Hello MSI Master Gardeners,

We would like to extend an invitation to all of you who will be docents during the MSI - Smart Home Garden venture. This training will focus on the docent position. You will be given a guideline/script handout and we will have a role play session during this training. Please consider attending in order to get a step ahead as a docent.

When: Wednesday, April 9 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Where: Chicago High School for Ag. Sciences (CHAS) - 3857 W. 111th St., Chicago 60655

Room: Music Demonstration Room

Contact Person: Nancy Kreith, cell 708-567-6101

Please reply to this email if you plan on attending.

Every docent will receive the handout whether they can attend this training or not. We will also take the time to briefly train you during your first docent shifts in May and June and on initial planting days.

FYI: All of the plants will be labeled for your reference.

Thank you

Nancy Kreith

Extension Program Coordinator

University of Illinois Extension

3807 W. 111th Street

Chicago, IL. 60655

office: 773.233.0476

fax: 773.233.0910

cell: 708.567.6101

url: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/

Midwest Fruit Explorers

Garden Club for Backyard Fruit Growers
www.MidFEx.org

Arpil 13, 2008
1:00-4:00 p.m.

Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe, IL

Grafting Workshop: Make and take home your own dwarf fruit tree.(Apple and pear rootstocks, grafting knives available for sale.)

Visit our web page www.MidFEx.org for further details about our meeting as well as a wealth of information about growing fruit.

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

Congratulations! You all responded in time to be a part of the MSI Initial Planting Day on Tuesday, April 22 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please plan on bringing a lunch. We will provide water, gloves and tools. If you have special tools you would like to use please feel free to bring them. We will break a half-hour for lunch. There is a Subway near by and the Museum Food Court as well.

This day will be a media day for the Smart Home exhibit. If possible, please wear any Master Gardener apparel that you may have. The names listed below are the Master Gardeners who will be present that day. If you were scheduled to come to the Museum on a day before April 22, please consider those dates CANCELLED! We will not start the garden until April 22.

Chris Meier

Kitty Giblin

Susan Davenport

Arielle Corbett

Louisea Story

Tom Janik

Denise Smith

Ellen Caffrey-Garza

Margaret Moore

Sue Rancak

Marilyn Klein

Karen McCray

Martha Bresnahan

Dot Kluzek

John Sweeney

Marjorie Simmerling

Sue Gasper

Rebecca Lian

Joan Jones

Thanks again for working this day into your schedule.

Nancy Kreith

Extension Program Coordinator

University of Illinois Extension

3807 W. 111th Street

Chicago, IL. 60655

office: 773.233.0476

fax: 773.233.0910

Program Web site: http://www.kidsgardening.com/healthysprouts.asp

Sponsor: Gardener's Supply

Deadline: October 15, 2008

Purpose: The National Gardening Association and Gardener's Supply Company have partnered to support schools and community organizations that use gardens to teach about nutrition and explore the issue of hunger in the United States. The selection of winners is based on the demonstrated relationship between the garden and nutrition education and hunger awareness. At least 10% of the food produced from the program should be donated.

Eligibility: To be eligible for the 2008 Healthy Sprouts Awards, your school or organization must plan to garden in 2009 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18. The selection of winners is based on the demonstrated relationship between the garden program and nutrition and hunger issues in the United States.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide

Amount of funding: This year we will present awards to 20 schools or organizations. Each program will receive gift certificates towards the purchase of gardening materials from our sponsoring company. The top 5 will also receive a certificate valued at $500; 15 more will each receive a $200 gift certificate; 25 packets of seeds; a literature package from NGA; and Eat a Rainbow Kit.

Application process: Applications may be downloaded from the Program website.

For more information contact:

National Gardening Association 1100 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 Phone: 800-538-7476 (800-LETSGRO) Fax: 802-864-6889

Summaries of funding programs are provided by RAC for your convenience. Please contact the funder directly for the most complete and current information.

Master Gardeners:

Remember that "dark and stormy January night" when we had to cancel our monthly meeting and miss meeting Tim Halbach, from the National Weather Service? Well, he's baaack!

Master Gardener Monthly Meeting

When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25

Where: Community Room of Garfield Park Conservatory

The Schedule:

6:30 p.m. - Pot Luck Dinner

6:45 p.m. - Announcements

7:00 p.m. - Our speaker is Tim Halbach from the National Weather Service.

He will be ready to answer your weather related questions and introduce us to Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, CoCoRahs, www.cocorahs.org

(Ron and I have already approved CoCoRahs activity for Master Gardener Volunteer Credit)

What is CoCoRaHS?

CoCoRaHS is an acronym for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. CoCoRaHS is a unique, non-profit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow). By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive Web-site, our aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications. We currently operate in many states across the country. If we are not in your state please drop us a line and let us know that you have an interest in participating. This helps us know where a desire exists for the network and where to focus our future expansion efforts.

(Remember for each monthly meeting you attend your earn one hour of Volunteer Credit, and, usually, one hour of Continuing Education.)

Elizabeth Bruhns

Master Gardener Program Organizer

Cook County/Chicago

ebruhns@uiuc.edu

773-233-0476

Good morning Master Gardeners,

We soon will be through the first quarter of 2008 and now have 794 Volunteer Hours reported on the NE Region database. It will be easier for all of us if you can report your hours on a weekly/monthly basis.

Here are some hints on using the database:

Reporting your hours on the NE Region Database

1. Get into the Web site at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mgdb/

2. When you get the first screen, click on to the create a new account.

Put in your code. (You never use that code again)

That will take you back to the original screen.

3. Now----put in a user name. I usually use my whole name so that I won't forget.

4. Then choose a personal password NOT THE ENTRY CODE

I always use my maiden name, something I won't forget. Keep it simple.

If you cannot remember the user name or password that you chose, contact me and we will set up a new entry code. You will have to begin at the beginning, but you won't lose any hours you have already submitted.

Other things you need to know:

5. Monthly meetings need to be reported in two places:

Under Activities, you may report one hour Volunteer time for attending the meeting. Monthly meetings are listed by date.

The speaker for a Monthly meeting is Continuing Education. Look for it listed by month and the speaker. Usually one hour credit.

6. In hopes of making Continuing Education items easier to find, they are always listed by the month in which they occurred.

7. If you have attended a Continuing Education event that is not on the list, click on to Suggested Continuing Education at the left hand side of your screen, and enter it there. When I have improved it, it will come back up on the database for you to report against. I try to send out emails to let you know when an item you have submitted is up on the database.

8. If you have Volunteer events that are not in the database list, send them to me via email.

I need the name of the event, location address, especially the zip code and date. As usual, I'll let you know when it is ready for you to report against.

9. Sometimes when you click into Enter Activities, a long list of all Activities ever entered into the Database comes up. Click onto the term START DATE and the items will appear on a calendar list. Much easier.

Remember, I'm only an email away.

Elizabeth

ebruhns@uiuc.edu

Good morning Interns,

This is the schedule for the rest of our MG Intern Classes.

Wednesday, March 26 - Organic Day (no quiz) - we meet at Garfield Park Conservatory.

You will receive a copy of your final exam-(open book)

Wednesday, April 2 - Fruits with Dr. Ogutu, Ag High School

Wednesday, April 9 - Final day

Both your final exam and your Fruits quiz are due. YOU MUST HAVE ALL EXAMS FROM ALL CLASSES COMPLETED AND RECORDED TO EARN A COMPLETION CERTIFICATE.

Plans for final day:

Collect all exams - we will probably correct the Final Exam together.

Training on reporting Volunteer Hours on NE Region Database: Elizabeth

Training on Plant Clinic Research: Beth Botts, Jackie Paine, Bill Ratton

POT LUCK LUNCHEON

Awarding of Completion Certificates (we should be done by 1:00 p.m.)

Elizabeth Bruhns

Master Gardener Program Organizer

Cook County/Chicago

ebruhns@uiuc.edu

Master Gardeners,

Wednesday, March 26, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. is our annual ORGANIC DAY training with our current Intern Class. You are invited to come and join us for the day and earn Continuing Education credit. This class meets at Garfield Park Conservatory.

Speakers for the day:

Kirsten Akre - ABC's of Organic Gardening

Ron Wolford - Worm Composting

Beata Welsh and Sue Cubberly - Rain Gardens

See you Wednesday at Garfield Park Conservatory

Elizabeth Bruhns

Master Gardener Program Organizer

Cook County/Chicago

ebruhns@uiuc.edu

Polaris Charter Academy, a new public charter school located on the west side of Chicago, is seeking an instructor for their spring fundraiser on April 26th.

This family friendly event will delve into the intricacies of green gardening, as well as make participants aware of the school and it's experiential approach to learning. They are in need of instructors who could speak on any of the following topics:

Flower arranging with native plants/flowers

Designing a butterfly / herb / bird / rain garden

Designing water elements for your garden

Pest resistant gardening

The session would run from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and consist of 10-20 adult participants. A hands-on, interactive workshop is desired (materials for all participants would be provided). A small stipend and lunch would also be included.

Interested parties should contact Tracy Kwock at tkwock@pcachicago.org

Who: General public, volunteers, lovers of nature

What: Drawing plants, this four session sketching class will help you see nature the way an artist does. Combining drawing skills and plant observation, you will learn how to draw what you see. If you haven't drawn a line, this is a great time to begin. If you love to draw, join us. There is always more to learn. Instructor Bernadine Basile spent many years teaching as a Professor of Art at Towson University, Maryland. She is a University of Illinois Extension Master Garden Intern. Her garden is now her passion, and she loves relaxing in it and drawing what she sees. Pre-register today.

When: Class dates April 7, 14, 28 and May 5. All classes: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Where: University of Illinois Extension

5527 Miller Circle Drive, Matteson, IL 60443 Conference Room.

How to sign up: Pre-register by April 3. Class size limited. $20 for the series, check payable to University of Illinois Extension.

Call 708-720-7500, speak to the secretary to sign up or e-mail

Nancy Pollard, Horticulture Educator pollard@uiuc.edu

Materials to bring to the first and each class:

Spiral drawing pad, smooth texture, medium or heavy weight. 9" x 12" or 11" x 14"

Sketching kit composed of:

Drawing pencils: 6B (very soft), 4B, 2B, and HB (hard)

Gum Eraser or White Plastic Eraser either leaves minimal smudging

Kneaded Eraser for erasing and toning

Pencil sharpener or Exacto knife to give points to pencils

Optional: Paper Stomp or Tortillion for blending graphite in drawings

Possible source for sketching kit (no endorsement intended): Michaels (in store only) had a sketch kit for around $5 packaged by Loew Cornell, basic starter set SKU 89241 13318. (Not available on web or we would have ordered them for participants.) Other vendors and brand names can be substituted.

Nancy Pollard
Horticulture Educator

Thursday, March 20 we begin our second weekend of the Macy Flower Show. The first weekend was very successful and I know this one will be also.

Here is our crew for the three days. On Easter Sunday, the Easter Bunny works, we do not.

Thursday, March 20: Wil Rutt, Don Nekrosis and Gigi Leonard

Friday, March 21: Susan O'Dell, Peggy Coon, Deb Cullen and Marilyn Witney

Saturday, March 22: Joyce Schmitz, Cathy Bereual Sinkers and Terri Masterson

Meet me at the 7th Floor visitors center at 10:00 a.m. You can leave your coats there.

We did not have many people on the tours last week and Master Gardeners did a lot of just being out in the show answering questions. The blue fact sheet that Mayo gave you is very helpful for tour information.

See you this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Thanks to David Depue and Karen McCray who will fill in vacancies on March 28 and 30.

Elizabeth
ebruhns@sbcglobal.net

Greetings:

The new Master Naturalist project organizer position will be based in the Matteson office. This will be a new program in Cook County. We will be collaborating with the Forest Preserve of Cook County, the Field Museum and Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens. Other partners may join us in the future.

On the state level, IL Master Naturalist is collaborating with the Illinois Natural History Survey, the Nature Conservatory, various U of I departments and the Illinois Steward Magazine, and others. Cook County is one of several piloting this program over the next few years.

The closing date for applications for this position is April 15.

Here are the links to two county Master Naturalist pilot sites that are already in place:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/champaign/mn/index.html

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/rockisland/mnaturalist/index.html

Nancy Pollard
Horticulture Educator
Cook County / South Suburban Unit
5527 Miller Circle Drive, Suite A, Matteson, Illinois 60443
phone (708) 720-7500. fax (708) 720-7509
email pollard@uiuc.edu

http://cook.extension.uiuc.edu

Master Gardeners,

Every year, you, as Master Gardeners, do many independent gardening projects with churches, nursing homes, schools and pocket parks. Of course, you earn Volunteer Hours for your projects. This year we are making a special effort to keep better track of your independent projects. We also want the University of Illinois Extension Cook County/Chicago Master Gardener Program to gain more recognition for what our Master Gardeners accomplish in your neighborhoods and communities.

This is what you will need to do:

1. Complete and return the Independent Project information sheet.

2. Request, and then send us, a short letter from your contact person acknowledging your project as a Master Gardener project.

(When we receive these, we will list your project on the NE Region Database for you to report against)

3. Keep track of your Volunteer Hours so that you can transfer them onto the database once your project is listed.

You, as Master Gardeners, do tremendous work enhancing your community with knowledge and plants. Thank you. And, thank you for making this extra record-keeping effort. We need this information to validate your efforts to our County Director, to our state legislators and to the general public.

Elizabeth Bruhns

Master Gardener Program Organizer

Cook County/Chicago

ebruhns@uiuc.edu

3807 West 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60655
773-233-0476 -Fax 773-233-0910
url http://cook.extension.uiuc.edu
MASTER GARDENER BLOG-
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb6/index.html

Title: Youth Development Coordinator

Reports to: Director of Programs

Supervises: Students and interns

Project Exploration Background: Cofounded in 1999 by paleontologist Paul Sereno and educator Gabrielle Lyon, Project Exploration is a nonprofit science education organization that works to make science accessible to the public– especially minority youth and girls–through personalized experiences with science and scientists. Project Exploration meets its mission through youth development programs, services for schools and teachers, and public programs such as exhibits and online initiatives.

Summary of the Position: By utilizing personalized experiences and support, the youth development coordinator is responsible for recruiting and retaining students to Project Exploration's core youth programs, developing and implementing youth programs, and encouraging and supporting students to participate in science leadership opportunities within and outside of the organization.

Core Programs Management:

Junior Paleontologists Program

• Develop, plan, coordinate, and implement all aspects of a three-week classroom and field program for high school students on the topics of geology, anatomy, and paleontology.
• Recruit, interview, and select students and train team leaders for the program.

• Revise and create documents for recruitment, curriculum, evaluation, and wrap-up as necessary.
• Provide various year-round supportive services for participants

Dinosaur Giants Program

• Coordinate and implement an interpretive training program for high school students to earn community service learning hours as volunteer docents at a local museum/exhibit.
• Assist in the coordination, development, and facilitation of training sessions for the Dinosaur Giants program, including recruitment and scheduling of students.
• Identify, recruit, and train part-time staff to serve as on-site coordinators that will implement the program at a local museum/exhibit.

Youth Development Programs and Science Leadership Opportunities:

• Plan, coordinate, and implement a minimum of four annual youth development events and programs for all students to participate in.

Coordinate and implement a summer internship program for two to three students at theUniversity of Chicago Fossil Lab.

Identify, develop, and coordinate science leadership opportunities for students to participate in throughout the year.

Provide on-going support regarding college/career pipeline.

Program Administration:

• Update and maintain student database and student contact information.
• Work with teachers and administrators from partner schools to recruit and retain students to all core youth programs.
• Track students' participation in annual programs and create attendance reports
• Develop, implement and analyze evaluation of student's participation

• Research and implement best youth development practices in all programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in education, social services, or science.
• At least three years experience working with youth in an urban setting.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and organization skills.
• Strong facilitation skills and the ability to communicate information to youth and adults effectively and efficiently.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Able to plan, prioritize, and coordinate divergent areas of work and juggle several tasks simultaneously.
• Certification in youth development practices preferred.
• Knowledge of the Chicago Public School system preferred.
• Experience in coordinating and facilitating overnight/in-the-field events for youth.
• Ability and desire to work in a team environment as well as work independently.
• A valid IL driver's license and access to a car is required
• Working occasional weekends and evenings and a willingness to travel out of town, overnight should be expected.

Salary: Competitive; excellent benefits and professional growth opportunities

Position begins: June 1, 2008.

Send cover letter, resume, references, and salary history to:

Director of Operations

Project Exploration

950 East 61^st Street

Chicago, IL 60637

773-834-7625 fax

jobs@projectexploration.org

No phone calls, please.

For more information about Project Exploration, visit www.projectexploration.org

Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children is looking to hire a School Projects Coordinator. This person will work to strengthen CLOCC's relationships with schools and Chicago Public Schools, staff the school systems working group and coordinate future efforts for CLOCC's role in the area of school-community connections. I think ideally they want someone who knows quite a bit about working the in's and outs of Chicago Public Schools. If you know anyone that might be interested, please send them our way.

http://www.childrensmemorial.org/jobs/jobListing.aspx?postingID=3111

Anna Barnes

Youth Coordinator

Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children

2300 Children's Plaza #157

Chicago, IL 60614

Phone: 312-573-7766

Fax: 312-573-7825

Dear Master Gardeners,

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Smart Home: Green and Wired exhibition. Due to the amazing number of applicants I have decided to hold three new volunteer orientations. These orientations will be designed specifically for Master Gardeners. The March 8^th session is no longer available. You will need to attend an orientation before beginning your volunteer service. The three new session dates include:

Thursday, March 13 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 22 from 10:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Monday, March 24 from 10:00 – 2:30 p.m.

At orientation you will learn about the volunteer program, the mission of the Museum and take a tour of the facility. We will also cover the specific logistics of the Master Gardener position and address any questions or concerns. Refreshments will be served.

Space to each orientation is limited (approximately 32 people) so please RSVP to one of the above dates as soon as possible. You may RSVP by sending an email (preferred) to matt.porth@msichicago.org or by calling 773.753.1382. Please specify the date of the session you would like to attend. I will notify you if that session is already full. Registration for each session will close at noon two days prior with priority given to those signed up to assist with the initial plantings in April. I cannot accommodate volunteers that do not RSVP.

Please park in the Museum's east parking lot (outside of the Henry Crown Space Center), which has a turnoff on Lake Shore and Science Drive. Please enter the building through the Henry Crown Space Center and let the security officer know you are attending The Smart Home orientation session. I will arrive at 10:00 a.m. to begin the session. If you walk to the Museum or take public transportation (www.transitchicago.com) please walk to the east lot and enter through the Henry Crown Space Center.

All volunteers must submit a completed volunteer application before they can officially start the program. If you have not yet mailed or faxed in yours, please download the attached version and bring it to the orientation you attend.

Cordially,

Matt Porth, Volunteer Programs Manager

Kate Weinans, our Academic Hourly, will be doing "Lettuce in a Bag" projects with youth and daycare students on:

Tuesday, March 11

2:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.

Doolittle Elementary School

535 East 35th Street

Kate needs two volunteers as assistants. She will bring all the materials. You can meet her at the site.

Contact her directly to volunteer: civicparty@gmail.com

or call the office and leave a message with Julie at 773-2330476.

JoinKate for the fun!

Details about parking, best school entrance, etc, will be available by this Friday.

This is a reminder that your Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) volunteer application has to be turned in to Matt Porth ASAP. If the Museum does not receive your volunteer application by next week you will be dropped from the Smart Home volunteer list. Matt needs to get these forms processed ASAP.

We will be in touch regarding the Master Gardener volunteer orientation dates at the Museum.

If you misplaced you volunteer form please contact me ASAP.

Volunteer forms can be mailed to :

Museum of Science and Industry

5700 South Lake Shore Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60637-9976

(PUT MG VOLUNTEER ON THE ENVELOPE)

or Fax to: 773-753-1357

Nancy Kreith

Extension Program Coordinator

University of Illinois Extension

3807 W. 111th Street

Chicago, IL. 60655

Office: 773.233.0476

Fax: 773.233.0910

TreeKeepers are volunteers who have become certified by Openlands to give trees the care and maintenance they need to thrive in the urban forest. Classes are taught by professionals from the Morton Arboretum, Chicago's Bureau of Forestry, the Chicago Park District, Chicago's Department of Environment and private arboriculture experts. Discover some things that may surprise you: tree roots grow outward from the trunk near the surface, not down deep into the soil; one of the worst enemies of city trees is the lawn mower; trees can drown and suffocate. Receive hands-on training in pruning, planting and mulching. Learn what makes trees sick and what keeps them healthy. Acquire techniques to tell one species from another–even without their leaves!

This seven-week course for adults is offered twice a year–in spring and fall–at various locations throughout the City of Chicago. Class topics include: Benefits of Urban Trees, Tree Folktales and Myths, Tree Physiology, Learning to Know Trees by their Latin Names, Tree Species Identification, Common Tree Diseases and Insect Damage, Hands-On Pruning, Right Tree in the Right Place, Planting and Mulching. Students who attend all seven classes, pass a final exam and hands-on skills tests for pruning, mulching and planting become certified TreeKeepers. They then become part of an informed volunteer corps that convenes regular workdays to care for city trees in public parks, on city streets and at other public sites.

Tuition of $80 includes materials, guest speakers, and certification upon completion of course requirements. Two graduate credits are available for teachers. For more information and to find out when and where the next classes will be given, contact TreeKeeper Jim at (312) 863-6259 or click here for the brochure. See Events Calendar for a listing of TreeKeeper workdays.

The University of Illinois Extension has just released two new Web sites for students.

The first, Fresh From the World...Where Your Food Comes From, is for third-fifth graders. It discusses 15 different popular foods and explores their histories and origins. Students can gain a new understanding about the food they find in the grocery store and the fact that it sometimes comes from other parts of the world.

You can visit this site at http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/food/

The second new site -- Riding the Winds with Kalani -- is designed for 5-8 year olds to gain knowledge about weather. The site provides information on basic earth movements, seasons, clouds, precipitation and temperature. Animations have been added to enhance the learning of the weather processes. It also includes color pages, games and activities that reinforce the concepts.

You can visit the site at http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/kalani/

It is the first of a three part series on weather. The next site in development for 9-12 year olds is "The Tree House Weather Scientists." We hope to release it later this year.

Dear Friends:

We are very excited to announce that the Learning Center is now accepting applications for an Urban Initiative Program Coordinator! The position will be based in the Chicago office.

We are seeking a responsible, highly organized individual to join our urban initiative team to assist with community food system projects and urban agriculture training. At least three years of related experience is required. This position starts at 20 hours a week in April 2008 with the possibility of a full-time position with benefits by July 2008.

Applications must be received by 3/15/08. Visit www.learngrowconnect.org click on "Now Hiring" for the full job description and application info.

Rasha Abdulhadi

Program Coordinator- Urban Initiative

Angelic Organics Learning Center

Chicago Office

6400 S Kimbark Ave

Chicago, IL 60637

Office: 773-288-5462

Fax: 425-969-0317