Most extreme giveaway

Add comment April 23rd, 2009

For Round 4, the last week of the Earth Month giveaways, I’ve chosen an odd set.

You can win “Sneaky Green Uses for Everyday Things” by Cy Tymony, which is pretty self-explanatory, and the “Most Extreme Elimination Challenge, Vol. 4 and 5″ DVD set.

The “Sneaky Green” book reminds me of the “Worst Case Scenario” survival handbooks and ReadyMade magazine, which both show how you can do stuff, though the former is more humorous and the latter is more practical.

So I have my own combo. The book is inventive. The DVD is goofy. If you’ve never watched “MXC,”this is how Spike channel describes it:

This critically acclaimed comedic series is a combination of Fear Factor, Jackass and Iron Chef, with a touch of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Using the actual footage from one of the most popular primetime Japanese reality game shows, Takeshi’s Castle, the new series is re-written to create an entirely new comedic storyline. The series is not dubbed and there is not a single trace of literal translation from the original show.

I will draw one winner at random. Email me at jpollock@rrstar.com by noon Friday, May 1. I need your name, daytime phone number and city of residence in your note.

Help with the community garden for the homeless

Add comment April 23rd, 2009

Choices Natural Market is partnering with the Rockford Rescue Mission to plant a community garden to feed the homeless.

Karen King from the store wrote that she hopes to inspire community spirit and teach those served by the mission how to grow their own food, fostering a greater sense of self-sufficiency.

The location is behind the Waffle House plaza at Riverside and Mulford — 3 acres donated by Kurt Carlson.

The project needs shovels, hand trowels, a wheelbarrow, hoes, rakes, hoses, fencing, wood for raised beds, plants, seeds and labor.

If you can help, call Karen at 815-282-1861 or karen@choicesnaturalmarket.com.

If you don’t want to help in this manner, then also consider teaching a cooking class at the mission so folks can put the good food to good use. Contact Ron Gilchrist at 815-965-5332 or rongilchrist@rockfordrescuemission.org.