In this time of global warming, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss, these lands do more than provide scenery as we drive by. They help clean our air, filter our water, prevent flooding, shelter hundreds of species of wild animals and plants (including over 100 that are threatened or endangered) and, all the while, entice us out to enjoy nature, with its known health benefits, any day we choose—no admission charged!
If you live, work, worship or attend school in Chicago’s Austin and West Side communities, you’re invited to a special, free Food & Film Showcase this Friday evening, Oct. 7, at By The Hand Club for Kids, 415 N. Laramie, in Chicago. A fascinating panel discussion will feature community activists including Fred Hampton Jr., son of Black Panthers Chairman Fred Hampton. And even if you’re not local, good food fans everywhere are welcome to watch the films and live discussion virtually.
The American Indian Center in Chicago was established in 1953 as the first urban Indian Center in the country to help Native families cope with the transition from reservation to urban life. In partnership the Forest Preserves of Cook County, the AIC will celebrate Native American culture with its 69th annual Powwow.
The Powwow includes native food, dance competitions, art vendors, and more. It will take place rain or shine in Schiller Woods-East, W. Irving Park Rd, west of N. Cumberland Ave, Chicago (view web map) during these hours: Friday, Oct. 7, 5-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. All are welcome!
All around the U.S., communities are taking the lead on fighting climate change and building community resilience. Climate change is here, and it’s just a matter of time before some version of a Hurricane Ian or the Big Ranch Fire impacts any given community: intense storms, flash flooding, prolonged drought, extreme heat and other weather emergencies are intensifying each year.
This summer the Oak Park Village Board approved Climate Ready Oak Park, a comprehensive, long-range plan that provides a vision, goals and actions to make Oak Park more sustainable and resilient.
Bike riding is a summer pleasure—good for the body and soul. . . as well as the planet. If you live in Chicagoland, you must try The Magic of Music Ride Series, accompanied by a DJ spinning a custom music list of tunes. I tried it for the first time on July 22nd and had a ball! All kinds of people came out—daters, families, young and old.
In July and August, the Austin Grown youth sustainability leadership cohort spent 6 weeks planting fruits & veggies and caring for them and for 9 chickens! We also learned about the environment and all of its intersections—most especially racial and social justice—through speakers, chefs and field trips. In lieu of live planting at BUILD Chicago’s Iris Farm (which was under construction), we planted at Michelle Clark Academy High School’s gardens. We discussed the health of our Earth and our bodies and our communities. We cooked and ate healthy plant-based food. We also created a recipe book, which is a collection of recipes our visiting chefs cooked with us; we can continue cooking these delicious meals and teach them to others.
