The Urban Forestry Board will planting trees at two locations this weekend!

On Saturday, May 15 you are invited to help the Blue Island Historical Society plant and dedicate a new tree in front of the Society’s home at the Albee house, near the Veterans Memorial Stone located at the corner of Maple Avenue and New Street.  Come learn about the history of this unique stone and why the first tree was chosen to be planted here by the Urban Forestry Board.  Planting begins at 10am with a dedication scheduled for 11am.

Also on the 15th work begins on a new parkway landscape on Vermont Street, east of Western Ave.  The Forestry Board has selected this site for their first streetscape project.  Work begins at 8:30am on digging and site prep, with planting scheduled for 11:30.  The Forestry Board returns here on May 22 at 8am to plant fowers, grasses, and shrubs.

“How much of Chicago’s wealth has come through those rail lines that drive everyone crazy? A lot of it, but again, that’s a historical legacy that’s not told or not recognized. I think Calumet-Sag Trail is going to bring a lot more recognition to the role those communities played in making the Chicagoland what it is today.”  So says Steve Buchtel, Southland coordinator for the Active Transportation Alliance.  Click this link to read this excellent article on the Calumet-Sag Trail – which features Blue Island resident (and bicycle commuter) Marci Frederick, as well as guides you through the history of the Cal-Sag Channel and describes the potential growth the Trail can spur.  Exciting stuff!

Stay up-to-date with the Friends of the Calumet-Sag Trail (there’s a meeting next week!) or watch this video featuring Steve Buchtel.

An opportunity to rid your Home of Hazardous Waste Products!

Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008
8:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Ridgeland Avenue Solids Management Area
119th Street & Ridgeland
Worth, IL

Acceptable Items:
Anti-freeze, Batteries, Cleaners, Fluorescent Bulbs, Insecticides, Medicines, Tires, Weed Killers, etc.

The City of Blue Island will be hosting 1 of 4 Electronic (E)-Recycling Events sponsored by South Suburban Mayors and Managers on Saturday, October 4, 2008 from 9:00am-1:00pm.The E-Recycling events will give South Suburban communities the opportunity to recycle outdated or unusable electronic items, such as computers, computer monitors, cable/wires, laptops, printers, phones, cameras, DVD/VCR players and video games.The drop off location for the event will be the City of Blue Island – Public Works Facility, 3153 Wireton Rd (Vermont Street).  See below for map or click ‘here‘ to download an event flyer.View Larger Map

SSMMA has obtained the services of Vintage Tech Recyclers who will set up the event and sort, package and transport incoming materials at no cost to the municipality. Vintage Tech Recyclers is a local electronic recycling company committed to safely and securely recycling outdated electronics at the lowest possible cost, while keeping hazardous materials out of our landfills and protecting your sensitive data. They are able to keep costs at little or nothing thanks to several IDCEO grants they have been awarded.Vintage Tech Recyclers will perform the majority of the work, but we will be looking for approximately 15-20 volunteers to help during the day of the event. More detailed information will be available on drop-off location, determined. Please call 708.396.7036 or send an email to the Community Development Department with any questions or to volunteer.Oct 4, 2008 E-Recycling Event Flyer: includes event details, map and list of ‘accepted’ & ‘not-accepted’ itemsVintage Tech Electronic Recycling Flier [.pdf]

On September 11, 2007, the Blue Island City Council passed resolution 07-adopting the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Greenest Region Compact. The compact outlines a number of cost-effective environmental sustainability measures that enhance safety, reduce the consumption of energy and fossil fuels, conserve water, and reduce hazardous waste, solid waste and air pollution emissions. In endorsing the compact, Blue Island has agreed to join the effort to improve the metropolitan Chicago region’s environment.

Click ‘here‘ to view Resolution N0. 07-325 A Resolution Endorsing the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus’ Greenest Region Compact.

Click ‘here‘ to view the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus: Greenest Region Compact.