Friday, May 16, 2008
Opening Day is this Saturday!

Mark your calendars!
Open hours at the garden start on Saturday, May 17:
            Saturdays (May 17 to October 25):
                   11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
            Tuesdays–Fridays (June 3 to August 29):
                   4:00–6:00 p.m.
            (Weekdays in September and October to be determined)
We are not open on Mondays or Sundays
         (except by very special arrangement).

Other dates to keep in mind for the year:
June 28: All-Church Picnic
July 26: Monthly Cookout
August 23: Back-to-School Fair and Cookout
September 27: Harvest Festival and Cookout
October 25: Kids’ Fall Festival and Cookout

If you’d like to garden with us this year, please contact Natasha Holbert at nholbert@fourthchurch.org (312.274.3831).

Some upcoming plant sales and events around town

May 16 (9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.)
May 17 (9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.)
Hyde Park Garden Fair at the  Hyde Park Shopping Center, located at 55th St. and South Lake Park. For more information go to  www.hydeparkgardenfair.org.

May 17–18 (10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.)
Chicago Botanic Garden: A Bloomin’ Sale, the largest plant sale in the Midwest, sponsored by the Women’s Board. Thirty-five percent of the plant material will be newly introduced or hard to find. A limited number of containers and hanging baskets designed and grown by talented Garden staff and volunteers will be available. For complete information go to http://www.chicagobotanic.org/bloomin/index.php.

May 17 (10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.)
May 18 (11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.)
Chicago Green Festival at Navy Pier (600 E Grand Ave.). This festival showcases more than 350 diverse local and national green businesses displaying and selling eco-friendly, fair trade and sustainable products. During the weekend there will also be more than 150 speakers who will educate, entertain, and inspire. Participants also can enjoy workshops, green films, a fair trade pavilion, yoga and movement classes, kids’ zone, cuisine, and live music. For more information, go to http://www.greenfestivals.org/content/view/230/200/. 

We have a new request for recipes! We are partnering with the Chicago Lights Elam Davies Social Service Center this year to help provide fresh produce for the food bags that the Center gives out. In addition, we have offered to help provide healthy recipes that highlight the foodstuffs commonly available from the food pantry, usually canned or dry goods. If you can help provide recipes, please contact Natasha Holbert to get more details about the specific health needs and ingredients that will be featured.

To whet your appetite for all things green before we start at the garden this year, consider borrowing a book, magazine, or DVD from the Chicago Avenue Lending Library. We have a nice selection of reading and viewing materials on gardening, community gardens, sustainable agriculture, and community development, among other topics. To get a list of available resources, contact Natasha Holbert, at 312.274.3831 or nholbert@fourthchurch.org.

And last but definitely not least, consider picking up a copy of our very own Gathered at the Garden: A Taste of the Chicago Avenue Community Garden. This beautiful cookbook features recipes highlighting produce grown at the garden, stories by fellow gardeners, and fantastic photos. Copies are only $12 apiece and are available at Coffee Hour after the Sunday services or by contacting Natasha Holbert.

For more information about the garden or to volunteer, please contact Natasha Holbert at the church at nholbert@fourthchurch.org (312.274.3831).

For more information about Project Light, contact the Project Light Leadership Team at PLLeadership@fourthchurch.org.