Common Ground’s Coast-to-Coast Showings
Common Ground is the informative, moving and entertaining 2023 documentary that is underscoring the benefits of regenerative agriculture to a broad public audience. If you haven’t seen it yet, or would like to see it again, you’ll have multiple opportunities on or around Earth Day on April 22.
Local Food Forum recently shared a Save the Date for Chicago presentations of the movie, part of an Earth Day spectacular on Monday, April 22 that will include showings in more than 75 theaters across the country.
Now we have all the details.
Date: Monday, April 22
Times: 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Location: AMC River East 21, 322 E. Illinois St., Chicago
Rather catch it in the suburbs? There’s an April 22 showing at Classic Cinemas Tivoli in Downers Grove.
And if you’re too booked to see Common Ground that day… how about the day before? Because this important film is also getting five live showings around Chicagoland on Sunday, April 21 as part of the annual One Earth Film Festival. The showings will take place simultaneously beginning at 1:30 p.m.
I have to call special attention to the showing that day at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, located at 2430 N. Cannon Dr. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park (the actual park, on the shore of beautiful North Pond). I call this out because along with the movie, you’ll be able to peruse the exhibit of my nature photos, taken at North Pond, that I’m honored to have on the museum’s walls through October.
Click below to reserve your free tickets for the showing.
Of course, this isn’t meant to slight the other four venues, listed below.
• Chicago Cultural Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theater, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago. As noted, the film showing starts at 1:30 p.m, but arrive at 12 p.m. for the Action Fair in the 2nd Floor Rotunda, where you’ll enjoy free refreshments and fellowship with environmental advocates.
• Illinois Institute of Technology Tower, 10 W. 35th St., Chicago. This is a collaboration with Bronzeville Partners. Meet community leaders and organizations that are dedicated to Earth Justice and learn how you can get involved. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Free parking lot across the street between 34th and 35th Streets.
• Three Brothers Theater, 221 N. Genessee St., Waukegan.
• Oak Park Public Library, Veterans Room, 834 Lake St., Oak Park
I had an early chance to see this documentary when Naturally Chicago, for which I’m a consultant, hosted the Chicago premiere of the movie last November 18. I highly recommend it.
Coming Up Monday: Local Food Forum’s Webinar Debut
I would never forgive myself if I didn’t remind you that the debut of Local Food Forum’s “Better” Dialogues webinar series is coming up this coming Monday (April 15) at 7 p.m. central time.
Like the Common Ground film, the topic is regenerative agriculture, which is all about repairing, improving and preserving our vital soils while showing that farming can be a solution to climate change while promoting animal welfare.
And I have some big news: Joining our panel is Paul Lightfoot, general manager of Patagonia Provisions — the food and beverage division of Patagonia — which brings to market foods to fight the environmental crisis.
Paul is Board chair for the Regenerative Organic Alliance, which administers the Regenerative Organic Certified® standard. Regenerative Organic Certified® is based on three pillars that require farmers to use practices that ensure healthy soil, pasture-based animal welfare, and fairness for farmers and workers.
Paul is joining an all-star panel that includes:
• Marty Travis, a longtime sustainable farming advocate who owns Spence Farm and leads the Down at the Farms farming collaborative, both in Fairbury, Illinois.
• Greg Wade, head baker at Chicago's Publican Quality Bread and managing partner of the legendary One Off Hospitality restaurant group, who is a longtime customer of Spence Farm's flours. Greg was honored in 2019 with the James Beard Foundation Award as the nation’s best baker, and he and Marty were featured in the 2016 farming documentary Sustainable.
• Tim Brown, who gave up a tech career a decade ago to start growing produce and chickens organically at his Broadview Farm & Gardens in Marengo, Illinois.
I am co-hosting the series with Sarah Stegner, chef-owner of Prairie Grass Cafe in suburban Northbrook and a passionate advocate for a better food system. The webinar series is supported by Mariano’s, Prairie Grass Cafe, Chicago Chefs Cook, and Landmark Pest Management.
And to attend this important conversation, you will pay… nothing. Yes, it’s free. Click below to register.
Farmers Rising’s Kids for Kids Fun on May 18
Farmers Rising is an impactful farmer training non-profit in Caledonia, Illinois. But you know what they say about all work and no play, and Farmers Rising is providing fun on their farm from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 18.
It’s billed as a day for little ones to get to know baby goats and other wee animals, but it sounds like fun for kids of all ages.
It's Spring and that means kidding season! New baby goats, pigs, and chicks are arriving at Farmers Rising, and we are so excited to share their adorable antics with you on Saturday, May 18th. The barns will be open at 10:00 a.m. for families to come visit until 12:00 p.m. Come on out to the farm and meet our new babies and plant some sunflowers in the Garden!
Saturday, May 18th. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. $25/family. $15/individuals. Click below to register.
Bring your cameras! There is an excellent chance guests might witness a baby goat birth as our mothers will be actively kidding during this time. Our On Farm Educators will be present to supervise, explain and answer questions.
Pack a picnic to enjoy in the Picnic Area and our beautiful outdoor Gathering Space.
Please dress for the weather, and wear sturdy shoes and outdoor clothes. Rain or Shine.
Bob’s World, and Welcome to It
Spring joys, forever. For me, few things shout that spring is full on than the flowering of the magnolia trees on Hawthorne Terrace. Not only can we walk amongst all this beauty on our block, but we look down upon it (and other flowering trees) from our apartment.