MSI Smart Home Garden Docent Training

Hello MSI Master Gardeners,

We would like to extend an invitation to all of you who will be docents during the MSI - Smart Home Garden venture. This training will focus on the docent position. You will be given a guideline/script handout and we will have a role play session during this training. Please consider attending in order to get a step ahead as a docent.

When: Wednesday, April 9 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Where: Chicago High School for Ag. Sciences (CHAS) - 3857 W. 111th St., Chicago 60655

Room: Music Demonstration Room

Contact Person: Nancy Kreith, cell 708-567-6101

Please reply to this email if you plan on attending.

Every docent will receive the handout whether they can attend this training or not. We will also take the time to briefly train you during your first docent shifts in May and June and on initial planting days.

FYI: All of the plants will be labeled for your reference.

Thank you.

Nancy Kreith

Extension Program Coordinator

University of Illinois Extension

3807 W. 111th Street

Chicago, IL. 60655

office: 773.233.0476

fax: 773.233.0910

cell: 708.567.6101

url: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/

Posted by Nancy Kreith at 3:05 PM | Permalink |

Michelle Kaufmann's Weekly Green Tips

Smart Home designer, Michelle Kaufmann offers weekly green tips. Michelle has designed the Smart Home: Green and Wired that will open on May 8, 2008 at the Museum of Science and Industry.

For more information >>>

Comments

Posted by Nancy Kreith at 12:46 AM | Permalink |

Smart Home Set at MSI

The Smart Home was set at the Museum of Science and Industry on March 5. Watch the setting on this video.

We are planning to start planting the vegetable garden on April 22.

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Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:18 AM | Permalink |

Smart Home Veggie Garden Team Meeting

The University of Illinois Extension Smart Home Sustainable Vegetable Garden team met today at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences.

Susan Grupp, Extension Educator, Environmental Sciences, Nancy Pollard, Cook County Horticulture Educator, Nancy Kreith, Cook County Horticulture Program Coordinator, Ron Wolford, Cook County Horticulture Educator and Greg Pierceall, Landscape architect and director of the University of Illinois horticulture degree completion program make up the team.

The team discussed plans for the upcoming planting and media day at the garden on April 22, our education message for the Smart Home tour booklet and Master Gardener training: our education message and talking points.

Comments

Posted by Ron Wolford at 11:53 PM | Permalink |

Smart Home Veggie Garden Planting Day

Congratulations! You all responded in time to be a part of the MSI Initial Planting Day on Tuesday, April 22 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please plan on bringing a lunch. We will provide water, gloves and tools. If you have special tools you would like to use please feel free to bring them. We will break a half-hour for lunch. There is a Subway near by and the Museum Food Court as well.

This day will be a media day for the Smart Home exhibit. If possible, please wear any Master Gardener apparel that you may have. The names listed below are the Master Gardeners who will be present that day. If you were scheduled to come to the Museum on a day before April 22 please consider those dates CANCELLED! We will not start the garden until April 22.

Chris Meier

Kitty Giblin

Susan Davenport

Arielle Corbett

Louisea Story

Tom Janik

Denise Smith

Ellen Caffrey-Garza

Margaret Moore

Sue Rancak

Marilyn Klein

Karen McCray

Martha Bresnahan

Dot Kluzek

John Sweeney

Marjorie Simmerling

Sue Gasper

Rebecca Lian

Joan Jones

Thanks again for working this day into your schedule.

Comments

Nancy Kreith

Extension Program Coordinator

University of Illinois Extension

3807 W. 111th Street

Chicago, IL. 60655

office: 773.233.0476

fax: 773.233.0910

Posted by Nancy Kreith at 4:51 AM | Permalink |

Smart Home Volunteer Sessions at MSI

Dear Master Gardeners,

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Smart Home: Green and Wired exhibition. Due to the amazing number of applicants I have decided to hold three new volunteer orientations. These orientations will be designed specifically for Master Gardeners. The March 8th session is no longer available. You will need to attend an orientation before beginning your volunteer service. The three new session dates include:

Thursday, March 13 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 22 from 10:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Monday, March 24 from 10:00 – 2:30 p.m.

At orientation you will learn about the volunteer program, the mission of the Museum and take a tour of the facility. We will also cover the specific logistics of the Master Gardener position and address any questions or concerns. Refreshments will be served.

Space to each orientation is limited (approximately 32 people) so please RSVP to one of the above dates as soon as possible. You may RSVP by sending an email (preferred) to matt.porth@msichicago.org or by calling 773.753.1382. Please specify the date of the session you would like to attend. I will notify you if that session is already full. Registration for each session will close at noon two days prior with priority given to those signed up to assist with the initial plantings in April. I cannot accommodate volunteers that do not RSVP.

Please park in the Museum's east parking lot (outside of the Henry Crown Space Center), which has a turnoff on Lake Shore and Science Drive. Please enter the building through the Henry Crown Space Center and let the security officer know you are attending The Smart Home orientation session. I will arrive at 10:00 a.m. to begin the session. If you walk to the Museum or take public transportation (www.transitchicago.com) please walk to the east lot and enter through the Henry Crown Space Center.

All volunteers must submit a completed volunteer application before they can officially start the program. If you have not yet mailed or faxed in yours, please download the attached version and bring it to the orientation you attend.

Cordially,

Matt Porth, Volunteer Programs Manager

Posted by Ron Wolford at 3:43 AM | Permalink |