Posts filed under 'Green events'
November 12th, 2009
While the hard freeze may have wiped out a lot of veggies, the activities of the Local Foods Work Group continue apace. In October I went to the national conference of the Community Food Security Coalition in Des Moines with Margaret Larson, director of our county’s Extension office. Over 600 people attended, all with an interest in local foods, but from so many different angles, including food policy, agriculture policy, just treatment of farm workers, academics, nutritionists, economists, farmers, food pantries, farm-to-cafeteria programs, and neighborhood revitalization. One highlight was the speech by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, about exciting changes that are afoot at the U.S.D.A. We returned to Rockford with our heads full of ideas for new projects that we’ll start to tackle over the winter.On December 10, 2009, our group will host a showing of the movie Fresh as part of Terra Madre Day. First, the movie: it’s a new documentary that celebrates farmers, consumers, and business people nationwide who are reimagining and transforming our country’s food system. “Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.” (www.FreshTheMovie.com) It’s been shown in Chicago and Madison, as well as at numerous film festivals, and now it will finally be coming to our area. For details on the showing, check the Extension’s website at web.extension.uiuc.edu/winnebago.Terra Madre Day is being organized by Slow Food International to promote access to good, clean, and fair food; agricultural biodiversity; small-scale food production; environmentally responsible food production; and fair and sustainable trade. Groups around the world will be hosting events including communal meals, excursions to producers, and film and cultural events. While we’ll enjoy the movie in our own community, we’ll also be part of something much larger. Think globally, act locally, as they say.In response to a desire in the community to learn more about local foods, our Local Foods Work Group will host a symposium on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Rockford. The keynote speaker will be Terra Brockman, founder of The Land Connection (a group that promotes community-based food systems in the Midwest) and author of a new book, The Seasons on Henry’s Farm. Several breakout sessions will also be offered. Things are still in the planning stages, but mark your calendar and check the Extension’s website for updates.Speaking of updates, winter is also the time when we review the northern Illinois local foods directory to be sure that all the information is current. If you or a local producer you know would like to be included, contact the Extension office or visit the website. There is no charge to be listed, as the aim is to support local growers and producers, as well as to help folks find local sources for a wide variety of foods. Whether you’re looking for veggies, fruit, meat, eggs, honey, maple syrup, or grains, you won’t have to go far for local goodness.
November 2nd, 2009
I wrote briefly about this earlier, but a reminder: No Idle Zone and the Rockford IceHogs are planning a “Going Green Night” on Nov. 20, with a special game. One-of-a-kind green jerseys willl be raffled off for charity, and an expo will feature local businesses and Winnebago County initiatives (NIZ is moving from a citywide effort to countywide).
October 15th, 2009
Rockford College will be selling “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” reusable water bottles the week of Oct. 19 in the Burpee Center.
The cost is $5; you can get one for $3 if you donate a canned good or sweatshirt.
Proceeds will help the college’s Arbor Day project and St. Vincent’s Church in Byron, which is holding a fundraiser to help the homeless.
October 15th, 2009
Earlier (here, here and here), I wrote about the Oct. 23 Green Ball at Cliffbreakers.
If you want to see what the Tesla Roadster (part of the green car show there) will look like, see above.
Green Ball Chairman Phillipe Forcioli said in a news release: “This Rockford event is one among several that Tesla is participating in Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Chicago, London, Monaco and Munich.”
Again the event coasts $24 per person. Call 815-282-3033.
October 8th, 2009
I’ve written about the fundraiser here and here.
I got another e-mail update from Philippe:
– The green cars involved? They are from Tesla, Honda and Ford.
– Mayor Larry Morrissey has agreed to attend, and Paul Logli will be the emcee.
October 7th, 2009
Actress Jessica Biel will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in January to raise awareness of the fact that 1 billion people worldwide lack access to clean, safe drinking water.
Summit on the Summit, organized by singer Kenna, says every 15 seconds, a chid dies of a waterborne illness. The mountain is the highest point in Africa. You can donate by clicking on the Summit link.
October 6th, 2009
I wrote this week about the new Green Ball fundraiser.
Today, I had the chance to catch up with Philippe Forcioli, executive chef at Cliffbreakers. As you now know, he is running in the New York City marathon to support the Green Communities Coalition.
Forcioli, a runner since 1986, said he’s raised more than $1,000 in pledges and hopes to end with triple that amount. “I wanted to donate my run to an organization. It’s a pretty important topic to me.”
He says the money will go toward the Cool City initiative to help put programs into place to monitor the effects of the city’s green efforts.
“I don’t think we can do enough events to support this cause. The more we talk about it, the more we can do something about it.”
How does a chef squeeze training into his schedule? Forcioli usually runs in the afternoons, between lunch and dinner, five days a week, at least seven miles and sometimes up to 15. “The nice thing is, I’m right here on the bike path.”
October 5th, 2009
Another color: The Green Ball, a “Sustainable Social Event,” will be at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Cliffbreakers in Rockford.
The evening will include a local-foods dinner, cash bar featuring organic beers and wines, music, a green car show and a “bon voyage” toast to chef Philippe Forcioli, who is running in the New York City Marathon Nov. 1 to raise money for the Green Communities Coalition, which supports Rockford’s Cool Cities initiative.
His photo, below, is a few years old. His hair looks shorter now. I had no idea he has run 22 marathons. UPDATED: I’ve put a message in with him to see if I can get a quote; I know he’s soliciting per-mile pledges.
Cost is $24 per person or $180 for a table of 8. Attire is “casual-chic.” Call 815-282-3033.
What does the Cool Cities thing mean again?
Mayor Larry Morrissey signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement in June 2008, pledging to reduce global warming pollution 7 percent less than 1990 levels by the year 2012.
August 27th, 2009
From Fraiche Cafe’s calendar of events, a few that caught my “green” eye:
Natures’ 911: Using nature’s first aid kit for life’s little emergencies. 10 a.m. Sept. 5
Food Preservation Class: Making sausage, veggie chips and pemmican. $15. 10 a.m. Sept. 19
Cheese and Yogurt Making Class: $15. 10 a.m. Oct. 17
The cafe is at 105 Benton St., Winnebago; 815-335-1064
August 26th, 2009
You’ve heard of Master Gardeners, but how about Master Composters?
The University of Illinois Extension is kicking off a new program Sept. 12 that includes 15 hours of instruction to learn the science and art of composting. According to the U of I’s Margaret Larson:
“One of the more interesting features of the program will be the construction of a worm composting bin. At the completion of the program, we will work with participants to develop volunteer service projects with parks, area gardens and other facilities in order that they can provide education to the public regarding the many benefits of composting.” Twenty service hours in a year, to be exact.
The Extension is also bringing the success of the Master Naturalist Program to Winnebago County; the program educates people of all ages about local natural history, ecosystems and environmental issues. The fall session will begin Sept. 24.
For more information, click the link above or call 815-986-4357.
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