What is your score?

1 comment April 24th, 2009

Are you tired of feeling how bad you are when it comes to the environment?

Well, apparently that’s what happens with most “how green are you?” quizzes. GoGreenScore.org says it promotes a positive outlook as you take stock and see what changes you might make in your life.

My GoGreenScore is

35

Now you can take the GoGreenScore challenge.

Chefs, farmers forge partnerships

Add comment April 24th, 2009

Winnebago County Extension and the Local Foods Working Group had sensed an interest among area farmers and producers in selling their goods to area restaurants, as well as an interest among locally-owned restaurants in serving more local foods. And so it was at the end of March that close to 30 producers, chefs, restaurant owners, and local food advocates gathered at Octane Interlounge to learn about this process and lay the foundation for future collaborations. The diverse group included representatives from nearly all of the area’s top restaurants, many organic and sustainable farms, and Angelic Organics Learning Center.

David Cleverdon shared insights he’s gleaned in the 15 years since he started Kinninnick Farm, which sells to many of Chicago’s top restaurants. The bottom line: the best partnership brings together a chef that is as passionate about cooking as the farmer is about growing a superior product.

Tom Eickman, of Eickman’s Processing, brought the perspective of a custom processor who typically acts as a middleman between the producer and consumers, explaining how it works to buy meat directly from a farmer. A major upside of this is that the chef can get to know the producer personally, as well as what kind of agricultural practices the producer employs.

In October 2008, Kiki B’s hosted our area’s first-ever Local Foods event in conjunction with Extension. Kiki Benson, the owner, has noticed a positive change in the community’s knowledge about, and appreciation for, local and organic foods, and she looks forward to serving more such food at Kiki B’s.

The farmers and chefs at this mixer went on to have a dynamic exchange about how the two groups can work together in the future. A good first step was taken by each side’s simply learning how the other does business. Would farmers deliver to restaurants? (a resounding yes!) How many rib eye steaks can you get from a single cow? (only 25 pounds or so) How many pounds of various veggies are purchased by a restaurant each week? (this information will be shared with farmers on an anonymous basis)

All in attendance agreed that public awareness of local foods needs to continue to be increased. Although things have been changing for the better in our area, there is still a ways to go. Hopefully this blog can make a contribution in that regard. If you’d like to see more local foods on the menu at your favorite restaurant, don’t be afraid to let them know.

I recently attended a food policy summit in Chicago, where Rick Bayless (of Frontera Grill fame) stated the only reason he started serving local foods in the 1990’s was because he wanted to distinguish himself from the competition. He still serves local foods, but for many other reasons, too. Just as he has evolved, his customers now have an increased desire to consume local food. Here’s hoping this process can take place right here in our own community!

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.

A green school right here in the Rock River Valley

1 comment April 22nd, 2009

Next month, construction of the new Willowbrook Middle School in the Prairie Hill School District should be completed, to open for the 2009-10 school year in a few months.

The $14 million project is LEED-certified, meeting environmentally sound and sustainable standards. What’s so green about the school? Carpeting made from recycled fibers, geothermal heating/cooling, light sensors

Prairie Hill Superintendent Ted Rehl said the district has sent a firm message to students and residents about the importance of green building through its 80,000-square-foot school. “It’s not just students, it’s the whole community that is being educated to be good stewards of where they live, their environment and to practice conservative living,” Rehl said.

The school’s green features include carpeting made of recycled fibers, geothermal heating and cooling, sophisticated lighting sensors to conserve power, and energy-efficient lighting.

See a virtual tour of sketches in this video:

How is Rockford going green?

Add comment April 22nd, 2009

The city is doing a number of things. …

Be one in a million

Add comment April 21st, 2009

Sure, I’m giving away green bags, but what’s the Big Green Purse?

It’s not REALLY a purse, though I know someone with a real green purse.

Jan Herbert passed along this Web site to me.

At Big Green Purse, we believe that the fastest, easiest, most direct route to a clean and healthy environment is to shift our spending to environmentally safe, socially responsible products and services.

The site aggregates and vets green products for women, who spend 85 cents of every dollar in the marketplace, according to their people. The backers are encouraging 1 million women to shift at least $1,000 of money they already spend toward greener purchases for a $1 billion impact.

What does the weather guy say?

Add comment April 20th, 2009

WREX-13 meteorologist Eric Sorensen has told me before that the issue of global warming has been a debate in the weather forecasters’ community.

Last weekend, Eric attended a national forum on the subject in Chicago. He wrote on his weather blog, but here’s a sample:

Consider this: Most people in our society are quite knowledgeable in the day to day Hollywood gossip but lack daily information on science. It’s not the fault of anyone. However local news, and more importantly local weather, is the #1 source of science information for everyone. It’s for this reason solely that we are starting the 13Climate Authority.

Many TV meteorologists squabble when it comes to whether they want to be the “station scientist.” For many this is a valid point. When there’s an earthquake why does CNN turn to meteorologists for insight? … They aren’t the experts on the subject. They use the information they know to broadcast it. The same holds true for us here at WREX. We’re not experts in climatology. That’s why we’re not doing the research! We are going to publish and air the research that scientists all across the globe come up with.

They can’t win if you don’t nominate them

Add comment April 20th, 2009

The deadline for submissions for the second annual Winnebago County Green Business Awards is May 1.

So you have two weeks to turn in your forms, found at the bottom of this site, www.winncogreenbiz.org.

Categories for 2009 are:

– Large business

– Small to medium business

– Large agency

– Small to medium agency

– Best government agency/policy (new this year)

– Best green building (new this year)

The awards will be presented by Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey and Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen at an expo and reception from 4:30 to 7 p.m. May 21 at the Webbs Norman Center, headquarters of the Rockford Park District, 401 S. Main St. The event will be free and open to the public.

Any business or organization that is implementing environmentally friendly practices, strategies or technologies is encouraged to submit a nomination. Any green practice is worthy of consideration.

Last year’s winners were Choices Natural Market, J.L. Clark, Zion Development Corp. and Freedom Field Renewable Energy Project.

What’s going on?

Add comment April 20th, 2009

With Earth Day coming up, predictably there have been a lot of “green” headlines…

– Rockford will host the 2010 Bioenergy Days conference, which will attract folks from around the world.

– The “green jobs” effort in this area is pretty “green” itself.

– This week, green events include…

1. “Going Green… for Dummies,” the first session in the For Dummies Series for IGNITE, the Rockford chamber’s young professionals group. Mary Cacioppi of Walter Wayne Development will ask, “Is your business catching the green wave?” The cost is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. It is at 5:30 Wednesday at the YWCA, 4990 E. State St., Rockford. Call 815-316-4335.

2.  A free Green Expo will be at Rockford College from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Burpee Center Regents Hall. The event is to showcase vendors who use or promote “green” techniques in their businesses.

Among the vendors expected are The Morrissey Family Businesses, promoting the new “No Idle” initiative; Cintas, for document shredding; Amazing Foam Insulation; Computer Repair; Village at Boulder Creek; Solarcone, Inc.; Oregon Soap Shoppe; and Shelter Box USA, featuring a tent with supplies that can accommodate 10 people for six months during disasters.

Side note: When I went to Woodman’s in a rare move, I bought four reusable grocery bags. The clerk said the store has been selling a bunch of them over the weekend. Good to hear. Maybe it was the deal (4 for $3). Or maybe it was pre-Earth Day guilt.