Sunday, Mar 3, 3P/
St. Martin's Episcopal Church,
Chicago
Byron Hurt/2011/63 min/FAMILY
Soul Food Junkies explores the health advantages and disadvantages of Soul Food, a quintessential American cuisine. Soul food will also be used as the lens to investigate the dark side of the food industry and the growing food justice movement that has been born in its wake.
AWARDS: Best Documentary Urbanworld Film Festival 2012; CNN Best Documentary Award American Black Film Festival 2012
Jeffrey Smith & Institute for Responsible Technology/2012/85 min
Shocking. Life-Changing. You won’t look at food the same way again. Genetic Roulette exposes the dirt behind Big-Biotech’s Big failed experiment.
Never-Before-Seen-Evidence points to genetically engineered foods as a major contributor to rising disease rates in the US population, especially among children. Gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, inflammatory diseases, and infertility are just some of the problems implicated in humans, pets, livestock, and lab animals that eat genetically modified soybeans and corn.
Monsanto’s strong arm tactics, the FDA’s fraudulent policies, and how the USDA ignores a growing health emergency are also laid bare. This sometimes shocking film may change your diet, help you protect your family, and accelerate the consumer tipping point against genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Don’t miss this film!
AWARDS: Solari Best Film of Year 2012; nominated for AwareGuide Top Transformational Film for 2012 ( won by a landslide!among a long list of films)
Sunday, Mar 3, 12P/
Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church
, Oak Park (clip) -
Tuesday, Feb 12, 7P/
- FREE;
Jeff Spitz; Jennifer Amdur Spitz/2013/70 minutes/Family
"Food Patriots" focuses on an issue that directly touches all of us — food. The film tells personal stories that show ordinary people taking control of food and creating healthier lives, a less polluted environment, a new sense of community and new jobs. Touched by his son's struggle with food-borne illness, filmmaker Jeff Spitz weaves one family's experience into a tapestry of stories about people who are changing the way Americans eat, buy and educate the next generation about food.
South East Oak Park Community Organization is sponsoring this FREE sneak preview of the 70 minute rough cut of the film. Join Chicago-based filmmaker, Jeff Spitz, to view and discuss his film on Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at Washington Irving School (1125 S. Cuyler Ave., Oak Park, IL) in Oak Park at 7 p.m. Join the Facebook event to receive updates. Call 773-315-1109 for more information.
Sponsored by South East Oak Park Community Organization, One Earth Film Festival is hosting a FREE sneak preview of the 70 minute rough cut of the film Food Patriots. Join Chicago-based filmmaker, Jeff Spitz, to view and discuss his film on Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at Irving Schoolin Oak Park, IL at 7 p.m. Food Patriots focuses on an issue that directly touches all of us — food. The film tells personal stories that show ordinary people taking control of food and creating healthier lives, a less polluted environment, a new sense of community and new jobs.
Touched by his son's struggle with food-borne illness, filmmaker Jeff Spitz weaves one family's story into a tapestry of stories about people who are changing the way Americans eat, buy and educate the next generation about food.
View the Food Patriots trailer (below) featuring Jeff and his wife, Jennifer Amdur Spitz, of Groundswell Educational Films.
Visit the Food Patriot's website to learn more and to "join the revolution"!
Sunday, Mar 3, 12P/
Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church,
Oak Park -
Robert Bates/2009/67 min/Family (Free Child Care Provided)
American food is in a state of crisis, but a movement to put good food back on the table is emerging. What began 30 years ago with chefs demanding better flavor, has inspired consumers to seek relationships with nearby farmers. This is local food.
At the focal point of this movement, and of this film, are the farmers and chefs who are creating a truly sustainable food system. Their collaborative work has resulted in great tasting food and an explosion of consumer awareness about the benefits of eating local. Attention being paid to the local food movement comes at a time when the failings of our current industrialized food system are becoming all too clear. For the first time in history, our children’s generation is expected to have a shorter lifespan than our own. The quality, taste and nutritional value of the food we eat has dropped sharply over the last fifty years. Shipped from ever-greater distances, we have literally lost sight of where our food comes from and in the process we've lost a vital connection to our local community and to our health.
A feature-length documentary, Ingredients illustrates how people around the country are working to revitalize that connection. Narrated by Bebe Neuwirth, the film takes us across the U.S. from the diversified farms of the Hudson River and Willamette Valleys to the urban food deserts of Harlem and to the kitchens of celebrated chefs Alice Waters, Peter Hoffman and Greg Higgins. Ingredients is a journey that reveals the people behind the movement to bring good food back to the table and health back to our communities.
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The Sugar Beet Co-op Membership Kick-off Party and Winter’s Eve Market A celebration of local food, growing partnerships and a year of good work is being planned by The Sugar Beet Co-op for Saturday, January 12th at Unity Temple. Memberships to the co-op will be made available for the first time at this community gathering and hundreds of people are expected to turn out to show their support.
Just a year ago, a group of neighbors from northeast Oak Park came together and decided that the Oak Park, Austin, and surroun
ding communities needed something new: a full-service, cooperative grocery store that would provide a neighborhood source for local, sustainable, healthy foods and a way of connecting farmers and producers to their customers.
Throughout 2012, The Sugar Beet team has participated in community events, connected with farmers and supporters of the Oak Park Farmers' Market, forged relationships with local individuals, organizations, and businesses, and organized events and workshops with the goal of bringing our community together around good food.
The Sugar Beet Co-op Membership Kick-off Party will include a Winter’s Eve Market featuring vendors of local foods and goods for purchase as well as The OPRF High School Jazz Quartet. Wine and craft beers, a crepe station, seasonal foods and Sugar Beet Home Movies will make this a cozy evening of fellowship and inspiration. Tickets are $20 which includes 3 drink tickets and are available at www.sugarbeetcoop.com.
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by Katie Morris The One Earth Film Festival 2013, organized by Green Community Connections, will sponsor the first ever Young Filmmakers Contest: One Earth…Our Earth. This film contest is a way in which young people can showcase their abilities in making positive changes for their future. It is an opportunity to engage our youth, and create excitement around how they can, and do, make a difference in our world and in our local community.
As part of the 2nd annual One Earth Film Festival, the Young Filmmakers Contest invites students in all eligible age categories (from third grade through college) to submit film entries that cover at least one of the following categories: water, waste, food, transportation, or energy.
With this contest, “we want to encourage youth to not just contemplate the issues surrounding sustainability, but to get them thinking about potential solutions,” said Sue Crothers, contest committee chair. “Youth involvement in the sustainability movement is the key to our future, and film is a powerful medium for them to express their concern and awareness. ”
The Rainforest Rescue Coalition (RRC), a Chicago based nonprofit organization, is currently working on a submission for the college-aged category of the contest. Founded by four OPRF High School graduates among others, the mission of the RRC is to conserve and protect rainforest land around the world and to support sustainable relationships between humans and nature. RRC raises money for sustainability and conservation initiatives through direct action campaigns. One of RRC’s goals is to help educate the public about conservation and environmental issues - including both the problems and solutions, . . . and what better way than through film?
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According to Adam Bauer-Goulden, RRC President, RRC is creating their film entry as a way to show that anything is possible, if you put forth the energy and try to make a difference. Though the film is still in its production phase, Bauer-Goulden reports that RRC’s film will begin with a montage of the terrible environmental disasters taking place in the world today. It will move into the story of how RRC was formed and show footage from its first 350-mile fundraising ride. The audience will have the chance to learn how they can become involved with RRC and other conservation efforts. The film will close with a final montage of the great and positive things that the environmental movement is accomplishing.
Bauer-Goulden says, “Our inspiration is trying to get as many people involved as possible in our movement. I really believe that energy is the most important thing that we have. I believe that our purpose in life is to use our energy for something inherently good and to make the world a better place…we really just want to show people that we are just normal kids and anybody and everybody has the power to make change in this world, no matter what your situation...Anything counts!”
The deadline to submit a film to the Young Filmmakers Contest is January 25, 2013 at 5 PM CST. For more information on the contest, please check out our website and facebook page, or contact Sue Crothers, suebillgee@comcast.net or Katie Morris, Katie.a.morris@gmail.com.
As part of the Thoughtful Living Series offered through the River Forest Library, come learn the basics of canning and pickling fresh, seasonal vegetables. The class will include 2 recipes. After the demonstration, go on a tour through the WF produce department with class leader Emily Paster. Emily will share tips and tricks for picking out the best produce and what she looks for when she’s creating a new recipe. Saturday, 10/20, 10 AM- 12 PM Held at Whole Foods Market River Forest (7245 Lake Street). Registration is required- call 708.366.1045 to sign up.
Submitted by Peggy McGrath
September marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Rachel Carson's seminal work Silent Spring. With its publication, Carson drew attention to the negative effects of DDT and other pesticides and is often credited with sparking the modern environmental movement. Join us for a series of 2 film screenings and discussions as we explore the life and legacy of Rachel Carson.
Part I - Wednesday, 9/12, 7pm and Part II - Wednesday, 9/19, 7pm, River Forest Public Library, 735 Lathrop Avenue, 708.366.5205
You are invited to the 2nd Annual Green Living & Learning Tour!
Be inspired by your neighbors and learn new skills!
Join us in a day of discovering the thriving, resilient, sustainable community we have in Oak Park and River Forest!! Seize this opportunity to learn about sustainable living right in your community by touring green sites, asking questions and participating in workshops that will give you the skills to do it yourself! Bring your whole family and end the day at the community pot-luck filled with music, games, more fun learning opportunities and camaraderie. Click here for more details.
The ' Green Living & Learning Tour is a great opportunity to:
The Green Living & Learning Tour will be focused on 4 priority topic areas of OP/RF’s Sustainability Plan (PlanItGreen) which are highlighted in the tour visits and in “how to” skill-building opportunities: (Topic area samples appear below. Details and registration will be available on at www.greencommunityconnections.org by Aug 27th.)
Energy: We are moving toward renewable sources of energy for heating, cooling and transportation, and we use energy efficiently in our homes and buildings!
Waste Reduction: In nature there is no waste and there is no "away" -- so we reduce, reuse, and recycle everything! We are moving towards "zero waste!"
Water: We value our water as an essential resource that supports life, so we conserve it, we support the natural water cycle and we keep toxic substances out of our water supply.
Food: We are transitioning to a food system in which our food is produced locally & ethically; and we work to provide and promote local, healthy food available year round.
Share your ideas, volunteer, participate!
Planning is underway now, and passionate, talented volunteers are needed for the planning committee and on the actual day of the event. You may also know someone that is doing great things in your neighborhood that you think others would like to see. Please let us know by emailing sallystovall@gmail.com.