Rainbow Green Services

The air is alive with the buzz of the end of summer!  Who’s ready for fall?

The weather is getting to be down right inviting, and there are lots of happenings around to help you enjoy it.  This fall the Community Enrichment program at Millsaps is offering a backyard astronomy class, several classes with Felder Rushing (including a green gardening class) and a four series class on bamboo solutions.

For those interesting in students eating good,  Food Corps is a Americorps program that recruits young adults for a yearlong term of public service in school food systems. Once stationed, FoodCorps members will build Farm to School supply chains, expand food system and nutrition education programs, and build and tend school food gardens.   Pretty awesome, huh?  The program is in development now, but is set to be going the middle of next year.  If you want get a Food Corps member involved with your school, 501 (c) 3, or institute of higher learning, apply here before September 15.

Do you love food, culture, and justice?  Get a taste of The Gumbo That Unites Us All this October at the Community Food Security Coalition Conference in New Orleans.  With workshop titles like ‘Innovative Solutions to Food Deserts in Urban Areas’, ‘Food Systems Education and Student-driven Food Reform In New Orleans’, and ‘Organizing for Workers’  and Immigrants’ Rights in Community Food Systems’  whats not to find engaging?

Also, the Fair Trade Green Store is now hiring!  I (Katherine) am sad-to-be-leaving but happy-to-be-going.  So Karen needs some help!  Stop by today and pick up an application.

The Rainbow Plaza is a drop point for a MARL dog food drive, so drop off dog food donations through Saturday September 4.  They try to keep the pups on Purina or Pedigree Dog Chow and Puppy Chow, but will accept all donations.

Finally some fun events courtesy of the JFP events listing:

Jackson Audubon Society Monthly Bird Walk

Sat, Sep 4, 8:00 am.

The walk will be led by an experienced Audubon Society member. Bring binoculars, water, insect repellent and a snack. Call ahead if you would like to borrow a pair of binoculars. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

LeFleur’s Bluff State Park – Mayes Lake.

Free, $3 car entrance fee.

Drum Circle

Tue, Sep 7, 7:30 pm.

The event features drummers of all ages and from various musical backgrounds who come together to play traditional and contemporary rhythms.

The Commons at Eudora Welty’s Birthplace.

Free

Olde Towne Market

Sat, Sep 4, 9:00 am.

Vendors will sell everything from fresh produce to unique handmade crafts on the brick streets of Olde Towne Clinton. Live performances by Ralph Miller and Nicholas Pennock are included.

Downtown Clinton.

Free admission.

Adult Craft Camp

Sep 4 – Sep 6.

Sessions are from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. each day. Topics include recycled art, jewelry making, weaving, fused glass, knitting, woodcarving, spinning, woodcarving and blacksmithing. Lunch is included if you take two or more classes.

Mississippi Craft Center.

$100-$400 (based on number of classes taken)

Bridges out of Poverty.

This is a training program that enables organizations and individuals to become more effective in addressing poverty issues in their community.

Voice of Calavary Ministries 531 W. Capitol St Jackson

stay awesome

I guess with the start of school this week its official, we are turning the corner on summer.  Its the beginning of the end of summer.  So savor the sound of cicadas, revel in the way your damp shirt clings to your back when you finish your car trip, note how little effort it takes to get a full body sweat gland detox, and by all means, eat good.  Tomatoes don’t last forever!  nor do blueberries, figs, watermelons, cucumbers, peppers, squash, beans, peas, corn or peaches.  So put down the bag of frozen english peas.  Save them for some cold winter’s night.  Eat a seasonal, locally produced meal ’cause you can.

A few upcoming events around town followed by info on farmers markets:

“Health Care Concerns in the Wake of Oil” This Saturday (August 14) presentation by Riki Ott (phD, Marine Toxicologist and author, Veteran of Exxon Valdez Spill Recovery, contributor to Huffintonpost, MSNBC and CNN), Paul Byers (MD, State Epidemiologist) and Scott Sumrall (MHSA, Director of Disaster Preparedness and Response for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.  from 10-12 in the Leggett Center of Millsaps Student Center.  presented by the Mississippi Democratic Club.

The Natural Resource Initiative of Mississippi presents a FREE workshop for training for planners, engineers, natural resource managers, land developers and public officials of Hinds, Madison, and Rankin Counties on “Strategic Conservation Planning Using a Green Infrastructure Approach” September 13-15, 2010 at Holmes Community College in Ridgeland. The workshop uses hands-on projects (based on the Pearl River-Ross Barnett Watershed area), lectures, and case studies to introduce this cutting edge collaborative approach to development.  It is being offered in conjunction with Rezonate!, an outreach effort call to action for the Ross Barnett Reservoir Initiative encouraging people to take action to protect and restore the Reservoir.register here

And cause I know yall are a kind of a do-it-yourself kind of bunch, maybe you are looking to be the change you seek by starting a non profit?  Get on board now cause this workshop is tomorrow!

“The Right Way to Start a Nonprofit” Workshop

Aug 13 – Aug 14.

Learn how to get state and federal approval, the requirements for registering, completing the IRS application and how to legally solicit funds in Mississippi. Paperwork for establishing the nonprofit organization will also be completed. Sessions are from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days.

Mississippi Center for Nonprofits.

$249.

Here’s a run down on local farmers markets

The High Street Farmers Market/ Belhaven Market

Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 8-2.

on High Street in Jackson, just past the entrance to the fairgrounds (there are plenty of signs pointing the way) (widest selection of any market in town, esp on Saturdays.  more veggies/ fruits than you can count– some organic– plus eggs, whole chicken, beef shares, and fantastic goat cheese– try the feta)

The Old Farmers Market

open everyday.  maybe not sunday.

its on the corner of Woodrow Wilson and West Streets in Jackson

The Roadmap to Health Farmers Market

Tuesday and Friday 10-6, 8-3:30 on Saturdays

close to the old Medical Mall, 2458 Livingston Rd

There are a few markets up Old Canton towards the Reservoir, open most everyday, with a dependable selection of palate pleasers.

Also, keep your eyes out for info on the Old Towne Market in Clinton (its every other week) and the Market in Fondren .  The next Fondren Market is August 21.

Finally, a list of markets around the state here

This weekend is members weekend in Rainbow Grocery, members who stop in and see us get 5% off purchases here!  We have some great new stuff in so be sure to stop in and see us!

hellooo

Its summertime– a great time to be a good person.  Also a good time to stay cool with camp and classes.

Educator Sarah Wynn Gentry brings her love of the earth and her expereince with children together as coordinator for Camp Rainbow!  Its a steal at $35 for the week (and just $10 siblings!), its targeted at children in 1st-6th grades, but is open for younger kids with a parent.  More info here.

If you are past 6th grade but want to get your eco-brain on with some like minded folks, check out the Mississippi Institute for Sustainability Home Grown Sustainability Conference.  (info here, click on ‘conference schedule’ to see a list of topics covered).  Its at the end of the month.

Also, whats for dinner?  Does it have something local in it?  As we swing into the season of abundance, make sure the answer is a happy (and healthy!) ‘yes!’

Here’s the run down on local farmers markets

The High Street Farmers Market/ Belhaven Market

Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 8-2.

on High Street in Jackson, just past the entrance to the fairgrounds (there are plenty of signs)

The Old Farmers Market

open everyday.  maybe not sunday.

its on the corner of Woodrow Wilson and West Streets in Jackson

The Roadmap to Health Farmers Market

Tuesday and Friday 10-6, 8-3:30 on Saturdays

close to the old Medical Mall, 2458 Livingston Rd

Also, keep your eyes out for info on the Old Towne Market in Clinton (its every other week) and the Market in Fondren.

Finally, a list of markets around the state here

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has a grant running to give recycling bins (the kind people can deposit recycables into, not the street side kind) to groups around the state.  Read about it here.

Here is a list of classes and events, culled from the JFP events listing.
The Earth and Beyond.

Mon, Jul 26, 8:00 am.

Participants will learn about geology, atmospheric science and astronomy. Open registration is for adults and students in grades 5-8. Adults must accompany youth.

Plymouth Bluff Center.

Free.

Mississippi River Master Naturalist Program

Jan 5 – Dec 28.

The Mississippi River Field Institute of the National Audubon Society has launched a program to educate and engage people in the conservation of the Mississippi River. This flexible program is open to anyone ages 18 and up and covers a broad range of naturalist education topics including the hydrology, ecology, habitats, plants, insects, fishes and birds of the Mississippi River. The course of study can be completed in as few as 10 weeks or as long as 1 year depending on the participant’s schedule. The cost covers membership in the National Audubon Society and books for the course. The program can be taken for college or CEU credits through several regional colleges. Additional costs will apply.

Southern Cultural Heritage Center.

$350.

Project Redirectory Recycling Program

Jun 1 – Aug 31.

The telephone book recycling project ends August 31. Bins are located throughout the metro Jackson area, and you can schedule a pickup from your business if you have 50 books or more. Contact Keep Jackson Beautiful for a list of locations. Books may also be dropped off at Recycling Services (3010 N. Mill Street).

Is it hot enough for you?  HAPPY SUMMER!

The days just get shorter from here…

Busy week this week!  Get the practicalities on urban forests, meet fellow outdoor enthusiasts, hold hands for mother earth, and more!

Saturday there is a event on the coast– people are gathering to hold hands and say yes to clean energy and no to offshore drilling.

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, JUNE 23 and 24

“Shaping Public Policy Toward Green and Trees” Seminar

9:00

Topics include tree ordinances, landscape codes and tree inventories. Buck Abbey and Steve Shultz are the presenters. “More and more communities are embracing urban and community forests as a valuable  part of their community.  This  seminar will teach you how to develop effective tree ordinances and landscape  codes.  You will also learn how to  measure the benefits of trees, inventory these benefits and develop management  plans to increase benefits.  This  seminar will feature the latest information, technical tools and trends in  community forestry, the most critical element of green infrastructure.  Learn how to ensure  developing the best community possible  for future generations.    MML will give 2 CEU for elected officials

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.

$45, free for elected officials and city/county employees.

THURSDAY JUNE 24
Mississippi Outdoor Club General Meeting
6:00 pm.
Dinner is at 6 p.m., and the program begins at 6:45 p.m. Larry and Rhea Estes of Clinton will show photos and talk about their camping and backpacking trip across New Zealand from Oct. 2009 to Jan. 2010. Aladdin.

Birds of a Feather

7:00 pm.

Paint birds and add fabric and buttons to create a mixed media piece. Easely Amused – Flowood.  $32

FRIDAY JUNE 25
I-Tree Inventory Field Training
9:00 am.
i-Tree is a free program designed to assist communities in managing and establishing real values on community trees. It will address inventory methods, procedures and technology, how to use the tree data for planning and building an urban forest and how to  calculate the benefits of the community forests and trees
Freedom Ridge Park. Free
Agenda  Items:
Tree  Ordinances and Landscape Codes:  (9AM- 4PM each  day)
1.  Administration of tree and landscape codes and resources
2.Typical Tree Ordinance Concerns
3.  Researching Community codes, ordinances and public policy
4. Writing a Community  Ordinance
5.  New Directions in tree ordinances and landscape codes
6. Special Trees for Mississippi Communities
7.  Using a Model Ordinance (Tree Ordinance Template)
8.  Some effective tree ordinances
9.  Tree Preservation & Planting
To register  send your name and email to the  Mississippi Urban Forest Council at dyowell@aol.com or register at the door. For  more information contact Donna Yowell at (601) 672-0755.

SUNDAY JUNE 27
Ice Cream Sunday 2:00 PM
The family-oriented event will foster positive growth and creativity in youth throughout the city of Jackson by helping them explore creative and constructive forms of expression.Koinonia Coffee House.  Free.

NEXT WEEK IS THE LAST WEEK FOR
Nature Day Camp
Jun 14 – Jul 2.
Children will learn about trees, wildlife and other aspects of nature. Session I for children entering second and third grades is June 14-18. Session II for children entering fourth and fifth grades is June 21-25, and Session III for children entering sixth through eighth grades is June 28-July 2. Sessions are 9 a.m.-noon each day
Clinton Community Nature Center. $60 with discounts for members.

CONTINUING THROUGH JULY

The Art of Living Smart Summer Program

Jun 7 – Jul 30.

The healthy lifestyles day camp for age groups 6-12 and 13-15 provides a great opportunity for students interested in music, dance and visual arts. The camp will meet weekdays from 1-5 p.m. Activities include art, music, dance/creative movement, gardening, cooking and field trips. Students will participate in making the snacks each afternoon, and many of the other activities will be hands-on. Daily attendance is required. Slots are limited.

B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center.  Indianola.  Free.

GOOD EATS ALL SUMMER AND FALL
Farmers Market
Apr 30 – Dec 19.
Buy from a wide selection of fresh produce provided by participating local farmers. Market hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Tuesday and Fridays, and 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Jackson Roadmap to Health Equity Project’s Farmers Market.

AND WHEN YOU MAKE TIME…
Mississippi River Master Naturalist Program
Jan 5 – Dec 28.
The Mississippi River Field Institute of the National Audubon Society has launched a program to educate and engage people in the conservation of the Mississippi River. This flexible program is open to anyone ages 18 and up and covers a broad range of naturalist education topics including the hydrology, ecology, habitats, plants, insects, fishes and birds of the Mississippi River. The course of study can be completed in as few as 10 weeks or as long as 1 year depending on the participant’s schedule. The cost covers membership in the National Audubon Society and books for the course. The program can be taken for college or CEU credits through several regional colleges. Additional costs will apply.
Southern Cultural Heritage Center. VIcksburg.  $350.