Conscious Choice: Resources for November 3rd and Beyond

November 2004 | November 3rd and Beyond

Resources for November 3rd and Beyond

Here’s a list of local groups and organizations that are concerned about sustainable and socially progressive issues, offering options to help ensure the progressive agenda doesn’t fall away like so many election-year promises

Voices In The Wilderness (Social Justice)

THROUGH ITS campaign called “Life Under Occupation,” this local and national anti-war group is one of the leading voices in the chorus protesting U.S. foreign policy and the war in Iraq, and is calling for the withdrawal of all sanctions placed on the country.

Voices in the Wilderness, founded in 1996, emphasizes non-violent protests. The most important part of its campaign takes place after election day. Anti-war activists on three Chicago campuses, including Loyola University, DePaul University and the University of Chicago, will participate in an “electricity fast” from Nov. 2 to Nov. 11. The demonstration is a representation of life in Iraq, where electricity is still unavailable in many areas. The group also will hold vigils at Chicago VA hospitals and recruiting offices on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. For more information or to participate in the Voices in the Wilderness campaign, visit the Website, www.vitw.org, or call Jeff Leys at 773-784-8065.

Sustain (Sustainable Business)

“LOCAL LIVING ECONOMIES” seems to be the catch phrase, but what does it mean, exactly? It means that instead of popping into the chain coffee shop on the corner, patronize your local coffee shop, or bookstore, or record store or bakery.

Sustain, Chicago’s own environmental advocacy group, has plans to launch a Local First campaign to create a network of independent business owners. Sustain will host a Local First event on Nov. 17 at HotHouse to promote the campaign, which will include a panel discussion. For more information on the event or to volunteer, visit www.sustainablechicago.org or call Sustain at 312-951-8999.

Green City Market (Organics)

LOCAL FARMERS and the socially responsible shoppers who purchase their bounty are building a sustainable future around the dinner table. Green City Market is a six-year old, not-for-profit rooted in supporting local farmers committed to organics.

According to the group’s mission statement, “eating is an agricultural act” of sustainability. The produce includes everything from organically grown heirloom tomatoes to bell peppers and blueberries harvested just days before the market.

This year Green City Market has extended its season two months in response to a growing demand for locally grown goods. Merchants have agreed to sell their fresh fruits and vegetables from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first three Saturdays of November and December in the Kovler Lion House, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St. During its regular season the market is open every Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., from May 19 through Oct. 27, at 1750 N. Clark St., at the south end of Lincoln Park. For more information or to learn how you can participate, visit www.greencitymarket.org, or call 847-835-2240.

Chicago Center For Green Technology (Green Development)

INTERESTED IN making your home greener and more environmentally friendly, but not sure how? Check out the green certification program the Chicago Center for Green Technology offers, and really learn how to do-it-yourself. The program, part of the new Green Tech U curriculum, addresses everything from spending green dollars wisely to winterizing a building in the most energy efficient way possible.

For certification, students must complete six courses from the entire selection of classes within a 12-month period. Not ready to go back to school full time? Consider registering for any of the individual classes. Or stop by the facility and peruse the green building samples.

All classes are open to the public and free, but you must register in advance. Call the Chicago Center for Green Technology at 312-746-9642 or email greentech@cityofchicago.org. To view upcoming class schedules, visit www.cityofchicago.org/Environ ment/GreenTech; or stop by the Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd., Chicago.

Gilda’s Club (Cancer Support Group)

THE BRIGHT red door of Gilda’s Club Chicago at 537 N. Wells St. is unmistakable, but most people passing by don’t know they can enter. The club, named in honor of comedian Gilda Radner, who died from ovarian cancer in 1989, is open to everyone. It’s a welcoming place where men, women and children who have been affected by cancer can find social and emotional support free of charge. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 55,000 Illinois residents will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Nearly half of those people will be from Cook County, according to Gilda’s Club documents.

Gilda’s Club Chicago was established five years ago and has since attracted more than 2,600 members. The first club opened in New York in 1995. It was established by cancer psychotherapist Joanna Bull. Bull, along with Radner’s husband, actor Gene Wilder, and television reviewer Joel Sieger founded the first club. There are now clubs in 15 cities nationwide.

Gilda’s Club Chicago needs volunteers. For more information, Visit www.gildasclubchicago.org, or call 312-464-9900.

Unity (Spirituality)

CELEBRATING 55 YEARS of service this year, Unity Church on the North Shore opens its doors to people of all faiths and emphasizes universal spiritual principals. With no creed, set philosophies or beliefs, Unity allows people of every race, religion, social background, lifestyle or economic level the freedom to search for their own truth at their own pace. Unity is part of the worldwide Unity Church, with more than 1,000 churches and study groups around the world. Services are held at 3434 Central St. in Evanston every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Unity also features guest speakers, including spiritual writer Rita Winters on Dec 5. In June, its Uniteens program for younger teenagers traveled to Costa Rica to help build beds for children who sleep on dirt floors in the barrios of San Jose.

For more information on Unity Church on the North Shore or its programs, call 847-864-8977 or visit www.unityns.org.

Biking Groups (Alternate Transportation)

LOOKING FOR a great, low-impact way to get around town? Nervous about all the weight you’re going to gain this holiday season? The solution to all of your problems is leaning on its kickstand in the garage. If you are interested in bicycling as exercise, as a commuting option, or just as a fun way to relax on the weekend, there are several ways to get involved. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, has more than 5,000 members. These are the people behind the popular Bike the Drive and Boulevard Lakefront Tour bike rides.

Worried about where to park after you pedal downtown? Well, with 300 secure bicycle parking spaces, free valet parking for your bike during special events, and lockers and showers with towel service so the bicycle commuter can get to work smelling great, the Millennium Park Bicycle Station is practically the greatest thing to happen to the bicycling enthusiast since vulcanized rubber.

For the more radical riders, there’s Critical Mass, a group that likes to take on Friday rush hour traffic. Rides leave Daley Plaza at 5:30 p.m. on the last Friday of every month.

For information: Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, www.biketraffic.org, 312-427-3325; Millennium Park Bicycle Station, Chicago Department of Transportation, 312-744-0707, Critical Mass, www.chicagocriticalmass.org.

Conscious Choice staffers Caroline Casper, Geoffrey Wallin and Moira Bartel contributed to this article.

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