On Tuesday, November 18 the Chicago Master Gardeners/Composters held their annual Honors Night at Garfield Park Conservatory.

Master Gardeners took a few moments to honor Elizabeth Bruhns. Master Gardener Luis Galvez and his group provided a musical tribute to Elizabeth.

Master Gardeners were honored for 100, 200 and 300 hours of service. Years of service pins were also given for 5, 10 and 15 years.

Master Gardener Independent and Extension projects were recognized.

Ruth Melulis, Mary Olsen and Dick Kress were recognized for their Master Gardener State Team Award for their work with visually impaired adults at the Chicago Lighthouse Sensory Garden.

Master Composter Interns received their certificates for completing their required volunteer hours.

I want to thank Nancy Kreith, Kate Weinans, Sue Gasper, Julie Perteet, Araceli and all the Master Gardeners who helped to organize this wonderful event.

MELA (the Midwest Ecological Landscaping Association)-http://www.melaweb.org- is in need of volunteers to help staff its informational booth at next month's Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show (http://www.midam.org). Volunteers will distribute information and answer questions about MELA's mission (to develop and promote standards and best practices for sustainability in the green industry) and promote upcoming MELA events (such as their annual conference - February 26, 2009).

Volunteers are needed Wednesday, January, 14 – Friday, January 16, 2009

9 a.m.-1 p.m.

or

1 p.m.-5 p.m.

Volunteers will be required to purchase a one day pass to the MidAm tradeshow floor (The cost is $15 before 12/19 and $25 after 12/19 and will give you access to the tradeshow for the entire day).

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kristen Kepnick (kristen@christywebber.com, 773.533.0477) with your availability and details on any previous experience you have had with MELA.

Thank you,

Kristen Kepnick

Christy Webber Landscapes

2900 W. Ferdinand

Chicago, IL 60612

p 773.533.0477

f 773.533.0771

Good morning Chicago Master Gardeners,

As Elizabeth would say, this is a gentle reminder that your hours for 2008 need to be entered into the database by December 15, 2008. For the most part, our staff will be in the office during the week of December 8 and can assist you with database entries.

The 2008 Interns have until April of 2009 to complete their hours. Still, we would love to include your 2008 hours in this report, so please submit hours for 2008 by December 15.

Please let me know if you need assistance with entering hours. TO REPORT HOURS VISIT: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mgdb

Ron Wolford: rwolford@illinois.edu
Extension Educator
Urban Gardening/Environment
University of Illinois Extension
at the Chicago High School for
Agricultural Sciences
3807 West 111 Street
Chicago, Illinois 60655
773-233-O476
Urban Programs Resource Network
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/
Garden Clicks
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb133/index.html
Chicago Green Blog
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb146/index.html
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
Chicago Urban Gardening Blog
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb21/index.html
Chicago Master Composter Blog
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb122/index.html
Master Food Preserver Blog
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb124/index.html
Emerald Ash Borer Blog
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb104/index.html

Just a note to remind you that we will not have a December Chicago Master Gardener Monthly meeting.

At the January 27 Chicago Master Gardener Monthly meeting at Garfield Park Conservatory, Nancy Pollard, Horticulture Educator 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 talk will cover real life scenarios and hands-on use of the book.


Take care,
Ron

Ron Wolford
Extension Educator
Urban Gardening/Environment
University of Illinois Extension
at the Chicago High School for
Agricultural Sciences
3807 West 111 Street
Chicago, Illinois 60655
773-233-O476

Just a note to email me by January 10 if you need a replacement Master Gardener badge.

Please indicate how you want your name to appear on the badge.

The badge will cost $6.00. Please send a check made out to the University of Illinois to my mailing address:

Ron Wolford
University of Illinois Extension
3807 West 111th Street
Chicago, Illinois
60655


--
Ron Wolford: rwolford@illinois.edu
Extension Educator
Urban Gardening/Environment
University of Illinois Extension
at the Chicago High School for
Agricultural Sciences
3807 West 111 Street
Chicago, Illinois 60655
773-233-O476

Sustainable Cities News & Updates

December 1, 2008 This resource is provided by the Office of Lt. Governor Pat Quinn to Illinois elected officials, municipalities, counties, organizations, and individuals interested in pursuing sustainability in their communities. For more information on sustainability resources, please visit the Lt. Governor's website, www.GreenSolutions.il.gov, or contact one of our offices: in Springfield at 217-782-3734 or in Chicago at 312-814-5220. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

1. Public Forums on Sustainable School Siting – Dec. 2 & 3 in Lombard and Springfield
2. Rain Barrels for Sale – Dec. 2 & 6 in Cook County
3. Forum on Reconnecting Neighborhoods – Dec. 5 in Chicago
4. Training Session on Invasive Species – Dec. 8 in Lincolnshire
5. Funding Available for Sustainable Skylines Initiative – Dec. 17 deadline
6. EPA Environmental Education Grants – Dec. 18 deadline
7. Fiskars' Project Orange Thumb to Support Garden Programs – Feb. 17 deadline
8. Drop Off Unused Prescription Drugs at Chicago Police Stations
9. Green Communities Sustainability Training Grants
10. Opt Out and Stop the Delivery of Unsolicited Telephone Books
11. U.S. EPA Office of Water Releases Climate Change Strategy
12. U.S. EPA Announces New Urban Heat Island Resources
13. U.S. EPA's Clean Energy and Environmental Strategies for State & Local Officials * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

1. Public Forums on Sustainable School Siting – Dec. 2 & 3 in Lombard and Springfield Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Time: 7:00-8:30pm, networking from 8:30-9:00pm
Location: DuPage Regional Office of Education's Professional Development Center, 1519 S. Grace St., Lombard Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Time: 7:00-8:30pm, networking from 8:30-9:00pm
Location: Lincoln Library, 326 S. 7th St., Springfield Illinois was recently awarded a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the U.S. EPA to examine the issue of school siting policies in Illinois. The Healthy Schools Campaign, Lt. Governor's Office, and a number of other partners are examining why school location is important to communities, how school location affects transportation choices for parents and children, and how renovating an existing building may be just as green – if not more green – than building new. On December 2 & 3, two public forums about school siting issues will be held in Lombard and Springfield respectively. If you plan to attend, consider putting your comments in writing as well as sharing them orally at the forum. A report on school siting will be written this winter, and public comments will be considered when writing the report. For more information, contact Jonathon.Zirkle@Illinois.gov. To learn more, visit: http://www.standingupforillinois.org/uploads/Flyer%20for%20School%20Siting%20Forums.pdf * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

2. Rain Barrels for Sale – Dec. 2 & 6 in Cook County Last days: December 2 and December 6, 2008 Rain barrels save money, conserve water, and are good for the environment. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is selling rain barrels to any resident of Cook County (limit 2) for the bargain price of $40 each. See www.mwrd.org/barrel/barrel.aspx. If you want to impress your family with a large gift, act fast! The last two days to pick up these nifty gifts are on December 2 and December 6. You can order rain barrels online at the District's Web site and pick them up at any one of these wastewater treatment plants: Stickney, Calumet, and North Side. If you'd rather wait until spring to pick up your barrel, you can buy one now and obtain a coupon to slip into a card or envelope. Rain barrels are 55-gallon plastic drums that had been previously used to transport fruit juices, vegetable oils, pickles, etc. They've been outfitted with a spigot, overflow valve, mesh screen on top to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs, and a lid that allows rainwater to flow in from a downspout. Attached to any downspout, these barrels collect rainwater off your roof that can then be used for watering your garden or lawn or washing your car. Using rainwater for these purposes reduces the amount of drinking water you pay for - and it reduces stormwater that drains into the sewer systems in many of our communities, thus decreasing the amount of mingled stormwater and sewage we pay to treat. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

3. Forum on Reconnecting Neighborhoods – Dec. 5 in Chicago Date: December 5, 2008
Time: 8:00 am - 10:30 am
Location: Hotel Allegro, 171 W. Randolph St., Walnut Room, Chicago, Ill. The Metropolitan Planning Council welcomes you to hear more about the final recommendations Reconnecting Neighborhoods has made for communities – from new rail stations to the introduction of streetcars to Chicago – at the breakfast forum Building Successful Mixed-Income Communities: Reconnecting Neighborhoods. As the economy draws nationwide attention to the importance of investing in infrastructure and jobs, local efforts to meet these needs continue to advance. Reconnecting individuals and neighborhoods to Chicago's social, cultural and economic fabric has been a key goal of the Chicago Housing Authority's (CHA) multi-billion dollar investment in the Plan for Transformation. The forum will explore how these local recommendations can both benefit from and contribute to national efforts to improve transit and infrastructure reinvestment, and neighborhood revitalization. This event is free, but space is limited. Seats will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To RSVP, please visit http://www.metroplanning.org/register.asp?objectID=4647 or call Angie Leyva at (312) 863-6017. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

4. Training Session on Invasive Species – Dec. 8 in Lincolnshire Date: December 8, 2008
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Location: Lincolnshire Village Hall, One Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire, IL
Cost: Free You are invited to a training session for the early detection and rapid response to invasive species. This workshop is appropriate for anyone who works or enjoys recreational activities in the outdoors along roadways, rivers, streams, or any corridor. This program will provide direction to organizations and communities in how to organize volunteers and others to assist in identification of invasive species. Program attendees will gain an increased understanding of invasive species impacts, their modes of invasion, and control measures to limit their spread. RSVP to Lydia Scott, 847-883-8600, lscott@villagelincolnshire.il.us * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

5. Funding Available for Sustainable Skylines Initiative – Dec. 17 deadline Applications are due December 17, 2008. EPA has announced $250,000 in grant funds for up to five U.S. communities interested in working on an initiative to integrate transportation, energy, land use, and air quality planning. The Sustainable Skylines Initiative (SSI) will provide a framework that, when implemented in a city or region, can achieve measurable emissions reductions within three years. SSI was piloted in Dallas, Texas, and Kansas City, and EPA now plans to expand the effort nationally. EPA is looking for areas willing to commit the time and staff resources necessary for a successful program. The premise of this initiative is that supplemental funding could come from the various stakeholders and initiative partners. The full Request for Applications is available at: http://www.epa.gov/air/grants/08-08.pdf (PDF, 23 pp, 152K). For more information on the funding announcement or on the SSI, contact Yvonne W. Johnson at (919) 541-3921 or Johnson.yvonnew@epa.gov. Visit the SSI website at: http://www.epa.gov/sustainableskylines/index.html. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

6. EPA Environmental Education Grants – Dec. 18 deadline Applications are due by December 18, 2008. This document solicits grant proposals to support environmental education projects that promote environmental stewardship and help develop knowledgeable and responsible students, teachers, and citizens. This grant program provides financial support for innovative projects that design, demonstrate, or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques as described in this notice. (Solicitation Notice for 2009 CFDA 66.951) http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/pdf/solicitationnotice2009.pdf * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

7. Fiskars' Project Orange Thumb to Support Garden Programs – Feb. 17 deadline Applications are due February 17, 2009. Launched in 2003, Fiskars' Project Orange Thumb has awarded more than 100 community groups, schools, churches, and other organizations more than $300,000 in total grants for their garden programs. This year, the program will award 20 grants within the United States and Canada. Each will receive up to $1,500 in Fiskars garden tools and up to $800 in gardening-related materials (i.e. green goods). Four grant recipients will also be awarded within Australia. Each of these recipients will receive up to $1,000 in Fiskars Tools and up to $1,000 in gardening-related materials. Gardens and/or gardening projects geared toward community involvement, neighborhood beautification, sustainable agriculture, and/or horticultural education are eligible. Community garden groups, as well as schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, and treatment facilities are all encouraged to apply. Only group applications will be considered; single individuals are not eligible for a Project Orange Thumb grant. For complete program information and application, visit the project's Web site: http://projectorangethumb.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

8. Drop Off Unused Prescription Drugs at Chicago Police Stations Mayor Richard M. Daley along with the Chicago Department of Environment and the Chicago Police Department launched a program that addresses the disposal of expired or unused prescription drugs by offering permanent prescription drop box locations at select Chicago Police Department Area Centers. Chicago is the first big city to offer permanent drop-off locations. Expired and unused pharmaceuticals can be disposed of in drop boxes at the five Chicago Police Department Area Centers. By using the police facilities as a drop-off location, the controlled substances will be deposited safely and kept under observation by law enforcement until they are destroyed. The centers are located at: * Area 1 - 5101 S. Wentworth Ave.
* Area 2 - 727 E. 111th St.
* Area 3 - 2452 W. Belmont Ave.
* Area 4 - 3151 W. Harrison St.
* Area 5 - 5555 W. Grand Ave. For more information, please visit: http://egov.cityofchicago.org/webportal/COCWebPortal/COC_EDITORIAL/PharmaceuticalDisposal.pdf * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

9. Green Communities Sustainability Training Grants Green Communities offers Sustainability Training Grants up to $5,000 for affordable housing developers to maximize the health, economic and environmental benefits of green development throughout the project's life cycle. This grant program provides an opportunity to transfer the design knowledge that informed the Green Communities planning and construction process to the residents, as well as operations and management staff. Funding is available to cover the design and distribution of an operations and maintenance manual and the development as well as the implementation of a training curriculum that supports long-term operations and maintenance. For more information, visit: http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/tools/funding/grants/sustainability/index.asp. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

10. Opt Out and Stop the Delivery of Unsolicited Telephone Books Yellowpagesgoesgreen.com is helping municipalities and local governments around the country establish ordinances to mandate Yellow Pages and White Pages only be delivered to home and offices that ask for them. Municipalities and local government that provide trash services are extremely concerned about the landfill cost and why they have to absorb the cost of handling the telephone directories. http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

11. U.S. EPA Office of Water Releases Climate Change Strategy This fall, Assistant Administrator of the EPA Ben Grumbles announced the release of the National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change. This report explores the likely impacts of climate change on our nation's water resources and our clean water and safe drinking water programs. The report also describes 40 actions that will be taken by the National Water Program to adapt to climate change. The full report can be downloaded here: http://www.epa.gov/ow/climatechange/docs/TO5_DRAFT_CCR_Revised_10-16.pdf * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

12. U.S. EPA Announces New Urban Heat Island Resources EPA has reorganized and updated its Heat Island Effect website (http://www.epa.gov/heatisland), which provides comprehensive information on the urban heat island effect, its impacts, and strategies for communities to reduce urban temperatures. Key resources include: - new compendium of mitigation strategies (see below),
- database of community actions to reduce heat islands,
- calendar of events, and
- regularly scheduled webcasts. EPA's new publication, "Reducing Urban Heat Islands: A Compendium of Strategies," describes the causes and impacts of summertime urban heat islands and describes strategies for lowering temperatures in U.S. communities. Topics covered in currently available chapters include: - urban heat island basics,
- trees and vegetation,
- green roofs,
- cool roofs, and
- descriptions of a wide variety of community heat island reduction activities in the United States. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

13. U.S. EPA's Clean Energy and Environmental Strategies for State & Local Officials State and local officials interested in additional information about developing and implementing cost-effective clean energy and environmental strategies that help further environmental and clean energy goals and achieve public health and economic benefits may visit: http://epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/index.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Subscription Information If you no longer wish to receive Sustainable Cities updates from the Lt. Governor's Office, or wish to add a colleague to this list, please reply to this email or call (312) 814-4083. For more information about Lt. Governor Pat Quinn's sustainability initiatives and the Illinois Green Governments Coordinating Council, please visit www.GreenSolutions.il.gov.

Kate Tomford
Senior Policy Advisor
Office of Lt. Governor Pat Quinn
100 W. Randolph, Suite 15-200
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-4083 phone
(312) 814-4862 fax
kate.tomford@illinois.gov
www.GreenSolutions.il.gov

Hello Master Gardeners,

Please be reminded that your hours for 2008 need to be entered into the database by December 15, 2008. For the most part, our staff will be in the office during the week of December 8 and can assist you with database entries.

The 2008 Interns have until April of 2009 to complete their hours. Still, we would love to include your 2008 hours in this report, so please submit hours for 2008 by December 15.

Please let me know if you need assistance with entering hours. TO REPORT HOURS VISIT: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mgdb

We are working on the database requests that some of you have recently submitted. We are in the process of interviewing 2009 Master Gardener applicants this week, so please be patient with us.

FYI: The 2009 training will be held at Garfield Park Conservatory in the Jensen room on Tuesdays beginning Jan 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I trust everyone had a wonderful holiday. As Ron said before, we are all thankful to have such a wonderful group of volunteers!

Thank you,

Nancy

Nancy Kreith
Extension Program Coordinator
University of Illinois Extension
3807 W. 111th Street
Chicago, IL. 60655
nkreith@gmail.com
kreith@illinois.edu
office: 773.233.0476
fax: 773.233.0910

Gifts that help protect the environment, add to the home landscape's beauty and create a fun project can be great ideas for gardeners. Some such gifts could include rain barrels; supplies and materials to plant a rain garden; and resource manuals to plan for the projects.

More homeowners are becoming interested in adding native plants to their landscape. Most typical new housing developments have disturbed, compacted soils, which can accentuate the effects of drought or other types of stresses on the plant as well as creating more water runoff. "Although there are options to dealing with these soil and planting conditions, one method that homeowners are doing is planting native prairie plants that are deeper rooted and more tolerant of adverse conditions", says John Church, University of Illinois Extension Educator, Natural Resources, Rockford. Over time these plants may help improve urban yard and garden soils through their deep and fibrous root systems. If planned properly, such plantings can be used to make a rain garden to help absorb stormwater runoff as well as add aesthetic beauty to the home.

Whether a beginning or experienced gardener, Native Plants in the Home Landscape for the Upper Midwest, University of Illinois Extension circular 1381, may be a helpful resource for anyone with an interest in plants indigenous to the upper Midwest region. Its 120 pages include a brief history of the American prairie, describes the benefits of gardening with wildflowers and other native plants, and outlines how to begin.

Approximately 80 plant species are shown in the book with color photographs and text descriptions. Plants were selected for their visual appeal, multiple seasons of interest, ease of culture, commercial availability, and suitability to a small site. Beginners will find step-by-step illustrated landscape designs. Also included is information on maintaining the health of native plant gardens. Also, there is a glossary of terms and lists of native plant sources, books, and Web sites in the reference book.

The plant manual and a starting kit of some seeds or plant gift certificates to start a rain garden can make a fun gift for the home gardener. Adding a rain barrel to the list that can be used to catch even more rooftop runoff to be used on the plants can also be a great idea.

For further information about the circular, contact the local county U. of I. Extension office or go to the website https://pubsplus.uiuc.edu/C1381.html. Additional native prairie plant information is also available on-line from the Illinois Natural History located at the University of Illinois at http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~kenr/tallgrass.html or at the U. of I. Extension website www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/perennials/moist.html.

Rain garden information is available on the University of Wisconsin Extension website, http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/home.htm#rain. Rain barrels are available from local retail stores, catalogs, on-line or from some local conservation groups and agencies.

URBANA – Herbal experts from around the country will present five educational sessions designed to provide information and inspiration about herb gardening. The event will be held on Saturday, January 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center near Lincoln Ave. and I-74 in Urbana.

"This year's speakers include Lucinda Hutson, a noted herbal author, speaker, and garden entertainer, from Austin, Texas," said Chuck Voigt, University of Illinois vegetable and herb specialist and coordinator of the event. *

Hutson will give two talks. In the morning, her presentation is entitled, "A Fiesta in Lucinda's Garden, which includes her suggestions for creating a memorable garden party. Her afternoon talk is entitled, "Theme Gardens from Around the World." "Lucinda is famous in the Southwest for her cooking, gardens, and style," said Voigt.

Kathryn and Melvin Schiedermayer, from New Glarus, Wisconsin, will explain how to harvest and preserve herbs. Their business, Garden Spirit Natural Bath & Skincare, gives a good idea of what to expect. "Many herb novices do a good job of growing a wide variety of herbs, but then have trouble knowing what to do with them beyond cooking," said Voigt. "The Scheidermayers will offer many ways to solve this dilemma." Voigt said that the Schiedermayer's herbal soaps and lotions will be available in the retail area of the event.

Father Dominic Garramone, of St. Bede Abbey in Peru, Illinois lectures all around Illinois about herbs and is an engaging and entertaining speaker. He previously hosted a "Breaking Bread with Father Dominic" TV series on PBS. "We have tried to get Herb Day on his schedule for many years, and finally succeeded this year," said Voigt. Garramone will demonstrate baking herb breads with special meanings. Recipes will be included in the attendee packets.

Susan Hess, from Farm at Coventry, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania claims a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. "She discovered that this group once had a tremendous store of herbal knowledge and lore, which was suppressed and nearly lost in the latter half of the 20th Century. She and her fellow researchers are working hard to rebuild that storehouse of knowledge," said Voigt.

In addition to the speakers, there will be a retail area selling a wide variety of herb, spice and gardening products as well as books and products from the presenters.

Advance registration of $55, which includes an herb-themed lunch buffet, must be received by January 9. Contact Carla Chapman (217-333-7738; carlac@illinois.edu).

On-site registration on January 17 begins at 8:00 a.m. only as space allows and does not include lunch. The first educational session begins promptly at 9:00 am.