August 31, 2007
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens Seeks Community Garden Pics
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is producing a book on community gardening, and we need your help! We are seeking interesting, beautiful photos documenting all aspects of community gardening from North American gardens of all sizes and interests. We can pay a small licensing fee for any photos that we select for publication (plus give you copies of the book when it is printed!).
Photos should be high resolution (at least 1200 pixels wide, or color slides). They can illustrate garden projects, the relationship between the garden and its neighbors, or just beautiful moments throughout the season. If people are included in the shot, we will need a simple photo release (so we'll need to know how to reach anyone depicted).
If you have photos that you think we might be interested in, please contact
me at elizabethpeters@bbg.org.
Elizabeth Peters
Director of Publications
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
http://bbg.org
Posted by Ron Wolford at 1:16 PM | Permalink |
August 30, 2007
Logan Square Historic District House and Garden Walk
Logan Square Historic District House and Garden Walk
Saturday, September 8, 2007
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Starting point: 3024 W. Logan Boulevard (at Whipple Street)
Logan Square Preservation announces its twenty-sixth annual "Logan Square Boulevards District" House and Garden Walk on Saturday, September 8, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
In November 2005, the Chicago City Council designated the "Logan Square Boulevards District" as an official Chicago landmark district. Preservation has been a long and arduous task, but one that will forever preserve and protect a major portion of the famous boulevard system of Chicago for future generations to experience and enjoy as we do today. The District consists of the last 2 ΒΌ miles of the northernmost portion of the original 26 mile Chicago Boulevard System and includes over 330 buildings. The District comprises Humboldt Boulevard , Palmer Square , Kedzie Boulevard , the Square with the Illinois Centennial Monument and Logan Boulevard .
The Walk will feature an interior tour of homes along Logan Boulevard and the adjacent streets as well as a beautiful church. See how many of Chicago's wealthy and working class families lived side-by-side in 1900. A self-guided tour of many beautiful gardens will be available for relaxed strolling and viewing.
Logan Square Preservation, the host organization, was founded in 1980 by concerned neighbors to help educate citizens about the historic significance and the beauty of Logan Square and promote preservation of Chicago 's famous boulevard system. This not-for-profit group obtained nomination to the National Register of Historic Places for the Logan Square Boulevards Historic District in 1985. It has erected signs and banners promoting this designation, sponsored educational tree, shrub and flower plantings in the area and planned the installation of period lighting fixtures along the Boulevards. Recently, it obtained designation of these boulevards as a Chicago landmark district.
Advance tickets are available from Logan Square Preservation, 3024 West Logan Blvd. , Chicago , IL . 60647-1708; (773)252-4859. Cost is $12.00 ($10.00 for Seniors 60+) in advance and $15.00 ($13.00 for Seniors 60+) the day of the Walk. Ticket price includes gardens as well as homes. For horticultural enthusiasts who wish to visit the gardens only, the ticket price is $6.00. Orders received after September 1st will be held for pickup at the starting point, 3024 W. Logan Boulevard . Participants should allow four hours to complete the tour at a leisurely pace.
To order tickets:
Send check made out to "Logan Square Preservation" to Logan Square Preservation, 3024 W. Logan Boulevard, Chicago, IL. 60647-1708.
Orders received after September 1st will be held for pickup at the starting point.
Jackie Edens
Posted by Ron Wolford at 11:47 AM | Permalink |
August 25, 2007
MG Monthly Meeting Notes
Master Gardeners:
Extra notes: If you would like to earn an extra volunteer hour by helping with set-up for the meeting, contact me, please.
Also, if you have donations for the Silent Auction at the September MG convention, you may bring them to this meeting and I'll transport them to Springfield for you.
Thanks
Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:26 PM | Permalink |
August 25, 2007
August Monthly Meeting
Master Gardeners,
Are you wondering what to do with all those extra tomatoes and squash your garden has been producing? Here is your answer. Our speaker for our August Monthly Meeting is Drusilla Banks, Extension Specialist, Food Science and Nutrition Programing. Dru will be talking to us about Preserving Your Garden Harvest. Any of you who have had Dru for an instructor know that she is amost knowledgeable and interesting speaker.
What: Master Gardener Monthly Meeting
When: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 28
Where: Extension office, East Side of Chicago High School Agricultural Sciences
3807 West 111th Street (Note the change of location)
6:30 - Pot Luck dinner
6:45 - Announcements - Elizabeth
7:00 - Speaker- Drusilla Banks - PRESERVING YOUR GARDEN HARVEST
THERE WILL BE DOOR PRIZES!
Elizabeth Bruhns
Master Gardener Program Organizer
Cook County/Chicago
3807 West 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60655
773-233-0476 -Fax 773-233-0910
url http://cook.extension.uiuc.edu
MASTER GARDENER BLOG-
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs./eb6/index.html
Posted by Ron Wolford at 7:52 AM | Permalink |
August 25, 2007
Donations for MG Silent Auction
Good morning Master Gardeners,
Last year the Chicago unit donated over $150.00 worth of items to the Silent Auction at the State Master Gardener convention. The money benefits the State Master Gardener Program. If you can donate an item this year, let me know and I will make sure it is transported to Springfield.
Garden items; tools, books, decorative pots, garden sculpturesand gift certificates are the most popular.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Posted by Ron Wolford at 6:37 AM | Permalink |
August 22, 2007
Fall Master Composter Classes
Please spread this information wide and far. We are opening this year's Master Composter Training to all gardeners.
What: University of Illinois Extension Master Composter Training
When: Saturdays, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 2007
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: Chicago H.S. for Agricultural Science - 3807 West 111th Street
Deadline: Applications must be received by Sept. 24, 2007
Cost: $50
For an application and more information, call Nancy Kreith at 773-233-0476.
Thank you for your time. Please refer any questions to me.
Nancy Kreith
Extension Program Coordinator
University of Illinois Extension
3807 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL. 60655
p 773.233.0476
f773.233.0910
c 708.567.6101
Please email me at nkreith@gmail.com
Posted by Ron Wolford at 1:55 PM | Permalink |
August 22, 2007
Cool Season Crops Training for MSG
Potential Master School Gardeners,
I will be finishing up my instruction on Cool Season Crops on Thursday, September 20, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the UIUC Extension office, 3rd floor, 300 North Elizabeth Street. Please feel free to attend this "Part B" training on cool season crops. Fortunately, Ella was able to make the "Part A" session last week. This is not a mandatory meeting, so don't feel obligated to be there (I know we already have you Monday of that week, so I don't want to overload you). But if you do have some time and would like to learn more about this exciting topic, please let Elizabeth or myself know so we can plan on seeing you there. Using Cool Season Crops is an important strategy for successful school gardens. It helps to eliminate the problems of summer care for a school garden.
If you missed the first session, I will do a short review for newcomers, so sign up to join this group.
To reserve a space contact:
Elizabeth ebruhns@uiuc.edu
and/or
Matt Kostelnick mkosteln@uiuc.edu
Matt Kostelnick
University of Illinois Extension
Horticulture Educator
Cook County, District Four
300 N. Elizabeth, Suite 310-C
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 752-4692
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu
Posted by Ron Wolford at 1:38 PM | Permalink |
August 22, 2007
Master School Gardener Training
Potential Master School Gardeners,
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the Master School Gardener Training Date set for Monday, September 17, 2007.
The training will start at 6 p.m. and end at about 8:30 p.m.
The location is of the training will be: 300 North Elizabeth Street, Chicago, IL 60607.
This location is the University of Illinois Extension office for the North Side of Chicago. We are located on the 3rd floor of the building. The building is six stories tall and has a large "Chicago Bancorp" sign on the top of it and a black "Fulton West" sign on the front. The building is at the intersection of Elizabeth ST and Fulton Market (the closest major intersection is Ogden Ave and Lake ST.
Parking: on the NORTH side of the building there is a parking lot (which has two large, red pillars at the entrance). Go into that lot and park in any of these remaining spots: 26-30, 34, 35. Be sure you park in one of these spots (Extension owns them). These spots are free to park in, as long as you park in the right number. Other spots belong to other tenants; hence you could be towed if you park in them. There might also be some street parking along Elizabeth Street.
CTA: This office is about 6 blocks east of the Ashland stop on the green el line. Also, we are about three blocks north of the Madison Street Bus #20 (Throop Stop).
What to bring: You can bring a notepad and a pen or pencil to take notes if you like. If you forget to bring a pen or pencil, we can loan you one.
What to expect: This training will cover all the basics of becoming a Master School Gardener, what a Master School Gardener is, what is expected of a MSG, what is not expected of a MSG, some basic school gardening information, where to get resources for school gardens, and much more. After this training, you should have a really good idea if this program is for you. Once you have received the training, we assign you to a school and the volunteer work begins. We have four quarterly meetings/continuing education throughout the year, as well as some additional continuing education along the way as needed and as requested (for example, the cool season training we are doing in September is one of those).
If you have further questions: Please email or call me.
We look forward to meeting all of you at the training!
Matt Kostelnick
University of Illinois Extension
Horticulture Educator
Cook County, District Four
300 N. Elizabeth, Suite 310-C
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 752-4692
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu
Posted by Ron Wolford at 1:18 PM | Permalink |
August 20, 2007
New Perennial Garden Design Website
A new website Stepping Stones to Perennial Garden Design developed by Martha Smith, Horticulture Educator, has been launched. The site offers gardeners information on site assessment, bed preparation and maintenance, and perennial selection and placement in the garden. A special feature is a garden design with a plant list in the Perennial Placement section. Visit the site at: http://web.extension.uiuc.eduPosted by Ron Wolford at 6:00 PM | Permalink |
August 19, 2007
GPC Volunteers for County Fair
Master Gardeners,
This request is from Garfield Park and separate from the Master Garden/UIUC Extension Booth at the County Fair. Of course, we want to help out GPC, but please consider staffing the Master Gardener booth first.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Harmony Picciuca <hpicciuca@garfieldpark.org> wrote:
The Garfield Park Conservatory's 7th Annual County Fair needs you!
Saturday September 15th
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hello Wonderful GPCA Volunteers,
It's that time of year again... for all of us to dust off our straw hats, pull on our overalls, and celebrate the 7th Annual Garfield Park Conservatory's County Fair!
This promises to be a really big day and we need plenty of volunteers to help with all kinds of fun activities.
Below is a list of volunteer needs and shifts. If you are available and interested please email me at hpicciuca@garfieldpark.org with your area of interest and shift preferences.
1. Set up Volunteers: Help start the fun: set up tables, bring out materials for activities, and install directional signs.
Set-up Shift:
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
2. Membership and Information Table: Volunteers are needed to greet folks, pass out event programs and maps, answer questions, and recruit new GPCA members.
Membership Volunteers Shifts:
1st shift: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
2nd shift: 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
3. Children Activity Volunteers: Volunteers will help at one of our three Children's Activity Stations: bubble making, color a quilt paper square, and making corn husk dolls.
Children's Activity Shifts:
1st shift: 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
2nd shift: 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
4. Demonstration Garden Volunteer Tour Guides: The demo garden really shines in September: give special tours to show off the fruits of our labor!
Demo Garden Tour Guides Shifts:
1st shift: 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 pm.
2nd shift: 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
5. Pony Rides and Carriage Rides Volunteers: Volunteers will help manage lines for these two County Fair favorites.
Pony and Carriage Ride Shifts:
1 st shift: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
2nd shift: 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
7. Harvest Competition volunteers: More specifics soon. If you are interested in this area, please let me know and I will provide you information.
Volunteer Training for County Fair: Thursday, September 6th at 7 p.m. in the Community Room
We will hold a Volunteer Training for County Fair on Thursday, September 6th at 7 p.m. in the Community Room. If you are able to attend please indicate that in your reply. Also if you have friends or family who are interested in becoming a GPCA volunteer, we are doing a new volunteer orientation that same day starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.
Please RSVP to me by email hpicciuca@garfieldpark.org or phone 773.638.1766 (ext. 24).
Thanks so much for your continued consideration and support.
Harmony Picciuca
Garden and Volunteer Programs Coordinator
Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance
300 N. Central Park Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60624
773.638.1766 x 24
Posted by Ron Wolford at 4:35 PM | Permalink |
August 19, 2007
2008 MG Applicants
Good morning Master Gardener applicants,
Even though I'm waiting for at least three of your applications to make their way through the internet system, I wanted to give all of you an update on the status of the 2008 classes.
Our classes will be meeting at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, 3807 West 111th street beginning Wednesday, January 9 and every Wednesday through March 26. Classes begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and run until 3:00 p.m.
We will be holding our informal interviews on December 5 and 12, 2007. Our interviews will beheld at Garfield Park Conservatory. Your fee of $225.00 isdue at that time. I will be in touch with you in November to set up an interview appointment.
Enjoy the rest of the growing season and Chicago's glorious fall. Keep in touch with the Master Gardener Program by checking into our blog (see my signature) Add it to your "Favorites" list.
You are about to embark on a wonderful learning experience. I look forward to meeting you.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Bruhns
Master Gardener Program Organizer
Cook County/Chicago
3807 West 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60655
773-233-0476 -Fax 773-233-0910
http://cook.extension.uiuc.edu
MASTER GARDENER BLOG
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb6/index.html
Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:49 PM | Permalink |
August 17, 2007
Continuing Education Opportunity
HORT 343 Non-Credit Herbaceous Plants I
Dates: Mondays, August 27th to December 10th, 2007
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:20 p.m.
Non-Credit Fee: $375 (this is a flat fee section for those enrolled for professional development only; course will not appear on transcript)
Location: Oak Brook Multi-University Center, Oak Brook, IL
Instructor: James Schmidt, Department of NRES, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Course Description: This course includes identification, culture, and landscape use of herbaceous, frost-tender ornamental plants. Emphasis on flowering annuals, tropical foliage plants used for outdoor displays, and foliage plants used for interiorscaping. Elements of design will be addressed; design projects will integrate concepts.
Registration website for non-credit students only:
https://www-s.continuinged.uiuc.edu/ao/ncregistration/student/index.cfm
Program/Course Contacts:
Piper Hodson, NRES Student Services Coordinator
800-252-1360 x45761, phodson@uiuc.edu
Greg Pierceall, Professor and Program Advisor
630-990-0740, pierceal@uiuc.edu
Heather A. Miller, Outreach Program Director
217-265-6568, hmiller1@uiuc.edu
Posted by Ron Wolford at 10:42 PM | Permalink |
August 17, 2007
Cook County Fair
MASTERGARDENERS:
We did an outstanding job with the UIUC Extension display at the Taste of Chicago, and now, it is time to join the fun for the last big event of the summer, the Cook County Fair.
What: Cook County Fair
Where: Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 North Central Park
When: Saturday, September 15
We will be staffing the Master Gardener/Extension booth. The booth will have four activities: Insect Petting Zoo, Worm Composting, Ask a Master Gardener and Children's Crafts.
We need 2 volunteers for each activity, a total of8 volunteers for each shift.
9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Set up and staffing the booth.
1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Staffing the booth and take down.
You may earn "Plant Clinic' credit for this. Composters may earn their required volunteer credit for this.
This is a wonderful, fun way to educate the community about the Cook County/Chicago Master Gardener Program.
Choose your preferrred shift and contact:
Elizabeth at ebruhns@uiuc.edu
Posted by Ron Wolford at 8:04 AM | Permalink |
August 15, 2007
Volunteer at Viva Chicago Festival
Hello Master Gardeners,
We are in need of 2 - 4 Master Gardeners each day to conduct the Insect Petting Zoo at Viva Chicago. Please contact Nancy Kreith at nkreith@gmail.com or at 773-233-0476 if interested. Details below:
What: Insect Petting Zoo - Showing off Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, Giant Millipedes and a Tarantula
When: Saturday& Sunday, August 25 & 26
Where: Grant Park - Viva Chicago Festival
Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Details: Limited parking passes are available, snacks and water will be provided.
Day of Event Contact: Sonia Lopez (cell) 708-567-8649
Thank you for your time.
--
Nancy Kreith
Extension Program Coordinator
University of Illinois Extension
3807 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL. 60655
p 773.233.0476
f773.233.0910
c 708.567.6101
Please email me at nkreith@gmail.com
Posted by Ron Wolford at 8:15 PM | Permalink |
August 10, 2007
Green Machine Compost Bins for Sale
I just received word that compost bins will be available at the Center for Green Technology (CCGT)tomorrow, Saturday, August 11. The sale will be worked into the Chicago Green Home Fair that CCGT is hosting tomorrow. The fair runs from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and a compost bin can be purchased anytime during those hours. CCGT is located at 445 North Sacramento Blvd.
Nancy Kreith
773-233-0476
Posted by Ron Wolford at 11:15 AM | Permalink |
August 9, 2007
Master Composter Needed for Composting Series
We could still use one Master Composter for the next composting demonstration at Garfield Park Conservatory on August 18. The topic is compost tea. Please let me know if you are interested. ~NK
For the Compost Series, we would like to have two Master Composters for each of thedemonstrations. It would be great if you could bring any finished compost or other props for the demos. Harmony Picciuca will be the on site contact and will be able to help you gain necessary materials, i.e: hose, sheers, pruners,green and brown compostables. For on-site assistance please contact Harmony at < hpicciuca@garfieldpark.org> or 773-638-1766 x.24.
Please sign-up with Nancy Kreith at nkreith@gmail.comor call at 773-233-0476.
The series is as follows:
2007 Garfield Park Conservatory (GPC) – Composting Series
Where: Demonstration Garden of GPC
When: One Saturday per month
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Provided by: University of Illinois Extension Master Composters
Schedule:
August 18 – Compost Tea Party for You Garden
Join us in the shade for a spot of tea. Compost tea works wonders on your plants and applying it is a cinch. The process of brewing the tea is slightly more complex.
September 15 – County Fair* – Batch Composting
Learn passive composting systems, such as, add- as- you- go, leaf composting and leaving cut grass behind). Compost Basics all day – bring you fruit and veggie scraps.
October 20 – Winterizing Your Compost Bins
Get those bins ready for winter. Harvest your remaining compost and use it after fall clean up. Remember to shred or cut large stems and branches into small pieces.
*Special Event - On-going demonstrations will last 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thank you.
Nancy Kreith
Extension Program Coordinator
University of Illinois Extension
3807 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL. 60655
Posted by Ron Wolford at 10:23 PM | Permalink |
August 8, 2007
Harvest Fest at Kilbourn Park Greenhouse
Harvest Fest at Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse
Saturday, September 8th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
A celebration of the summer garden for the entire family! Activities for the day include garden, cooking, and natural dye demonstrations. The entire family will enjoy a variety of activities from take home crafts, garden stories, and face painting, while exploring the gardens with a scavenger hunt.
Volunteer Opportunities available at Event:
Set up support – 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. - Volunteers needed to help set up tables, signs, get program materials to stations.
Clean up support – 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Volunteers assist with cleaning up after event, bringing tables and chairs inside, removing signage, assisting activity stations with taking programming materials into greenhouse and storing for future events, and whatever is needed to be ready to go by 3:30 p.m.
EVENT SUPPORT
Volunteers can come at the following times to support activities at the event. Option for activity support shifts:
First shift - 9:30 a.m. -12:30 pm,
Second shift - Noon – 2:30 p.m. or
Event shift -9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Volunteer refreshments will be provided.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Face Painters – Draw garden theme pictures on kid's faces or arms.
Harvest Hats – Support kids' creativity in making festival garden hats to wear at the event. Kids will be stringing dried flowers through a hat and tying them on with a ribbon.
Sachets from the garden – Using garden herbs and dried flowers, kids and adults can make mini sachets to take home. Participants can choose their herbs and then tie them up in a piece of fabric using yarn naturally dyed in the garden.
Corn husk dolls - Help kids can make simple dolls with corn husks.
Volunteers in the activity areas will be responsible for helping keep the area organized and neat, encouraging families and kids to participate, introducing project, and guiding families and kids through the project as needed.
GARDEN DEMONSTRATIONS
Master Composters requested to teach visitors about worms and home composting. Kids will want to see, touch, and learn about worms. I would also like someone to be available to promote and answer questions about composting garden and kitchen clippings.
Master Food Preserver? If there is a Master Food Preserver available, it would be wonderful to have someone discuss how to safely preserve the bounty of the season.
Rain Garden/Rain Barrel spokesperson – Kilbourn Park will be installing a rain cistern and rain garden this fall. If anyone has taken the Rain Garden training this summer and would like to share with others the importance of water use and conservation in a garden/ yard this would be a great opportunity.
To volunteer please contact Kirsten Akre at 773-685-3359 or kirsten.akre@chicagoparkdistric
Please specify which program area(s) and shift you prefer.
Many thanks for considering this opportunity,
Kirsten Akre
Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse
3501 N. KIlbourn
Chicago, IL 60641
773-685-3359
Posted by Ron Wolford at 9:40 PM | Permalink |
August 6, 2007
Register for State Master Gardener Conference
Master Gardeners, still thinking about going to the State Master Gardener Conference? This note from state coordinator, Monica David,will be helpful. Check out the link at the end of her email for registration.
Elizabeth
Some important reminders on conference 2007:
Early bird conference closes August 10th.
Late registrations accepted until August 23rd.
The sleeping room block at the Crowne Plaza is now full- please suggest these nearby hotels to your volunteers:
Comfort Inn-- 2620 S Dirksen Pkwy 217-753-4000
Drury Inn 3081-- S Dirksen Pkwy 217-529-3900
Hilton Garden Inn --3100 S Dirksen Pkwy 217-529-7171
Pear Tree Inn --3190 S Dirksen Pkwy 217-529-9100
Hampton-- 3185 S Dirksen Pkwy 217-529-1100
Microtel --2636 Sunrise Dr 217-753-2636
Days Inn-- 2900 Adlai Stevenson Dr 217-529-0171
Signature Inn --3090 Adlai Stevenson Dr 217-529-6611
Monica David
Illinois Master Gardener Coordinator
1007 Plant Sciences Lab
1201 Dorner Drive
Urbana, IL. 61801
217-265-5256
Fax- 217-244-3469
Posted by Ron Wolford at 8:42 PM | Permalink |
August 5, 2007
Enter the Grow-Off-Show-Off Garden Contest
Enter the Grow-Off-Show-Off Garden Contest. First prize is $500.00. The Grow-Off Show-Off is a light-hearted, no-holds-barred talent contest for gardeners who cook, cooks who garden, and other garden-variety foodies. They are looking for fresh, creative entries that communicate the multiple benefits – health, environmental, culinary, and community - of home-grown, home-made foods.
The Grow-Off Show-Off is a project of Kitchen Gardeners International and is co-sponsored by Mother Earth News.
Go to http://www.kitchengardeners.org/growoffshowoff/ for contest information.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 7:31 PM | Permalink |
August 3, 2007
State MG Conference Hotel Space Update
Master Gardeners:
This is an update on hotel space. You should be sending in your conference reservation and making hotel reservations NOW, if you plan to go. Please let me know if you are so that we can make sure that everyone has transportation.
Elizabeth
Monica David <modavid@uiuc.edu> wrote:
From: "Monica David" <modavid@uiuc.edu>
To: "Monica David" <modavid@uiuc.edu>
Subject: hotel reservations for MG conference
Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2007 07:55:54 -0500
Hello MG coordinators-
Conference 2007 registration is going very well- thanks for helping us promote the conference and keep up the good work so we have a full conference!
Our conference hotel, the Crowne Plaza, only has limited sleeping rooms left. As of yesterday afternoon, they have 10 rooms for Weds 9-5; 10 rooms for Thurs. 9-6 and 8 rooms for Friday 9-7. MGs should call the local number 217-529-7777 and be sure to tell the attendent that they are with the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners. If they say they are with "Master Gardeners" they will likely be told the block is full.
Luckily, there are 8 other hotels within a 6 block area of the Crowne. I do not know the prices orthe availabilty at these other hotels- butI would have my volunteers reserve rooms as soon as possible becauseI understand this is a big time for weddings and local sports events.
Comfort Inn-- 2620 S Dirksen Pkwy 217-753-4000
Drury Inn 3081-- S Dirksen Pkwy 217-529-3900
Hilton Garden Inn --3100 S Dirksen Pkwy 217-529-7171
Pear Tree Inn --3190 S Dirksen Pkwy 217-529-9100
Hampton-- 3185 S Dirksen Pkwy 217-529-1100
Microtel --2636 Sunrise Dr 217-753-2636
Days Inn-- 2900 Adlai Stevenson Dr 217-529-0171
Signature Inn --3090 Adlai Stevenson Dr 217-529-6611
More info about conference 2007 to follow...
Monica
Monica David
Illinois Master Gardener Coordinator
1007 Plant Sciences Lab
Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:40 PM | Permalink |
August 3, 2007
Free Perennial Plant Giveaway
Openlands has been asked to distribute Free Plants on a first come first served basis-Tuesday, August 7th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or until the plants are gone. The plants are dianthus and coreopsis perennials.
Directions:
The plants will be given away at the north end of the Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 North Central Park Avenue, outside the gate to the Market Place, near the railroad underpass. There will not be a place to drive through or park at that point, so park your car first, either along Central Park Avenue or in the Visitors Parking lot. You will then have to walk and carry the plants you are given back to your car. Be sure to bring tarps or other protection for your car.
Please note:
The Conservatory and the Conservatory Alliance will not be able to answer questions about this plant giveaway – if you have a question email me at jsamuels@openlands.org
Julie Samuels
Community Outreach Coordinator
Openlands Project
25 E. Washington, Suite 1650
Chicago, IL 60602
Posted by Ron Wolford at 2:03 AM | Permalink |
August 2, 2007
Free Plants from Openlands
Openlands has received a donation of many plants and I mean many – all of them coming on a truck to the conservatory next week on Tuesday, August 7. I will be giving them out first come first served to any gardener, however, they first have to come off the truck in flats of 6 and I will need help to do that. I will also need help in crowd control when the gates are opened at noon.
Please let me know if you can meet me at the Garfield Park Conservatory Tuesday, August 7 at 10 a.m.If I don't get any help I will have to cancel this opportunity.
The nursery will be delivering Dianthus and Coreopsis and possibly a few salvia and other perennials – up to 2000 of them.
I need to know by this afternoon if possible ....at the latest tomorrow morning......all volunteers will take home lots of plants – and lots more gratitude from me!
Julie Samuels
Community Outreach Coordinator
Openlands Project
25 E. Washington, Suite 1650
Chicago, IL 60602
312.863.6256
Posted by Ron Wolford at 3:08 PM | Permalink |
