Eco Gal 24/7

Ideas for an eco-friendly Valentine’s Day

2012-02-06T17:45:00.000-06:00

Though I’m not fond of the hype surrounding Valentine’s Day, I do support the underlying sentiment that goes with gifting those we love.

If you seek green gift options, including items made by fair trade merchants, consider some of the ideas you’ll find in this week’s posts.

Ten Thousand Villages, at 719 Main St., is currently undergoing major renovations but will remain open during construction.

You can choose from a wide assortment of handcrafted baskets, ceramics, jewelry, paper products and other gifts. Buy one piece of jewelry and your second piece is 50-percent off through February 14.

The store carries a nice selection of fair-trade coffees, teas and chocolates. Open your heart / shop fair trade / love the world.

An independently owned shop called Four Finches is several blocks north at 1320 Sherman Ave. If this is a first visit, you might want to use the rear entry off the alley (access from 800 block of Dempster St., north side). Merchandise is displayed delightfully, often using repurposed antiques.

You’ll find fresh flowers and plants, plus a large selection of Valentine cards and tempting chocolates.

Usually closed on Sundays and Mondays, Four Finches is open extended hours February 12-14.

Quest for zero waste can begin in your mailbox

2012-01-23T12:22:00.000-06:00

Recently, I attended January’s Green Drinks gathering and the program focused on the quest for zero waste. A panel of five experts spoke about ways that Evanston residents and businesses could redefine recycling.

No one brought up my favorite issue–how to reduce junk mail. It’s much easier to take action now than the first time I wrote about it in January 2007. My apologies to the U.S. Postal Service and to commercial and nonprofit direct mailers for referring to bulk mail as “junk.”

I’ve worked long and hard to achieve “zero waste” in my mailbox. Indeed, some days there is no mail in there. Other days there may be a sole piece of mail and some days there are a couple of magazines (don’t own an e-reader device) and one or two pieces of first-class mail.

How did I accomplish this lonely mailbox? The first step was to register with the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service (MPS). The next step was to opt out of direct mail credit card and insurance offers by calling 888-5-OPT-OUT (888-567-8688) or by visiting www.optoutprescreen.com.

Since 2008, my efforts to achieve a zero waste mailbox got much simpler when I started using the services of CatalogChoice. It is a nonprofit corporation based in Berkeley, California that uses technology to maximize what it accomplishes for members and participating companies.

Last year I signed up for Catalog Choice’s MailStop Shield (formerly called Premium Unlisting Service) for a $20 subscription fee. The service stops the biggest data brokers from selling your identity. New data brokers are added to the service and opt-out requests are submitted automatically throughout your year-long subscription. Visit their website to learn how this program works.

Two new programs were added recently: MailStop Envelope and MailStop Mobile, which are options for low-tech and high-tech users respectively. Other junk-mail reduction companies and programs exist, but in my opinion Catalog Choice offers the most comprehensive services.

If you think recycling junk mail is enough, here are some facts from the Native Forest Network:

The average person gets only 1.5 personal letters each week, compared to 10.8 pieces of junk mail.
Each person receives almost 560 pieces of junk mail each year.
That's a total of 4.5 million tons of junk mail produced yearly!
44% of all junk mail is thrown in the trash, unopened and unread.
Approximately 40% of the solid waste that makes up our landfills is paper and paperboard waste.
By the year 2010, paper waste made up about 48%.
100 million trees are ground up each year to produce junk mail.
Lists of names and addresses used in bulk mailings are in mass data-collection networks, compiled from phone books, warranty cards, and charity donations.
Your name is typically worth 3 to 20 cents each time it is sold.

By resolving to cut junk mail in 2012, you’ll save trees, water, habitat loss and animal/plant species extinction.

Habitat loss and species extinction–how does that relate to junk mail? According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, 55% of all paper fibers come from trees and 17% is from old-growth forests. Some 23 million acres of forest area were lost worldwide between 1990 and 2000. Habitat loss is a key cause of animal and plant extinction. Using 1995 figures, the percent of wildlife groups threatened with extinction are: birds-11%, reptiles-20%, mammals-25%, amphibians-25%, fish-34% and vascular plants-12.5%.

Recycling junk mail is great, but it won’t bring back an extinct species. Knowledge is power…as you move toward zero waste, start with your mailbox.

Shop WFM Evanston's 5% Day with The Talking Farm

2012-01-08T18:18:00.000-06:00

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to buy more locally sourced food, this shopping opportunity is tailor made. Wednesday, January 11, Whole Foods Market Evanston North (1640 Chicago Ave.) will donate 5% of net sales to The Talking Farm.

The Talking Farm is a nonprofit whose purpose is to provide local, fresh food and job training and educational opportunities for our community. Your grocery dollars will contribute to the inaugural growing season at its new two-acre land home in the Skokie Park District. The Howard Street Farm will serve as an educational, demonstration production farm.

The group also partners with the ETHS Edible Acre Project in Evanston and offers classes in various locations in the community. The Talking Farm volunteers will be in the store throughout the day to answer gardening questions and to explain their local projects.

How does a Whole Foods Market 5% Day work? Several times a year, the stores hold community giving days (otherwise known as “5% Days”) where five percent of that day’s net sales are donated to a local nonprofit or educational organization. In this case, only the Downtown Evanston market will participate.

Learn about eating healthy “home-grown” foods by shopping at Whole Foods Market on Wednesday, January 11. The Downtown Evanston store is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. with ample auto and bicycle parking nearby. Additionally, the store is easily accessed with public transportation.

Prepare for first-class postage increase with Forever® stamps

2011-12-27T17:55:00.000-06:00

The beleaguered United States Postal Service will raise the price for a single-use first-class postage stamp to $0.45 effective January 22, 2012. When the increase was announced in October 2011, USPS officials pointed out that the price of first-class postage has not increased since May 2009.

“The overall average price increase is small and is needed to help address our current financial crisis,” said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe. “We continue to take actions within our control to increase revenue in other ways and to aggressively cut costs.”

Courtesy ifans.com

One way that the USPS will “aggressively cut costs” is to close 252 (of 461) mail processing centers as well as 3,700 local post offices in mid-May 2012. In Illinois, that translates to 19% of the post offices here.

As one who vigorously encourages consumers to reduce their junk mail and use online means to shop and pay bills, I’m not surprised the post office has financial woes. Not everyone has the means or interest in using electronic devices, still email and text messaging are here to stay.

I like the hands-on feeling of sending holiday greetings by mail. It was a pleasant surprise to learn an assortment of holiday (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Eid) stamps are sold with the Forever^® label. That means consumers should stock up on special-use stamps at the $0.44 (Forever) price before January 22^nd arrives and the price goes up a penny.

Brides and grooms with pending weddings may want to buy “Garden of Love” or “Wedding Roses” stamps before the rate increase. A variety of famous-person, statehood, music-themed and other special-themed stamps are sold as Forever stamps. There is a nominal shipping fee for stamps ordered online and purchases with the Stamps by Mail^®brochure are shipped free.

Last, but certainly not least, is Eco Gal’s personal favorite: the “Go Green – Forever” pane of 16 first-class stamps. As stated on its site, “These Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.

“Fair Trade” defined | shop fair trade for holiday gifts

2011-12-18T19:18:00.001-06:00

Earlier this month, my column titled “Buy U.S.-made holiday gifts” ran in the December 7, 2011 issue of the Evanston RoundTable. Later that day, a volunteer with the Ten Thousand Villages shop (719 Main St.) pointed out my omission of fair-trade merchandise for acceptable holiday gift giving.

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines fair-trade: to market (a commodity) in compliance with the provisions of a fair-trade agreement. I found a more illustrative definition on the TTV Evanston website:

“…a fair trade retailer of artisan-crafted home decor, personal accessories and gift items from across the globe. Featuring products from more than 130 artisan groups in some 38 countries, we are part of a network of over 390 retail outlets throughout the United States selling Ten Thousand Villages products.

As one of the world’s oldest and largest fair trade organizations, Ten Thousand Villages has spent more than 60 years cultivating trading relationships in which artisans receive a fair price for their work and consumers have access to distinctive handcrafted items. We seek to establish long-term buying relationships in places where skilled artisans are under- or unemployed, and in which they lack other opportunities for income. A founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), Ten Thousand Villages sees fair trade as an alternative approach to conventional international trade.”

Saturday was a mild day that afforded a first-snow walk to do some Main Street errands. After stops at my bank, a USPS branch office, Healthy Green Goods (one of my favorite stores) and a pop-up local artisan fair at Five Phase Wellness Center, I headed over to Ten Thousand Villages.

The volunteer who wrote wasn’t in the shop at that time, but a quick look around offered plenty of gift-giving and holiday decorating ideas. The tags on products read Colombia, Haiti, India, Peru and more.

No “Made in the U.S.A.” labels, but as the volunteer noted, “We live on an earth populated by many different people in many countries, but we are all human beings and working together we can share and make a better world for all of us, not just Americans.”

Finish your shopping list with a stop at Ten Thousand Villages or Whole Foods Market (north and south Evanston locations). Fair trade merchandise is priced competitively and purchases help skilled artisans earn a living wage.

Green Thanksgiving Day guests bring reusable containers

2011-11-23T09:59:00.001-06:00

First wrote this post for Examiner.com on November 25, 2009 and it bears repeating for this Thanksgiving holiday.

A kind-hearted relative or friend invites you to a Thanksgiving Day meal...what is the perfect hostess gift? A bottle of organic wine or a delicious dessert is always welcome. Still, when the inevitable leftovers are divvied up, a reusable margarine tub or whipped topping container will endear you to the host.

Those accustomed to hosting large dinners usually are prepared to send guests home with a "care package." Some may plan for this ritual by collecting reusable containers before the big day. Often though, preparing for care packages is a distant fourth or fifth concern...behind the turkey, dressing and gravy. Spare your host the chore of searching for containers by bringing your own.

Round or square aluminum foil containers with lids are ideal. One or two cup glass containers with lids are available at some stores. Empty margarine tubs, plastic takeout containers and other repurposed containers work well, too. Bring along a roll of aluminum foil and some empty plastic bread bags to help avoid leaks.

No one wants to appear greedy, so limit your containers to one or two. If you brought extras, offer them to someone who didn't bring any. Again, your host will thank you.

Once everyone has a care package of their favorite dishes, suggest donating the remaining leftovers to a local food bank or shelter. After all, Thanksgiving is a day of thankfulness and sharing.

Central Street shoppers – help the Ecology Center this Saturday

2011-11-09T09:54:00.000-06:00

Calling all shopaholics – here’s an opportunity to shop at your favorite Central Street retailers and support a local non-profit organization.

The Central Street Business Association will sponsor Community Day on Saturday, November 12. Here's how your purchases can benefit the Evanston Ecology Center:

This Saturday, participating stores on Central Street in Evanston will donate a portion of your purchase to a local group.
You get to pick the organization that will receive your purchase's contribution from a list contained on the flyer available below.
Please choose the Evanston Environmental Association. If you do, all of your contribution will go towards the financial support of the Evanston Ecology Center.

Postpone this week's shopping, and then unleash that pent-up shopping demand this Saturday on Central Street. Visit the participating stores shown in the flyer below and keep the Evanston Environmental Association in mind to receive your contributions. Tell your friends and family, too.

Avoid parking costs by taking public transportation. CTA's #201 Ridge bus services Central Street and the cost is $2.00 with a CTA fare card ($0.25 transfer allowed within two-hours of first ride); cash fare is $2.25. Metra’s Central Street Station is near many shops. Bike riders and walkers are welcome as well.

Open the Community Day Flyer HERE for more information:

Participating stores
The percentage of a store's purchase that will be donated to charity
The charities to be recipients of contributions

Print and bring this flyer on Saturday, November 12. Participating stores will have a supply of flyers.

Noyes Street Arts Adventure

2011-10-30T14:00:00.000-05:00

My friend Mary and I took the CTA #201 bus to Noyes Street for a sunny autumn day adventure. Our main purpose was to see two art exhibits at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center at 927 Noyes St.

With Evanston’s bounty of restaurants, we timed our visit to include lunch at one of my favorite eating places, Fraîche Bakery & Café at 815 Noyes St. The tiny storefront has limited seating with customers from Northwestern University, the surrounding neighborhood and others who like fresh-made food.

Fraîche serves only breakfast and lunch, but a large portion of its business is takeout baked goods. Cookies, cupcakes, pastries and other temptations are visible in a large display case.

Mary had an egg sandwich with potatoes on the side and I had the omelet of the day, which was chicken sausage, asparagus and tomatoes with melted cheese and sides of sourdough toast and potatoes. Somehow we resisted dessert but it wasn’t easy.

Amy Sacksteder's "Our Improbable Existence"

We admired the mild weather and the beautiful fall colors as we walked west to the Noyes Center. The first floor gallery exhibit was titled “Of Land and Water” and consisted of paintings and sculptures by Derrick Buisch, Mary Jane Duffy, Shelley Gilchrist, Amy Sacksteder and Louise Vick. It closes November 8.

The second floor gallery featured black and white photographs by Richard Wasserman and the exhibit was titled “Midstream: The Chicago River 1999-2010. I’m a huge fan of black and white photography. Wasserman’s well-composed photos made the most of contrasting lines, textures and lighting. This show closes November 12, 2011.

Evanston residents who complain about high taxes might want to spend some peaceful time at the Noyes Center. Gallery hours are: Monday-Saturday, 10am-7pm and Sunday, 10am-6pm. Art nourishes the soul and admission is free.

Problem: Identity Theft | Solution: Shredding Day

2011-10-14T12:27:00.000-05:00

Those who are concerned about identity theft can bring documents for shredding to two upcoming events.

The first is Shredding Day, Saturday, October 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at First Bank & Trust’s Skokie branch, 8047 Skokie Blvd (north of Oakton St).

This month there is a second Shredding Day, Sunday, October 23 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Skokie Farmers’ Market on The Village Green-Oakton Street (west of Lincoln Ave). It is sponsored by First Bank & Trust as well as the Village of Skokie, the Skokie Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Skokie's Consumer Affairs Commission.

The bank holds shredding events on a quarterly basis and rotates sites among its branches. Residents are allowed to bring up to 25 pounds of paper documents to be shredded safely by a professional shredding company.

With household budgets stretched to the limit, don’t spend money on another device…bring your personal documents to be shred for free. I’ve done it twice and watched the equipment operator shred my stuff. So there is no reason to be concerned.

Have your personal documents shred at First Bank & Trust’s Shredding Day…save time, save money and save the environment!

Soup ‘n’ sandwich season begins

2011-10-07T11:38:00.000-05:00

Readers of a certain age may recall the former Campbell Soup commercial touting the culinary delights of eating ‘soup and sandwich.’ I typically associate a bowl of soup as something for a cool autumn or breezy winter day.

Thankfully, this autumn, Mother Nature has ignored the calendar and given Chicago-area folks another taste of summer. Locals know that 2011 will go down in history as one of the worst years for weather ever. Blizzards, tornados, wind chills, high winds and heat waves.

Dined on soup ‘n’ sandwich at two different restaurants this week despite the beautiful summer-like temperatures.

Always looking to combine errands and reduce my carbon footprint, elected to mix a stop at the Evanston Chamber of Commerce with lunch at MecaFresh Café, a small eatery in an out-of-the-way location.

Photo courtesy MecaFresh Cafe

My friend and I opted for the soup ‘n’ sandwich combo for a modest $7.95. JM had broccoli & cheddar and I had lobster bisque. Agreed that our soups tasted homemade and were creamy bowls of goodness. We chose the Turkey Club panini made with oven-roasted turkey, greens, tomato, Applewood-Smoked Bacon, Swiss cheese and mayo aioli.

Our healthy and nutritious lunch was accompanied by diet soda and carbonated water in recyclable aluminum cans. MesaFresh earns bonus points for serving its soup and sandwich in washable bowls and plates.

As we left the restaurant, couldn’t help but notice that several tables were occupied by a makeshift lunch club of residents from nearby senior-living facilities. The lively group seemed to enjoy the camaraderie and food equally.

NPV Recycling Center, Nicole Cohen | Medill

The second soup ‘n’ sandwich outing was a family affair. My brother Sam had driven from Northwest Indiana to help recycle an overabundance of newspapers (they’re like rabbits, seriously). After a quick trip to North Park Village's Recycling Center, we took the Edens Expressway to Old Orchard and headed to The Bagel at Sam’s request.

He craved a sample of Jewish soul food and The Bagel was a suitable choice. Interfaith marriages are commonplace today, but when my Jewish father wed my WASP mother in the early 1940s it was scandalous. Thanks to Dad’s older sister Ann, the Press children were not deprived of Jewish soul food.

Photo courtesy Yummly.com

Spooning chicken soup with a single, light fluffy matzo ball, transported us back to another time. Our family would sit around Ann’s dining room table and delight in the aromas, tastes and textures of her matzo ball soup, chopped liver, brisket, roasted potatoes and other foods not replicated at home. “Eat, eat,” Ann would admonish.

Sam took one bite of the chopped liver on challah and visions of Aunty Anna (as we called her) danced through his head. She’s been gone for nearly 20 years and our palates still long for Jewish soul food as only Ann could make.

She was a purist and only used beef liver in her delectable chopped liver. I was entrusted with her recipe and she even gave me a spare chopping implement and a small jar of schmaltz. I used a wooden bowl, BEEF liver and all of the other ingredients and the result pretty good. Unfortunately, way too labor intensive to be repeated by this lazy cook.

Must say The Bagel’s matzo ball soup is a close second to Ann’s…not too salty and no traces of fat in the broth. Unless I’m ordering breakfast, a corned beef sandwich is my favorite menu item. The brimming bowl of soup and hearty half a sandwich are plenty of food for a midday meal. We left the restaurant satisfied and a bit misty-eyed. Thanks for setting the bar so high, Ann.

Chicagoland Car-Free Day Pit Stop at 909 Davis, Evanston

2011-09-22T18:12:00.000-05:00

The City of Evanston, ActiveTransportation Alliance, CTA/Metra/Pace, The Recyclery Collective and Turin Bicycles all had booths set up for commuters to learn about going “car-free” today and in the future.

The biggest crush of commuters arrived at the informal pit stop during the event's earliest hours from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. When I arrived for the second shift at about 8:20 a.m., volunteers were busy engaging commuters and others in downtown Evanston.

The event’s location at 909 Davis, adjacent to the Metra and CTA stations at Davis St. was a prime spot and very pedestrian friendly. The only vehicles allowed in the U-shaped drive are taxis and those dropping off passengers and, bicyclists, of course.

Organizers reported that 500 apples were placed inside Whole Foods Market goodie bags given out to passersby. The City’s newly printed Bicycle Map and an Engage Evanston (FY 2012 Budget Survey) handout were also included in the bags.

Everyone tells us that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but when you’re on the run and heading to school or work, it’s a meal that is too often skipped. An apple, eaten on the fly, fills the bill…and the tummy. Unfortunately, there weren’t enough apples for everyone who stopped by the City’s booth. Still, people did not leave empty-handed as plenty of goodie bags with maps and Car-Free Pledge slips were at the ready.

At 9 a.m., most commuters had reached their destinations and most of the hand-out materials were depleted. As volunteers dismantled booths, packed promo posters and the few leftover supplies, everyone agreed that the day’s efforts had been a huge success. The weather was sunny and mild in the 60-degree range and people tuned-in to the car-free vibe.

A special “shout-out” to all the friendly volunteers from Active Trans, Citizens’ Greener Evanston, City of Evanston staff and other groups/individuals. City Sustainability Coordinator Catherine Hurley noted this about the two 90-gallon carts near the booths, “The blue recycling cart is overflowing, while the black trash cart is less than one-quarter full.” Good job, everyone!

Participate locally on Car-Free Day -- Thursday, Sept. 22

2011-09-19T13:58:00.000-05:00

The Active Transportation Alliance teams up with RTA, Pace, Metra, CTA and communities around the region for Chicagoland Car-free Day on Thursday, September 22. The event is part of World Car-free Day, when people around the globe pledge to go “car free.”

Visit www.activetrans.org/carfree to take the Chicagoland Car-Free Day Pledge. After you sign on, you’ll be eligible to win raffle prizes from Active Trans partners.

Locally, residents and commuters are invited to stop by the Evanston Car-Free Pit Stop event at the 909 Davis Building (by the Davis St. L and Metra stops) from 6-9 a.m. It will include appearances by local officials, free food and drinks, free bike check-ups, an extra bike parking corral, raffles and more.

The following vendors will have booths at 909 Davis:

City of Evanston - will hand out new bike parking maps, plus Goody Bags that have been donated generously by Whole Foods.
Active Transportation Alliance - will be available to answer questions and concerns about making your life more car-free.
The Recyclery Collective - visit their booth for tips on bike maintenance and commuting and to learn about their restoration program for donated and discarded bikes.
White Iris Yoga Therapy - will set aside an area with yoga mats to offer stretching instruction to help make active transportation a less taxing experience on your body.
Downtown Evanston – participants will have a chance to win prizes through their Spin-to-Win wheel. Sign up for their e-newsletter to get current information about deals and events all around Evanston.
Metra, PACE & CTA - visit these booths for information on the public transportation options available for traveling to/from and around Evanston.
Turin Bicycle - will give information about all the services they provide to cyclists.

Tips for Going Car-Free

Evanston has many different transportation options to make your Car-Free Day experience as smooth as possible. For those traveling in and out of Evanston on September 22, Metra and CTA provide easy-to-use public transportation options that run regularly throughout the day.

If you’re traveling within Evanston’s borders, remember that the downtown area is perfect for walking. Additionally, many of the streets are bike friendly with plenty of options for cyclists to securely lock bikes near a destination.

A Car-Free lifestyle beyond September 22

The idea of being car free can be daunting to many commuters that have been driving for a long time. Like most adjustments to personal habits, it’s best to take small steps toward a more “car free” lifestyle. Consider these actions as you pursue your goal:

Create a car-pool to help lower personal car usage during the week
If it is nice outside, walk to do your errands and enjoy the weather.
Take public transportation to save on gas and parking costs.
Check out car sharing services such as I-GO and Zipcar.

While it’s true there will be occasions when a car is needed, follow some of these steps to reduce overall vehicle usage and begin to enjoy savings. The environment will thank you!

Buy “Made in the USA” this Labor Day weekend

2011-09-03T17:41:00.000-05:00

It has gotten harder and harder to find products that are made in America. Shop at any big box retailer or major department store and you’ll be hard pressed to find labels that read “Made in the USA.” Consumers are more likely to read labels that state “Made in China.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate held steady at 9.1% through August 2011. Is it mere coincidence, with thousands of U.S. jobs outsourced overseas over the past decade, that we are in a recession? There are no signs of recovery for unemployed and underemployed Americans.

This Labor Day weekend there is something that consumers can do to help our broken economy, look for “Made in the USA” labels and buy accordingly.

To make that task easier, here is information about one Chicago-based company that offers eco-friendly reusables and is a strong supporter of local manufacturing. Founded in 2003 as reusablebags.com, the company has grown to become reuseit.com – reusables for every part of your life™.

Through September 5 midnight CST, reuseit.com customers can save 10% on their entire collection of U.S.-made items when they enter USAMADE at checkout. With more than 400 products to choose from, these are some of the most popular product lines:

100% organic cotton towels

Water bottles – more than 90 varies, including the first and only US-made metal water bottles!
Snack and sandwich bags - 120+ ways to say "no" to plastic baggies
Lunch bags- dozens of styles and materials to choose from
Shopping bags - cut back on paper and plastic bags with our Made in the USA reusables
and much more!

Help keep Americans employed by creating a demand for products made in the USA. Visit the company’s website reuseit.com and practice the three R’s (reduce-reuse-recycle).

While your computer is booted up, visit American Red Cross to help our neighbors on the East Coast put their lives back together after Hurricane Irene.

GreenChoice Bank takes the LEED in community banking

2011-08-31T10:05:00.001-05:00

When GreenChoice Bank opened its flagship facility at 2545 W. Diversey Ave. on August 29, 2011, it was a big day for community banking. The bank’s newly constructed interior in the Green Exchange location meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum standards for Commercial Interiors. This is anticipated to be the first LEED Platinum community bank site in the Midwest and one of only a few in the country.

Flanked by fellow officers, GreenChoice Bank Founder, Chairman and CEO Harold L. Sherman cut the green ribbon to officially open the facility. Mr. Sherman has a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Northwestern University, so an interest in ecology is not new to him.

Others on the bank’s leadership team walk the walk as well. Both Steve Sherman, founder, director and COO and Jon A. Levey, founder, EVP and chief lending officer have earned the distinction of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP).

Here are a few of the sustainable features that will earn the facility its LEED Platinum designation:

A curved architectural wall and conference room tables that are constructed with 100-year-old reclaimed walnut.

A customer counter in the lobby is fabricated from thousands of dollars of shredded currency, which the Federal Reserve has removed from circulation.

The floor plan allows all employees to have exterior views and natural light.

LEED certified architects Lisa and Ron Elkins, principals at Chicago-based 2 Point Perspective, designed GreenChoice’s flagship space. The duo’s boutique eco-architectural firm also designed the space at Tiny Dog Cupcake, as posted earlier.

For more information about GreenChoice Bank and how working with them can “green” your bottom line, visit their website.

Shakespeare in Ingraham Park

2011-08-05T17:56:00.000-05:00

Evanston and the North Shore have a lot of Shakespeare lovers. The community is supporting two separate theatre companies, staging two different plays with performances in two parks.

The Arc Theatre production of the Merry Wives of Windsor, set in Ridgeville Park closed July 31st. According to the park district’s Programs Director Michael Miro, “We had 95 people on Sunday...our biggest turnout yet!”

Shakespeare in the Park travels north with the staging of As You Like It by the Muse of Fire Theatre Company. It opens Saturday, August 6, at 3 p.m. in Ingraham Park and continues on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m., through August 27. Performances are free with open and unlimited seating. Ingraham Park, located behind the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave., has plenty of free parking in the adjacent lot.

Orlando & Rosalind

Performances will be lit by the sun’s natural light and the actors' voices will not be amplified. Audiences must provide their own seating in the form of picnic blankets and/or chairs. In the event of rain, performances will be cancelled (call 847-707-8632 for details).

In addition to the park setting, these performances are green because of the location’s access to public transit. The Civic Center is between the Foster St. and Noyes St. CTA Purple Line L stations and it’s a short walk west to the park. Ride your bike and secure it at one of the bike racks located on the grounds.

Show your love of Shakespeare by wearing a limited edition As You Like It tee-shirt. Cost is only $15 if you buy one at the show, both men’s and women’s sizes (S to XL) are available. The shirts can be ordered online as well.

Muse of Fire Theatre Company is a 501(c)3 non-profit that relies on the generosity of people like you. To support their work, please send a check to Muse of Fire Theatre Company, 1712 Chancellor St., Evanston, IL 60201; or donate online. All donations are tax-deductible.

Last two performances of Shakespeare in Ridgeville Park

2011-07-30T14:13:00.000-05:00

Plan to catch one of the last two performances of The Merry Wives of Windsor, a production of The Arc Theatre.

Head to South Evanston for Shakespeare in the Park on Saturday, July 30 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 31 at 7 p.m. Note: all performances are free and will be on the East stage behind the Art Studio adjacent to the Ridgeville Park District Community House (908 Seward St.). Ridgeville Park is served by the South Blvd. L stop on the CTA’s Purple Line.

Because RPD is committed to ensuring that all performances are free and open to the public, community support is needed to help subsidize its Shakespeare in the Park tradition. All donations are processed through the tax-deductible 501(c)(3) RPD Cultural Development Foundation. Donate by visiting http://www.ridgeville.org/foundation.

Earn Green$ense Rewards at Charter One Bank

2011-07-03T16:14:00.000-05:00

Last December I posted about changing banks and noted that my new checking account rewards me for sustainable practices.

With Charter One’s Green$ense^®Debit Card Program, I earn 10 cents every time I use my debit card, pay a bill online or have an automatic payment charged to my checking account or debit card. Additional green features include:

Online banking with free bill pay
Paperless monthly eStatements
Green$ense Debit Card made from recycled plastic
Monthly e-newsletter that reports Green$ense cash earned, environmental impact and green-living tips.

Please note: a minimum of 10 eligible transactions in a month is required to receive 10 cents per transaction.

Earnings will be reported to the IRS for income tax purposes. Charter One has several branches in the near northern suburbs: two in Evanston, two in Skokie and one in Lincolnwood.

The total amount of Green$ense cash I’ve earned so far this year is $12.10. That sum won’t buy an airline ticket or other high-end rewards product. Yet, when your bank rewards you for being green, that’s reason to feel good about your lifestyle choices.

Sample these Evanston events this weekend

2011-06-25T17:56:00.000-05:00

When summer arrives, so does a wide array of local events that compete for a chunk of our free time. Events such as the Taste of Chicago and Fountain Square Arts Festival are well promoted and draw huge crowds.

Skip the crowds and head over to Grey Park (corner of Ridge Ave. and Main St.) for the first-ever Food Truck Festival. This family friendly event on Sunday, June 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., is sponsored by the Evanston Parks Coalition and Hummingbird Kitchen.

Heather Falconer Behm, Chef Vince DiBattista and Stephen Schwartz are the trio behind Hummingbird Kitchen. All are veterans of Campagnola and Union Pizza, so their portable fare is likely to incorporate locally sourced ingredients as do the restaurants.

Bring a picnic blanket and check out the latest food trucks, sing along in the park’s amphitheatre, climb an EFD fire engine or dance some Zumba.

Later that afternoon relax and enjoy two free concerts at Ridgeville Park (corner of Ridge Ave. and South Blvd.). First up performing on the park’s south stage at 4:30 p.m. is the Ridgeville Band of Evanston. Its repertoire features orchestral works, marches, waltzes, novelties and music from the American musical theater.

Second up is the South Boulevard Band, which performs on the same stage at 6:30 p.m. This new band consists of veterans of the Chicago music scene. With almost 200 years of cumulative musical experience, its members have shared the stage with such notables as Muddy Waters, James Cotton, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee and Hubert Sumlin.

Tying all this music together are the deep, raspy vocals of Dudley Fair. Come listen to the group’s take on R&B, Bluegrass and Soul.

All events are accessible by CTA Purple Line trains (Main St. and South Blvd. stops). Walking or biking to local events is encouraged, too.

Eco Gal takes public transit to view sustainably designed home

2011-06-12T18:35:00.001-05:00

Thankfully, this open house was held on a Saturday afternoon because most Pace buses do not run on Sundays.

Award-winning architect Nathan Kipnis invited me to attend an open house of a home he designed for a Glencoe couple. It is on track to achieve rating as a LEED Platinum Residence (LEED = Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

Boarded a Pace 213 bus at the Davis Street Transit Center in downtown Evanston. This was a first-time ride on this route and it was useful to see all of the places it could take me along Green Bay Rd.

Asked the driver for help finding my stop in Glencoe as I was unfamiliar with the location of Washington Ave. For much of its northbound route, Green Bay Rd. parallels Metra’s Union Pacific North Line tracks. I focused on reading street signs on the left side of the road and spotted Washington Ave. about the same time the bus driver did. He pulled up to a safe place to exit.

It was a short walk past homes with well-tended lawns and gardens, not unlike many found in Evanston. The most apparent differences were the sense of quiet and the lack of parked cars. A more densely populated town than Glencoe, even on streets with big-lot houses, one is keenly aware that Evanston is an urban locale.


Rendering of home \| Nathan Kipnis Architects

Excuse the digression, continuing on to the Washington Avenue space. Its exterior is my favorite hue of blue…a deep slate. The house was painted with low- or no-VOC material (VOC = volatile organic compound). It is trimmed in white and has a large front porch…haven’t been inside and I’m already in love.

Sorry to tease, but the inside story will have to wait. Plan to write a detailed piece on this special home and have it featured in a prominent publication. (Eco Gal has to make a living.) Promise to post a notice and link when that happens.

An RTA Odyssey to Chicago's Northwest Suburbs

2011-05-31T07:05:00.001-05:00

Have reconnected with many former classmates and friends in recent months and thank Facebook for that. This weekend, however, it was the RTA (Regional Transit Authority) that gets the credit for a reunion between two long-time friends.

It was a bittersweet moment last December, when I handed back the keys to my Honda Civic Hybrid at the dealership. The second of two four-year leases had come to an end. Yes, I was taking a huge step toward a greener lifestyle but also was saying ‘good-bye’ to a friend that had served me well.

I signed up for the CTA/I-GO Chicago Card Plus combination car sharing and public transit program. After the blizzard this February, I was especially grateful for Evanston’s terrific access to public transportation. Had an appointment at Evanston Hospital and, like clockwork, the 201 bus got me there and back without lifting a shovel.

When I accepted DB’s invitation to visit her new home in Lake Barrington, I discovered the whole RTA system would be needed to transport me there. My odyssey began at 9:15 a.m. when I boarded a CTA 201 bus for downtown Evanston.

Pace bus at Davis St. station

At the Davis Street transit station, I switched to a Pace 208 bus for the second leg to the Des Plaines Metra Station. It was surprising to see all of the places that bus took this first-time rider. Its route went to Old Orchard via Church St. and Skokie Blvd., then onto Golf Rd. through the shopping center and back. Continuing west on Golf to Milwaukee Ave., it stopped at Golf Mill and circled back to Golf Rd.

The route also accommodates riders who attend Oakton Community College by turning off Golf and taking a twisting road to stop at a main campus entrance. Again, the 208 bus resumed its westward route on Golf Rd. until it got to Des Plaines and meandered to the Metra station.

From this point, I switched to a Union Pacific Northwest Line train, which is due at 11:04 a.m. and running a bit late. My friend is waiting in her car as the train rolls into the Fox River Grove station about 11:45 a.m.

When one travels to the far northwest suburbs, there’s not much in the way of public transportation and a car becomes a necessity not an option. DB and I hugged before heading to Lake Barrington Shores. As can happen with two busy and divergent lifestyles, we’d drifted for a few years.

Marina at Lake Barrington Shores.

As we drove through the gates into LBS it was apparent…we weren’t in Kansas anymore (metaphorically). We drove past several streets of well-tended lawns and gardens with clusters of condo units gathered on slightly sloping hills.

Most of the clusters housed four condo units as was the case with DB’s site. Every unit is a short path from an adjacent one-car garage. One can’t tell from the outside just how spacious any given unit will be. My friend’s one-bedroom unit had a stairway leading to loft area for a second bedroom or home office. There was an enviable amount of storage space throughout the condo.

After the full tour, we gathered the components of the lunch DB had prepared. We ate in the full-sized dining room with a serene view of the forest-like setting on which the units were built. While munching on sandwiches, chips, salads and drinking lemonade, we updated each other on our lives.

DB mentioned there were walking trails and two lakes on the grounds, so we ventured outdoors despite looming storm clouds. About half-way along the trail, a gentle rain began falling. Although the community is populated with many families, our walk was serene. A few people fishing and a couple of boats drifting on the lake were the only souls we encountered.

As our walk was ending, DB wanted to check for mail. As with the residential units, there are clusters of mailboxes. Hers was far enough away to be missed by a similar looking street. After a few false starts, the correct group of mailboxes was discovered and we headed back to her unit.

Before long it would be time to drive back to the Metra station for the 4:11 p.m. train. We said our ‘good-byes’ as the eastbound train arrived. The long, three-pronged odyssey back to Evanston had begun.

When the train stopped at Des Plaines, I saw the Pace 208 bus at the shelter. I walked quickly toward the bus and could see the driver had closed the door and was pulling away. I ran and held up my transit card. The driver stopped so I could board.

By the time I stepped off the CTA 201 bus it was 6:15 p.m. The nine-hour journey to visit an old friend had left me exhausted, yet content.

Lake Michigan sunset, Evanston.

Lake Barrington Shores bills itself as “A Contemporary Resort Community in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs” and there’s no denying that. On the City’s Web site, the phrase “Evanston has a stunning natural setting on Lake Michigan…” says it all.

Chicago Green Festival at McCormick Place–May 14-15

2011-05-13T12:01:00.000-05:00

Governor Pat Quinn will cut the green ribbon at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 14 to kick-off Chicago’s Green Festival. Come for all the latest information about sustainable economy, ecological balance, social justice and many other green-related topics.

Discounted event tickets may still be purchased online. Weekend passes are $15 and Saturday or Sunday Day passes are $10; a nominal service fee is charged for all online tickets. The deadline to buy discounted tickets online is Friday, May 13 at 5 p.m.

Students, seniors, bicyclists and public transit riders will receive discounted admission to the event. Get details on using public transportation to McCormick Place on the RTA website at www.rtachicago.org or call their Transit Information Hotline at 312-836-7000.

Festival hours are Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at McCormick Place Lakeside, 2301 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago.

Earth Day Bash at Unitarian Church – Friday, April 22

2011-04-21T17:45:00.000-05:00

A Multigenerational Earth Day celebration with fun and informative events for the whole family will be held Friday, April 22, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Evanston.

Highlights include sharing an organic potluck dinner, creating “earth art” treasures, shopping for fair trade items from Ten Thousand Villages and buying seedlings for planting this spring.

Eggplant at ETHS's Edible Acres

The cost is $5 per person/$15 per family. Please bring an organic dish, serving 10-12, to share for the potluck dinner. Proceeds from the event will help purchase a hoop house for the Evanston Township High School Edible Acre pilot project, a joint effort of The Talking Farm and the high school.

The Unitarian Church of Evanston is located at 1330 Ridge Ave., one block north of Dempster St. Enter the free parking lot from Greenwood St. between Ridge and Asbury avenues. The building is accessible and located along the CTA’s #201 bus route. Walkers and bike riders are welcome, too.

Bank holds Shredding Day to prevent identity theft

2011-04-21T08:29:00.000-05:00

If you’re concerned about identity theft, one solution would be to buy a good shredding machine for $50-$150. A better solution is to attend Shredding Day on Saturday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2925 Central St., Evanston.

The quarterly event is sponsored by First Bank & Trust with site rotating among the bank’s branches. This Shredding Day coincides with Earth Day 2011 and residents may bring up to 25 pounds of paper documents for shredding at no cost.

Neal Houcek, senior vice president of branch administration, noted that “This is the fourth year that First Bank & Trust has offered this service.” He estimated that about 100 people brought documents to the last shredding event.

“People are concerned about protecting their personal information and we are pleased to provide this service to the community,” Houcek said.

Bring confidential papers to First Bank & Trust’s Shredding Day…you'll save time, save money and save the environment!

Indie film lovers feast at Talking Pictures Festival

2011-04-17T11:46:00.002-05:00

My friend Mary and I braved wind, rain and cold to feed our independent film cravings at the Talking Pictures Festival held April 14-17, 2011. Our marathon adventure started at 1:55 p.m. when we met to catch the 201 bus on Ridge Ave.

The CTA bus driver accommodated our request to exit at Chicago Ave. and Sheridan Rd., which saved an extra half block walk to the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art for our first screening. My memories of navigating Northwestern University’s campus are fuzzy, but we arrived at the Block Cinema with time to spare.

Beekeeper at work.

“The Colony,” an 87-minute film about beekeepers, was co-presented with The Talking Farm. It documents the discovery of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) for beekeepers in the U.S. and its threat to seriously impact our nation’s food supply. Representatives from The Talking Farm and a local beekeeping family were available for a post-film discussion.

Next was “Paradise Recovered” an examination of Esther, a devout young woman who is part of a conservative Christian sect. After taking a job at a local health food store, she begins to experience life anew with the help of co-works Gabe and Mark.

Esther at church.

This retelling of the Good Samaritan parable looked at tough issues involving faith, tolerance and spiritual abuse in modern culture. A value-added feature was the presence of the film’s director, writer/co-producer and lead actress for a post-screening Q&A.

Locho, Yama and baby at dinner.

Our last film was “Summer Pasture,” a beautifully shot documentary about a young nomadic family in the high grasslands of eastern Tibet. It shows how Locho and Yama struggle with the harsh climate and challenges of yak herding. Set in the most remote corner of China’s Sichuan Province, this personal account of nomadic life has universal appeal as a story of family survival.

When the movie ended, our growling tummies reminded us that, except for candy bars and a shared bag of chips, we hadn't eaten for nearly eight hours. As we headed to the Davis St. L station, the neon lights of The Globe Cafe on Orrington Ave. beckoned.

Both of us ordered the soup and sandwich (tomato bisque and grilled cheese with prosciutto on marble rye). The plate arrived with a nice portion of delicious fries and dill pickle slices. This meal left us satisfied and ready to deal with the L ride home.

Plenty of people were waiting on the L platform for the next train. Is there a colder place to be on a wet, windy night than an elevated platform? A southbound train arrived and we sat near the exit doors. Our concern wasn't with the late-night L ride, but with exiting at South Blvd., a station that has no businesses or bright lights nearby.

Walking hurriedly toward Oakton St., we adopted the most menacing 'tough old broad' personas we could muster. At the corner of Oakton and Sherman Ave., Mary and I parted for our respective homes. Each of us had a few more blocks to walk alone and it was past 10:30 p.m.

It would be a lie to say I was unafraid. Sorry, Evanston PD...those are the facts. These are the times we live in and a woman alone after dark has reason to be fearful. CTA bus routes in Evanston stop running about 8 p.m. on Saturdays and don't run at all on Sundays, so the L was the only option.

The decision to use public transit goes deeper than a wish to lead a greener lifestyle. It is one of economics...having been unemployed for 20 months, a car is an unaffordable luxury.

So a brisk, uneventful walk home was the cap to a truly joyful day. Good films, good food and good company...a scarce treat.

Look for details on Sunday’s films in another post soon.

Retail shop’s sustainable design yields tasty results

2011-04-13T14:00:00.000-05:00

Tiny DogCupcake at 616 Davis St., opened on November 26, 2010 and has been satisfying sweets cravings ever since.

Evanston’s first “cupcakery” occupies the space formerly held by Ritz Camera and the magical transformation is the work of 2 Point Perspective Inc. The eco-architecture firm’s commitment to sustainable design is reflected on the minty green walls and periwinkle blue wood panels finished with low-VOC paints. Eco friendly materials were used for the flooring and other interior details.

The dots and dashes incorporated into the interior and exterior wood panels represent Morse Code, as store owner Rob Mockard is a private pilot. Tiny dogs, specifically a Jack Russell Terrier, cupcakes and aviation are a few of this NU alum’s favorite things.

Lisa and Ron Elkins, co-owners of 2 Point Perspectives, held a reception at Tiny Dog Cupcake yesterday evening so that friends and guests could take a look around the shop and sample the yummy cupcakes. Additionally, everyone was asked to make three eco pledges.

So far, I’ve tasted the Red Velvety, Dark Chocolate Minty and Carrot Cake…each flavor was pleasing to the palate. Plan to return with friends to try Barking Blueberry, Lemon Lemon and other tempting treats.

A stop at Tiny Dog Cupcake is the perfect ending to a long walk on a beautiful spring day. Reward yourself and think sustainable thoughts.