Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The genesis of DuPage County's first food co-op

The Prairie Food Co-op has been formed and is seeking members.  Already over 90 people have joined.  After a feasibility study is completed and location selected, a retail store will open to feature local and organic foods.

“Meet the Co-op” Forum
  • Wednesday, December 5, 6:00 – 7:00 pm at the Corner Coffee House  (100 W St Charles Rd, Lombard)
The co-op invites interested folks for an informal meet-up to learn more about the co-op, ownership, and anything else you’re curious about. “Meet the Co-op” forums provide opportunities to discuss the co-op with owners and PFC Board members. Owners and non-owners alike are welcome. Appetizers will be provided. Drinks available for purchase. Come relax and socialize with some great people!

For more information, visit the Prairie Food Co-op web site.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Eco-activities and news for DuPage County

There is a lot going on in Glen Ellyn and surrounding suburbs.  Here is  a sampler of upcoming  events and news items.

Cool Calendar:

November 20 - Prairie Food Coop offers its first public forum in Lombard to learn about what a food coop store is and how to become an owner.

November 23 - Naperville Astronomical Association open house at Astronomy Education Center in Naperville.  Look through large amateur telescopes (weather permitting), NAA stargazing.

November 27 - Deadline for energy efficiency grants for schools, Illinois State Board of Education.

November 30 - This Thanksgiving, you can recycle cooking oil in Glen Ellyn.  For other locations, see the list posted on the SCARCE web site.

December 8 - Ten Thousand Villages fundraiser for Glen Ellyn League of Women Voters, shopping from 12-4 pm. - new location.

December 14 - Next restoration work day at Glen Ellyn Park district

Various dates - DuPage Forest Preserve Restoration workdays and progress tours.

News items:

Illinois DNR proposes new hydraulic fracturing rules for oil and gas wells.  The photo above shows Jennifer Hensley of the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club explaining the new fracking laws at the Glen Ellyn Civic Center during a recent Sierra Club River Prairie Group program.

The Conservation Foundation announces a new preserve.

Illinois is more energy efficient than you might think, at least when compared to other states, ACEEE.  But for renewable energy sources like solar to really take off, we need to fix the rules, veto session update

Shop local.  Due to growing demand, Glen Ellyn has a second electric vehicle charging station in its central business district, map  Naperville has them also.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Sierra Club River Prairie Group Program on Fracking

The program being held in Glen Ellyn on Wednesday November 13 is intended to provide an update on what is happening in Illinois from a public policy and environmental protection perspective.  This is an important topic for all Illinois residents.

 
Nov 13 - FRACKING IN ILLINOIS, Next Steps, GLEN ELLYN CIVIC CENTER, 535 Duane Street, 7 PM

 Illinois passed fracking legislation this year. What are some of the most significant components of the legislation? What do we need to do to ensure that the regulations are enforced, permits are monitored, and supporting rules are the most effective for protecting our air, water and land?

Presenter: JEN HENSLEY, SIERRA CLUB, IL CHAPTER


 

Sunday, November 3, 2013

November calendar

Eco events in DuPage County:

Nov 3 - As we end DST for another season, we ask:  Does it save energy?  National Geographic

Nov 8 - EPA public listening session for reducing carbon emissions from power plants, in Chicago, http://www2.epa.gov/carbon-pollution-standards/public-listening-sessions#Chicago

Nov 9 - Buckthorn removal project and trail cleanups.  The following is edited for brevity.  Contact the Village of Lombard for additional information.

The Village is seeking your help to remove trash and buckthorn from the Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trail. The official time is 9 am-Noon on Saturday. Volunteers for the buckthorn work must be at least 10 years old and sign a waiver. The waiver may be either submitted before the event or brought that morning. Volunteers picking up trash do not need to complete a waiver. Please contact Dave Gorman, Assistant Director of Public Works, at 630-620-5765 or gormand@villageoflombard.org to sign up for a trail section. Thanks for being one of those that make a difference! - Dave David P. Gorman, PE Asst. Director of Public Works Village of Lombard, p: 630-620-5765 c: 630-769-1868 f: 630-620-5982gormand@villageoflombard.org

Nov 13 - Sierra Club program "Fracking in Illinois: The Next Steps," with Jen Hensley of the Illinois Sierra club office, 7 pm, Glen Ellyn Civic Center.

Nov 14 - Green Infrastructure Workshop, Conservation Foundation

Nov 15 - America Recycles Day,  http://americarecyclesday.org/toolkit

Nov 19 - Fall membership dinner, "The Community Benefits of Open Space," Conservation Foundation

Dec 8 - Ten Thousand Villages fundraiser for Glen Ellyn League of Women Voters, shopping from 12-4 pm.