EcoParents Book Party - Wed, Dec 2

EcoParents is having a BOOK PARTY!

Practically Green: Your Guide to Eco-Friendly Decision Making
sponsored by Linden Hills EcoParents, Galleri M, and Linden Hills Co-op

Wednesday, December 2
7:00-9:00 pm
Galleri M, 4404 Abbott Ave S (in former Hariann's Upholstery shop)

Kick off the holidays with a fun book party featuring local green blogger and author Micaela Preston. Micaela will highlight some great eco-ideas from her brand new book, Practically Green, as well as lead us through a fun make-and-take project!

Held in the soon-to-be opened, woman & locally-owned Galleri M, with local food donated by the Linden Hills Co-op, it promises to be a great night out! Sustainably produced wine will be available as well!

Join us for a fun time to hear from a great local eco-savvy author AND discover a new local business in the neighborhood. EcoParents is happy to introduce you to both the author and to Galleri M!

Please RSVP to ecoparents@lindenhills.org by Monday, Nov 30. See you there!

Feel free to forward on to other friends or neighbors who may be interested!

Million Baby Crawl to Action - Southdale, Nov 18

The Million Baby Crawl to Action is coming to Edina on Wednesday, November 18th and they need parents and their babies (or toddlers) to participate in a press conference that day.

A coalition of organizations is trying to get 20 parents and their children to attend a press event at 10:50 AM. There will be a spokesperson so parents don’t have to worry about speaking to the press. (If you are interested in participating in the press conference, contact Kim LaBo at klabo@cleanwater.org)

Crawl to Action
Southdale Center
November 18, 2009, 10am-2pm

WHO: Healthy Legacy Coalition, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, Seventh Generation

WHAT: Seventh Generation along with Healthy Legacy is launching the Million Baby Crawl to Action to send 1,000,000 babies to Washington DC to push for reform of the outdated and ineffective Toxic Substance Control Act so that we are all protected from harmful toxins. Events will be happening throughout the day so bring your kids to have some fun!


Crawl to Action events include:

• Crawl to Action Rally at 11:00 AM featuring appearance by local dignitaries, politicians and celebrities
• Crawl to the Capitol play area: children crawl for change as they navigate an obstacle course leading towards a large visual of the Capitol with babies receiving an “I demand a change” bib
• Free family-friendly entertainment, plus t-shirt and onesie giveaways
• Soapbox Photo Opp: Opportunity for babies to “take a stand” and be photographed on a Million Baby Crawl “soapbox.”
• All children will receive a “Say no to toxins” flag
• Seasons of Change mural created by a local artist/muralist that reflects the number of children “crawling for change.” Mural will be donated to community.

Go Green Expo THIS WEEKEND

This weekend is the first ever "Go Green Expo" in Minneapolis. Friday is business-to-business events, but the business-to-consumer expo is Saturday and Sunday. Click here for a full schedule of events.

Go Green Expo
Minneapolis Convention Center
November 6-8, 2009

$10 for a full weekend pass
$5 for Students & Seniors with proper ID; Children 12 and under are Free

Buy your tickets in advance online here. Use the code FBK50 or TRIBUNE for 50% OFF the regular ticket price!! Also, when you register online, you are eligible to win a Vikings gift package that includes a signed Jared Allen jersey, a tour of the practice facility, Vikings apparel and more! (But as many of you know, I'm a Packer fan...so if you win, keep that stuff away from ME!)

Unfortunately, I will be out of town again this weekend, but let me know if you go and what fabulous information you discovered!!

LED Holiday Lights at Linden Hills Natural Home!

I just found out that Linden Hills Natural Home has LED holiday lights in stock this year! As you probably know, LED lights use a fraction of the electricity as traditional holiday lights. Consider making the switch this year...if you haven't already!

Thanks to Kerry at LH Natural Home for this update!

Recycle 2-liter bottle into a birdfeeder!

I came across this as an easy fun idea to recycle a 2-liter bottle into a bird feeder! It's an easy project to do it with your kids, and they can watch the birds visit the yard over the winter.

It's just $10 from Uncommon Goods, a neat company with a commitment to sustainably-produced gift items.

The End of Waste forum. RSVP deadline TODAY!

Here's the info on the EPR event mentioned at last night's EcoParents meeting. Deadline to RSVP is TODAY!!

Public Forum: The End of Waste
Saturday, October 3, 2009 7-9 p.m.
Macalester College, Smail Gallery (Olin-Rice Science Center)

"On Saturday October 3, Helen Spiegelman, a community activist and waste policy
analyst from Vancouver, British Columbia, will speak about the concept of Extended
Producer Responsibility (EPR). EPR is a critical component of the Zero Waste
movement that is revolutionizing waste policy by shifting the focus from waste management
to waste prevention. British Columbia has the most advanced EPR legislation
in North America, but their experience highlights the importance of full community
engagement if EPR is to achieve its potential. She and a panel of experienced community
activists will explore how citizens can effectively engage in the shift to EPR
and create a Zero Waste future."

PANELISTS:
• Helen Spiegelman, Product Policy Institute & Zero Waste Vancouver
• Susan Hubbard, Eureka Recycling
• Lynne Pledger, Don’t Waste Massachusetts
• Tim Smith, Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise, Institute on the Environment
• Kathleen Schuler, Healthy Legacy Coalition & Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

Macalester College, Smail Gallery, Olin-Rice Science Center, 1600 Grand Avenue

*Please RSVP by September 30* to Jim Parker at jimp@eurekarecycling.org or 651-222-7678.

Learn more about producer responsibility in the Twin Cities at www.eurekarecycling.org.

Reminder: EcoParents Tomorrow Night (Tuesday)

Just a reminder:

Non-toxic Home Cleaning
Tuesday, Sept 29
6:30-8:30 pm
Linden Hills Park Building (43rd & Xerxes)

Bring a small lidded container if you want to make your own nontoxic soft scrub cleaner. We'll have all the ingredients available!

TWO GIFT BASKETS FOR GIVEAWAY

• Bucketful of Mrs. Meyers/Clean Day Nontoxic Products
• Linden Hills Natural Home - supplies for making your own cleaning products!

Hope to see you there!