Dreem Warriors? Allies made to change the world!

This past weekend hosted a slew of amazing connections as our friends and fellow activators of the Urban Conservation Warriors visited for adventure and collaboration. With a mission to employ students (at beautiful wages) to install 100% sustainable and native landscaping, these warriors are really making an impact in Oakland. Inspiring!! Bravo to you Warriors and a special thanks to Rain Dove and Ford for sharing their time with us - what a wonderful weekend. With our parallel Dreems of changing and educating the world - we have decided to join forces. To launch this, we will be having a Dreem Warriors Retreat in the proposed location of Holy City, CA - in the presence of a ring of Redwoods to council and inspire us. This event will be held from Friday, Oct 26th - Saturday, Oct 27th. We will do lots of enthusiatic team building, activations, discussion, etc. In fact, here are the notes from our brainstorm about the event:

Join the facebook event for the Retreat, here!

*We ask that everyone contribute $15 to food sharing! Please hand it over to your respective "leaders by Wed, Oct 24"*

Proposed Schedule of Events Fri, Oct 26th 10am - 12pm: Arrival & Set Up 12 - 1pm: Lunch (shared potluck style meal) 1 - 2pm: Team building and Activation! 2 - 5pm: Discussion Time One 5 - 6pm: Fun Activation and Team Building...more of it! 6 - 7pm: Dinner prep and misc duties for the evening 7 - 10pm: Eat and Celebrate (bonfire, music, storytelling, etc) Sat, Oct 27th 6 - 7am: Breakfast making and waking 7 - 8am: Morning circle and breakfast 8 - 9am: Morning Activation and Team Building...can't get enough! 9 - 11am: Discussion Time Two 11am - 12pm: Lunch Prep and Fun time...face painting? 12 - 1pm: Lunch time 1 - 2pm: Interactive thought on current spicy topics in the world 2 - 4pm: Collaborative Final Discussion Three 4 - Infinity: Go home and create amazing things in this world Proposed Topics of Discussion:

• Mission statements of Dreem and Warriors
• Overview of accomplishments and goals - past, current, and prospective
• Projects in action
• Techniques of operations
• What are our differences as entities and why? What can we learn from each other?
• Potential collaborations
• What we have to offer as individuals

Activity and Team Building Ideas:

• Collaborative Creation (drawing, painting, theater, mandala)
• Take home product/project (DreemCatchers? Pinecone peanut butter squirrel feeder?)
• Workshops and mini-classes (Survival, shelter building, water filtering, yoga, soil evaluation, cob creation, composting, etc)

  Hope to see many there! ~Dani

DreemGardens Evolution & Big Earth House

On Saturday, Sept 15 we met up with one of our first potential DreemGardens of the new phase of the program. In the past, we rapid-fire assisted in Gardens - setting up a date with home owners and encouraging as many Dreemers to attend as could. We then provided many hands to make light work of whatever the host wanted done to their garden. This was fantastic, and we were able to have a hand in the creation or evolution of 6 different gardens within 2 months! (Check out our YouTube Channel: DreemTV , to see our work together) Each weekend brought new Dreemers to connect, work together, and create with one another. We provided a great service and built our family stronger. From these events, new leaders emerged with a passion to further the effectiveness of these work parties. Giovanna, Theresa, and Shiree have now spearheaded the DreemGarden project, and to learn more about them please see their bios! We sat together to explore how DreemGardens could really evolve, and what was missing. Deciding that we should be taking more adventage of educational opportunities for both volunteers and hosts they came up with the new 4 step approach. 1) Potential hosts complete an information form to share their goals and other specifics. 2) A team of specialized Dreemers visits the location to do an evaluation of the property, the hosts needs and desires, the soil/sun/water situation, and the possible workshop opportunities for volunteers 3) The team constructs a proposal to the hosts that includes an evaluation of their goals, what our specialists believe is advantageous, and some concrete plans for their space 4) A work party is organized based on all this, including volunteers, hands-on experience, and free workshops for those that attend! Thismost certainly involves more of an investment of time and energy by the leaders, but we feel it is worth it! Hopefully the hosts do as well and will feel confident in making a contribution to help further the program! So! The Big Earth House urban EcoVillage, located in down town Santa Cruz, one of our first preconsulations of this evolved approach. We thought this would be a great opportunity to get involved with a local intentional community, expand our educational opportunities, and expose Dreemers to the potentials of cooperative culture and livin g situations. On Sept 15 we met with the residents of Big Earth House to discuss and explore their garden. They have a lovely victorian home with several different gardenspaces - all of which are presently planted wit It was an excellent opportunity for us all to learn about this process, and we thank the residents of Big Earth House for their p atience as we assemble our first proposal. In the mean time, I'd like to share the notes taken from the meeting that we intend to construct our proposal from. (A special thanks to Shiree for scribing and Giovanna for transcribing to the digital realm)h a variety of fruits and vegetables! As we toured the property together, they pointed out where they would like to see more production and how they may need guidance with different elements.  

Big Earth House ~ Garden Consultation Notes (9/15/12)

Present: Dani, Shiree, Theresa, Giovanna

Gardeners: Caro and Randall

Front Yard: ~ Cob benches in front yard, possibility for neighborhood cob workshop ~ Move “butterfly plant” to full sun ~ Existing ivy groundcover under olive tree, perhaps another useful groundcover instead? ~ Olive tree removal or pruning? ~ Apricot tree fungus – a natural control? ~ 2 Apple’s, Asian pear, Olive: create a shady understory ~ Lemon with a black fuzzy disease? ~ Consider companion plants for fruit trees! ~ Clay soil in front West bed lacks drainage ~ Front beds in East corner need better utilization ~ What veggies and smaller plants were present here?   East Side-yard: ~ Rocky, maybe raised beds/straw bale? ~ Jupiter's beard is prevalent - research nutrients it gives to soil/what it likes (will tell us a lot      about the current soil conditions) ~ Many plants in pots, and those in ground need more frequent watering ~ Caro was not sure if those living on this side wanted our help?   Backyard: ~ History – rototilled concrete, deep soil or perhaps not? ~ Compost – maybe could use some straw, two bales positive for shifting out good stuff! ~ Raised bed with squash and carrots, amendment for soil needed? ~ Salvia, Tomatoes, and what other plants were in this space?? (Bring camera, and permission for pictures next time I think…)   West side-yard: ~ Tomato plant, what does it need? Yellowing, wilting, not nearly as happy as backyard tomato ~ Raspberry needs also not being met? Yellowing, browning, wilting… Perhaps a soil test is in order? ~ Pete Moss to assist the blueberry? ~ Tall person to trim tall tree up against house ~ Build or move soil around lemon so that it retains more water   Overall: ~ Possible workshops are cob building benches and assessing ecosystems for companion planting ~ BEH wants – low maintenance, everything more utilized, more food, flowers and veggies, and moving toward nurturing the existing ecosystem!  

DreemInterns Needed! "Job Descriptions"

DreemIntern “Job Description”

The following are all Intern positions that we are hoping to activate. We’re at a turning point in the organization needing more leaders and Dreemers that are eager to create Dreem Reality as much as we are.

Our goal is to empower Dreemers to activate their Dreems by facilitating a vessel for creation. We encourage and welcome people to plug in to Dreem Reality however they feel pulled to.

Below are some of the key roles we need to continue to build our foundation as a forward moving organization of Dreemers. Most, if not all of them have the potential for intern credits through universities, future paid Leadership position upon funding activation, community and skill building! Additionally, they don't all have to be filled by Dreemers living in Santa Cruz - you can intern from afar as well!

(Oh, and we can come up with titles that are fulfilling to you!)

Administrative Orchestrator. (Office Assistant)

Possible team members: Several

What do with job? (Mission, Job Description). You will contribute to the creation of the foundation for Dreem Reality.  

Essential Functions (Responsibilities): Maintain bookkeeping (reconcile and organize receipts, enter QuickBooks), assist in “office” organization, prepare quarterly/annual tax requirements, communicate with administrative and legal entities, address “customer service” through email and phone, create and distribute newsletters,

Who work with? Directors, leaders, volunteers, donors/sponsors, potential interests

Possible skills/background: Experience with QuickBooks, Excel, Word, SalesForce, MailChimp, creative and independent problem solving,

Human Resource Manager. (Dreemer Organizer)

Possible number on team:  several

What do with Job? (Mission, Job Description). You would be in charge of organizing and communicating with Dreemers  (volunteers, interns, paid staff).

Essential Functions (Responsibilities): Create, implement, and organize Dreemer membership system (application, evaluation, contact/profile, hour logging/accomplishments). Connect Dreemer skills and interests with opportunities. Confirm/research intern credits qualifications. Provide general counseling and guidance to Dreemers. Investigate and maintain volunteer insurance.

Who work with? Admin, Events Coordinator, Dreemers

Possible skills/background: Human resources, group leadership, excellent communication skills (written, verbal, digital), people facilitation, creative problem solving and conflict resolution,

Funding Manifester. (Fundraising, Grants, Ect)

Possible number on team:  Several

What do with Job? (Mission, Job Description). Discover potential funding opportunities, providing stability and tools to activate DR.

Essential Functions (Responsibilities): Research potential grants, scholarships, and donations. Organize fundraising events. Assist in realistic budget creation for projects/programs. Advise, write, edit, submit grants/scholarships. Secure volunteers/interns for event activation, present fundraising proposals to Leaders and Sponsors

Who work with? HR manager, Event Coord, Admin, Donors/Sponsors, Dreemers

Possible skills/background:  Fundraising, grant writing, excellent communication skills (verbal, written), research, people facilitation, opportunity seeking

Event Coordinator

Possible number on team:  Several

What do with Job? (Mission, Job Description). Lead the creation and attendance of various Events, including fundraising events, public booths, workshops, education opportunities, etc.

Essential Functions (Responsibilities): Seek, organize, plan for, book, attend/assign, budget, recap events. Organize Dreemers to attend. Represent DR mission or specific focus/project.

Who work with? HR Manager, Funding Manifester, Event Hosts, Dreemers

Possible skills/background: Event coordinating, budget creation, organization, delegation, task management, creative problem solving

DreemCollective Creator

Possible number on team:  Several

What do with Job? (Mission, Job Description). Help create and establish the DreemCollective system throughout members, community organizations, and local businesses.

Essential Functions (Responsibilities): Create membership system (intro, organize, ID cards, contact, fees/reoccur). Seek out opportunities/partnerships throughout community organizations and businesses. Establish “contract” between members and businesses/organizations. Communicate with members about benefits, updates, and opportunities. Maintain rapport with sponsor businesses/organizations about growth of collective.

Who work with? Admin, HR manager, Marketing

Possible skills/background: Contract creation, legal awareness, business savvy, organization skills, system creation, digital/verbal communication

DreemSprouts/Youth Guides

Possible number on team:  Several

What do with Job? (Mission, Job Description).  Expand our involvement with education and activation of youth. This can include all youth ages in and out of schools/programs.

Essential Functions (Responsibilities):  Create/coordinate DreemEvents focused on youth involvement and education. Investigate and ensure legal requirements for working with children (fingerprints, background checks, insurance, parental consent, etc). Coordinate youth-focus-interested Dreemers. Communicate/cooperate with youth organizations to accomplish shared missions.

Who work with? Events coord, HR Manager, Dreemers, Community youth organizations, children

Possible skills/background: Working with youth, organization, leadership, event coordination, creative activities,

DreemTV Crew

Possible number on team:  Several

What do with Job? (Mission, Job Description). Progress and evolve the educational and motivational video venue.

Essential Functions (Responsibilities): Specialties can involve: editing, filming, photography, script writing, directing, interviewing, casting, etc. Research new and existing educational topics. Edit DreemTV episodes. Comply with legal “release” requirements. 

Who work with? Events coord, DreemGardens,

Possible skills/background: Filming, photography, editing, acting, researching, team leadership and cooperation, creativity

DreemGarden Evolver

Possible number on team:  Several

What do with Job? (Mission, Job Description). Continue to evolve DreemGardens program towards more education, sustainability, and community involvement.

Essential Functions (Responsibilities): Create systems of finding, consulting, and scheduling “work parties”. Organize Dreemers. Outline workshop potentials with event. Maintain Tool Library (may include literature and supplies). Maintain “head quarters” with workshop/demo space, food forest, community garden, etc.

Who work with? Events Coord, HR Manager, Dreemers, Community, DreemSprouts

Possible skills/background: Horticulture, Permaculture, Native Plants, Landscaping & Design, consulting

DreemHome Builders

Possible number on team:  Several

What do with Job? (Mission, Job Description). Connect with local homeowners about remodeling their home, upgrading it to fit Title 24 and green building standards.

Essential Functions (Responsibilities): Provide evaluations/consultations of the job site, research tax credits and rebates for upgrades, create and connect local businesses network to hire at discounted rate to perform necessary work, assemble teams of Dreemers to participate in hands-on learning workshops.

Who work with? HR manager, event coord, Dreemers, home owners, local green building businesses, Ecology Action Now (?)

Possible skills/background: LEED certification, “Build it Green” evaluations, green building/construction, consultation, codes/permits, networking, research, team building

Digital and Web

Possible number on team:  Several

What do with Job? (Mission, Job Description). Improve, update, and maintain the website and digital presence.

Essential Functions (Responsibilities): Maintain website to provide the most current events, effective resources, and correct information. Also head up digital design and layout with graphics and logo.

Who work with? Directors, DreemTV

Possible skills/background: Wordpress, HTML, web design, graphic design, computer programing

Marketing DreemTeam

Possible number on team:  Several

What do with Job? (Mission, Job Description). Help create public image through creating and producing marketing material (business cards, t-shirts, brochures, banners).

Essential Functions (Responsibilities): Finding printing options, designing marketing material, cooperation with events coord to determine necessary marketing materials. Budgeting for materials. Seek opportunities to make public appearances.

Who work with? Events Coord, Digital/Web Design, Directors, Admin

Possible skills/background: Research, price comparing, design/layout, marketing literature, comfortable speaking/communicating, printing

Community Communicator

Possible number on team:  Several

What do with Job? (Mission, Job Description). Connect with surrounding community(ies) for educational opportunities, team building, funding possibilities, public relations, media communication

Essential Functions (Responsibilities): Find events to attend, discover ways to connect with the community using online and physical presence

Who work with? Events coord, Dreemers, HR Manager, Community leaders and organizations, Fundraising

Possible skills/background: Community building, outreach, team building, fundraising

DreemCouncil Recap! (7.13.12 meeting)

DreemCouncil Meet Up!

On Friday the 13th of July, we held our first ever DreemCouncil at Nisene Marks State Park, of Santa Cruz.

Our goal for creating DreemCouncil is to bring together all Dreemers to meet and discuss the status and evolution of Dreem Reality. We want to honor that this is an organization of many, and that it is fueled by the empowerment of the many participators. So our intention was to gather in an outdoor location to share ideas - and we did!

We had a beautiful group of six Dreemers: Theresa, Giovanna, Megan, Kita (new Dreemer!), Melinda and Dani. Hiking in the secret entrance that Giovanna is familiar with, we found a wonderful sunny spot next to the creek to hold our meeting.

I truly appreciate all of the input from everyone, and I know that we will be evolving so quickly from our combined creation!

Below is a recap of the discussion we had together:

DreemCouncil Recap

7/13/12

Where: Nisene Marks State Park

Time: 2 – 4pm

Present: Dani, Melinda, Thereasa, Giovanna, Megan, Kita

Topics Discussed

DreemGarden Evolution

·      Establish a mission statement/vision

o   Empowerment of hosts instead of providing only a service for them

·      Activate education more, incorporate pre-meeting and consulting

o   Discuss plans/goals of garden, look into permits and rebates for future of their garden

o   Give estimated “worth” of work

o   Insist on host’s participation and education

·      Low-income, high need gardens

o   Go into areas that need the education and assistance more

o   Use consulting step to develop infrastructure and “army” to tackle low-income evolution

·      Team assembling!

o   Giovanna, Theresea, Shiree (?) to take the lead

o   Meeting planned this upcoming week to discuss infrastructure and process of evolution

DreemSprouts/Youth

·      Engage Enviromental Education for the Next Generation

o   Field trips to DreemGardens, gardens in schools,

DreemCollective

·      Begin collaborating with local business/sponsors (member fees, contracts?)

·      Establish a Collective Garden produce swap on facebook

·      Member cards – fees to be part of collective? Volunteer to be part of?

Interns and Leaders

·      Create “job descriptions” and post on Facebook

·      Look to colleges for intern programs

o   Community studies, sustainable food system, systematic engeneering, no-profit admin program, horticulture, film, business admin

DreemCouncil Provides…

·      Kita – reclaimed building and gardening supplies for Library, Rose (art collective looking to connect), cobb building experience

·      Megan – cobb building paper/book

·      Giovanna – Lloyd Kahn, editor of Mother Earth Magazine (home in SF to see), Permaculture and cobb greenhouse workshop at home

Master Gardeners Boot Camp!

Master Gardeners Boot Camp, 2012

On June 30^th Dreemers got a chance to take part in the Master Gardener’s Boot Camp, held at Cabrillo College. After communication with Denise, the President of the Board for Master Gardeners, we were able to get a DreemScholarship discount from $40 to $25!

The Boot Camp was an all day educational event that allowed students to choose their desired classes to attend. Each student sat in on 4 classes, with topics ranging from Irrigation, Worm Composting, Integrated Pest Management, Greywater use, Permaculture practices, Plant growth, and many others.

In total we had six DreemScholars join in – Dani, Shiree, Melissa, Thereasa, Kama, Giovanna, and made a new connection with Harry who’s visiting from the East Coast for the Summer. It was wonderful to connect and learn with these great people!

We want to offer our true gratitude to Denise, the Master Gardeners, and the Cabrillo professors that made the day possible!

Now to continue using that knowledge! Onward!

Santa Cruz Pride Booth

Happy Pride!

This past Sunday, June 3, we held another booth at the Santa Cruz Pride event on Pacific, downtown. An incredibly beautiful day with blue skies, perfect weather, and many many happy people to wander the event and stop in to see what Dreem Reality is up to. We specifically enjoy having a booth at Pride events because Dreem Reality has a significant number of Dreemers that are part of the LGBT community, including our Directors! 

Once again, we offered "Free H20 4 U" in honor of the "Water Awareness...Down the Drain" documentary andDreemTV's growing presence. Additionally we featured our DreemArt, front and center which added such a draw to the booth. Also, our Director Ashley Coatney (and EarthOm) donated her handmade bath salts and incense to the cause, which we burned all day. All of these were great ways to engage people and recruit them forDreemGardens and other enthusiasm.

In the end we got about 20 new mailing list members, including

• Chris, a Storm Water Quality Consultant who we intend to follow up with for the large scale "Down the Drain" documentary
• Ken, a permaculture landscaping teacher of Terra Nova Landscaping inlvolved with "Grow Food Party Crew" and which is extremely similar to DreemGarden's mission 
• Several mamas that are interested in having Dreemers come work in their garden
• A fruit tree specialist, and many more wonderful people!

Overall, another wonderful DreemEvent to spread the word and the mission!

Thanks for those that stopped by and joined the DreemTeam!

And as always, if you are interested in hosting a DreemGarden work party - please fill in this form so we can get you scheduled in!

Ideas about Pests in your garden!

Recently, I have taken a real interest in bugs in the garden. Not just the bugs, but what they do. 

We just finished out our Spring Semester Edible Landscaping class, which had a large focus on pollination, pests, weeds, and all that good stuff. I'd like to share some of the notes I have on the topic and perhaps give an update on the status of the Phoenix Garden very soon!

I have also scanned the notes from this particular lecture we received on "Biological Balance with Insects" to share with you all if you're interested. I'd like to thank our professor Lisa McAndrews for her excellent and inspiring teaching this semester!

Some words of wisdom:

• No garden, not even a well-tended one, is immune to pests & disease
• Diversity is the key to a healthy landscape (if same plants together, easy for pests that like it to spread to neighbor plant)
• Without "pests", the predatory and parasitic insects would not be able to reproduce (and thus eat your "pests"
• The primary way to deter garden pests is by keeping healthy plants in a thriving, diverse garden environment. (healthy soil, choosing the right varieties for your local climate, rotating vegetables & keeping plants evenly watered & fed)
• Healthy plant attract fewer pests

Some info on pesticide use:

• Synthetic chemicals to control pests have been routing in the last 40-50 years. 
• Despite the use of pesticides, no pests have been "eradicated"
• Pesticides cause the death of valuable beneficial bugs (more sensitive and breed less) that will in turn keep other insect populations in check
• Forced to adapt to chemical attacks, insects mutate and survive - developing resistance to pesticides and needing more intense dosage
• Particularly harmful to bees that are unable to breakdown pesticides - they are extremely sensitive since they are intended to pick up small particles

Alternative to Pesticides: Integrated Pest Management

• Based on management of pests rather than eradication - choosing appropriate plants and giving them good growing conditions
• Physical controls such as traps and barriers
• Pheromone traps - to track population patterns
• Biological controls - releasing natural enemies & disease-causing micros that attack pests (the predator & prey approach)
• Diversity of plants - so pests can't find favorite plants so easy
• Few insects and mites, sow bugs, earwigs, snails & slugs are "pests"
• Most insects are either neutral or beneficial to your purposes 

Notes on the "Good Guy Bugs" (or Beneficials)

• Beneficials will do most pest control for you (Lacewings, Hoverfly larva, and Ladybugs eat aphids) - problem is recognizing them and their larval stages
• 2 Main groups of good bugs: predators eat "bad bugs" - ladybugs, lacewing
• Parasitoids lay eggs in the bodies of bad bugs who eat their way out - wasps, syrphid (hover) fly
• Patience is the key to pest control 
• The population of "bad bugs" has to build up to a significant level before the predators will come to handle the problem
• Won't kill all the pests because need to leave food for next generation
• Some pests don't have natural predators here - brown snail and japanese beetle. If use pesticides make sure are natural and only effect them or upset balance of other insects in the garden

Attracting Beneficials

• Most beneficials need high-proten, high sugar foods and have short mouthparts that can't reach into a flower for nectar & pollen.
• Two major plant families that fit their needs: Sunflower (Asteraceae) and Parsley (Apiaceae) families
• Sunflower family examples: yarrows, artemisias, feverfew, marigolds, zinnias, aster calendulas,gazanias, artichokes & lettuce
• Parsley family examples: carrots, celery, celeriac, dill, coriander, parsley, & fennel

For more details on these notes, please see our DreemGarden informational page for resources!

Lost Valley PDC ~ A week one perspective...

Hello Dreemers!  

I’m writing to you from Lost Valley Educational Center in Dexter Oregon, where I have spent the past week exploring the ecosystems here in the Western Cascades while attending a certification course on permacultural design. Since my arrival last Sunday, I have found Lost Valley, and the Meadowsong ecovillage to be warm and welcoming in spirit. Lost Valley defines itself as “a learning community creating catalysts for joyful ecological, social and economic regeneration,” and Meadowsong is the community in which this learning and regeneration takes place. The weather here has been cool, quite wet, and reminiscent of the Santa Cruz Mountains in January. Rain has paused my plan for camping in the meadow, but I look forward to moving outside when the sun returns…

The property that encloses the educational center and ecovillage contains a handful of cabins, yurts, camping sites, and a main lodge for dinning and social activities, as well as many gardens, orchards, creeks, ponds and hiking trails through forest land. With eight classmates, many residents, volunteers, and instructors living on-site, I am enjoying becoming a part of a close-knit community. I have met a truly amazing group of people, from all over the United States and outward to Mexico and Canada. All from different places and cultures, coming together with like-minds, looking for a place to learn and practice permaculture while building community...

During our first week of the course, we have come together to define permaculture, the focus of our gathering for the next five weeks, as this: permaculture is a malleable understanding of the revolutionary livelihood of working within the systems of a holistic network, while exercising sustainable living, creating unity with nature, and becoming abundant and dynamic forever. Or more simply stated: permaculture is the art and science of creating useable systems with which to produce the needs of humans without harming the environment around us. And with this definition, I am already finding that my educational experience here at Lost Valley is reaching far beyond the study of sustainable agricultural practices… 

 Much of our class discussion, activities and social interaction over the past week has reflected the need for a deeper understanding of the systems in which our earth and our societies operate, a deeper inner growth, required to fully understand the basic concepts of permaculture before moving forward to the hands-on practices. One fundamental and essential concept introduced this week is the difference between sustainability and resiliency. Sustainability being a system which can be maintained, and resiliency being a system which does not only maintain itself but also has the ability to withstand and recover from damage. Over the next weeks I look forward to deepening my understanding of sustainable and resilient systems while observing the world from a holistic viewpoint, taking into consideration the earth's natural patterns as well as the human perspective... 

Reaching beyond our permaculture curriculum, our course has spoken on the concept of power. Our power to move actively to reach our desires, to identify and become the change we wish to see in the world. Our power to overcome the fear of failure, with the transformation of fear into curiosity and excitement for the chance to be innovative and extraordinary. Everyday I am observing that change, like ideas, is spread from one person to another, and we need only start by being, by making decisions and actively living our lives in a way that we honestly believe they should be lived, for the betterment of all, and positive change will follow our light. A friend shared with me an opinion on the power of thought. He said to me that thoughts are like little burning embers, and the ones you stoke with thought and attention the most, are the ones that turn into true fires...


Sending love to friends, family, and Dreem Gardens, and looking forward to using our power of thought together, to manifest our own reality, toward a better tomorrow. 

Please feel free to share in my experience and check out more detailed pictures of my journey  along with my class notes at:  https://www.facebook.com/giovanna.piumarta under the photo section. 

Giovanna Piumarta 

DreemTV Notes: "A Bit About Composting"

Here are the notes that accompany the DreemTV Episode: "A Bit About Composting" done on May 6, 2012 and led by Megan.

Notes taken by Dreemer Natalie!

(Click on the photo to see full size)

"How to Build a Raised Bed" Notes (Accompanying Video)

These are the notes taken from our May 6, 2012 workshop on "How to Build a Raised Bed", led by Jonathan withFull Circle Creations, a local Sustainable Building Contractor. 

Notes were taken by our Dreemer Natalie, she wanted to make them pretty for you all!

Thanks Natalie!

View the DreemTV Episode on "How to Build a Raised Bed"