April 30, 2006
Continuing Education Opportunity
The Bloomingdale Trail, the city's newest nature walk in Logan Square will be the topic of the May 4 meeting of the Wild Flower Preservation Society, 1:15 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center, 2045 N. Lincoln Park West.
Paul Smith,the director of Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail will talk about the trail which runs from Ridgeway (3800N) to Ashland (1600W) at Bloomingdale (1800N) along the Chicago, Milwaukee, Southern Pacific railroad right-of-way. The trail is a joint project of Friends of the Parks and the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and is an example of the national program of Rails to Trails that promotes nature trails along old railroad right-of-ways.
Guests are welcome and there is no charge. The 94-year-old Wild Flower Preservation Society meets before the program for a Dutch-treat lunch at the Original Pancake House, 2020 N. Lincoln Park West and guests are welcome to join us and the speaker. Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail will sponsor a walk along the trail on Saturday, June 24 and all are welcome to attend that also.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:54 PM | Permalink |
April 30, 2006
American Community Gardening Association Conference
The 27th Annual American Community Gardening Association Conference at the University of California in Los Angeles on August 10-13 brings together hundreds of individuals from across the United States, Canada, and abroad, who are engaged in all aspects of gardening and greening. The conference includes hands-on workshops, keynote speakers, a film festival, and visits to parks, school gardens, community gardens, and other green spaces in the Los Angeles area. Workshops will be grouped by the following themes: youth, public policy, food security, growing your organization, horticulture and design and horticulture therapy. Tours will be available to youth/school gardens, communal gardens, political 101 gardens, art and pocket gardens, inner-city community gardens, conservation/gardens and society and historical gardens.
Conference registration will be available after May 1. Early registration (until June 30) will be $200. Air conditioned accommodations at UCLA's Sunset Village have private baths, cable television, telephones, internet access, and daily maid service. The cost will be $115 for a single and $70/person for a double, including breakfast
For conference registration information, go to the following website:
http://www.communitygarden.org/index.php
Posted by Ron Wolford at 11:34 AM | Permalink |
April 30, 2006
National Children & Youth Garden Symposium
The 2006 American Horticultural Society's National Children and Youth Garden Symposium will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, July 27-29, 2006. The theme for the 14th annual symposium is "Cultivating a Sense of Place: A Youth Gardening Adventure. The Missouri Botanical Garden is the host for the symposium. Headquarters for the symposium will be the campus of Washington University. On-campus dormitory-style housing will be available for participants and a special symposium rate will be available at the nearby Knight Center.
The symposium offers an impressive lineup of speakers, inspirational garden explorations, and many opportunities for informal networking. If you want to learn more about creating or enhancing educational programs for children and youth in schools, community programs, or at home, the AHS National Children & Youth Garden Symposium is for you!
In addition, a pre-symposium workshop on Wednesday, July 26 will explore the hot topic of "Kids Growing Food," investigating entrepreneurial ventures, along with nutrition and activities to engage children and youth with growing food. An optional post-symposium excursion on Saturday afternoon will take you to the top of the St. Louis Arch to catch a stunning view of the landscape, followed by a wonderful dinner
For registration information go to the following website: http://www.ahs.org/youth_gardening/national_youth_garden_symposium.htm
Posted by Ron Wolford at 6:30 AM | Permalink |
April 29, 2006
Job Opening at Pesche's Garden Center
The position is outside sales which entails working outside answering customer questions; stocking plants and making sure tableslook good for customers. Be advised, in this position you are on your feet for your entire shift and you will be outin all kinds of weather. The contact for anyone interested is Mary Ellen Murphy at (847)815-3937 or you can e-mail her at maryepesches@yahoo.com. Contacting her by phone will probably get a more timely response.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:29 PM | Permalink |
April 26, 2006
Master Gardeners at Eli Cheesecake Farmer's Market
Master Gardeners, Master Composters and Master Food Preservers are needed on the following dates from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. to man an Ask a Master Gardener, Composter, Food Preserver informational table with seasonal handouts. The dates are June 22, July13, July 27, August 3, August 24, September 14 and October 12. Eli's will provide a table, chairs and a free lunch
The market is located at Eli's Cheesecake Company at 6701 West Forest Preserve Drive. To get to Eli's go west on Montrose (Montrose becomes Forest Preserve drive at Normandy) to Normandy which is two stop lights west of Narragansett. Turn left on Normandy. Eli's is the first building on the right.
To volunteer please call Nancy at 773-233-0476 or email Ron at rwolford@uiuc.edu.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 8:41 PM | Permalink |
April 26, 2006
Chicago Green City Market Manager Job
Chicago's Green City Market, the only sustainable Farmers' Market in Chicago that supports farmers who take care of the land in their agricultural practices, is looking for a part-time Market Manager to oversee operations at our Lincoln Park farmers' market every Wednesday and Saturday, May through December. Specifically, we are looking for a highly organized, committed person with excellent communication skills and some supervisory/management experience to perform the following duties:
1)Set-up and break-down each Market day, including overseeing vendor parking and set up;
2)Communicate with farmers, volunteers, chefs, and the public (in person, by phone and in writing);
3) Monitor quality and farmer compliance with Market standards and rules;
4) Troubleshoot and problem-solve as applicable;
5) Keep inventory of equipment and supplies and make purchases as necessary;
6) Keep detailed log and records of daily Market operations and report them to Market office.
7) Help organize and operate Winter Market in November and December.
Chicago's Green City Market is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports local farmers who take care of the land by providing a bustling marketplace for their locally raised, sustainable and certified organic products in the metropolitan Chicago area. The Market is driven by a serious mission: to improve the availability of a diverse range of high quality foods; to connect local producers and farmers to chefs, restaurateurs, food organizations and the public; and to support small family farms and to promote a healthier society through education and appreciation for local, fresh, sustainably raised produce and products.
For more information about the organization, please visit our web site at www.chicagogreencitymarket.org.
Forward resumes/inquiries to:
Carolyn E. Zezima
Administrative Director
Chicago's Green City Market
820 Davis Street, Suite 134
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: (847) 424-2486
Fax: (847)866-1808
Email: admin@chicagogreencitymarket
Posted by Ron Wolford at 4:08 PM | Permalink |
April 26, 2006
Soil and Compost Sources
Cubic Yard Needs Calculation: Measure Length x Width x Height (in feet) divided by 27 = amount of cubic yards needed. All prices are per cubic yard.
NOTE: You must keep all measurements the same e.g. in feet (inches must be converted into fractions of a foot).
The Resource Center Provides compost, manure, top soil, mixed soil, bricks and rocks.
222 E. 135th Place Compost $30
Chicago, IL 60627 Soil $20
773.821.1351/fax: 773.821.7462 Compost/soil mix $25
www.resourcecenterchicago.orgDelivery fee $45-$75, dependent upon distance
Lake Street Supply Co. Leaf or Mushroom Compost $ 26
1810 W Lake Street Garden Mix Soil $ 34
Chicago, IL 60612 Delivery fee $60
312-226-0760
Noble Horse Provides free organic manure for pick-up.
1410 N. Orleans Delivery only by the trailer (usually 20 cy).
Chicago, IL 60610 Call for information
312.266.7878/fax: 312.266.2124
Earth Inc. Provides topsoil, construction sand, crushed stone.
1100 N. Ellis Top Soil $149.16 per 5cy to West side of City
Bensonville, IL 60106 Top soil $216 for 20cy to West side of City
630.860.7711 Delivery fee included in price
Call for prices on your estimate of how much soil/crushed stone you need - delivery is in 2-3 days. COD only.
EZ Tree Recycling Shredded Mulch $11
7050 S Dorchester Avenue Playground Woodchips $16
Chicago, IL 60637 Delivery fee: $50-90
(773) 493-8600
(If you are from a tax-exempt institution, please say so when you call!)
Land and Lakes Community groups only:
Wheeling, Willow Ranch, Chicago facilities Will deliver bulk loads (25-30 yards) for free.
River Bend Prairie Landfill Call Phil Donegan at 708-955-0458
1220 East 138th Street
Chicago, IL 60827 Pickup Prices for Compost: $12 per yard
Phone: 773-264-8508
Posted by Ron Wolford at 2:13 PM | Permalink |
April 26, 2006
Free Compost and Wood Chips
I received an email yesterday from Jamie Zaplatosch, Education Projects Coordinator for Openlands with some great news for Chicago greening advocates. Land and Lakes is a company specializing in environmental and construction services and is offering free compost and wood chips for school and community greening projects
At the end of May, Land and Lakes is expanding to 122nd and Stoney Island as a large-scale composter and receiver of yard waste. They will be able to deliver (free of charge) their compost or wood chips in BULK deliveries (by semi-truck) in quantities of 25 - 30 cubic yards to community or school greening sites. They will not deliver smaller amounts, but compost can be picked up for $12.00 per yard.
The contact at Land & Lakes is Phil Donegan at 708-955-0458, if you are interested. Remember they will only deliver large quantities of at least 25-30 cubic yards
Posted by Ron Wolford at 1:43 PM | Permalink |
April 26, 2006
Volunteer for "Garden in the City" Event
Happy Spring Master Gardeners!
Garden in a City, America's first garden and landscape design show focusing on urban horticulture and the greening of urban communities will debut in Chicago's Grant Park, May 13-May 21. (Check out the website www.chicagoparkdistrict.comand click on Garden in a City)
As part of the Chicago Greening Network, (www.greennetchicago.org) Master Gardeners are going to staff the Greening Networkdisplay. The display's focus will be Community Gardens around the city and the steps/resources needed to set one up! Master Gardeners are going to staff the Greening Networkdisplay. The display's focus will be Community Gardens around the city and the steps/resources needed to set one up!
Although the show will be open everyday from 10:00 a.m. until 8 p.m., we think we will be well covered with Master Gardeners being present in two shifts:
AM Shift: 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
PM Shift: 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
We will work in teams of two.
This show looks like it will have lots of wonderful information; practical, "hands in the dirt" information about urban, small space, and roof gardening!
So, you could get some Volunteer hours -- and learn some good stuff!
The show will be downtown in the Grant Park Band Shell area -- directly south of Millennium park with easy assess to public transportation.
Want to help? Contact Bob Haisman (Yeah,that guy again!) at the email below-- tell him, Date (May 13 to 20) and what shift AM (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or PM (2 p.m.to 6 p.m.). Include Email and telephone number.
Thanks,I look forward to working with you again.
Bob Haisman: gardenoprf@sbcglobal.net 708-997-1993
Posted by Ron Wolford at 1:28 PM | Permalink |
April 26, 2006
HGTV's Gardening by the Yard Show Needs Gardeners
The following is an appeal for Chicagoland gardeners to appear on HGTV.
Got a gardening problem?
Want to maximize your garden's potential? Feel like your green thumb has turned a bit brown?
Maybe we can help! We're looking for young, fun, articulate and energetic homeowners to appear as guests on HGTV's Gardening by the Yard with Paul James. We'll send Paul to your home to get down and dirty and help you get to the root and fix your gardening problems. Please note that this is not a landscape makeover show, rather a show that deals with specific gardening problems or questions Paul can lend his expertise too.
If interested, please e-mail lsteele@sfpseattle.com with a description of you, your gardening dilemma and contact information. Digital photos of you and your garden are required for consideration.
Lauren Steele
Screaming Flea Productions
5950 6th Ave. South, Suite 109
Seattle, WA 98108
Contact Phone: 206-763-3383 x228
Posted by Ron Wolford at 9:54 AM | Permalink |
April 26, 2006
Volunteer for Da Vinci Days Event
On May 6; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m and on May 7; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Museum of Science and Industry's front lawn will be buzzing with activity in honor of its first Da Vinci Days celebration. Da Vinci Days is inspired by the genius of the Renaissance inventor and celebrates innovation and the integration of art, science and technology. The free event will feature interactive activities, science demonstrations and hands-on fun for kids and families.
The University of Illinois Extension is going to be a part of Da Vinci Days at the Museum of Science and Industry. We will have a 20 X 10 tent with tables and chairs. We will need 6-8 MGS on Saturday, May 6 from 9am to 3:30pm and Sunday, May 7 from 10am to 3:30pm. to help with the following:
Take Home a Plant- kids will pot up a plant to take home.
Make a Butterfly or Bug- kids will make a insect hat or butterfly with flapping wings.
Worm Composting- kids will get to observe worms in their bins, plus look at worms through microscopes.
Insect Petting Zoo and possibly Cockroach Races- will have tarantula, giant millipedes and Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches.
Earthbox Display -will have planted earthboxes with info about Growing Connection program.
Please call Ron or Nancy to volunteer at 773-233-0476 or email Ron at rwolford@uiuc.edu.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 4:27 AM | Permalink |
