Author Archives: slcgreen

Leonardo After Hours Presents: Is Your Food Killing You?

Yesterday The Leonardo, in partnership with The Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (USTAR), announced the next edition of Leonardo After Hours focusing on making healthy, better informed food choices.

Is Your Food Killing You: Navigating a Full Crop of What Food is Healthy, Toxic and Everything in Between features a dialogue between experts in various fields of nutrition, representatives from the food industry and members of our community. With so many diets, recommendations on how to eat, what we eat, how and where food is grown and nutrition fads, it’s hard to distinguish the food news from food fat. The goal of this discussion is to help us truly understand what is healthy vs. what is not.

Come prepared with your questions and comments.

Where:
The Leonardo
209 East 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Date:
Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Time:
6:00-7:30 p.m.

Cost:
FREE!

Appetizers and drinks are available for purchase.

Partners:
The Utah Science Technology and Research initiative (USTAR) is a long-term, state-funded investment to strengthen Utah’s “knowledge economy” and generate high-paying jobs. Funded in March 2006 by the State Legislature, USTAR is based on three program areas. The first area involves funding for strategic investments at the University of Utah and Utah State University to recruit world-class researchers. The second area is to build state-of-the-art interdisciplinary facilities at these institutions for the innovation teams. The third program area involves teams that work with companies and entrepreneurs across the State to promote science, innovation, and commercialization activities. For more information, follow USTAR on Twitter.

Located in the heart of Salt Lake City at the Library Square TRAX stop, The Leonardo is a first-of-a-kind museum connecting science, technology and creativity. Here, visitors of all ages can exercise their curiosity, their creativity and experience unique, interactive exhibits and an ongoing calendar of public programs, workshops and classes. For more information about The Leonardo visit: www.theleonardo.org.

Celebrate the S-Line Greenway Grand Opening on Sept. 19

You’re invited to the grand opening of the new S-Line Greenway in Salt Lake City!

Grand Opening: Friday, September 19th

Come celebrate the opening of Salt Lake City’s newest public space. The S-Line Greenway is a mile-long linear park running parallel to the streetcar line from 500 East to McClelland Street. The greenway features public art, plazas and a multi-modal segment of Parley’s Trail.

11:30 a.m. Grand Opening Press Conference (S-Line at 600 East)
Join Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker as he marks the official completion of the Greenway and the S-Line’s Parley’s Trail connection. He will be joined by South Salt Lake City Mayor Cherie Wood, County Mayor Ben McAdams and other project partners. Refreshments will be provided.

5:30 & 7:30 p.m. S-Line Community Celebration
Come celebrate the Greenway and it’s new Parley’s Trail connection with the corridor’s artists, designers and community partners. This free event will feature food, art and musical performances along the corridor.

We’ll see you there!

City Partners with Local Yoga School to Offer Free Community Classes

Photo Credit: Yoga News via Flickr

Mayor Ralph Becker is pleased to announce the City’s Parks and Public Lands Division is partnering with Salt Lake Power Yoga to offer residents free community yoga in Pioneer Park. Classes will be available from 6-7 p.m. on Monday evenings in September. The class meets in the southeast corner of the park, just east of the Utah Flying Trapeze operation.

Mayor Becker is committed to working toward a healthy, sustainable and livable community. Read more about his Livability Agenda. Explore how Salt Lake City is doing on the Sustainable City Dashboard.

EVENT: Free Yoga in Pioneer Park

WHO: Salt Lake City and Salt Lake City Power Yoga

WHEN: Sept. 8, 15, 22 and 29

6-7 p.m.

WHERE: Pioneer Park

350 S. 300 West

(southeast corner)

Le Croissant: Caterers with a Green Mission

Businesses around Salt Lake City are “greening” their operations with the help of our e2 program. Le Croissant Catering is one of those success stories we just had to share!

From purchasing renewable energy through the Blue Sky program, to retrofitting their workspace with high-efficiency lighting, and now exploring options for a more efficient heating and cooling system, Le Croissant has worked diligently to reduce their environmental impact. Of all the changes that this company has made, perhaps the most notable is the sustainability efforts to green their waste stream. Previously, items like food waste, disposable utensils, and basic trash materials were put into an overflowing dumpster and everything was sent to the landfill.

Through consultation with Momentum Recycling, another e2 business member, Le Croissant’s now saves 90% of waste from the landfill. They do this with separate containers for mixed stream recycling, green waste, glass, & landfill. This not only allows for Le Croissant to maximize the amount of material that gets recycled, but director Chris Sanchez says that it has made the waste pick-up area of the business much cleaner.

Of course, such a dramatic transformation of their waste stream required that the employees be educated about what can be recycled, and how to ensure that the correct material finds its way into the proper receptacles. Le Croissant accomplished this by placing clearly marked signs on various containers throughout the kitchen and office spaces so that each employee can see what goes in each container.

Changes were made in the kitchen, too. Employees have access to a large container within arm’s reach where they can put food scraps that will be transferred to the green waste containers. Sanchez says that the employees have fully embraced this new model, and appreciate that the company has made recycling a business priority.

However, as a catering business, much of their work takes place off-site, away from their array of recycling containers. They continue their efforts off-site by using their own re-usable plates and utensils whenever possible to minimize the production of waste. When this is not an option, Le Croissant features biodegradable materials made from bamboo and corn starch.

Le Croissant also works with local farmers to provide local ingredients in their food, and they make a conscientious effort to partner with other organizations that prioritize sustainability practices.

All of these efforts have proven not only important to the staff of Le Croissant, but to their clients as well. Sanchez says that many of their new clients have approached them not only for their excellent services as a catering company, but because of their strong sustainability commitment. Likewise, many of their previous clients have maintained their loyalty to the company based on these efforts.

We’d like to thank Le Croissant for their bold and diligent contribution to sustainability practices and for paving the way for a greener Salt Lake City.

Furry friends + fun = Yappy Hour

You’re invited to Yappy Hour!

What is Yappy Hour, you say? It’s an evening of live music, delicious food and refreshing drinks at Pioneer Park with your furry friends!

Salt Lake City Parks & Public Lands is hosting this festive (and free) evening with support from Salt Lake County Animal Services, Millcreek FIDOS, and Best Friends Animal Society. An off-leash dog park will be available so your pooch can stretch their legs!

Enjoy food from the Chow Truck and beverages by Uinta Brewing, available for purchase on site.

Mark your calendars, we’ll see you there!

Yappy Hour (RSVP to Facebook event)
Wednesday, September 10
5:00-8:00 p.m.
Pioneer Park

Volunteer to Plant Trees in Alta

Photo Credit: Lemon Jenny via Flickr.

Looking for an excuse to spend the morning in the mountains? Volunteer to help plant trees in Alta with Tree Utah!

Trees are vital not only to the beauty of the mountains, but to the health of our watersheds and the operation of resorts like Alta Ski Area.

Tree Utah invites you to discover a whole new side of Alta Ski Area by joining them to plant 2,000 trees on September 6th, 2014! Both rugged and rewarding; it will be a fun day to enjoy and give back to the beautiful Little Cottonwood Canyon.

When: Saturday, September 6th, 2014 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Registration is REQUIRED, so please reserve your spot!
Where: Albion Grill, Alta Ski Area

A light breakfast will be provided including donations of coffee and tea from Starbucks and bagels from Einstein Bagel. The Albion Grill will be offering 25% off food for volunteers to enjoy lunch after planting.

100 volunteers are needed, ages 14+, and online registration is required because as they need to know the hiking abilities of the volunteers. Some groups will ride lifts and some will hike to plant, but all will be in rocky mountain terrain.

What to Bring:

Sturdy close toed hiking shoes or boots
Clothing appropriate for conditions (long pants and quick dry materials that can get dirty and take wear and tear are suggested)
A backpack to carry your refillable water bottle, snacks or other needed items
Gloves if you prefer to have your own

RSVP and invite your friends on Facebook!

Challenge Yourself to Eat Local!

Get ready to eat local! Eat Local Week returns to Utah on September 6 and runs through September 13.

Eat Local Week celebrates the regional harvest, promotes local agriculture and the preservation of Utah’s agricultural heritage, and bringing people together.

Take the Pledge

The Challenge is simple — eat as local as you can! There are three levels to choose from:

Hardcore: This level will be a challenge-eating only food grown, produced or caught within 250 miles from where you live. This means cutting out some vices that might seem difficult to most. You may have to leave behind your coffee, chocolate, olive oil, booze and fine French cheeses, and you will have to do a little more label reading and research. But finding a deeper connection with your local food resources will make it all worth the effort.

Easy-Does-It: This challenge suggests selecting three vices – maybe coffee, chocolate, and olive oil (or French cheese, Spanish cheese and Vermont cheese), whatever it is you feel you can’t live without, but isn’t produced locally. We also suggest giving yourself a break at this level. We suggest three not-totally-local meal allowances in the week. Maybe you are out with friends or have a business lunch that you can’t skip, allow yourself a little more leniency so you can remain successful.

DIY: For newbies we suggest trying to eat one entirely local meal a day, or consider trying to use one or more local ingredient in every meal you eat for the week. Find something you eat a lot, maybe milk or tomatoes or a grain like wheat and replace your usual brand with a locally made product. Even small changes in your habits can have a huge impact on the producer, environment, economy, flavor, nutrients and you.

Take the pledge now!

Update us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the #eatlocalutah hashtag.

Find an Event

There are a lot of great events taking place during Eat Local Week. Here are a few highlights:

Taste Local Utah – Utah State Fair: Join Utah’s Own in celebration of more than 30 locally grown, processed and manufactured products, Sept. 4, noon to 8 p.m., in the Specialty Events Tent at the Utah State Fair.
21st Annual Tomato Sandwich Party: Help us kick-off Eat Local Week, and start you Eat Local Challenge off right at the Tomato Sandwich Party. Enjoy an afternoon at the Grateful Tomato Garden with friends and neighbors and sample our amazing heirloom tomato harvest. We will be serving unique varieties of heirloom tomatoes grown in our Youth Gardens, with pesto made from our homegrown basil, and fresh locally made bread. There will also be live music and fun activities for kids, so bring the whole family. Sept. 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Eating Alabama @ Brewvies: In search of a simpler life, a young couple returns home to Alabama where they set out to eat the way their grandparents did – locally and seasonally. But as they navigate the agro-industrial gastronomical complex, they soon realize that nearly everything about the food system has changed since farmers once populated their family histories. A thoughtful and often funny essay on community, the South and sustainability. Sept. 8, 7 p.m.
Quickle (Quick Pickle) at the Tuesday Harvest Market. Come make a quick batch of pickles that will taste like summer in a jar! Refrigerator pickles are a fast and easy way to preserve some of the abundant harvest to enjoy in the weeks ahead. We’ll help you make your creation at our booth after you’ve chosen your ingredients from the market. Jars and supplies provided.

Explore all events during Eat Local Week.

Recycle Snapshot: Mattresses

Status:
It’s complicated

Likes:
Nighttime, bedrooms, soft linens

About:
Sleep well last night? Well, that’s because of me. If you’re moving and you can’t take me with you, or you’re upgrading a new mattress, it’s time for you to take care of me. If I am in good condition, donate me! If I’ve seen my last slumber party, bring me to Spring Back Utah, which is a local business that specializes in keeping me out of the landfill.

Don’t forget to bring along my other half; the box spring!

Popperton Plots: A Community Garden for The Avenues

Today Mayor Ralph Becker gathered with Jeramy Lund of the Community Foundation of Utah, Ashley Patterson of Wasatch Community Gardens and local gardeners to dedicate the Popperton Plots community garden in the Avenues neighborhood.

“Salt Lake City recognizes the important role community gardens play in supporting our local food system,” said Mayor Becker. “We are delighted to dedicate Popperton Plots, the first community garden to open under our expanded Green City Growers program.”

This spring, Green City Growers was awarded $50,000 in grant funds to support the development of two new community gardens including Popperton Plots. The award included $25,000 from Partners for Places, an initiative launched by the Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN).

Partners for Places is a matching grant program that creates opportunities for cities and counties to improve communities by building partnerships between local government sustainability offices and place-based foundations. The Community Foundation of Utah provided the $25,000 grant match and will manage permanent endowments.

“We are committed to sustainable nonprofits and sustainable communities, and this project is a demonstration of both,” said Community Foundation of Utah Board Chairman Jeramy Lund.

Five additional parcels of city-managed land are currently available for community garden access. Residents are encouraged to review the available parcels on SLCgreen.com and, if interested, complete an application for the organization and creation of a community garden.

Applications are due November 1, 2014.

Salt Lake City works directly with Wasatch Community Gardens and community members to develop gardens within City limits. Wasatch Community Gardens is a community-based nonprofit that has served Salt Lake County for over 25 years.

Other media coverage:

It’s Time to Count Bikes!

The Salt Lake City Transportation Division is currently seeking volunteers for the 2014 SLC Bike Count!

What’s a Bike Count?

Since 2010, Salt Lake City has participated in the National Bicycle/Pedestrian Documentation Project to track the number of bicyclists throughout the city.

Volunteers assist the City in recording the number of bicyclists at key intersections. By gathering consistent data from year to year, it is our intention to provide better information about how bicycle use is changing and growing in our community. Your participation in this project assists our efforts to improve the transportation infrastructure, making streets safer for both motor vehicle operators and bicycling alike.

Since the inception of this project, we have witnessed an increase in overall bicycle traffic. With your support, it is our vision to create a community where bicycling is safe, comfortable and convenient for everyone.

What will the 2014 data show us? Have recent infrastructure improvements continued to spur the growth of bicycling in Salt Lake City? Will the percentage of female bicyclists change as we add more protected bike infrastructure? Help us find out!

When is it?

September 9 – 11 (Tuesday through Thursday)
5 – 7 p.m.
September 13 – 14 (Saturday and Sunday)
Noon – 2 p.m.

The 2014 count locations are listed below, along with a link to a map.

How can I help?

Volunteers are needed to fill either 1 or 2 hours shifts manually counting the number of bicyclists riding through specific intersections during “peak hours” throughout SLC. Each count location is staffed by only one volunteer for each time slot; please do be sure you can commit to count when you sign up.

Initial volunteer sign-up is open through this Sunday, August 24^th. We will do an initial schedule that week, and will then look for volunteers to help fill any remaining shifts.

Questions?

Contact Weston Jenson, the 2014 Bike Count Coordinator at BikeCount@slcgov.com or (801) 535-6112 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from noon to 6 p.m.)

Volunteers are very welcome to sign up for more than one location and time slot. Thank you!

2014 Locations

View the map of locations.

Downtown / Sugar House Flats

Main St. @ 200 S.
800 E. @ 800 S.
Main St. @ 1300 S.
2100 S. @ Highland Dr. (1100 E.)
Sugar House Greenway (approx. 2240 S.) @ 600 E.

Sunnyside / Foothill

Sunnyside Ave. @ Guardsman Way.
Sunnyside Ave. @ Arapeen Dr. (approx 2250 E.)
Parley’s Crossing (Foothill Dr. @ 2300 S.)

University Area

University St. @ 200 S.
University St. @ South Campus Dr.
100 S. @ Wolcott St.
South Campus Dr. @ Mario Capecchi Dr.
OSH @ Kendall D. Garff Building

West Side / Beck St.

Beck St. @ Chicago St. (approx. 1800 N.)
North Temple @ Redwood Rd. (1700 W.)
Jordan River Trail @ Indiana Ave. (approx. 800 S. & 1100 W.)
1700 S. @ 900 W.
600 N. @ 900 W.
1700 S. @ Redwood Road (1700 W.)