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Chicago Master Gardener

A blog for Chicago Master Gardeners providing information on volunteer opportunities, training, workshops and resources.

August 24, 2006

Thank You Master Gardeners and Master Composters

I would like to thank all the Master Gardeners and Master Composters who helped to make the August 19, Chicago Home Composting Bin Sale a huge success. Over 1,800 compost bins were sold. The Ag School sold out its allotment of 400 bins in 2 hours. Over 900 bins were sold at the North Park Village Nature Center and 475 bins at Garfield Park Conservatory.

I also want to thank Nancy Kreith, horticulture coordinator and Elizabeth Bruhns, Master Gardener Coordinator for their great work organizing this event.

Thank You Master Gardeners and Master Composters!

Debi Jansinski
Neil Smith
Heather Burton
Charlot Richards
Linda Wygant
Rosemary Jasik
Chuck Malatesta
Elide Piechocki
Paula Jones
Y'isroyal Y'israel El'essence
Jennifer Pagan
Judy Escallier
Grant Tilford
Carol Kolen
Peggy Thoma
Jim Covello
James Lewis
Ruth Melulis
Bob Veer
Melody Geraci
Donna Oppolo
Beata Welsh
Ela Russel
Gina Steward-Lipman
Amy Brandolino
Kathy Bonnar
Jalaine May

Posted by Ron Wolford at 11:36 PM | Permalink |

August 24, 2006

Love Those Bugs!

Love those bugs! Here is an opportunity to tell kids, ages five and up, all about them. Take our Insect Petting Zoo to:

Sulzer Regional Library

4455 N. Lincoln Ave.

Wednesday, September 27

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Bug Resources:

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches

http://www.key-net.net/users/swb/pet_arthropod/hiss.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar_hissing_cockroach

Giant Millipedes

http://www.petbugs.com/caresheets/A-gigas.html

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/centipedes/a/millipedes.htm

Tarantulas

http://www.tarantulas.com/

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/tarantulas/index2.html

Crickets

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2066.html

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2132.html

Contact Nancy at 773-233-0476 or kreith@uiuc.edu

Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:48 AM | Permalink |

August 24, 2006

Mt. Greenwood Park Festival

Join the fun at the 10th Annual "Celebrate Mount Greenwood" Festival in Mt. Greenwood Park, 3721 West 111th Street. We need two volunteers to staff an "Ask a Master Gardener Table"

September 9, 2006

10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Pick up tablecloths, reference books and handouts at 3807 West 111th Street on Friday, September 8.

Contact: Elizabeth at ebruhns@uiuc.edu or Nancy at kreith@uiuc.edu

Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:10 AM | Permalink |

August 24, 2006

Insect Petting Zoo Volunteers Needed

The Lake Katherine Monarch Butterfly Festival is on September 17.

Nancy Kreith will be taking the Insect Petting Zoo to this event and needs two Master Gardeners to assist her, one for each shift.

Shift One: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Shift Two: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

We need one more person for the second shift.

Lake Katherine Nature Center is at 7402 W. Lake Katherine Drive in Palos Hills. This is a great opportunity for South Side Master Gardeners who would like to volunteer close to their homes.

Contact:Elizabeth at ebruhns@uiuc.edu or Nancy at kreith@uiuc.edu

Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:02 AM | Permalink |

August 10, 2006

Tour Humboldt Park Community Gardens

Growing Pride, the Garden Club of Humboldt Park and HomeGrown Chicago Farmers Market are presenting a healthy self-guided tour of Humboldt Park community gardens this Saturday, August 12. Grab your best walking shoes and your bike and come on by!

Garden Walk Schedule

9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Register and pick up a garden guide book at the beautiful boat house in Humboldt Park. The boat house is located at 1439 N. Sacramento Blvd.

11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Gardens #2 through #5 (as listed in Guide) open for visitors in West Humboldt Park. NOTE: The Guided Bike Tour group leaves at 11:00 a.m.!

12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Gardens #6 through #11 (as listed in Guide) open for visitors in East Humboldt Park.

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Celebration at HomeGrown Market. Shop for food at the HomeGrown Market and join gardeners and tour participants for light refreshments and local entertainment. Prizes will be given to those who visit all the gardens. Have your guide book stamped at each garden and bring it with you to the market where prizes will be awarded!

For more information contact:

Julie Samuels

Community Outreach Coordinator

Openlands Project

25 E. Washington, Suite 1650

Chicago, IL 60602

312.863.6256

Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:38 PM | Permalink |

August 10, 2006

Xochiquetzal Peace Garden

The Xochiquetzal Peace Garden at 1903 West 23rd Street is requesting the help of Master Gardeners on Tuesday, August 15 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. They have had a shortage of volunteers this summer. Weeding, watering and general maintenance of the main garden and prairie garden is needed.

Contact Donna Oppolo at oppolo@sbcglobal.netto sign up and get directions.

Posted by Ron Wolford at 9:23 AM | Permalink |

August 9, 2006

Humboldt Park Home Grown Farmers Market

Fill one of you Plant Clinic obligations this Saturday, August 12 at the Home Grown Farmers Market at 2626 W. Division from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is a good time! If you haven't visited this dynamic neighborhood before, you will be in for a treat!

Contact Elizabeth at ebruhns@sbcglobal.net to sign up. We had a cancellation and need one Master Gardener.

Posted by Ron Wolford at 9:48 AM | Permalink |

August 6, 2006

Docent Program at Garfield Park

This might be a one time event, or it may be the beginning of a Master Gardener Docent program at Garfield Park. If we have as much fun as I think we will, we may want to continue!

One of our own Master Gardeners, Dr. Len Boral, has requested tours of the Conservatory for members of the Cook County Hospital Medical Staff before their annual dinner on Sunday, September 10.

Here is your opportunity to earn one hour of continuing education and one hour of volunteer time participating in a really fun event.

We will hold two separate trainings (you only need to attend one): Thursday, August 10, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. or Saturday, August 12, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. We will meet at the Plant Clinic Office.

On September 10, we will be ready to take Cook County Hospital Medical staff and their guests on short tours of the Conservatory! It will be great fun!

To volunteer, contact Elizabeth at ebruhns@sbcglobal.net

Posted by Ron Wolford at 8:24 AM | Permalink |