Do you seek to understand the impacts of climate change on our community? Do you worry about your family's or community's health in the face of increased flooding, heat, air pollution, etc.?

We invite you to a free presentation on February 27 (6-7:30 pm via Zoom) "Climate Change on Chicago's Greater West Side: Floods, Air Pollution, Extreme Heat & More." 

Our presenter is University of Michigan-based climatologist, Omar Gates, who will help us understand how climate change is already impacting us, how it will impact us in the future, and how we can adapt to our new reality.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/gws-climatechange

From Goethe-Institut Chicago:

Indigenous peoples lived in the Chicago area for thousands of years before the arrival of European and American adventurers, explorers, missionaries, and colonists. Who were they, how did they live, and how did they respond to settler colonialism? Dr. John N. Low (Pokagon Band Potawatomi) will provide an Indigenous perspective on the invasion of the Great Lakes region.

Organized by Goethe-Institut Chicago in collaboration with the Chicago Architecture Biennial.

Zoom registration here: https://goethe-institut.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KGjG4tWTRKKqmme4pRvkcg#/registration

From Goethe-Institut Chicago:

The Goethe-Institut Chicago is hosting "Land in Common", an interdisciplinary symposium on land justice, on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 1 to 6 p.m. at The Plant, 1400 W. 46th St., in collaboration with the Chicago Architecture Biennial.

Topics include the ideological underpinnings of the idea of ‘the commons’ and its application in Europe and the US; how urban farms become microcosms for new social worlds; and how civil rights law can combat environmental racism.

The event will conclude with a plant and seed swap, and is free and open to the public. Dinner and drinks available for purchase on-site at The Plant, including Heffer BBQ at Whiner Beer Co.'s Taproom and MeetStop by Ste. Martaen's vegan comfort food.

Reserve your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/land-in-common-tickets-745507441827

From the Forest Preserves of Cook County:

Join us for a book discussion about “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Registration Required: Call Sagawau at 630-257-2045.

From One Earth Film Fest and Austin Eats:

Join us for an award-winning film, food, fun, and freebies. Plus, enjoy ...

• free dinner bites

• Best of the West mac & cheese cook off

• pickling demo

• tours of Bethel New Life's vegetable garden

• more fun & freebies

Register here: https://foodandfilmshowcase.eventbrite.com

This event is for those living, working, worshiping and attending school in Chicago’s Austin & West side communities. Great for adults/general audiences + older children/teens.Limited space.

FILM DESCRIPTION (52 min): Black food is American food. Chef and writer Stephen Satterfield traces the delicious, moving throughlines from Africa to Texas in this docuseries "High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America (2021)." We will watch episode 3 "Our Founding Chefs." Learn how James Hemings invented mac & cheese and other stories of Black culinary ingenuity.

This event is part of Austin Eats, a collaborative working to rewrite the narrative around food in Chicago's Austin community. By synergizing organizations already promoting healthier food choices through grocery access, culinary entrepreneurship, food education, community gardens, and urban farms, Austin Eats will recreate Austin’s food access ecosystem.

From Climate Action Network:

A Celebration of emissions free driving and

Check out EV models, talk to owners, & ask questions about battery range & longevity, charging access & cost, long-distance EV driving, & more Meet local vendors & owners with cargo bikes, adult trikes, e-bikes Food trucks!

If you can't walk or bike to this event, park free at OPRFHS garage at Lake/Scoville For more information, email wgreenhouse@gmail.com.

From Equiticity:

Ether Element: A Realization of Infinite Potential

A series of six Community Mobility Rituals (CMR's) that offer full immersion into exploring natural areas, history, culture, and connection to community. The walks will be conversational, with many opportunities for stops and discussion, and deep explorations within the park. Each walk features a community meditation or yoga session. Feel free to bring your bells, bowls, mats, etc!

Learn more: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/nature-of-magic-walk-series-3/tickets

From One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest:

The Earth needs a makeover and these young filmmakers will provide their tips on the best ways to improve the health of the planet. Adam Joel of Aggressively Compassionate will host the Global Contest Awards Celebration, where you can meet these young filmmakers in person or online and see their extraordinary films.

• Film details forthcoming

• Doors open 11 a.m. for check-in/registration

• Program begins promptly at 11:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time

• Program ends 1 p.m. Central Daylight Time

• Free popcorn

• Free beverage

Register in person: https://oneearthyfcawardsinperson.eventbrite.com

Register online: https://oneearthyfcawardsvirtual.eventbrite.com

Since 2013, the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest has awarded over 100 prizes to short environmental films from youth age 25 down to 3rd grade. A jury of 31 environmental and film professionals selected the final, top films from among 403 submissions around the world in this first year as a global, rather than national contest. Each film is 1 to 8 minutes long and ranges from animation to live action to documentary.

Thank you to our illustrious jury: Deborah Adelman, Felice Bassuk, Amy Brinkman, Kathleen Brennan, Laurie Casey, Hussain Currimbhoy, Lisa Daleiden-Brugman, Steve Cohen, Layla Dade, Mary Ford, Sophia Fowler, Monica Fox, Paula Froehle, Bill Gee, Jim Gill, Kathryn Hempel, Patrick Thomas Keen, Adrija Kundu, Angelo Lavel, William Kim Lyons, Jennifer Maiotti, Jonathan Moeller, Julie Moller, Elaine Petkovsek, James Rohn, Vicky Solano, Jessie Wahlers, Karen Weigert, Risé Sanders-Weir, Marc Wellin, and Gary Wilson.

From Equiticity:

Air Element: A Grand Rising of Power

A series of six Community Mobility Rituals (CMR's) that offer full immersion into exploring natural areas, history, culture, and connection to community. The walks will be conversational, with many opportunities for stops and discussion, and deep explorations within the park. Each walk features a community meditation or yoga session. Feel free to bring your bells, bowls, mats, etc!

Learn more: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/nature-of-magic-walk-series-3/tickets

From Equiticity:

Water Element: A Flowing Rhythm of Movement

A series of six Community Mobility Rituals (CMR's) that offer full immersion into exploring natural areas, history, culture, and connection to community. The walks will be conversational, with many opportunities for stops and discussion, and deep explorations within the park. Each walk features a community meditation or yoga session. Feel free to bring your bells, bowls, mats, etc!

Learn more: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/nature-of-magic-walk-series-3/tickets

From Oak Park Library:

On the occasion of the one-year anniversary for the Climate Ready community climate and sustainability plan, join Marcella Bondie Keenan, Chief Sustainability Officer of the Village of Oak Park, and Community Partners for conversations to answer these three questions:

  *   Where are we today on climate as a community? What climate, sustainability, and equity actions have we--individually and collectively--taken over the past year?
  *   Where do we want to go in the next year?
  *   How do we get there in a climate-just way?

Each discussion table will have a facilitator and recorder. Afterwards, the Village will publish a brief report celebrating our collective progress over the past year, and community strategies for moving forward in the next year.

Register: https://oakpark.librarycalendar.com/event/one-year-community-conversations-climate-ready-oak-park

From Austin Eats, One Earth Collective and partners:

FREE food, farm tours, chef demos, smores, and raffle for farm fresh eggs.

Enjoy a summer evening of food, music, film and activities at BUILD Chicago’s beautiful urban farm in Austin! It’s FREE and FOR ALL AGES!

Register here: https://movieatthefarm.eventbrite.com

Doors open at 7 pm for music by DJ Deon inspired by the 50th anniversary of hip hop, smores by the firepit, tours of BUILD’s urban farm (raised garden beds, greenhouses and chicken coop), a raffle of farm fresh eggs, tabling activities by community organizations and chef demonstrations of healthy eating recipes and refreshing beverages to quench your thirst.

Bring a blanket or folding chair…a little after 8 pm, we’ll watch “Follow the Drinking Gourd,” which joyfully and poetically chronicles the urban gardening movement. After the film, a panel of West-Side gardeners of all ages will talk about their love of gardening and answer your questions about how to get started….whether it’s a container on your porch, a full-fledged garden in your yard or plot in a community garden.

Invite friends of all ages!

As part of Austin Eats' efforts to bring healthy food resources and lively discussion around local food access to the Austin community, this event is intended for those who live, work, play, or worship in Austin.

FOLLOW THE DRINKING GOURD (2019) by Shirah Dedman (60 min)

FOLLOW THE DRINKING GOURD is a feature documentary about the Black food justice movement. Family-friendly, funny and moving, this 60-minute film connects the legacy of slavery, capitalism and climate change to our fight for food security. Features: Leah Penniman - author of "Farming While Black,” Naima Penniman - of the award-winning, spoken word duo, Climbing Poetree, recently featured on TED, Wanda Stewart - urban farmer in Berkeley, CA, Will Scott - rural farmer in Fresno, CA, Carl Anthony - environmentalist, founder of Urban Habitat, and Rahanna Bisseret-Martinez - former Top Chef Junior finalist.

Austin Eats is a collaborative working to rewrite the narrative around food in Chicago's Austin community. By synergizing organizations already promoting healthier food choices through grocery access, culinary entrepreneurship, food education, community gardens, and urban farms, Austin Eats will recreate Austin’s food access ecosystem. One Earth Collective is a member of Austin Eats.

From Equiticity:

Metal Element: A Courageous Exploration of Connection

A series of six Community Mobility Rituals (CMR's) that offer full immersion into exploring natural areas, history, culture, and connection to community. The walks will be conversational, with many opportunities for stops and discussion, and deep explorations within the park. Each walk features a community meditation or yoga session. Feel free to bring your bells, bowls, mats, etc!

Learn more: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/nature-of-magic-walk-series-3/tickets

From Seven Generations Ahead and a5 Branding and Digital:

The climate crisis is upon us. GreenTown Climate & Equity will address how climate solutions and equity go hand-in-hand to create a healthy, sustainable West Suburban Cook County for all. Join us Thursday, June 22, 2023, for our GreenTown conference at Triton College.

Register here: https://greentownconference.com/gtrf-registrations

From Equiticity:

Fire Element: An Alchemical Transformation

A series of six Community Mobility Rituals (CMR's) that offer full immersion into exploring natural areas, history, culture, and connection to community. The walks will be conversational, with many opportunities for stops and discussion, and deep explorations within the park. Each walk features a community meditation or yoga session. Feel free to bring your bells, bowls, mats, etc!

Learn more: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/nature-of-magic-walk-series-3/tickets

From Equiticity:

Mothers Day Celebration*

Earth Element: A Grounding in Community

A series of six Community Mobility Rituals (CMR's) that offer full immersion into exploring natural areas, history, culture, and connection to community. The walks will be conversational, with many opportunities for stops and discussion, and deep explorations within the park. Each walk features a community meditation or yoga session. Feel free to bring your bells, bowls, mats, etc!

Learn more: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/nature-of-magic-walk-series-3/tickets

From Gary Community Partnership:

Join Gary Community Partnership for a festive celebration filled with cocktails, food, and fun as we commemorate our five-year milestone with a Gala Fundraiser! Meet our Changemaker Award recipients, those who have helped us transform the world around us for good! Enjoy non-profit style gaming, keynote remarks from Senator Eddie Melton, exciting raffles, auctions, and the GCP story. The evening will culminate with dancing to live music by Hip Hop and Smooth Jazz international recording artist violinist Dominique Hammons!

Proceeds will support our youth empowerment and environmental restoration programming! Cost for the event, which is open to the public, is $65 per person.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gary-community-partnership-gala-fundraiser-featuring-dominique-hammons-tickets-534351669227

For Earth Day Mini Film Fest (April 19 to 23) from One Earth Film Fest and the City of Chicago:

REMOTHERING THE LAND

Mark Decena/2022/10 min/People & Culures, Food & Agriculture

MIDWEST PREMIERE. FILM DESCRIPTION: This short film, a co-production with Patagonia Films, highlights traditional Indigenous farming practices as a source of resiliency for local communities, as well as solutions for the larger issues facing the planet.

FOLLOW THE DRINKING GOURD

Shirah Dedman/2019/60 min/People & Culture, Food & Agriculture

MIDWEST PREMIERE. FILM DESCRIPTION: “Follow the Drinking Gourd” is a feature documentary about the Black food justice movement. Family-friendly, funny and moving, this film connects the legacy of slavery, capitalism and climate change to our fight for food security.

Teens and young adults encouraged to attend.

Register for in person at Old St. Pat’s: https://drinkinggourdstpats.eventbrite.com

IN PERSON: Thursday, April 20, 6:30 to 9 p.m. CDT [Central]
Old St. Patrick's Church, 625 W. Adams
Community Room, St., Chicago
(entrance on DesPlaines)

Doors open 30 minutes before start time. Arrive early to avoid lines, check in/register, and get best seats. ADA compliant accessible venue.

Parking is free in the parking garage attached to 625 W Adams (entrance on DesPlaines)  beginning at 6pm—guests will need to pull a ticket from the Old St. Pat's ticket machine and insert it in the Old St. Pat's ticket machine on the way out of the garage for the validation. 

Register for in person at UIC: https://drinkinggourduic.eventbrite.com

IN PERSON: Thursday, April 20, 6:30 to 9 p.m. CDT [Central]
UIC Lecture Center F6 (Building 604), 807 S. Morgan St., Chicago

Doors open 30 minutes before start time. Arrive early to avoid lines, check in/register, get refreshments, and find best seats. ADA compliant accessible venue.

Register for virtual screening: https://drinkinggourd.eventbrite.com

VIRTUAL: Thursday, April 20, 6:30 to 9 p.m. CDT

Post-film discussion with Facilitator:

• Alejandro Bodipo, Memba, President & CEO, OVP Management Consulting Group, Inc.

Panelists:

• Nazshonnii Brown-Almaweri, Film Subject, Remothering the Land, Indigeneity Program Manager, Bioneers

• William Smith, Film Subject, Remothering the Land

• Shirah Dedman, Director, Follow the Drinking Gourd

• Johari Cole-Kweli, Owner/Farmer, Iyabo Farms and member of Pembroke Farming Families Association

From Oak Park Public Library:

Join your neighbors, families, students, and friends in interactive community discussions inspired by The 1619 Project. This is a safe, structured anti-racist space where all are empowered to share personal stories, honor our history, and grow in hope. Trained adult facilitators will lead the discussion circles alongside middle school, high school, and college students.

Come to any or all sessions. Due to the structure of the discussion circles, please try to arrive on time.

October 23: The Fight for a True Democracy

Inspired by the 1619 podcast Episode 1: "The Fight for a True Democracy." Interactive discussion circles on the fight for democracy that never ended and honoring our long legacy of resistance. Ages 11+ and adults.

November 6: The Birth of American Music

After a special concert at 1 pm with D-Composed, a Black chamber music collective, join us at 2 pm for interactive discussion circles inspired by the concert and 1619 Episode 3: "The Birth of American Music." Lunch at 3 pm. Ages 11+ and adults.

Find a library copy of the related books in the catalog, and listen to podcast episodes here.

*This series is made possible with the support of D97 and D200 school districts, the E-Team of Oak Park, Dominican University’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) group, The Township of Oak Park, and the Oak Park Public Library.​

Register here: https://oakpark.librarycalendar.com/event/1619-project-family-community-circles-1

From Equiticity:

Once a month, every fourth Friday, Equiticity and partners will sponsor a series of bicycle rides that focus on the music that moves Chicago. Each bike ride will start and end at a Chicago Park District park, and connect to other parks in the area. The goal of these rides is to (re)connect people with their local parks through conversations, activities, and music that is culturally relevant to the people who call the neighborhoods home. Each ride will have its own musical theme and focus on a particular style of music, with a professional DJ spinning music throughout the ride.

R&B Music: Jackson Park
Friday, October 28, 2022
6401 S. Stony Island Avenue

Register: https://eventnoire.com/e/magic-of-music-ride-series

For One Earth members only; become a member here.

We welcome June and Angie Provost of Provost Farm, featured in, among other things, the Pulitzer Prize winning "The 1619 Project," developed by Nikole Hannah-Jones and writers from The New York Times and The New York Times Magazine. Provost Farm was founded as an agricultural and activist hub to preserve the ancestral legacies of South Louisiana's Black and Indigenous sugarcane farmers.

We'll have an engaging online discussion with Angie and June around the themes of food justice, regenerative agriculture, and food heritage.

Thanks so much for your support for the One Earth Film Festival. If you know anyone who would be interested in attending, encourage them to become a member here!

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/food-justice-harvest-celebration-with-june-and-angie-provost-virtual-tickets-428785437787

From Delta Institute:

Join us Tuesday, Oct. 27, to support sustainability in entrepreneurship. For over 10 years at our annual BOOST event, emerging entrepreneurs have shared innovative ideas to promote sustainability in their communities with innovative products and solutions. Please join us at this year’s event — hosted live in Chicago for both in-person and virtual guests — to hear their ideas and then cast your vote for which entrepreneurs you would like to win this year’s BOOST competition, including $5,000 awards to continue developing their start-ups.

Since its inception, the BOOST program has awarded grants to 18 start-ups ranging from local composting businesses, biodegradable hair products designed for Black women, regenerative agriculture farming, an accessible repair-and-share tool library, a zero-waste grocer, and much more.

Register for tickets: https://delta-institute.org/event/boost-2022-supporting-innovative-emerging-entrepreneurs-in-sustainability/

From Oak Park Public Library:

Join your neighbors, families, students, and friends in interactive community discussions inspired by The 1619 Project. This is a safe, structured anti-racist space where all are empowered to share personal stories, honor our history, and grow in hope. Trained adult facilitators will lead the discussion circles alongside middle school, high school, and college students.

Come to any or all sessions. Due to the structure of the discussion circles, please try to arrive on time.

October 23: The Fight for a True Democracy

Inspired by the 1619 podcast Episode 1: "The Fight for a True Democracy." Interactive discussion circles on the fight for democracy that never ended and honoring our long legacy of resistance. Ages 11+ and adults.

November 6: The Birth of American Music

After a special concert at 1 pm with D-Composed, a Black chamber music collective, join us at 2 pm for interactive discussion circles inspired by the concert and 1619 Episode 3: "The Birth of American Music." Lunch at 3 pm. Ages 11+ and adults.

Find a library copy of the related books in the catalog, and listen to podcast episodes here.

*This series is made possible with the support of D97 and D200 school districts, the E-Team of Oak Park, Dominican University’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) group, The Township of Oak Park, and the Oak Park Public Library.​

Register here: https://oakpark.librarycalendar.com/event/1619-project-family-and-community-circles

From Equiticity:

A series of six Community Mobility Rituals (CMR's) that offer full immersion into exploring natural areas, history, culture, and connection to community. The walks will be conversational, with many opportunities for stops and discussion, and deep explorations within the park.

Every second Sunday May through October, 2022.
10:30am meet / 11am -2:30pm walk

Sunday, October 9, 2022
Air Element: A Grand Rising of Power
Douglass Park, 1401 S Sacramento Avenue
Chicago, IL 60623

Register: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/nature-of-magic-walk-series

From Equiticity:

Once a month, every fourth Friday, Equiticity and partners will sponsor a series of bicycle rides that focus on the music that moves Chicago. Each bike ride will start and end at a Chicago Park District park, and connect to other parks in the area. The goal of these rides is to (re)connect people with their local parks through conversations, activities, and music that is culturally relevant to the people who call the neighborhoods home. Each ride will have its own musical theme and focus on a particular style of music, with a professional DJ spinning music throughout the ride.

Afro LatinX & Reggaeton Music: Garfield Park
Friday, September 23, 2022
100 N. Central Park Avenue

Register: https://eventnoire.com/e/magic-of-music-ride-series

From the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest:

Celebrate our 10th Birthday with us! See the 10 best films from the past 10 years of the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest. Choose to attend in person at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., in Chicago, or stream online simultaneously on Sunday, Sept. 18, at 11:30 a.m. CDT (for those attending in person, there will be free popcorn and hot chocolate or coffee).

Since 2013, the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest has awarded over 100 prizes to short environmental films from youth age 25 down to 3rd grade. A jury of 9 environmental and film professionals selected the final, top films from students across the country. Each film is 2 to 8 minutes long and ranges from animation to live action. Meet these young filmmakers in person or online, hear where they are today, and see their extraordinary films.

In person free tickets at Gene Siskel Film Center: https://10bestofthebestinperson.eventbrite.com

Virtual tickets: https://10bestofthebestvirtual.eventbrite.com

Hunter Harding, 'The Chase' (6 min)

• Suzie Kang, 'Vandals' (6 min)

• Sezgin Yüzay, 'Scent/Koku' (5 min)

• Tim DeBlois, 'Endangered' (4 min)

• Oriana Camara, 'Yasuni National Park: The Real Power Belongs to the People' (7 min)

• Chingtien Chu, 'Verge' (3 min)

• Zachary Goodwin, Flynn Harris, Alex Flanagan, Alex Kumph, 'Eyes' (6.5 min)

• Samantha Lane, 'Spell of the West' (7 min)

• Nathan Goswick, 'Environmental Racism' (3 min)

• Tara Gupta, 'Lucy' (2 min)

  Thank you to our jury: Felice Bassuk, Amy Brinkman, Lisa Daleiden-Brugman, Monica Fox, Bill Gee, Patrick Thomas Keen, Jennifer Maiotti, Julie Moller, and James Rohn.

From Equiticity:

A series of six Community Mobility Rituals (CMR's) that offer full immersion into exploring natural areas, history, culture, and connection to community. The walks will be conversational, with many opportunities for stops and discussion, and deep explorations within the park.

Every second Sunday May through October, 2022.
10:30am meet / 11am -12:30pm walk

Sunday, September 11, 2022
Metal Element: A Courageous Exploration of Connection
Washington Park, 5531 S Martin Luther King Drive
Chicago, IL 60637

Register: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/nature-of-magic-walk-series

From Equiticity:

Once a month, every fourth Friday, Equiticity and partners will sponsor a series of bicycle rides that focus on the music that moves Chicago. Each bike ride will start and end at a Chicago Park District park, and connect to other parks in the area. The goal of these rides is to (re)connect people with their local parks through conversations, activities, and music that is culturally relevant to the people who call the neighborhoods home. Each ride will have its own musical theme and focus on a particular style of music, with a professional DJ spinning music throughout the ride.

House Music: Hamilton Park
Friday August 26, 2022
513 W. 72nd St.

Register: https://eventnoire.com/e/magic-of-music-ride-series

From Equiticity:

A series of six Community Mobility Rituals (CMR's) that offer full immersion into exploring natural areas, history, culture, and connection to community. The walks will be conversational, with many opportunities for stops and discussion, and deep explorations within the park.

Every second Sunday May through October, 2022.
10:30am meet / 11am -12:30pm walk
Sunday, August 14, 2022
Fire Element: An Alchemical Transformation
Garfield Park, 100 N Central Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 60624

Register: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/nature-of-magic-walk-series

Food Aid 2022:

Featuring

MARY LANE | FURY | MIKEY EVERYTHING | SINCE9INE6IX | YOMí | TRICHOMES | & SCHOOL OF ROCK SHOW TEAM

GENERAL ADMISSION DOORS AT 3PM

CONCERT STARTS AT 4PM

Food Aid is a two day music festival in support of addressing food insecurity. Food Aid's mission is to eliminate individuals and their families from experiencing hunger. We believe that food insecurity should not exist, as the right to food is a human right. Through music and entertainment, Food Aid will serve as an important funding source for interconnected community organizations and initiatives aimed at addressing food insecurity.

LEARN MORE @ WWW.FOODAIDFESTIVAL.COM

Register for tickets: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/food-aid-2022-mary-lane-school-of-rock-tickets/12201915