The Program Advisory Committe will hold its first meeting at Garfield Park Conservatory on Saturday, March 3 at 11:00 a.m. We will probably want to meet again in the Fall. Otherwise we will work via email.

Let's meet at the Plant Clinic and see if we can find a good meeting space. We may end up in Horticulture Hall. Bring something to drink. I will bring some donuts.

My plan is to lay out a chart of Monthly Meetings for the next year. Then we will pencil in all of your best ideas for speakers, field trips, Honor Nights etc. After this, I'll make the necessary phone calls.

Thank you for your great ideas and advise!

Elizabeth Bruhns ebruhns@uiuc.edu

Congrats to Master Gardeners MaryAnne Spinner and Chris Kelsey for their very impressive appearance on Mike Nowak's "Let's Talk Gardening" show today.

Mike is thinking about making the Electronic Plant Clinic a monthly feature on his show.

This opportunity is due to all the hard work that MaryAnne and her merry band of gardening experts like Chris have done to make the Electronic Plant Clinic a success.

Tuesday, February 27, 6:30 p.m.

Community Room, Garfield Park Conservatory

6:30 p.m. - Potluck Dinner

6:45 p.m. – Announcements

7:10 p.m. - Lurie Garden in Millennium Park- a really special place to visit and volunteer.

Colleen Schuetz, Chief Horticulturist

Melanie Scott, Tour Administrator and a Master Gardener.

Remember you earn one hour of volunteer credit and one hour of continuing education for attending monthly meetings.

Be part of the set up crew. Earn an extra hour of volunteer credit. Arrive at 6:00 p.m. to set up for the meeting and stay after to put everything away. I'll accept the first three people who request this extra hour of credit.

Active Master Gardeners are always welcome to visit the intern classes to refresh your skills. Just let me know when you are coming because space is limited.

Check out Ron's Blog for news about the new Master Gardener class. There are great pictures too at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb6/index.html

How can we revitalize the Garfield Park Conservatory Plant Clinic to provide more comprehensive service to the public and still have a rewarding experience for Master Gardener volunteers?

This is the scope of the newly formed Plant Clinic Task Force. Concerns with our present Plant Clinic range from the cluttered office to the problem of funneling all client plant questions into the clinic from many diverse sources.

The Plant Clinic Task Force had it's first meeting on Saturday, February 24 at the District 4 Extension office at 300 North Elizabeth Street. A complete report on this meeting will follow.

Task Force members include; Jackie Paine, the Plant Clinic Committee chairperson, Master Gardeners, Beth Botts, David Depue, Pam Rock, Maja Ramirez and Wil Rutt. Master Gardener Coordinator, Elizabeth Bruhns, Horticulture Educators Ron Wolford and Matthew Kostelnick also serve on this committee.

Elizabeth Bruhns
Master Gardener Coordinator
Cook County/Chicago

Sue Cubberly of the Rain Garden Network will talk about the function and aesthetics of this practical gardening techniquethat prevents damaging water run-off.

Wildflowers, grasses, sedges, shrubs and trees help create suitable landscapes for any setting utilizing rain water for useful purposes instead of causing problems or draining into the streets or sewer systems.

The meeting is Thursday,March 1at 1:15 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center, 2045 N. Lincoln Park West with a pre-meeting dutch-treat luncheon at the Original Pancake House, 2020 N. Lincoln Park West. There is no charge for the meeting and it is open to any interested parties.

The 94-year-old Wild Flower Preservation Society is dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of native plants. The group generally meets the first Thursday of the month throughout the year with occasional field trips. Annual dues are $10.

Information is available from Master Gardener Jeanne Zasadil at
jeannezasadil@hotmail.com

In the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, a resident came home from a three week vacation and made a startling discovery in their toilet.

Join us on March 23 & 24 at the Chicago Cultural Center for the FamilyFarmed.org EXPO - the one event in Chicago where farmers, families and friends all come together to celebrate delicious, healthy, local and organic food.

You'll have the chance to meet local family farmers, shop the farmers market and learn from informative exhibits set up by local food businesses and organizations.

There are a wide variety of workshops to attend; keynote speakers including top names in the food world; great movies; an interactive Organic Kids Corner; bookstore with hundreds of titles; and demonstrations by some of Chicago's hottest chefs including Rick Bayless, Bruce Sherman, Gale Gand, Karyn Calabrese and Timothy Young.

Buy your tickets online at www.familyfarmed.org and get two tickets for the price of one!

The Plant Clinic committee will meet in the third floor Extension office at 300 North Elizabeth on Saturday, February 24 at 10:00 a.m.

Please allow yourself enough time to find street parking, grab a cup of coffee, and be ready to begin work promptly at 10:00 a.m. Some people need to leave early.

To give us a head start with our task, please do a bit of homework before you come to the meeting. Please make a list of the issues you see as inhibiting the success of the Garfield Plant Clinic and Extension Help Desks in general. Be very specific, such as :Low public visibility at Garfield Park Conservatory. Limit your list to ten items, and be sure to bring it with you.

See you Saturday. I think we can come up with a good plan with no more than one more or two meetings.

Thanks everyone.

Elizabeth

ebruhns@uiuc.edu

Studies have shown that U.S. students are falling behind the rest of the world in science and math. One of the most significant reasons for this declining performance is that students lack exposure to scientific fields.

The most affected individuals are from underserved communities who are typically not encouraged to explore the sciences and as a result are not prepared to pursue scientific careers.

To bridge this gap the University of Illinois Extension has developed a Science Volunteer Program aimed at providing scientific education to underrepresented populations in Cook County.

The goal of this program is to provide supplemental, experiential learning for primary and secondary students, as well as adults and teachers.

Science Volunteers use their scientific background to provide enhanced, appropriate, personal, academic, and scientific education to help individuals achieve their future goals and to influence career choices in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

We hope that you find this project worthwhile and seize this opportunity to become a force for positive change in your community by joining the Science Volunteers. By doing so you can make a meaningful contribution to the lives of others.

Fill out the application form and mail to the address at the bottom of the application.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Jackiw, Extension Unit Educator, Science and Technology at jjackiw@uiuc.edu

Our fifty-four 2007 Master Gardener Interns are in their fifth week of training. The cold weather has made travel difficult, but it has not daunted their enthusiasm one bit.

Many have already begun their volunteer hours at Garfield Park Conservatory Chocolate Fest, the Midwest Ecological Landscaping Association conference and with the Growing Connection Program.

They have studied Botany, Soils, Woody Ornamentals, Vegetables and have argued over theambiguous questions on the weekly quizzes! This week it is herbaceous plants with Greg Stack.

Garfield Park Conservatory is a wonderful, warm place to visit in January. Interns take fulladvantage of its beauty during breaks. Our thanks to the Conservatory for providing this free classroom space to us.

However, this is a difficult space in which to hold classes. The Community Room must be set up from scratch every morning, and completely taken down after 3:00 p.m. That includes moving heavy tables from the far reaches of the Conservatory every time.

We could not provide this class without the help of our Classroom assistants: James Cobb, Linda Khalouf, Kathy Maskall, Charlot Richards and Marie Ware.

They arrive shortly after 7:00 am to do the set up.Theyhave the last chair stacked and the floor swept by 4:00 pm. They also make coffee and tea and set up the buffet. Kathy Maskall often brings homemade baked goods. They have every quiz corrected, recorded and returned to the interns by noon each day. They make this all look effortless, but it is not. We can't thank them enough.

Also, our thanks to Aida Peralta, UIUC Program Coordinator, for handling all the paper work. She makes it look easy too.

Active Master Gardeners are welcome to sit in on classes as a refresher course. Just let us know when you are coming, bring something for the "treat buffet', and take a chair at the side of the room.

Days of special interest to all Master Gardeners:

March 12 - Volunteer Day - Join the interns to hear about new and exciting volunteer opportunities.

March 26 - Organic Gardening Day.

Guest speakers:

Organic Gardening Basics - Kirsten Akre, Kilbourn Organic Greenhouse

Worm Vermiculture - Nancy Kreith, UIUC Extension Program Coordinator

Water Gardening experts - Beata Welsh and Sue Cubberly

Elizabeth Bruhns
Master Gardener Coordinator
Cook County/Chicago
ebruhns@uiuc.edu

We want to send out a special thanks to James Cobb, Linda Khalouf, Kathy Maskall, Charlot Richards and Marie Ware for all their assistance during Master Gardener training.

They arrive shortly after 7:00 a.m. to do the set up.They have the last chair stacked and the floor swept by 4:00 p.m. They also make coffee and tea and set up the buffet. Kathy Maskall often brings homemade baked goods. They have every quiz corrected, recorded and returned to the interns by noon each day. They make this all look effortless, but it is not. We can't thank them enough.

Also, our thanks to Aida Peralta, UIUC Program Coordinator, for handling all the paper work. She makes it look easy too.

Master Gardener MaryAnne Spinner who coordinates our very successful Electronic Plant Clinic was a first prize winner for her spectacular garage rooftop garden in Chicago Mayor Daley's Landscape Awards Contest in 2005.

There is a very nice story with pictures about MaryAnne's garden and a list of her favorite plants on the The Horticulture Gardening Institute's website which is now called Learn2Grow at http://www.learn2grow.com/.

Learn2Grow offers personalization options, an online garden journal, fun and easy projects, online courses and regional content delivered via cutting-edge tools. You can take the online course, " Creative Containers" for free until March 31.

MaryAnne's Top 12 Plants

1.Love-in-a-Puff vine (cardiospermum halicacabum)

2.Salvia 'Hot Lips' and 'Black and Blue'

3.Coleus 'Religious Radish' and 'Pineapple Prince'

4.Petunia 'Lilac Wave' (one of the most prolific of the Wave series) and Supertina 'Royal Velvet'

5.Xanthosoma violaceum (like a colocasia, but with blue leaves and violet stems)

6.Zinnia 'Zenith Red' (a triploid; doesn't need deadheading)

7.Gaura (a few varieties, such as 'Siskiyou Pink' and 'Karalee White', it waves in the breeze and is a butterfly and hummingbird magnet)

8.Cuphea (several varieties, including 'Georgia Scarlet' and 'Petite Peach'; great for small pots and edging)

9.Polyganum variegata 'Shiro-Gane-Nishiki' (also known as variegated Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate; gets to be 8 feet tall, with 2-foot plumes of flowers)

10.Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' (late-flowering with stunning color)

11.Verbena bonariensis (butterflies love it, self-seeds well)

12.Rudbeckia 'Cherokee Sunset' (unusual coloration)

Master Gardeners, MaryAnne Spinner and Chris Kelsey will be on Mike Nowak's "Let's Talk Gardening" show on WGN radio on Sunday, February 25.

Mike's show is on from noon to 2 p.m. MaryAnne coordinates the Cook County/Chicago Master Gardeners Electronic Plant Clinic. Chris is one of her experts who answer gardening questions online.

Cook County Extension to Host a 1-day Job Fair to Recruit Candidates for Immediate Openings in Clerical, Professional and Para-professional Positions

Job seekers in Cook County should mark their calendars for the Cook County Extension Job Fair–a one-day event to recruit and hire new employees to support recent expansions. The job fair will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday February 22, 2007 in the Orange and Blue Room of the University of Illinois Urbana, Champaign's loop campus, 200 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois.

Candidates will learn about University of Illinois Extension, get information about current openings and have their resumes screened to determine if they are a match for open positions. Serious candidates may be invited to interview on-site. Applicants are encouraged to pre-register, but walk-ins are welcome. To pre-register send resume and cover letter to:

Personnel and Outreach Coordinator:

1699 Wall Street, Suite 500? Mount Prospect, IL 60056

847-437-6449

Fax to 847-437-7583

ttracy1@uiuc.edu

University of Illinois Extension is an outreach arm of the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign campus that provides non-credit education to Illinois residents. In Cook County, University of Illinois Extension serves more than 500,000 people each year.

University of Illinois Extension uses workshops, newsletters, the Internet, audio-video conferencing, satellite technology and mentoring programs to tailor offerings that meet the unique needs of our diverse clientele.

As part of our commitment to meet the ever-changing needs of area residents, Cook County Extension has broadened our offerings to include educational experiences that:

Promote civic engagement and economic development

Assist community efforts to preserve and protect the environment

Ensure county residents have access to higher education including training in science and technology, animal care and financial planning

Advance connectivity by creating diverse e-communities

Encourage good health and safety for women and their families

To support this effort, Cook County Extension must hire individuals with expertise in these subject matters to create and deliver new programs.

Cook County Extension has several openings in the following disciplines:

Clerical

Early College Outreach

Science & Technology

Community Health

Web Assistant

Fiscal

All positions require a high school diploma or successful completion of the high school equivalency exam. Some require a Bachelors or a Master's degree depending on the level and complexity of the job.

For more information or to register contact Theresa Tracy, Personnel Outreach Coordinator at 847/437-6449 (office hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) to request a pre-registration packet. To learn more about Cook County Extension, visit http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook.

The plant that smells like rotting meat is blooming again at Lincoln Park Conservatory. What smells is the Devil's Tongue "Amorphophallus rivieri". This plant has a big maroon spike in its center. The smell helps to attract flies and beetles that help with pollination.

Dear native plant enthusiast,

We coordinate the Millennium Seed Bank Project, an international conservation project headed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/msbp/index.html) that aims to collect seeds from 10% of the world's flora by 2010. By drying, sealing and freezing the seeds, their longevity can be extended for decades and even centuries for many species (200 years on average).

Our project is storing seeds for long-term conservation, mostly for "what-if scenarios" such as extinctions due to global climate change or habitat destruction, but a portion can be requested by qualified groups for restoration or research. At the Chicago Botanic Garden we are undertaking the ambitious task of collecting 1,500 native species from the Midwest and Great Plains.

Our general collecting protocol follows: we collect 3,000 to 20,000 seeds from a single population for each species, never taking more than 20% of the available seed at the time of collection. We collect from at least 50 individuals (more is better) to maximize genetic diversity.

We don't collect threatened, endangered or locally rare species for the MSB project. In addition to harvesting seeds, we collect at least 2 herbarium vouchers and record additional location/habitat data for each collection.

In order to meet our goal of seed banking native species for the MSB project, we want to collect seed from 300 species in this year. Because of the large geographic territory involved, as well as the large number of species to collect, we are recruiting and funding individuals who live locally throughout our target territory to help us in this effort by serving as "contract botanists" with the Chicago Botanic Garden.

If you are aware of any botanists, amateur botanists, interns, volunteers or otherwise poor, starving graduate students who are knowledgeable about their local flora and would like to earn money by seed collecting for our project, please let either of us know, or feel free to pass along this email and our contact information.

We are compensating contract botanists with $50/ collection (compensation increases with the more collecting that occurs) and reimbursing them for mileage. We would provide training for these individuals and more information on the MSB project at CBG can be found at http://cbgseedbank.org/.

Thank you so much for your time and help.

Betsy Allen and Emily Yates

Millennium Seed Bank Coordinators

Chicago Botanic Garden

1000 Lake Cook Rd.

Glencoe, IL 60022

msb@chicagobotanic.org

Chicago's Green City Market and the City of Chicago jointly sponsor a Farm Forager.

The Farm Forager is a key part of our efforts to develop a synergistic food system with hundreds of regional farmers within the four states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, that will impact Chicago's dining choices. The Farm Forager is a unique position with the objective of recruiting qualified farmers to join the Chicago Farmers Market Program and other points of sale within the City.See the job description below:

Job Title: Chicago Farmers Market Forager

Job Co-Sponsors: Chicago Farmers Market Program and Chicago's Green City Market

Duration: Full time contract position for 1 year with extension option.

Goals: To recruit qualified family farmers from the surrounding four state (IL, IN, MI, WI) region into the Chicago Farmers Market Program; connect farmers to direct sales opportunities in Chicago through various networks, as well as working with state departments of agriculture, extension services and other related organizations and groups. Over the long term, develop a synergistic food system with hundreds of regional farmers that will impact dinning choices of Chicagoans' tables.

Base Salary: $45,000 per year

Expenses: "Limited mileage, phone bill. Subject to review."

Experience and Qualifications:

Minimum of two years agricultural experience and hands on training. A Bachelor's degree is preferred but not mandatory, however the applicant must have a broad understanding of the farming industry, including some technical aspects of the region's farming and its related industries like food processing and value added products. Attendance at bi-weekly meetings in Chicago is mandatory.

Applicant must be self- motivated and possessing proficient interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. Individual must display leadership qualities as well as the ability to take and follow guidelines mandated by superiors.

This position requires that the individual is capable of relaying information and acting as a liaison between farmers, the Mayor's Office of Special Events, Chicago's Green City Market, consumer interest groups; restaurateurs, neighborhood organizations, businesses that provide meals for school and social service agencies and city departments.

Individual must have the aptitude to work with a diverse staff and workforce. Other requirements include a valid driver's license, insured car, a PC and access to the Internet.

Job Description:

This is a unique leadership position with the objective of recruiting 15-20 qualified farmers each year from the four Midwestern states from the surrounding four state (IL, IN, MI, WI) regions to join the Chicago Farmers Market Program.

Responsibilities also include developing farmer participation in providing products at other points of sale within Chicago while understanding the broader vision of bringing and distributing fresh locally produced foods to diverse community market locations throughout the city.

Position will entail producing a detailed weekly report, a travel log, and maintaining a database of farmer and related agency contact information. This report should document the Market Forager's measured progress at strengthening relationships with existing farmers, assessing new farms and strategies for inclusion in Chicago Farmers Market Program. Regular travel to farms is required.

All resumes, cover letters, and questions should be sent to Yescenia
Mota.

Yescenia Mota
Program Coordinator
Farmers Market Coordinator
Mayor's Office of Special Events
City Hall, Room 806
121 N. LaSalle
Chicago, IL 60602
T- 312.744.0565
F- 312.744.8523

When: Thursday, March 1, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

Where: Extension Office at the Agricultural High School – 3807 W. 111^th Street and Extension Chicago South Office – at 8751 S. Greenwood.

Who: Open to the public – Free of charge.

What: Spring Lawn Care Presentation

The main purpose of spring lawn care is to get the grass through the summer. Cool season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and the fescues need to develop a strong root system in order to survive summer's heat and dry conditions.

Ideally, our lawn care calendar should be from September 1 through August 31, and not April 1 through March 31. This would encourage 9 months of cool-season growth before summer's conditions. Thinking that lawn care starts in the spring only allows a couple months of growth before demanding environmental conditions.

However, there are several practices that you can undertake to make sure your lawn has the best chance.

University of Illinois Extension is offering "Spring Lawn Care", a look at what can be done at this time of the year. David Robson, Horticulture Educator, will provide some tips to help your lawn look great throughout the summer.

This program will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. There is no charge for the program that uses the University of Illinois Extension "TeleNet" system. This "TeleNet" program will feature color power point slides accompanied by the live voice of the instructor as people from all over the state participate at once. You will have the chance to ask questions at the end of the program.

If interested please call Ronald Wolford at 773-233-0476 and reserve a seat and packet of information or register online.

University of Illinois scientist Soo-Yeun Lee has cooked up a "recipe" for just such a cereal, one that's passed the taste test of her sensory panel.

"There are lots of good reasons to eat soy--and even more reasons to consume soy protein at breakfast," said Soo-Yeun Lee, a U of I assistant professor of food science and human nutrition.

"Research shows that soy decreases the risk of breast and prostate cancers and lowers cholesterol and triglycerides. Diets high in soy protein are also effective in combating obesity. Soy protein is very high-quality protein, and high-protein meals eaten early in the day stick with you so you eat less," she said.

Even though it's important that people consume protein in the morning, the scientist said most breakfast foods--cereals, muffins, waffles--are high in carbohydrates.

So why don't more breakfast foods contain soy?

"If we incorporate too much soy in a product to increase its protein content, off-flavors and off-textures can develop, which may result in less consumer acceptance of the product," the researcher said.

Lee has accomplished a lot then in getting 10 grams of protein (6.5 grams of it soy protein) and 5 grams of fiber into one serving of a cereal that people find appealing. In doing so, she also met the requirements for the FDA's soy, high-protein, and fiber health claims.

Other products have used soy as a fortifying ingredient rather than a major base ingredient, she said.

How does she know her soy-based cereals appeal to consumers? The researcher asked 120 people to take part in a sensory panel to evaluate her four formulations--both unflavored and cinnamon-flavored cereals served with and without skim milk. A second consumer evaluation pitted Lee's cereals against five cereals that are already commercially available and marketed for their healthful properties.

"We know we need to do some tweaking but, even at this stage, one of our formulations did better than a product that's already on store shelves. We're still experimenting with different flavors and sweeteners, but I'm confident that soy-based, high-protein cereals can not only optimize nutrition, they can also taste good," she said.

Lee said that her formulations were taste-tested as stand-alone cereals but could also be used as supplements to boost the protein and fiber content of other cereals.

"Because most Americans eat cereal for breakfast, we thought it made sense to boost the protein content of the food they're used to eating," said Lee.

Besides, a breakfast food that is high in soy protein has advantages over other protein sources (think bacon and eggs) that are high in fat and cholesterol, she said.

Lee collaborated on the project with her husband, U of I food processing engineer Youngsoo Lee, and graduate student Katherine Yeu, who has gone to work in Kellogg's sensory testing department. Yeu's graduate work was supported by a Becker Fellowship, given to students who want to work in product development and food engineering.

Source: Soo-Yeun Lee, (217) 244-9435, soolee@uiuc.edu

News writer: Phyllis Picklesimer
phone: 217-244-2827; email: p-pickle@uiuc.edu

Aramark supports school district goals by effectively and efficiently serving student, faculty, staff, and community needs in facility and food and nutrition services. With a dedicated K-12 approach and understanding, we collaborate with districts to create environments that support their dedication to student excellence.

Aramark is seeking a horticulturist. The position requires a BS in Horticulture and 3-5 years of experience in plant installation, landscape design and construction.

Contact Michele Pederson for more information.

Researchers are scrambling to find the cause of the ailment, called Colony Collapse Disorder.

Many of you have asked about participation at the new March 2007 Chicagoland Flower and Garden Show in Rosemont. Because the show is located out of Chicago, our Unit will not be directly responsible for any activities there.

However, we have information from Greg Stack about a Master Gardener Information table at the show.

If you are interested, contact Greg Stack directly at gstack@uiuc.edu

There are still openings in some areas and they are:

Saturday. March 10, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. two people

Tuesday, March 13, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. two people

Friday, March 16, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. two people; 6 p.m.-8 p.m. two people

Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. one person; 2 p.m.-6 p.m. one person and 6 p.m.-8 p.m. two people

Sunday, March 18, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. one person.

I have no information about parking or tickets.

Proksa Park Garden Club of Berwyn presents a special program on Gardening with Kids presented by Master Gardener, Bobbi Jordan.

Monday, Feb.19 at 6:30 p.m..

Proksa Park Community Center

3001 South Wisconsin,

Berwyn, IL

Free admission

Class of 2006, if you need assistance with entering your hours into the new Northeast Region Master Gardener database I will be available, by appointment, at the Plant Clinic at Garfield Park Conservatory.

Saturday, February 17 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 18, 12 noon until 3:00 p.m.

Please contact me for an appointment.

Elizabeth Bruhns
Master Gardener Coordinator
Cook County/Chicago

ebruhns@uiuc.edu

Are you having trouble accessing Ron's blog? Maybe it is because I put one too many "/" into the address. Try the address listed below. Mary Anne Spinner has given us directions for getting the Chicago Master Gardener blog on to our Favorites list for easy access.

The Blog is our best way to keep track of all opportunities available for Master Gardeners. After I send you an initial email, Ron puts it on the blog and you can refer back to it there. You won't have to keep emails in your mailboxfor reference. He also lists other opportunities and gardening news that come across his desk.

When you have created a "Favorite or a Desk top icon" email me. There will be special recognition for those who do at the next Master Gardener meeting on February 27th at Garfield Park Conservatory.

To access Ron Wolford's Chicago Master Gardener Blog, go to:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb6/index.html,

To put this on yourFavorites list, go to the blog using the link above, or copy the link and paste into the address line of your browser and click Go.

Then click on the Favorites icon on your browser menu. When the Favorites menu opens, click on Add to Favorites.

To create an icon for the blog for your desktop, open the link above, place your cursor anywhere on the blog page and right-click; a menu will open with several choices.

One choice will be "Create Shortcut"; left-click on that choice.

You will then get a dialog box that asks: "Do you want to put a shortcut to this website on your desktop?" "Yes or no." Click Yes.

Elizabeth Bruhns
Master Gardener Coordinator
Cook County/Chicago

ebruhns@uiuc.edu

Glorious Roses for Chicagoland

Greg Stack, University of Illinois Extension

Extension Educator, Horticulture

Wednesday, February 14, 7:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Augustana Lutheran Church, 55th Street and Woodlawn

Chicago, Illinois

Ravenswood Community Council is presenting "Greener Ravenswood Step by Step."

When: Saturday, March 10, 2007

Where: The east portion of the Welles Park Field House - 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.

Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Needs: 2-3 Master Gardeners for the "Ask a Master Gardener Booth" 1-2 Master Composters to provide worm composting demonstrations and 1-2 Master Composters to provide Earth Machine compost bin use demonstrations.

Parking tips: You will not need a permit on adjoining streets. The best bets are on Lincoln across from the library or on Western Ave.

Master Gardeners and Master Composters:

Earn your "Plant Clinic" hours and/or your Composter hours at this event. So far, we only have interns volunteering. We need at least one active Master Gardener and two Master Composters.

Please email/call Elizabeth Bruhns or Nancy Kreith if interested. 773-233-0476.


Nancy Kreith
Extension Program Coordinator
University of Illinois Extension
3807 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL. 60655
p 773.233.0476
f773.233.0910
Please email me at nkreith@gmail.com

Elizabeth and Bobbie Jordan met with current and potential Master Gardener mentors on Saturday, February 3 at Garfield Park Conservatory.

Master Gardener Bobbie Jordan who is coordinating the mentoring program now has seventeen mentors. Most of the new interns have been assigned a mentor.

Thank you Bobbie for a doing such a great job with recruiting and a thank you to all of the Master Gardeners who have agreed to help guide our new interns through their Master Gardener experience.

Chicago State University Prairie Garden

Opening for Coordinator: Part Time, $20/hr

Qualifications:

o BS in horticulture, botany, ecology, environmental biology, plant biology or natural resource

management

o Prairie management experience

o Education and outreach experience

o Volunteer recruitment and supervision experience preferred

o Must be able to operate heavy equipment

Duties:

o Coordinate prairie management activities by volunteers (including mowing, weeding, seed

collection, seed sowing, planting path maintenance, fencing, signage)

o Initiate educational outreach program

o Solicit prairie seed and plant donations

o Liaise with Field Museum personnel

o Liaise with CSU Physical Plant personnel

o Manage community relations

Send letter of application and resume to:

Dr. Devi Potluri

Chicago State University

Department of Biological Science

9501 South King Drive

Chicago, IL 60628

TITLE: Bridgehouse Manager

SUPERVISOR: Executive Director and Manager of Education

POSITION AVAILABLE: Immediately

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Friends of the Chicago River is seeking an energetic, creative museum professional to serve as museum manager to establish the new McCormick Tribune Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum as a must-see destination for visitors and people who live in Chicago.

As the first full-time employee of Friends of the Chicago River dedicated to the Bridgehouse, the museum manager will have the unique opportunity to analyze data collected from our pilot year in 2006 to develop a successful operations and marketing plan for 2007, capitalizing on the Bridgehouse's incredible Michigan Avenue location, historic and environmental connection, and tremendous first season.

Working in tandem with Friends' executive director and education, development, and communications staff, the bridgehouse manager will be responsible for all operations, marketing, outreach and other programs relating to the Bridgehouse and in that regard is responsible for ensuring that it serves the mission of Friends of the Chicago River while meeting the financial and programmatic goals of the organization.

Currently open five months a year, the McCormick Tribune Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum is located in a 1,600 square foot historic bridgehouse on the southwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge.

RESPONSIBILITIES

In the immediate future the bridgehouse manager will be responsible for developing a sound business plan that reflects 2007 income and attendance goals and creating and executing standard operating guidelines as they pertain to the opening and daily running of the Bridgehouse. The bridgehouse manager's ongoing responsibilities will be to:

Management and Operations

• Hire, train and supervise Bridgehouse staff
• Develop and execute the annual Bridgehouse operations plan
• Prepare and manage the Bridgehouse budget
• Develop and execute a long term strategic plan for sustainable operations
• Oversee all aspects of museum operations and maintenance
• Identify and manage relationships with venders and service organizations
• Serve as primary point person for all Bridgehouse inquiries and operations issues including but not limited to the City of Chicago, venders, utilities, rentals and tours

Marketing, Development, and Communications

• Develop and execute a marketing and communications plan to boost attendance and aid in the increase of self-generated revenue
• Develop a volunteer Bridgehouse Committee to help expand and evaluate efforts
• Build and maintain relationships and promotional opportunities with various organizations (e.g., cultural institutions and attractions, tourist services, hotels, boat companies, chambers of commerce, city departments)
• Market the Bridgehouse as a premier special event rental location and manage special event contracts and events
• Initiate or assist in strategic development efforts that support Friends' organizational marketing and fund-raising efforts
• Serve as an ambassador for the Bridgehouse to other organizations including sponsors, other museums, and tourism agencies

Guest Services

• Continually evaluate and work to enhance Bridgehouse exhibit content and the visitor experience
• Work with Friends' education team to develop creative outreach and educational programs that raise awareness of the Chicago River and compliment Friends' core programs
• Develop a high level docent/volunteer program

QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor's degree or higher in education, museums, nonprofit management or related field
• Several years experience in a management position with staff reporting
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrable leadership qualities including strategic thinking, strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment and the confidence and ability to build quality working relationships at all levels
• Ability to manage all aspects of running a guest intensive operation, including problem solving skills that will support both the staff and the visitor
• A strong commitment to providing excellent customer satisfaction and the ability to develop measurable criteria
• Fluency in basic accounting (how to read a Profit & Loss Statement) and cash handling procedures and proficiency in MS Office, market research, budgeting and reporting
• Knowledge about or interest in the main themes in the Bridgehouse
• A passionate belief in improving the environment in general and the Chicago River specifically

SALARY, BENEFITS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a full-time, year-round position with benefits and a starting salary range of $40,000-45,000. The bridgehouse manager is expected to staff the Bridgehouse part of each week when open, which may include evenings and weekends, and engage in planning, events and other financial enhancement activities during the off season.

The bridgehouse manager is viewed as an organizational capacity building position and as such is expected to creatively generate revenue through this special resource.

TO APPLY

Please send your resume and cover letter to: Maggie Meyer, Development and Communications Assistant, Friends of the Chicago River, 407 S. Dearborn, Suite 1580, Chicago, IL 60605. No calls, faxes, or e-mails please.

TITLE: Business Manager

SUPERVISOR: Executive Director

POSITION AVAILABLE: Immediately

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Friends of the Chicago River is seeking a detailed, energetic person to serve a business manager for this award winning nonprofit. As a key member of the management team, the business manager plays a leadership role in Friends of the Chicago River's financial management and general operations. Working closely with the executive director to coordinate accounting, finance, office administration and management, and personnel activities, the business manager has the opportunity develop best practices that ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency.

This is a senior position within Friends of the Chicago River that requires problem solving, adherence to deadlines, knowledge of office systems, attention to detail, and a business-minded approach to nonprofit management.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Finance and Bookkeeping

• Manage general bookkeeping activities such as cash deposits, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, check writing, depreciation, and petty cash
• Prepare monthly financial reports for the Board Finance Committee, budget managers, and the development team, plus other reports as needed
• Staff Board Finance Committee
• Track and monitor cash flow and temporarily restricted net assets, and budgets
• Prepare reimbursement requests and financial statements for government grants
• Work with auditors and Board Audit Committee to complete annual audit on a timely basis
• Prepare and file 990 documents, W2 forms and transmittals, and 1099 and 1096 forms annually

Planning and Leadership

• Evaluate and enhance business, financial management, and other administrative systems and vender programs
• Assist with annual budget development
• Evaluate and negotiate organizational and programmatic insurance needs annually
• Act as in-house expert and consulting resource for staff in financial management

General Administration

• Oversee purchase, leasing, technological support and maintenance of office equipment including computers
• Develop and assist in the execution office technology enhancement plan
• Oversee personnel administration including new hires, benefits, and insurance
• Monitor and order office supplies
• Special projects as necessary

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree in a relevant field
• Three or more years related work experience in business or non-profit management and administration
• Proficiency in MS Excel, Access, and Fund EZ
• Understanding of accounting, bookkeeping, especially in the nonprofit arena
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• A willingness to be proactive and pursue new ideas and be organized, a creative problem solver, detail minded, and a team player
• A passionate belief in improving the environment in general and the Chicago River specifically

SALARY, BENEFITS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The business manager position is a part time position with benefits based on a regularly scheduled 22 1/2-hour work week.

TO APPLY

Please send your resume and cover letter to: Maggie Meyer, Development and Communications Assistant, Friends of the Chicago River, 407 S. Dearborn, Suite 1580, Chicago, IL 60605. No calls, faxes, or e-mails, please.

What is the purpose of this program?

This GreenNet mini-grants program is supported by Prince Charitable Trusts to help urban gardeners working in publicly accessible green spaces receive funding for gardening materials and activities.

What is needed to qualify for a grant?

Projects must be located in Chicago in a schoolyard, community garden, or other community greening project. Applicants:

Must own or have permission to use the land

Must represent a group such as a block club, garden club, faith-based group, school or other youth group.

Applications will only be considered for existing (rather than proposed) gardens or greening projects that need additional materials, programming, or other support. Applications should indicate that gardens demonstrate sustained and regular use. Tell us how important your garden is to your group and surrounding community!! Beautification projects without evidence of participation from the community or student body are not likely to be funded.

What can be funded?

As in prior years, grant money may not fund an entire project, but may provide a jump-start to further fundraising. Carefully consider alternative options for your project should you only get some – not all - of the money you request. Your grant money could buy seeds or plants, lumber or mulch, compost bins, buckets, nails, schoolbooks that promote gardening, or even a garden festival for the community.

How much money will be available?

These grants are intended to fund a small project or a special part of a larger project. Last year, awards ranged from $100 to $1000. Grant proposal requests should demonstrate that gardeners have considered creative economical use of available resources to accomplish their garden's goals. Your proposal should show active, involved participation by gardeners. The mini-grants evaluation team has extensive knowledge of garden pricing and feasibility and will evaluate the amount requested for its intended use. Therefore, it is best to request a close approximation of costs, rather than a higher, hoped-for award.

Any other questions?

A GreenNet Mini-Grant workshop will take place in the front classrooms of the Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park, on Thursday, March 2 @ 6:30 p.m. This is the best opportunity to ask questions about this grant and the application process.

What are the important dates and deadlines for the GreenNet Mini-Grants?

Thursday, March 1, 2007 6:30 P.M. - Grant writing workshop; question and answer session

Thursday, March 15, 5:00 P.M. - Application Deadline

Week of April 9, 2007 - Grant notification letters sent out

Thursday, April 19 1-7 P.M. - Check pick up, downtown at Openlands, see address below.

Fill out the attached three-page form and return (postmarked or hand-delivered) by the deadline: March 15 - 5:00 P.M. No applications will be accepted after that time, and we will not accept any faxed applications.

MAIL TO:

GreenNet Mini-Grants Program

c/o Openlands, 25 E. Washington, Suite 1650

Chicago, IL, 60602

I just wanted to let everyone know that Nancy Kreith, Extension Program Coordinator was recently elected President of GreenNet: Chicago's Greening Network.

GreenNet members include Openlands, the Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago's Green City Market, the Chicago Park District, Friends of the Park, City of Chicago's Greencorps program, Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Heifer International, Shedd Aquarium and NeighborSpace.

Nancy started working for me as student intern at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. She attended the University of Illinois and received her degree in Landscape Architecture. She has worked as an Extension Program Coordinator since March 2006.

Congratulations Nancy!

Join educators, garden designers, and children's garden advocates for the American Horticultural Society's 15th annual National Children & Youth Garden Symposium, "Widening the Circle," hosted by the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Public Policy Programs in Chaska, Minnesota on July 19-21, 2007.

Hear from voices young and old as the circle widens to look at fresh approaches and expanded audiences for children and youth programs. From non-traditional classrooms to interdisciplinary studies, and making a difference beyond the confines of the classroom walls, this symposium will offer a breadth of inspiration for children's gardening advocates.

Come discover "who is teaching who" as youth share their experiences of teaching and leading children's garden programs. Listen and learn as the circle continues to grow, gathering people from across the nation from various institutions, traditions, and cultures, to exchange ideas for programs in children and youth gardening.

For more information or to be added to the mailing list, click here.

The Perennial Plant Association's Perennial Plant of the Year Program promotes the use of perennials. Four perennials are selected by the Perennial Plant of the Year Committee from an extensive list of nominations made earlier by PPA members. Each year members cast their vote for one of the four selected plants with the following attributes:

• suitable for a wide range of climate types
• low maintenance
• easily propagated - easily comes true from seed or vegetative propagation
• exhibits multiple seasonal interest

The Perennial Plant of the Year for 2007 is Nepeta 'Walker's Low'

Please enter you Volunteer Hours and Continuing Education hours in a timely manner for the year of 2007. It will make life easier for all of us in December.

The system now will show your service for 2007 under Review My Activity. Penny Lord noticed that the calendar span for 2007 was set for 01/01/2007-01/01/2007, only one day. The Webmaster has now adjusted it to show the whole year. Thanks, Penny.

There are now 20 items to report against listed for January. Items such as the Plant Clinic that continue all year will always be listed under January.

Continuing Education is still a bit confusing. To make Continuing Education easier to find, I am listing each event with the month it occurred at the beginning, for example, January Monthly Meeting. Len Boral Speaker. (Sort of like the stacking of cows in the Glad ad).

It seems to me that Continuing Education is now listed alphabetically, instead of by date. Most of the Continuing Education events from 2006 are still listed. We are archiving them to clean up the system, but it is time consuming. Please have some patience.

I hope this will make this all easier to do. Remember, if you have questions, I'm just an email away.

Elizabeth Bruhns

Master Gardener Coordinator

Cook County/Chicago

ebruhns@uiuc.edu

Hampshire Farms is a large, perennial plant grower, supplying plants to Home Depot Garden Centers. We are looking for people to merchandise at any of several "downtown" stores, especially the store on North Avenue and the new store at 1300 South Clinton.

"Merchandising" involves unloading racks, displaying, watering, culling and grooming plants, as well as helping customers with plant questions. It is not a glamorous job. We need people who can lift 25 lb. trays of plants. The pay is $10 per hour. It's seasonal, April thru October, and part-time.

In spite of the job description, many of us like the job!

Please fax resume to Sue at 708- 447-2886, or e-mail suej@hampshirefarms.com

Your graduation time is fast approaching. We will need to have the final list of graduates by April 1, 2007, so that we can order badges and certificates for your graduation in May 2007.

Remember, during your Intern year, your 60 hours may be any combination of hands on volunteer hours and continuing education hours.

To facilitate all of this I need some information from you. Hint: The easiest way to do this is to forward this email back to me at ebruhns@uiuc.edu. Once you have the address set, you can fill in the requested information in the blanks and send it to me.

Name______________________________________________________________

Address________________________________Zip code_____________________

Email_____________________________________________________________

Check all that apply:

1. I have completed my 60 hours__________

2. All of my completed hours are logged on to the database____________

3. I will have my 60 hours completed by, and entered by April 1, 2007_________

4. I need instruction and/or assistance to enter my hours.______________

5. I know that I cannot complete my 60 hours by April 1, 2007, and I need to be granted an extension, so that I may graduate in 2008._____________

6. I have no plans to complete the Master Gardener Intern Program. Please remove me from your rolls. ______________

Thanks for you help with this. If we do not hear from you by February 15, 2007, you will be placed into Category 6.

Elizabeth Bruhns
Master Gardener Coordinator
Cook County/Chicago

ebruhns@uiuc.edu

The American Community Gardening Association's 28th Annual Conference, Beantown Digs Community Gardens, will be held in Boston, Massachusetts on August 9-12, 2007.

The AGCA's Annual Conference brings together hundreds of individuals from across the United States, Canada, and abroad, who are engaged in all aspects of gardening and greening. The conference includes hands-on workshops, keynote speakers, a film festival, and visits to parks, school gardens, community gardens, and other green spaces in the Boston area.

More information to come.

Looking for a souce of accurate, up-to-date horticulture information.

E-Answers will allow you to search over 250,000 pages of information from universities across the United States

E-Answers is a dynamic, online resource that brings more than 250,000 pages of university information and education into your home or office – when and where you need it. The practical, current, and unbiased information in this site represents the work of Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station professionals at more than 50 Land Grant universities throughout the United States.

The United States Department of Agriculture has an excellent website with a variety of links to soil education information. Highlights include the following:

• Soil Facts
• Soil Science Glossary
• State Soils
• Soil Lesson Plans
• Soil Biology
• Worms
• Soil Songs
• Soil Quotations

National Garden Month (NGM) is one of many ways in which National Gardening Association promotes gardening. This annual celebration is a medium through which businesses, nonprofit organizations, communities, and individuals collectively promote gardening. Hundreds of local NGM-related programs and activities around the country each help to transform America into a greener, more livable place, where the act of nurturing plants can influence education, health and nutrition, community, and local food sources. It is this phenomenon that inspired the theme of NGM 2007, "When you Garden, you GROW" – an acknowledgment that gardening has a profound effect on quality of life for adults and children alike.

Each year, NGA hosts a major, celebratory kick-off event as part of National Garden Month. For the second consecutive year, we are partnering with New York City Parks and Recreation to present the 2007 NYC GROWS Garden Festival. This citywide celebration of gardening features free family-oriented activities and workshops offered by local and national organizations. For more information visit the About National Garden Month Web page.

The University of Arkansas and Arkansas Master Gardeners invite you to visit our Natural State in May, which is a delightful, gentle month when our gardens are approaching their peak. Let us treat you to warm hospitality, fun and educational activities, and the chance to relax and enjoy the company of fellow gardeners.

The International Master Gardener Conference will be hosted at the Peabody Hotel/Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock, May 2-5, 2007. Please save those dates and think about coming early and staying late to enjoy some real Southern hospitality! There is so much to see and do in Arkansas, from the Delta - with its cotton, rice, and blues - to the Ozarks and Ouachitas, with their unique mountain music, gardens, and culture. Information about the pre- and post-conference tours coming soon!

Here is an opportunity not to be missed. One of our partner organizations, Midwest Ecological Landscapers Association is holding their annual conference on Thursday, February 15 at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.

This is what your duties would be:

7:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.- Assist with conference registration

12 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. -Assist with book sales

Morning and afternoon breaks - Assist with book sales

When not staffing these stations you may attend all of the conference events. Lunch will be provided.

For this conference assistance, you may earn four volunteer hours and five continuing education hours.

You must provide your own transportation to Chicago Botanic Gardens.

The website for conference information is:

http://www.melaweb.org/con2007.htm

Please contact me at ebruhns@uiuc.edu if you are interested in volunteering.

Elizabeth Bruhns

Master Gardener Coordinator

Cook County/Chicago

ebruhns@uiuc.edu

We are having a volunteer training for the Chocolate Fest this Saturday February 3^rd from 3:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. in the Community Room. Attendance is strongly encouraged, especially if you are new to volunteering for the Chocolate Fest at the Garfield ParkConservatory. You will be able to sign up for a specific shift and learn more about the activities for the day, where to report, where to park. Please come if you are planning to volunteer.

Even if you cannot attend this Saturday's training, we still need volunteers for both Saturday and Sunday (especially Sunday). We have two shifts for both Feb 10^th Saturday and Feb 11^th Sunday: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 1:00. p.m.-4:30 p.m. If you can help either day and can't come to the training please contact me by email or phone and I will schedule you for the event. Thanks so much and hope to see you all soon.

Harmony Picciuca

Garden and Volunteer Programs Coordinator

Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance

300 N. Central Park Avenue

Chicago, Illinois 60624

773.638.1766 x 24

hpicciuca@garfieldpark.org