You know that the water we use in our homes comes from Lake Michigan, but did you know that our “used” water flows through the sewers, the treatment plant, the North Shore Channel, the Chicago River, the Illinois River, the Mississippi River and finally ends up in the Gulf of Mexico? Or that rain water falling on our property in east Wilmette ends up in the lake only if it seeps into the ground first, because streets and sidewalks send it into the sewers so it flows to the Gulf of Mexico, as well? Or that we can reduce basement flooding in our neighborhoods by helping to prevent our sewers from being overloaded? Repairing sewage pipes, not using water during heavy rains, installing rain gardens and rain barrels, and reducing the amount of concrete covering our property – all of these have positive ef- fects on flooding right where we live. Go Green Wilmette is partnering with the Village of Wilmette to help us all learn why “Water Matters” and how we can help protect, conserve, manage and enjoy it. We hope you come away having learned a thing or two about our local water cycle (we certainly did while planning this event) and a few ways to help reduce flooding and keep our waterways clean and healthy. Visit the Talk It Up area to discuss storm water issues with local experts and officials. Look for interactive water displays in the Eco-Zone. Help your kids answer the water trivia questions and win a prize. Think of one thing you could do to help – and post your promise on the “Do One Thing” tree in the entry. Learn how to collect water on your property, prevent pollution, reduce flood- ing and use less water in your daily life. It’s all here at Going Green Matters! Most of all, we hope you enjoy yourself, because “Fun Matters,” too. WELCOME TO Wilmette’s 8th annual environmental fair is presented by Go Green Wilmette and the Village of Wilmette. It is made possible by the generous sponsorship of: Titanium Sponsor • SolarReserve Platinum Sponsor • American Vintage Home Gold Sponsor • The Autobarn of Evanston Silver Sponsor • Solar H2O Community Program Bronze Sponsors • Baird & Warner • First Bank & Trust • Fresh Tech Maid Services • Iroquois Valley Farms • North Shore Community Bank • Solar Service • Windfree Additional Sponsors • Frothingham Communications • Natural Awakenings – Media Sponsor • Woman’s Club of Wilmette Thank you also to our Go Green Café food donors: A La Carte, Farmhouse Evanston, The Fresh Market, Fuel Restaurant, Jewel Food Store-Plaza del Lago, The Noodle, Panera, Piero’s Pizza, Starbucks-Plaza del Lago and Whole Foods Market-Evanston. We also want to acknowledge the contributions of Boomgaarden Architects, SCB Architecture and efforts of more than 120 volunteers. GO GREEN WILMETTE was founded in 2006. Our mission is to raise environmental awareness in the Wilmette community and to inspire residents to take action to make a difference. Go Green Wilmette works with residents, schools, the Park District, the Library, the Village, local businesses and nearby communities to achieve our goals. We offer educational seminars, film showings, book discussions, and gatherings and activities throughout the year. Visit our new website at www.gogreenwilmette.org, sign up for our newsletter and join us at our events. GGW Board Members: Beth Drucker, President; Margaret Heaton, Vice-President; Nan Hoff, Treasurer; Trudy Gibbs, Secretary; Saima Abbasi, Jan Barshis, Catherine Hurley, Karen Glennemeier, Christine Huszagh, Margrit Kuehn and Leslie Parsons. GGW Intern: Jacob Warsaw Event Committee: All Board Members and Annie Aggens, Sharon Axelrod, Don Barshis, Terry Becker, Chad Boomgaarden, Monica Buckley, Liz Challinor, Jane Donaldson, Debra Favre, Alanah Fitch, Harry Grace, Ann Hammond, Will Heelan, Marcia Heeter, Mindy Heidekat Caroline Hoff, Elizabeth Hoff, Richard Huszagh, Barbara Keer, Amy Keller, Joyce Krinklebein, Sarah Kurensky, Julie Lambert, Carla Lindsay, Jane Litin, Mark Litin, Susan Lyon, Gudrun Odendaal, Nancy Pavkovic, Wendy Pollock, Piper Rothschild, Daverille Sher, Margaret Sinn-Pong, Suzie Van Cleave, Joellen Varga, Tom Wallace, Annie Wolter and Chris Wynn. EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Sponsor and Exhibitor Displays Main floor Interactive Eco-Zone - for all ages Lower level Talk It Up: Conversations about Water Foyer Green Cars and Bikes Exhibit Outside Recycling Drop-Off 910 Central Ave. Go Green Café Stage Cooking Demonstrations Kitchen Raffle Prizes Lower level Nature Photography Exhibit Lower level “Done One Thing” Tree Entryway Kids’ Eco-Arts & Crafts Lower level Library Story Time & Quiet Zone Solarium DEMONSTRATIONS Don't miss the fun and interesting demonstrations happening throughout the day: Cooking demonstrations by Farmhouse Restaurant of Evanston in the kitchen. Taste their delicious samples - locally sourced and good for you and the planet. Seed starting demonstrations in the “Eco-Zone.” Learn how to start growing your own food. Leave with your first seed already planted to start indoors and then transplant into your garden. Lighting options demonstrated in the “Eco-Zone.” Let us help you demystify the many new LED lighting choices. Solar hot water display outside. See how the sun can make hot water for you. Electric bikes in the outside Green Cars and Bikes Exhibit. These bikes allow the rider to use an electrical assist for longer rides, hilly terrain or comfortable commutes. Learn how to restyle your home, start a vegetable garden, bird on the north shore, save water, weed out invasive species, put your bike on the bus bike rack and more! TALK IT UP: CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WATER WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND Building on the great conversations we had at Going Green Matters 2013, we will again have our Talk It Up conversation area — this year focusing on four key issues related to water in our com- munity: • Storm Water • Water Conservation • Water Quality • Recreation Help us collectively brainstorm solutions to these important envi- ronmental issues. Large Post-It sheets will be on display where resi- dents, experts, policymakers and people like you can post ideas, questions, comments and suggestions. We would like to come away with answers to questions like: “What five steps can we as a com- munity take to be “Rain Ready” or “How can we effectively reduce water pollution through public policy?” Stop by during the fair, talk one-on-one with our policymakers and experts and share your ideas about how together we can make a difference. INTERACTIVE ECO-ZONE - LOWER LEVEL Table 51-52 Raffle Prizes on Display - Select the prize of your choice 54 Recycling and Resources - Information from Go Green Wilmette 55 Therese Heyek Photography - Enjoy local nature photography 57-58 Water Play - Learn about local water recreation opportunities 59 Yard Sharing - Find a food-growing partner for half the work, twice the fun 60 There Goes Our Water - Find out where our water ends up 61 Habitat is for the Birds & Your Backyard - Make your yard bird-friendly 62 Tree ID - Identify local trees and learn basics of tree care 63 Seed Starting - Start your vegetable garden today 64 Water Passport - Turn in your water passport for a prize 65 Alternative Yards -Yards that work managing water and providing habitat 66 LED Lighting Options - Take the mystery out of eco-light bulb choices 67 The Trouble with Plastic - Learn about alternatives to single use plastic 68 Composting - Discover the many ways to compost at home 69 Using a Rain Barrel - Hands on demonstration of rain barrel set up 71 Textile Trash - Learn how fashion trends and choices affect our environment 72 Safe Cleaning Products - Easy-to-make non-toxic cleaning solutions 73 Peggy Notebaert Museum - Learn about backyard habitat and how to be a citizen scientist 74 Local Insect Photography Display - Marvel at the beauty of bugs 75 Greening Your Kitchen - Tips for greening your entire kitchen 76 Style Your Home Green - Ideas for building and decorating your home 77 Energy Bike - Take a spin to power light bulbs and more 78 Water Matters - Pick up great tips for conserving water 79 Heller Nature Center - Examine skulls, pelts & nature-related fun Eco-Arts and Crafts - Have fun with eco-friendly activities in the downstairs lounge EXHIBIT HALLS EXHIBITOR MAP KEY CIVIC GROUPS HOME 79 Heller Nature Center of HP (Eco-Zone) 21 American Vintage Home, Inc. 73 Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (Eco-Zone) Chicago Textile Recycling 34 Wilmette Dist. 39 PTO Environmental Comm. (Central School ) 34 Wilmette Dist. 39 PTO Outdoor Classrooms 10 Cradle to Cradle 33 Wilmette Dist. 39 Schools 11 Fresh Tech Maid Services 47 Wilmette Environmental & Energy Comm. 12 Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse 37 Wilmette Park District 20 Habitat for Humanity ReStore 25 Wilmette Public Library & Books Down Under 76 Restyle Your Space (Eco-Zone) 38 Woman’s Club of Wilmette 76 Van Cleave Architecture & Design (Eco-Zone) COMMUNITY RESOURCES GREEN CARS & BIKES (Outside) 14 Baird & Warner The Autobarn of Evanston 19 Consolidated Printing AVE Hybrid Electric Bikes 18 First Bank & Trust Currie Tech Beyond Electric Bikes 13 Natural Awakenings General Motors 55 Therese Heyek Nature Photography Grossinger Auto Group (Eco-Zone) Highland Park Ford 36 Wilmette Harbor Rotary Club Jennings Chevrolet Loeber Motors ENERGY Pace Suburban Bus Service 15 Faith in Place - Fracking 27 Nuclear Energy Information Service LAWN & GARDEN 6 Solar H2O Community Program 3 Horigan Tree Care & Urban Forest Prdts. 17 Solar Service, Inc. 2 Nature’s Perspective Landscaping, Inc. 16 Thorium Energy 7 Northeast Illinois Invasive Plant