Green Parent Chicago

Green Festival This Weekend, GPC Readers Can Get Free Admission, Here's How:

If it's May in Chicago, then you know it's time for the mama and the papa of eco living events: Green Festival Chicago.

For one weekend only at Navy Pier, this Saturday and Sunday, the Green Festival will host DIY workshops, discussions and speakers, a Green Marketplace with the latest sustainable businesses and vendors, an Organic Beer and Wine pavillion, test drives of electric and hybrid vehicles, vegetarian and vegan food, and a Green Kids Zone with free activities for all ages of kids.

Definitely bring the kids and teens to Green Festival because 18 and under are free.

I'm very excited to check out the Green Festival this year, as I learn something new each year as I get discover all the great new local eco offerings around the Midwest and the country.

I'm also thrilled to tell you that Green Parent Chicago readers can get a special FREE weekend pass to the Green Festival. Just visit the festival website here and enter GREENPARENTCHICAGO for a free weekend pass good for both days. (A $20 value!) But, don't wait, it's a limited offer.

-Christine

 

Bellwether Fest June Lineup and Schedule Announced

Organizers for the new Bellwether cultural fest just announced the performer line-up and schedule for the June date of the 2-weekend fest, and dropped a few hints about which vendors, workshops, and demos to expect.

Local drink vendors include Revolution Brewing, Death's Door, and Oliver Winery among others.

Workshops and demos will include terrarium-making classes from Logan Square's Fleur, a make-your-own sculpture table workshop by Rebuilding Exchange, and yarn-spinning classes hosted by Michigan based Videnovich Farms.

The June 8 and 9 Bellwether fest will feature performances outside The Hideout and in the street plus DJ sets. Full line-up is posted here (times subject to change).

On Saturday, in The Hideout’s back room, film footage from the Chicago Film Archives will be screened, as well as "rarely-seen amateur sound shorts" from the vault. Saturday night's after-hours programming from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. includes sketch comedy show "NED Talks" and a special unannounced film screening. Sunday features the kid-friendly "Adventure Sandwich" and the adult-friendly "Drunken Spelling Bee."

Sunday morning, Bellwether will host an additional beer and brunch feast at Ada St. Restaurant with Revolution Brewery pairings. A limited number of feast tickets will go on sale May 21.

ADMISSION: For day hours June 8 and 9: suggested is donation $10, kids under 12 are free. For June 8 after-hours: $10 suggested donation.

Sunday feast: limited number of $50 tickets for sale online on May 21.

LOCATION: Outside The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, along Wabansia (Elston to Throop) and N. Ada St.

WHEN: June 8 from noon to dark with after hours 8 to 10 p.m., and June 9 noon to dark.
 
WEBSITE: http://followbellwether.com

photo credit: Hideout Chicago

The Green Parent Chicago Green and Local Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mothers Day is a pretty big day at my house, not just because I believe that parenting is one of the most important jobs an adult can take, but also because I get a day to celebrate being a proud mom to my two wonderful kids. Whether we decide to picnic just the 4 of us, or I take a day off to read, nap, knit, draw, write, etc, it's sure to be a break from the norm for me and that's always just the thing a busy mama needs.

So, when thinking about what type of gifts I would most appreciate for Mother's Day and what I could recommend for our Green Parent Chicago Mother's Day Gift Guide, I thought along those same lines: something out of the ordinary. Then, I realized there are a number of incredibly awesome local businesses around the city that sell and create the most unique items: things I would actually buy for myself.

It's exciting to see local manufacturers and designers popping up around town, especially those that promote ethical manufacturing and supply chains, as well as local artisans and crafters.

Po Campo, headquartered in Chicago, is an innovative maker of bike bags, yoga bags, travel bags, and diaper bags founded by Chicago designers Maria Boustead and Emily Taylor. I especially like their line of bike bags that look so chic and work so practically. Their multi-function "Connect" system attaches their bags to strollers, bikes, yoga mats and luggage without any ugly bulky hardware. Check out their assortment of great styles, like this much needed update on the fanny pack, yes you heard me fanny pack.

If you love Chicago like I do, then you love its sights and sounds. But, do you love the smells of Chicago? Not Chicago style dogs, deep dish pizza or the lake breeze, how about spring flowers and plants grown right here in Chicago? Well, now you can have a fragrance grown from those very gardens.

Tru Blooms, is a new limited edition perfume created by plants and flowers grown in Chicago's public gardens. A partnership between Tru Fragrance, the City of Chicago and several local nonprofit organizations, the first edition of the perfume is now available for sale and the second edition will be made from the "oils and essences" of flowers grown throughout the city of Chicago in spring/summer 2013. Since the growing conditions and the gardens themselves can never be "perfectly duplicated" each edition is said to be "one-of-a-kind", according to manufacturers.

For a further assortment of entirely local gift options this Mother's Day, check out Local Goods Chicago, a new store in Edgebrook. I was so thrilled to learn how Local Goods Chicago promotes artisans in and around the city with their wide assortment of handcrafted foods, coffee, soaps, confections, art, home decor, toys and more.

I recently got in touch with the owner of Local Goods, Laura Guenther, to learn more about the history of her store. Here's what she said:

"...I was working in a completely different area of work as a mobile app designer.  Whenever there was a holiday, birthday or even as a treat for myself, I'd head over to my old neighborhood, Lincoln Square or down to Ukrainian Village to shop for gifts at the small independent stores. Shopping small and shopping local have always been important to me and I found it challenging to find locally made gifts.  

I also was frustrated that my current neighborhood, Edgebrook on the NW side was lacking a nice little shop to pick up a gift. Hence, I became obsessed with opening a shop in Edgebrook with locally made handcrafted goods.  After nearly a year of planning, I opened Local Goods Chicago in December 2012.  We now have over 75 local artisans selling in our shop - both food and craft artisans....in addition to the local goods, our artisans also teach workshops such as card making, canning, knitting."

Local Goods Chicago is currently having a Mother's Day Wish List event now until Saturday where moms can fill out a card of items they like in the store. They are entered for daily prizes and the store keeps their wish list handy in case anyone (hint, hint, dads stumped for what to get their wives) stops in to shop for them.

So, this Mother's Day, don't forget to remember your mamas and grandmas and give them your appreciation for all the hardwork, support and love they've given you. If you're still looking for a little special something to make their day, how about making it a local and green gift this year. Happy Mother's Day!

 

-Christine

Bellwether fest to showcase "greatest hits" of local Chicago food and culture

Combine food, farm, vintage, collectors, crafters, and artists and what do you get: Bellwether, a new cultural fest and the brainchild of the folks behind local indie favorites The Vintage Bazaar and The Renegade Craft Fair.  

Organizers of the fest, to be held on 2 separate weekends at 2 locations describe Bellwether as "a roving Market + Happening + Feast all in one that brings together the finest purveyors, pickers, makers, and doers, as well as curated films, live performances, killer DJs, and food gatherings." 

Date, locations and hours for the all-day event are:

The Hideout
June 8 and 9
noon to dark
after hours: 8-10 p.m.

Garfield Park Conservatory
September 21 and 22
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
after hours: Saturday 6 to 9 p.m. 

Weekend Reading List: Food Safety Edition

-How did the City of Chicago celebrate Earth Day? By making a pact to brandish citywide recycling bins with Coca-Cola adverts. Seriously, read all about it here. Big bucks=big time ad space. Speak out for ad free public space and just say no. 

-Bad news again for meat eaters: The researchers at Environmental Working Group analyzed tests of supermarket meat and found that "superbugs"(antibiotic resistant bacteria) are now very common in U.S. meat sold in grocery stores. Find out the numbers here (hint, eww...ground turkey.) 

-The FDA would like your opinion on a proposal to change milk bottle labels. Dairy industry groups would like to change the labeling on milk bottles so milk that is artificially sweetened or reduced calorie would not be easily identifiable. Any additives, such as artificial flavors or sweeteners could in effect be hidden at first glance, though still found in ingredient lists. Public comments will be accepted until May 21. 

"The two groups asked FDA to amend the standard of identity for flavored milk and 17 other dairy products (including nonfat dry milk, heavy cream, eggnog, half-and-half and sour cream) so that non-nutritive sweeteners are among the standard ingredients. The products would then not require any additional description on the label."

Freebie of the week:

Gardening is finally getting underway in our neck of the woods. How about trying to compost some of that yard and kitchen waste into good, healthy compost you can reuse in your outdoor garden, indoor pots and landscaping? Here's a handy free guide to help you get started.

 

Thanks for reading!

-Christine

 

 

Happy Birthday to Us! We turned 5 years old this month :)

Hello dear friends,

I hope you all celebrated a marvelous Earth Day yesterday and enjoyed the beautiful weather. We here at Green Parent Chicago are really excited to let you know that we are back from our brief hiatus and will be bringing you lots of new, regular content again each week. (If you are wondering why you are reading this important message today instead Earth Day, find out here.)

As founder and editor of Green Parent Chicago, I hope that our message of being "eco-friendly and off the mainstream" continues to inspire you to live your lives with respect for the Earth and one another.

We've spruced up our look and made our "Things To Do" events calendar much more reader friendly. There you'll continue to find tons of fun, informative and unique events and activities going on in and around Chicagoland for all ages. If you have an event you'd like us to see on our calendar, don't hesitate to send it to us or add it yourself. You can do this right on the calendar page itself, just scroll down and click the "add event" buttom on the bottom of the calendar.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be rolling out many new regular features that highlight the local organizations and businesses that are helping make Chicago one of the greenest cities in the world. We'll also unveil lots of fun, how-to articles and videos about everything from raising chickens in the city to brewing your own beer.

We began this adventure together in April of 2008 and while lots of changes have occurred in the world since then, and within my own family (I'm now parenting a teenager (!) and my youngest is no longer in training pants), I continue to be amazed at all the creativity and green innovation emanating from this great metropolis we call Chicago.

However, you and I both know that there are still many ways in which your actions and your family's actions, whether at home, at work or at play can make a significant impact in delivering us from our collective dependence on big oil and big money and return our local communities to a more self-sustaining and earth-sustaining way of life.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your 5 years of loyal readership! We here at Green Parent Chicago look forward to a brighter future bringing you more news, events and activities you can use to help you and your family live the eco-friendly way, naturally.

If you have suggestions, comments, would like to write for us, or have a new exciting project you think our readers would enjoy hearing about, don't hesitate to shoot me an email or comment below. I'd love to hear from you!

-Christine

 

 

Don't Ditch Your Used Art Supplies, Pitch 'em for Creative Pitch at Whole Foods Chicago

Several years ago at the Green Festival in Chicago, I became acquainted with Creative Pitch and their mission of reusing, reclaiming and redistributing unwanted art and design items to help art students and teachers, therapy programs and non-profits unable to purchase these materials. 

So I was very happy to hear that Creative Pitch will be partnering with Whole Foods Market this winter as a One Dime At A Time recipient. Periodically Whole Foods partners with a local non-profit organization for the opportunity to be a One Dime at a Time recipient, a program that allows Whole Foods customers the choice to take $.10 off their purchase when they shop with a recyclable bag and donate the refund to a local cause.

For five weekends from October 6 to November 3, the South Loop, Northalsted, Lakeview, Gold Coast and Kingsbury Whole Foods locations will be collecting used art supplies for donation to Creative Pitch.

I don't know about you, but oddly in our house, among the recycled cereal boxes, paper tubes and bottlecaps, we often find ourselves with duplicates of basic art supplies. Maybe something gets lost and we replace it too soon, but what better idea than to share the bounty with students and teachers who could really use these items. 

So don't toss those incomplete sets of markers, crayons, glue sticks, and paint brushes your kids no longer need; and why not throw in a few of those endless collage items that might just wind up in your vacuum?

For a complete list of needed items and what not to drop off see this list.

Happy decluttering! 

-Christine

-photo credit: Cali4beach, flickr

 

 

Chicago River Environmental Awareness Paddle

WHAT: Chicago River Environmental Awareness Paddle

WHEN: Saturday, September 15th
1:30 pm to 5 pm
Registration and safety talk at 1:30 pm
Paddle starts at 2 pm

HOW: BY BOAT

WHERE: Launch from behind Lawrence Fisheries
Cermak and Canal
Pull out at Richard J. Daley Park @ Western Ave. under I-55
(north of 35th & Western Ave)

WHO: YOU and the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization and PERRO (Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization )along with Chicago River Canoe and Kayak

· What do you know about the environmental impact of dirty industry on the South Branch of the Chicago River?

· Ever canoed or kayaked on the Chicago River? Want to do it (again)?

· Want to learn about community victories and future plans from the folks that shut down the Fisk and Crawford Coal Plants?

Boats: $25 PER BOAT

Types of boats:

· Single kayaks (1 person) - $25

· Tandem kayaks (2 people) - $25

· Canoes (2-3 people) - $25

Payment: Cash, Check, Credit

Age Restrictions:

· No youth under 14

· Youth 14-17 must be accompanied by parent or other adult in a boat.

· Single kayaks only available to ages 18+.

To RSVP contact LVEJO at info@lvejo.org

-via LVEJO and PERRO

-Christine

-photo credit: vxla, flickr

Open Streets Chicago: A No Cars Allowed Party in the Street for All Ages

Ever wanted to take a nap in the middle of State Street? Me, neither. But, this weekend you'll get the chance to do this and much more at Open Streets Chicago. From chillin' on a "pop-up lawn" to testing your skills on a climbing wall or a mobile skate park, making chalk drawings, playing human tic-tac-toe or taking a two wheel spin with a free hour-long bike rental, there will be plenty of activities for all ages at Open Streets Chicago. 

The first of two separate events will take place in the Loop on State Street and Monroe Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The second will take place on Sept. 16 in Wicker Park/Bucktown on Milwaukee Avenue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsored by the Active Transportation Alliance, the Chicago Loop Alliance and the Wicker Park & Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, as well as local and regional businesses, the event aims to promote community culture, safe, car-free public space, and provide a chance for families to experience the city in a new way.

For more information and a schedule of activities on State Street this weekend click here: http://openstreetschicago.org/loop/activities/

For more information and a schedule of activities on Milwaukee Avenue Sept. 16 click here:
http://openstreetschicago.org/wpb/schedule/ 

-Christine

Lolla with kids? Of course! Here's how it all went down.

Never a fan of huge, crowded events or places, I knew that going to Lollapalooza in a Chicago August would be feat of patience, tolerance...a good sense of humor, and lots of hydration. 

So this year, now that my kids are 12 and 7, they're way more adaptable. My youngest is less apt to take to "r-u-n-n-o-f-t", and my eldest is, like most 12-year-olds, really getting into popular music. He requested we check out French boy wonder of EDM, Madeon, on Friday night and Avicii Saturday.

My husband and I had a few requests too, that didn't pan out, but next year, we decided we'll probably reserve one day for adults only. 

Illness struck and we never did make it to see Avicii Saturday night. We also didn't get stuck in the big storm evacuation either. Which friends of ours smartly waited out at the nearby movie theatre, watching "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" until the show was back on. What a great idea!

Sunday we stopped by to check out Kidzapalooza, the fest within a fest, which was perfect for my youngest and really the 8 and under crowd in general. All kids 10 and under are free at Lolla with a ticketed adult. Set amidst cool shady trees, it was the perfect spot on a beautiful Sunday after the humidity broke. There were plenty of tots and kids and picnic blankets bathed in rock music. Little tents offered free tattoos, rock star hairdos, instrument petting zoos, and more. 

So relaxed was the vibe, we spotted plenty of child-free couples there too. 

My oldest suggested we check out the Playstation tent. We followed that with a short walk through Green Street: a nice gesture toward sustainability, but somewhat less effective than the hordes of volunteers picking up recyclables and junk continuously throughout the park. 

For an introvert like me, Lolla is a well organized and reasonable event, seriously. If you can get past being surrounded by packs of scantily clad young folks smoking, cigarettes et cetera and acting goofy (Kidzapalooza is smoke-free), there's always some spot on the periphery to chill out and no shortage of good music, both well known and newer artists.

Remember it's Grant Park, so it's enormous. Bring water (you can refill at several stations throughout the fest with free, filtered water), sunblock, something to sit on for the kids, and your most comfortable sandals for plenty of walking. 

For more tips from veteran music fest moms, check out our previous coverage of Lolla here and see more photos of our day here:

-Christine