Archive by Author | oktable

Free Green Chemistry Webinar

Aug7

Great Lakes Green Chemistry Network Michigan Green Chemistry Clearinghouse presents

How Our Perceptions of Green Chemistry Will Drive Implementation

with LYNN LEGER, Director, ALCERECO

3 p.m. Wednesday August 14

How can we have the greatest impact on accelerating the adoption of Green Chemistry? This question comes up at most gatherings of people interested in advancing Green Chemistry and the answers in the hallways are varied. Marketing teaches us that people will act on their own perceptions. A recent survey of professionals in Green Chemistry looked at what are the perceptions of Green Chemists with regard to the question of greatest impact as well as some of the commonly-held perceptions like price premium and the value of regulations. This webinar will discuss these perceptions and compare the results of perception to the reality of some success stories.

After completing a degree in Chemistry and an MBA, Lynn Leger joined DuPont’s Automotive Coatings business where she held a variety of business, marketing and technical positions. Lynn then changed market focus and led new initiatives in Food Safety for DuPont including responsibility for leading major R&D initiatives in breakthrough disinfection technology. Lynn joined GreenCentre Canada in 2010 as a Director of Commercial Development and worked with universities across Canada to commercialize greener technologies. Lynn is a named inventor on 13 patent applications in technologies representing each of the different businesses with which she has been associated. She is a frequent speaker on innovation and green chemistry including chairing a session on commercialization of Green Chemistry at the American Chemical Society’s Green Chemistry Institute meeting this summer. Lynn is currently starting a new business, ALCERECO, that will develop and commercialize new Advanced Materials in a number of markets.

Space is limited.Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/361712112

OKT’s urban forester, Laura Casaletto, among GR’s first Citizen Forester graduates

Aug5

(Left to Right)Denise Coykendaal, Laura Casaletto, Dotti Clune, Ben Oliver, Amanda St. Amour, and Ric Maycroft.

Friends of Grand Rapids Parks Urban Forest Project reported, “We’ve been growing advocates and neighborhood leaders as well. The first session of training opportunities wrapped up on July 24th with Urban Forestry and Tree Advocacy at LINC. At this training, a full six (6) program participants graduated as Grand Rapids’ first Citizen Foresters.

These six outstanding individuals not only attended the four courses to become a Citizen Forester, but have participated in additional workshops offered during the year and continue to express interest in attending more. 

These well -trained and educated advocates of the urban forest have led projects and continue to act as sources of information in their communities. As Citizen Foresters, these individuals can confidently engage and educate the community on tree concerns as representatives of the Urban Forest Project.”

This entry was posted on August 5, 2013, in Press.

Southeast Area Farmers’ Market Newsletter

Aug1

The Kent County Health Department has come out with the August issue. Here it is! By the way, the Friday Farm Stand Market at Garfield Park has been cancelled for this week (Aug. 2).

SEAFM Newletter August 2013 1

 

SEAFM Newletter August 2013

This entry was posted on August 1, 2013, in Press.

Market Celebration a Fun Community Success!

Jul30

0727131254a (1)Last Saturday, the Southeast Area Farmers’ Market celebrated community with its annual Grand Opening Celebration. Market Manager Roni VanBuren and the market team put together a wonderful day for community to celebrate healthy foods and healthy fun.

Activities began with El Amin’s blessing of the market. As he poured out water as an offering, his blessing  called to remembrance community members’ roots in Africa, the times of slavery, sharecropping and migration north to cities like Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids musician and artist, Derrick “Vito” Hollowell, spun tunes that kept the market atmosphere mellow and upbeat. Urban farmer and kitchen coach, Anja Mast demonstrated how to make easy greens smoothies and raw kale pasta salad. The samples went quick! And,  the Jewels of Western Michigan wowed the crowd with African Dance and Drumming.

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OKT gardeners and Well House residents learn about composting

Jul29

WellHouseCompostClass.7On Monday July 22, biochemist and OKT collaborative partner, Clinton Boyd PhD, taught a group Well House members, OKT gardeners and neighborhood residents the true nature of compost and how to end up with the rich humus that gardens need.  He offered samples for participants to touch, smell and even taste.

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What is compost?  According to Boyd, compost is an overused term not clearly defined by those using it.  Commercial industries, backyard gardeners and community gardens say that they are composting but that’s not always the case. Boyd says that real composting results in fluffy humus, rich in carbon.  While similar to potting soil in texture and color, it is healthier for your garden.

Camilla Voelker, Well House urban farmer, said that she gained a lot of knowledge from Clinton will help her improve Well House’s composting practices. Well House provides safe, affordable housing to the homeless. Like OKT, Well House believes that food is everyone’s right … not a privilege for those who can afford it.

Saturday! Southeast Area Farmers’ Market Celebrates Community

Jul25
Derrick "Vito" Hollowell will be back doing hip hop with the Rare Gruves

Derrick “Vito” Hollowell will be back doing hip hop with the Rare Gruves

The Southeast Area Farmers’ Market celebrates its community with a Grand Opening event 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday July 27 at Gerald R Ford Middle School, Madison Avenue just south of Franklin Street SE.

Market partners, Our Kitchen Table, Kent County Health Department and Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council have planned a full day music, kids’ activities, cooking demos, health information, dance-exercise and more.

Back by popular demand, Grand Rapids fine artist and musician, Derrick “Vito” Hollowell and the Rare Gruve will be by to spit some rhymes about eating healthy and growing strong.

Schedule of activities:

  • 11 a.m. Aliciea Woodard, Dance Exercise
  • 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Vito and the Rare Gruve, Hip Hop
  • 12:30 pm El Amin, Blessing of the Market
  • 1:30 Girls on Fire, Vocal Group
  • 2 p.m.  Jewels of Western Michigan, African Dance and Drumming

Kids’ activities begin at 1:30 p.m. Cooking demos throughout the day.

The Southeast Area Farmers’ Market takes place Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gerald R Ford School. The Friday Farm Stand at Garfield Park is open 3 to 7 p.m. Both locations accept SNAP (Bridge Cards), WIC Project Fresh, Cash Value Benefits Summer EBT, debit cards and Sr. Project Fresh.

Meals from Your Market

Jul25

Meals Logo Turnip Puff

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb parsnips, washed/peeled/chopped
  • 1/4 c sliced carrots
  • ½ c chopped onion
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • ⅛ ground nutmeg
  • ⅓ c soft bread crumbs
  • 2 large beaten eggs

What to do with it all:

1. Cook the parsnips, onion and carrots in boiling water (just enough to cover) for 10 minutes.

2. Strain and mash with whatever you have handy (it will look a bit watery).

3. Add butter, salt, pepper and nutmeg and continue to mix and mash.

4.Turnip Puff Add bread crumbs and eggs. Continue mixing/mashing until well blended.

5. Pour mixture into a 1qt casserole dish sprayed with olive oil.

6. Bake for 40 minutes @ 375˚. Do not cover.

7. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!