Today in the Green Booth, Melissa Davis of CommunityMama was on hand to show off the great work she does as a volunteer at Grand View Elementary’s learning garden.

I have to admit, in the past, I didn’t love the coffee there: too bitter for me. However, when I was recently at the Venice Grind for the launch of the OPEN Daily, I treated myself to a latte and Loved it! First of all, a-dor-able foam art, but more importantly, a delicious, smooth — key element — hot beverage. Turns out the Venice Grind now serves Stumptown roasters coffee, which I admit I’d never heard of before last week, but I can assure you, it’s worth knowing about. Excellent coffee.

The other change I noticed, and happily so, was the quiche. I’ve eaten their quiche many times, and, again, in the past, I felt it was perfectly passable but nothing to write home (or a blog post) about. However, the quiche is now lighter, with a sweeter custard and a lovely herb mix. I really like the improvement; I’ll be back for more.

Check out the Venice Grind on UpTake.com as well.

The Venice Grind, 12224 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista 90066

Maria and Luna have by now been released from the hospital, and it’s hoped Luna will start back to school soon. Maria is still receiving treatments at the burn center, but unfortunately, Jose’s condition is still critical and he remains heavily sedated in the burn center.

The family has a website to track their recovery and the plans for fund-raisers, since all their possessions were lost in the fire, so please visit FriendsOfLuna.com to get more information.

A benefit garage sale has been planned for March 27th, for which they are accepting donated items to sell, and if you’d like to participate in that, please contact Jennifer Hemsley (jennifer_hemsley (at) yahoo (dot) com).

I am indebted to Reverend Elizabeth Oakes for providing me with this family’s story to share here. It’s heart-breaking and I want to do all I can to help them with their recovery. Please join me. And please make sure your own homes are safe.

An original song by Mar Vista’s own Didi Pop!

Green Green Green Green

Mar Vista’s gone green

I’ll tell you what I mean

We’re teaching kids the dream

You gotta love Mar Vista

We got a lot of class

We’re putting in drought resistant plants

And taking out the grass

We shop the farmers market

For flowers, honey and fish

It’s local and organic

And super-duper delish

Mar Vista’s gone green

I’ll tell you what I mean

We got a big blue bin

We put our plastic in

And as for the burnt toast

We toss it in to the compost

We’re teaching kids the dream

Mar Vista’s gone green

We got the greatest thrift store

They got everything we need

I get my favorite clothes there

And all the books I read

We got a big wide bike path

An easy ride to the beach

We’re saving money not using gas

Keeping our cars off the street

Green -we’ve got a solar panel

Green -we’ve got a water barrel

Green -We’re harvesting our rain

We’re teaching kids the dream

Mar Vista’s gone green

Green Green Green

Gone Green

{Song and lyrics used with permission.}

The Master Gardeners were on hand today in the Green Booth, as they are every month. Great gardening tips, free plants and seeds. They are awesome!

An original post by Sarah Auerswald for MarVistaMom.com.

Dick’s True Value Hardware store, 12216 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista 90066 (310) 397-3220