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Whew! Seems like we went straight from winter to summer this year and we skipped spring entirely. As of this writing in late June, the forecast is in the nineties every day, and while today was pretty darn hot, still, I’m making an effort to keep the air conditioning switched off, and I hope you’ll consider doing it, too. I know, I know—this is never a very popular suggestion, and it’s with no amount of trepidation that I offer it, but even if you’re sure you won’t do it, I invite you to think about it for a moment. What are the broader implications of air conditioning? It uses a lot of electricity—even units marketed as “efficient” draw more energy than just about any household appliance. It’s a huge portion of the average householder’s summertime electric bill. Once considered a novelty, and then a luxury, many people now regard air conditioning as a vital necessity. How, one wonders, did anyone ever live without it? It can be done! Here are my suggestions: open your windows at night, use ceiling fans, attic fans and box window fans to move the cool air in. In the morning, close your curtains and then close the windows when it starts to get warm—that traps the cool air inside. As the day heats up, if your house gets hot inside, then open the windows to help catch any stirring breezes. If you get so hot you can’t stand it anymore, take a cool shower—start with the water lukewarm and then slowly dial it down to bring your body temperature down. And of course, there’s the most fundamental shift: rather than escaping summer, enjoy it! Spend time outside in cool, shady places—gardens, forests, parks. Or hit the beach! Summer surely doesn’t last forever, not in this town, it’s a shame to let it go to waste in a refreigerated box indoors! I suppose, being a more realistic editorialist, I would advocate for smart air conditioning usage rather than abstinence, so here’s my compromise suggestion: only turn it on when you need it, and stay mindful that it’s turned on. This seems obvious, but I hear AC units buzzing all over the city on nights when it’s fifty degrees out because the running, energy-hogging unit has been forgotten. Chicagoland nights are frequently cool. When in doubt, open a window and find out! In so doing, you refuse to be a slave to your habits, and refuse to live in servitude to your fear of discomfort. And as an added bonus, you’ll be contributing that much less to global warming, which will help the whole planet get just a bit cooler! Blue Island Kiddie Mass Fridays, July 3, 10, 17, 4:00 p.m., 121st and Maple, Chicago. “Mass up” with the kids, their bikes, and meet like-minded families at 121st and Maple Ave. Running April–October, this south-side family friendly group bike ride happens every Friday except the last Friday of the month. Free! Green in the Loop: 1909 – 2009 Architectural Walking Tour Thursday, July 4, and Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Daley Plaza, Washington and Dearborn Streets, Chicago. While Chicago makes strides toward the future to become a green city, what did green mean a century ago? In the early 20th century, architects and engineers took advantage of newer advances such as electric lighting, elevators, and high-strength steel, but still relied heavily on tried and true engineering, design, and planning principles—locally-sourced materials, balancing structural redundancy with efficiency, on-site or local power generation, naturally lit and ventilated spaces, and civic responsibility. This two-hour architectural walking tour, which spans the late nineteenth century to the present day, lets visitors experience America’s greatest (and some of its lesser-known) buildings in their context. The tour includes visits to Carson Pirie Scott, the Monadnock Building, and the new Modern Wing at the Museum of the Art Institute. It will be led by architect Dave Hampton, co-founder of Habitat Chicago. $15 advance, $20 walk-in. Call 312-316-7464 to register. New Belgium Brewery Tour de Fat! Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Palmer Square, Chicago. New Belgium Brewery, makers of midwest favorite Fat Tire Amber Ale, is touring the country with entertainment, lots of beer (naturally), and a killer gimmick. The highlight of the festival will be a “Trade your car for a bike!” event, in which pre-selected applicants will be chosen to receive a gorgeous hand-built commuter bike in exchange for the keys and title to their car. Circus punk marching band Mucca Pazza will perform (among other musical acts) and Portland’s original mini-bike dance troupe, The Sprockettes, will put on a show. Last year’s first-annual was a real hoot—this is one Green Event not to miss! $5 donation, all (and New Belgium is serious about this—they will make no profit on the event) proceeds go to support local nonprofit West Town Bikes. Green Drinks—Business Edition and Power Networking Monday, July 15, 5:30–8:30 p.m., Jefferson Tap & Grill, 325 N. Jefferson Street, Chicago. Tonight’s topic is “Redefining Value: Challenging Business As Usual.” What responsibility does a business have to address social and environmental problems? Can a business be more than just a vehicle for creating economic wealth? Heralded by the Obama administration as the most innovative way to meet social needs, Social Enterprises represent a new generation of businesses that are incorporating job training, economic development and social services into traditional ventures. Hear stories from three entrepreneurs who are trying to balance multiple values in their businesses. Meet this generation of business leaders as they use capitalism to address some of the most pressing social and environmental issues facing our world today. $7 requested donation.
Critical Mass Friday, July 26, 5:00 p.m., Daley Plaza, Dearborn and Washington, Chicago. Join up with thousands of radically individual cyclists in the heart of the Loop for this experience. Part protest, part party, part spectacle, this joyous, non-competitive ride has been happening the last Friday of every month for over ten years. Festive attire recommended, but come as you are. Anything can happen, of course, but the July mass typically ends at one of Chicago’s lakefront beaches!
Is there a Green Event you’d like to see here? Send an e-mail to k@thleen.org. Special thanks to Repto for the Kiddie Mass tip!
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