Green Parent Chicago™

Kids Big Wheel Race at the Chicago Criterium Sunday

A Kid’s Big Wheel Race will take place Sunday in Grant Park as part of the line-up of events for the first ever Chicago Criterium bike race.

The Chicago Criterium, the first of its kind in the city, will begin at 7 a.m. and continue throughout the day.

A criterium is a cycling race held in a closed circuit loop and is approximately 1.1 miles in length. Adult participants will compete for a total of $40,000 in prize money.

Sunday's Big Wheel event is open to kids age 2 to 7 and will be held in front of Buckingham Fountain. The first 200 children to sign up will receive a commemorative championship T-shirt. Each child will receive a "champion" medal and a $25 savings account opening bonus courtesy of ING Direct. The race begins at 12:10 p.m. A bike safety seminar will be held 5 minutes prior to the race start.

Registration is available online or on race day starting at 11:00 a.m. at the registration tent located on the northeast corner of Columbus and Balbo streets. Children may bring their own big-wheel or borrow one at the race. A limited number of big wheels will be on hand to borrow, first come, first served.

New Accessible Playground for All Opens In Evanston

Lawson Park in Evanston is now the sight of the new Noah's Playground for Everyone. The playground which opened Sunday was the project of Evanston residents Julie and David Cutter and the City of Evanston and honors the memory of the Cutter's 2-1/2-year old son Noah, who died in December 2005.

Noah's parents, family, friends, and service providers held several fundraisers to raise the $400,000 needed toward the construction of the accessible playground. The City of Evanston funded the remainder of this project. Lawson suffered from multiple neurological disorders throughout his life.

According to a recent Tribune report on the playground's opening ceremony, the equipment and toys are designed so kids with special needs can play alongside able-bodied kids, and get close to the action with ramps and larger spaces that are wheelchair-accessible. Paths are covered with rubber—instead of bark chips or sand—so wheels can roll easily. Toys are painted in bright colors so children with limited eyesight can navigate them. Nooks and crannies help give kids with sensory overload a place to calm down.

Marketers Hope They're A Better Influence On Kids Than You Are

With little public outcry in opposition, the tales brand marketers weave about marketing and young people continue to reach bizarre proportions.

In a July 16 article in the British magazine Ethical Corporation, Giles Gibbons marketing director of the PR and marketing firm Good Business argues, not surprisingly, that brands shouldn't fear marketing to kids and can actually can reach children in a way parents and schools are unable to.

Gibbons takes on "commentators" who argue for control of brand marketing. He writes that these commentators "tend to react in a knee-jerk way particularly when it comes to products that can be deemed “bad” for children – whether it is the possible health risks of mobiles phones, or soft drinks and obesity."

Companies themselves are capable of their own regulation, according to Gibbons and "will often rule out activity that would clearly lead to children pestering their parents for unhealthy or expensive products – whether by changing the message or changing the context in which it is found."

"But to suggest that companies should not communicate with children at all is narrow-minded and shortsighted.." he continues.

"Messages on bullying, or the environment, or online safety that come from a cool brand – like Hello Kitty – can have far more impact than the strictures of parents and schools."

Tina Wells, who prides herself on being the queen of tween and teen marketing and leads her own Buzzspotter tween marketing recruits, recently wrote in The Huffington Post about the "new power couple" of celebrities and brands.

Wells hopes consumers believe her argument that celebrity plugs for youth products and entertainment are necessary and actually desired by teens and young people.

"The market has become so fragmented, with dozens of information outlets competing for the attention of savvy young consumers, that traditional advertising simply does not reach them anymore. Even when I was a teen, we were glued to the TV on Thursday nights. Consuming the ads was part of the experience of watching Dawson's Creek and Beverly Hills 90210. When Ali Landry became the new Doritos girl, we actually cared who she was. And we all noticed that the kids on Dawson's Creek wore American Eagle."

Wells, a PR and marketing specialist by trade is the new "author" behind the recent Mackenzie Blue "book series" by Harper Collins Publishing, aimed at 8- to 12-year-old girls. The series features product placement written into the plot. The release of the book was met with criticism by consumer advocacy group Commercial Alert.

A press release from February says tweens will discover more about going "green," learn about the "global" landscape, and be motivated to achieve their goals in the Mackenzie Blue books. 

Chicago scores 4th in Rank of Most Walkable Cities

Walk Score, the site that helps people find walkable neighborhoods, recently announced the most walkable cities in the U.S.

On a scale of 0 (car dependent, drive only) to 100 (a walkers paradise), Chicago scored an overall ranking of 76, with 66% of Chicago residents having a Walk Score in their neighborhood of 70 or above.

2,508 neighborhoods in the largest 40 U.S. cities were ranked according to the walkability of an address by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks and other amenities.

According to the site, Walk Score measures how easy it is to live a "car-lite" lifestyle—not how attractive and scenic the area is for walking,

The top most walkable city, according to the site's rankings: San Francisco, followed by New York, with Boston coming in third.

What about strollers? CTA May Introduce Seat-less Train Cars Soon

Ridership is up on the CTA. Due in part to the rising cost of gas and the CTA's free rides for seniors program that just began in March of this year. Citing the increase Wednesday, CTA officials announced at a transit board meeting that the agency will soon experiment with seat-less cars on rush hour trains to address increased ridership and crowded trains.

While this would serve as one solution to allowing more riders on board, how might this effect the ridership of parents with kids, who may also be carrying a folded up stroller along?

The cars would debut on the Brown Line by fall, according to CTA President Ron Huberman.  An eight-car train would include at least two contiguous cars without seats. Elderly, disabled and pregnant passengers could choose to ride in the cars with seating, Huberman said.

While some parents never bring a stroller along on public transit, opting to travel with a sling or carrier only. Other parents, including many who also bring a sling or carrier tote a lightweight stroller along for their older child or to ease the burden of carrying a diaper bag, lunch and sleeping baby all at once.

Though most parents who ride the CTA during rush hour and other busy times are probably no stranger to crowded conditions, it will be interesting to note what type of extra planning parents may have to consider before boarding a seat-less train. In addition, it remains to be seen if the plan will actually cut ridership numbers of parents with young kids.

We want to hear from you at Green Parent Chicago: would you plan any differently for trips on a seat-less train? If so how? Or is planning as simple as avoiding peak travel times or just leaving the stroller at home?

Whole Foods Lincoln Park Re-opens Following Health Inspections

Whole Foods' Lincoln Park store reopened Saturday after closing July 9 when inspectors found rodent droppings throughout the store. After finally passing a third inspection, the store's business liscense was returned Saturday.

Unless there are customer complaints, the store will not be inspected again for another 6 months, according to a recent Chicago Tribune report.

Progressive Politics and Parenting

Are you a news junkie, do you watch C-Span while serving your kids lunch? Can you define "pundit", a "smoke-filled room", have you ever "misspoke"? Perhaps, like me, you've been following the presidential race since it began in late 2006...(you don't think it all started at the Iowa Caucuses now do you?)

Well, the MOMocrats, Activistas, League of Maternal Justice, Moms Speak Up, Moms Rising, and PunditMom have a little something to share with you.

All you mamas and papas of the world who know that parenting is a political act, there's no shortage of political opinion from the playground set.

The MOMocrats: moms, bloggers, writers, lawyers and more from across the nation deftly skilled at the art of political smackdown are dedicated to putting a Democrat in the White House.

Activistas' out of Portland describes it's goal: "to inform, inspire & connect busy parents who want to create change on the issues that matter to your family." Their site offers relevant news, alerts, and opinion on local and national issues. 

The League of Maternal Justice uses the power of the mom internet community to "expose the injustices perpetrated against mothers everywhere and to exact vengeance through aggressive finger-wagging and online shaming."

Moms Speak Up is a collaborative blog of writers who "are women, parents, consumers, voters and much, much more" and are "fed up with the "business as usual" attitude of politicians & greedy corporations." They believe "It's time for us to speak up and be heard!"

Moms Rising is an organization working toward a more family-friendly America, with over 140,000 citizen members. Several very prominent women bloggers on their site voice their opinions on the issues and work to advance the efforts of the organization.

PunditMom: has been called a "one woman media empire" and writes regularly on her own site, as well as for The Huffington Post, BlogHer, Moms Rising and a whole slew other notable online and print publications.

Catherine Morgan, a single mom and contributing editor for BlogHer, not long ago began chronicling the Political Voices of Women on her blog. To date she has over 400 women listed from various political persuasions, many of whom are also moms.

This list just scratches the surface and of course I've forgotten many, so if you're out there (dads!) or know of any other great political parenting writers online, let us know!

-Full disclosure: editor Christine writes on politics for a couple of the above sites over here and here and more often on her own column here at the Huffington Post and her political blog, Modern English.

Lollapalooza This August: Rockin' Out Kids in Tow

Lollapalooza the 3-day outdoor music fest now permanently stationed in Grant Park, begins August 1 and will run until August 3. A number of headliners are scheduled for the event (Kanye, Wilco, Rage Against the Machine, Mark Ronson, etc.)  Single day and 3-day passes are still available online. Kids 10 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult.

As in years past, green initiatives are planned to address waste and the environmental impact of the festival which is expected to draw over 150,000 attendees over 3 days. Plans include the use of biodegradable bags, recycled paper, recycling bins, generators and light towers that run on biodiesel, compostable food packaging and containers and organic and locally grown food choices. Sponsors are said to "have pledged enthusiastic support" to the fest's green plans.

The Kidzapalooza area of the event will feature kids performers, music and dance workshops, recycled crafts, and temp tattoo and "rock-styled" hairdo styling for kids "using environmentally kid friendly products" from 11:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m.

Looking for some tips from experienced city mamas who've gone? 

Bonnie, mom to two says:

"Our kids love it and can't wait to go every year. We've gone the past 3 years and the kids area has never been uncomfortably crowded, has lots of shade and is a great space to hang in. It ends mid afternoon, before the major acts. I'd recommend printing pet tags with kids name and your cell # in case. Even older ones can panic if lost. I remind mine "stand still if you ever lose sight of me and I will turn around and find you". Luckily it's never been necessary. They will allow strollers for people going with little and even medium sized ones.

Pros--fest is HUGE and a jogging stroller is a great way to travel fast with little ones and is a good place for them to fall asleep if you stay till close. Though technically on the "not allowed" list, we've brought in a play tent for shade, water backpacks, a cooler full of fresh fruit, cold drinks, healthy kid food and toys, glow sticks, spray bottles, etc. under the stroller and never had an issue with it. Cons--evening crowds can get thick and if you're not in the back of the main stage lawn and you have a big stroller, plan on getting boxed in till the end."

Lisa, mom of one says: 

"I think its the best festival for kids, hands down.  The kids area is awesome! The only thing I'd advise is that it is very spread out, so if you plan on wandering away from Kidzapalooza keep that in mind. It can get crowded walking through. Can get hot, obviously--I' m pretty sure you can bring water. We usually bring misters for the kids to spray."

Safety tip: Visit the "Tag-A-Kid" service at the Information Tent where parents can pick up a numbered wristband for their child that includes parent supplied contact information in the event parent and child are separated.

Politics With a Generous Helping of Greens: Green Convention 2008

The 2008 Green Party National Convention begins today at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. The convention, which is a mix of workshops and a nominating convention for the Green Party's presidential nominee for the 2008 general election will run until Sunday July 13.

The bulk of the event will be held at the Palmer House Hilton with the presidential candidate nomination to be held Saturday at the Chicago Symphony Center. On-site registration is available and includes meals. Low income and Saturday-only registration are also offered for non-delegates.

Some of the workshops offered during the convention include: local democracy, sustainable activism, organizing online, working with the media, grass roots fundraising, making green food choices and LGBT activism.

Do You Waste Food?

Wasted food may seem unavoidable with children who can be notoriously finicky eaters at certain stages and ages.

But parents concerned about food waste can take note of recent tips from the UK. British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown has recently launched a campaign to urge consumers and world leaders at the G8 Summit this week to address the problem.

WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), a private company funded by the British government to study environmental waste reduction, discovered 1/3 of food bought in the UK winds up as waste. They've launched a site, Love Food Hate Waste, offering consumers advice on meal planning and using up leftovers in creative ways.

On the U.S. side, journalist Jonathan Bloom, who has been studying food waste since 2005 and has devoted a blog to food waste in the U.S., said "Americans waste more than 40 percent of the food we produce for consumption. That comes at an annual cost of more than $100 billion." His blog lists ways in which groups and organizations recover and recycle wasted food.

Ready to take action? Visit Love Food Hate Waste for shopping suggestions and if you're ready to tackle this week's leftovers, Deborah Taylor-Hough, a mom, author and authority on simple living has plenty of great ideas on her site that will have you thinking beyond soup and casseroles.

What are some ways you cut down on food waste? Post your tips and suggestions in the comments below.