Saturday, April 14, 2012
Residents have until Monday, April 16, to submit entries into the Green Steps Commission's rain barrel contest. The winning entry will be selected during the Green Steps Commission's April 16 meeting.
April showers bring May flowers, but April showers also bring full rain barrels to the city of Oak Forest. Outside homes and businesses across the city, colored rain barrels are collecting rain water, which can then be be used for a host of outdoor activities, such as lawn maintenance, washing cars and more. The Green Steps Commission doesn't just want plain rain barrels around town, though—the commission wants residents to decorate their barrels, and especially the city's, with the Green Steps Commission Rain Barrel Contest. The winning barrel will be displayed at Oak Forest City Hall and will be displayed at Clean Up Day, April 21. “We want somebody to design the one we display at city hall,” said Jamie Perez, former head of the Green …
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City of Oak Forest
15440 Central Ave, Oak Forest, IL
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Spring has sprung, and the Oak Forest Green Steps Commission wants you to make use of all the spring showers. Get in on the rain barrel program, and save rain water for practical uses.
April showers bring May flowers and full rain barrels—at least if residents sign up for Oak Forest's rain barrel program through the Green Steps Commission. This year, rain barrels went on sale April 1, and as of yesterday, residents can purchase one in person at city hall or via the mail. The rain barrels cost $55 each and come in a variety of colors. Orders are due by the first Saturday of every month, with pickup the following Saturday between 9 and 11 a.m. in the city hall parking lot, or delivery and installation can be arranged free of charge. A rain barrel can, on average, save about 1,300 gallons of water for homeowners over the course of peak summer months, according to a brochure from the city and www.UpCycle-Products.com. The …
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Oak Forest Green Steps Commission's Janine Perez reflects on losing a staple in her TV routine.
Oprah is on the minds of many today as the very final Oprah show airs this morning—especially for Oak Forest resident Janine Perez, who has her own special 'O' moments to remember. On Nov. 16, 2010, Perez was shocked to learn she was selected to be an audience member for Oprah’s “Favorite Things” Show—the annual event during which Oprah gives away all her favorite items that she uses daily to all the audience members in attendance. “She [Oprah] came out in this hideous black dress and said that audience was filled with the country's doers, those who had given of themselves for the betterment of those around them and said that the show was dedicated to them,” Perez explained. “Then she ripped off her black dress to show a red dress and the …
Friday, December 3, 2010
Eco-friendly projects sponsored by the Green Steps Commission will help Oak Forest reduce its carbon footprint.
If 1,000 other cities across the United States can be Cool Cities, why can't Oak Forest? That's what Janine Perez had in mind when she formed the Oak Forest Green Steps Commission to promote a more eco-friendly way of life in town. Now Perez is steering toward a 2012 deadline for converting Oak Forest into a Cool City. And what's a Cool City? As designated by the Sierra Club, Cool Cities cut their carbon footprint 7 percent below 1990 levels. "For about a year I had found myself saying, 'I want to start a group that communicates eco-friendliness.' I wanted to get out the message to create change among the people of Oak Forest," Perez said. "I thought if major cities can make changes to be more eco-conscious, why can't we, a small town …
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City of Oak Forest
15440 Central Ave, Oak Forest, IL
/articles/oak-forest-attempts-to-go-green-and-cool
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Dorothy Laurin
11:15 am on Friday, April 6, 2012
The Green Steps Commission, headed by Ald. Laura Clemons and Ald. Diane Wolf, is advising us to purchase rain barrels to conserve water. These two aldermen both voted to add a $15 quarterly surcharge to our water bills because Oak Forest residents conserved water. Hardly makes sense, does it? more ›