River Forest's Green4Good Recycling Extravaganza

District 90’s Green4Good committee will host their second drive-up, drop-off recycling event Saturday May 4, 2013, from 8 am to 1 pm rain or shine at the parking lot of River Forest United Methodist Church, located on the northeast corner of Lake Street and Thatcher Avenue (7970 Lake Street, River Forest).

Partners for this event include the Village of River Forest, River Forest Citizens Corps, River Forest United Methodist Church and Roy Strom Co. Drivers will enter off of Lake Street and will be asked to remain in their cars while volunteers unload items. Click here to View/Download the PDF Poster

What to Bring

New this year - carpet and padding and fluorescent tubes will be accepted. ACME Recycling returns to collect electronics (including de-humidifiers and air conditioners - but NOT refrigerators), batteries (household, computer and car), and scrap metal. SCARCE, an environmental education not-for-profit in Glen Ellyn will collect musical instruments, school supplies (old crayons, rulers, usable spiral notebooks and binders). The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago will accept apparel and shoes in any condition in addition to small housewares.

Additional collections on site: Whole Foods - corks; Cook County Sheriff’s Office of Support Services will accept prescription medications (except for liquids); Air Cycle-CFL bulbs and Fluorescent tubes; Lions Club - eyeglasses and hearing aids; Amerigas - propane and Oxygen tanks; Cintas - fire extinguishers; Working Bikes - working and non-working bikes, sewing machines, bike helmets and accessories, non-motorized wheelchairs; Animal Care League - collars and leashes.

No refrigerators, mattresses cribs, car seats or plastic ride on toys will be accepted.

For a more complete list of what is accepted at this year’s Extravaganza, please see http://www.district90.org/subsite/dist/page/green-team-1385 and click on the link for the event’s poster which lists all accepted items.

For more information contact Julie Moller, 312-961-2306, or Judy Deogracias, 773-793-3449

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Green4Good

District 90’s Green4Good Committee is comprised of the Green4Good committees at each school, as well as several District 90 administrators all working toward making District 90 greener. Within each school, Green4Good strives to promote a safe and healthy learning environment; encourage environmental stewardship at school and in the community; and foster a lifelong connection to the natural world for all District 90 students and their families.

Please look for additional announcements about Green4Good’s initiatives on the District 90 Green4Good website. Green4Good school committee members include Katarina Berin, Keary Cragan, Judy Deogracias, Laura Maychruk, Julie Moller, Renee Sichlau and Liz Ziehl.

For more information about the Recycling Extravaganza, please contact Judy Deogracias or Julie Moller.

Contact:

Julie Moller, 312-961-2306 Judy Deogracias, 773-793-3449

Email: recycling.extravaganza@gmail.com

Website: http://www.district90.org/subsite/dist/page/green-team-1385

Home Energy Efficiency Program Extended

Energy Impact Illinois (EI2), the US Department of Energy and utility supported home energy efficiency program, has been extended through most of the summer. Instead of ending on May 1st, the program will cover work that is completed by August 26th.

Scores of people in Oak Park, River Forest, Chicago, and others have already taken advantage of the program. What they get is “one-stop shopping”: qualified energy auditors from EI2 come and analyze what can be done to weatherize the house, at what expense, and providing what savings. EI2 connects people up with contractors that are highly qualified and thoroughly vetted and have a an extra certification from Building Performance Institute.

If the homeowner decides to proceed with the recommended improvements, the program subsidizes 70% of the cost of the work, up to $2500 ($1750 subsidy). For most houses, the work does not exceed $2500 so the homeowner's expense does not exceed $750.

The result is a more comfortable home, lower heating and cooling bills, and less CO2 emissions contributing to global warming.

The August 26th deadline is not far away. People who call now for an assessment are getting appointments in June. Once the assessment is done, the homeowner makes the decision whether to go ahead with the work, signs an agreement, schedules the work, and gets it done. Most often it is a one-day job, usually focused on air sealing in the basement and insulation in the attic. All of this must be complete by August 26th to qualify for the subsidy. (The program calls it a “rebate” – but it is paid directly to the contractor and the homeowner never has to put out more than his/her 30% share.)

Interested people in Oak Park and River Forest can call: Pamela Brookstein at (708) 252-0623.  (Get your energy assessment free by hosting a "house party" - see what this is all about in this video.)

Others in the six-county area can call EI2 at 1-855-9-IMPACT.

 

Are We Risking Our Children's Health?

Research and Opinion by Peggy McGrath

The powerful influence of the petrochemical industry in impacting the health and safety of our children is mind-boggling. It all began after World War ll, when the industry focused on new uses for their potent chemicals.  One example was agricultural spraying with DDT, without any testing for safety. It took Rachel Carson and her 1962 book, SILENT SPRING to awaken the public to the dangers. Because of her influence, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Toxic Substance Control Act were implemented in the 70’s.   So we relaxed because we thought we were being protected. However, over the years lobbying efforts on behalf of the petrochemical industry have minimized the power of the EPA and the Toxic Substance Control Act.  To date there have been only five chemicals that have been blocked from production in the United States.

In the 70’s we were perceived by the world as the moral leader in health and environmental regulation, but now the leadership is shifting to the European Union. In 2006, they passed legislation called Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH). Since the E.U. is now considered, one of the most significant trading powers, their standard is becoming the international standard. Companies have fallen into step, following their regulations in order to have trading access with countries world-wide.

Many U. S. companies are also following their guide-lines, EXCEPT FOR products sold in our own country. That’s right! Dr. Mark Shapiro, author of Exposed: Deregulating Chemicals, predicts we will become the dumping ground for all toxic products. Why? Because Congress has paved the way for the petrochemical industry to do just that, by deregulation. During the Bush years, there was also a shift from a risk-benefit model to a cost-benefit model for environmental oversight.

But why should we be concerned about this in Oak Park? We are not one of those communities with chemical plants and oil refineries in our midst. Why should we pay attention to this issue?

1. Toxic chemicals are in everyday products on shelves in our stores and most people are unaware of their hazards.
2. Pesticide use on private lawns is the norm. The American Academy of Pediatrics just came out with an urgent message for pediatricians to educate parents on reducing children’s exposure to pesticides since they are “associated with pediatric cancers, decreased cognitive functioning and behavioral problems”. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/130/6/e1757.full
3. Artificial Turf will be installed at Ridgeland Commons and plans are on the books for other parks. It is made from recycled tires, which contain chemicals that are carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, neurological and reproductive toxins.
4. Talk of pesticides being used in our parks and on our fields is becoming more prominent again, after a 20-year hiatus, thanks to Barbara Mularky.

I do not question the integrity and deep commitment of our elected Park Board commissioners and our amazing and valued park district staff. However, because of the petrochemical industry’s power, it is difficult to find accurate and up-to-date information.

I have been concerned about the impact of toxins on our children and the environment for many years. I have had the good fortune of being in contact with several esteemed scientists in the field who have lead me to solid data. I understand how difficult and time-consuming it is to seek out scientifically researched information. I have written several ‘opinion’ essays for the Wednesday Journal over the last year. The only purpose was to share information with Oak Park citizens, so we all can make informed decisions based on scientific information.

In conclusion, I need to mention the Precautionary Principle, used in both Europe, a precursor to REACH, and Canada. It states simply, if the product is not proven safe, it cannot be sold.

“When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment , precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically” (Wingspread Summit Conference, Racine Wisconsin, 1998).

In common language, this means “better safe than sorry”. We need to err on the side of caution, to ensure the health and safety of all our children (http://commonweal.org/programs/precautionary-principle.html).

In the United States we have the opposite policy, the toxic product is deemed innocent until proven guilty. This puts the burden of proof on the victims of the toxicity, often after dire consequences. Somehow, together as Oak Parkers, we must change this.

-Peggy McGrath

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Related YouTube video:  What's the Deal with Synthetic Turf Particles? (10 mins) 

Oak Park Earth Fest 2013 April 20

Oak Park’s fourth annual celebration of green living – Earth Fest – is scheduled for 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sat., April 20, in the LEED Gold-certified Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd. This year’s event will focus on the zero waste movement. Most aspects of the festival, including event banners and food service products used for chefs’ demonstrations, will be reusable or compostable. Organizers will have sorting stations located at the event to help attendees compost and recycle as much waste as possible.

“Green living means being smart about our resources – not just consuming less but also creating less waste. This year's focus on zero waste will help folks learn about reducing waste at home, in the garden, at school and work,” said Maria Onesto Moran, an Earth Fest organizer. “Our vendors range from a restaurant using goat milk produced in Chicago, to composting experts offering free information on backyard composting.”

In addition, Earth Fest plans to partner with Oak Park’s Public Works Department to offer a close-up look at the many services provided to the community. Kids and parents can explore snow plows, heavy-duty trucks and other essential pieces of equipment.

Dozens of Earth Fest vendors will provide plenty of hands-on activities, free samples and information for families. Some of the day’s scheduled highlights include:

• Free composting and organic gardening consultations

• Up close and personal visits with urban goat farmers
• Chef demonstrations from Marion Street Cheese Market and Constructive Chaos
• Details on zero-waste lunch initiatives in Oak Park’s schools
• Car sharing information
• Tips on eco-friendly landscaping
• Important details on raising chickens and keeping honeybees in Oak Park

Back by popular demand, Earth Fest once again will feature Recycle Alley – an on-site opportunity for residents to bring items that aren’t part of the regular blue bin recycling program. Items to be recycled include blue jeans, glasses, hearing aids, prescription medication, CFL light bulbs, cell phones, rechargeable batteries and corks.

For more information on Earth Fest 2013, call 708.660.1443 or e-mail maria@ghexperts.com.

Information also is posted online at www.oak-park.us/earthfest.

[Article information taken from the Village of OP web site:  http://www.oak-park.us/earthfest/]

Sledding Hill & Trees Threatened to Make Room for Artificial Turf

The Oak Park Park District Board is being asked to re-consider plans to remove the sledding hill and mature trees along the field at Ridgeland Commons in order to make room for installation of artificial turf on the field. Upon learning of the plan to remove the sledding hill, the Testore family of Oak Park started a petition through Change.org with the context that, "The sled hill provides free enjoyment and exercise for Oak Parkers ages 2-92, those who play organized sports and those who do not."  The Petition states simply:

"To:  The Oak Park Park Board

We, the undersigned, respectfully ask you to please reconsider your plans to remove the sled hill at Ridgeland. Thank you very much."

The petition now has over 500 signatures on it.

One of our Oak Park Treekkeepers, Kathryn Jonas, made a similar request but along with it sent a very detailed letter itemizing all of the reasons that she felt that the sledding hill should not be demolished, including the following:

* The sledding hill has provided generations of Oak Park children with an outdoor winter activity, and many continue to come back (including my 26 year old daughter who still sleds there with friends, and hopes to sled there some day with her children) * The opportunities for unstructured outdoor play should be increased according to all research, not decreased by eliminating the hill * Sledding is an affordable activity - all you need is a sled - or as many kids over the years have demonstrated, a flattened cardboard box from the alley * By its very name, Ridgeland Common should be considered a commons, a place for all to use and enjoy, not exclusive to those on a team sport.

Kathryn also makes the point that a few more trees at the top of the hill along the tracks would make a nice addition to the 2 existing, mature, very healthy hackberry trees that are now slated for demolition.  "There are already too many artificial things in kids' lives today," concludes Kathryn in separate comments.

The report on “The Future of Ridgeland Commons” included through a link in the VOPeNews on Friday, March 8th, states that, “In order to install the synthetic turf sports fields the sled hill will be removed at Ridgeland Commons . . .”  According to a New Jersey study, artificial turf also comes with “a host of established and potential health and environmental risks.” One of which is excessive heat. In a variety of studies, artificial turf consistently measured 31 degrees or more, hotter than natural grass.  Chicago had 46 days (almost 7 weeks) of 90 degree temperatures or above in 2012, which means that the artificial turf would be 121 degrees or hotter. Such temperatures can contribute to burns, dehydration and heat exhaustion. Sources for additional information regarding possible health and environmental risks related to artificial turf are included below.  See also, related article in OakPark.com.

Submitted by:  Sally Stovall

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2265067/

http://www.njwec.org/PDF/Factsheets/fact-artificialterf.pdf

http://www.ny4p.org/research/other-reports/or-newturfwar-06.pdf

Bag It - is your life too plastic?

Saturday, Mar 2, 3P/River Forest Public Library - Tickets

74  min/FAMILY

Bag It has been garnering awards at film festivals across the nation. What started as a documentary about plastic bags evolved into a wholesale investigation into plastics and their effect on our waterways, oceans, and even our bodies.  Join the Bag It movement and decide for yourself how plastic your life will be.

Program note:  Bag It will be screened and discussed along with The Majestic Plastic Bag: A Mockumentary.

Film program sponsored by Keep Oak Park Beautiful.

Killowatt Ours

Sunday, Mar 3, 12:30P /

Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore

, Forest Park -

Tickets

Jeff Barrie/55 min

Kilowatt Ours is a timely, solutions-oriented look at one of America’s most pressing environmental challenges.  Award-winning film Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America is a timely, solutions-oriented look at one of America’s most pressing environmental challenges: energy.  Filmmaker Jeff Barrie offers hope as he turns the camera on himself and asks, “How can I make a difference?” In his journey Barrie explores the source of our electricity and the problems caused by energy production including mountain top removal, childhood asthma and global warming.

Along the way he encounters individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities who are leading the way, using energy conservation, efficiency and renewable, green power all while saving money and the environment.

This often amusing and always inspiring story shows, “You can easily make a difference and here’s how!”

Jeff and his wife Heather share a plan to eliminate their use of coal and nuclear power at home by employing energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.  Through the Barrie's learning experience, viewers discover how they can save hundreds of dollars annually on energy bills, and use a portion of the savings to purchase renewable energy.

Kilowatt Ours invites viewers to help build a net zero nation, by conserving energy to the greatest extent possible at home, then using clean renewable energy to provide the electricity used.

Programming note: will be shown with Stories of Trust - Montana.

The Clean Bin Project

Sunday, Mar 3, 3P/

The Brown Cow, Forest Park

 -

Tickets

76 Min/FAMILY

Is it possible to live completely waste free? In this multi-award winning, festival favourite, partners Jen and Grant go head to head in a competition to see who can swear off consumerism and produce the least garbage.  Their light-hearted competition is set against a darker examination of the problem waste.

 Even as Grant and Jen start to garner interest in their project, they struggle to find meaning in their minuscule influence on the large-scale environmental impacts of our “throw-away society”. Described as An Inconvenient Truth meets Super Size Me, The Clean Bin Project features laugh out loud moments, stop motion animations, and unforgettable imagery. Captivating interviews with renowned artist, Chris Jordan and TED Lecturer Captain Charles Moore, make this film a fun and inspiring call to individual action that speaks to crowds of all ages.

Could You Live in a Passive House?

The River Forest passive house discussed in this post we published early in 2013 is featured on the upcoming Green Living and Learning Tour on Sept. 28th.  Read more about it in this article, and plan to stop there on the Tour! Oak Park architect Tom Bassett-Dilley has designed the first certified passive house to be built in the Chicago area.  The new house, built for the Lema family, uses only a small fraction of the heating and cooling energy of a conventional house.

Based on an interview with Tom Bassett-Dilley conducted by Doug Burke

As the 28th certified passive house in the United States the River Forest home represents a small but growing movement.  Bassett-Dilley, who heads the Passive House Alliance in Chicago, predicts that there will be 200 or more in the country by the end of this year.  There are many more passive houses in Europe.

What is a Passive House?

The name “passive” means that these houses use the environment around them as much as possible – for instance, by having lots of south-facing windows to take in the sun's heat in the winter, but with overhangs to shade those same windows in the hot summer.  Smart design reduces the amount of the work the home has to do to maintain comfort.  And a very tight building envelope means it doesn't take nearly as much energy to heat or cool the house.  A house built to the new Illinois code (just revised effective this month) is required to have no more than 5 air changes per hour.  A passive house must have no more than 0.6.  The River Forest house tests out at just 0.38 air exchanges per hour – far tighter than required by either standard.

There still has to be ventilation; a mechanical system draws out moist air from kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry, and feeds in air to the living areas.  Very good efficient heat exchangers retain 85% of the heat.

This produces a very comfortable and simple house, which use about 75% less energy than built-to-code homes to heat and cool.  Over a 30-year mortgage, the heating and cooling savings should at least make up for the slightly higher cost of construction -- about 10% higher, with 18-inch thick walls, thick insulation even under the building, and tight sealing everywhere.  Even with today's exceptionally low natural gas costs, a passive house should still be less expensive to own and operate than a conventional one.  And it is much better for the environment, using only a small amount of electricity in heat pumps for heating and cooling.  There is no need for a gas-burning furnace, nor any air-conditioning system except the heat pumps.

Learn more about this house, including the non-toxic and recycled materials used in building it, how it is laid out, and how it fits into the neighborhood, at Sustainable Chicago.  See also the article titled "The Heat is On - River Forest Home to be area's first certified passive house," in the January 2, 2013, edition of the Wednesday Journal, p. 35.

A Reusable Holiday Tradition

by Sue Crothers (originally posted in OakPark.com, January 14, 2011) In order to eliminate the mountain of Holiday wrapping paper, I decided I was going to start a new family tradition.  One that rid my living room of the chaos brought about by the unruly mess created with the simple act of opening gifts.  One that turned our gathering back to a more tranquil experience, where we could actually see and feel the warmth of the fireplace!

So I ditched the wrapping paper!

Three years ago, before the Holidays I took myself off to the fabric store and purchased 15 yards of three different types of Holiday material.  I then purchased a number of rolls of cloth ribbon, which were surprisingly inexpensive as they were on sale.  These gifts wrapped in fabric looked beautiful and the variety of ribbon gave them each a different and unique appearance.  During that Holiday season alone,  I reused the fabric 3 times!   After we opened our gifts, I used them to wrap the gifts for my Australian side of the family, followed by my husband’s family and the final use for the season came with a belated Holiday celebration at a friend’s house.  When my friend asked to keep the fabric wrapping from her gift, I of course was thrilled for just maybe, this new tradition could branch out to another family!

Given that an estimated 4 million tons of wrapping paper and shopping bags are thrown out over the winter holidays, doesn’t it seem like a good idea to find an alternative where one can not only save some trees and help the well being of our environment, but save some $$ too!  Okay, so the initial outlay was a little more than I usually spend on paper wrapping, but not that much and hey, I get to reuse it again and again and again and I haven’t spent a cent on Holiday wrapping paper since!

Some may think that it’s no fun to have the same wrapping appear year after year, however I  would argue that it’s all in how you deliver it.  If you wrap it up as a new tradition, it can take on a special place in the Holiday ritual.  For example, from the time my children were old enough to understand the concept of Santa Claus, they have left a Santa sack at the end of their bed on Christmas Eve.  This red sack, decorated with Holiday design and about the size of a pillow case, is for just for Santa!  He fills it with unwrapped gifts and this special tradition has brought smiles to their faces from the first time they peaked inside on Christmas morning all those pre teen years ago. The sacks have now become a part of the Holiday magic, regardless of the fact that the Santa has long been out of the bag so to speak.  Not only do they appear each Christmas Eve, they eliminate waste, illuminate faces and save money.  But most of all, they create a sense of nostalgia and wonderful memories.

Now that the Holidays are upon us again, I thought I would share this tradition, in the hope of spreading the cloth Holiday wrapping magic!

Editor’s Note:  We’d love to hear your stories about innovations on holiday traditions that help you “feel the warmth of the fireplace” and create a holiday celebration that is kinder to the natural world.  Please email sally@greencommunityconnections.org.