The Lincoln Park Free Trolleys are running. Maps are available at Vi Daley’s office, the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association, 1520 N Wells; the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, 1925 N Clybourn and the Old Town Triangle Association, 1763 N North Park.

Trolleys run Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10AM – 6PM through September 7, 2009, every 20 – 30 minutes.

Trolley stops:

1) Fullerton CTA station,

2) Children’s Memorial Hospital parking garage on Lincoln Avenue,

3) Lincoln Park Hospital parking garage on Webster and Lincoln,

4) Notebaert Nature Museum (south side of Fullerton on Stockton),

5) Lincoln Park Zoo (Stockton and Webster),

6) Chicago History Museum parking lot (Stockton and LaSalle Drive),

7) Chicago History Museum (on Clark at North),

Wells Street and Burton Place,

9) Lincoln and Wells,

10) Lincoln Park High School and

11) Armitage CTA station

Sweet Miss Giving’s Bakery and Gifting is a premier bakery and jobs program that offers rich, decadent baked goods while providing a new reason to feel good about sweet indulgences: over 50% of all profits go to help the formerly homeless and HIV/AIDS-affected men, women, and children of Chicago House.

I think this is an amazing organization and am excited to look for their products next time I go to Whole Foods in Lincoln Park!

Have you ever wondered what it looks like beneath Chicago’s Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain? This summer, Parkways Foundation and the Chicago Park District present weekly guided tours of this Chicago icon.

I’m definitely going to do this tour this summer.  The fountain is magnificent and will be even more grand after the restoration is complete.  In the mean-time I think it’ll be very interesting to learn about the fountain and see the side of it that we normally can’t see.  The $50 tour fee benefits the restoration of the 82 year old fountain so it’ll be great to be a part of that – even in a small way!

Thirty-minute tours are offered every Friday at 12 Noon, and afford a rare glimpse of the underground pump works (pictured, at left). Tours are $50 and run from June 19 through September 4, while the fountain is closed for the first full restoration in its 82-year history.

Tour participants will receive a complimentary Buckingham Fountain Restoration Project Commemorative Poster and all proceeds will benefit the fountain’s restoration. For reservations or information, please contact the Parkways Foundation at 312.742.5368, or via email.

I’ve really been making an effort to purchase organic fabrics.  American Apparel, which I already love as they make their stuff downtown Los Angeles, has a few great pieces.

I currently have this:

American Apparel Organic Unisex Fine Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck $19

Today I found this cute dress online and plan to purchase it soon:

American Apparel Organic Cotton Baby Rib Cross-Back Summer Dress $39

 Did you know…

On Tuesday San Francisco passed an ordinance to help realize their goal of zero waste by 2020.  I love how progressive San Fran is and which Chicago would adopt the same ordinance.

Press Release from the City of San Francisco

Mayor Newsom Signs Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance

Measure is Key to Reaching 75% Landfill Diversion

06/23/09 – Mayor Gavin Newsom today signed mandatory recycling legislation requiring residential and commercial building owners to sign up for recycling and composting services.

Mayor Newsom’s ordinance will require all residences and businesses in San Francisco to take advantage of the city’s recycling and composting collection programs. While several other cities require recycling service and participation, San Francisco is the first city to require the collection of food scraps and other compostables. Refuse collection has been mandatory since the 1930s.

“San Francisco has the best recycling and composting programs in the nation, and we’ve already attained an impressive, and first in the nation, 72 percent recycling rate because of them,” said Mayor Newsom. “I am pleased with the leadership the Board of Supervisors has demonstrated on this important legislation. By collaborating with all of our stakeholders, businesses, colleagues, and citizens, we can build on our success and continue to lead the nation in recycling.”

A comprehensive study conducted by the Department of the Environment found that 36 percent of what San Francisco sends to landfills is compostable, primarily food scraps, and 31 percent is recyclable—which is mostly paper. There are facilities in the City and surrounding areas that reuse, recycle, compost or otherwise process and market most materials discarded in San Francisco, saving this material from landfill and creating green-collar jobs.

Newsom said a primary goal of the mandatory recycling ordinance, which was co-sponsored by Supervisors Ross Mirkarimi and Chris Daly, is to get recycling and composting happening in buildings where it is not currently provided.

According to the San Francisco Department of the Environment, if all of the recyclable and compostable materials currently going to landfills were captured by the city’s programs, San Francisco’s recycling rate would soar from 72 percent to 90 percent.

No fines are specified in the ordinance, but there is a cap of $100 established for residences and businesses that generate less than one cubic yard of refuse per week, which is the equivalent of six 32-gallon carts. Fines higher than $100 may still apply to businesses and to landlords of large apartment buildings who refuse to offer recycling and composting opportunities to tenants when feasible.

Newsom said that cities with mandatory recycling and fines, such as Seattle, rarely assess such fines. He stressed that fines serve primarily to heighten public awareness and encourage compliance.

In May Chicago’s City Council voted to ban the sale of baby bottles and sippy cups with BPA (Bisphenol A – an endocrine disruptor and may also be linked to obesity and breast cancer).

Read the article from Chicago Tribune

I would love to see them ban BPA in all plastics used for food consumption in Chicago.

While shopping for Father’s Day I found this fabulous gin for my dad.  I love that it is locally made here in Chicago and even better…it’s delicious!  My father is very particular with which gins he likes and doesn’t and he was thrilled with it!  I purchased it at Binny’s for under $30!  Check out North Shore Distillery to learn more about the business and the various gins, vodkas, and other spirits they’re producing. 

Buying local products is best for the environment as it cuts down on carbon emissions of transporting heavy products across country.  It is also great for our local economy!

Cheers!

The EPA is investigating reports of skin irritation, seizures and even death from between-the-shoulder flea and tick treatments for dogs and cats.

Flea and tick treatments for pets fall into that murky area in a lot of consumers’ minds: We know the chemicals are designed to ward off or kill bugs … but somehow we don’t associate the products with the term “pesticides.”

Read Dan Shapley’s article in full on The Daily Green

 This is something I’ve always suspected and have been cautious as to how often I use it for my Winston.  When we lived in Los Angeles he was prone to ticks so I used the little tubes of liquid prevention once a month.  The first time I got a tiny bit on my fingers I knew immediately how toxic it must be.  It stung and made my fingers twinge which made me hate applying it to my dog.  Now that we’re in Chicago I only use it in the summer and at that I try to use it as little as possible.  I wish there were safer alternatives that really worked but that is difficult.  Be sure to read the full article as there are some good tips on things to do to naturally prevent fleas.  Growing up my mother put brewer’s yeast on our dog’s food.  I read last summer to sprinkle powdered garlic on their food, which I did since I had it but now over the winter I read garlic may not be good for dogs so I will be picking up brewer’s yeast next time I head to the store.

I received this message yesterday from the Humane Society of the United States.  I’m registered to vote in Michigan so I’ll be making my calls today…if you’re in Michigan please follow the link below to locate your state legislators’ contact info and call them or email them.  The HSUS works hard to change the inhumane conditions of factory farming.  Please check out their website to learn more!

Take action today to help protect Michigan’s farm animals.

Fight Big Agribusiness Power-Grab in Michigan

Dear Friend,

Legislation (H.B. 5128/S.B. 654 & H.B. 5127 & S.B. 655) has been introduced in Michigan which hands enormous power to Big Agribusiness interests, codifying inhumane industry standards for the treatment of farm animals. These standards even allow many animals on factory farms to spend the majority of their lives in cages so small they can’t even turn around or extend their limbs.

H.B. 5128/S.B. 654 would give a council dominated by agribusiness interests the ability to set welfare standards for animals on factory farms. H.B. 5127/S.B. 655 goes even farther, granting the Department of Agriculture the sole authority to regulate farm animal health and welfare, and requiring the Department to adopt current industry standards–many of which are extremely cruel. It’s a special interest power-grab designed to undermine the wishes of local citizens and communities concerned about food safety, public health, animal welfare, and the environment. It is a classic case of bad public policy seeking to ensure that the foxes are guarding the henhouse.

We need your help to oppose these measures and stop this industry power grab!

TAKE ACTION

Please call your state legislators and urge opposition to this legislation. Click here to look up your state legislators and phone numbers. Remember to leave your name and address so it is clear that you are a constituent. You can say:

“Hello, my name is [your name] and I’m calling from [your town]. As a constituent, I strongly urge [legislator's name] to vote ‘NO’ on H.B. 5128/S.B. 654 & H.B. 5127/S.B. 655, legislation that would codify inhumane standards for animals on factory farms, give Big Agribusiness sole authority over farm animal welfare issues, and preempt local ordinances regarding farm animal welfare. Thank you.”

After making your call, please send a follow up email to your legislator, reiterating your opposition. Finally, don’t forget to tell your friends and family in Michigan how they can take action, too.

Thank you for all you do for animals.

 Sincerely,

Yesterday I highlighted the fact that the City of Chicago is going to use Free Green Can at summer festivals.  I think Free Green Can is such an amazing idea that I wanted to share more info with you.  I personally would love to see them have one of these at every other corner on major streets.  Chicago is a clean city but there is always room for improvement.  I am always picking up trash from in front of my house but I would imagine that if there was a recycle bin/trash bin every couple or few blocks people would be more inclined to use them rather than tossing their things on the ground.

Here’s a little info I grabbed from their site but be sure to click on their logo above to be directed directly to them for all of the information.

The Birth of the Free Green Can

In the summer of 2008 Steve Holland the Founder of the free green can, attended his 11-year-old son’s baseball game at a local park. Like most parents, he was prepared with water bottles. As he finished the water he asked his son to throw the plastic bottle in a recycling bin. His son ran past many over flowing garbage cans (which were filled with plastic bottles and paper cups) and reached one recycling bin which was also over flowing. He returned and asked his father, “Why are there more garbage cans then recycling bins?” Mr. Holland thought his son had a great question. Later that month, Mr. Holland attended a local city meeting and asked why there was a lack of recycling bins and so many garbage cans at the baseball park. He was told that the city couldn’t afford the recycling bins. As the meeting continued Mr. Holland sketched the first dual purpose recycle/trash bin with panels for environmentally responsible companies to support a recycling program. Thus the free green can was born.

About the Free Green Can

The purpose of the free green can is always to provide a recycling opportunity where there is a trash opportunity. This gives the public the option to help the environment with very little effort on their part. There is no need to walk an additional couple feet to find a stand alone recycling bin. The free green can is a dual purpose recycle/trash container. The free green can:

• has two separate and easy to remove 30+ gallon insert liners. One for recyclables (plastic, aluminum, paper, and glass) and the other for trash.
• is easy to install by using four grass or concrete anchors.
• is very durable and built to stand up to the environment.
• has a lifetime guarantee.
• has a specially designed top to keep weather elements from entering and/or filling the free green can.
• has a unique design that compliments both modern and historical settings.

Free Green Can and the Environment

In one year the free green can, will help the environment by potentially collecting:

7,280     9 FL. Oz. Plastic Bottles      =    43,680  hours of lights for a 60 watt light bulb

11,180   12 FL. Oz. Aluminum Cans =    33,540  hours of energy to run a T.V.

5,512     16 FL. Oz. Glass Bottles     =    22,048  hours of light for a 100 watt light bulb

5,668     1/2″ thick Newspapers         =    57 trees spared

Free Green Can and the Public

On the Go Recycling…..

• With consumers spending less time at home, 40% of waste is generated OUTSIDE of the home.
• 77% of the US population recycles at home
• Only 32.5% of total waste is recycled

                    United States Environmental Protection Agency Recycle Data

The free green can gives the public an opportunity to do the environmentally responsible thing. It is important to give the public the opportunity to recycle as often as possible and with little effort. The free green can also conditions our youth at any early age to recycle outside of the home. With a recycling opportunity being so available by using the free green can it creates a natural public peer pressure to recycle.