Northbrook Tower Reviews GGN November 21st Energy Presentation

This article appeared in the Northbrook Tower

HEADLINE: Go Green Northbrook reviews $1M in GBN energy savings
Subhead: Go Green NB discusses more saving techniques

by Alan P. Henry
November 26, 2013

The newly formed Go Green Northbrook group attracted 40 people to its first meeting at the Northbrook Public Library on Thursday, Nov. 21.

There to discuss energy conservation with the grassroots organization was Dan Whisler, Glenbrook North High School assistant plant operator, who told the audience that GBN saved more than $1 million since the 2008-2009 school year via various energy conservation techniques.

"We have come a long way in the last five years," Whisler said. "There are a lot of things we can continue to do to save energy and find green products. That is the challenge we have. We just need to continue to search out what's out there."

After involving staff, students and an energy consulting firm in the process, the school instituted aggressive recycling and energy conservation measures, said Whisler. Those measures included replacing florescent lights with LED lights; eliminating the use of Styrofoam in the cafeteria; changing out products for floor stripping and cleaning; handling indoor air quality differently; and recycling items like toner cartridges, batteries, oil and old computers.

Whisler said that not everyone at GBN is as environmentally aware as the students with whom he interacts.

"Unfortunately, [the group is] up against a student population that I don't think is as conscious as they would like them to be, but they keep working at it," Whisler said.

A second speaker of the night, Brandon Leavitt, president of Niles-based Solar Service Inc., discussed the economics and environmental benefits of solar generation for homes, schools and buildings.

Solar Service installed the solar pool heating system at Glenbrook South High School. Over the past 30 years, he said, it has also installed residential solar energy systems in more than 20 Northbrook homes.

"Solar is a very smart, affordable, economical way to create your own energy," Leavitt said.

For an average-sized house, a hot water solar panel system retails for between $10,000 and $12,000, and it costs roughly half that after government incentives. To add heat roughly doubles the price, he said, adding that the tax-free return on investment comes to roughly 8.5 percent a year over six to 12 years. He has also installed solar electric cells in homes for between $20,000 and $40,000; the ROI on that is roughly 8-12 percent a year, he said.

Many people in the audience on Nov. 21 were there on a fact-finding mission. For example, George Heckenbach, a retired engineer, is planning to put solar panels on his Northbrook home and wanted to hear more about the economics of the method. So did Northbrook resident Mike Berg.

"I want to see whether it works for our family and is economically feasible," Berg said.

Furthermore, he hopes to learn whether solar power is a potential way to save money at St. Norbert School in Northbrook.

"Our tagline is, 'Think ahead,' and I would think [solar power] would fit under that tag," he said.

Also in attendance was Joe Salvato, an environmental activist with Organizing for Action, an offshoot of Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee. He explained that part of his mandate is to get involved in local community projects such as Go Green. "There are many environmental projects out there, and everybody can just share. I am pretty excited," he said.

Northbrook resident Ron Mauer said he has "an open mind on things."

"But I question whether solar will work in Illinois," Mauer said. "Unless they can show me that Commonwealth Edison is willing to buy back electricity at the same rate that they sell it to you, then it doesn't make economic sense. I know a lot of people got stuck doing solar down in Florida, and they got rid of it."

The meeting was moderated by Northbrook resident Doug Gerleman, who formed Go Green Northbrook six months ago. He was chair of the environmental commission in Northbrook for 15 years and created and chaired the bicycle commission. The group now has an email list of 95 people who live or work in Northbrook and has organized into 10 teams studying various issues.

Go Green Northbrook's next scheduled public meeting at the Northbrook Public Library will be in February, when it addresses the value of forest preserves. For more information on the group, visit www.gogreennorthbrook.org.

Tomorrow Night • November 25th • 7:00 PM • NBK Library • Are These the Reasons Behind the Destruction of our Environment?

What is a Sustainable Community?

In many ways, this ARTICLE sums up the entire mission of Go Green Northbrook.  Here is an excerpt:

“Sustainable communities share a common purpose:  places where people thrive to enjoy good health and create a high quality of life.  

A sustainable community reflects the interdependence of economic, environmental, and social issues by acknowledging that regions, cities, towns and rural lands must continue into the future without diminishing the land, water, air, natural and cultural resources that support them.  

Housing, transportation and resource conservation are managed in ways that retain the economic, ecological and scenic values of the environment. 

And they are communities where the consumption of fossil fuels, emissions of greenhouse gases, water resources and pollution are minimized.”

Time To Speak Up Against Carbon Pollution by Amanda Hanley

Amanda Hanley is a friend of Go Green Northbrook. She is the Co-Founder of the Hanley Family Foundation, formed to promote environmental, educational and humanitarian programs. A strong advocate of environmental protection and innovative ideas for a healthier planet, people and economy, she’s been seeking out sustainable solutions for over 20 years. Ms. Hanley serves as Co-Chair of the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) Midwest Council; Board Member of the Academy for Global Citizenship, a green Chicago Public Charter School; and Co-Founder of North Shore Green Women, a social network for local green women activists and professionals. She shares inspiring, smart, fun, local eco-information on her blog, wren.

Last Friday, over 230 citizens voiced their concerns at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listening session in Chicago about proposed carbon pollution standards for existing power plants. I was one of them. Although I'd much rather be behind a laptop than a microphone, I took the opportunity to speak before an imposing table of EPA administrators in favor of adopting strong carbon limits to protect our communities from climate change.

Among a sea of aqua "CLIMATE ACTION NOW" shirts, speakers overwhelmingly stood in support of the power plant standards, three to one. Nearby at the Federal Plaza, 500 enthusiastic supporters came together to cheer on the Climate Rally. People are standing up for good reason.

READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE. . .

Amanda Hanley is also the author of Solar Surprises in Illinois.

If you would like your opinion heard, written comments may be submitted to carbonpollutioninput@epa.gov.  We have been told that written comments bear as much weight as live comments at the hearing, so please take one minute to make your voice heard. It matters. 

FRACK ATTACK

The rules for fracking have been published and the time is NOW to PUSH BACK!

YOUR FRACKING TO-DO LIST:

1. Hear about THE FRACKING RULES • Tuesday, November 19th 

    11:00 AM to 1:00 PM • AM1710 or www.que4.org 

    New progressive radio show called, "All In For Mother Earth"

    www.facebook.com/AllinForMotherEarth

    Re-broadcast on Thursday, November 21th, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and

                                     Saturday, November 23rd, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

    Dr. Lora Chamberlain of Frack Free Illinois will host a discussion with

    Frack Free IL members and Tabitha Tripp of Southern Illinois

2. PUBLIC HEARINGS • Bring your friends!

    Tuesday, November 26th, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

    University of Illinois at Chicago [UIC]

    726 S. Halsted Street

    Student Center East, Room 302

    Chicago, Il 60607

NOTE: Citizens who want to speak will be given four minutes and should bring a written copy of their comment to provide a record of testimony. 

Comments can also be submitted online at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/OilandGas/Pages/OnlineCommentSubmittalForm.aspx.  All public comments are due by Friday, January 3, 2014.

    

3. Fracking Info as it becomes available at:

    www.facebook.com/FrackFreeIllinois

ENERGY/SOLAR PRESENTATION • November 21st • 7:00 PM • Northbrook Public Library Auditorium

No Walmart

From the Village via email:

Walmart Appplication Withdrawn

The Village of Northbrook was just notified that 

Walmart has withdrawn their application for 

zoning changes to construct a 150,000 square foot 

Supercenter at 1000 Skokie Blvd. 

The Walmart withdrawal comes prior to the 

Plan Commission formally voting on a 

recommendation to the Village Board 

and therefore ends the application process 

prior to the Village Board review. 

Visit www.northbrook.il.us for updates and other 

Village news. 

Northbrook's Unique Link to Lake Michigan Water

[Reprinted from the Northbrook Tower online]

Time Lines: Northbrook still enviable for its Lake Michigan water line

by Judy Hughes, Northbrook Historical Society

October 23, 2013

In many ways, Northbrook was forever changed because of a dream that began more than a half-century ago. 

The Sept.14, 1963, culmination of this monumental achievement passed unnoticed by most, but it's still well worth acknowledging the virtual miracle that occurred because of citizen involvement and a desire to improve our Village. 

To understand the significance of this event, let's go back to the beginning for the story of how Shermerville -- and later Northbrook -- residents got their water.

From 1901, when the Village was first incorporated, until 1916, the only sources for water were from rain, individual wells, cisterns and the river. For example, the Northfield Inn -- now the site of the Northbrook History Museum -- relied on a cistern and rain collection system to provide gravity-fed water for faucets and indoor plumbing when a bathroom was aadded in 1906

In 1916, Shermerville residents were taxed to build sewer and water distribution systems, including a deep well. Eventually, in 1928, the Village — which had been renamed Northbrook in 1923 — began purchasing water from the Village of Glencoe. In 1941, with a connecting valve to a 1,500-foot-deep well on the Culligan property at Lorenz Drive and Walters Avenue, the Village had a backup system if for any reason Glencoe was unable to supply water to Northbrook. This system proved its worth in 1949, when a major break occurred in the main Glencoe-to-Northbrook supply line.

The growing populations of both villages in the early 1950s put a strain on Glencoe's ability to supply water for its own residents along with the rapidly growing Village of Northbrook. In 1953, Northbrook contracted to build a 500,000-gallon elevated water storage tank to alleviate low pressure in the distribution system. In 1957, the Village constructed a re-chlorination and booster pump station at Dundee and Shermer to help improve distribution.

But even with these improvements, it was clear that something more had to be done. The Glencoe water plant was nearing production capacity, which meant that both communities were grappling with a water crisis. Options included expanding the Glencoe plant or building a separate water treatment plant to serve only Northbrook.

Northbrook Village trustees undertook a comprehensive study of the water system in 1958. By October 1960, both the consultant's report and the primary engineering report confirmed the feasibility of the Village building its own water filtration plant, which could deliver water to the Village at a lower cost than an expanded system in Glencoe could.

In July 1961, the board formed a 27-member Citizen's Water Committee to "look over the shoulder of the Village Board ... as they worked to find a solution to the water problem." Endless hours of fact-finding, study and debate culminated in an October report stating in part, "The Citizen's Water Committee endorses the recommendations of the Water Committee of the Village Board to proceed with action necessary to provide a water plant for Northbrook."

Once the decision to build — and thereby become the only offshore municipality with direct access to Lake Michigan water — was made, the Village got to work to make it happen. By the end of December 1961, engineers were hired. The riparian agreement to build the lake pumping station and easements to run the pipe line through their property were obtained from North Shore Congregation Israel in March 1962. And by October 1962, the contractor's winning bid was accepted, and $2.33 million in revenue bonds were bid and sold.

Despite a severe winter, water production began just 10 months after the beginning of construction. Village president Bertram Pollak wrote an introductory letter in the brochure sent to Northbrook residents when the facility went online on Sept. 14, 1963. He wrote, in part, "The final chapter of the construction of the pipeline into the lake, the land acquisition and building of the pump house on the lake shore, the bringing of the water transmission line nearly three miles to our filtration plant on Dundee Road and the financing of the entire project was one of frustration, pleasure and satisfaction and untold hours of exhaustive work and extra-ordinary talents freely given."

Village Trustee Mark S. Dalin, who chaired the board's Water Committee, was singled out for special commendation by Pollak. When Dalin died a few years after the project's completion, the board passed a resolution honoring him and the work he did for the residents of Northbrook by naming the water plant The Mark S. Dalin Memorial Water Filtration Plant.

As the Village grew, so did the water distribution system. High-lift pumps and a west-side reservoir came online as the Village limits moved in that direction. The first addition to the lakefront pumping station in 1973 and a 1974 addition to the filtration plant were completed to meet demands of the growing community. In 1993, a 30-inch raw water transmission line, pump station and 48-inch intake system with zebra mussel control capabilities were successfully put into service.

The following year, a new addition to the water plant and related improvements were put online to increase pumping capability to 20 million gallons per day. A second and larger water tower located near Huehl Road was the most recent addition to the water transmission system.

The audacity of the dream and bringing that dream to fruition also sealed Northbrook's ability to control development. That's because any developments requesting to hook up to the Village water system were required to adhere to Village codes, which were stricter than county codes and, thus, helped the Village control its own destiny.

This achievement emerged as a keystone in the longstanding Northbrook tradition of citizen involvement, and it remains something from which all Village residents benefit today. Fifty years later, Northbrook still is in the enviable position of being the only offshore community drawing its water directly from Lake Michigan.

Time Lines is a monthly column submitted by members of the Northbrook Historical Society.

First Go Green Northbrook Membership Gathering

The first official meeting of the Go Green Membership convened last night from 7 to 9 PM before a full house at the Chamber of Commerce. Approximately one third of those who have expressed an interest in Go Green Northbrook activities were on hand to hear how much has been planned and what's currently underway in the recently formed organization.  

Facilitator for the evening was Doug Gerleman, GGN's founding father. He introduced the group to several of the active GGN teams [see side bar], along with their Go Green Champions -- the volunteers who have stepped up to provide each of those teams with leadership. During the question and answer period following the presentations, a local arborist offered to lead a forestry team, after pointing out the critical loss of tree canopy throughout the area, in large part because of insects, fungus, and changing climate. 

Portions of the meeting were videotaped and we hope to have YouTube links available shortly. For starters you can watch the evening's introduction.

If you would like to participate or support Go Green Activities, please email Doug Gerleman at gogreennorthbrook@gmail.com to sign up. 

Also, if you are currently following Go Green Northbrook on this blog, we hope you will also LIKE us on Facebook and check out our new website, http://gogreennorthbrook.org, which is still is its formative stages, but up and running. Meanwhile, here are some of the smiling faces of the members in attendance:

So You Want to Compost

If you're in the mood to get started RIGHT NOW!!! Check out our sidebar for Organic Gardening's How-To Compost instructions and start composting! 

On the other hand, if you're more of an armchair composter, take a look at some garden photos of Go Green Northbrook members who gave us the scoop on their recipes for great compost. 

As you can see from the photos below, GGN members, John and Merilee Novinson, have an enviable backyard. These are just a few of the pictures we took in September.

  
The Novinsons try to avoid manmade pesticides and fertilizers as much as possible, so a good part of their gardening success relies on composting. 

It all starts at the kitchen sink, where egg shells, coffee grounds, and vegetable matter -- anything leftover from cooking that you'd usually put down the disposal -- is tossed into a covered ceramic container. However, no meat or milk products are allowed. When the container is full, they empty it into one of three compost bins located in the back of their yard, all of which are well hidden behind a work shed. In a perfect composting world, each bin would been in a different stage of development, but Merilee confesses they aren't as scientific as some and work all three equally. Grass clippings and leaves are also part of the mix. They also add extra dirt to encourage earthworms to do their part.

Step ONE -- the decorative ceramic can collects egg shells, coffee grounds, and vegetable cuttings before they go down the disposal. 

 Step TWO: The compost ingredients from the kitchen are mixed with grass clippings and leaves from the yard with a layer of dirt added. Then it's all tossed until done. This batch looks like it's just had some leaves added to the mix so it'll be ready for spreading in spring. 

Step THREE: Add water. Not too much. Not too little. [Helpful, aren't we?] When the compost has been turned over and mixed everyday for six months -- okay, once a week until it's ready [i.e., it all looks like dirt] -- the sifter that John Novinson made comes out. The screening is just large enough to allow lima bean size pieces of compost through the holes. 

Merilee Novinson demonstrates her technique for shoveling compost on top of the screen so it can be sifted into the wheelbarrow for use in their garden. Any clumps of compost too big for the screening are returned to the bins. 

Go Green Founder, Doug Gerleman [below], uses his side yard to create compost for his garden. The area is protected by a chain link fence and tucked behind bushes. His garden compost nourishes raspberries and grapes as well as a variety of vegetables. He even harvests his next door neighbor's pears and the apples from another neighbor's tree, mainly so they don't go to waste. In the spring he carries his finished compost over to the Community Garden at the Episcopal Church, where he grows even more fruits and vegetables. 

Two helpful composting web sites suggested by Doug are:

http://eartheasy.com/grow_compost.html

http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/how-build-compost-pile

 

It is very important for a group composting effort to assign specific people to water and turn – aerate the compost.  If dead plants are just thrown in a bin area without water or turning they do not decompose quickly.  Also, if weeds-seeds or plants with herbicides are put in the compost pile everyone’s garden plot will be contaminated.

The Northbrook community gardens each created 4 compost bin areas.  (You can see them at the Village Garden behind the Village Hall or behind St Giles on Walters.)  The first bin is for raw, uncomposted plant material directly from a garden plot.  As the material ripens 1 person is responsible for turning and watering it, and then moving it to the next more-composted-stage bin.  This turning and moving the compost to bins 3 and 4 continues as it ripens.  When the compost get to the final bin it is “mature” compost and ready to spread on your garden. 

Also, the more sun that gets to the compost bins the more rapid the decomposition.

Here Comes the Future

Some interesting new gadgets -- some solar,  some salt water powered, some totally off the wall --  all of which we thought you might enjoy.  Bike Pack Secret Drawer  Glass Holder  Traffic Signal with Hour glass timer  Solar Charging while Parking  No more Blind Spots (rear view mirror)     Wearable wireless mouse  Hidden Power Outlet  Ruler with holes for precision  Eco friendly Toilet  Mobile Charging made easy  Solar rocking chair  You can find the keyhole even when drunk  Digital Measuring Cup  Built-in Wall extension cord  iPhone Lens  Spoke-less bicycle  Compact Boots  Digital Ink for Tablets  Salt Water Powered Clock  Knives Set  Wifi Digital Pen  Calender Ring  Solar Powered Camping Tent

Headaches? It could be the hidden MSG

There are lots of reasons for headaches. MSG may or may not be one of them. Despite much anecdotal evidence, some researchers believe that the jury's still out on MSG syndrome. Those are the symptoms which seem to strike about an hour after eating foods laced with the taste enhancer. But, sometimes scientific testing takes a while to catch up with real world experience. If you think you may be sensitive to the additive and want to take the time to check food labels before you buy, you should know that MSG has a bunch of alternative names to disguise its presence.  We found helpful information on the subject at the Truth in Labeling website.

1.  http://www.truthinlabeling.org/II.WhereIsMSG.html
2.  http://www.truthinlabeling.org/hiddensources.html

As you will see from the Truth in Labeling information provided below, the authors assume that MSG syndrome exists. 

Low fat and no fat milk products often contain milk solids that contain MSG and many dairy products contain carrageenan, guar gum, and/or locust bean gum.  Low fat and no fat ice cream and cheese may not be as obvious as yogurt, milk, cream, cream cheese, cottage cheese, etc., but they are not exceptions.

Protein powders contain glutamic acid, which, invariably, will be processed free glutamic acid (MSG).  Individual amino acids are not always listed on labels of protein powders. If you see the word“protein” in an ingredient label, the product contains MSG.

At present there is an FDA requirement to include the protein source when listing hydrolyzed protein products on labels of processed foods.  Examples are hydrolyzed soy protein, hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed pea protein, hydrolyzed whey protein, hydrolyzed, corn protein. If a tomato, for example, were whole, it would be identified as a tomato. Calling an ingredient tomato protein indicates that the tomato has been hydrolyzed, at least in part, and that processed free glutamic acid (MSG) is present.

Disodium guanylate and disodium inosinate are relatively expensive food additives that work synergistically with inexpensive MSG. Their use suggests that the product has MSG in it. They would probably not be used as food additives if there were no MSG present.

MSG reactions have been reported from soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, and cosmetics, where MSG is hidden in ingredients with names that include the words "hydrolyzed," "amino acids," and/or "protein."  Most sun block creams and insect repellents also contain MSG.

Drinks, candy, and chewing gum are potential sources of hidden MSG and/or aspartame, neotame. and AminoSweet (the new name for aspartame). Aspartic acid, found in neotame, aspartame (NutraSweet), and AminoSweet, ordinarily causes MSG type reactions in MSG sensitive people. (It would appear that calling aspartame "AminoSweet" is industry's method of choice for hiding aspartame.) We have not seen Neotame used widely in the United States. 

Aspartame will be found in some medications, including children's medications. For questions about the ingredients in pharmaceuticals, check with your pharmacist and/or read the product inserts for the names of “other” or “inert” ingredients.

Binders and fillers for medications, nutrients, and supplements, both prescription and non-prescription, enteral feeding materials, and some fluids administered intravenously in hospitals, may contain MSG.

According to the manufacturer, Varivax–Merck chicken pox vaccine (Varicella Virus Live), contains L-monosodium glutamate and hydrolyzed gelatin, both of which contain processed free glutamic acid (MSG) which causes brain lesions in young laboratory animals, and causes endocrine disturbances like OBESITY and REPRODUCTIVE disorders later in life.  It would appear that most, if not all, live virus vaccines contain some ingredient(s) that contains MSG.

Reactions to MSG are dose related, i.e., some people react to even very small amounts. MSG-induced reactions may occur immediately after ingestion or after as much as 48 hours.  The time lapse between ingestion and reaction is typically the same each time for a particular individual who ingests an amount of MSG that exceeds his or her individual tolerance level.

Remember: By food industry definition, all MSG is "naturally occurring." "Natural" doesn't mean "safe."  "Natural" only means that the ingredient started out in nature, like arsenic and hydrochloric acid.

Carol Wagner • Game Changer

Game Changer -- a person or idea that transforms the accepted rules, processes, strategies, and management of an organization. And leads the movement of similar organizations in the same direction.

 
A couple of weeks ago on this blog, we had the temerity to brag that members of Go Green Northbrook were game changers. Carol Wagner, a member of The Go Green Northbrook School Team, is a perfect example.

She has been instrumental in helping to create a healthier culture across Northbrook School District 28, starting in the cafeteria. She spearheaded an evolution in the Northbrook Junior High lunch menu -- from the conventional choices of processed foods, often high in fats and carbohydrates, to an organic menu that includes recipes made with fresh ingredients, free from pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. 

A Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Carol began partnering with District 28 in 2004 with several initiatives, beginning with a Nutrition Task Force, comprised of the Junior High Principal, Superintendent, School Board members, the District Business Manager, a Parent/Nutrition Consultant, a Teacher, the Food Service Vendor, and later, a Student Representative. This team meets monthly and Carol feels that much of the District's success comes from having the key stakeholders around the table every month, focused on nutrition, health, and wellness. 

Some of the ideas she consulted on that first year included improving the physical features of the cafeteria, from its aesthetics to upgraded equipment. The deep fryer was removed and a steamer was added. The menu was revised. Soda was eliminated. A required six-week Healthy Eating class was added to the 6th grade curriculum. And there were guest lectures by a holistic nutritionist, well-versed in ways to make it fun to learn about the benefits of healthier foods. Carol even reached out to a James Beard award-winning chef, Sarah Stegner, of Northbrook's own Prairie Grass Cafe, to help create some delicious recipes for the cafeteria. 

At first, the seventh and eighth graders were a little chagrined that the pizza and fries they expected were no longer on the menu every single day. Baked fries a few times a week and pizza on Fridays soon became the norm and the grumbling eventually quieted down. The sixth graders, in their first year of junior high, adjusted to the change more readily, since they were new and didn't know there had ever been anything else.  

Most recently, in 2012-13, the ninth year since the district began building a healthier culture, a new organic food service management company was hired and a garden/outdoor classroom was built. The first spring crop of vegetables was planted and harvested with help from classes at the elementary schools. [WATCH VIDEO HERE.] The harvest was used in the Northbrook Junior High cafeteria with signage to alert students that the produce they were eating was from their garden. Garden activities were incorporated into the curriculum and a year-end survey of students and staff was distributed for feedback and suggestions for the new food service. 

Lessons learned from the District 28 multi-year wellness initiative include offering more opportunities for parent engagement and introducing a student rep to sit on the committee earlier in the process. Also, while there may be some initial complaints [remember the eighth graders?], they soon die down.

The impact has been significant. Students began to realize that if they eat better, they can do better in school. To appreciate how much food can affect a student's performance in class, watch this video about the astonishing changes that occurred in an Appleton, Wisconsin, alternative school, when the menu changed. 

Part ONE
Part TWO

Even though the district anticipated a loss for the first year after the cafeteria changes had been made, they were pleased to discover that they broke even and were soon profitable. There has also been an increase in the number of students eating in the cafeteria. Teachers, too! To engage the students even more, they are encouraged to submit recipes for the staff to prepare. There has been a great deal of excitement when a student's recipe has been selected for preparation and offered in the cafeteria. The student's name appears with the name of their entree on the monthly cafeteria menu. 

In 2011, Carol's impressive efforts were recognized by the Chicago Tribune. She was chosen to receive one of their yearly Good Eating Awards. She joined a select group of eight people who, according to the Tribune, "made a difference with their passion, vision, and commitment to quality. All have enhanced the food scene in Chicago with their accomplishments."

Carol makes it clear she has never been alone in her efforts to make change. "What an honor it has been to partner with District 28 on the journey towards building a healthier culture. The receptivity of the top administration at District 28 was instrumental in my ability to serve as a consultant.

"When everyone understands why you're making a change, there is much less resistance. From changing the cafeteria, to creating a mandatory healthy eating class, to fundraising for a garden/outdoor classroom."

To others who want to achieve the same kind of success, Carol doesn't hold back, "Educate! Educate! "Educate! Don't lose your sense of humor, and help dispel the myth that eating healthfully has to taste like your shoes!" 

So. If you're still wondering whether members of Go Green Northbrook have what it takes to make change, you better believe Carol Wagner's got game. 

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

• Northbrook School District 28 • 
Nutritional Philosophy and Menu Guidelines 
For the Northbrook Junior High Cafeteria
[http://ww1.northbrook28.net/index.aspx?nid=119]

Philosophy:

A number of studies have shown a conclusive link between how well students eat and how well they perform in school. Students who consume a more nutritious diet generally tend to demonstrate higher academic achievement.

At the Northbrook Junior High School cafeteria, our commitment is to provide meal options that are as nutritious as possible, as well as affordable for the District and appealing to students. We’ve based our guidelines on published research and generally recognized principles of sound nutrition.

Guidelines:

We primarily serve grass-fed beef. That kind of beef has been shown to be lower in saturated fat, which contributes to higher cholesterol and obesity. It is also free of antibiotics and growth hormones.

We emphasize fresh vegetables and fruits on the menu, using frozen produce when fresh items are not in season. We do not serve canned vegetables, because the process decreases their nutritional content.

The chicken served in the cafeteria is fresh, free-range poultry from Glenview-based Harrison’s Poultry. It contains no hormones or antibiotics.

We serve whole-wheat buns and bread. The process of making whole-wheat bread retains more of the nutrients present in the grains.

We do not serve foods that contain artificial coloring. Some studies have linked artificial colorings in food to hyperactivity in children.

We do not serve drinks that are artificially sweetened with aspartame, based on studies that have linked the chemical to heightened risk for a number of diseases.

We use baking or steaming to cook foods, instead of deep-frying, because those methods reduce the amount of fat in the finished product.

We serve milk, plain and naturally-flavored water, and 100% fruit juice. We do not serve pop in the cafeteria, because those drinks contain large amounts of high-fructose corn syrup, which has been linked to obesity and diabetes.