Celebrate Earth Day 2008 at Loyola!

Dear Neighbor,

The north side communities of Rogers Park, Edgewater, West Ridge and Uptown have joined forces with Loyola University to host the first annual North Lake Shore Earth Day Conference and Celebration.  This free event will be held Saturday, April 12th, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Loyola University's new Life Sciences Building (located on the north side of Sheridan Road, just east of the parking garage).

More than 15 workshops and panels will explore every aspect of caring for the environment, both locally and globally, and arm us with the tools to make our community and city more green and sustainable.  The conference dovetails very nicely with the recently concluded WHY GREEN MATTERS HERE series sponsored by my office and the 49th Ward Green Corps.

I will be co-hosting a conference workshop on recycling with the host of WGN Radio's "Let's Talk Gardening" show, Mike Novak.  Other featured speakers at the conference include Loyola Philosophy Professor and WBEZ radio personality Al Gini, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Debra Shore, Alderman Mary Ann Smith, and City of Chicago Environment Commissioner Suzanne Malec-McKenna.

The morning workshop sessions will focus on air quality issues, global warming, carbon emissions, energy-free transportation, energy production and the health of Lake Michigan.  The afternoon session will help us put ideas into action, with workshops on shopping green, organic gardening, native planting, home energy conservation, running a green business, recycling and green parenting.

A Green Fair, with more than 50 associations and businesses represented, including the 49th Ward Green Corps, will run throughout the day.  As a special feature, the conference will provide tours of Loyola's LEEDS-certified Life Sciences Building and Bio-Diesel lab.

Children will enjoy their own programming, including arts and crafts.  And the conference will celebrate nature's effect on the senses with an interactive environmental symphony and a presentation of Loyola student art.

Food and free parking will be provided.

This is a must-attend event for anyone interested in protecting our environment.  I hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Joe Moore