Blog archive
April 2024
Stimulated by "Caste"
04/22/2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
By Blog MasterPosted: 05/01/2021
On an unusually cool spring day, in the warmth of our homes, members of the Pasadena Village were treated to a virtual tour of Cottonwood Canyon, located right off of Linda Vista Avenue, by Tim Martinez, Land and Program Administrator for the Arroyos Foothills Conservancy.
The Arroyos Foothills Conservancy is a land trust baseClick hered in Pasadena established to preserve natural open spaces. In particular they work to save open space for wildlife and to connect fragmented land segments to create wildlife corridors that can support a healthy and diverse population of wildlife. Some of us were surprised to learn that we are living in a very special ecosystem. Tim explained that Southern California has more plant and animal diversity than anywhere else in the continental US.
Cottonwood Canyon is of particular importance because it is the only open land that connects the San Gabriel Mountains through the Arroyo Seco to the San Rafael Hills. It is the “gateway” for animals to move from one natural area to another. A few years ago the Cottonwood Canyon land was threatened by development. The Arroyos Foothills Conservancy purchased the land as part of its regional goal to create a wildlife corridor from Hahamonga to Tujunga.
With an assistant guiding the cellphone camera, Tim walked us through a small section of the San Rafael Hills, pointing out important native plants and features along the way. Tim packed a lot of information into his short walk. He pointed out a number of plants and explained how many of them have medicinal uses and help boost immunity. The “walk” ended in a live oak grove where Tim explained that the coastal live oak, symbolic of Pasadena, is known as a “keystone” species. As Tim told us, “the live oaks provide shelter and food for hundreds of species that depend on the oaks to survive. If we lose these trees the entire ecosystem would be endangered.” Now we know why Pasadena is so protective of its oak trees!
My personal favorite was his demonstration of the many uses of the prickly pear cactus which grows naturally throughout the area. All parts of the plant (except the spines of course) are edible and healthy, lowering blood sugar to prevent diabetes. Tim encouraged us to try ordering “nopales” tacos next time we go to a Mexican restaurant. And the fruits of the cactus, known as “tuna” can be used to make delicious jams and smoothies. But the most amazing thing about the cactus is what results from the beetle larvae that creates a white crust on the cactus. The white stuff is cochineal and Tim showed how it turns a brilliant red when it is crushed between your fingers. After the 1521 conquest of the Americas by Spain, cochineal was introduced to Europe where it revolutionized the color of red used in paintings and tapestries.
To watch the video recording of this educational and entertaining presentation, Click here .