Green Parent Chicago™

Review: TMBG's latest "Here Comes Science" for Cool Little Science Geeks

I'll admit, when I first read the title "Here Comes Science" in the press release for the new They Might Be Giants CD/DVD set, I was skeptical of its value.

Too often science related kids albums and "making science fun" toys I've come into contact with while raising my two children have been a little disappointing.

Some are too simplistic, don't inspire kids to use their own powers of discovery or are made from inferior materials that deteriorate long before a child's interest does.

"Here Comes Science" (September 2009) is available now on iTunes and as a full scale release on September 22. Both include the accompanying DVD of music videos for each song on the album. The album, with songs like Photosynthesis, Electric Car, The Elements, Computer Assisted Design and Velocity covers biology, physics, astronomy, botany, and several other science and technology ideas and facts.

With the help of a talented team of digital artists, the accompanying music videos are creative, cute and offer a more concrete view of the topics being sung about. 

Though targeted toward older kids, younger siblings will definitely enjoy the album, too. It may even inspire younger kids, themselves naturally curious about how the world works, to become more interested in making discoveries.

The music is diverse, inventive and fun. John Flansburgh's and John Linnell's (along with guest artists) melodies and harmonies are truly pleasant to listen to. The lyrics present a comprehensive amount of information enjoyably and most importantly for a kids album: without the usual cheesiness.

Especially appreciated is the underlying support for science as credible information, something too often missing in today's atmosphere of climate change denial and similar movements against environmentalism.   

Songs like "My Brother The Ape" present the theory of evolution to kids in a way that's matter of fact and lyrics such as "Science is Real...the facts are with science" lend support to logical methods of worldly discovery.

In short, "Here Comes Science" is a great addition to your family music collection for both younger and older kids. 

-Christine

Green Family Fun at City's First Ever "Green Music Fest"

Pairing rock with recycling, the first ever Green Music Fest will take place this weekend at Eckhart Park in Chicago's burgeoning West Town neighborhood.

West Town Chamber of Commerce organizers say the new and innovative green technology-themed event, running noon to 10 p.m. August 15 and 16 "aims to reflect our eco-friendly city by fusing environmentally-conscious bands with all green vendors, services and activities".

Vendors in the Eco-Friendly Vendor Village will be exclusively green and eco-friendly, featuring everything from crafts made from recycled materials to solar-powered techie devices.

The Green Family Fun Fest, held each day from noon to 5 p.m., will provide children's entertainment and green activities, with all donations directly funding improvements to the Eckhart Park playground.

The City of Chicago’s Center for Green Technology is a major partner and sponsor of the event, as well as the Active Transportation Alliance.  Over 60 green vendors and sponsors will participate in this inaugural event. Chicago-based Green Planet Bottling will be the festival’s official bottled water vendor, using bottles made from 100% renewable resources.

The fest is being produced in the most eco-friendly way possible, with bio-diesel fueled generators, biodegradable cups and plates, numerous recycling and composting options and free bike valet parking. Verizon is also hosting a program on-site to collect old cell phones.

Advance tickets for the Green Music Fest are available through Ticket Web for each day for $11.50 or $20 for a 2-day pass. At the door, tickets are $15 or $25 for a 2-day pass. Kids 12 and under are free with adult admission. There is a $5 suggested donation for the Green Family Fun Fest, accompanying adults are free.

The event's full line up of performers can be found here: http://greenmusicfestchicago.com/music.html

(Green Parent Chicago is a partner & organizer of the Green Music Fest's Green Family Fun Fest) 

Green Kids Activities at the Taste of Chicago

Taste of Chicago, the city's most popular food and entertainment festival begins today for its 29th year and will run until Sunday July 5 in Grant Park.

Though some Chicagoans may skip the lines, the crowds (an estimated 6 million annually) and the higher prices of restaurant offerings at the Taste, there is still plenty of free entertainment for kids and families once again. This year many of the activities have an outdoor or green theme.

A few of the fun green things to see and do at the Taste's Family Village include:

Activities hosted by the Museum of Science and Industry, Purple Asparagus, Soul Vegetarian East, The Little Environmentalists, Mayor Daley's Bicycling Ambassadors, Working Bikes Cooperative, University of Illinois Extension and Alliance for the Great Lakes.

A full schedule of activities for each day can be found on the Family Village page of the event's website. The Family Village is located at the southwest corner of Columbus and Jackson. All entertainment and kids activities are free.

Information on street closures, how to pre-purchase food and beverage tickets before you get to the fest, food and beverage ticket prices and a list of prohibited items can be found on the event's FAQ page.

-photo credit: gotham24, flickr

Enjoy Outdoor Music with Ravinia Lawn Passes From Library

The Chicago Public Library and the Ravinia Festival have teamed up for another summer to present the "Words and Music" program to residents of Chicago. Library patrons may visit any neighborhood library location to pick up free lawn passes to selected concerts throughout the Ravinia Festival's summer season. Lawn passes are made available at the beginning of the Ravinia Festival season. 

A limited number of Ravinia lawn passes will be made available at neighborhood Chicago Public Library branches, the Sulzer and Woodson Regional Libraries, and at the Music Information Center on the eighth floor of the Harold Washington Library Center. 

Any resident of the City of Chicago, 18 years of age or older, who has a valid Chicago Public Library card may obtain "Words and Music" lawn passes. A maximum of two "Words and Music" lawn passes per concert and a total of four passes per day may be obtained at all library locations. Words and Music lawn passes may not be reserved in advance. Patrons must be in good standing to receive Ravinia tickets. 

For more information: www.ravinia.org., www.chipublib.org

Family Friendly Highlights at Chicago's 2009 Green Festival

It's time again for the Green Festival here in Chicago and this year's fest promises a slew of activities, speakers and exhibitors of family friendly policy and services in the Chicago area.

The 3rd annual event, a joint project of Global Exchange and Green America, takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Navy Pier. Programming will consist of 125 authors, leaders and educators, youth unity and community action areas, how-to workshops, films, activities for kids, organic beer, wine and vegetarian cuisine and live music. Shopping will also be available in the festival's environmentally friendly marketplace.

The Organic Valley Kids Zone will feature activities such as worm composting, an insect zoo, recycled crafts and making a "salad in a jar" with Purple Asparagus. Parenting and child related product and service vendors will be located nearby including local favorite Mr. Furry Fur Fur.

Returning to discuss "Green Kids" on Sunday are mom of one, Marla Rose, publisher of "Marla's Vegan Guide to Chicago and the Universe"  and Lisa Joy Rosing, a cloth-diapering/natural parenting mom of three boys and co-founder of the Chicago Vegan Family Network. Their discussion will focus on helping parents "get to the essence of raising healthy, compassionate and engaged children."

On Saturday, Marisol Becerra, of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, will speak on her work with young people who together have succeeded in highlighting and exposing the environmental hazards in the Little Village community of Chicago. Becerra will discuss the importance of working with youth to inspire action for the environment and health issues facing communities of color and low income neighborhoods.

Tickets are available online or at event. Festival admission is free for those 18 and under. Ticket information and pricing for adults, college students and seniors can be found on the festival website.

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I'll be at the festival making the rounds on behalf of Green Parent Chicago, as will our columnist, Eco Chic, We hope to connect with and meet many of our regular readers and talk with green innovators around town as we learn more, get inspired and have fun with our kiddos. See you there!

-Christine

Green Apple Festival: Earth Day Clean Up, Concert and Community

Green Apple Festival, an event to draw attention to climate change solutions returns to the Chicago area this month with a focus on direct community action.

Kim Muench, producer for Green Apple Festival, said the format of the event, taking place on April 17, 18 and 19 has changed since last year's fest which took place in Lincoln Park. The 3-day long event will be hosted simultaneously in 9 other cities across the nation.

"This year we will be focusing largely on volunteer mobilization and direct community outreach," she said. " We will be mobilizing large numbers of volunteers in environmentally themed service projects around Chicago and the nation on the weekend prior to Earth Day.  Volunteers will receive a ticket to a VIP thank you concert in a local music venue."

The Green Apple Festival organizers have partnered with Planet Green, Earthday Network, Disney nature, Timberland and T-Mobile among others to promote the event across the U.S.

Volunteers will be needed for projects throughout the Chicago area. Activities will take place in parks, on beaches, in schools and in forests. Actions will focus on direct solutions such as tree planting, energy efficiency retrofits, water protection, urban gardens and forest restoration.

All ages may sign up to volunteer, making the event suitable for children and families. Those participating will receive a free ticket to attend a "thank you" concert on April 19 at the Metro.

Sign up online or learn more at:

http://www.greenapplemusicfestival.com/

-photo credit: coscurro, stock.xchng

When Children's Shows Were Cooler Than Grown-Up TV

You gotta love the kid in red feelin' it on the balcony.

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.