(Welcome to Elka, one of the finalists in our Editor search for the upcoming Apartment Therapy Green blog. She's writing from Oakland, California. Comment away!)
Believe Chicago is a no-frills, easily navigable site that directs Chicago residents to resources for greener living in their city. Identifying itself as "Chicago's sustainability hub," its wide range of resources and events will keep even the most devoted eco-hobbyist busy.
Some of Believe Chicago's upcoming June events include classes on financing green home improvements, presentations on solar energy, and meet-ups for Chicago Green Drinks, a group that gathers to discuss environmental issues over cocktails.
I'm particularly intrigued by the Angelic Organics cheesemaking course (if you haven't seen Angelic's spin-off documentary
yet, get yourself to a video store posthaste). Also compelling for ATers is the Sustainable Healthy Living Fair at the Quad City Botanical Center and the Community Supported Renewable Energy presentation at Greenmaker Building Supply.
Believe Chicago is maintained by the Foresight Design Initiative, which is working to improve and sustain the quality of life in the urban environment through smart design strategies that engage design practitioners, government agencies, the business and non-profit communities, and the public. You can subscribe to Believe Chicago here.
Top Photo: Illinois 24/7
-Elka
"Chicago Green Drinks, a group that gathers to discuss environmental issues over cocktails."
Now that's my kind of activism.
view stonelake's profile
Do you have any opinion on these sites or any added value or are you just bookmarking it on the blog for the readers? What is the quality of these sites?
view MrGreen's profile
wow -- a cheesemaking course! that sounds great! and thanks for the heads up about the documentary!
view femmeferal's profile
Hey folks--thanks for commenting on my post! to answer MrGreen's query:
As far as quality goes, I'd say that the Web site quality, as far as design is concerned, is pretty meager. However, as far as the quality of information covered, and in its quality as a community resource, it's excellent. Highlighting the work of such great organizations/businesses as World Bicycle Relief, Greenmaker Building Supply,Chicago Architecture Foundation, and Angelic Organics bodes well for the site, as does its commitment to improving Chicago's sustainability.
And I agree with you, stonelake--any green event that has cocktails involved is going to be more enjoyable than one that serves kombucha : ) (though i'm guilty of consuming both!)
view elkanikkole's profile
Oakland in the house! Good job, Elka.
view pisceanchick's profile
Who knew that cheesemaking, green drinking and green financing could hook-up? Sounds like a great magazine; Elka should get the job, for sure!
view lindaarms's profile