George Glastris: WRBN member, collector, klutz

George Glastris made his biggest mistake on the first day of a dream job he landed right out of college. He was at a top auction house in London and his first task was to put away a very rare and very large Edison phonograph from 1890. But George ended up dropping it. Although he's still clumsy, George turned his embarrassment into a lifelong passion. He now owns 25 vintage phonographs, and he's still in search of the one he dropped to add to his collection.
See a photo of the type of phonograph George dropped, and listen to the full story here.

A gem of a bungalow in Avalon

Stay tuned for details and photos of this exceptional bungalow in the Avalon neighborhood, recently visited by West Ridge neighbors Jo, Steve, Ann & Frank .

North Lake Shore Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 12

Save the Date - Taking care of the Earth is a collaborative effort. In that spirit, the north side communities of Andersonville, Edgewater, Ravenswood, Rogers Park, Uptown and West Ridge have joined forces with Loyola University Chicago to host the first North Lake Shore Earth Day Celebration scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. at Loyola University Chicago, Quinlan Life Sciences Building at 1060 W. Sheridan Road.
More than 15 workshops and panels explore every aspect of caring for the environment—globally and locally—to empower Chicagoans to take action in making the world greener.

Featured keynote speakers include Loyola’s own Al Gini, NPR personality and ethics professor; Debra Shore, wilderness advocate and Commissioner for the Water Reclamation District; Alderman Mary Ann Smith; and Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Commissioner for Chicago’s Department of the Environment.

Air quality issues, power, energy-free transport, global warming, carbon emissions and the health of Lake Michigan are the focus of the global issues addressed in the morning sessions. Shopping green, organic gardening, native planting, home energy conservation, running a green business, recycling and green parenting in the afternoon sessions help Chicagoans put ideas into action.

A Green Fair with more than 50 associations and businesses represented will be running throughout the day. As a special feature, tours will be given of Loyola’s LEED-certified Information Commons and Bio-Diesel lab.

Children’s programming, crafts, and an audio-visual orchestra with an interactive, environmental symphony celebrate nature’s effect on the senses.
Food will be provided. The event and parking on campus are free to the public.

Bungalow Planter Seminar on Wednesday 3/19

Did you know Spring officially begins this week? Have you started your gardening plans yet?

Come hear our West Ridge neighbor Jo Stavig speak about bungalow planter boxes at the Sulzer Regional Library 4455 N. Lincoln, 7pm.

Jo is one of the featured speakers in the HCBA Bungalow Seminar Series. Visit the HCBA event calendar for more information, and visit Jo's Urban Prairie Planters website to view her fabulous designs.

Chicago Green Homes Fair: March 15, 2008

Come explore how you can create a more environmentally-friendly home for you and your family. Whether you're planning to remodel or just want to learn what's new on the green building scene, spend some time meeting vendors and retailers with sustainable products to help you make a greener home.

Event details
Saturday, March 15, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Chicago Center for Green Technology
445 N. Sacramento Blvd.

Admission is free and guided tours of the Chicago Center for Green Technology will occur throughout the day.

Two courses happening during the day are:
Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
The Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative offers a mix of financial, technical, and historic preservation programming. One of the key goals of this program is to help homeowners identify ways to green their historic greystones. Participants will learn to make their homes more energy efficient, address indoor air quality and other health issues, and how to incorporate sustainable building materials into home improvement.

Green Home Remodeling Guides - An Overview
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Planning a green home project this year? Join Meghann Maves as she introduces you to the City of Chicago's Green Home Remodeling Guides. This series of guides offers information on how to hire green professionals, paint and remodel kitchens, baths & laundry rooms, and how to salvage and reuse materials. This seminar is for the homeowner looking to create an environmentally-friendly remodel.

For more information, download the flyer below or call the Chicago Center for Green Technology at (312) 746-9642.

Chicago Green Homes Fair Flyer