Priscilla's Newsletter #71

There is power in nature. I have traveled all around the world, mostly walking around, looking at landscapes, rocky sceneries and plants and flowers.

There is power in nature. I have traveled all around the world, mostly walking around, looking at landscapes, rocky sceneries and plants and flowers. Nature is incredibly strong. I have said to myself that I will never be able to design such beauty.

~Yohji Yamamoto, Japanese clothing designer

Hello Friends,

Welcome all new subscribers! A big thank you as well to all paid subscribers!

As you know, this past week has been very challenging for everyone living in the Los Angeles area. I feel we are all in this together. In this issue, I’m posting a list of all the ways we can help those that are in need whether human or animal.

This issue also has a great post about all the ways you can use Baking Soda at home; a great idea for all communities: A Toy Library; Superpowers that Ants have and a lovely film about a Forest Man and the incredible work he has done to better his community. Onwards!

#1- How We Can Help People in Need in Los Angeles

Like many of you, I have been watching helplessly as the wildfires have taken lives, destroyed thousands of homes and tens of thousands of acres, and displaced countless wild animals that called the hillsides their home. My heart and thoughts are with all the people who lost their homes, and for the lost animals and plants, trees, flowers, and insects.

Here are ways we can help:

MutualAidLA: A connector and information hub for mutual aid efforts in Los Angeles. They are doing a lot to coordinate different outreach and mutual aid groups across LA.

GoFundMe.org: Its wildfire recovery fund will give emergency grants to verified people and families fundraising for themselves or others, as well as small businesses and nonprofits. In addition, read this article about how crowdfunding sites can affect your aid claims. Be informed!

Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) and Bstrong: Will distribute cash cards to evacuated residents to help with immediate needs like accommodation, gas and food.

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: Partnering with 600 agencies to make sure people are fed, the food bank is accepting cash donations, food donations and volunteers.

World Central Kitchen: is giving sandwiches, fruit and water to “all areas of immediate need.” Several of its partner chefs are “on standby, ready to provide comforting meals.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles: It is planning to help build homes for wildfire victims who have lost theirs, give them money to pay their rent or mortgage, and give out gift cards so they can get food and other essential goods during the coming weeks and months.

Entertainment Community Fund: Providing financial relief for those in the entertainment industry.

ProjectCamp: Runs trauma-informed pop-up camps for children displaced or out of school due to natural disasters. It is in the process of setting up multiple sites to help families impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Humanesociety: Wildfires are causing widespread destruction in Southern California, leaving animals in urgent need of help. Please donate to our Emergency Animal Relief Fund.

Pasadena Humane: Last wednesday night, they took in more than 300 animals, some with burns and other fire-related injuries. The shelter is asking people to give money so staff can treat them with medication, fluids and oxygen.

The Equestrian Aid Foundation: EAF’s disaster relief fund is now open to equestrians in critical need as a direct result of the Los Angeles wildfires.

Animal Wellness Foundation: They are using its old vet hospital to shelter animals donated by owners who evacuated but couldn’t take their pets with them. They’re asking for donations so they can house and feed them.

In addition, the LAHSA has a lot of helpful information for anyone who has been displaced by the fires.

How should we behave during this apocalypse? We should be unusually kind to one another, certainly.

~Kurt Vonnegut

Sources: Dr. Bronner and my friend Konstantin

#2- The Amazing BAKING SODA!

Unlike the majority of commercial household cleaners you may be accustomed to buying at the store, homemade cleaners are generally made with pure and familiar ingredients that are non-toxic.

Baking soda, also known as bicarbonate of soda, is naturally found in mineral springs, but can be produced artificially as well. You may think of baking soda as an ingredient used to make cookies and quick breads rise, but it is invaluable for quite a few household chores, including the following nine.