Archive for Events

Earth Fest was a huge success!

April 25, 2012 · Filed under Events

The Village of Oak Park’s 3rd annual Earth Fest was an oustanding success last Saturday, April 21st. Over 800 guests enjoyed 55 vendors who share information about local and sustainable foods and other environmental topics. Earth Fest was held at the Public Works building, a LEED-certified building. It’s always an honor for me to work with Karen and K.C. at the Village to put on this wonderful festival. If you need something done, ask Public Works!

Green Home Experts was there promoting our eco-garden center. Lucky for us, we were surrounded by Master Composters and Dig Right In eco-landscapers. It was a fabulous day and we are so thankful to everyone at the Village for their help. Thanks to our sponsors, vendors and everyone who came out!


More wonderful pictures of Earth Fest can be found here.

Leave a comment »

Celebrate Our Big Leap!

February 18, 2012 · Filed under Events

Are you ready for it? It’s coming! On Friday, February 24 and Saturday, February 25 Green Home Experts is celebrating our grand reopening into our bigger and better location. From 11am to 1pm on Friday and 11am to 2pm on Saturday, our neighbors The Perfect Dinner will be serving up green appetizers and a special discount for GHE customers.

We hope you’ll come for the giveaways, product demonstrations and food. And we really, really hope you’ll come to see our enormous design showroom and expanded offerings of eco-lifestyle goods.

Celebrate with us!

Comments (1) »

Be Mine, Valentine

February 7, 2011 · Filed under Events, Green at Home

I love Valentines Day.  I love it.  I love candy, flowers, romance and unabashed displays of affection.  I love chocolate, champagne, and hugs and kisses.  Get my drift?

Since this is the holiday for love, I think it’s the perfect time to show your love for Mother Earth.  Here are a few things we can all do to make Valentines Day greener:

1) Give the animals a break. Make a local, vegetarian meal for your honey.  You’ll reduce your carbon footprint and support family farms.

2) Use what you’ve got. Do you need to buy new valentines? Or can you use what you already have to make cards? Try to reduce what you consume as much as possible.  Reuse and recycle items.  And if you need to buy Valentines, check out our recycled paper valentines!

This Earth-friendly Valentine Card Making Kit comes with everything you need to make 25 sustainable valentine cards, along with a recycled paper “In-Box” to decorate.

 

3) Send organic flowers. Freshly cut flowers are one of my favorite indulgences.  But this time of year, they come from far away lands and usually are grown with conventional pesticides and fertilizers.  Ask your local florist for a more sustainable option, or check out OrganicBouquet.com.

So, here are three quick tips for a greener V-Day.  Do you have other ideas?  Please share with us!

 

 

 

Leave a comment »

What’s a CSA?

April 15, 2010 · Filed under Events

What is Community Supported Agriculture? How does it work to get fresh, local vegetables into your community each season? Why is that important for farming, your health and the Earth?

Certified organic vegetable growers will give a talk and answer questions about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 1st at the Oak Park Public Library, Main Branch.  The public is welcome to attend at no charge.  RSVPs to Green Home Experts are appreciated, but not necessary.

This method of subscribing for a full season of fresh produce from a local farmer started in Japan and Europe in the 1960s, making its way to the United States in the 1980s. It has grown from just two CSA farms on the East Coast to more than 3,000 listed on the Local Harvest web site.

Scotch Hill Farms is a member of the Madison Area CSA Coalition, in which all growers must be certified organic. The regional coalition also helps make vegetable subscriptions more affordable to low income families through a Partner Shares program, which raises funds annually to go 50-50 on purchase of organic vegetable subscriptions with qualifying households.

In the CSA program, Dela and Tony will explain how growers practice Community Supported Agriculture. Scotch Hill is entering its 16th year as a CSA garden and small-scale livestock farm, delivering to households in Fitchburg, Middleton, Janesville, and Madison, WI as well as Chicago and Oak Park. The farm started with 5 subscribers in Janesville in 1994, growing to 215 subscribers last year.  Scotch Hill delivers to Green Home Experts, 823 S. Oak Park Ave., in Oak Park.

Scotch Hill’s goal this year is to serve at least 300 households and make it possible for son Micah Ends to enter the growing operation as a partner. Micah is working to complete his associate’s degree in agri-business at Blackhawk Technical College in Monroe, WI.

For more information, please contact Maria Onesto Moran, President of Green Home Experts, at (708) 660-1443 or maria@ghexperts.com.

Comments (1) »

Local Trend Watch

April 7, 2010 · Filed under Conscious Consumer, Energy, Events, Green at Home, Waste Disposal

Local Trend Watch
10 Ways Oak Parkers are Going Green

  1. Zero Waste Lunches. Several area schools have received funding from the DCEO to create zero waste lunch days.  This gets parents in the habit of packing lunches with reusable containers and composting food waste.
  2. Rain Barrels. Last summer’s successful “Roll Out the Rain Barrels” campaign (League of Women Voters) put rain barrels on the map—literally.  Residents are more aware of storm water management and water conservation, and rain barrels have become rather commonplace!
  3. Composting. Outdoor bins and piles, vermiculture indoors, whatever suits your fancy.  30% of what we throw away is food waste—unless you compost.  Make better use of your kitchen and yard waste by composting.  The result is nutrient rich—and free—compost for your yard!
  4. Gardening. Food mileage and eating locally are front line issues today.  Many people are returning to the Victory Garden movement by planting veggie beds at home and participating in community gardens.  This is a great way to save money and to know exactly from where your food is coming.
  5. CSA’s. To go further into the localvore movement, join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program.  Your participation helps fund small farms and ensures you’ll have local, organic produce all summer long.  www.localharvest.org.
  6. Energy Incentives. Take advantage of federal tax incentives that expire at the end of 2010.  Insulation, alternative energy, doors, windows and more are covered.  www.energystar.gov.
  7. Greener Gatherings. We’re nearing the season for block parties, graduations, and family reunions.  Throw parties with paperless invitations, reusable or compostable plates, cutlery and cups; recycle and compost.  The possibilities are endless!
  8. Shopping Locally. Now, more than ever, local businesses are depending on you to help them thrive.  For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.  If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here.  Spend it online and nothing comes home. www.the350project.net.
  9. Cutting Out Cars. Consider biking/walking one day a week.  Reduce your carbon footprint, save on gas, and get in shape!

10.  Getting Organized. Many groups exist in and around Oak Park to
support your efforts.  Interfaith Power & Light is a group of different congregations who are active in greening their communities.  Power of 10 is involved in greening Oak Park. Area schools and PTO’s have wellness and/or green teams.  Start or join a green team at work and in your faith community.  Start a green block in your neighborhood!  Attend Earth Fest on April 24, learn more about the work of the Environmental & Energy Advisory Commission, and get involved!

Upcoming Events
More information about all of these events can be found in the Events section at www.GHExperts.com. All of these events are free, unless otherwise noted.

4/17: Great Paint Exchange

4/19: LEED for Homes 101: An Introduction to USGBC’s Residential Program

4/20: Green Tuesday: OPRF Community Foundation Sustainability Vision

4/21: Home Energy Reduction Workshop

4/22: Earth Day 40th Anniversary

4/24: Oak Park Earth Fest

4/27: Green Tuesday: What’s New in Waste

4/29: Renew. Refresh. Reconnect.  Bring a necklace or bracelet that you’d like to refresh.*

5/6: Create a Cocktail Container Garden*

5/9: Kids’ Activity: Create an Ecosphere*

* Denotes a charge for participation.

Leave a comment »

Save the Date!

March 11, 2010 · Filed under Events

Big Plans, Small Yard? No Worries!
Free Workshop on Square Foot Gardening
The good folks from Dig Right In Landscaping are back to wow us with information on square foot gardening, a technique for gardeners of all levels of experience, physical abilities, and geographical locations.  Learn to grow whatever you want in only 20% of the space of a conventional row garden. This is a free workshop open to the public, so come with your neighbor or your garden club!  We’ll be offering discounts on garden items to all participants.

Thursday, April 13
6:30pm-8:00pm @ GHE
Due to space limitations, RSVPs are appreciated.  Please email us or call (708) 660-1443 to reserve your space.

Saturday, April 24th
Oak Park Earth Fest, a village-wide celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day

Thursday, April 29th
6:30pm @ GHE
Renew. Refresh. Reconnect.  Bring a necklace or bracelet from your jewelry box that you’d like to refresh.  Add new beads, give it a new look and reuse without buying a new piece!  Fowzi Kelty will lead this fun class and will have different beads available for sale.  Class is limited to 6 participants, so please RSVP by April 15th.  Fee is $15/person, payable to Green Home Experts.  Light refreshments will be provided.

Leave a comment »

Clutter Clear for the New Year!

January 6, 2010 · Filed under Events, Green at Home


Clutter Clear for the New Year!
Thursdays, January 14 and 21, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Green Home Experts, 823 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL

Is your home or office the supportive, effective space you desire?

Do you struggle with managing the mounds of paper that descend on us all each day?

Do you wonder how to organize and/or release items with satisfaction?

Do you want to live more sustainably for your own energy and the earth’s?

IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO ANY OF THE ABOVE, NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO
CLEAR AND REALLY CREATE A NEW YEAR! WHEN YOU MOVE YOUR STUFF, YOU MOVE YOUR LIFE

Whether you are a committed clutterer, or just want your place to become more harmonious, this two-session class can be TRANSFORMATIONAL.
Your home or office is a metaphor for your life. When you LOSE clutter and obstruction, you can FIND time, money, well being and peace; the joy of found treasures and found Self! Class will include lecture, handouts, group sharing, meditations… and homework!

A ONE-HOUR PHONE CONSULT BETWEEN SESSIONS WITH SUSAN IS INCLUDED.  CALL 708-948-7048, or email susanharmony@comcast.net
TO REGISTER OR FOR QUESTIONS! Class limit of 12, call in advance.

THIS CLASS IS AN EFFECTIVE ANTIDOTE FOR RECESSION!
The cost alone can be repaid by learning systems to: pay bills on time (avoiding penalties); find and better store items that are frequently duplicated (avoiding extra costs); have more time and space to act on new opportunities that can then arise!
Class Cost: $81/sliding
Instructor: Susan Francis of Harmonious Places 708-948-7048

Susan Francis is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and owner of Harmonious Places, a business dedicated to clearing clutter and creating comfort. Susan brings a unique, varied background and depth of experience to her practice. With an undergraduate degree in environmental studies, over 20 years public health and social service experience with local and national agencies; Susan is also a massage therapist
and energy work practitioner, and apprenticed with a feng shui master. She helped initiative a sustainable business network in Oregon, and is now doing the same in Oak Park. These themes weave together in Susan’s work on simple yet satisfying living that heals both our souls and the web of life that sustains us here.

Comments (2) »

Home Winterizing Workshop

November 12, 2009 · Filed under Events

The good folks from Green Envelope LLC will give advice on how to prepare your home for the winter this year.  Learn how to cut down on your energy costs by making a variety of changes, both big and small, that all add up to serious savings.  You’ll have the chance to ask questions about your own home and to learn about tax credit opportunities.  RSVPs are appreciated.

Comments (1) »

Finding Green Careers

October 28, 2009 · Filed under Events

Presented by Jason LaFleur, in partnership with Green Home Experts

When: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
7pm-9pm

Where: Village of Oak Park Public Works
131 South Blvd, Oak Park

What: Finding Green Careers is a brief seminar that will help you learn about jobs and careers in the new green economy. The goal of this program is to discuss the future of sustainability, show you some of the many related career options, and help you identify your role in this exciting field.

We’ll begin with a brief overview of sustainability, with special emphasis on its role in the business world today. A broad definition of what a green career is will be presented. The course then presents an overview of the top projected careers in the green economy, and appropriate designations people can pursue on a career path. Transitioning existing jobs into green careers is also discussed. The program concludes with actionable steps you can take to become successful in a career related to sustainability.
Learning Objectives

  • Relate a green careers to business objectives
  • Recognize the importance of a broad systems approach to a green career
  • List several top green career professions
  • Describe the need for existing businesses to transition to a green economy
  • Create an appropriate career path for your own green career.

Cost: Free!

Reservations: Appreciated.  Please reply to GoGreen@GHExperts.com.

Bio:
Eco Achievers’ President and Director of Curriculum Management, Jason La Fleur, is a member of the national Professional Development Committee of the US Green Building Council (USGBC), which sets standards for their Education Provider Program for LEED AP continuing education. Jason is also the chair of the Education Committee for the Illinois Solar Energy Association, and an instructor for the organization. Additionally, he works for the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability, a LEED for Homes service provider. Jason holds a Master’s in Education from the University of Illinois, and has over ten years of project management and curriculum development experience for educational programs. Further dedication to sustainability is demonstrated in his LEED Accredited Professional designation.

Leave a comment »

Ten Ways to Green Your Halloween

October 17, 2009 · Filed under Events, Green at Home

I’ve always loved Halloween.  I vividly remember picking pumpkins with Dad and carving them at our kitchen table with Mom, parties at school, handmade costumes, and the candy. Oh, the candy.  The individually-wrapped, make your teeth rot, sugar high-inducing candy.

There are many ways to celebrate your own Halloween traditions that have less impact on the environment.  Here are a few tips to green your Halloween:

1) If you’re throwing a party, email invitations instead of snail mail.  Try Evite.com for good-looking, easy and free invitations.

2) Eat seasonally.  Celebrate autumn by getting produce from your farmers market.  Enjoy hearty meals made with a variety of gourds, root vegetables, and apples.  After you carve your pumpkin, cook the meat in a pie and bake the seeds for a delicious salty snack!

3) Pick your own pumpkin.  Visit local farms instead of buying from large, commercial growers who ship their product from farther distances.  Look for farms that use little or no pesticides.

4) Use re-usable plates, cups, cutlery, napkins and tablecloths for parties at home and your children’s schools.  Reusing these items every year will not only save money, but will also lessen what you send to the landfill.  We sell Recycline’s line of reusable products.  They’re 100% recycled and recyclable, made in the USA, and BPA free.

5) Make your own costume, buy a used one, or borrow from friends.  It takes a lot of energy and money to put together a costume you’ll wear once, so go easy on your wallet and the planet by putting together an ensemble of used items.  Resale shops usually have nice offerings of not only costumes, but also decorations, at this time of year.

6) Instead of using plastic disposable bags to collect treats, use a reusable bag.  Everyone has reusable shopping bags these days, and those will do the trick (or treat).  We’re selling Halloween-themed ChicoBags for a mere $5.  You can also take a brown paper grocery bag, decorate it, and then recycle it after Halloween.

7) Go reverse trick-or-treating.  UNICEF has a great program that gets kids to raise money while trick-or-treating.  Visit http://youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat/ for more information.

8) Consider zero waste decorations.  Choose reusable decorations and seasonal gourds.  Stay away from flimsy disposables and anything requiring electricity.  We prefer decorating with pumpkins and gourds, because they can be composted!

9) Give green goodies.  Consider fair trade chocolate or organic lollipops.

10) Get outdoors and feast your eyes on the season.  Visit a farm, pick apples and pumpkins, walk through a lush forest.  Look up, look down, look all around.  Fall is a festival of colors!

Do you have more ideas for greening your Halloween?  Please share them here!

Comments (1) »

« Previous entries
Next Page »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.