Green Parent Chicago

Little Locovores- Family Feast Days: Octoberfest

(My grandmother’s plate, a hand-painted ceramic made by a Long Island artist with the beer stein from which I drank little shots of beer with my German grandfather to wash down our sauerbraten.)

As the story goes, I first started cooking when I was four. My mom charged with me planning for and “cooking” dinner once a week. In the beginning, dinner was pretty Spartan – PB&J on Ritz crackers and English muffin pizza, as I have been told. While they’ve never admitted it, I’m quite certain that my parents ordered Chinese when I went to bed.

Despite a heavy course load and fair share of extra-curricular activities, this responsibility carried through elementary school, junior high and even high school. My recollection is that I felt somewhat ambivalent towards my assignment. Obviously, I didn’t hate it, but I don’t seem to remember much of what I cooked, so I must not have loved it either. The strangest happening of the matter was how the chore did ultimately turn to passion.

A few weeks before my high school graduation, I got a case of, oh how shall I put it?, the runs. Turns out that somewhere I had picked up a pretty bad case of salmonella. It’s still a matter of controversy, but the theory is that it came from the mayo dressing on a fast food hamburger. Suffice to say, anything that went in my mouth went out the other end and fast. To make matters worse, our family doctor misdiagnosed me and, in my weak condition, I wound up contracting mono.

While my high school buddies were enjoying there last days in our home town, I was convalescing on my couch. Not being much of television watcher, I started with books - I had a whole pre-read list for college. I went through those. Then puzzles, 1000 piece puzzles – the appeal wore off. Finally, and ironically given my lack of appetite, I started on my mother’s cookbook collection. I poured over the Julia Child, underlined her Craig Claibourne and starved over the Gourmets. This is what made me a cook.

The book that inspired this series of posts is the one that went untouched. Dusty and a bit smelly, chartreuse in that kitchenette color in vogue back in the 1960’s, Roy Andries de Groot’s Feasts for All Seasons remained on the shelf, pushed aside for more modern pleasures. It seemed old-fashioned, certainly nothing that even a starving 18-year old would give a second look to. But this was early in my cookbook obsession.

Nature Museum Celebrates 10 Years With Free Admission and Special Events

Born out of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum debuted in 1999 transforming the concepts of natural history museum and natural science education into a single dynamic sanctuary for visitors of all ages. 

Museum administrators were early advocates of environmentalism and continued efforts demonstrate the museum's commitment to leading on green matters. Continuing its history of providing teacher training, the museum regularly hosts educator open houses and teacher workshops to provide guidance for those teaching science and environmental topics. Despite the economy, the museum's attendance continued to grow in 2008, according to news release  early this year.

This month, from October 23 to November 1, the Nature Museum will celebrate its 10 years of enriching the lives of the city's residents and its visitors with free admission and several days of special activities for kids and adults.

Bug-a-palooza on October 25, a first ever for the museum, will feature collections from the Chicago Academy of Sciences, roach races, a bug cooking demonstration and a Halloween costume contest.

Additional activities planned include a Go Go Green 5K Run/Walk fundraiser, Supper With the Snakes, book signings and readings and a Recycle Your Bicycle Drive.

A full schedule of events can be found on the museum's website here.

-photo credit: The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Today is Chicagoland Car Free Day, Give it a Try!

Today is Chicagoland Car free Day and over 1,000 Chicagoans have already pledged to go car free and travel by foot, bus, train, or bike today to support more environmentally friendly transportation.

Looking for a fun way to participate? Active Transportation Alliance lists several events on their website around town today in celebration of Chicagoland Car free Day.

Even if you can't make your entire trip car free, you could try a partially car free trip today.

Don't forget to join Green Parent Chicago for our Car free Playdate in the Park at Seneca Playlot Park (228 E. Chicago Avenue). We've partnered with Active Transportation Alliance and will be there from 3-5 p.m.  We hope to see some friends and make some new ones.

This is the park across the street from the Water Tower Place and the Museum of Contemporary Art (free today and open until 8 p.m.). So if rain happens to dampen our day, you'll still have some good options when you get down there.

Walk east a few short blocks from the Chicago Avenue Red Line stop to the park, (elevators from the subway platform to the street make this stop accessible to parents with strollers.)

Not to Miss Fall Festivals for Families

Fall can be the perfect season for a festival: cooler air, a bounty of fruits and vegetables in season and a great time to spend gathering before the icy chill of winter falls. Chicago is home to several amazing fall festivals and traditions every year.

For 2009, several Chicago favorites have returned, some bigger than ever, along with exciting new festivals to check out. Throughout our list you'll find lots of green, eco-friendly and nature related themes and plenty of fun for kids, too.

(As we compiled our list, we had a difficult time choosing between so many options, so take your pick or if you're feeling a little adventurous: hit up a few on the same weekend!)

Harvest Festival at Kilbourn Park
September 12
"This family-friendly event is a celebration of the summer garden. Come learn more about organic gardening techniques as well as cooking from its harvest. The entire family will enjoy a variety of activities: take-home crafts, storytelling, and face painting."

Renegade Craft Fair
September 12 and 13
"Over 300 artists are traveling from all over the country to participate and sell their handmade goods: from clothing and accessories, to stationery and concert posters, with everything from bath-products, ceramics and housewares in between! This FREE TO ATTEND DIY craft, art and design extravaganza occurs in one of Chicago’s liveliest neighborhoods, on its busiest block!" (Also food, drinks, raffles, bike valet)

County Fair at Garfield Park Conservatory
September 19
"Chicago’s original urban hoedown... experience the excitement of a county fair in the middle of the city! County Fair will be chock-full of family fun this year, such as hands-on kids’ activities, a petting zoo and pony ride, food preservation demonstrations, a garden harvest showcase, a farmers’ market, live music, and beekeeping demonstrations,"

Lincoln Square Apple Fest
September 19th 
"Free entry, apples by the bushel, cider by the gallon. Welcome fall with everyone's favorite fruit. Enjoy live music, children’s games, cooking classes, tastings, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables and specialty vendors."

Edgewater Gralley
September 19
"the Edgewater neighborhood comes alive for this all-ages, block party in the heart of Chicago's North Side...Music, Food Tents, Beer Gardens, Sports Corner for cheering on Cubs and Sox as well as College Football Teams, Artist Displays, Kid's Corner, a raffle and silent auction items provide plenty of entertainment for the adults both day and night. Environmentally-friendly and themed kids games and events ensure family fun throughout the day."

Evanston Green Living Festival at the Evanston Ecology Center
October 3
"a free, fun event designed to encourage local citizens to adopt green practices that will reduce their carbon footprint." 

Harvest Festival and Bulb Bazaar at Chicago Botanic Garden
October 3 – 4
"Visit a marketplace in the Fruit & Vegetable Garden selling a variety of items, including fresh-baked goods, roasted nuts, cut flowers, handmade soaps, and fresh vegetables. Navigate the straw bale maze, guess the weight of the pumpkin, and make leaf rubbings. Take home a fall-themed plant, and enjoy chef demonstrations,"

Fall Color Festival at the Morton Arboretum
Ongoing activities and events from October 3 to November 1 and Columbus Day
"See the bright red, orange, and yellow colors of trees and other plants from all over the world plus make lasting fall memories during Fall Color Festival."

Chicago VeganMania
October 10
"an all-inclusive celebration of the diverse and positive vegan lifestyle.  This daylong festival will showcase the unique vegan commerce, culture, community and, of course, food! The event is open to all (regardless of age, income or diet) and will feature a large vending area with live entertainment, games, contests and art show, a kids area and much more!" 

Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments below!

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) 

Open Streets Brings Miles of Carfree Fun to Chicago's Neighborhoods

This August, an 8 mile stretch of the city extending from Logan Square to Little Village, passing through Humboldt Park, North Lawndale and Garfield Park along the way will become completely carfree for the day and open to bikers, walkers, and children playing.

Open Streets, will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday August 1, and was inspired by the success of last year's two Sunday Parkways events which previously occurred on two separated dates.

Open Streets will combine the two Sunday Parkways events into one long day. The event is organized by The Active Transportation Alliance and funded in part by the Chicago Community Trust, is the first of several similar events planned for 2009 by the bicycling advocacy and  and alternative transportation organization.

No registration is required for the free event. Participants may join the fun at any point along the route. Community-run activities will take place during the event all along the route. Each neighborhood will display its community's flavor with performances, children’s games, art activities, workout classes, music and more.

-photo credit: Active Transportation Alliance

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

Bike to Work Week Begins Saturday

Chicago businesses will compete to win the Bike Commuter Challenge as Bike to Work Week begins this weekend and runs until June 19 across the city.

Each company entering the challenge will try to get the most employees to bike to work during this period. Each employee must bike to work at least once between June 13 and June 19. Companies will be categorized by number of employees and general industry.

In addition to the prestige of promoting a green and healthy lifestyle in Chicagoland, the winning companies from each category will receive prizes from Bike Commuter Challenge sponsors. All participants receive bike maps, bike shop discount cards and bike to work guides, and are entered into raffles for sponsor-donated prizes.

Each company's Bike To Work Challenge team leaders will be honored at an Annual Awards Luncheon in July in downtown Chicago, and will receive a special Team Leader tech-fabric T-shirt.

Bike to Work Week is part of Bike Chicago 2009, a five month long celebration of Chicago’s commitment to become more bicycle friendly and environmentally conscious.

Also during the week, several Bike Commuter Stations will offer riders free air, chain lube and coffee.  The Bike to Work Rally will end the week on Friday, June 19, there riders can join fellow cyclists, local media celebrities, live bands and the City of Chicago at Daley Plaza for a day of activities beginning at 7:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. 

-For more information and details on Bike Chicago 2009, call (312) 744-3315, (312) 744-3370  or visit www.bikechicago.us and on Facebook (Bike Chicago).

-photo credit: www.bikechicago.us

Nature Activities Kick Off Millennium Park Family Fun Festival

Family Fun Festival, the season long program of free children's activities and performances at the city's Millennium Park begins Wednesday and will run daily through September 4.

Children's activities and performances will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Family Fun Tent, located on the Park’s Chase Promenade North. Activities will be based on varying themes each week and are geared to all ages.

This year, two weeks of nature related activities will start out the fun. Wild In The City Week (June 10 - 14) is hosted by the Park's Lurie Garden and Chicago Wilderness. Kids will get a chance to plant a seed or touch a turtle shell, and explore the wonders of nature with hands-on activities using native plants, bugs, birds, and critters all week long.

Garden Extravaganza Week (June 15 -21) activities will be hosted by the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance. Children can discover their green thumbs when they dig for vegetables and plant pretend flowers, then design a living necklace using soils and seeds.

A full schedule of activities, weekly themes and performances can be found here on the city's tourism site or on the Millennium Park website.

-photo credit: fireflythegreat, flickr

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