Something is Brewing.
Hello!
Last week was fun. It was a two Fish & Bear week, so my head is full of stories.
On Sunday, Lynn and I went back to The Valley Hive, not to host this time, though. This time, we went to learn about growing food throughout the winter season. If you are reading this from somewhere where you scoff at the thought that Los Angeles has seasons, then I kindly suggest that you visit during what we locally call May Grey or June Gloom. {Note: We had not heard of this phenomenon before we moved here, and so I presume it is something we normally keep secret from outsiders.😉}
LA does have seasons, but the mind-melting fact for Lynn and me was that for some plants, winter here is their best growing season. It has taken us years to realize this, but after Sunday’s excellent class, we now have a new, even more mind-melting piece of knowledge:
Kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kohlrabi, and wild mustard all come from the same plant. The differences between each have been bred by farmers, but it means that if you are growing Broccoli or Brussel Sprouts, you can use the leaves as Kale. {Look it up if you don’t believe me!}
Anyhow, I’ve gotten myself distracted. Back to F&B. After the class, Lynn and I were chatting with Robin, who has been at all of our events at the Valley Hive and is my main point of contact and collaboration there. Robin told us that for at least a week after a F&B, she will revisit the stories that she heard. As she goes through her week, she will be reminded of the stories and the people who told them.
She’s not alone. The same happens to Lynn and I, and others have told us about this too. Sometimes we think of the not-so-funny stories, like on Tuesday, when a couple of people mentioned in their stories about how the word ‘stupid’ affects them almost violently. But more often it’s the funnier moments, like on Thursday, there was the memorable line, “I thought I was going to be beaten up… but they were just Scottish.” 🤣.
Each Fish & Bear location seems to affect the stories people tell in subtly different ways. The Valley Hive is open and natural. We light the tree we sit under, and play chilled electronic music. For the church, we play classic jazz and try to make it feel cozy by adding a red uplight to the fireplace.
And soon, we will be hosting at the Lawless Brewery in NoHo. On Thursday, October 30th, we are going to hold our first event there to see how we fit. If you haven't been to an event yet, then why not come to that one - that way we’ll all be brand new. Put it in your calendar, and RSVP on the website.
Just as Kale, Brussels, and broccoli are all the same plant, though our venues may differ, Fish and Bear is always a social event where people (often strangers to each other) meet and tell stories, and nobody knows what stories they're going to tell.
This week is just a one F&B week, so I hope we’ll see you at the church tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct 14th).
Mark
xx
The best place for up-to-date info: https://fishandbear.net
AND NOW WE ARE ON INSTAGRAM: @FishAndBearNet
If you fancy reading some of Lynn’s writing, then check out her weekly Notes From The Valley at lynnfergy.com
