GreenMark Public Relations®, Inc.

With a green-conscious Chicagoan about to become president, new building initiatives and flourishing gardens, Chicago is leading the nation in crafting a sustainable future. A prime example of this is the Green Exchange, located in Logan Square on the city’s northwest side. Angela Caputo, of ProgressIllinois.com, writes “the Green Exchange is emerging as an example of how — with a little federal support, the backing of local officials, and some ingenuity — a revitalized economy could be just around the bend” (Nov. 11, 2008). Green Exchange is a new, sustainable office/retail complex set to open in Spring, 2008. It will host a variety of green tenants including businesses, shops, a cafe, day care center, bank, dry cleaner and other amenities. “What’s innovative about the project,” Caputo writes, “is its ability to harness the kind of public and private capital that researchers, economists and environmentalists say is key to cultivating a national green economy.” Incoming businesses will have access to a $500,000 loan pool, used for hiring and training workers. These low-interest loans are designed to help small business grow and create jobs despite the faltering economy. This investment alone allows for 58 jobs to be created. The article continues, using this model as an example for nationwide change: “…imagine what could be accomplished by investing billions across the nation.” According to The Center for American Progress, a $100 billion federal investment could create two-million green collar jobs in two years, the article states. Green Exchange’s Jennifer Schellinger said, “we want to show that something like the Green Exchange is possible in every state in the nation.” Find out more about the Green Exchange on our client page.

This question was asked by WGN Midday News (WGNtv.com) and may be on the minds of concerned gardeners as winter approaches. Chalet answered this question and addressed some of the myths and fables of horticulture during a free seminar Nov. 7 and 8. They said mid November is the perfect time to plant because as the temperature drops, the bulbs will root in the ground and grow in the spring. Daffodils and narcissus make great beginners bulbs since they multiply on their own each year and remain critter-proof. Chalet also recommends the blue scilla sibirica. It’s favored in their gardens and grows well in the springtime if planted in November.

Chalet offered some advice for winterizing a garden on the ABC 7 Morning News (Chicago) on Monday, Oct. 20. They recommended applying fertilizer to trees, shrubs and lawns before the weather drops. The plants will use that fertilizer to grow new roots for next year. Chalet recommends decorating the garden with cold temperature plants such as mums, asters, pansies and pumpkins. Protect the garden with pest-repellents. Keep the hungry rabbits and squirrels away with natural repellents that are cinnamon oil or Castor oil based. The experts at Chalet always have good advice and often offer free seminars on how to better your garden. Find out more on their website, click here.

GreenMark Public Relations congratulates Illinois Senator Barack Obama for becoming president-elect of our great country after an Election Day victory. Obama offers change and hope for America, including in the areas of energy and the environment. President-Elect Obama has said that he plans to help create five million new jobs by investing $150 billion over the next 10 years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future. He also wants to put one million plug-in hybrid cars, built in America, on the road by 2015. He ensures that 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025. We’ve all heard promises for change over the past two years from both parties, now it’s time for us all - Republican and Democrat - to join together and help take responsibility for that change to happen. We believe it can.

Horticulturalist information specialist at Chalet, Jennifer Brennan, took a stab at some of the myths about planting tactics and jack-o-lanterns in an article titled: “Not so spooky: Stories from the garden” by Deborah Donovan in the Oct. 26, 2008 issue of the Daily Herald. Bloodroot or sanguinaria not only sounds scary, it’s toxic too. Oddly enough, it was used commercially in toothpaste and mouthwash. If one were to accidentally swallow a small amount, they might want some purple coneflower nearby. Purple coneflower is attributed to healing properties such as reducing fever and boosting the immune system. If one swallowed a lot of bloodroot, on their way to the hospital, they may want to pick up a handful of meadow rue, which the Lakota would burn, then run their hands through the smoke for good luck. Dressing wounds might be a good idea for people, but it’s not always the case with plants. When pruning a tree or if it’s wounded, it’s a myth to coat it with tar or pruning paint. Doing so could trap bacteria and fungus, so fresh air sometimes really is the best option.

Brennan says jack-o-lanterns come from Irish folklore. An Irishman named Jack played a trick and made the devil promise not to take his soul when he died. God wouldn’t take his soul either, so he ended up wandering the world. He found his way around by using a carved turnip as a lantern for his candle. When the Irish came to America, they found pumpkins much easier to carve.

For more myths and mysterious tid-bits, view the complete article here.

With the cold weather comes the flu season and other airborne ailments that may compromise one’s immune system. Farmers’ Almanac offers some natural remedies to combat these illnesses. Published in the Oct. 7, 2008 edition of The Chicago Tribune, Farmers’ Almanac suggests combating a cold by pouring “a pint of boiling water over a handful of rosemary leaves placed in a pot. Cover and infuse as you do with ordinary tea. Take ½ pint daily while the cold lasts.” Rosemary contains active acidic compounds making it rich in antioxidants. If one experiences a sore throat, try munching on marshmallows, slippery elm bark or honeysuckle flowers. If that doesn’t cut the mustard, try gargling mustard seeds mixed with salt, honey and boiling water or try gargling crushed cayenne pepper mixed with warm water. If that doesn’t sound appealing, try some chamomile tea, something Farmers’ Almanac also recommends for relieving insomnia.

In an article on AugustaFreePress.com (Oct. 7, 2008), Jan Levinson asked for natural remedies to cure headaches instead of Advil and Tylenol. One of the solutions came straight from Farmers’ Almanac’s remedy recommendations: relieve tension headaches by applying an ice pack to the neck and upper back or soaking the feet in hot water to divert the blood from the head. Not only a natural remedy for headaches, but relaxing, too!

SMT previewed Mexitrónica, Oct. 21-23, 2008, at Expo Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (featured online, Oct. 13, 2008). The conference is a partnership between Mexico’s National Chamber for Electronics, Telecommunication and IT Industries and ROC Exhibitions Inc. It’s in its 14th year and drew more than 6,000 attendees in 2007. Mexitrónica workshops and conference sessions by industry professionals including events related to Mexico’s International Design and Manufacturing Technology Week, exhibits by Cockson Electronics, seminars by Krayden Inc, new products by Nihon Superior USA, improved designs by Indium, showcases by ESSEMTEC, laser stencils by Fine Line Stencil, and additional exhibits by Newark InOne, Blackfox Training Institute, YESTech, Desa Technologies, Lambda Americas, Manncorp, Saturn Electronics, Viscom, Henkel, and many more. Mexitrónica is one of the largest industry gatherings of its kind in North America and features innovative manufacturing products available today by leading companies and concepts for the future.

Coverage was also featured in U.S. Tech Interactive (Oct. 13, 2008). For more information, visit Mexitrónica.com.

Join The Conservation Foundation for a canoe trip down the Fox River at noon on Oct. 25, 2008. They’ll gather at the C & M Canoe Rental on the Fox River in Wedron and they’ll return around 4:30 p.m. The area visited is the section called the Lower Fox and is known as the most scenic of the segments in Illinois. The Conservation Foundation is drawn to its sandstone cliffs, hill prairies and spring wetland seeps. Tickets are $30 per person. For more information, visit The Conservation Foundation’s website.

Deborah Donovan of the Daily Herald wrote a feature titled “Attracting Birds to your Garden” in the Oct. 4, 2008 issue. The article featured tips from Jennifer Brennan, of Chalet along with Ron Zick and Tim Joyce of Wild Birds Unlimited. Brennan said having eight cardinals to enjoy with your winter coffee makes living in Chicago worthwhile. Attracting one specific bird, especially pretty birds like cardinals are do-able, but difficult without the right bird feeders and bird seed. The experts recommend putting out fresh seed that all the birds can enjoy and then begin specializing once a “buzz” is created by your offerings. They suggest keeping fresh seed high in oils and to offer a variety of plants and shrubs for the birds who might want to make a home or who enjoy foraging for insects. A bird-friendly yard might also attract unwanted “friends” such as squirrels, but they can be discouraged from climbing up the bird feeder by installing a baffle around the pole. While most feeders need to be cleaned three or four times a year, some people recommend washing them at least once a month with a bleach rinse. One myth was debunked: a bird feed owner can go on vacation without worrying about the birds. They only get 15 to 20 percent of their calories from people and forage the rest.

“What do Americans say they want for a natural environmental and energy policy?” That’s the question addressed by the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund during The Conservation Foundation’s Fall Membership and Awards Dinner on October 21, 2008. The evening is being hosted by the foundation and is sponsored by Waste Management. The event will include networking sessions and environmental awards presented over dinner. Tony Massaro, senior vice president for political affairs and public education, is responsible for overseeing lobbying and policy for the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund. The fund aims to educate and mobilize citizens as informed voters and advocates for sound environmental policies. The original article appeared in the Naperville Sun on Oct. 5, 2008.