Vacant 2 Vegetables Turns Empty Space into Garden

St. Helena's temporarily loans land so nonprofit can grow food for a local pantry.

Excerpt from Patch.com, Oct. 30, 2010

By Jessica Tobacman

"A cool, blustery wind spreads the fresh smell of plants and rustles the large compost pile in the center of the garden. The mound of compost is a jumble of upended yellow and orange flowers, green stems and brown leaves. Mesh wiring surrounds the 5,000-square-foot garden. In addition to a scarecrow that protectively stood watch during the growing season, the door through the mesh has a latch to prevent deer from entering and consuming the garden's contents. The dirt awaits the turning of the seasons for planting next year.

Even though the growing season has ended, garden beds of varying heights still contain green leaves sprouting from the ground. Squashed grape tomatoes and split green peppers are scattered underfoot. These are all remnants of the nearly 2,000 pounds of vegetables picked during the past several months and donated to the People's Resource Center, a Wheaton-based food pantry." (read more)

Your Guide to Voting Green

With early voting underway and Election Day around the corner, where do our gubernatorial candidates stand on environmental issues?

Opinion--Excerpt from Patch.com, Oct. 24, 2010

By Jessica Tobacman

"Elections for multiple state offices and seats in Congress are approaching on Tuesday, Nov. 2 and early voting is already occurring in DuPage and Cook counties. This is an opportune time to consider candidates' environmental positions.

A Pew Research Poll from this past summer found that only 57 percent of registered voters thought the environment was a 'very important' issue. Whether or not you believe that global warming is occurring, protecting our planet is a way to ensure that your children and grandchildren will have safe places in which to grow and live. What better means of focusing on conservation than by casting your votes for candidates who agree that this topic is important?" (read more)

End of Farmers Market Doesn't Mean End of Eating Healthy

This year's farmers market provided many healthy eating options. Find out where to get local produce and crafts during winter months.

Opinion--Excerpt from Patch.com, Oct. 10, 2010

By Jessica Tobacman

"Living in a fast-paced society sometimes means grabbing food on the run and ignoring that what we consume can positively or negatively affect our moods and our health. Deciding whether to eat vegetables, fruits and lean protein as opposed to fast food can mean the difference between increased energy or moving at a slower pace. Unhealthy food choices can even mean developing health problems.

A simple way to begin looking more intently at our food choices is by visiting your local farmers market ..." (read more)

Park District Reintroduces Wetlands to Burr Ridge

The Burr Ridge Park District restores native habitat to the area.

Excerpt from Patch.com, Oct. 3, 2010

By Jessica Tobacman




"Residents and visitors to Burr Ridge may have noticed changes in recent years to Harvester Park: Out of the park's 37 acres, the Burr Ridge Park District has nearly restored a 17-acre area of wetlands, ridding the area of invasive species and rebuilding habitat for native animals and plants. ..." (read more)