Explore Energy Savings

C3 Leader, Amy Talbot leads a Winter Wonderland Energy Savings Workshop

Saturday, February 25th

12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy (IHSCA), Community Room

2520 S. Western Ave.

Contact winterenergyc3@gmail.com to register.

Join Amy and her . . . → Read More: C3 Leader, Amy Talbot leads a Winter Wonderland Energy Savings Workshop, February 25th, 12PM]]>

Explore Energy Savings

C3 Leader, Amy Talbot leads a Winter Wonderland Energy Savings Workshop

Saturday, February 25th

12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy (IHSCA), Community Room

2520 S. Western Ave.

Contact winterenergyc3@gmail.com to register.

Join Amy and her C3 team to hear about actions you can take to not only help the environment but also save money. Workshop topics include properly caring for outdoors plants in the winter; improving your snow salting techniques with the right products and methods; installing high efficiency showerheads to save on water and energy costs; replacing old light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs; and changing furnace filters to improve air quality and save money on energy costs. The first 40 families to arrive will receive energy saving kits and additional items will be raffled off at the close of the workshop. Lunch will be provided and Spanish language translation will be available.

Explore Green Cleaning

C3 Leader, Stephanie Douglass leads Adventures in Green Cleaning

Wednesday, February 22nd

5 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Uncommon Ground

1401 W. Devon Ave

For more information, contact 260-ALL-GROW.

We are in the heart of winter, and most likely, your windows are closed and fresh air is at a premium. So don’t pollute the air in your home with cleaning products that contain hazardous chemicals and volatile organic compounds. We will make it easy for you to find another option. Here is a recipe for . . . → Read More: How To Make Air-friendly Cleaning Products]]>

We are in the heart of winter, and most likely, your windows are closed and fresh air is at a premium. So don’t pollute the air in your home with cleaning products that contain hazardous chemicals and volatile organic compounds. We will make it easy for you to find another option. Here is a recipe for making your own air-friendly cleaning products. A friendly mixture of science, conservation, and cooking skills.

Basic All-Purpose Cleaner Formula

1/2 teaspoon baking soda or 2 teaspoons borax

1/2 teaspoon liquid soap detergent

2 cups hot water

spray bottle

Combine everything into the spray bottle and shake to blend.

Content Creator: C3 Trainee Tom from www.letUbeU.com

Explore Bike Maintenance

Tuesday, January 31st

5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Working Bikes, 2434 S. Western Ave

No registration necessary.  For more information, contact volunteer@workingbikes.org.

Come out and learn about bike maintenance at Working Bikes, a local non-profit that diverts bicycles from the waste stream by . . . → Read More: Working Bikes Cooperative Volunteer Night, Jan 31st, 5PM]]>

Explore Bike Maintenance

Tuesday, January 31st

5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Working Bikes, 2434 S. Western Ave

No registration necessary.  For more information, contact volunteer@workingbikes.org.

Come out and learn about bike maintenance at Working Bikes, a local non-profit that diverts bicycles from the waste stream by repairing them for sale and charity.  Have a fun-filled night and learn how to keep any bike running smoothly.

Explore Outdoor Stewardship

Monday, January 16th

Whistler Woods, S Halsted St & W 134th St.

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

RSVP to Mary Eileen Sullivan at sullivanme@fotp.org.

Join Friends of the Parks and Calumet Is My Backyard (C.I.M.B.Y.) at Whistler Woods to celebrate Martin Luther King Day by providing . . . → Read More: Featured Event! Friends of the Parks MLK Jr. Service Day at Whistler Woods, Jan 16th, 9AM]]>

Explore Outdoor Stewardship

Monday, January 16th

Whistler Woods, S Halsted St & W 134th St.

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

RSVP to Mary Eileen Sullivan at sullivanme@fotp.org.

Join Friends of the Parks and Calumet Is My Backyard (C.I.M.B.Y.) at Whistler Woods to celebrate Martin Luther King Day by providing stewardship work.  Volunteers will be doing various outdoor stewardship activities to restore the woods.  Dress in layers and be prepared to get your hands dirty.

Chicagoans are fortunate to have a large source of fresh water as our neighbor. Over 5.4 million people—44% of the Illinois population—depend on the Chicago Department of Water Management to provide a reliable supply of drinking water from Lake Michigan. Chicago is working hard to avoid situations similar to what is . . . → Read More: How To Save Water & Save Money]]> Content Creator: C3 Trainee Tom from www.letUbeU.com

Chicagoans are fortunate to have a large source of fresh water as our neighbor. Over 5.4 million people—44% of the Illinois population—depend on the Chicago Department of Water Management to provide a reliable supply of drinking water from Lake Michigan. Chicago is working hard to avoid situations similar to what is happening to the Colorado River and Aral Sea in Russia where the fresh water supply is being depleted.

To avoid a similar situation, Chicago is preparing by providing citizens with convenient options to conserve water. MeterSave is a new program offered by the City of Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM). Non-metered Chicago homeowners can volunteer to have a water meter installed. Water meters help to save water and save money.

In Chicago, water charges in non-metered homes are tied to factors such as building size, lot-size and the number of plumbing fixtures. However, metered homes are billed according to actual water usage. This means that with minimal effort, participating homeowners could save money on their water bills.

Signing up is completely FREE. The DWM will install your water meter, free of charge, and a wireless radio technology will report your water usage to the DWM. There are 3 ways to sign up:

1. Visit www.metersave.org
2. Call 311
3. Call 312-744-4H2O

ALSO, by signing up for a Water Meter, you will qualify for one of these additional incentives (while supplies last):

A rain barrel – for more details: rain barrels

or An outdoor water conservation kit

• A hose timer
• Rain guage
• Water restricting hose nozzle
• Moisture sensor

or An indoor water conservation kit

• Low flow shower head
• A shower timer
• Toilet flapper
• Leak Detection Tablets
• Toilet tank bank–a toilet tank water displacement pouch
• 4-quart fill cycle diverter that helps save water after flushing the toilet
• Swivel low-flow kitchen aerator
• Two bathroon sink aerators
• Teflon tape
• Water Conservation wheel

or A water meter monitor (a refrigerator magnet that shows water usage)

Watch this video to learn more about the MeterSave program:

MeterSave video

Testimonials about the program: Neighborhood Testimonials

Our previous post: Indoor Water Conservation Tips

Most of us are guilty of leaving our car running while we sit and wait, and wait, and wait. Sometimes we’re waiting for a friend while parked in front of their apartment, other times we quickly run into a bank or coffee shop. What you may not know is that idling your car engine wastes fuel, . . . → Read More: How To Promote Healthy Lungs & Clean Air – Turn Off Your Car]]>

Most of us are guilty of leaving our car running while we sit and wait, and wait, and wait. Sometimes we’re waiting for a friend while parked in front of their apartment, other times we quickly run into a bank or coffee shop. What you may not know is that idling your car engine wastes fuel, creates extra air pollution, and contributes to global warming. We would like to share with you a few facts & tips from the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago about idling your car engine:

1. Idling more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting the engine.
2. Idling 2 minutes uses the same amount of fuel as driving 1 mile.
3. The best way to warm up a vehicle in cold Chicago weather is to drive it.
4. Excessive idling can damage your engine. Idling partially burns fuel, which can cause residue build-up and can increase fuel consumption.

The road to becoming a more environmentally conscience individual starts with baby steps.  Please turn off your car. Thanks for reading!

Content Creator: C3 Trainee Tom from www.letUbeU.com