Please Note: In order to be eligible for the 2008-2009 program, you must:
1. Be a middle school or high school CPS teacher
2. Attend an in-person or phone orientation about the program. To find out about upcoming orietnations, please call (312) 743-9283 or email conservation@cityofchicago.org.

For more information, visit www.cityofchicago.org/Environment/C3.

Saturdays, August 9th, September 13th - 9am - noon

· August 9: Come out and show your green thumbs! Get your hands dirty and learn about the value of wetlands while planting hundreds of native wetland plants
· September 13: See the progress! Volunteers will help plant native shrubs, mulch trees, and remove any remaining invasive or weedy plants

Meet at the Humboldt Park Wetland just south of the Institute of Puerto Rican Art and Culture (old horse stables). To register or for more information, please contact Becky Schillo, CPD Volunteer Stewardship Coordinator, at 312-742-4072 or mailto:becky.schillo@chicagoparkdistrict.com

Funding for this project has been generously provided by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and The Conservation Fund’s Northeastern Illinois Wetland Conservation Grant Program.

I just wanted to let you know about this telecast being organized by the Economic Development Association, which is part of the US Commerce Department.

Ted Wysocki is President and CEO of Chicago’s Local Economic and Development Council (LEED). He spearheads a lot of great work for projects like the new Chicago Green Exchange, so I figured you might be interested in posting details about the telecast on your website. I absolutely understand its short notice…but I figure your organization would like to hear about it anyway.

The telecast is hosted by Benjamin Erulkar, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of commerce for economic development; Paul Farmer, Executive Director and CEO of the American Planning Association, and Nancy McKeever, Sustainable Energy Program Manager for the California Energy Commission.

WHEN:

Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 2:30pm EST (1:30pm Central).

WHAT:

-The role of environmental sustainability and its impact on economic development
-How U.S. economic regions can strengthen competitiveness through innovative and green sustainable development strategies
-The costs and benefits of green building as well as how the private sector can successfully invest in and profit from green development projects
-The increasing number of green jobs and how communities can attract these new green industries

The telecast is open to everyone. To register, visit
http://edabroadcast.haverstick.biz/.

This year we are having our Second Annual Water Bottle Awareness for the 50th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show which shakes up the lake front on August 15-17, 2008 which is the “LARGEST” free show of it’s kind in the United States. It is the city’s second most popular festival. Last year, 2,200,000 people watched the show. Imagine, about 2 million plastic water bottles will be discarded on the beach this year in a two days period.

Worldwide sale of bottled water a year is estimated to be between $50 and $100 billion (US) and increasing approximately 7 to 10 percent annually. In 2004, the US bottled water industry surpassed 6.8 billion gallons of water for that year, an increase of 8.6% over the previous year (Beverage Marketing Corporation, 2005) 22.6 Gallons of bottled water each person in the U.S. consumed in 2006, up 8.4 percent from the previous year.

The consumption of over 150 billion liters of bottled water per year necessitates the use of billions of plastic and glass bottles. Though the materials used are generally recyclable, many of these bottles, particularly those used in developing countries without recycling infrastructure, are discarded rather than recycled, with this trash having a negative effect on the environment. More than a billion Water bottles end up in the state’s landfills each year. (The Associated Press)

The plastic used to package the 6 billion gallons of bottled water sold in the United States somehow end-up clogging landfills and littering the landscape and spreading toxins into ground water. Nine out of 10 plastic bottles end up as litter. That’s 30 million discarded bottles a day. (According to Yes! A Journal of Positive Futures 2004)

Please email us at grace@mgracedesigns.com

Help save the environment. Your help is very much appreciated!
M. Grace Sielaff, C3 Leader

Attend one of the orientations listed below to learn more. For questions or to reserve a seat, please contact (312) 743-9283 or conservation@cityofchicago.org.

Wednesday, August 20 - 7pm - 8pm
6th District Police Station, 7808 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60620

Saturday, August 23 - 10am - 11am
Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd., Chicago, IL 60612

Monday, August 25 - 12pm - 1pm
Chicago Department of Environment, 30 N. LaSalle St. 25th Floor, Chicago, IL 60602

To apply for the C3 Leadership Training Series, you must be a City of Chicago resident and attend one orientation. The Fall 2008 training will be held at the Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd, Saturdays, September 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 9:30am - 1:30pm. A mandatory field trip will take place on Saturday, October 11. A $75 fee covers course participation and project support. Financial assistance is available upon request.

I was looking at the Chicago Conservation Corps website today, and thought that your organization might be interested in participating in or promoting National Park(ing) Day 2008, an annual event, happening in Chicago on September 19th, which celebrates parks in cities by creating temporary parks in public parking spaces. National Park(ing) Day is an all-volunteer event, and any participation is welcome. One can, build his or her own park, help others build parks, or simply visit Park(ing) Day parks throughout the day. Look at www.tpl.org/parkingday for details, a how-to manual, photos and videos, or to connect with participants near you.

Nathan Tone

West Nile Virus infection (WNV) is an illness conveyed to humans primarily by mosquitoes. In most cases, people infected with WNV either show no symptoms or have very mild flu-like symptoms, called West Nile fever. WNV is an urgent issue that needs to be taken seriously in the Chicagoland area every summer.

In a collaborative effort to assist the Chicago Department of Public Health in its 2008 Public Education and Community Outreach Campaign, the Chicago Department of Environment (DOE) will be distributing brochures and magnets to the public at DOE outreach events this summer. Examples include rain barrel distribution and blue cart recycling events. To ensure that information gets to as many people as possible, DOE welcomes the assistance of interested C3 leaders and trainees that can help distribute information to members of their community or neighborhoods.

If you are interested in assisting, please contact Jerry Attere at 312-744-9136 or jerry.attere@cityofchicago.org to receive brochures and magnets for distribution.

For more information on WNV, go to the Chicago Department of Public Health’s webpage that can be found under the City Departments link at www.cityofchicago.org and look for the West Nile Virus information under the Infectious Disease link.

Celebrate summer by ridding your home of unwanted chemicals, paints, and computers. Bring in your old computers, monitors, cell phones and household chemicals this Saturday to the City’s permanent facility at 1150 N. North Branch St., 2 blocks east of the Kennedy at Division St. for proper recycling and disposal. For a complete list of accepted materials, visit www.cityofchicago.org/Environment and click on “Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility” on the right-hand column.

NeoCon
- Monday June 9 - Wednesday June 11 at the Merchandise Mart
- Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

At NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair, discover thousands of innovative products and resources for corporate hospitality, healthcare, retail, government, institutional and residential interiors from more than 1,200 showrooms and exhibitors. Stop by the Chicago Center for Green Technology’s booth to learn about their programs and check out green product samples. For more information on NeoCon, visit www.neocon.com.

Bike to Work Day Rally
- Friday, June 13, 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.

Riding your bike can help displace more than 238 million gallons of gasoline annually and reduce the amount of volatile pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, released by vehicle emissions. Choose the healthy alternative and become a bike commuter. The Bike to Work Day Rally challenges commuters to put down the keys, step off the bus and bike their way to work! Join fellow cyclists, local media celebrities, live bands and the City of Chicago at Daley Plaza for a day full of activities from 7:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Cyclists will enjoy live music and receive a free continental breakfast and T-shirt while supplies last. For more information, visit www.bikechicago.us or call (312) 744-3315.

Environmental Resource Event
- Saturday, June 21, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- U.S. Cellular Field, 333 W. 35th St.

Be Safe at Home: Exchange household hazards for environmental resources. Participate in the Department of Environment’s second Environmental Resource Event of the year. Take this opportunity to:
- properly dispose of your household hazardous waste
- recycle your old computers, monitors, laptops and cell phones
- keep medicines out of our water system by bringing them for proper disposal
- pick up a free compact fluorescent light bulb (limit one per household)
- drop off your old gas-powered lawn mower and receive a $100 rebate towards an electric or push mower
- reduce your landfill waste by purchasing a $30 outdoor compost bin and reuse rain water by investing in a $40 rain barrel (both are available to Chicago residents only, must pay with check or money order, limit 1 per household)

Questions? Call the Chicago Department of Environment at (312) 744-7606.

Chicago Solar Powerup! For Kids
- Session 1: July 14- 18; Session 2: July 21-25. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd.
- Registration ends June 30

The Chicago Center for Green Technology wants future scientists, engineers, and designers for the 3rd annual Chicago Solar Powerup! Solar Powerup gives students ages 9-11 the opportunity to design, build, and race model solar cars while learning about renewable energy sources. Students are give instructions in various design factors and then work in teams to build their car. Following testing, these workshops culminate in a series of one-on-one races in a tournament on Daley Plaza on Wednesday, July 30, to determine champions.

Please note: Registration is limited to 20 students per session and will be admitted on a first come, first serve basis. Spots may only be reserved by the receipt of payment ($75, check only) no later than 2 weeks prior to the first class. Before mailing in payment, please call (312) 746-4155 for availability. Limited scholarships are available.

Alert: Protect Yourself and Your Family from West Nile Virus

This information bulletin is an advisory to assist members of the public in taking precautions to minimize their risk of exposure to the West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV infection is an illness conveyed to humans primarily by mosquitoes. In most cases, people infected with WNV either show no symptoms or have very mild flu-like symptoms, called West Nile fever. WNV is an urgent issue that needs to be taken seriously in the Chicagoland area every summer. Since WNV can affect anyone, we ask that the following steps be taken to prevent or minimize any chance of mosquito bites:

Get rid of sources of stagnant or standing water in your backyard or neighborhood, as mosquitoes can reproduce in standing water that exists for more than 4 days.

- Call 3-1-1 immediately to report any stagnant or standing water than needs to be removed - it is important to provide the location and number of days that the water has been there.
- Protect your skin by wearing protective clothing such as long pants, shirts with sleeves, and socks.
- Use insect repellants containing the active ingredient DEET (chemical name, N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). Products containing DEET are available in various liquids, lotions, and sprays and do not present a health concern as long as the product labels are read and directions are followed. DEET has been approved for use by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
- For more information, go to the Chicago Department of Public Health’s webpage that can be found under the City Departments link at www.cityofchicago.org and look for the West Nile Virus information under the Infectious Disease link.

Smart Home Green + Wired
- Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Museum of Science and Industry, 57th St. and Lake Shore Drive

Check out the Museum of Science and Industry’s 3-story modular sustainable home, learn about the Chicago Green Home Remodeling Series and pick up a free compact fluorescent light bulb, while supplies last. For more information on the Smart Home Green + Wired, visit www.msichicago.org.

Green Your Closet and Drawers
- Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Donations accepted at: Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd.; North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd.; St. Ailbe’s Church, 93rd and Stony Island.

Bring in your used clothes and eyeglasses to be reused by the Lion’s Club and the Salvation Army and receive a green gift, available while supplies last.

Daley Plaza Farmer’s Market
- Thursday, May 15, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.

Fill your produce bags with fresh fruits and vegetables at the first Daley Plaza Farmers Market of the season. For more information, visit www.chicagofarmersmarkets.us

Green Festival
- Saturday, May 17 - Sunday, May 18
- Navy Pier

Come celebrate what’s working in our communities, hear from environmental speakers and check out vendors for the latest in the green movement. Visit the Chicago Department of Environment exhibit to learn how you can reduce your environmental footprint. For more information, visit www.greenfestivals.org.

Great Chicago Places and Spaces Tour
- Saturday, May 17 - Sunday, May 18
- Locations throughout Chicago

Come explore Chicago’s rich heritage in architecture and design during the 10th Annual Great Chicago Places and Spaces celebration. This is a weekend dedicated to architecture and design that offers more than 200 free tours of Chicago and it’s neighborhoods given by prominent architecture, design specialists and community leaders. Most walking tours are outside, please dress accordingly. For more information, visit www.greatchicagoplaces.us.

Mayor Daley’s Clean and Green
- Saturday, May 17
- Locations throughout Chicago

Community groups throughout Chicago can make an immediate difference in their neighborhood by volunteering for Mayor Daley’s Spring Clean & Green Day. For the past 20 years, Chicagoans like yourself have teamed up with community groups and the City of Chicago to help beautify your communities by cleaning up and recycling accumulated litter and trash. The City provides materials. For more information or to register, call 3-1-1.

Dear Friends,

I am writing to remind you about the Sunday, May 18 day of prayer for the Healing of the Earth. We are holding this day of prayer at St. Joseph and St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, on the corner of Greenwood and Oak in Blue Island. The day will begin with a special Mass for the Healing of the Earth at St. Joseph/ St. Aidan’s. We will hold the same service, and a blessing of the Community Garden at St. Clement’s in Harvey.

At 4:00 pm, we will have invited local gardeners and environmental activists to share their thoughts and prayers at St. J and A in Blue Island. We will then walk down to the Cal-Sag Channel to participate in a ritual of prayer and spiritual healing for all the lakes and rivers, air and land in our nation.

We are holding our day of prayer in partnership with the Gardens of Forgiveness, a peace and justice program begun in the wake of 9/11 at New York City’s St. Paul’s Chapel. As part of the service, we will bless the gardens here in our area.

Please feel free to be with us for any of the events on May 18. Please call if you if you would like to volunteer to play a role in the 4:00 service. Our prayers and music for the afternoon service come from the Celtic and Native American Christian tradition.

The Rev. Rod Reinhart
Rector of St. Clement’s Episcopal Church
Harvey IL
Vicar of St. Joseph and St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church
Blue Island IL

Host of FAITH ON THE FRONT LINE
Chicago State University CSU-TV
Diocese of Chicago

2508 Walnut
Blue Island IL 60406
708-528-9862
708-389-0733
revrod@comcast.net