As the holidays approach, many families will be faced with at least two horticulture-related challenges--how to select a Christmas tree and what to do with the gift poinsettia plant.

"Information on both topics is readily available on two University of Illinois Extension websites," said Jane Scherer, U of I Extension urban programs specialist and director of its websites.

"Christmas Trees & More" (http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/trees/) in a one-stop source for a broad array of information, not only about Christmas trees but flowers and greenery, tree farms, and recipes.

"Yes, recipes," Scherer explained. "There is a page that has recipes for Christmas tree cookies plus a holiday tree-shaped cheese ball and a Christmas tree cake."

"If you're wondering what to look for when selecting a poinsettia plant, another Extension website can help," she noted.

"The Poinsettia Pages" (http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia/) include a list of things to consider when shopping for a plant.

"The length of time your poinsettia will give you pleasure in your home is dependent on (1) the maturity of the plant, (2) when you buy it, and (3) how you treat the plant," said Scherer, quoting from information on the website. "With care, poinsettias should retain their beauty for weeks, and some varieties will stay attractive for months.

"Suggestions for achieving this outcome are listed on the site."

Nancy, Kate, Sue, Julie, Araceli and I want to wish all Chicago Master Gardeners a happy Thanksgiving. It has been our pleasure to work with one of the most giving groups of people in Chicago. Through your greening efforts in 2008, Chicago Master Gardeners contributed over 18,000 hours of volunteer time to make Chicago neighborhoods better places to live.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Nancy, Kate, Sue, Julie, Araceli and Ron

Morton Arboretum's Sustainable with Style Midwest Gardening Symposium on March 13-15 at the Thornhill Education Center will help you build a beautiful landscape garden using environmentally friendly methods. Learn to use green solutions in stylish ways. An Eco-gorgeous garden—be it traditional, modern or in between—is within your reach!

Gardeners have always been at the forefront of the conservation movement in America. And it will be gardeners who evolve the next generation of beautiful and sustainable landscape styles.

For registration information:

http://www.peopleware.net/index.cfm?siteID=214&eventDisp=WI09MID

Just a note to let you know that Nancy Pollard, Horticulture Educator will be speaking at the next Master Gardener monthly meeting on January 27 at Garfield Park Conservatory.

Nancy will be explaining how to more efficiently and accurately use the University of Illinois Home, Yard and Garden Pest Guide. This is our premier source for answering client questions related to disease and insect management. Pros and cons of chemical and non-chemical options as well as organic methods will be discussed. The lesson will covers real life scenarios and hands-on use of the book.

The Spring Creek Stewards are calling for major help in broadcasting more than $40,000 of rare prairie seed this Saturday, November 22. All day, during two planting sessions, we will seed 160 acres in one day. The 160 acres will be an important habitat for grassland wildlife when the plants mature. The planting area is part of the 3,910-acre Spring Creek Preserves, which have been benefitting from an ambitious restoration effort since 2003. This planting is by far the biggest to date. All hardy hands are warmly invited to take part in a massive prairie planting. Cold and drizzle won't stop it, though a downpour will. Dress for the weather (gloves are preferred over mittens). The work is easy and inspiring!

WHERE: Spring Creek Forest Preserve - Gather just west of the Headwaters entrance

WHEN: This SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22

First Session: 9:00 a.m. - Noon (meet at 9 a.m.)

Second Session: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 (meet at 1 p.m.)

DIRECTIONS: Meet at the "Prairie Planting" sign on the north side of Higgins Rd. just west of Wichman Rd. (about two miles west of Rt. 59)

From I90: Exit on Sutton Rd and head north. Then, turn west (left) on Higgins Rd. Go about 1.5 miles and look for the "Prairie Planting" sign on the right

MAP LINK http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Barrington+Hills,+IL&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=44.388698,57.128906&ie=UTF8&ll=42.080866,-88.208971&spn=0.010208,0.013947&z=16

MORE INFORMATION: www.springcreekstewards.org or call Ryan White at 847-800-3742

We hope you and friends can help play a roll in the future of our community 160 acre prairie.

Hope to see you soon,

Ryan

Audubon Chicago Region
Field Representative

Master Gardeners and Others:

We are looking for people to help children assemble holiday decorations made from recycled and natural materials (such as Queen-Anne's-Lace) at the University of Illinois Extension table during the Museum of Science and Industry's winter A Home for All Seasons event.

This event is on December 13 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and will take place at the museum. You will have time for breaks and get a free lunch, a free tee-shirt and free entry into the museum. On your break feel free to visit the Christmas around the World display of evergreen trees decorated to represent a particular county or check out the Smart Home – Green and Wired.

The winter session of A Home for All Seasons will be geared toward ideas for going green during the holidays. Check out the special LED holiday lighting presented by ComEd. The first 500 guests to bring in their incandescent holiday lights for recycling will receive a free set of LED holiday lights. You can also find out about holiday decorations made from recycled materials and eco-friendly ways to wrap gifts. Wired magazine will be on hand to help guests check out the latest technologies and high-tech gadgets that make great gifts.

This volunteer opportunity is open to teen-age children and spouses too.

Please let me know if you are interested.

Sue McCarthy

Master Gardener Program Organizer

University of Illinois Extension

Cook County/ South Suburban District 1

5527 Miller Circle Drive, Suite A, Matteson, IL 60443

phone (708) 720-7500. fax (708) 720-7509

Usually available: Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

email: smccrthy@uiuc.edu

http://cook.extension.uiuc.edu

Just a note to remind you that the Master Gardener Imagine newsletters: Illinois Master Gardeners' Information, News and Education are available online at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mg/imagine/default.cfm

Good morning Chicago Master Gardeners,

Just a note to give you a heads up on a couple of upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier: March 7-15, 2009

I have been talking with a flower show coordinator about Master Gardener participation at the Flower Show.

We would man an information booth as in the past and also may assist with some of the following: introducing speakers at seminars, providing event and exhibit info to visitors and potting parties (groups of 25 people donate money to charity and plant their own potted plant to take home with them) and flower arranging classes (groups of 25 people donate money to charity and get to design their own floral arrangement to take home with them)- both were a hit last year's show in Rosemont.

For Master Gardener perks we have asked for free parking, lunch and 2 complementary show tickets.

There are lots of details to be worked out. I will keep you posted.

Macy's on State Flower Show: April 1-15, 2009

Not a lot of info yet, except show will not be as large as last year. Last year Master Gardeners had an info table and provided tours.

I will keep you posted.

One of our recent Master Gardener interns (thanks Mike!) mentioned a good red-wiggler resource that exists right here in our city, and that you can pick up within a week of ordering. The Pacific Garden Mission (PGM) recently moved from a downtown location to their new facility on 1458 South Canal Street. Alongside their impressive emergency lodging and kitchen, they have also built two 2,500 square foot greenhouses.

Four adult residents from Pacific Garden Mission also work in the greenhouses with the worms. All have been recently homeless, and some have dealt with mental illness, drug addiction, and physical abuse or substance abuse problems.

Master Gardeners or Master Composters interested in being involved would need to understand the special circumstances of these residents, but know that there are numerous benefits from volunteering with such ambitious individuals interested in making huge change and strides in their lives.

Of course, consistency is important to adults in a constant state of upheaval, so volunteers working here would preferably be "regular" volunteers- once a week or month, but consistent and regular.

They work out of a 99% Organic greenhouse, and volunteers could bring their own plants to propagate, eat lunch in the cafeteria on the days they volunteer, and participate in the re-sale of the worms, worm bins and plants.

Beginning in January, the workdays will be reduced to 3 days a week; M, W, F between 8 a.m.-1 p.m. This would be a great opportunity for one or two Master Gardeners or Master Composters to volunteer, even if you could only help out 2-3 hours at a time.

Okay, so maybe you don't want to volunteer, but you want to order worms for your whole family for the holidays. Great! The greenhouse work group, lead by Nancy Klehm at PGM, offers a pound of worms to the Chicagoland community for a $20 donation.

They also sell very nice untreated-pine wooden worm bins (1,000-worm bin w/ worms for $75 and 2,500-worm bins w/worms for $175). If you needed worms, or were interested in these handmade wooden bins, please place your order with Nancy Klehm at nettlesting@yahoo.com and allow a week for your worms to be handpicked for you or two weeks for your handmade bin to be built.

This is a great Chicago resource, and it will definitely be an amazing place to volunteer. Let me know if you have any questions or if you'd like to volunteer at kweinans@illinois.edu.

Kate Weinans
Urban Gardening:Youth Programs
University of Illinois Extension
kweinans@illinois.edu
773-233-0476

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

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state/

This is an exciting opportunity for you (and a friend) to meet your local farmers and to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, along with a long list of items, just before Thanksgiving! Now you ask yourself, "How am I going to do that? What will it cost?"

Here's how it works! You and a friend volunteer for the FamilyFarmed.org EXPO at the Chicago Cultural Center in downtown Chicago at Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue!

Days, Dates, Times:

Friday - November 21, 2008 (9am-6pm)

Saturday - November 22, 2008 (9am-6pm)

Sunday - November 23, 2008 (9am-8pm)

Shift Times:

Friday - Nov. 21, 2008

6:30am-11:00am = assist exhibitors with their booth set-ups

12:15p-3:45pm = assist with greeting, directions, as needed

3:30pm-6:00pm = assist with moving registration/tickets upstairs

Saturday - Nov. 22, 2008

6:30am-10:00am = assist exhibitors with their booth set-ups

9:30am-12:30pm = assist with Kids Corner (not babysitting OR

Drop-off) parents must stay with their children

12:00pm-4:00pm = assist with greeting, directions, as needed

Sunday - November 23, 2008

9:30am-12:30pm = assist with greeting, directions, as needed

12:15pm-3:45pm = assist with greeting, directions, as needed

4:00pm-8:00pm = assist exhibitors with their booth break-downs

We have several volunteer needs, including greeting visitors and also assisting at our exhibit table distributing FamilyFarmed.org information and encouraging more people to sign up for our newsletter and possibly becoming a volunteer in the future!

There is absolutely no charge to you! Your time and energy to cover your shift schedule is a HUGE contribution to our organization and needed too. Thank you!

The added bonus of this adventure is getting into the EXPO free, getting a chance to meet local farmers and have the freshest fruits and vegetables on your Thanksgiving table! And, November is not too early to do some holiday shopping while attending educational workshops and cooking demos.

Please RSVP to get the shift schedule most convenient for you and a friend to join us!

To sign up, please go to www.FamilyFarmedExpo.com and clicking on "volunteer". Looking forward to seeing you again at the FamilyFarmed.org EXPO!

If you are not able to 'volunteer' for the EXPO but are available to 'volunteer' at other times, please contact Patricia at: patricia@familyfarmed.org or 708-763-9920 ASAP!

Elisabeth L. Condon
www.familyfarmed.org
www.familyfarmedexpo.com

REGISTER-Free Workshop-Limit 40 - wpgarden@aol.com
Greening Lectures - See www.wpgarden.org

Hello Chicagoland Gardeners and Community Gardens in the Parks Coordinators,
A special workshop will be offered this year. The workshop is open to all Chicagoland Gardeners and provides and opportunity for you all to work in the Garfield Park Conservatory, grow plants for the 2009 Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier, learn to make paper from null paper and plant materials, install plants at the show, and be docents at the show.

Special Plus for Community Gardens in the Parks - Many of the plants will be available to be installed in your gardens if you participate in any aspect of this project. -- see below.
Doug Wood
WPGarden
www.wpgarden.org

Saturdays, January 10 - March 21 - 10am - 1PM
GARDEN DESIGN
Preparing Plants for an Exhibit at the 2009 Flower & Garden Show
Exhibit Sponsored by Chicago Park District and Parkways Foundation
Get Started on Saturdays in December - Contact Us

LOCATION
Wicker Park-1425 North Damen Ave, Chicago & Garfield Park Conservatory
Most Classes Held at Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N. Central Park Ave.
Reservations: No Charge - Limit 40 - wpgarden@aol.com or 77 3-278-9075

Park District Consultants - The Conservatory Staff
Mary Eysenbach, Miguel del Valle, Steven Meyer, Unni Koch, John Refetto
Adam Schwerner - Director of Natural Resources

WP Garden Workshop Instructors - Coordinate with Conservatory Staff
Doug Wood, Leslie Zimmerman, Jim Angrabright, Denise Browning,
Richard Tilley, Larry Clary, Amy Brinkman, Susan Fontana

Paper Making Teachers - WPGarden
Doug Wood, Denise Browning, Leslie Zimmerman, Amy Brinkman, Petrina Patti

Collaborating Artist
Michael Thompson, Sculptor
www.michaelthompsonart.com

About the Show: www.chicagoflower.com
Sponsors: www.parkways.org
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
www.wpgarden.org

THE DESIGN OF THE EXHIBIT - The exhibit is to draw attention to the Community Gardens in the Parks project and to promote Green Technology and life styles.

The Wicker Park Garden Club has designed the Community Gardens in the Parks' Exhibit for the 2009 Chicago Flower and Garden Show held at Navy Pier, March 7-15, 2009. The Park District Conservatory Staff has been working with our workshop teachers/designers to provide all the information necessary to grow and design the exhibit. The design features a rain garden, solar panels, living walls, and zone 5 plants that will be relocated to community gardens in the parks after the show. The exhibit will feature a Michael Thompson kite design. The kite paper will be made by children and adults from recycling paper and from cooked plants.

DISCUSSION OF DESIGN - The design will be shown and discussed on Monday, December 1 at Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen during the Community Gardens in the Park Lecture-A Talk That Features some of Chicago's Finest Community Gardens in the Parks.
Exhibit Designers - Doug Wood, Leslie Zimmerman, Jim Angrabright, Denise Browning, Richard Tilley, Susan Fontana

FORCING THE PLANTS AND WORKING ON THE SHOW - The WPGarden Club will coordinate Chicagoland Gardeners to work together to grow and force the plants that will be used, to in stall the show, to be docents at the show, and to strike the show. Participants will learn the horticultural techniques of how to force trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and bulbs to bloom on a specific timetable for a flower show and gain hands-on-experience forcing the plants at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Also, all participants will be introduced to conservation and sustainable energy options. All members of the class wi ll have the opportunity to install the plants the week of the show at Navy Pier and be offered training to be docents during the show.

WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE - We have planted 700 pots of tulips, muscari, and daffodils for use in the show. They are in the coolers at the conservatories. We purchased all perennials, shrubs, and trees for the exhibit and they are currently at the Garfield Park Conservatory - ready to be brought inside to force in December and January. The Children at Wicker Park have been making paper for the kites for the last 7 weeks.

PAPER MAKING FOR KITE - Let us know if you'd like to attend a special paper making seminar - Saturdays in December?

RECYCLING THE PLANTS INTO COMMUNITY GARDENS IN THE PARKS
The plants used in the exhibit will be returned to Garfield Park Conservatory after the show until the weather permits them being installed in Community Gardens in the Parks. The plants will be distributed only to those gardens whose members work to prepare the plants for the show, work to install the show, or who are docents at the show. Number of plants given to any garden is based on 1) the level of volunteer time and 2) the approval of Community Gardens the Park Staff.

LOCATIONS- FIRST CLASS AT WICKER PARK - The schedule of dates and locations (at Wicker Park or at Garfield Park) of each class will be given at the first class which will be held at Wicker Park.

Each year, Mantis presents the Mantis Awards for charitable and educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life in their host communities. NGA selects 25 outstanding applicants to receive Mantis tiller/cultivators.

Any nonprofit garden program may apply. In the past, winners have included schools, churches, correctional facilities, parks departments, youth camps, community gardens, and many others. These are groups turning slim resources into bountiful gardens with far-reaching benefits, from increasing their community's access to fresh nutritious foods to educating the public about the importance of gardening in our nation's history.

Mantis Awards: Deadline: March 1, 2009

http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants/mantis.asp

Hooked on Hydroponics Awards

When children and teens explore how to grow plants hydroponically (without soil), fruitful questions bloom, and these questions can lead to active investigations and problem solving. These studies may even lead to classroom business opportunities or fuel student career interests. Not the least of the benefits is the joy of students harvesting a crop of their own incredible edibles or bounteous blossoms!

The Grow Store and ProgressiveGardening.org join NGA to offer these grants to expand these exciting learning opportunities for students.

Wondering if a hydroponic unit is right for your classroom? Check out the descriptions of equipment packages, including component specs and classroom activity suggestions:

Elementary School Equipment Packages: 12 grants
Middle School Equipment Packages: 16 grants
High School Equipment Packages: 8 grants

Please also visit our online Exploring Hydroponics guide for examples of topics and lessons you can pursue.

Hooked on Hydroponics Awards: Application will be available February 1, 2009

http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants/HOH.asp

Healthy Sprouts Awards

Statistics show that in many U.S. classrooms you'll find children who are overweight sitting next to others wondering where their next meal will come from; many are not getting the right balance of nutrients in their diets or enough exercise. Research conducted at Texas A&M University supports the connection between kids' food gardens and improved nutrition. Could a school garden be part of the solution to the diet- and exercise-related challenges children face? Many forward-thinking educators and parents think so, and have worked to create youth garden programs that focus on nutrition and hunger issues.

As a way to encourage the growth of health-focused youth gardens, NGA recognizes outstanding programs via the Healthy Sprouts Awards, sponsored by Gardener's Supply Company. These awards support school and youth garden programs that teach about nutrition and the issue of hunger in the United States.

Healthy Sprouts Awards: Applications will be available February 1, 2009

http://www.kidsgardening.com/healthysprouts.asp

Just to note to let you know about one of my favorite gardening blogs: GardenRant. It is written by four women who garden in different parts of the United States and who write with an edge.

GardenRant has been online since June 2006 and quickly developed a following among garden bloggers, garden writers and editors, and landscape nursery business professionals. They were named Best Garden Blog, Most Innovative Garden Blog, and Best Written Blog.

Garden Design Magazine called them: "Pithy, hysterically funny, with poignant news and views of all aspects of the garden world. Don't miss their Manifesto!"

GardenRant: http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/

Just a note to let you know that former Chicago Master Gardener William Moss is working with HGTV to develop a gardening show that will air in the spring of 2008. Both William and his wife took our Master Gardener course and William worked for the University of llinois Extension when we partnered with the City of Chicago's Department of Environment to start the Greencorps Chicago program. William was a speaker at a monthly Master Gardeners meeting.

Here is a link to William's monthly newsletter: Moss in the City

http://www.garden.org/urbangardening/index.php?page=200811news

Hello Master Gardeners and Master Composters! Happy Extended Fall!

I hope some Master Gardeners and Master Composters have the time on one of these three dates to assist with these youth projects.

Master Gardeners

Wednesday, November 12th 4 p.m.-6:15 p.m.

Whitney Young Library Branch- 7901 S. King Drive

Assisting 11-14 year olds with a planting/decorating project, and learning about seed, root and plant development.

Master Gardeners

Friday, November 14th 9:30am-12noon (approximate times)

Tilden High School-- 4747 S. Union Ave

Helping 14-17 year old students and teachers put 2 small garden beds and several containers to rest for the winter

Master Composters

Tuesday, Nov 18th 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and maybe a 2nd presentation 12:30-2pm

Schiller Elementary School-- 640 W. Scott

Assisting with one (or two) worm composting presentations with 4th and 5th graders, 90 minutes each.

Please email me at kweinans@illinois.edu or call 773-233-0476 to volunteer.

Thank you! I hope your Fall is going well!

Kate Weinans
Urban Gardening:Youth Programs
University of Illinois Extension
kweinans@illinois.edu
773-233-0476

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

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state/

Good afternoon Master Gardeners,

Online registration for the Chicago Wilderness Congress closes tomorrow.

Reminder: Online registration at www.regonline.com/cwcongress closes Friday, November 7th.

Guests may still pay at the door with cash, check, or credit card.

Chicago Wilderness Congress 2008
The 6th Biennial Congress of the Chicago Wilderness Alliance

Thursday, November 13
University of Illinois at Chicago
The Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road

Congress 2008 is the premier event to highlight the resources, science, and collaborative conservation action of the Chicago Wilderness alliance. Congress 2008 will feature the strategic initiatives of Chicago Wilderness: Green Infrastructure, Leave No Child Inside, Restoration & Management, and Climate Change.

Network with over 300 representatives from public and private organizations and corporations from the four-state Chicago region, in addition to community leaders, policy makers, and students interested in the health and well-being of both people and nature.

For a complete program, visit https://www.regonline.com/custImages/260165/CW_Congress_Program.pdf.

For general information on registration, please contact Lynn Peemoeller, Congress consultant, at (773) 271-1446.

Hello Master Gardeners!

Fall is here and it is time to put the Extension garden at Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences at 3807 West 111^th Street to rest! We need your help, and this is a good way to earn some volunteer hours. You can show up anytime next week to work at your convenience. Although the presence of office employees will be limited on 11/11-11/13, our intern, Araceli, will be around from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Major tasks include tearing out annuals and chopping up material piled up next to the compost bins. We ask you to leave perennials in for winter interest. Araceli will be able to direct you and help you obtain the needed tools. Although the weather may be cold, our coffee is HOT so come on out!!

Thanks!

Sue Gasper

Academic Hourly: Environmental Programs

University of Illinois Extension
at the Chicago High School for
Agricultural Sciences
3807 West 111 Street
Chicago, Illinois 60655
773-233-O476

smgasper@illinois.edu

Smart Home Vegetable Garden Blog
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb150/index.html

Chicago Master Gardener Blog
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb6/index.html

Urban Programs Resource Network
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/

We want to welcome Sue Gasper to our staff. Sue's main responsibility will be to coordinate our efforts at the Smart Home Garden. Her official title is Academic Hourly: Environmental Programs.

Sue is a native of the Chicago area. She grew up in south suburban Harvey and attended Loyola University where she obtained a BS in Chemistry. In the fall of 1992, Sue started graduate school in organic chemistry at the University of Illinois in Urbana where she met her husband, Jim. In 1995 they moved to Atlanta, GA so Sue could finish her doctorate with her thesis advisor who relocated to GA Tech. Sue graduated in 1998 and moved to upstate NY to work at Corning Incorporated's core research division. After working at Corning for 10 years as an individual contributor and project manager, Sue moved back to Chicago in January 2008 for her husband's job. Sue developed her passion for gardening as a homeowner in GA and NY where she focused on decorative annuals and perennials, and herbs for culinary purposes. Upon moving to Chicago, Sue took the opportunity to attend the Master Gardener training at Garfield Park and CHAS. Since completing the training in April of 2008, Sue has logged in over 150 volunteer hours at the MSI Smart Home, Lincoln Park Zoo vegetable garden and the Garfield Park Conservatory demo garden.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Garfield Park Conservatory

Community Room

300 North Central Park Avenue

Potluck Agenda:

11:00 – Registration (Free!)

11:30 - Lunch

12:00 - Welcome & Introductions

12:30 - Building Urban Gardens Badges awarded

12:45 - Community Greener of the Year Award

1:15 - Door prizes Awarded

Please bring photos, garden stories, and a dish to share!

We suggest that if your last name starts with:

A-G Bring salad or appetizer

H-O Bring a main dish

P-Z Bring a dessert

Or, just bring your favorite dish and be sure to put your name on your serving dishes and spoons. Also, to reduce waste, please bring your own beverage container.

For information call the GreenNet Hotline at 773/251-7515

www.greenetchicago.org

Julie Samuels

Community Outreach Coordinator

Openlands

25 E. Washington, Suite 1650

Chicago, IL 60602

Phone: 312.863.6256

Fax: 312.863.6251

Email: jsamuels@openlands.org

RSVP - $8 LIMITED SEATING - wpgarden@aol.com

View the Entire Series at www.wpgarden.org

Monday, November 10 - 7-8:30 PM - Wicker Park Field House - 1425 N. Damen Ave, Chicago

Adapting to Climatic Change

The Chicago Climate Action Plan-Taking Personal Action, Indoors and Out,
To Mitigate for and Adapt to Climate Change.

Speaker: Joyce Coffee - City of Chicago Department of the Environment

Reservations: $8 wpgarden@aol.com or 773-278-9075

Lecture Fee Supports the Upkeep of the WPGardens and Educational Programming

At this talk, we will review the results of how Chicago's climate change impacts research. We will detail what we can do right now to reduce our greenhouse gas emission while preparing for climate changes that cannot be avoided. In particular, we will highlight strategies for reducing the urban heat island and managing storm water onsite to adapt to climate change while decreasing the carbon footprint of our outdoor spaces through sustainable gardening choices.

We will also touch upon individual actions that can both save money and decrease greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating climate change. Our discussion will be in the context of Chicago's greenhouse gas reduction goals and will highlight mitigation and adaptation actions beyond the household level.

SERIES SPONSORS

Wicker Park Garden Club, The Chicago Park District, WPB#33 Special Service Area,

The Parkways Foundation

www.wpgarden.org www.chicagoparkdistrict.com www.wickerparkbucktown.org

www.parkways.org

Master Gardeners,

We will be hosting the Third Annual Master Gardener's Honors Night on November 18 in the Jensen Room at GPC. The agenda will remain the same as before, except we will save some time for Master Gardeners to share stories about Elizabeth. This will give Master Gardeners who could not make it to Oak Park on October 29 a chance to reminisce. See details below.

Third Annual Master Gardeners Honors Night

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Jensen Room

Garfield Park Conservatory

6:00 p.m. - Dinner - Extension is treating with Pizza. Please let us know if you are coming so we will know how much to order

Pot luck desert table. Please bring your favorite to share.

7:00 p.m. – Awards

State Team Award

Service awards for 100, 200 and, yes, 300 volunteer hours!

Years of service presentations for 5 and 15 years of Master Gardener service.

Recognition of Independent and Extension Projects

Master Composter Graduation

This is a celebration of all your hard work. Don't miss it!

RSVP to Nancy via email if you are sharing the pizza.

Nancy's email: nkreith@gmail.com

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/

Hello Master Gardeners,

Schwab Rehab Rooftop Garden is looking for a few volunteers to help them put the rooftop garden to bed. The weather looks great for the week of November 9. Plus Schwab is an awesome place to work with an outstanding view of downtown. David Rahija will be available to guide you through the garden on Nov. 12 and 13. He will work on getting patients outside to assist.

Please contact David if interested: rahd@sinai.org

When: Nov. 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Where: Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital & Mount Sinai Hospital
1401 South California Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60608

On-site Contact: David Rahija, MPT, MBA, FACHE, Vice President
P: (773) 522-5860

Thank you for considering.
--
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/

A Public Conversation

Saturday, November 15

Hours: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Where: Community Room of the Garfield Park Conservatory
Cost: $10.00, plus potluck dish!
Registration: Space is limited. To register or for updated information, please e-mail rcline@garfieldpark.org.

Join us on the 3rd Saturday in November for a two- part presentation that broaches some of the current questions buzzing around about bees and beekeeping. In the morning, Adony Melathoupoulos (Canadian author of the seminal article "Nature's Most Sustainable Sweetener") will give an introductory talk on honey bee biology and management. After a potluck lunch, Melathopoulos will be joined by prominent Chicago beekeeper Michael Thompson and others in a vibrant panel discussion of the current state of modern beekeeping.

Main panel topics to be covered include:

Resources and learning opportunities will be on display and available throughout the day.

Beekeeping Panelists to include, but not limited to:

Space is limited. To register or for updated information, please e-mail rcline@garfieldpark.org.

Dean's Forum: Urban Farming Solutions

A presentation by:
Dickson Despommier, PhD
Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University

Local Panelists:

Rodger Cooley, Heifer International

Erika Allen, Growing Power

Orrin Williams, Growing Home

Dr. Despommier's presentation will focus on his concept of the Vertical
Farm, a multi-story indoor farming facility that allows for year-round
supplies of food for its population. In conjunction, the local panelists
will discuss various projects in the city of Chicago focused on urban
farming, vermaculture and aquaculture.

Wednesday, November 5th
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
UIC School of Public Health Auditorium

FREE ADMISSION

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