Green Genes 3rd Anniversary Celebration!

This Weekend, April 2nd/3rd, Green Genes will be celebrating their third anniversary with lots of fun activities for kids and their families - located in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood (but there's lots of parking on their block!).

There are clothing demos, kids readings and activities, fun in the dirt with worm bins, arts and crafts. And BEST OF ALL - it's all good for you and the earth!

Saturday April 2

 10:00-1:00

Trunk Show and Demos on baby wearing with the knowledgeable people behind local company CatBirdBaby

11:00-12:30

STORYTIME with the super enthusiastic gal, Pam Plotkin. Her fave part of storytime: "doing all the wacky voices!"

 

2:00-4:00

Eco arts and crafts. Stop by to see what you can create with scraps, bits, recycled goods etc... We'd like to thank Wishcraft for their awesome ideas and inspiration.   

 

Sunday April 3rd

 1:00-2:00

Come by and chat with a representative from CUB, Citizen's Utility Board, to learn how you can lower your electricity usage and save money on your bills. CUB is all about fighting for the rights of Illinois consumers, and we appreciate that!

 

2:00-3:00

The friendly folks at The Compost Office want your food scraps! Learn how easy it is to set up your own worm bin at home. The C.O. is also on a mission to bring community composting to the busy urban dwellers and businesses of Chicago.  C'mon and get your hands a little dirty!

  

3:00-4:00

Local author and environmental activist, Alexandra Gnoske, wants to help kids become superheroes for planet Earth. Alix engages the kiddos through storytime and an eco-friendly game starring her pal Louie and his animal friends.

Loui Saves the Earth

World Read Aloud Day: Promoting Literacy throughout the World

Do you think there's a literacy problem in the United States? I didn't think so, until I got involved with LitWorld and their event World Read Aloud Day (WRAD). The statistics are surprising:

Illiteracy Statistics

• 42 million American adults can't read at all; 50 million are unable to read at a higher level that is expected of a fourth or fifth grader.
• The number of adults that are classified as functionally illiterate increases by about 2.25 million each year.
• 20 percent of high school seniors can be classified as being functionally illiterate at the time they graduate.

Source: National Right to Read Foundation

Where Illiteracy Leads

• 70 percent of prisoners in state and federal systems can be classified as illiterate.
• 85 percent of all juvenile offenders rate as functionally or marginally illiterate.
• 43 percent of those whose literacy skills are lowest live in poverty.

Source: National Institute for Literacy

There are so many ways you can get involved, donate, help. You can find programs through LitWorld or find information on starting your own program. You can also participate in a nearby WRAD event. In Chicago there are 3 events happening on Wednesday, March 9th.

Nili Yelin is coordinating three WRAD events in Chicago:

10:30am at Psychobaby
1630 N Damen Ave
psychobaby.net
Family Read Aloud Event

4:00pm at Little Beans Cafe
1809 W Webster Ave
littlebeanscafe.com 
Family Read Aloud Event

7:30pm at Book Cellar
4736 N Lincoln Ave
bookcellarinc.com
Mom and Dad's Favorite Picture Books Event

You can also get involved locally at Open Books, a nonprofit social venture that operates an extraordinary bookstore, provides community programs, and mobilizes passionate volunteers to promote literacy in Chicago and beyond.

Alexandra Gnoske is the Author/Illustrator of "Loui Saves the Earth" and an Environmental Expert.

Giveaway: Signed/Personalized copy of Loui Saves the Earth

"Loui Saves the Earth" is a simple and inspiring childrens story about a boy and his dog and how they help save the planet. Printed in the USA makes LSTE a "local" book.

Want a a free signed and personalized copy?

The first 10 people to send me (alix@recyclemeorganictees.com) a story about how their kid(s) help the planet from their kids perspective will be entered into a drawing to receive a signed and personalized copy of "Loui Saves the Earth."

What: Giveaway "Loui Saves the Earth" children's book.
When: Enter now through Monday, January 10th.
How: Get entered into a drawing when you send a story about how your kid helps the planet, from your kids perspective to alix@recyclemeorganictees.com

NOTE: Stories may be posted on the Be a Superhero for Planet Earth Blog. You will be asked for permission before stories are posted.

Fall in Chicago

It's been a great Autumn in Chicago. Lots of birdwatching, gardening and biking.

Today I raked the leaves with the kids and made a huge pile, that they jumped in and then decided to make into a nest. Needless to say, I didn't get all the leaves raked up. But I did manage to crush up a bunch of leaves and throw them in the garden. Never again will I put them in a bag and leave them in the alley. I even have my husband saving the leaves so we can compost them or cover the garden for the winter.

The last few years I've thrown our pumpkins in the front garden after Halloween and they've really helped fertilize the soil. This particular patch was not very fertile as it had old, unkempt bushes there for decades. Now every spring it blooms with tulips and I'm thrilled to receive many compliments. Nothing brings such beauty and pleasure as nature. Still trying to make this garden flourish beyond spring. Once the leaves come there's a lot of shade and that's challenged me. Plus the front side garden is on a slant and the soil is always getting runoff.

I'm fortunate to live by the north branch of the Chicago River so it's easy to get in some bird watching at a moments notice. The spillway by the North Park track is a great spot. The black crowned night herons have left for the winter, but other ducks are on their way.

I hope you enjoy your Halloween and have a safe and fun time! Remember to compost those pumpkins!

Alexandra Gnoske is a local author and illustrator of childrens books, including "Loui Saves the Earth." She is an environmental expert and writes the Mindful Business Matters Blog for Mindful Metropolis. You can get monthly eco tips for your family and find out about local eco events and sales by joining CLUB LOUl. Email alix@louisavestheearth.com.

Green Story Time!

Beginning June 25^th, Chicago Author and Illustrator, Alexandra Gnoske, will be hosting Green Story Time at Bellybum Boutique, entertaining children of all ages with green stories from several authors, including her own Loui Saves the Earth, along with fun and educational eco friendly activities.

Ms. Gnoske takes her passion for environmental education and turns it into an inspiring story with a simple message: children can make a difference for Planet Earth. At Green Story Time, she will be reading green themed stories and talking with children about environmental issues and how they too can make a difference for the planet.

“Kids can make a difference for our planet. Loui Saves the Earth is a very simple book that will please even the smallest children. Soon the little ones will be teaching these lessons to those around them,” says Jill Vanderwood, author, What's It Like Living Green?: Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live.

Ms. Gnoske has several adventurous stories for Loui and Dusty to help the planet and hopes to inspire many little superheroes for Planet Earth. Her blog, www.louisavestheearth.com/blog, features stories about simple things children are doing to help the planet. She is also writing a book about the environmental impact of clothing.

Green Story Time runs every other Friday starting June 25^th, from 1030am to 1115am at Bellybum Boutique, 4347 N. Lincoln Ave., a unique shopping experience where you will find all things good for you, your baby, and the earth, www.bellybumboutique.com. Ms. Gnoske is also the founder and owner of RECYCLE ME, a Chicago based organic cotton clothing company, www.recyclemeorganictees.com.

Contact:

Alexandra Gnoske

Recycle Me

773 655 4210

www.louisavestheearth.com

# # #

Chicago Green Festival

What are you doing this weekend? Hop a train, a bus, or hop on your bike and get down to Navy Pier for the biggest Green and environmentally friendly event of the year!

May 22 - 23 is Chicago's 4th annual Chicago Green Festival brought to you by Green America and Global Exchange featuring hundreds of local and regional green businesses, non-profits, and community groups who are making a difference for you and the planet!

There will also be dozens of expert speakers on many interesting and current topics, lots of free samples, and the fabulous food court where you can taste so many different healthy yet delicious things!

You can find RECYCLE ME and local Chicago author and illustrator Alexandra Gnoske of Loui Saves the Earth at the Sweet Spot Cafe in booth 1230 with BOT Bakery. BOT Bakery makes handcrafted Organic-Vegan-Gluten-Free, baked goods!

There so much to see, learn, and experience (for kids too - and kids always get in free), you should stay for the whole weekend!