NeedleCloud

I learned about this project a while ago and keep meaning to post something about it on here but keep forgetting so here it is.

It’s such a great idea and something people should really try to incorporate into their normal routine. Instead of going to some big chain store to buy things try to find a smaller independent store to support. Instead of going to Starbucks go to the local coffee shop. Invest in your community and support your neighbors. Even if you don’t have a lot of money, your money has power.

If we lose our small businesses we lose what makes our neighborhoods and cities unique. I’ve noticed this when traveling to new cities and am looking around and see chain after chain after chain. Pretty soon every city will be the same, with the same 10 stores and the same 10 chain restaurants.

Check our the 3/50 Project and tell others about them.

We’re finally getting a composting bin put in! I’m pretty excited about it. I brought it up to the board and the other owners in the building and found that some others were thinking the same thing so we’re going to do it.  That should help quite a bit with reducing the amount of garbage we throw out.

This week I came across this article in the Chicago Reader about the garbage issues facing the city of Chicago. Honestly it was a little depressing. Mayor Daley is constantly up on his little pedestal saying how ‘green’ the city is and how he’s committed to making Chicago the greenest city in the country but we still don’t have a fully functional citywide recycling program. Granted he has implemented a few good ideas like having green roofs on some city buildings but overall he hasn’t done enough.

My neighborhood is one of the few that actually has the ‘Blue Bin‘ program but my building can’t get one because we have 13 units. We pay for our own recycling pick-up from an independent company. The problem is that we can’t recycle every thing that you can recycle using the city’s blue bin. We can only recycle #1 and #2 plastics in the shape of a bottle. No yogurt tubs, no margarine containers.. It’s not a huge deal but I think it’s silly that our neighbors who have 2 people living in their house get this huge cart to use and can recycle pretty much everything and we have to pay for a private company to come out to get our and we can only recycle a fraction of what they can.

And so I’m happy to have a little bit of power. I’m really happy my neighbors are excited about composting. I’m hoping it’s not too difficult to get people in the habit of doing it and doing it right.

This week there have been some big developments in movement to get styrofoam packaging, especially disposable trays used in Chicago Public Schools, banned in the city of Chicago.

There was a nice article in the Chicago Tribune early in the week. Check it out here.

If you want to keep up to date on this issue consider becoming a fan of No Foam Chicago on Facebook or join their mailing list.

I have been working with No Foam Chicago over the past few months mostly in a web site updating capacity. They are a fantastic group of people who have been working really hard to get this ban passed.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted an update here but I wanted to write a quick note to say Happy Holidays to everyone and please check back in the new year for some new articles and features here at NeedleCloud.

I’ve been settling into the routine of a new job and also helping out over at NoFoam Chicago with updating their website and research. So needless to say things have been a little hectic here.

Things should be getting more manageable in a few weeks and I’ll be back in the saddle!

Happy Holidays and thanks for visiting!

~Jasmine

I’ve been trying to get into a community garden here in the neighborhood and am looking forward to maybe next year being my year. The garden at 61st street has been kind of in limbo due to a pending construction project at the University of Chicago. Currently the garden is on University property and they are trying to find a new home for it or try to keep it where it is. I got an email update yesterday saying that they might try to expand the number of people who can have plots by breaking it up into several different locations throughout the neighborhood.

I’m a little bummed that I didn’t get into the garden this year but we did get to plant some tomatoes and chard at my parents’ place in WI. I’m going to check on the tomatoes on Thursday. Hopefully they’re ripe!

When you don’t have you’re own outdoor space you’re at the mercy of others to some extent. Ideally I’d just dig up the front or back yard and plant a garden there but I’m not sure my neighbors would be into it. Our yards are completely wasted space. Maybe next year I can talk them into letting me carve out some gardening space, or maybe they’d be more into having some hens in the yard. Eggs for everyone!