Energy Impact Illinois Creates Marketplace for Energy Efficiency

Energy Impact Illinois (EI2) is a collaborative effort among its partners with the mission of helping residents, businesses and non-profits reduce energy use. The alliance provides simplified access to information, financial mechanisms and workforce resources that empower people to make their own energy impact.

The Vision of Energy Impact Illinois (EI2) is to create a marketplace for energy efficiency.

Energy Impact Illinois strives to connect the dots between financial institutions, home and building owners, contractors and energy efficiency.  The elements of the vision include . . .

• Financial institutions provide access to capital at affordable rates so residents and businesses can make efficiency improvements
• Home and building owners make improvements to their property to reduce energy costs, freeing up money for other living and operating expenses
• Contractors respond to a greater demand for energy upgrades by hiring additional workers and purchasing new equipment and materials, creating new jobs and contributing to increased economic development
• Market transformation leads to energy efficiency measures and practices becoming “business as usual”, which helps our environment and leads to greater energy security.

The Energy Impact Illinois (EI2) program is led by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), in partnership with the City of Chicago, City of Rockford, ComEd, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Science & Technology Coalition, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas, Peoples Gas and The Northern Illinois Energy Project.

To learn more about the Energy Impact Illinois Program, visit www.energyimpactillinois.org/about/.  To speak with the partners in the Oak Park project, contact Jon Levey at jlevey@greenchoicebank.com; Bonnie Mark at bmarx@greenenergyimprovement.com; or Erica Cuneen at erica@beyondpropertiesrealty.com.

Check back for additional details coming soon.

Green Architecture & the Future of Ecological Design

Interview with Tom Bassett-Dilley by Cassandra West.  Oak Park architect Tom Bassett-Dilley embraces a vision that includes historic preservation and a modern interpretation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s love of art, space and light. Tom is president of Tom Bassett-Dilley Architect, Ltd., at 301 Harrison St. Tom designed Oak Park’s first passive home, which uses modern materials and rigorous design standards to create a thermal envelope so tight that no gas furnace is needed. Q. What are the benefits of living in a house like the one you designed on South Clinton?

A. The benefits of having a house like that are comfort, reduced energy costs and really good indoor air quality. When you build an airtight house, you get really good air quality because you’re always exhausting the stale air and bringing in fresh air.

Q. How do you work with owners of older homes, like those you see here in Oak Park, to make them more energy efficient?

A. I recommend clients go to an energy auditor to get an objective data driven assessment of the energy diet of the house. Then you can figure out where to go first. Almost always the list for old houses includes air seal, insulate and then start upgrading efficiencies of mechanical equipment and then possibly replacing windows and doors. How far that gets taken is partly the question of the construction and the condition of the house is. If you want to get to the highest level of energy performance, of course, you have to deal with your heating energy first because that’s the biggest slice of the energy diet.

Q. You consider yourself a green architect. What does that mean?

A. To me it’s a broad look at ecology. It involves a lot of things—energy efficiency, environmental health, both inside a building and outside. How the decisions about placing and designing the building affect the landscape and the interior environment; interior air quality and the health inside; non-toxic materials; local materials; recycled materials. All of these many decisions that go into a building add up to more than a carbon footprint. ... To me, it’s a tension between striving for the perfect scenario and pushing the industry to try to get those materials and construction processes available that we can really stand behind ecologically and at the same time actually getting things built that are affordable and sensible.

Q. Since you started thinking green, have you seen a shift in the general population’s thinking toward green living?

A. Oh, yes. When I got interested architecture in 1979 and there were two books I got from the library that turned me on to no end. One was a book by Frank Lloyd Wright and it was full of gorgeous buildings that were just in love with art and space and light. ...The other book was Ed Mazria’s passive solar energy book. He’s still a leader in the environmental movement. The idea that a building should be integrated with its site and ecologically mindful was part of my mindset from the beginning. It really wasn’t until after Al Gore’s “Inconvenient Truth” [movie] that people really started asking for it more. We were always trying to bring these things into our projects. The passive house movement that I’m a part of really started in the 1970s here in Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. It was the oil crisis that kicked us into high gear. That focus moved to Europe and it became the passive house movement.

Q. What do you think it will take to move us to the next level?

A. More good, built examples. I’m very proud of that house on Clinton because when you look at new construction in an old neighborhood you often have to be sensitive to the character of the neighborhood. Having a building that has a lot of character that’s drawn from its place is really the idea.  Also, I think successful examples of design that also perform extremely well and also aren’t more expensive than a conventional house when you look at the cost of ownership.

* * * * * * * * *

You can find out more about Tom Bassett-Dilley Architect, Ltd at www.drawingonplace.com.

Cassandra West is the founding editor of www.seedingchicago.com, a blog of news and views on how urban agriculture is taking root and transforming lives in the Chicago area.  Cassandra is a resident of Oak Park and can be contacted at cwest@seedingchicago.com.

What Made this Building Worthy of Preservation?

An Interview with local architect William Scholtens conducted by Amy Boruta What is your design philosophy?

Build once well.  There are so many riches in this little phrase.  I approach each project with the mindset that buildings require precious, limited resources and therefore should be used for a very long time.  In my experience, buildings that last for generations are lovable, memorable, place-specific, and built with durable materials and sound detailing. Oak Park and River Forest have a history of such buildings. I enjoy walking our streets, studying the structures and asking myself, ‘What made this a building worthy of preservation?’  My observations often frame my approach to current design work.

What is your architectural style?

Listen to the place. Listen to the client. Work until you love the design.  I believe if you seek truth in these areas, each project will be tuned to the locality.  As an architect I understand how much embodied energy is extracted from the earth to create a building. I also understand that many people do not want their home to look like a science experiment. ‘I want a sustainable home, yet one that doesn’t taste like granola’ one client told me.  This speaks toward a building’s need to be both lovable and transferrable.  Through design, I attempt to orchestrate my clients’ life and work experience in a particular place with a view to timelessness. I believe if a person connects emotionally with a place they will love it.  If they love it, that place will remain.

In a recent project a client of mine interviewed several architects who determined it best to tear down the existing home.  They loved their neighborhood and location, but after careful questioning and listening, we determined together that their main frustration with their home was its seeming isolation from the outdoor living space. After evaluating the site, a simple, yet radical, scheme that reordered the living spaces within the existing home  united the interior spaces in conversation with the outdoor rooms.   We avoided complete demolition and even a large addition and instead used an interior and exterior palette of durability to keep a period home in a period neighborhood that we hope will be there for many generations.

What made you interested in implementing green/sustainable concepts in your work?

Two things really. First, I realize the value of my profession. As an architect I understand BTU’s, carbon, the strain our buildings put on our environment. Not many others do.  In many projects I am the first collaborator an owner encounters so I can help form a sustainable vision for the project.  Questions asked at the beginning of a project are critical.  To quote a current client, ‘If we are going to do it, why not try to do it better’.  I can’t say it any better.

Second, I own a home here in Oak Park.  New construction projects often emphasize sustainability, but these questions are less frequently addressed for renovations of existing homes. There are an estimated 100 million homes in America. What can be done to renovate and retrofit existing structures to accomplish sustainability?  There is huge opportunity right here in the Oak Park/River Forest.   Let’s call it what it is, these buildings are energy hogs, but the solution is not tearing them all down.  I am energized to develop ways our buildings can reduce energy load and efficiently satisfy home owners’, and if at all possible, our community’s needs.

What challenges do you face when implementing these concepts?

Taking sustainable goals for a project from design completely through construction. Sustainability isn’t free.  Money has a way of ‘high-jacking’ the sustainability conversation.  The mind often follows the heart, but tangible details can be key to acting on conviction; hence I challenge myself to find ways to provide owners with constructive tools for making optimal decisions.   Last week I was in a meeting with a contractor and owner for a project in a North Shore community. Our design details an R-22 insulation system. The village allows a minimum R-15 insulation.  So why go with R-22 if the village only requires R-15 and the owner can save $7,000 in the construction budget?

We all know that putting less insulation in walls will increase the cost to heat and cool the building, and that an over-used furnace will cost more to maintain and require earlier replacement.  But how do the costs balance?  To formally analyze the exchange, our firm developed a Utility Bill Predictive Cost Analysis Tool.  The tool allows us to isolate a building design component within a total building energy summation.  In this particular case, we estimated annual energy consumption and compared costs for each insulation decision.  Suddenly the debate of R-15 vs. R-22 became tangible and the conversation migrated from initial construction cost to investment in future use, comfort, the clients’ family, and long term living in their community.  With firm details in place, the final resolution circled back in line with the original goals for their renovation project.

Any advice for others interested in implementing these concepts within their renovations?

All little decisions in your project will add up to make a difference.  Green is the in details.

* * * * * *

William Scholtens, AIA, is Principal + Founder of Elements Architectural Group based in Oak Park, IL.  You can find out more about William Scholtens and Elements Architectural Group at http://elementsarchitects.com/.

Related Articles:

http://www.chicagohomemag.com/Chicago-Home/January-February-2011/Best-of-the-New-Green-Innovator-William-Scholtens/

Aquaponics Projects to be featured in talk at Ascension School - Nov 20th at 2pm

Submitted by John Owens

New Development in Urban Agriculture

A new development in urban agriculture is surfacing just off the campus at Chicago State University and at selected high schools in Chicago’s West and South sides. Tilapia and Perch are being raised organically and symbiotically alongside crops of fresh vegetables. Chicago State professor Emmanuel Pratt is developing and promoting aquaculture in Chicago based on systems that he pioneered with Sweet Water Organics in Milwaukee. Follow this link http://sweetwater-organic.com/ for the Milwaukee story.

Learn about projects in the Chicago area

For the Chicago story please join us at 2 PM, Sunday, November 20 at the Ascension School Pine Room,   601 Van Buren, Oak Park. This presentation is sponsored jointly by the Ascension Catholic Church Community Garden Group, the Interfaith Green Network and the Shawnash Institute.  Event Flyer to share with others is attached.

Urban Fish and Vegetable Farm in Milwaukee and now Chicago

Sweet Water Organics is an urban fish and vegetable farm. Our goal is to provide fresh, safe food for our local communities while maintaining reasonable prices and respecting our environment.We strive to become a resource for job creation and use of urban settings.

Raising Healthy Fish

In the Milwaukee operation Sweetwater Organics is currently raising approximately 35,000 Perch and 20,000 Tilapia in their sustainable aquaponics systems. In these re-circulating systems, the fish waste acts as natural fertilizer for plant growth and the plants act as a water filter.

Perch is low in Saturated Fat. It is also a good source of Selenium, and a very good source of Protein, Vitamin B12, Phosphorus and Manganese.  Tilapia is low in Sodium. It is also a good source of Niacin and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Protein, Vitamin B12 and Selenium.

Economics of Happiness - Timely Film Showing Sunday, Oct 30th, 2pm at OP Library

The Oak Park Coalition for Truth and Justice, in conjunction with the Oak Park Public Library, is sponsoring a film that addresses the impact of economic practices on our happiness.  While we have become significantly more affluent in the U.S. in the past 55 years our happiness with our lives peaked in 1956.  The film takes on particular relevance in the light of the "Occupy Wall Street" (or "We are the 99%") demonstrations that are occurring throughout the nation.  The film starts out by showing dramatic images of the 3 crises that we are currently facing . . .

an environmental crisis

an economic crisis, and

a crisis of the human spirit

Join the Conversation

Join the conversation at 2pm on Sunday about the ideas presented in this film and how we can make a difference locally.

See below an excerpt from a review of the Economics of Happiness, a flyer for the film that you can share with others, and  the film's official trailer

"What the Happiness Balance Sheet Looks Like"

by Sue Jackson (www.newmatilda.com)

"By means of compelling footage and input from experts juxtaposed with the views of ordinary people from all around the world, the film builds a strong case for the destructive nature of globalisation at the personal, national and international levels. For example, at a personal level, brainwashing by advertisers, which glamorises the lives of a minority in the West, promotes feelings of inadequacy in everyone else, with the result that many people pursue unattainable material goals and amass debt — which further fuels depression. And at the global level the movement of the dispossessed from small farms that have been taken over or made unworkable by big business to the cities, where unemployment is rife and living conditions appalling is a huge and rapidly-growing problem.  A strength of the film is that it grapples with some of the key arguments advanced by the proponents of the necessity and indeed inevitability of globalisation."

"So if globalisation is the problem, what is the solution?  In a word, localisation.  Community gardens, farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture, Slow Food, food swaps, the 100-Mile Diet movement, transition towns, ecovillages, goods exchanges, trash recycling — local initiatives are burgeoning. The documentary is full of examples of local innovations and highlights the numerous benefits they bring to individuals.   The Economics of Happiness is particularly successful in making a clear link between the personal rewards of going local and its economic benefits for the wider community."

"Localisation is a systemic, far-reaching alternative to corporate capitalism," the film's director, Helena Norberg-Hodge says. "Fundamentally, it’s about reducing the scale of economic activity. That doesn’t mean eliminating international trade or striving for some kind of absolute self-reliance; it’s simply about creating more accountable and more sustainable economies by producing what we need closer to home."

GreenTown Comes to Downtown Oak Park - October 12th

Submitted by Gary Cuneen On Wednesday, October 12, at Unity Temple in Oak Park, local and regional attendees will envision a future for their communities that includes healthy eating, bike and pedestrian-friendly communities, transit-oriented development, green infrastructure, water conservation, energy efficiency, green businesses, farm to school, residential food scrap composting, and much more.

Hosted by Pioneering Healthy Communities Oak Park, Cook County Department of Public Health's "Communities Putting Prevention to Work" and the Village of Oak Park.  This year's event will feature a keynote address by nationally known Host of "America's Walking"on PBS, Mark Fenton.  Mark is a dynamic speaker that energizes, entertains and educates his audiences.  Don't miss this local opportunity to hear him speak!

Hear from Dr. Damon Arnold, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, on the latest statewide initiatives to combat obesity, and discover how Mia Birk, CEO of Alta Planning and Author of Joyride, worked to change culture and transform Portland into a cycling mecca.

This one-day experience will also feature:- 15+ sessions on such topics as: - Healthy Eating in the Community - Healthy Eating at Home - Planning for a Physically Active Community - Sustainable Communities Planning and Metrics - Green Infrastructure and The Great Outdoors

The full agenda, including pre- and main conference sessions, is now available.

Register now and take advantage of special event pricing for Oak Park and River Forest Residents.

Economics of Happiness

Oak Park Coalition for Truth & Justice presents:  FREE FILM SERIES Co-sponsored by the Oak Park Public Library, to be held in the Veterans Room, Oak Park Main Library, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park, Sunday, October 30th at 2pm. Click Economics of Happiness FilmSeries55 for details.

"Vote" for Change in our Cook County Food System

Submitted by Debbie Hillman

Opportunity to Complete a Food System Survey for Cook County

This is a MOMENTOUS occasion, to have this opportunity to "vote" and express our opinions in a food system survey conducted by one of the largest counties in the country (part of the 3rd largest metropolitan area in the country). This may be the first county-wide survey ever of Cook County residents about food systems and food issues,

Illinois currently imports 95% of the food that we buy

This is especially important because currently we live in a farm state (Illinois) that imports more than 95% of the food that we Cook County residents buy. "Local foods" in Cook County and in Illinois is an economic development strategy of enormous proportion and many facets.

Having a "local" food system means that Cook County residents would be able to EASILY become food entrepreneurs of all kinds -- farmers (producers), processors, distributors, retailers, chefs, composters. This means that our food dollars would stay in Cook County.

Influence local and federal food policy

Taking this survey and working through the county processes that will hopefully result in a county-wide food council will help us all become better educated on the various components of food systems. In turn, we will be better prepared for working on the Farm Bill and other federal policies that have destroyed local food systems in so many communities, nationally and globally.

Take the survey today!

This is a MAJOR opportunity to move our own food system in a positive direction. Here's what you can do: (1) take the survey - How can I complete the survey? You cant.complete the survey online, or to answer this survey in Spanish, please call 708-633-8314; or email jbloyd@ccdph.ne Para contester esta encuesta en espanol, favor de llamar a 708-633-8314; o escriba a jbloyd@ccdph.net. (2) distribute it to your networks, friends, relatives, colleagues -- anyone who LIVES or WORKS in Cook County (Chicago and suburbs).

Green Home Experts - good for your family, good for the earth

Interview conducted by Sally Simmel with Maria Onesta Moran, owner of Green Home Experts

The blackboard in front of 823 South Oak Park Avenue screams “We Love Worms.” That’s enough to make you want to go in and see what is happening at Green Home Experts.

It wasn’t my first visit to the store, but the first time I actually had an appointment to talk with the owner, Maria Onesta Moran. As usual, Maria was buzzing around the store, talking with a contractor and then helping a customer find what she needed.

Seven-month-old Oscar, Maria’s son, was happily napping in his comfy carrier. It gave me a chance to walk around a little. There have been some changes in the store in the recent months, making it easy to view materials at a convenient counter and to check out products.

Even as we spoke Maria was unpacking some new supplies for the coming school year. There are all sorts of clever green lunch boxes, food containers and water bottles ready to go for children heading back to school this fall.

Oscar woke and we took turns holding him as we talked about Maria’s big adventure into the green retail world. She had been working in marketing and communications for a non-profit housing facility which provided supportive care in two certified LEED building. She and her husband were living in the W. Loop, setting up house, but not finding a variety of green home products in stores. That led her to see a niche that she might fill in terms of service to homeowners and builders committed to the environment.

So, in February of 2008 Green Home Experts appeared on Oak Park Avenue with a big selection of home, garden, and building supplies, baby and pet care products. If what you need isn’t in the store, Maria knows exactly where to look for it and will help with your choices.

As the economic situation grew more difficult, many people chose to upgrade and redecorate their homes rather than build new or move. Maria assisted by carrying more merchandise like paints and flooring. She was set to unpack a shipment of new paint brushes. Complementary products will make it even more convenient to do one-stop “green” shopping. Home improvement materials at Green Home are beautiful, durable, cost effective, and energy efficient.

Clearly Maria is a woman with a vision that includes providing products and services as well as educational opportunities to the community. It may mean finding more space, a bigger store, but only time will tell. Her goal is to continue to grow. She is very creative in the use of space and display, providing customers with an array of colors, shapes and textures to enjoy as they consider their needs and look for new ways to add environmentally friendly products in their home.

You might start with a small kitchen composter that is attractive and sits on your counter while you consider the value of composting on a larger scale. Or, maybe a rainbarrel appeals to you as a kick-off activity. Collect the water, use it for lawn and indoor plants, dog washing. If you happen to need a new toilet or new windows, explore the advantages of green alternatives.

Also check out the workshops that Maria is offering at Green Home Experts. There will be one on canning this fall. Other regular workshops include such things as gardening, remodeling and energy efficiency. You can find more information on classes, workshops, speakers and products at Green Home Experts web site. But do stop in as well. There’s nothing like experiencing the ambiance and spirit in a place like Green Home Experts.

Oscar’s dad came to pick him up, so we ended our conversation, with a “thanks” and “come again.” I will – often. Thanks, Maria.

Green Home Experts

823 S. Oak Park Avenue

Oak Park, IL 60304

www.ghexperts.com

Store Hours:

Tues-Fri: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sat: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Sun: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Closed Mondays

Related Posts:

Oak Park 2011 Earth Fest - Video Highlights

Healthier Families:  A Guide to Safer Products

Interview with Maria Onesta Moran

The blackboard in front of 823 South Oak Park Avenue screams “We Love Worms.” That’s enough to make you want to go in and see what is happening at Green Home Experts.

It wasn’t my first visit to the store, but the first time I actually had an appointment to talk with the owner, Maria Onesta Moran. As usual, Maria was buzzing around the store, talking with a contractor and then helping a customer find what she needed.

Seven-month-old Oscar, Maria’s son, was happily napping in his comfy carrier. It gave me a chance to walk around a little. There have been some changes in the store in the recent months, making it easy to view materials at a convenient counter and to check out products.

Even as we spoke Maria was unpacking some new supplies for the coming school year. There are all sorts of clever and green lunch boxes, food containers and water bottles ready to go for children heading back to school this fall.

Oscar woke and we took turns holding him as we talked about Maria’s big adventure into the green retail world. She had been working in marketing and communications for a non-profit housing facility which provided supportive care in two certified LEED building. She and her husband were living in the W. Loop, setting up house, but not finding a variety of green home products in stores. That led her to see a niche that she might fill in terms of service to homeowners and builders committed to the environment.

So, in February of 2008 Green Home Experts appeared on Oak Park Avenue with a big selection of home, garden, and building supplies, baby and pet care products. If what you need isn’t in the store, Maria knows exactly where to look for it and will help with your choices.

As the economic situation grew more difficult, many people chose to upgrade and redecorate their homes rather than build new or move. Maria assisted by carrying more merchandise like paints and flooring. She was set to unpack a shipment of new paint brushes. Complementary products will make it even more convenient to do one-stop “green” shopping. Home improvement materials at Green Home are beautiful, durable, cost effective, and energy efficient.

Clearly Maria is a woman with a vision that includes providing products and services as well as educational opportunities to the community. It may mean finding more space, a bigger store, but only time will tell. Her goal is to continue to grow. She is very creative in the use of space and display, providing customers with an array of colors, shapes and textures to enjoy as they consider their needs and look for new ways to add environmentally friendly products in their home.

You might start with a small kitchen composter that is attractive and sits on your counter while you consider the value of composting on a larger scale. Or, maybe a rainbarrel appeals to you as a kick-off activity. Collect the water, use it for lawn and indoor plants, dog washing. If you happen to need a new toilet or new windows, explore the advantages of green alternatives.

Also check out the workshops that Maria is offering at Green Home Experts. There will be one on canning this fall. Other regular workshops include such things as gardening, remodeling and energy efficiency. You can find more information on classes, workshops, speakers and products at www.ghexperts.com. But do stop in as well. There’s nothing like experiencing the ambiance and spirit in a place like Green Home Experts.

Interview with Maria Onesta Moran

The blackboard in front of 823 South Oak Park Avenue screams “We Love Worms.” That’s enough to make you want to go in and see what is happening at Green Home Experts.

It wasn’t my first visit to the store, but the first time I actually had an appointment to talk with the owner, Maria Onesta Moran. As usual, Maria was buzzing around the store, talking with a contractor and then helping a customer find what she needed.

Seven-month-old Oscar, Maria’s son, was happily napping in his comfy carrier. It gave me a chance to walk around a little. There have been some changes in the store in the recent months, making it easy to view materials at a convenient counter and to check out products.

Even as we spoke Maria was unpacking some new supplies for the coming school year. There are all sorts of clever and green lunch boxes, food containers and water bottles ready to go for children heading back to school this fall.

Oscar woke and we took turns holding him as we talked about Maria’s big adventure into the green retail world. She had been working in marketing and communications for a non-profit housing facility which provided supportive care in two certified LEED building. She and her husband were living in the W. Loop, setting up house, but not finding a variety of green home products in stores. That led her to see a niche that she might fill in terms of service to homeowners and builders committed to the environment.

So, in February of 2008 Green Home Experts appeared on Oak Park Avenue with a big selection of home, garden, and building supplies, baby and pet care products. If what you need isn’t in the store, Maria knows exactly where to look for it and will help with your choices.

As the economic situation grew more difficult, many people chose to upgrade and redecorate their homes rather than build new or move. Maria assisted by carrying more merchandise like paints and flooring. She was set to unpack a shipment of new paint brushes. Complementary products will make it even more convenient to do one-stop “green” shopping. Home improvement materials at Green Home are beautiful, durable, cost effective, and energy efficient.

Clearly Maria is a woman with a vision that includes providing products and services as well as educational opportunities to the community. It may mean finding more space, a bigger store, but only time will tell. Her goal is to continue to grow. She is very creative in the use of space and display, providing customers with an array of colors, shapes and textures to enjoy as they consider their needs and look for new ways to add environmentally friendly products in their home.

You might start with a small kitchen composter that is attractive and sits on your counter while you consider the value of composting on a larger scale. Or, maybe a rainbarrel appeals to you as a kick-off activity. Collect the water, use it for lawn and indoor plants, dog washing. If you happen to need a new toilet or new windows, explore the advantages of green alternatives.

Also check out the workshops that Maria is offering at Green Home Experts. There will be one on canning this fall. Other regular workshops include such things as gardening, remodeling and energy efficiency. You can find more information on classes, workshops, speakers and products at www.ghexperts.com. But do stop in as well. There’s nothing like experiencing the ambiance and spirit in a place like Green Home Experts.

Oscar’s dad came to pick him up, so we ended our conversation, with a “thanks” and “come again.” I will – often. Thanks, Maria.

Green Home Experts

class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">823 S. Oak Park Avenue class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">Oak Park, IL 60304 class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">www.ghexperts.com

Store Hours:

class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">Tues-Fri: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">Sat: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">Sun: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Closed Mondays

Oscar’s dad came to pick him up, so we ended our conversation, with a “thanks” and “come again.” I will – often. Thanks, Maria.

Green Home Experts 823 S. Oak Park Avenue Oak Park, IL 60304 www.ghexperts.com

Store Hours: Tues-Fri: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sun: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Closed Mondays

Marion Street Cheese Market Chef Shares his Vision & Challenges

Article written by Ellen Lipo, OPRF HS Environmental Club based on an Interview with Marion Street Cheese Market Executive Chef, Leonard Hollander In March, the Marion Street Cheese Market, located at 100 S. Marion Street in Oak Park, became a green-certified restaurant, receiving three out of four stars from the Green Restaurant Association. It is the only green-certified restaurant in Oak Park, and one of only a handful in the Chicago area. The rating is based on 60-70 categories, ranging from floor tile to composting. The rating given then translates to a number of stars.

One of the people responsible for achieving the level of sustainability that led to the certification is Leonard Hollander, the Cheese Market’s Executive Chef.   Mr. Hollander has worked at Marion Street Cheese Market for two years, and together with the owners, Eric Larson and Mary Jo Schuler, has helped create and maintain a green vision for the business. He said that the vision of having a restaurant that operates in as sustainable a manner as possible is something he shares with the owners, and they have since entrusted him to handle many of the food sourcing decisions and day-to-day supply issues of the restaurant.

Prior to Mr. Hollander, the chefs at Marion Street Cheese Market bought produce and other ingredients at local farmers’ markets, but also on occasion from large agribusiness companies. As part of his responsibility for all food procurement and waste management, Mr. Hollander now works with organizations such as the Chicago Resource Center and City Farm to buy fresh produce. Recently he received the first produce from City Farm that was grown from soil made from the Cheese Market’s own compost.

In addition to that unique produce, the restaurant also purchases from various local farms and organic distributors, for instance, buying milk from Kilgus Creamery in southern Illinois, which Mr Hollander believes “tastes like milk ... unlike the soulless variety found at 7-11 and Jewel”. Mr. Hollander also works with companies like Testa Produce, Natural Direct, and Organic Valley. The restaurant is local even down to its coffee syrups.

Mr. Hollander says he is most proud of “our ability to produce the food at the quality we do, for a dining room of this size, from the kitchen we have.” Because of building constraints (the restaurant is located in a residential building) the kitchen does not have access to gas, and only has two electric burners and an electric fryer. “First and foremost, my job is to take ingredients and turn them into delicious things,” he said. “If it’s local and sustainable…but doesn’t taste good, what’s the point?” He asserts that his green-sourced ingredients definitely translate to the food, saying he knows a lot of people who find their cheese, meat and fish only at Marion Street Cheese Market, and nowhere else.

The Cheese Market also incorporates green measures in other areas of the restaurant: the chairs are made from recycled car seat belts, bar counters are built with recycled glass, and sustainable wood is integrated throughout the building. The restaurant serves smaller portion sizes. “We decreased our waste massively by following that one point, mitigating portion sizes,” Hollander said.  This leaves diners room for dessert, he said, (which doesn’t hurt our business, either).

One of his biggest challenges is making green affordable. “We definitely don’t make as much money as we could because we’ve chosen to do things the way we do” (in a way as sustainable and sensitive to the environment as we can).

Mr. Hollander’s advice to other restaurants looking to go green is to “Learn what it means. So few people really know what it means, and I have a little bit of fear about that.” Restaurants have to constantly keep finding a new angle on being green. “People don’t look at it as something you can quantify,” Hollander said, but as more of a feeling. But being green and sustainable can be quantified, as evidenced by the Marion Street Cheese Market.

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