around to you. The city should step in and require Parks and Rec manage the place. Or better yet, hire Megan Brescini to be the Garden Manager! I'd vote for that!

Re: WAR ON TERRA

eeeek! — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:58:34 -0000

If a gardener wants to run for a seat in the board, they have to be in "good standing" with the current board. They require a candidate to have had "no more than 1 weed notice in the calendar year." Exclutionary tactics? All they have to do is give someone a notice and they can't run for another year. Power begets omnipower.

Re: WAR ON TERRA

johnnyvasquez — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:30:52 -0000

I recently began gardening at the Wild Oats Community Garden with Long Beach Organic. When I was looking into community gardens in Long Beach about 6 months ago, I came across the lbcga.org website and was completely bewildered. I could not understand why the main website for the group was now the greatest champion against it. One thing I knew for sure was I had no interest in being apart of a "community" where its leaders abused their power and its members felt strongly enough about it to speak out. That's when I found the Long Beach Organic group and got on their waiting list. I'm just beginning, but I've already had the group president greet me and offer to give me any extra starters he has available. They encourage us to grow more than we need so our friends and neighbors can benefit from the fruits of the "community" garden (even those druggies and winos). It may not be as pristine a site as that other garden, but there is a true sense of community there that reflects Long Beach well.

Re: WAR ON TERRA

4 peas in a pod — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:46:02 -0000

Well said No Name.
We love the garden and want to stay for a long time but we need to stop feeling we walk on eggshells.
I brought our two kids for an hour or two to work with us at the garden to help connect them to the food they eat and found myself yelling at them because they picked a tiny piece of rosemary from our neighbors garden. The neighbors have given us bunches of flowers in the past and even extended the invite to pick on our own but because of the past interactions with the over reacting members , my husband and I found ourselves surprised by our tense responses. :(

Re: WAR ON TERRA

garden of eden — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:29:02 -0000

Great article. We have many great gardeners that would of loved to show this little jewel - we call our community garden. So many great gardeners have left because of the caustic environment , they just don't want to fight.
I believe many of the rules are needed to maintain the gardens especially with the large number of garden plots, but come on.
We have so many community gardens popping up all over LB (including the Long Beach Organic groups sites) why not develop a City Wide Community Garden group??? There could be some networking and resaonable problem solving. Or why not just have LBO take it over?

Re: WAR ON TERRA

garden fairies — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:11:11 -0000

Thank you so much for, the light and entertaining article. I am sad to say that it is an accurate portrail of not all but many of the boards members -past and present. Many of the members encounter this kind of attitude on a regular basis at the garden. It is a great place to work the soil , get in touch with nature and hopefully harvest some good organically grown veggies. No one needs the stress.
I have seen people come after a surgery, illness or a death of a loved one come to the garden sometimes doing nothing but eventually they start to pull a few weeds or water.... before you know it they are planting. As the garden grows so does their spirit. We need to get a board that supports and fosters this kind of spirit!!!