Whole Life Magazine

April / May 2015

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city of angels C annabis sattiva may grab the headlines, but it's not the most important thing Angelenos want legalized in their backyards. With Colony Collapse Disorder threatening the survival of the honeybee—and the agricultural disaster that could result—beekeeping has become signifi cantly more urgent. Chelsea McFarland and her husband Rob became beekeep- ers in 2011, after a swarm descended on their organic garden. Their newfound interest grew into Honey Love, an educational nonprofi t that works to protect honeybees and inspire urban beekeepers. Beekeeping is legal in Santa Monica, where Honey Love is based, but according to Los Angeles city planning offi - cials, it's not allowed in residential areas of L.A. County. Despite the ban, beekeeping is growing in popularity, and L.A. is now considering legislation that would create regula- tions for legal backyard beekeeping. This past February, City Council called on staffers to draft a report exploring the idea. They're holding a series of public meetings, after which Council will vote. The ordinance could pass in the next few months. Because bee populations nationwide are struggling, even least-likely-prospect New York City legalized beekeeping in 2010. "We believe that the city is the last refuge of the honeybee," said Chelsea McFarland. "Our home gardens are generally free of pesticides, and in cities like Los Angeles, there is year-round availability of pollen and nectar for the honey- bees." In other words, our urban environment has what bees need, and we certainly need the bees. "By supporting pollinators in our city, we are also supporting the local food movement because bees pollinate one out of every three to four bites of food we eat," she said. Ready to give in to sweet temptation? You can fi nd several bee sources on the Internet, but for more personal service, bee- keeper Michael Pohl delivers bee nucs (small hives centered on a queen) and equipment to central locations in Southern California via his website, www.BeekeeperMike.com. Pohl em- phasized that bees are especially important in pollinating fruit trees, abundant in the Southland, and notes that more and more eco-aware urbanites want to enjoy home-sourced honey and beeswax, as well as a front row seat for hive activity. "With a beehive, you can see them gathering pollen, marking the springtime as the fi rst pollen comes in," notes Pohl. "It gets you more connected with nature, because you can observe nature in a physical thing in front of you." For more information about legalizing backyard beekeeping in L.A., visit www.honeylove.org/legalization, where you'll fi nd plenty of information and a sample letter you can email to City Council to voice your support. You can also contact City Council directly through www.council.lacity.org/Directory. By Lisa Beebe Locals fi ght for the honeybee LEGAL IN L.A. Locals fi ght for the honeybee Let me help you: • Discover true balance & joy • Open your heart to love • Clear karmic patterns & past trauma • Live an abundant life Jamile Mafi Certifi ed Energy Practitioner 818-317-3873 Discover true balance & joy Open your heart to love Clear karmic patterns Live an abundant life Certifi ed Energy Practitioner Experience Rapid Transformation with Shamanic Energy Medicine. www.flamingheart.com A non-surgical treatment which promotes the body's own natural healing ability to stabilize and strengthen weak ligaments, tendons and joints. G. Megan Shields, M.D. and J. Keller Wortham, M.D., are experts in the delivery of this breakthrough pain relief procedure. To learn more go to www.doctorprolotherapy.com Optimum Wellness Medical Group, Inc. 1030 S. Glendale Ave., Suite 503, Glendale | 818-547-5400 april/may 2015 9

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