Rob Holmes (Founder/Pres. GLP)/2012/5 min
Fairtrade Africa - Short Version from Green Living Project on Vimeo.
AWARDS: Produced by award-winning media company Green Planet Films.
You are invited to participate a book discussion on the book by Bill McKibben titled, Deep Economy, the Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future, Tuesday, Nov 13, 7-9 p.m., at 910 N. Hayes in Oak Park. Mckibben asks questions and explores topics such as . . .
--What do we have to show for all the economic “growth” of the past several decades?
--The false “efficiency” of our industrial agricultural system.
--Hyper-individualism, our public institutions, and Adam Smith
--Public airwaves, energy, transportation, and housing
--More vs. Better
Sustainability in Your Congregation - Resources and Support for SuccessInterested in helping your congregation develop and continue sustainable practices? This meeting, focused on sharing among congregations and introducing community resources, will help you, whether you are just getting started or moving an established program to new activities.
Learn from other congregations about their initiatives, including implementation, impact, successes, and barriers. Seven local congregations - Grace Lutheran Church, First United Church, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, St. Giles Family Mass, Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, and Unity Temple – will each present a specific initiative, ranging from recycling and gardening activities, to energy audits and energy policy advocacy, to education for the congregation and community.
Local organizations which support green initiatives will also make brief presentations, then be available for more in-depth discussion and material distribution. Agencies to be represented include Green Community Connections, Faith in Place, Seven Generations Ahead, Energy Impact Illinois, Sugar Beet Food Cooperative and Citizens Climate Lobby.
Join us for an evening of learning and sharing. You’ll come away with new contacts, new resources, and new ideas. To register, please contact Linda Martens (rlcjm@aol.com).
September 11, 2012, 7:00-9:00 m, Oak Park Public Library, Sponsored by Interfaith Green Network
The Sugar Beet and Green Home Experts present: "Voluntary Simplicity" Join The Sugar Beet on Monday, July 16 at Green Home Experts as we learn about living more simply from expert Krista Meeks. Part of our mission as The Sugar Beet Cooperative is bringing our community together around ideas that encourage us to live more joyfully and sustainably. Our first class in partnership with Green Home Experts will help us explore the concept of Voluntary Simplicity.
What is Voluntary Simplicity? Voluntary simplicity may conjure up images of people quitting their jobs, moving back to the land, growing their own food, making their own clothes, and doing without most of the products of modern technology. Well, that may work for some people, but voluntary simplicity has come a long way since those early expressions of it.
These days, Voluntary Siimplicity is less about doing without certain things, and more about having just enough. It's about living a full life by intentionally designing your life so that you don't have to sacrifice anything important or waste your time, energy or material resources on things you don't really need or cherish. It's also about integrating basic ethical concerns such as fair distribution of labor and resources and the well-being of the natural world into your personal choices. Choosing to eat locally and sustainably certainly fits into this way of life!
Join Oak Park resident, Krista Johnsen Mikos, a professional life-coach and Voluntary Simplicity devotee, for a seminar where you will learn practical information as well as receive helpful tools for your personal Voluntary Simplicity toolbox. There will even have a goal setting exercise, so you will come away with a clear path to lead you on your simplicity journey.
Monday, July 16th 6:30 pm refreshments served, 7-8 pm seminar Green Home Experts, 811 South Boulevard Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 660-1443 $10 per person - Tickets can be purchased at: Green Home Experts or (soon) at The Sugar Beet Cooperative website www.sugarbeetcoop.com
What kind of lock should I get? Depends where you park and for how long. No lock is perfect. “U” locks are effective and convenient. Add a cable to secure the wheels in high-risk areas.
How can I pick a safe and simple route? Consult the Oak Park Bicycle Plan on the Village website. Ask one of us for advice.
What can I do to be safe? Try to be as visible as possible (lights, bright-colored clothing, white helmet), but pretend you are invisible. Never trust a car. Avoid car doors! Avoid busy, fast roads. There are many quiet side streets in Oak Park that will take you nearly anywhere you want to go. Use hand signals so that drivers know your intentions.
Is the old bike in my garage adequate? Maybe. Pump up the tires and take it for a ride around the block. Check the brakes and the gear shifters. If in doubt, take it in for a tune-up ($80).
Local bike shops:
| South: Dan's 6715 Roosevelt, Berwyn 708-484-5000 | |
| Central: Bike Fix 310 Lake St, Oak Park 708-445-8760 | |
| Central: Element Cyclesport 1101 Chicago Avenue 708-948-7579 | |
| North: Barnard's 6109 W North Ave, Oak Park 708-524-2660 |
| CTA trains: Bicycles are permitted on the 'L' (CTA trains) every weekday except from 7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm (with certain exceptions where crowding is anticipated). On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (except when prohibited), bicycles are allowed on trains all day. No extra charge. | |
| CTA buses: All CTA buses are equipped with bike racks. No extra charge. | |
| Metra trains: Metra permits bicycles on all weekday trains arriving in Chicago after 9:30 A.M. and leaving Chicago before 3:00 P.M. and after 7:00 P.M., and on all weekend trains except for Taste of Chicago, Lollapalooza, and the Air & Water Show. No extra charge. | |
| Book: Urban Bikers' Tricks and Tips, by Dave Glowacz | |
