No10 April | MAY 10
Latino Lifestyle Magazine
Walk on the green side Latinos leave eco-footprints on the planet
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Latino Lifestyle Magazine
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FEATURES
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earth defenders
Meet the new brown faces of the green movement. words Darhiana Mateo
tackling a toxic issue
Low-income communities fight for their environmental lives. words Alicia Ontiveros
a Little off the top
Two Chicago chefs take “locally grown produce” to new heights. words Maura Wall Hernández
Awearables >>
Eco-friendly fashion, local designers and forward-thinking boutiques. photos Anthony Tahlier and alBerto Treviño
Café APRIL | MAY 2010
Purple organic cotton dress American Apparel Art Gecko charm bracelet Made in Chicago, Wolfbait & B-Girls Assorted stuffed animal necklace Megan Lee Designs, Kate Durkin, Custom Made, Janie, Ddott, Cotton Monster Jennifer Renegade Handmade Rotten Rhonda cigarette smoking head Made in Chicago, Wolfbait & B-Girls Assorted felt pins on dress Renegade Handmade
| photo anthony tahlier |
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THE NECKLACE BY ALI KHAN Multi-chain with zipper flower. $40.
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utting it all together– that’s the magic of Macy’s
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THE WEDGE BY I.N.C INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTS® Only at Macy’s Tasia studded woven espadrille sandal with canvas tie. 5.5-11M. $69.
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DEPARTMENTS 6 8
Editor’s Note Contributors Dear Café
Café Espresso Somos ¿sabías que? The Buzz 14 upgrade 16 voices 17 sinvergüenza 18 EXPOSURE 20 la plaza 22 COMUNIDAD 24 MI GENTE 26 spotlight
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Alejandro Riera Reader feedback
Cultural factoids Stuff we’re looking forward to Green products for the family Yesenia Villaseñor The Greenvergüenzas Your photos, your page Chicago, a bike-friendly city New co-op market in town Digitally holistic sisters Amador’s sand sketchess
Café Filter MI CASA 32 con gusto 34 familia 36 MONEY MATTERS
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Café Grande TRAVEL
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Eco-house exhibit make-over A healthy ancestral diet Family encounters with nature Foreclosure versus short sale
Wisconsin, more than just cheese
CafÉ Blend MUST DO Kristoffer Diaz’s interactive dramas to do to SÍ Calendar of events 74 dining A modern take on vegetarian cuisine 76 restaurant guide Raw, veggie and vegan eateries 78 Scene at Latino social scene 80 A mí Me enseñaron No se agüite pa’ que pite...
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Artist Andrés Amador etches his art into the oceanfront. Page 26 | photo andrés amador |
Café APRIL | MAY 2010
Latino LifestyLe Magazine
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Life
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No10 APRIL | MAY 2010
Latino LifestyLe Magazine
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Save Earth Save Community Save Yourself
Latinos leave their green footprint
Save Earth Save Community Save Yourself
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anchored by Family
anchored by Family
Fatherhood Against All Odds
Fatherhood Against All Odds
New Hector Duarte Mural Takes Flight
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| illustration alberto treviño |
No10 APRIL | MAY 2010
a Mile in
green shoes Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Lebanon Junction,KY Permit #669
< Cover Me Cover concept alBerto Treviño.
Contenders > Covers that did not make it, but came in a strong second place. More of Café’s photo:
“Are you guys planning another Green Issue? When is it coming out?,” I’ve been asked again and again over the past year. My reply would always be the same: “Maybe” and “If we do, don’t expect to see ‘Yo Soy, Part II.’” Alejandro Riera “Yo Soy” was the cover title of what turned out to be one of our two most popular editions to date (the other being the “Latinas Find Islam” July/August cover). For that first Green issue we opted for a more global approach to the subject matter to provide our readers multiple points of interest. With this second annual Green Issue, we want to celebrate those Latinos who are taking action against climate change across the country. In these pages, you will meet Kimberly Wasserman who, as head of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, helps Chicago’s Mexican community understand how the environment affects their everyday lives. You’ll also meet Miami-based artist Xavier Cortada who, with his art installations at both the North and South Poles, is generating awareness about climate change. You’ll also learn how low-income communities, from Houston to Detroit, are fighting for environmental justice. Not everything is green this issue. We profile one of the most promising, and one of my favorite, playwrights of the moment: Kristoffer Diaz. The critically acclaimed Chicago production of his geopolitical/wrestling play “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” is New York-bound and his first play “Welcome to Arroyo’s” will receive an equally elaborate production courtesy of Chicago’s American Theater Company. This issue also sees the return our photo page “Ojo” under a new name: “Exposure,” a word play on the photographic term and on the page’s mission of exposing the talent of photographers.
editor’s note
RETURN OF THE Story•Eco•Meter
Not Green
Little Green more Green
Measure up
Very Green
Quite a few articles in this issue are eco-friendly. Some are not. A few stories are greener than others. So to keep your carbon footprint at bay, our design team upgraded this handy little tool we call the “Story-Eco-Meter”, so you can immediately identify the eco-friendliness of the story.
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Jessie Randklev A sarcastic gal with a dry wit, Jessica Randklev has worked as an illustrator and page designer in the news industry for the past few years. A big “Big Lebowski” fan (she most probably was out bowling the very night Jeff Bridges won the Oscar), Jessica has worked as an illustrator at the Seattle Times, RedEye and is currently at Newsday on Long Island.
The CONTRIBUTORS Gia Tummillo Hair stylist Gia Tummillo considers herself “a free spirits of sorts, the kinda stylist that you’ll not only want to style your wedding, but also be a guest.” She has styled three of our photo shoots, including this edition’s fashion pages and Cucu Diamantes’ studio photo shoot featured in our February/March edition. Gia was also the promotional hairstylist for Adam Sandler’s “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” and has worked for the Chicago Reader, New City Chicago and UR Chicago. www.giatummillo.com Alicia Ontiveros With a journalism degree from Northwestern University and a background in documentary filmmaking, Alicia Ontiveros started a green blog called EcoChicago in 2009, showcasing green people and places in the Windy City. This year she launched a live web show called EcoChat to give green leaders a global audience. Alicia will host a special Cafe Magazine episode where you’ll be able to meet and interact with your favorite characters and contributors in this issue. Visit cafemagazine.com for more info. Kristopher Fortin Kristopher Fortin, son to a Mexican mother and Honduran father, will graduate next year from Cal State Northridge with a double major in Print Journalism and Urban Studies, and minor in Spanishlanguage journalism. Kristopher has written for the Los Angeles Times, community magazine Brooklyn and Boyle, and currently contributes to his local neighborhood’s web news source the Alhambra Feed and Café Magazine’s Los Angeles newsletter.
President Julián G. Posada Editorial
Café media Advisors
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Copy Editors
Martin Castro, George De Lama, david hutchinson,
Alejandro Riera marilia t. gutiérrez Marie Joyce Garcia Chris MALCOLM DarHiana Mateo maura wall hernández Proofreader Vera Napoleon Editorial Assistant CHRISTINA E. RODRíGUEZ Editorial Intern nicola paracchini
IAN LARKIN, carlos santiago, david selby EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
design
Art Director Graphic Designer Graphic Design Interns Web Development
alberto treviÑo judd ortiz diana jurado james cicenia
ADMINISTRATION john wollney chrissy koob
Chief Operating Officer Financial Analyst Circulation Manager
bill loster
Andrea Saenz Lilia Alvarado Magdalena Rivera Brian SOrge phillip jimenez Maria lopez-knowles Juan Carlos Avila Bruce Lines Ana Maria Soto Raul Raymundo Leonard Ramírez
Special Thanks ted j. hong, michael keiser, ROBERT KING, Henry Kingwill, Pete kingwill, martin koldyke, Ian Larkin, William Mckenna, thomas mcdonald, SUSAN SNOWDEN, Ozzie zarazua
sales isis Gonzalez GINA TINOCO roxana rivas susan willey
Acknowledgements
Arte y Vida Chicago Chicago Sinfonietta Diageo
amor montes de oca don macica diana fujimura
Roujay Vargas
DJ Nica Luis Calero e-Hispanics.com jose jara Ford Models Monica Diaz Geoscape Arthur Rockwell Lopez CPA enrique lopez Macondo Leo Suarez Maranon Capital Jana Gardella Mundo Redit carlos reyes NBC 5 Chicago Steve Bryant
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS carlos anguita, Elia l. Alamillo, abel arciniega,
marta garcia, jillian sipkins, karthik sudhir, anthony tahlier, alberto treviño, maura wall hernández CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATors
Lora Johnson-Lesage
chris peÑA
MARCUS RILEY
Ratio Nation Rick Morales Vocalo BIBIANA ADAMES
JEFF JACKOPIN, jessica randklev, judd ortiz
Angel Gomez katie porter
Daniel Bleier, Michael Bleier, martin cabrera, lon chow, WILLIAM GRAHAM,
contributing writers randi belisomo hernández, christina chavez weitman, kristofer fortin, juan carlos hernández, DARHIANA MATEO, alicia ontiveros, belia ortega, benjamin ortiz, yolanda perdomo, michael puente, isabel resendiz, marla seidell, sue ter maat, yesenia villaseñor, maura wall hernanández
richard cerda
Norma Magaña, Francisco Menchaca
West Coast Sales Manager Southeast Sales Manager Northeast Sales Manager Midwest Sales Manager
Martha Tovias
marketing Business Development Director MITCHell POSADA Marketing & Communications Director Gina Santana Marketing Coordinator freddie baez Marketing & PR Liaison diana ramirez gardenia rangel Digital Marketing Intern cristina beltrán
Aztec America Crowe Horwath Gomez Consulting Grainger HACE Harris Bank Home State Bank The LDI Group Lutheran Child & Family Services McCann Worldgroup Mesirow Financial National City/PNC National Louis University The Resurrection Project UIC LARES Program
CONTRIBUTING Stylists and Models Ford Model Johanna Edelberg Ford Model Emilie Hish-Geneve Fashion Stylist Tony Bryan Fashion Stylist Assistent Felicia Kovacs Hair Stylist Gia Tummillo Makeup Artist Laura Weathersby
LLOYD KING
nelly aguilar, AL AUGAITIS, Luis Calero, Antolino Contreras, Alejandro Garcia, michael Gray, miriam gutierrez, mike murnane, Ramon Muñoz, julia rendon, Carlo Seran, sharon stallworth
stock photos STOCK.XCHNG, ISTOCKPHOTO, real Latino Images
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caféletters
Dear Café ...
As always, thank you for your comments and suggestions. We look forward to each and every one: the good, the bad and the ugly. So keep them coming. The more we hear from you, the more we’ll strive to improve your Café experience. Quinceañeras, for and against
Some traditions are important to me since they pass down values which make sense but this one does not make sense to me (“Coming of Age,” February/March). I never encouraged my two daughters down this path but I bored them to tears with encouragement to get an education before they made a decision about anything else. I invested all I could in providing them with support – only if they wanted to pursue a higher education. Lola Gallegos, Chicago (posted online) When I was 14 I went to a small, predominantly white private school. So when my mom started planning a small quinceañera for me, I groaned inside. I wanted a sweet 16 like the other girls. And because I was a whiny, moody teenager, I wore my mom down and got my way. Then I went to a much more diverse college and got reacquainted with my heritage. I ended up wishing I could do it all over again and take my mother’s offer up. So, I did the next best thing. I threw myself a quinceañera plus 10 for my 25th birthday. I had obviously already “come of age” but there were other similar motives for the party. I wanted to celebrate tradition and transition. I wanted everyone I loved to be with me as I recognized that I was growing up. School was done and adulthood was waiting. My quinceañera plus 10 was pretty low key. I had the fancy dress, of course, but no court and no big dance hall. Since I was turning 25 I adjusted it to be more age appropriate. It’s hard to regret not having a traditional quinceañera since I was able to still celebrate my growth and family at a time when I was old enough to appreciate it. You can’t go back but you can get a second chance. Angelica Lopez, Chicago (posted online) Millenial Takeover
As an undergrad at DePaul University, reading this article (“Here They Come,” February/March) motivated me more in finishing my degree in accounting and pursuing my CPA. It is always great to see such great Latino role models being successful. As we move up the ladder, I feel we should serve as mentors to the younger generations and not forget about those (parents, grandparents) who struggled for us to attend higher education. Yuliana Moreno, Chicago (posted online)
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As a Latino business owner/boomer who has children entering the work force now, I am glad they will have a much easier time grabbing a piece of the corporate pie. I congratulate every young Latino for getting the education needed to get the chance to step up to the plate as I am sure many will hit home runs. I will cheer them on and mentor as many as I can to success. Richard Diaz (posted online) Angel Otero’s Inspiring Art
What a great story (“Making It Personal,” February/March)! I love the arts and hope to one day photograph much of Puerto Rico. I take photographs when I vacation there but my goal is to truly spend a month around the island. It is one of the things on my bucket list and you’ve inspired me to get to it sooner than later. Zaida (posted online) CORRECTIONS We mistakenly repeated Gustavo Dudamel’s name twice on our Buzz column (February/March) and, in the second reference, we described him as an Argentine composer. Gustavo Dudamel is the Venezuelan-born conductor of the Los Angeles Philarmonic. The Argentine composer we were thinking of and should have referred to is Osvaldo Golijov. In our cover story “Blacktino and Proud of It,” we mistakenly identified Carmen Gutierrez’s husband as AfricanAmerican when he is, in fact, Mexican. Café Media regrets these errors.
Send your comments to readers@cafemagazine.com or post them at cafemagazine.com. You can also leave your comments on our Facebook fan page or write to Letters to the Editor, Café Magazine, 660 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60654. Include your full name, address and daytime phone number. Submissions may be edited for length and clarity.
Next Time on Café World Cup Fever No other sporting event incites more global passion than the World Cup. For soccer fans around the world, it is almost a sacred event – one where the participating countries put their honor and glory on the line. From fans to sports bars, Café joins the month-long party celebrating the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Here Comes the SuN …and three months of summertime fun. The Chicago area has plenty to offer, from free music festivals to theater performances, from parades to exhibits and different types of outdoor recreation. Let Café be your guide, once again, to this season’s most important events. Funny Damas By morning, she travels around town, seeking out those curious, exciting and quirky events and personalities that make Chicago such a great city to live in. But in the evening, WGNTV reporter Ana Maria Belaval hits your funny bone at your local stand-up comedy club with her insightful and zany views on being bilingual and bicultural. She is following close behind Patti Vasquez’s footsteps, a comedian who has explored her own bicultural experience through her stand-up routines and one-woman shows. These mujueres aren’t afraid to compete in the male-dominated world of stand-up comedy. A Plan for Life Sports teams are not the only ones in need of a coach to guide them to victory. Professionals occasionally need someone to steer them in the right direction; someone who may show what’s really important in their lives and who may actually help them come up with a plan to achieve it. In other words, they may need a life coach. We look how life coaches help individuals reach their goals.
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caféEspresso
artdepartment
artdepartment Somos
Ramon G.
32, blogger, Mr. Brown Thumb photo
alBerto Treviño
How did you get involved in agriculture? Five years ago my grandfather passed away and my grandmother was going through a rough patch. He [had been] very much into gardening and was a farmer back in Mexico. When I was a kid, he would come visit from California and he was always planting something in the backyard. I started planting a garden in his memory for her. What do you do for a living? My own blog (mrbrownthumb. blogspot.com) is my main source of income right now and then there’s the Chicago Now blog. I also do stock photography and blogging consultation for companies. Do you live a green life? I don’t drive. I did that purposefully. I take public transportation and I walk a lot. I’m pretty conscious of energy consumption. I’m like the old man walking around the house turning off the lights or water dripping. In the garden, I don’t use a water hose. I collect rain water to water the plants so I don’t have to waste money and water. Strangest situation? One time when I was working in the garden, a prostitute walking past stopped to talk to me about the garden. She started lecturing me about what I was doing wrong, telling me about all these different gardens in the neighborhood and how they compared to mine. Most interesting plant in your garden? A Voodoo Lilly. It’s a bulb and it throws out this spike, this weird flower and smells like rotting flesh. I’m into weird plants, stuff that the neighbors don’t have. How do you take your café? Black with ice. For a complete version of this interview, visit www.cafemagazine.com.
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caféESPRESSO
SabÍAs que?
Poisoned City Bajos de Haina, a city in the Dominican Republic, is recognized as one of the world’s most polluted places by the Blacksmith Institute, an environmental non-profit organization that works to eliminate life-threatening pollution in developing countries. The city is the former site of lead acid automotive battery-recycling smelter MetaloXsa. According to a 2009 joint study by the institute and Green Cross Switzerland, much of Haina’s community has been affected. Lead poisoning effects can include neurological damage, anemia, muscle and joint pain, memory loss, infertility, and more; high levels can be fatal. Clean-up efforts have been underway since 2008 and a large excavation area was turned into a playground in 2009. Organic flan, anyone? While grocery stores may not sell organic condensed milk to make your indulgent coconut flan, you can still use organic eggs, milk and other products that will bring more health benefits for you and your family. If you’re worried organic products will compromise the sabor in your Latin cooking, think again, says Colorado-based organization The Organic Center. According to taste studies by the center, organically grown fruits and vegetables have better flavor than conventional produce. In fact, organic produce routinely beats out conventional produce in taste and sensory qualities.
The Puerto Rican Amazon When you hear “Puerto Rican Amazon,” you may picture tall tropical trees inhabited by colorful creatures, waterfalls flowing over large rocks and feeding into rivers, and luscious vegetation blanketing the landscape. However, the Puerto Rican Amazon is not a rainforest–it’s a parrot. El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. national forest system, is home to the Puerto Rican Amazon, one of the most endangered species in the world. Also known as Amazona vittata, it has been around for more than 1,000 years and is the only parrot native to the island.
The Hybrid Paradox Hybrid cars aren’t usually considered exotic. But at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show held in March, Ferrari debuted its experimental exotic hybrid, the HY-KERS. The gas-electric car with F1 technology will combine the ecofriendly interworkings of hybrid machines with the vibrant, loud exterior of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. No word yet on its price tag, but keep your foot on the brake–it won’t be available until at least 2015. Start saving up now so you’ll be able to help fight climate change and look good doing it. Wear Green Bangledox Clothing® is an eco-friendly, organic T-shirt company owned by Latina and Chicago native Marta Melecio. The self-proclaimed environmentalist began making shirts in 2000 and sold them at flea markets and other events in St. Robert, Mo., where her family lives. Melecio formally launched the company in 2003, choosing the name Bangledox. The T-shirts are made of organic cotton and hemp and use non-toxic inks and teas for dye. Now based in Chicago, Melecio plans to debut new clothing and accessory designs by this summer.
sources: birdlife.org, welcometopuertorico.org, hybridcars.com, blacksmithinstitute.org, worstpolluted.org, ecofriendlyclothing.ecrater.com, ota.com, organic-center.org
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In Hollywood you are as important as the movie stars. “Iron Man II”
Enrique Bunbury
Nielsen knows that Latinos account for 25% of movie ticket sales, which is very important to the commercial success of any movie.*
“The Losers”
the Buzz IRON LOSERS KICK ASS Three comic book adaptations are headed to the silver screen. “Kick Ass” (April 16), created by Mark Millar (“Wanted”), is the story of a high school student and comic book fan who decides to become a super-hero, even though he lacks any powers to speak of. “The Losers” (April 23) is the one comic book film we are actually looking forward to. The original graphic novel by Andy Diggle and Jock is an in-your-face mix of sarcastic humor, paranoid conspiracies and high-voltage action. The movie, partly shot in Puerto Rico, features Zoé Saldaña in a kick-ass role. And in the much anticipated “Iron Man II” (May 7), our favorite alcoholic superhero Tony Stark confronts his nemesis, Whiplash. www.kickassthemovie.com, www.the-losers.com and ironmanmovie.marvel.com.
Nielsen listens to you because your preferences are important.
LOS CELTICS DEL NORTE
This year Mexico celebrates the 200th anniversary of its independence and the 100th anniversary of its revolution. The legendary Irish band The Chieftains joins the celebration with the release of “San Patricio,” an album that explores the musical and historical ties between Mexico and Ireland. Co-produced by Ry Cooder, “San Patricio” pays tribute to the legendary “San Patricio Battalion,” a group of Irish immigrants who deserted the U.S. Army to fight on the Mexican side during the Mexican-American War (1846-48). The album features a cast of celebrities like Carlos Núñez, Liam Neeson and Los Tigres del Norte, among others. www.thechieftains.com NO ONE LIKE HIM
Founding member of Spain’s most popular rock band, Héroes del Silencio, Enrique Bunbury’s latest solo release, “Las Consequencias,” is described by the singer-songwriter as “a chamber disc” because of its intimate arrangements and lyrics. Bunbury kicks off a 21-city U.S. tour in El Paso, Texas on April 24 that will take him to smaller venues in Chicago, Detroit, Salt Lake City, New Orleans and New York, among other cities. www.enriquebunbury.com
As the world’s largest research company, we rely on people to voluntarily participate in our studies. Your participation: • tells us what you watch on TV, how you use your online and cell phone time, and where and how you buy your groceries • helps businesses offer the products and services you want If you’re asked to participate in a Nielsen study, please say yes.
You matter.
www.nielsen.com *Information is based on Nielsen estimates. To learn more about its methodologies, visit en-us.nielsen.com/measurement.
caféESPRESSO | UPGRADE
Yes, It’s Easy Being Green From bed sheets to dog treats, even small changes help the environment With the majority of people focusing on the struggling economy, it’s easy to forget another important issue: our environment. Air and noise pollution are things we deal with daily, as well as the huge consumption of crude oil and other man-made materials. You may think your small contribution won’t make a difference, but even recycling one water bottle can help. If each person switches to using organic products in at least one area, the results will benefit us all. Here are some suggestions:
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Sustainable pack
Think twice next time you want to toss your empty water bottle in the trash. Fifteen 16-ounce water bottles go into making Mountainsmith’s Red Rock Backpack. This eco-friendly pack is designed for those who want a versatile bag that can be used for the daily urban grind as well as adventurous activities. mountainsmith.com, $69. 2
Natural skin care
What’s good for Mother Nature should be good for your skin. Using natural ingredients, Weleda’s Pomegranate Beauty Line helps moisturize and renew your skin. Weleda uses pomegranates from an organic farm in Turkey. usa.weleda.com, prices vary. 3
Eco treats
Treat your pet, keep it healthy and help the environment with grain-free, gluten-free, organic Barkwheats Dog Biscuits. Made with local, organic and fair-trade ingredients, the biscuits come in a variety of flavors: sea vegetable and chamomile, ginger and parsley, blueberry and lavender, and pumpkin and sage. barkwheats.com, $8.49.
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Organic rattles
Entertain your little one with a toy that doesn’t come at the environment’s expense. Yes It’s Organic Baby Rattles are made from 100 percent certified organic fabric and stuffing and are chemical and pesticide-free. The animal characters (elephant, monkey and frog) are sold in sets of three. yesitsorganic.com, $34.99. 5
Safer sipping
Now you can be environmentally conscious and trendy as you feed your baby with the world’s first stainless steel bottles. The OrganicKidz Baby Bottles were created as a toxin-free, unbreakable alternative to plastic and glass bottles. They are 100 percent recyclable and naturally bacterial resistant. galtbaby.com. Prices vary. 6
Rest at ease
Wrap yourself up in the comfort of knowing the environment wasn’t harmed in the creation of the sheets you sleep in. The Ralph Lauren Spa Organic Blanket is made of 100 percent organic cotton and is machine-washable. ralphlauren.com and macys.com, $129-$199.
Ž Registered Trademark and TM Trademark of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Š 2010 KCWW
caféESpresso | Voices
Mami Knows Best A mother shares her experiences raising her son in a positive eco-friendly, holistic lifestyle
Yesenia villaseÑor
I am happy to have a child that is “growing up green” and i look forward to someday growing old green.
My mother died when I was eight years old. Consequently, I spent my childhood living with my grandparents who immigrated to this country from México. In retrospect, I have been living a green lifestyle since childhood. Admittedly, it wasn’t a choice as much a consequence of living in my grandparents’ humble abode. Like many other immigrants, they were vigilant with their financial resources and, thus, I was frequently reminded to conserve everything – from the food we ate to the electricity we used and, yes, even the toilet paper! As a result, I anxiously anticipated adulthood (i.e., financial independence) so that I could be free from those concerns. When I was pregnant with my son, I received an e-mail concerning the chemicals in feminine hygiene products and in disposable diapers. It included information regarding a company called Glad Rags. I spent considerable time navigating through various Web sites that discussed environmental and health issues related to women and children from a green perspective. Thereafter, my journey of a green lifestyle entered a whole new phase. Most importantly, I made the conscious decision to raise my son to “grow up green” and to see this as a positive holistic lifestyle. Those around me certainly had their fair share of comments. The first of these occurrences was at my baby shower – my grandmother was baffled that I choose to use cloth diapers. She advised me that I was making my life “unnecessarily more difficult.” I viewed cloth diapers rather as a sense of freedom because they required less trips to the store and were good for the environment. My in-laws had their own opinions with respect to the toys, clothes, shoes, medicine, food and other aspects of our green lifestyle. Sometimes they even secretly took it upon themselves to provide my son with not-sogreen choices. As much as I didn’t appreciate their failure to respect my ways, I also believed that a green lifestyle was not about imposing your views on the world, but rather sharing and teaching those around you by example. Admittedly, not everything was bad with my in-laws. In fact, they really enjoyed my son’s birthday parties. I always provided the kids with an art project that had a practical purpose as an
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alternative to the goodie bags. One of the favorites included decorating a small wooden stool that I purchased from IKEA. Each child got to decorate their own stool using eco-friendly paints. The creations were amazing and years later, these stools continue to be used. My son also had his opinions. One day when my son was about three years old, we passed by a McDonald’s and he asked if we could get a Happy Meal. He promised he wouldn’t eat the food (he knew that fast food was off limits with mom), that all he wanted was the toy. Surprisingly, my son burst out saying, “I know, I know, I can’t have the toy because it was made in a factory somewhere in China and that is contaminating our earth. Well, I don’t care. I just want this toy, please Mom!”
My son never complained about my green parental ways for it was all he knew. However, by age three it was clear that he was impacted by my smoke stack analogy. Specifically, there’s a smoke stack near our home that is visible from the highway and, thus, we frequently pass by. It is part of a coal-fired electric utility. I showed my son the plume that was emanating from the smoke stack and explained that every time we turn on the lights, television or use anything that requires electricity, a little contamination is being emitted into the air. I explained that using electricity is not a bad thing, but we do need to use it wisely. “Growing up green” has been a wonderful journey of learning, reflecting and sharing. It has given my son and me many amazing opportunities, including a stint living in the jungle in a Mayan community. However, it’s been challenging to learn to balance living a green lifestyle in a society of consumerism, convenience and other not-sogreen-friendly realities. Despite the challenges, I am excited to see all the wonderful ways that companies, communities and organizations are beginning to promote and implement products and principles that encourage sustainable economic development and conservation of our natural resources. I am happy to have a child that is “growing up green,” and I look forward to someday growing old green! Yesenia Villaseñor is a Chicago-area attorney who practices in the area of environmental law.
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The ‘Greenvergüenza’ Revolution EL GUAPO Like the Hulk, you wouldn’t like them when they’re angry. Also, like the Hulk, when enraged, greenvergüenzas grunt loudly and throw (biodegradable) things with total disregard. ity and your anxiety — all finite resources.
When you consider the oft-quoted truism “Necessity is the mother of invention” and you factor in a sinvergüenza’s essentially boundless (nonexistent, really) moral compass, you quickly see why sinvergüenzas have pioneered the green revolution. Since they can be counted on to place conventional thinking gently to one side in favor of the radical, the unusual and the downright weird, it is not surprising that human history is speckled with sinvergüenzas at the extremes of all major trends and movements — including being ecologically conscious. They are avant-garde. They are innovators. They are iconoclasts. They break molds (and then point accusingly at the person next to them). And they just might be our only hope… Notable greenvergüenza moments To the dismay of their neighbors, greenvergüenzas piled rotting garbage in their yards far before it was in vogue and we began calling it compost. (Truth be told, it was merely to save the trip all the way across the yard…but nonetheless). Paper or plastic? Greenvergüenzas were the first to do away with wasteful shopping bags (Does it matter that they were holding the canned ham under their skirts, between their knees, and trying to slink out of the store unnoticed? Mother Earth doesn’t think so.) Ancient Aztec markings clearly reveal the origin of carpooling. One sketch in particular displays a sole, panicked tribes-
Stop hurling your old batteries at the neighborhood dogs and, instead, dispose of them properly. Wear less clothing. The less you wear, the less energy and fewer resources are necessary to make your clothing. This is why many sinvergüenzas wear Daisy Dukes to church. woman (a greenvergüenza foremother) hurriedly loading up her entire extended family into a small dugout canoe like a stack of pancakes. In the scene’s background a bearded Spaniard holds out a blanket with fleas leaping from it. Coward? Maybe. Environmentalist? Possibly. Survivor? ¡A huevo! Top greenvergüenza tips But Guapo, I hear Mother Earth shrieking (or is that Al Gore?). How can I possibly hope to become a greenvergüenza? El Guapo finds Mother Nature to generally be a hissing nag: “My ice caps are melting,” “Stop driving your enormous SUV through my forests and running over raccoons,” “Stop feeding the birds at the park bread packed with tiny shards of glass.” Well, it ain’t easy being green, but here are some tips for making your shameless world a little greener. Cancel all bills. Yes, electronic bills save paper, but canceling bills altogether makes you greener than Kermit. Don’t cancel the goods and services, just let folks know you no longer want the bill that follows — in any form. It saves paper, electric-
Plant a garden — but, in all honesty, true greenvergüenzas prefer one very particular type of leafy green. (Wink, wink.) Stop printing out your dirty joke emails at work. This also might keep you from getting fired. Try organic cleaning products — like your own spit. Doesn’t get more natural than that. Just because the weather doesn’t cooperate, refrain from spraying Aquanet at the skies and shaking your fists angrily. You don’t have to wait two months to enjoy El Guapo’s words of wisdom. You can now feast on a weekly diet of Guapo goodness every Friday at www.cafemagazine.com.
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M Photo photo by Martin Gee, desiger, illustrator. http://hellvetica.net
Perugia photo by Robbie Lee. robbieleephoto.com
Pressed flower-Vacuum bed > photo by Marta Garcia mgeditorials.com < Tracie photo by Cherrie Spicer DirtyBirdPhoto.com
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Village fair, Castries, South of France. Man tries to bring the bull back into the arena after it jumped the fence. photo by Cecile Mella cecilemella.com
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Ride on!
“I love cycling in downtown Chicago through traffic,” says 41-year-old Danny Valenzuela of Chicago.
Making Chicago a great biking city, one pedal at a time words
Michael Puente photos Karthik Sudhir
If Danny Valenzuela isn’t running, he’s biking. If he isn’t biking, he’s running. The 41-year-old Valenzuela is a veteran marathon runner (he’s run eight in one year) but also enjoys his time biking all over Chicago. With a grueling cold winter behind us and summer’s blue skies just weeks away, Valenzuela can’t wait to begin biking along Chicago’s magnificent lakefront. “I do that every single weekend; maybe even once or twice during the weekend,” says Valenzuela, who grew up in Humboldt Park and is of Cuban-Spanish ancestry. Of course, biking along the lakefront in the summer means sharing it with others. “You have your pros 20 Café APRIL | MAY 2010
and cons cycling on the lakefront,” Valenzuela says. “You have to share it with runners, walkers and rollerbladers. It can get a little hairy.” For Valenzuela, who works in information technology, biking is about freedom. “It’s the freedom of motion. It’s the liberation when you’re on the road and pedaling, going [from] point A to point B,” he says. “It’s interesting in that sometimes I can get somewhere faster by cycling than in a car.” While cycling the lakefront can be relaxing, Valenzuela gets a rush from the urban jungle. “I love cycling in downtown Chicago through traffic,” he says. “It can be dangerous but if you know what you’re
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doing, it’s not that bad. To be able to maneuver through traffic, it’s like having a sixth sense when you’re cycling.” Chicago isn’t the only place Valenzuela cycles. He’s done so in cities like Milwaukee, Washington, D.C., Lake Tahoe, Calif., Miami and San Diego. While Chicago gets high marks for its bike-friendliness, it certainly has some work to do to be considered the best in the nation, says Valenzuela. “I think Chicago is getting there. There are even more streets that are bike-friendly, but there are other streets that can be utilized,” he says. “In Chicago as a whole, a lot of drivers are oblivious to those biking.” Active Transportation Alliance is one organization that’s trying to make Chicago become America’s best city for biking. The alliance is a not-for-profit advocacy organization that promotes bicycling, walking and public transportation. “Chicago is routinely ranked in the top five among large cities for biking,” says alliance spokeswoman Margo O’Hara. “We’re right up there with Portland, Seattle, New York City and San Francisco.” Although Chicago has some 220 miles of biking lanes and plans to create more, O’Hara says more state and local funding is needed. By contrast, she says, New York City depends more on federal funding to promote biking and expand routes in the city. “Chicago has always been committed to doing what it can, working with what it has," says O’Hara, who added that Illinois’ current fiscal problems don’t help matters when it comes to funding for biking initiatives.
City of Chicago’s Bike 2015 Plan Bikeway network: Establish a bikeway network that serves all Chicago residents and neighborhoods. Bicycle-friendly streets: Make all of Chicago’s streets safe and convenient for bicycling. Bike parking: Provide convenient and secure short- and long-term bike parking throughout Chicago. Transit: Provide convenient connections between bicycling and public transit. Education: Educate bicyclists, motorists and the general public about bicycle safety and the benefits of bicycling. Marketing and health promotion: Increase bicycle use through targeted marketing and health promotion. Law enforcement and crash analysis: Increase bicyclist safety through effective law enforcement and detailed crash analysis. Bicycle messengers: Expand the use of messengers; improve their workplace safety and public image. Sources: City of Chicago and the Chicago Bicycle Program.
O’Hara says that while there are more bike lanes on the North Side, such as in Lincoln Park and Lakeview, expanding biking into more West and South Side communities is a goal. “It may be a socioeconomic thing. Aldermen make it more of a priority [on the North Side],” O’Hara says. “On the North Side, they can[ride to work]. The streets are safer there.”
“I don’t see a lot of Latinos riding their bikes. I don’t know why.”
Valenzuela notes what he sees as the lack of Latino bikers in Chicago. “I don’t see a lot of Latinos riding their bikes. I don’t know why,” he says. “I don’t see a push for that. It’s more of a white culture thing.”
As a way to promote biking in neighborhoods with heavy Latino populations, O’Hara says the alliUnder the city’s Bike 2015 Plan, –Avid Chicago biker, Danny Valenzuela ance will again organize Open developed two years ago, officials Streets, a five-hour event in August hope to increase bicycle use so that 5 percent of all trips less than five that allowed children and families to play in the streets and provided miles are done by bicycle and to reduce the number of bicycle injuries eight miles of safe biking from Logan Square to Little Village. by 50 percent. O’Hara says the alliance also started a pilot program last year called Better Blocks that works with disadvantaged communities to find The city plans to develop a 500-mile bike network that serves all out what’s keeping residents from biking. Chicago residents and neighborhoods while making city streets safer for bicycling. Biking is a favorite pastime in Chicago that’s only going to get better, accorting to O’Hara. “Every year there are more and more people The alliance promotes bicycle use through its popular Bike the Drive biking,” O’Hara says. “It’s becoming part of the mainstream and fundraiser. This year, the event takes place May 30 and is expected to becoming safer. And every year, the city is putting down more and attract 20,000 bikers to a car-free Lake Shore Drive. more bike lanes.”
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Co-op-erations As Chicago’s only brick-and-mortar food cooperative, Dill Pickle Food’s goal is to keep margins low for customers and members
Organic products don’t always have to be pricey, say Dill Pickle’s Vinnie Hernández and Sharon Hoyer (pictured above). words
Belia Ortega photos Elia Alamillo
Opening the Dill Pickle Food Co-op was much like getting padrinos together for every detail of a quinceañera or wedding. Someone donated the shelving, somebody else brought in a radio system, a third person brought in a clock and so on until the Dill Pickle opened its doors in December in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. A food co-op is a grocery store or buying club organized and owned by its members that typically offers locally grown, sustainable and organic food and products. Dill Pickle members help choose what the co-op sells. It’s going back to an older notion of selling what’s available locally and in season, says Vinnie Hernández, manager of the Dill Pickle co-op. “We’re a community store … so our goals are what our community needs. We’re keeping money in our community. 22 Café APRIL | MAY 2010
Companies such as Nestlé and Goya don’t.” You won’t find many of the familiar typical Latino brand foods in the Dill Pickle’s 1,400-square-foot storefront. But with approximately 650 people who own, operate and finance the grocery store through their membership fees, plenty of Latin American foods, spices and produce are represented. Quinoa, a South American grain that is considered one of the best sources of protein, is on Dill Pickle’s shelves, as well as Guayakí Yerba Mate, an organic Argentinean tea. The store isn’t large enough to offer on-site food service. But Hernández said he’s looking for Latino staples made with organic products, including salsas and sofrito.
Other product highlights include pork from Jake’s Country Meats in Cassopolis, Mich., where the animals are fed vegetarian diets; grass-fed beef from Heartland Meat Inc. of Mendota, Ill.; and grass-fed lamb from Mint Creek Farm in Stelle, Ill. Bread is delivered daily from Bennison’s Bakery in Evanston and Cook Au Vin on North Elston Avenue in the Bucktown neighborhood. The co-op’s bulk section offers 117 spices, 79 bins with a variety of grains, granola, beans, lentils and nuts, and a combined total of 42 varieties of coffee and teas. Although smaller than the average grocery store, the Dill Pickle receives shipments twice a week. The co-op is open to everyone with members receiving special deals.
comunidad Sharon Hoyer (left) , Dill Pickle’s assistant manager, restocks the produce shelves for co-op customers.
Get youR veg on Dill Pickle Food Co-op membership: Memberships range from $50 - $500, with a variety of payment and subscription options. Volunteer with El Pepinillo: Contact Jessica Weisbach at jessica.weisbach@dillpickle.coop Where: 3039 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago Info: dillpicklefoodcoop.org (773) 252-2667
The Dill Pickle is the city’s only brick-andmortar food cooperative since the Hyde Park Co-op Market closed in January 2008. The Chicago Food Co-op in Wicker Park is a buying club without a storefront. The organizing of what became the Dill Pickle started in 2005 when founder Kathleen Duffy, who had moved to Chicago from New York, was dismayed by the lack of quality food in the area. She e-mailed 40 friends asking if they would be interested in starting a food co-op. She received more than 300 responses. One of the co-op’s goals is to keep margins low for customers and members while continuing to provide the quality of food that they’re seeking, said Sharon Hoyer, the Dill Pickle’s assistant manager. “Just because it’s organic it doesn’t mean that it has to be more expensive,” she said. There are plans for product samplings featuring local vendors and farmers to give customers an opportunity to try fresh produce and organic products. So far, residents have been receptive to the co-op concept. Natalie Rosen, 31, moved to the neighborhood three years ago from Madison, Wis., where co-ops are common and popular. The Dill Pickle is the closest grocery store within walking distance of Rosen’s home. “You know you feel anything you’re getting here is a responsible choice,” she said about choosing to shop at the co-op over a large supermarket chain. When Michael Thompson, a 60-year-old South Loop beekeeper, first heard about
plans to open the Dill Pickle at the Logan Square farmers market, he wanted to help with its planning and became a member and volunteer. “I think it’s really good to support new businesses, especially when it’s one that cares about the neighborhood,” said Thompson, who spends Sunday afternoons at the Dill Pickle doing anything from stocking produce and sweeping the floors to taking out the trash. Dill Pickle members say they don’t just want a place to shop for the local and organic food they prefer, they want to create a true community store. Members are working toward developing the Logan Square community in ways the neighborhood wants it to be, said Jessica Weisbach, a co-op board member and social worker. Weisbach oversees El Pepinillo, the Dill Pickle’s Latino outreach group. Latinos account for 68 percent of Logan Square’s population. The co-op recently hired a bilingual staff member after an elderly Latina walked into the grocery store and asked in Spanish how to prepare some of the vegetables they had on display. “Logan Square is a mixed, diverse community. Because we are about supporting the community, we want our co-op to be accessible to everybody,” says Weisbach. This starts with joining local organizations, such as the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, the community’s oldest neighborhood group, and collaborating on projects that work toward sustainable living and healthy communities.
Baskets of organic produce line a wall of the Dill Pickle Food Co-Op in Logan Square.
Weisbach is looking for Spanish-speaking volunteers who are interested in the co-op movement and can bring new ideas to the group’s outreach to Logan Square’s Latino community. Projects in the works include translating the co-op’s Web site, signage and materials into Spanish; developing a curriculum around sustainable living and local, healthy food choices; hosting workshops and cooking classes; and speaking to local community groups, churches and schools. cafemagazine.com 23
cafĂŠespresso
Digitally
Holistic
A new Web site offers a 360 degree approach to living a sustainable life
words
Kristopher Fortin
Sisters Maryl and Silvie Celiz (above left and right, respectively) learned in their youth in Lima, Peru, all about healthy eating. Their mother, Mery Paz, would describe how carrots would make their hair shiny and how certain green vegetables would be good for their eyes. 24 CafĂŠ APRIL | MAY 2010
gente
From a very early age, Mery would explain the benefits of each food Silvie and Maryl ate and encouraged them to better understand the complexities of their health, says Silvie. The lessons learned from their mother years ago were one stepping stone that led Maryl, 33, and Silvie, 34, to their future partnership at HLife, a bilingual Web-zine they co-founded in October 2009 as an up-todate resource for people who want to learn about alternative ways to improve their lives. “For us, it’s a holistic approach where we don’t just focus on the body and the food, but also on your mind and your thoughts and spirit,” says Silvie. HLife is a direct link to the Celiz sisters’ past and present experiences with things like health, spirituality and love. “It’s like having a portal into our brains on our Web site,” says Silvie. Illnesses, one harmful and the other potentially fatal, caused Maryl and Silvie to look at their health with a greater understanding. They also led Silvie to pursue an education in alternative health. Silvie says she wanted to study interior or fashion design before her doctor found nonspecific precancerous cells. With the help of her mother, she started to undergo various alternative therapies. “My mom’s like, ‘We have to research this,’” Silvie says. “‘What happened here for it to manifest in your body … because [it] always starts in your mind, with a thought that wasn’t processed, wasn’t understood … then it manifests in a denser matter in your body.” Silvie started to pursue an education at Clayton College of Natural Health in Alabama where she received her bachelor’s degree in health and holistic nutrition. She is currently working toward a doctorate in natural health from Clayton College. For Maryl, it was a different kind of illness. When the sisters lived in Miami, she got a bacterial infection on her leg that sent her to
“...we didn’t find one place where you can find mind, body, spirit, planet, everything...” -Maryl Celiz
the hospital. “I didn’t take care of it, didn’t notice it and, lo and behold, my leg was twice its size,” Maryl remembers. “I couldn’t walk and I had fever, huge fever.” After the infection, Maryl’s mother researched bacteria and connected her daughter’s affinity for sweets to the reason why the bacteria had such a large impact. A California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowship recipient, Maryl helped launch an editorial section about health as features editor for Tribune Co.’s Spanish-language newspaper, Hoy. Maryl says that with her background in research and reporting and Silvie’s knowledge of nutrition, it felt like they each brought something to the table to make HLife a success. “You have Web sites about green living and you have Web sites about traditional medicine or .... about nutrition, but we just had to put it all together because we didn’t find one place where you can find mind, body, spirit, planet, everything,” Maryl says. “We think it’s all connected.” Silvie puts together the weekly HReport, a comprehensive analysis and list of highlights from scientific journals and health-related publications, while Maryl will post vegetarian and vegan recipes on the HKitchen section. With a five-person staff, including their mother Mery, who manages the Spanish-language content, HLife plans to evolve further this spring when the television component (called HTalk) is completed. The Spanish-language section of the site mainly has translated articles from the
English-language side, but the Celiz sisters expect more original Spanish-language content to be produced this year. Reader response to HLife in January generated a “Dear HLife” section, where readers can ask Maryl and Silvie questions about topics that range from detoxification to diets during marathons. The sisters use their personal Twitter accounts, as well as the HLife Twitter account and Facebook page to promote articles on the Web-zine. The Web site doesn’t receive any corporate sponsorship, but has managed to gain the attention of luminaries like Deepak Chopra and gets interviews from film celebrities like Denzel Washington, Jennifer Garner and Scyfy channel’s “Caprica” actress Alessandra Torresani. Though they haven’t eaten meat in years, Maryl and Silvie say their decision to change their lifestyle was based on the responsibility to their bodies and to staying healthy. Acknowledging the importance of food in Latino culture and traditions, Silvie believes that adapting to a new environment and changing eating habits doesn’t have to diminish the cultural authenticity of Latinos. The Celiz sisters embrace their Peruvian and American traditions and adjust them to what works best for them, and they promote the same for the broader Latino community. In an effort to stay true to their traditions, Maryl says she and her mother are working on developing vegan Peruvian recipes that will be featured on HLife. Changing to a veggie diet, says Maryl, “still makes us Latin; we will always be Latin in our hearts.” more about Hlife online: hlifemedia.com twitter.com/MarylTweets twitter.com/SilvieCeliz twitter.com/HLifetweets facebook.com/pages/ HLife/148221863008
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photos (above and right) provided by andrés amador
Surf ‘n turf
By etching his masterpieces into actual ocean beaches, artist Andrés Amador is awash in waterfront creativity words
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Benjamin Ortiz
spotlight
Chaos fractals, moiré patterns, Islamic arabesques, crop circles, mathematical iterations and the divine geometry of sacred spaces: When San Francisco artist Andrés Amador started doodling with a stick in wet Hawaiian sand seven years ago, these ideas took hold and led him to stake out the tides and diurnal cycles, so he could transfer the intricate configurations in his head onto grainy canvasses stretching 500 feet by 300 feet of Ocean Beach. Like the Nazca Lines of Peru — expansive landscape glyphs with enigmatic etchings — Amador’s works suggest grand designs that are at once unearthly yet rooted in the natural movements of terra, sun and moon. That is, of course, until the tide rolls in to wash all of his work away. In the tradition of sand painters from across indigenous cultures, Amador sketches ephemeral art onto beaches as a lesson on life’s natural impermanence. “Allowing the process to unfold as it will is a huge lesson,” he says in a phone conversation. “Everything that I do on the beach, all the art works that I do, all the art forms that I engage in are features of my own life.” At 38 years old, Amador is a thirdgeneration San Francisco native of Ecuadorian descent who grew up in the Mission District. But as a child, he didn’t go to the beach and had no artistic influences. “We were definitely below middle class,” he says of his upbringing, which made him very goal-oriented and focused on a practical career. He imagined working as a park ranger
and earned a degree in environmental sciences from UC Davis. But travels to Alaska and then Ecuador (on a Peace Corps assignment) helped him open up to chance digressions. In 1999, he started making art, inspired by Nevada’s Burning Man festival. The big, alternative desert party features art installations and on-thespot creative collaboration. Also, participants completely break down and clean up the site when the party’s over. He later got involved with the Bay Area’s underground music and DJ scene, leading to experiments with psychedelic party design and light sculptures as elaborate decorations. He still makes such pieces, using string, light, sticks and principles of mathematical graphing. The sculptures got him thinking about cultural designs, harmonic patterns and geometry. It was a short leap from that to the sand doodling experiences, and he’s now done more than 100 beach pieces. When the lunar phase allows for time between high and low tides, so the sand can absorb water for optimal contrast, he uses various kinds of rakes with adjustable tines, plus ropes, stakes and other implements, to bring the plans and sketches from his notebooks to life. Crowds sometimes show up to observe and even cheer him on. He began to invite collaborators. Working with teams, he realized that his art would end up completely different than what he planned. “When I try to impose too much control, I might get what I’m looking for,” he mentions, “but I won’t be open to surprising myself with something entirely new, and by adding people to the mix who were es-
sentially unpredictable, that was the element of chaos that I was needing.” Even though the works disappear back into chaos, Amador shoots photos to transfer the art onto postcards and prints for sale. Like a meditative mandala architect, he has learned through the artistic process to let go of the obsessive need for control. “I’ve grown more into the awareness that you can’t know where something is going to end up because if you do, then it takes the heart out of it on some level, and not knowing is more interesting, has more potential,” he says.
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micasatucasa artdepartment
Looking Sharp, Living Smart
From eco-friendly paints to low-flow toilets, Chicago’s greenest home gets a makeover
words
Randi Belisomo Hernández
All the walls of the Museum of Science and Industry smart home, above, are done in non-volatile organic compound (VOC) paints. photos courtesy museum of science and industry
Second and third lives serve as the theme for the Museum of Science and Industry’s newest “Smart Home: Green + Wired” exhibit, now in its third incarnation itself. Originally unveiled in 2008, the Smart Home opened its doors for a third time this March after a first revision in 2009. Chicago’s greenest home was originally planned only for a one-year stint on the grounds of the museum’s Hyde Park campus, but with so many emerging technologies to add, museum curators decided it could be redesigned twice more. In the exhibit’s first two years, nearly 250,000 people visited and learned from the Smart Home on guided tours.
“They’ve come to the exhibit and they’ve come several times,” says Anne Rashford, director of temporary exhibits and events at the museum. With each visit, Rashford says, patrons happen upon something new. “It does not matter if you are building a home, renting an apartment or redecorating, there are big and small ideas throughout the home that you can use to be more aware and conscious of your environment,” Rashford explains. This year’s exhibit features the home life of a tech-savvy, empty-nester couple in their three bedroom, two and a half bath house, built to fit a standard
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Chicago city lot. The home was constructed inside a factory in Decatur, Indiana. Off-site building is the most ecofriendly, because it limits the amount of waste produced. The Smart Home’s interior design centers around a more than a century-old burr oak tree that a windstorm uprooted on the museum’s grounds last August. Curators solicited designs for a dining room table incorporating the tree’s materials and, in return, they received much more. Not only did they have plans for a dining table, but for a master bedroom headboard and a cocktail table in the home’s lounge area made of three of the burr oak’s stumps. “They look stunning,” says Rashford, emphasizing another Smart Home theme of “bringing the outside in” while reusing materials in alternative ways. The sentiment is carried into the master bathroom, where the carrera marble tile has found a second life after being salvaged from the walls of the Wrigley Building. Much of the furniture has been salvaged as well. “The message of the house is not about buying new,” Rashford says. “Many of the things in the house are from thrift and antique shops. The message there is to donate.” Browns, creams and greens grace the walls of the homes, all done in non-volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, which don’t produce low-level toxic emissions like some paints. These ecofriendly paints also don’t give off an odor. Artwork includes close-up photography of nature, and if you look especially close, you’ll see signs of the lady of the house’s eco-occupation. She’s a green interior designer, and in her home office sit fabric swatches that appear to be leather, but are really recycled plastic soft drink bottles.
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The home is sunny, and with its use of windows, much bigger in appearance than its 2,000 square feet. “It’s very soothing when you go into the home,” says Rashford, noting numerous light sources as an underlying contributor to the serene setting the Smart Home provides. Rather than under-cabinet lighting, windows are used instead, brightening the space and reducing energy costs. Ener-
gy Star appliances do just that too, as does an Aqua Systems device in each bathroom, which filters gray water used in brushing teeth or shaving for reuse to flush toilets. Shower heads and toilets are both lowflow. For even more water conservation, the toilets are dual flush, which can use less or more water depending on the level of solid waste.
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How to make your home smarter Smart Design • Place furniture near natural light sources — working near the window means less need for electric lights. • In the summer, open windows for cross breezes and install window and ceiling fans. In the winter, change the direction of the ceiling fans to bring the warm air down. Material Efficiency • If you are planning to purchase new materials for your home, consider bamboo, cork or natural linoleum flooring; Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood cabinets; recycled glass tiles and recycled paper countertops. • Compost fruit and veggie scraps, paper scraps, coffee and tea grounds, and eggshells. It saves garbage from the landfill and helps your garden to grow. Energy Efficiency • Keeping your cell phone, TV and DVD players plugged in wastes 5 percent of all the energy Americans use each year. • Replace those traditional incandescent bulbs. You’ll save 140 pounds of carbon emissions a year and compact fluorescent bulbs hardly ever need changing. • For each degree you turn down your thermostat in the winter, you save about one percent on what it costs to heat your home. Water Efficiency • Turn off the water when you brush your teeth and save around four gallons each person each time. • Use the dishwasher (8.7 gallons per load) instead of handwashing (as much as 20 gallons). • Fix the leaky toilet or sink. You may be losing as much as 200 gallons a day.
Curators solicited designs for a dining room table incorporating a century-old burr oak tree that a windstorm uprooted on the museum’s grounds last August.
Outside, the Smart Home includes six decks totaling 500 square feet. The third floor of the building is entirely open, with solar panels and a modular tray system which keeps the home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Wild chives and drought-tolerant succulents cover the trays, which in three years have never had to be watered. The landscape was designed and is now maintained by the University of Illinois Extension, and it includes native plantings and a sustainable vegetable garden.
Smart Home: Green + Wired Where: Museum of Science and Industry, 57th St. and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Info: www.msichicago.org
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Back to Our d n a – s t o o R d n a Legumes ins ra G hole W words
A Latino nutrition pyramid is built on a healthy ancestral alternative to a fattening American diet
32 Café APRIL | MAY 2010
Chris Chavez Weitman
The old joke goes something like this… I have some good news and some bad news – which do you want first? First the good news: Latinos are living longer than ever before. Now the bad news: We are getting fatter faster and are more likely to suffer from diabetes and other dietrelated health issues than any other ethnic group in the United States, and it’s no laughing matter. If the traditional Latino diet is a healthy balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains
and nuts, how did we wind up in this situation? It’s simple: We stopped eating like the ancients and started eating like Americans – deep-fried and super-sized. We lost our culinary compass and bought into the idea that faster is better and bigger is best. As we’ve become more acculturated, we’ve adopted the American way of living and eating. We’re eating more sugar, salt and processed food – a complete erosion of the traditional Latino diet. The cheaper foods we are eating are also the foods that
CONgusto have less nutrients. And we’re exercising less. In the past, we walked, danced and worked outdoors. Now we walk only to the refrigerator for another can of soda (which, incidentally, we drink more of than any other ethnic group). Let’s face it: Our genetic makeup just isn’t used to this kind of living. The diet of our ancestors is what we know we should be eating now: fresh fruits and vegetables, a little fish, chicken and dairy, and – every now and then – meat, eggs and sweets. This is the basis of the Healthy Traditional Latin American Diet Pyramid, devised by The Harvard School of Public Health and Oldways Preservation and Exchange Trust, a not-for-profit food history and nutrition education group. The pyramid illustrates not only what to eat, but how to enjoy life. “The bottom of the pyramid has a family all eating together,” says Sara Baer-Sinnott, president of the Latino Nutrition Coalition, an Oldways educational program aimed at inspiring Latinos to improve and maintain healthy living. “What this says is that a healthy lifestyle is really a combination of what you eat and how you exercise, plus keeping your culture alive within your family.” The largest food groups on the pyramid are fruits, vegetables, beans, tubers (potatoes, cassavas or yucas, and yams) nuts and grains. The pyramid’s distinctive Latino flavor is especially evident when looking at the fruits and vegetables. In addition to the standard tomatoes, lettuce and apples, the pyramid also includes boniatos, tamarinds, papayas, pomegranates and tomatillos. Fruits and vegetables are especially important because they tend to be high in fiber and vitamin C and are believed to help fend off stomach and cervical cancers, both highly prevalent in the Latino community. Cuisine of almost every Hispanic country includes vitamin-rich legumes, a tremendous source of protein and, unlike meat and dairy, contain little fat. They also help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood and help stabilize blood sugar — a plus for diabetics. Certain foods that we used to think of as bad for us, like nuts and avocados, also have a prominent place; research shows that not all dietary fats are the same when it comes to increasing risk for heart disease. Nuts have healthy unsaturated fat, which helps lower the cholesterol in the blood and are packed with protein and fiber. Avocados are high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
Latin American diet pyramid A contemporary approach to the healthy and traditional Latino diet
Meat and sweets less often
Poultry, eggs, cheese and yogurt Moderate portions, daily to weekly
Beer and wine in moderation
Fish and seafood often, at least two times per week
Drink water
Fruits, vegetables, grains (mostly whole), beans, nuts, legumes, seeds, herbs and spices base every meal on these foods
Be phycally active; enjoy meals with others © 2009 Oldways Preservation and Exchange Trust
AN IMPORTANT NUTRIENT
Fish, shellfish, plant oils, dairy and poultry are the backbone of the pyramid because – while they may push their vegetables around the plate – Latinos will still eat an appetizer of camarones, dive into a platter of arroz con pollo and finish it all off with flan. Protein is an important nutrient especially for adults because it produces the enzymes and hormones that the body needs to resist disease. But be careful. These foods generally contain saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, so they should be eaten once a day or less. Finally, at the top of the pyramid are all of the things we eat too much of – meat, eggs and sweets. They can increase your cholesterol level and are a contributing factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death among Latinos, according to the American Heart Association. The top of the pyramid also has foods that contain sugar, which has little or no nutritional value and can easily turn into fat unless you exercise. According to the National Institutes of Health, at least 10 percent of the Latino population aged 20 or older has diabetes due to factors such as
www.oldwayspt.org
being overweight and having escalated blood sugar levels. OK, time for some more good news: All is not lost. Here are a few habit-changing ideas: Read the labels of everything you eat — you’ll be surprised at the amount of sugar and sodium you’re eating. It’s even in ketchup and salad dressing. Avoid white foods, such as white bread, pasta, white rice and processed sugar. If you crave red meat, eat top sirloin (it’s cheaper than you think) – just trim the fat before cooking it. Go whole grain in your pastas, bread and even tortillas. Don’t forget about quinoa. Eat breakfast. Start the day with a lean protein, fiber-filled carbs and a healthy, low-fat yogurt. Drink lots of water and nutritious fluids. Celery, cucumber and lean beef are also high-water foods. Season your food with garlic, spices, herbs and lemon. Use tomato-based sauces instead of butter or cream sauces. Use a cooking spray and nonstick cooking pan. “Traditional diets are common-sense diets,” says Baer-Sinnott. “It is pretty simple. If we all followed a traditional diet, ate sensible portions and exercised, we wouldn’t have as much obesity, diabetes or heart disease.”
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Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming
Take A Hike!
Being outside can connect you with more than just the outdoors
words
Yolanda Perdomo
Scanning through about a hundred images of his family’s visit to Yellowstone National Park on his computer screen, Tony Delgado opens each photo, reminiscing about the sight of a giant waterfall and a bison standing a few feet from his car. The single father of three takes his two teenage daughters and 10-year-old son camping in Illinois and Wisconsin every year; but seeing the majestic mountains of Montana up close took them to another side of nature, where they hiked all day, watching animals normally enclosed behind bars at the zoo and vistas reserved for a National Geographic special. “Seeing all the rock formation, the valleys, it was breathtaking,” says Delgado, admitting it wasn’t his kids’ first choice for a spring break vacation. “It’s up to the parents to open up their eyes. I was determined to take them some place they had never been. I really wanted them to see it.” His daughter Atalie says it wasn’t the first place she thought of when they planned their spring break. “I think at first we weren’t 34 Café APRIL | MAY 2010
that fond of it. My sister Nina and I wanted to go to Florida... But it made me appreciate nature a lot more,” says Atalie, a high school junior who now, because of the various outdoor expeditions she’s been on, is considering a career in zoology. “Here we were, climbing on this rock, and not even ten feet [away] we see this wolf staring at us. We’re, like, ‘I wonder how long this wolf [has been] staring out.’ I was too freaked out to even say anything. But it made me appreciate nature a lot more.” These days, that appreciation is hard to come by for a lot of people. Between adults with busy work schedules and kids who are over-scheduled, just going outside can seem like a far away field trip. With childhood obesity rates climbing as children spend hours in front of a screen (television, computer, cell phone – take your pick), none of this is lost on Emilian Geczi, the “Leave No Child Inside” coordinator for Chicago Wilderness. The alliance of various environmental and conservation agencies is committed to educating and engaging the public about the benefits of being outdoors.
familia
LEFT: Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. ABOVE: Enjoying the outdoors with your family can remove a lot of distractions from daily life.
“What we tell somebody who doesn’t have time to go out, when they walk to their neighborhood grocery store or when you walk to the dry cleaners, [is to] pay attention to the grass near the sidewalk, look up in the trees,” notes Geczi. “At night or in the evening, if the stars are plentiful, make up names for constellations. So there are some simple things like that.” Jack Darin, director of the Illinois chapter of the Sierra Club, says enjoying the outdoors is as simple as putting one foot in front of the other. “Hiking is really the easiest and least expensive way to start. Just find a good walking trail near your home. It’s amazing the different sights and sounds you may experience by just walking,” says Darin, noting that you don’t have to leave the Chicago area to see a variety of ecological wonders. “The reason we have a big and vibrant city here is because this is where the major ecosystems of the continent intersect. This is where the Great Lakes meet the great prairies. This is where the great north woods meet the great river systems of the country,” he says. “Within an hour in any direction you can see, in some cases, smaller remnants of these ecosystems and, in larger places, you can really lose yourself for an afternoon and get away from the pavement and the noise that we spend most of our time around.” Getting from the pavement and into a pond and in touch with your childhood memories can have a lasting influence, according to Geczi. “What seems to work really well is if the parent shows real excitement about one of the activities that they have done while they were growing up. It could be things like fishing, building a treehouse or a snow fort. If the parent is excited, that will be enough for the kid,” he says. For Delgado, who grew up in Chicago and Bellwood, his earliest outdoor memories include camping in the backyard. Taking his kids on annual trips to Silver Lake in Wisconsin or to a state campground means they’re not only connecting with nature, but with each other, too. His eyes well up as he talks about their time together. “I think camping or just being outdoors removes a lot of distractions you have in life. And it helps you to relate better to your children,” says Delgado. “Even though you might not speak a lot during
¡Pa’ Fuera! Simple ways to connect to Nature You don’t have to climb Yosemite’s El Capitán to appreciate natural wonders. There are little things you can do in your own backyard (or nearby park district). Here are some tips to get the outdoor party started: • Camp under the stars • Follow a trail • Catch and release fish, frogs and insects • Climb a tree • Plant flowers • Play in the mud or a stream sources: children’s outdoor bill of rights, no child left inside initiative, www.kidsoutside.info
outdoors resources Sierra Club www.sierraclub.org Forest Preserves of Cook County www.fpdcc.com Chicago Wilderness www.kidsoutside.info National Park Service www.nps.gov
that time, you still get closer. When you’re camping, just the act of cooking brings you together.” He adds that like his Latin American ancestors before him, who viewed nature not as a destination but as an integral part of one’s life, you can’t help but reflect on its phenomenal ability to make you think about your life. “It really makes you wonder about the Earth, what we’re doing here .... the past, who lived here before us, what are we going to leave behind and if our footprint is going to be here when we go,” he says. cafemagazine.com 35
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ForeclosureSurvivor Learn how to steer through the nightmare of losing a family home
words
Sue Ter Maat illustration Jeff Jackopin
Three years ago, Alex Navas had it all: a great family, an 1,800-square-foot home in the suburbs and a six-figure income. The son of immigrant Guatemalan parents, Navas was living the American dream. 36 CafĂŠ APRIL | MAY 2010
moneymatters
Within a few months, he was living the American nightmare. When the housing market tanked, Navas, a mortgage broker, lost his job. He could no longer afford his $3,000-a-month mortgage. His wife’s job as an executive secretary, which brought in about $2,000 a month, was not nearly enough to pay all the bills. Navas burned through his credit cards to save the three-bedroom, two-bath home in Skokie that he shared with his wife, Josie, and their 8-year-old son, Christian. He tried negotiating with the bank and putting his home on the market, but nothing worked. After a year of racking up debt, Navas stopped payment on his home at the end of 2007. For the next few months, Navas couldn’t make a payment, he said. The bank foreclosed on his home by the end of 2008. “I ran out of options,” Navas says. As unemployment figures hover near double digits, more people like Navas are facing the prospect of losing their homes to foreclosure. Homeowners may try a variety of options, including a loan modification and selling it for less than what they owe the bank, real estate experts say, but oftentimes such maneuvers don’t work, making foreclosure the only option. But there is life after foreclosure, says Navas. He’s learned a lot, which he hopes to pass along to others who find themselves facing foreclosure. “After going through this, I see things so differently,” he says. “I’m glad I’ve gone through this experience as someone who survived. I was not destroyed by this.” TRYING TO SAVE A HOME
Chicago real estate broker Alex Chaparro has seen stories like Navas’ play out over and over again, he said. Chaparro, who became president of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals in March, said foreclosure should be the last option. “Foreclosure is a legal procedure similar to an eviction,” Chaparro notes. “It’s a painful legal process forcing you out of your home.” But many face the process the wrong way, says Chaparro. By the time some homeowners ask for help, they’re months behind in their mortgage payments. That makes it more difficult to save a home from foreclosure and the owners are saddled with hefty late fees. The moment homeowners realize they can’t make the next mortgage payment, they should contact their banks, Chaparro advises. The first step is to ask for a loan modification. However, some banks may not approve it; Navas tried to arrange a loan modification, but he says his bank wouldn’t allow it because he had no income. After trying a loan modification, Chaparro says, the next step is putting the home on the market. In this harsh real
estate environment, many can’t sell their homes at a price that covers what they paid for them. So they opt for what’s called a short sale — that is, selling the home for less than what the homeowner owes the bank. In such a sale, the bank recovers some of its money and may forgive the rest. A short sale hurts credit reports, but not nearly as badly as a foreclosure, which is like a bankruptcy, Chaparro says. Navas tried a short sale. He put his home, for which he had paid $455,000, on the market for $280,000, but got no takers. Even if Navas had gotten a buyer, attempting a short sale is not easy, says Chaparro. Bank approval of a short sale can take months and prospective buyers sometimes give up and go away. “If I’m a buyer looking at short sale, the time frame is uncertain,” Chaparro says. “Banks can take 60 to 90 days or even nine months.” THE LAST OPTION
Navas now works as a financial services counselor at the not-for-profit Resurrection Project, a Pilsen-based community housing organization focused on helping predominantly Latino areas around Chicago. He uses his knowledge in the mortgage business and his personal experience with short sales and foreclosures to guide people through the painful process, he says. Many who’ve been in Navas’ position are finding it hard to avoid foreclosure or a short sale, says Kristen Komara, Resurrection’s director of financial services. According to a Resurrection study of the Melrose Park real estate market between last November and January, 29 out of 34 properties ended up as a foreclosure or a short sale. If homeowners can get it, a short sale is a better option, says Komara. Foreclosure is not only far more damaging on credit reports, but she says it can also compromise the ability to buy another home. “If you go through a foreclosure, you’ll have to wait a minimum of 24 months before you can even think about buying another house,” Komara says. Navas now lives in an apartment in Chicago with his family. He’s negotiating his debts, paying his bills and rebuilding his credit, he says. If he could do it all over again, he says he’d do things a lot differently. He wouldn’t buy a house he couldn’t afford without two incomes or get into debt trying to save it. And, he adds, he’d have cut his losses a lot sooner. “You can only prevent a foreclosure if you address the overall problem. For me, that was not having an income,” Navas says. “I thought I’d only be out of work for six months, but that turned into more than a year and a half. I really tried to prevent a foreclosure, but in the end, I couldn’t.”
cafemagazine.com 37
Special Advertising Section
Going wild in the aisles! Remember that New Year’s resolution you made a few months ago? You know – the one about eating better and doing more for the environment, and making sure your family did the same? Well, it’s not too late to get started. And Jewel-Osco® can help. Going organic is one of the easiest ways to keep that resolution—feeding your family food that’s not only better for you, but free of preservatives and manufactured additives. Don’t worry—you and your loved ones won’t be forced to subsist on sticks and twigs! But, it can be confusing at times. What’s “organic?” What’s “natural?” That’s where Jewel-Osco® can help you sort things out. Wild Harvest® Natural and Organic products found at Jewel-Osco are produced without preservatives or manufactured enhancers and are created with one philosophy in mind – simply food, natural and delicious. The wild harvest® brand partners with suppliers and farmers who emphasize sustainable farming and manufacturing practices and conservation. Here’s what you need to keep in mind as you navigate the aisles of your grocery store: • Products labeled “100% Organic” contain only organically produced ingredients. Those simply labeled “Organic” consist of ingredients that are at least 95% organically grown. • Only products meeting these strict guidelines can display the U.S. Department of Agriculture organic seal. • “Made with Organic” products are 70% to 95% organically grown, and cannot display the USDA organic seal. • “Natural” refers to food items that come from plants and animals that aren’t altered chemically or synthesized in any form. But the USDA applies the term “natural” only to meat and poultry. There are no government rules as to what can be called “natural.” Fresh fruits and vegetables raise other concerns. USDA tests have found that even after washing, some fruits and vegetables consistently carry high levels of pesticide residue. Using those test results, The Environmental Working Group (EWG) developed a list of the so-called “Dirty Dozen” – fruits and veg-
etables with the most pesticide residue. The group strongly advises consumers to buy the organic variety of fruits and vegetables to avoid exposure to the chemicals. The organization even has a convenient shopper’s guide that can be downloaded at www.foodnews.org. “Consumers can’t shop their way out of being exposed to toxic chemicals,” says EWG Executive Director Richard Wiles. “But the Shopper’s Guide can help people make smart decisions that dramatically reduce their pesticide intake.” You won’t need to worry about the dirty dozen when you use wild harvest® products because they are certified to be organically grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. This recipe for wild harvest® Roasted Leg of Lamb with Jalapeño Pesto Sauce is a great example of the kind of meal you can create using a variety of natural and organic products. Eating organically also goes hand-in-hand with living a greener lifestyle. Specific wild harvest® products are made with ecofriendly packaging, which minimizes the waste caused once the package has been used, and reduces the demand for manufacturing those materials as well as the greenhouse gases that are a byproduct of the process. You can play an important role in the effort to “go green” by doing more than just recycling newspapers, plastic and glass: • Forget the foil and pitch the plastic; store your leftovers in reusable containers. • Instead of deciding between “paper or plastic” at the grocery check-out counter take along some 100% cotton wild harvest® reusable shopping totes. • Stop letting junk mail and catalogs you don’t read clog up your mailbox. To unsubscribe, go to: www.catalogchoice.org. • Buy local—like at your neighborhood Jewel-Osco®! Even if you have forgotten about that New Year’s resolution, or didn’t bother to make it, there is still plenty of incentive to start making decisions that are better for you, and the environment. Wild Harvest® Natural and Organic products, found at JewelOsco®, make it easy to stock your fridge and pantry with nutritious and chemically-free food for you and the whole family. That is one delicious resolution you will keep!
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Roasted Leg of Lamb
with Jalapeño-Mint Pesto Sauce Prep Time: 25 minutes | Bake Time: 1 ½-2 ¾ hours Amount: 12 servings Ingredients: 2 packages wild harvest® Organic Fresh Mint Leaves 1 package wild harvest® Organic Fresh Basil Leaves 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped 1/3 cup pine nuts 1/4 cup crumbled traditional feta cheese 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon chopped garlic, divided 6 tablespoons wild harvest® Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided 2 tablespoons chopped wild harvest® Organic Fresh Rosemary 2 tablespoons chopped wild harvest® Organic Fresh Thyme 1 teaspoon wild harvest® Natural Sea Salt 1/2 teaspoon wild harvest® Organic Black Pepper 1 (4-6 pound) natural boneless leg of lamb - kitchen string 1/2 cup wild harvest® Organic Half & Half
Directions: In food processor or blender, combine mint leaves, basil leaves, jalapeño,
Remove from oven when desired doneness is reached (135°F for rare;
pine nuts, feta cheese and 1 teaspoon garlic. Process until puréed; scrape
155°F for medium). Tent with aluminum foil and let stand for 15-20
sides. With machine running, slowly drizzle in 4 tablespoons olive oil. Salt
minutes (temperature will continue to rise about 5°F to reach 140°F for
and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
rare; 160°F for medium).
In small bowl, combine remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, rosemary, thyme,
Meanwhile, in small saucepan over medium heat, combine half & half with
remaining 2 tablespoons garlic, salt and pepper. Set aside.
pesto. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Serve sauce with lamb.
Untie leg of lamb and unroll. Spread half of olive oil mixture over inside of
Nutritional Information: (based on a 4 pound roast)
roast. Re-roll roast and tie using kitchen string. Spread remaining olive oil
Serving Size 1/12 of recipe; Calories 355; Total Fat 28g; Saturated Fat
mixture over outside of roast.
9g; Cholesterol 90mg; Sodium 260mg; Carbohydrates 2g; Fiber 1g;
Place roast, fat-side-up, on rack in a shallow roasting pan. Do Not Add
Protein 23g
Water, Do Not Cover. Place roast in a preheated 425°F oven for 20
USE ORGANIC PRODUCTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
minutes. Reduce heat to 350°F and continue roasting 1-1¾ hours for rare; 11/3 –2¼ hours for medium.
Copyright © 2009 Supervalu, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Visit www.wildharvestorganic.com for more delicious details and recipes, plus look for us on Facebook!
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coverstory
Greenguerrilleros A new wave of Latino environmental champions are taking no prisoners in their fight for environmental justice
words
Darhiana Mateo illustrations Jessica Randklev
Artists. Innovators. Advocates. Grassroots Warriors. These are the new faces of the green movement. During a time when environmental issues are still not viewed as a priority for people of color, this group of fearless Latino leaders from across the country and representing various sectors, are proof that we not only get the mes-
sage, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re leading the way. From mobilizing Latino communities through grassroots efforts to pioneering new solutions for energy storage to raising awareness through art installations in the Earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s polar caps, these activists are channeling their talents into making our planet a better place for all of us. cafemagazine.com 41
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THE WARRIOR “I want to leave this city with a black eye – and a handshake,” says Kimberly Wasserman, executive director of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization. “To show that you can’t mess with us anymore, but we’re also willing to work together.” The 34-year-old Chicana mother of three, with her shiny black bob and eight tattoos, has never been one to back down from a worthwhile pleito. Sitting in the colorful and cozy basement offices of the not-for-profit organization, the daughter of Mexican activists recalls staging her first sit-in in the seventh grade; being thrown out of history class in high school after disagreeing with the teacher’s rendition of American history; and writing her college entrance exam on how healthcare under communism worked better than it did in the United States. “It was just embedded in me,” she says. She has channeled this same spirit into her current role at the Little Village group, the only Latino-based environmental advocacy organization in Illinois and one of a few nationwide. The group seeks to aid the predominantly Mexican-American residents of Little Village and Pilsen
42 Café APRIL | MAY 2010
in the fight for environmental and social equity by helping them see how environmental circumstances affect their daily lives, she says. “The environment hasn’t really been looked at as a social justice issue until recently,” Wasserman says. “For us, it’s been a question of making that direct link. Your kid has asthma because of the air pollution, so you had to miss work. A lot of the struggles [our communities] are dealing with are tied to the environment.” Although low-income communities and developing countries typically contribute the least amount to global warming, they often bear the brunt of the consequences. “That above all else is the biggest injustice,” she says. Since it was established in 1997, the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, with its staff of six, has used grassroots tactics to mobilize the community in several crucial campaigns at both local and national levels. It has campaigned for the creation of more green spaces in the densely populated area (one park serves 108,000 residents) and the cleanup of hundreds of homes contaminated by local power plants, as well as encouraged urban agriculture. “We feel it’s our right to have
access to clean air, land and water, regardless of race, language or immigration status,” she says. Unlike mainstream environmental groups that claim to speak for minority communities, Wasserman’s group empowers residents to speak for themselves. “Our primary goal is leadership development. We feel the community understands the problems and has the ability to solve a lot of these problems themselves,” she says. “We represent ourselves.” In its 10-year history, the group has already yielded real results. Their lobbying resulted in the Environmental Protection Agency ordering the cleanup of 177 homes near the 24-acre Celotex toxic waste site that was contaminated by cancer-causing polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The group also lobbied for and was awarded a new bus line on 31st Street once city funds are available. These triumphs against seemingly insurmountable obstacles highlight what a community can accomplish when it taps into its own power, Wasserman says. “This is a movement that’s needed. The days of rolling over and taking it are done,” she says. “We need to ask ourselves, do we want this? Is this healthy for us? The environment isn’t just for tree huggers anymore.” Marisol Becerra, 20, met Wasserman while taking a community tour given by the Little Village organization seven years ago. The young Chicana already serves as the Little Village group’s board chair and is pursuing an undergraduate degree in public policy studies at DePaul University. “Kimberly is more than just a mentor, she’s like an older sister for me,” Becerra says. “Kimberly saw me grow from an adolescent to an adult within the environmental justice movement.” She says Wasserman’s dedication to environmental justice influenced her to follow suit and study environmental policy. Becerra says her mentor’s leadership stems from Wasserman’s commitment to empowering the community to be their own best advocates. “She speaks the reality that communities like ours face every day,” she says. “Kimberly shares knowledge and helps train community members into leaders.” “We are amazing women, and we have a legacy,” Wasserman says. “We come from a long history of warriors.”
coverstory
THE REFORMIST Growing up in lush, tropical Puerto Rico, where mango trees and chatty tree frogs known as coquí dot the landscape, Rosalinda Sanquiche was exposed at a young age to a wild abundance of nature. Most Fridays after school, her family would pack up some clothes, food and necessities and spend the weekend at the family property, which happened to be adjacent to the El Yunque national rainforest. “I had the good fortune of playing in the river, hiking up the mountains, picking fruits off the trees and verduras off the ground,” she says. “It just was. I never even saw it as something that I needed to protect. It wasn’t until much later that I came to the idea that not everyone has this.” Sanquiche – who lived with her grandparents in Puerto Rico until moving to the United States to be with her mother in the second grade – acquired not only an appreciation of nature, but a sense of frugality and simplicity. “They were really wise in how they used things, reused things, how they never wasted anything,” she says of her grandparents.
Her move to the United States opened her eyes to a different lifestyle, one rooted in consumerism. “I saw a lot of waste all around me. But I was still connected to those values, still thought of the land as something that you took care of and it would take care of you,” she says. She graduated from the University of Alabama with three majors: history, political science and Spanish. Purely by chance, she says, she stumbled on the notion that you could get a degree in environmental policy. “I thought, wow, they give out degrees in this lifestyle that I do naturally, that was organic to me. I was also looking around and saw that most people didn’t do this naturally. I wanted to be able to convey that message, to help others get it.” Sanquiche, now 42, eventually would graduate from George Washington University with a master’s degree in environmental and resource policy. After graduation, she landed an internship with the state of North Carolina working with agricultural permits. She later worked with the not-for-profit organization Ipas on population issues in develop-
ing countries. Eventually, she moved to St. Augustine, Fla., to work for the North Florida Land Trust and teach ecology classes. While sitting in on a friend’s lecture on environmental policy, economist Hazel Henderson, founder of Ethical Markets Media, gave a powerful presentation on investing money to yield the greatest results for the “triple bottom line” of people, planet and profits. “It totally aligned with what I’ve always thought about the environment,” says Sanquiche. A few months after that lecture, Sanquiche joined Ethical Markets, an independent media company based in Florida that covers the emergence of a sustainable and ethical economy worldwide. As the current executive director, Sanquiche leads Ethical Markets’ push for global financial reform by demonstrating that capitalism and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. Sanquiche says she looks forward to a future when investors demand that their money be used in a way that’s both profitable and environmentally and ethically sound. “I want to convey the idea that there is enough for all of us and we can make a living, and we can support our children and be educated and live comfortable lives, while simultaneously saying we can do this without irreparably damaging the world,” she says. Although Sanquiche focuses her work on macro-scale international financial markets, she says she is “regularly frustrated” by how much this issue does not seem to resonate with the Latino community in the United States. “For many reasons, we should be highly in tune to these environmental issues, but at the same time, a part of me really understands [why we’re not].” She notes: “We’re spending a lot of time just making ends meet. It’s almost as if we’re still trapped in the idea that being an environmentalist is for someone else, someone who has the time, has the money.” How can we combat this attitude? For Sanquiche, it requires a shift in mindset. “As a society – not just Latinos – we need to change our mindset that it’s not all about the things we have, its about the quality of life that we experience. When we can look at the quality of life and recognize that the environment is part of it, maybe there could be some change.”
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THE ENTREPRENEUR The impetus behind the launch of Colorado-based Ice Energy in January 2003 would seem almost obvious if it wasn’t so groundbreaking. The company is focused on providing energy storage, previously a critical missing piece of the nation’s energy policy. Through its technology, Ice Energy aims for efficiency in how Americans use energy resources and, in the process, generating wealth for consumers and mitigating the impact of carbon emissions, says cofounder and CEO Frank Ramirez. “What we have is a transformational energy storage solution that uses energy at night to create a block of ice in an insulated tank and during the day, we use that energy in the ice to provide cooling to [a] building,” Ramirez explains. “This process is extremely beneficial because the energy system generally operates very inefficiently during the hottest parts of the day.” Air conditioning represents 50 percent of the demand for energy. This energy storage solution provides an alternative to the highly polluting power plants that support air conditioning.
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The founders of the company previously worked in some capacity within the energy market, and had an “acute understanding” of what was missing from the nation’s energy policy – storage, says Ramirez. “We use storage in our lives every day because if we don’t, we suffer the consequences of very high prices when there is a short-term shortage,” he says. But because of the nature of electricity, which demands that it be generated when you need it (and once it is generated it must be immediately consumed), the energy industry did not have such a solution available until the launch of Ice Energy. “The lack of storage in the energy industry creates very large inefficiencies and increases [....] the amount of greenhouse gas emissions,” he says. Ice Energy has developed sponsorships with governmental and regulatory bodies and has done a fair amount of lobbying in Congress. It has also been trying to demonstrate storage benefits within the utilities industry: Ice Energy has two dozen pilot programs throughout the United States. In January, it announced a large energy storage contract with the Southern
California Public Power Authority. Under the Obama administration, the nation seems to have cemented its commitment to curbing oil dependence by encouraging the use of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. “But the problem with renewable sources is that you can’t count on them,” Ramirez says. “If you are counting on the wind, and the wind stops, what do you do? If you are relying on solar power and clouds cover the sun, what do you do? What you need is storage. The storage is the missing leg on the horse in the nation’s energy policy.” When asked whether energy storage is something that would be compelling to the Latino community, the first-generation Mexican-American pauses for a minute. “The key lies in demonstrating to this community how energy efficiency is a powerful enabler of their goals and aspirations,” Ramirez says. “If we end up in a position where we are paying too much for energy, it impairs our abilities to do those things that we care the most about: educating our children, feeding our families and growing community,” he says. The former attorney turned financial wizard left a thriving career in finance to tackle the brave new world of energy efficiencies partly because of the values his mother modeled as he grew up in a Roman Catholic, blue-collar community in Pueblo, Colo. “We were very poor but we didn’t know that we were poor because my mother filled the home with music and love,” he says. “And she taught us, through her behavior, to be thankful for what little we had and to always understand that there were others who had less. And therefore, we had a responsibility to share with our brothers and sisters and pull them up.” These lessons guided Ramirez, 56, when he got to a crossroads in his career. “I asked myself, what do I want my legacy to be?” he says. “For me, it appeared that the greatest area where efficiency could be created is in the energy market. It helps us to use what we have better, more responsibly, and in the process, puts more money in our pockets and helps to clean up our air.” The road so far has been rough, but just like his ever-optimistic mother, Ramirez sees a bright future ahead. “Getting people to change the way they think about things is difficult,” he concedes. “But I envision a day when energy storage will be as commonplace as our refrigerators for storing food.”
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THE ECO-ARTIST The son of Cuban exiles, Miami “ecoartist” Xavier Cortada blurs the line between art and activism. Surrounded by the beauty of the Florida Keys and Everglades, Cortada, 45, recalls being as fascinated by their splendor as he was by the art world. “As a kid from an exile immigrant family, the thing that grounded you was nature,” he says. “The same way my family shared stories about family members, they shared stories about flora and fauna in the homeland.” The family also passed down an appreciation for the arts. “Art is something that has always been intuitive and natural to me,” he says, recalling a colorful childhood rich with festivals, dances and theater. Still, it would not be until much later that Cortada would merge his two passions – art and nature – into a career as an artist/activist. While attending the University of Miami, he would switch majors countless times, from biology to English to religion, only to end up going to law school (never mind all those law school notebooks covered in doodles). The man with the mind of a scientist and soul of an artist would shelve both passions to work as a community organizer focused on social justice issues. Later, he was invited to join the University of Miami faculty and would travel to Latin America and Africa lecturing on community organizing. It was while visiting South Africa that he finally found his calling. “The kids couldn’t speak Spanish or English, so I started using art as a visual aid to communicate,” Cortada says. “That’s when I realized that art is a really powerful tool as this universal language. It allowed me to engage people to effectuate social change.” These days, he is part of a small but growing wave of artists who identify themselves as eco-artists and use their work to raise awareness and urge the global community to take action. Cortada has recently garnered a lot of buzz for his art installations at the North and South poles as an attempt to generate awareness about global climate change. In 2008, he planted a green flag at the North Pole to “reclaim it for nature” while protesting global deforestation by encouraging people to plant a native tree next to a green flag at home. The symbolism behind the “Native Flags” installation
is powerful, says Cortada. “You are taking this thing used to conquer and appropriating this symbol of political power and using it to give voice to the most powerless, fragile of species.” Through his “Longitudinal Installation” in 2007, Xavier placed 24 pairs of shoes in a circle around the North and South poles, each pair representing a person living in a different part of the world affected by global climate change. The shoes were placed next to each other in their respective longitudes as a proxy for people in the world below in an attempt to “diminish the distance” between the people. “The message is that we are all responsible. We are all stewards of this planet. To assume the problem is too big for an individual is the wrong assumption,” he says. “I create installations that make you look at the problem in a global way.” Back in the States, Cortada is showcasing another installation, “Endangered World,” at the Biscayne National Park in Florida. The installation consists of 360 brightly colored flags – each represent-
ing one degree of the planet’s longitude. And once again, there’s the community action part. As part of the art project, individuals and organizations have adopted an endangered or threatened animal that lives at that longitude and paint an image of that animal on one of the flags. At the same time, the participants pledged to take an “eco-action” that would somehow help that endangered animal. The kind of activism exemplified in Cortada’s body of work has a long rich history in art, says Dr. Mary Jo Aagerstoun, who is working closely with Cortada on the installation as art historian and president of the South Florida Environmental Arts Project. Although the art world currently rejects art that engages the community in a very direct, interventional way as “real art,” Aagerstoun says the opposite is true. “Art really is a part of life,” she says. “It shouldn’t be hidden away in white galleries and dead museums. It’s alive and active. I certainly think Xavier’s [work] is a good example of that.”
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THE ADVOCATE An impulse decision to ride his bike from his Little Village home to his job at the Logan Square YMCA three years ago vaulted Adolfo Hernández, 28, into an unexpected career path as an environmental activist. A board member of the Active Transportation Alliance – formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation – noticed that the young Mexican-American always rode his bike to work and approached him about a volunteer project. The project would have Hernández reach out to Latino families in Logan Square about the benefits of walking or riding their bikes instead of driving. Hernández is now director of advocacy for the alliance, a Chicago not-for-profit organization that promotes better conditions for bicycling, walking and transit to help people shift to healthier transportation means. He works on campaigns at the neighborhood, city and county levels, with a special focus on often underserved minority communities. Sipping a Mexican hot chocolate on a chilly February evening inside Pilsen’s Café Jumping Bean, Hernández breaks down the numbers: ¼ of greenhouse
emissions in Chicago come from transportation; 50 percent of the trips made in large metropolitan areas are less than 3 miles long. About 28 percent of these trips causing all the greenhouse emissions are a mile or less. “Every decision about how you get around has a huge impact on the environment,” Hernández says. “People, particularly Latinos, think about transportation but not in the typical jargon. We think about it in terms of being able to get to a job, school, church or hospital.” During a time where the city is grappling with public transit service cuts and fare hikes, the lack of real or equitable choices to getting around comes at a higher cost to disadvantaged communities, he says. “It disproportionally impacts lower-income people and people of color.” “We need communities that are built around livability,” Hernández says, gesturing toward the windows facing 18th Street. “The way our streets are shaped and designed influences how people use them and congregate.” Last year, Hernández was co-chairman for the organization’s Open Streets program. The event borrows the concept from two sprawling Latin American urban centers – Bogota, Colombia and Guadalajara, Mexico – that dealt with significant congestion and pollution problems
more info Little Village Environmental Justice Organization: www.lvejo.org Active Transportation Alliance: www.activetrans.org Ethical Media Markets: www.ethicalmarkets.com Ice Energy: www.ice-energy.com Xavier Cortada: www.xaviercortada.com
in the ‘90s by closing down several miles of roads once a week and encouraging residents to leave their cars behind and instead ride their bikes, play with kids or do a little salsa dancing. While held on a much smaller scale in Chicago, the event was a major success: eight miles of roads through the parkways connecting Logan Square, Humboldt Park, North Lawndale, Little Village and Pilsen were shut down for this event, which drew 12,000 people. “Its something that’s never been done on the West Side of Chicago,” he says. “It was really a partnership with the community organizations, predominantly Latinos and African-Americans. The activity was not only green but it provides opportunities for community building and family time.” For a boy who grew up playing basketball in a bank parking lot and asphalt alleys – with a milk crate tied to a lamp post serving as the makeshift hoop – exposing more people to the joys of being outside is particularly important. And for a community that has some of the highest obesity, diabetes and heart disease rates in the country, being able to lead more active lifestyles is not only an environmental issue but a health concern as well. “What we do know is that everyone wants to breathe clean air, have a good place to live. These are basic things everyone wants. They might not be saying we want transportation access, but they’re saying the same thing,” he says. “We just have to listen. It’s more than just translating things into Spanish. It’s connecting the message to the community.”
ONLINE Visit www.cafemagazine.com for more on this story.
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Environmental Injustice
Low-income communities hunt for ways to afford a greener, healthier life
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Alicia Ontiveros
A plume of toxic pollutants from Texas Petrochemicals Inc. looms over Cesar E. Chavez High School, located within a quarter mile of three major petrochemical facilities in Houston. | photo courtesy of juan parras
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When Rosario Marroquin picked up her 6-yearold son Valentin from school for a doctor’s appointment, she noticed he looked pale. But that made sense to her because Valentin had lost his appetite recently. It was why they were going to the doctor’s office in the first place. What happened next caught her off-guard. “He said, ‘Can you sit down with me on the bench, because my heart hurts?’ My heart dropped,” she says. “I thought I should have taken him to the doctor sooner.” The next twenty-four hours would be a whirlwind for the Marroquin family.
Tests were conducted. Blood was transfused. Tears were shed. By the end, Valentin was diagnosed with leukemia, a cancer most likely caused by toxins in the family’s neighborhood on Houston’s east side. Known as the petrochemical capital of the country, the Houston Ship Channel is ground zero for toxic pollutants. Here, petroleum refineries pump tons of cancer-causing chemicals into the air as children play in soccer fields nearby. It’s a community where children are 56 percent more likely than others in the Houston area to develop leukemia as a result of their environment, according to a University of Texas study.
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That statistic underscores a common problem among American cities. Historically, low-income communities, often with black and Latino residents, have been disproportionately exposed to toxins from polluting industries. This trend continues, even with greater awareness of ecological concerns in public policy, and is sparking debate over whether environmental justice is being done. Uninsured, low-income Latinos are a majority in Marroquin’s neighborhood, a fact that Juan Parras takes seriously. Parras, director of Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services, believes no community should have to suffer more environmental burdens than any other. “Our state historically has been very pro-industry and they turn the other cheek when it comes to environmental advocacy,” he says. Even though Texas has initiated programs in recent years aimed at improving air quality, he says, low-income Latinos living near the Houston Ship Channel continue to bear the hidden costs of old policies. The ship channel is a mecca for industrial waste, including scrap metal. When the state began an incentive program for residents to trade in older cars in favor of fuel-efficient alternatives, the city needed to junk more vehicles. “That’s when those two [metal-recycling] facilities popped up,” says Parras, referring to the Hahn & Clay and Derichebourg Recycling USA. “We started seeing a lot more cars coming into our community.” As the facilities began disposing of the cars, Parras says engine toxins made their way into the water nearby. “People fish downstream, and you don’t know what the fish are contaminated with because there’s a lot of oils and fluids. When it rains, all that literally dumps into the Buffalo Bayou,” Parras says, referring to a 103-square-mile watershed in Houston. The bayou includes the Houston Ship Channel that pours water into the the Gulf of Mexico, where the toxins do more damage. “It drains into the Galveston Bay, creating a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico where algae blooms deplete oxygen [in the water],” he says. Although toxic contamination is just one factor in the depletion of oxygen in the gulf, the impact is deadly. Sea creatures like clams, lobsters and oysters trapped in the dead zone perish by the thousands.
TOP AND BOTTOM: Smoke billows into the air from a fire at a metal recycling plant in the Houston Ship Channel, likely caused by gasoline left in the vehicles when they were crushed. | photo courtesy of juan parras |
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AN IMPORTANT PRIORITY Environmental injustice is tainting green initiatives beyond Texas. Chicago Latinos, for example, are underserved by the city’s Blue Cart recycling program and local farmers markets in neighborhoods like Humboldt Park, Pilsen and Back of the Yards. “We don’t have the program, so it’s not easy for us to do the recycling,” says Lisi McBride of the Jefferson Park neighborhood. If she had a blue cart, McBride says, her family would use it to recycle plastic and paper products like soda bottles, milk cartons and newspapers. But families like hers will have to wait. And no one knows how long. “Unfortunately, we’re confronting an issue of being able to finance [expansion of] the system across the city,” says Manny Flores, former alderman for Chicago’s 1st Ward. “The mayor and city council understand that recycling is an important priority.” In the meantime, McBride recycles what she can at her children’s school. It’s a temporary solution, but something Flores says needs to happen more often throughout the green economy. “We need people to develop a sense of ownership of this issue and develop solutions to overcome the challenges that we confront,” he says, “We don’t think about the power of the collective body … Sometimes it’s a matter of organizing resources properly.” Recently appointed chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission, Flores is one of Chicago’s most prominent champions of green business development. He helped create Green Economy Chicago, an online public forum where residents can submit ideas about how to continue building a green economy in the city. Flores knows the power of the people from his experience as an alderman. “In the 1st Ward we started a winter indoor farmers market in Logan Square in the Congress Theatre,” he says. “It’s been successful, and the Logan Square community is a Latino community. That effort was undertaken by a grassroots initiative by the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce and everyday residents who said, ‘Hey, it would be great to have a farmers market,’” says Flores. In a nation where Latinos are 21 percent more likely than whites to suffer from obesity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, access to fresh food is more critical than ever. Traditionally, however, low-income communities of color have to travel farther to get it. They are also less likely to see green products sold in their neighborhoods.
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Majora Carter (right), an environment justice advocate, is fighting to bring green products to inner city neigborhoods.
“On the marketing side, the issue is similar to the mobilephone adoption curve and economies of scale,” says Majora Carter, a South Bronx, N.Y., environmental justice advocate. “So at first, only people with plenty of extra money could afford mobile phones, and they were the only ones marketed to while the industry got on its feet. But over time, phones became affordable to more and more people. The same curve will apply to green products.” Through her consulting company, Carter works to build sustainability in cities across America, most recently in Detroit. There, she worked with the Kresge Foundation to propose an urban agriculture enterprise incorporating an employee-ownership model. “The nice thing is that it really has an opportunity to cross a whole bunch of communities that have been disconnected for a while,” says Carter. If all goes well, construction on two greenhouses could start this fall and the food grown in them could serve Latino families in Detroit looking for ethnic produce unavailable in traditional supermarkets. Carter sees her work as part of a solution to other problems in low-income communities of color. “Everything from environmental justice to prison recidivism [or relapse into criminal behavior] to educational achievement to public health outcomes has become worse over the past 20 years,” she says. “Lack of economic empowerment is at the root of many of those problems. We’re developing new investment pathways for dollars to work better and for people to prosper.” Local food initiatives are one way to address growing concern about health disparities in the U.S. between whites and communities of color especially in Chicago, where in many cas-
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TOP LEFT AND RIGHT: Majora Carter worked with the Kresge Foundation to propose an urban agriculture enterprise in Detroit; she also spearheaded the Hunts Point Riverside Project in the Bronx, New York. BOTTOM: Carlos Chavez of Chicago organized the first 5K For Earth Day run/walk in the Humboldt Park neighborhood in April. | top and opposite page photos courtesy majora carter group; botom photo by marta garcía |
es it’s getting worse. The Sinai Urban Health Institute reports people of color in Chicago are dying from illnesses such as heart disease at an increasingly greater rate than non-Hispanic whites. Chicagoan Carlos Chavez believes lack of education is to blame, so he’s encouraging Latinos to live healthier, greener lives by organizing the first 5K For Earth Day run/walk in the Humboldt Park neighborhood in April. “This is our community. We take ownership of this community. We grew up in this community,” he says. “We want to build awareness and bring it under one roof in one day.” Chavez knows real change will take time, though, and he’s willing to wait. “Hopefully in five or 10 years we can realize the type of difference we hope to see now,” he says.
5k For Earth Day When: April 24, 8 a.m. What: The run/walk will be followed by daylong Earth Day celebrations, a green living expo and farmers market. 5K for Earth Day is produced by Green Dot Environmental and Conscious Planet Media. Cost: $30 www.earthday5kchicago.com
In 10 years, Valentin Marroquin will probably be looking for a job, maybe in the green economy. Now a sixth-grader, he still lives in east Houston with his family. His cancer is in remission. “Fundamentally, you can only fix things from the bottom up,” Chavez says. “If we continue to educate [Latinos], I think we will realize what we’re looking for.”
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RoofTopcrops Chicago’s Rick Bayless and Mark Mendez take ‘locally grown produce’ to a whole new level. words
Maura Wall Hernández
Everybody wants to be greener these days: from reducing carbon footprints and using local, sustainable, organic products, right down to the food they eat at home – and when out on the town.
Rick Bayless and his team started out only growing tomatoes and chiles, but this year are trying for a complete salsa garden.
| photo courtesy of frontera kitchens
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Two of Chicago’s top chefs, Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo and Xoco; Mexican cuisine) and Mark Mendez (Carnivale; Nuevo Latino cuisine), are doing their part to help their customers understand what it means to be eco-friendly when it comes to the food served from their kitchens. Both chefs have a unique way of contributing their efforts: each grows a garden of their own produce right on the rooftops of their respective restaurants.
“It's a way for my sous chefs and cooks to have a connection to the seasons,” says Mendez on why he started his urban garden. “I think it’s important to cook as seasonally as possible, and the garden [gives] them a sense of what’s in season and what’s coming next.” Because the rooftop garden would be so small and the restaurant is so big, Mendez says he knew from the start that the amount of food they would be able
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to grow would likely be too small for anything but specials. Though he had a list of things to grow, he set out determined to make two things work: tomatoes and herbs. Mendez, a self-proclaimed lover of freshly picked tomatoes, said choosing to grow them was a no-brainer, and that herbs would be somewhat easier to grow with little know-how or experience. In the first year, though, he says he and his staff were ambitious. They attempted to grow four kinds of chiles, five varieties each of tomatoes and herbs, plus lettuces, beets and radishes. “Every year since then, we have scaled back,” he says. “I have learned that it’s better to try to grow less different kinds of things and just focus on a few.” This year, Mendez plans to keep it fairly simple, growing two varieties each of chiles and tomatoes, a few herbs and some arugula. “These are the things we have had some success with and work well with what we do here.” Carnivale sous chef Carlos Garza, as well as other staff, check on the garden’s progress daily, watering plants and harvesting produce when necessary. Bayless has a similar approach when it comes to keeping it simple. After learning from friend Bob Patterson about The Growing Connection, a grassroots project developed by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and how they were using EarthBoxes in third world countries where food was harder to grow, the Bayless team decided to give it a shot in Chicago. The Growing Connection, funded by a coalition of public and private sector partners, introduces low-cost water efficiency and sustainable food growing methods to those it helps by giving them access to technology and resources to make it happen. Bayless began using the self-watering and self-fertilizing EarthBox planters several years ago. Because the planters have a built-in reservoir system, they use less water overall than your ordinary runof-the mill garden. The boxes measure two-and-a-half feet long by 15 inches wide and are one foot tall, making it easy
to fit a number of them within a limited amount of space — coincidentally perfect for rooftop gardens. The first year, Bayless started out with between 10 and 15 of the EarthBoxes; the following year, they added 20 more. The year after that, they added 30 more, and this year, still with plenty of room to spare on their rooftop, they plan to use additional planter boxes. They started out only growing tomatoes and chiles, but this year are trying for “a complete salsa garden with varieties of chiles, tomatoes and herbs,” says Frontera spokeswoman Jen Fite. LOCALLY DRIVEN VISION Bayless, with his Frontera Farmer Foundation, is no stranger to supporting the local economy, farmers and land by both investing in them with capital development grants and buying produce from local growers and farms. He purchases meats and some dairy locally, as well — Gunthorp Farms’ pork and chicken, Janie Crawford of Crawford Farm’s lamb, Bill Kurtis’ Tallgrass Beef Company for red meats, and dairy products from Farmer’s Creamery. Additionally, Bayless’ newest restaurant, Xoco, which opened in September 2009 to much acclaim, is LEED-Gold certified, meaning it meets the standards for green building design in five key areas according to the U.S. Green Building Council: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Chicago architecture and sustainable urban design firm, Farr Associates, designed Xoco. According to Fite, they “really try to walk the walk” by also composting, recycling and using eco-friendly cleaning products. The rooftop garden was just another step in line with their mission of trying to use all local and sustainable ingredients, says Fite. “It’s fun and kind of cool to have a garden in the busy downtown neighborhood that produces such wonderful salsa ingredients,” she says. Each year, the Frontera team meets with
Mark Mendez from Carnivale plans to grow two varieties of tomatoes and chiles. | photo maura wall hernández |
Bill Shores, the master gardener for the Bayless property, to decide what will grow on the roof and what will grow in the restaurant production garden at Bayless’ Bucktown home. The Frontera chefs check out the rooftop each day and, depending what’s ready to be harvested, they decide on the best dish to pair with their freshly picked salsa ingredients. Fite recalls a particular past favorite: pescado a la veraniega, a garlicmarinated fresh day-boat catch served with a rooftop salsa, and a Yucatecanstyle achiote rice accompanied by a shoots salad. Occasionally, at the end of the season, if there’s an abundance of tomatoes, Bayless freezes them for use during the winter in sauces and other dishes. But all the other produce grown for his restaurants is used in-season on the spot until they run out. As for Mendez at Carnivale, he says they haven’t frozen any of their rooftop-grown produce simply because the garden hasn’t yet yielded enough to merit that. Because the tomatoes and chiles “sort of trickled in,” he says, they’ve
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Bayless tends to chiles being grown in his rooftop garden. | photo courtesy of frontera kitchens |
never had enough to freeze but used them on daily specials, which were very popular. Most of the chiles grown at Carnivale ended up being used in daily specials or pickled and used as a garnish for ceviches. The fresh chiles are much spicier, Mendez notes, and consequently, a little goes a long way. Mendez says a dinner favorite last summer was a simple salad with their rooftop-harvested arugula and heirloom tomatoes paired with a manchego cheese. “One of most prolific plants last year was arugula, which once harvested sold out in a single night,” he says. “We had time to do another planting with the same result.” The restaurant will definitely be planting arugula again this year, he adds. As far as other methods they’ve implemented at Carnivale to maintain an environmentally friendly restaurant, Mendez says they’ve stopped using bottled water and had filters installed in the kitchen, on ice machines and in coffee makers; they currently recycle paper and plastic and are investigating recycling their glass waste. He admits they’re looking into composting, but says it’s “probably a ways off” — for now, anyway. Beyond growing their own produce and recycling waste materials, Carnivale uses as much locally grown
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produce as possible and only sustainable types of fish are on the menu. Many of the meats on the menu come from Niman Ranch, an all-natural producer. “We don’t use factory-bred pork or chicken,” says Mendez. “We support quite a few farmers here; we buy farm fresh eggs, black beans, polenta, and even the extra virgin olive oil we use comes from a sustainable olive farm in Spain.” Carnivale, like the Bayless restaurants, has switched to environmentally friendly cleaning supplies to “get away from some of the harsh chemicals.” Mendez says some of the green changes they’ve made have actually allowed them to save some green — as in money. “To be honest, I didn’t think anyone would care [about growing produce on the rooftop],” Mendez muses. He says it’s gained more attention from the press and customers than he could have imagined. “It was simply a small way to be connected to the land and the seasons ... I thought of it more as a lesson to the people that work for me to know how important it is to know where your food comes from and to give them a sense of our growing season here in the Midwest,” he says.
Links Frontera Grill, Topolobampo and Xoco: fronterakitchens.com Carnivale: carnivalechicago.com on top of it Grow your own urban garden like chefs Rick Bayless and Mark Mendez. Here’s how they do it: BAYLESS SEED SUPPLIERS Tomato Growers Supply tomatogrowers.com Totally Tomatoes totallytomato.com Johnny’s Seeds johnnyseeds.com GROWING 4 kinds of chiles 6 kinds of tomatoes herbs MENDEZ SEED SUPPLIERS Seed Savers seedsavers.org TomatoBob tomatobob.com LIVE PLANTS Kinnikinnick Farm kinnikinnickfarm.com Nichols Farm nicholsfarm.com GROWING 2 kinds of chiles 2 kinds of tomatoes herbs arugula For more information on the chefs’ planting methods and what they’re growing this year, visit cafemagazine.com.
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LEFT AND OPPOSITE PAGE: Take a refreshing splash of water or take in the sights in between musical acts at Milwaukee’s Summer Fest. TOP RIGHT: The Madison Farmers Market begins in mid-April and lasts until early November. BOTTOM RIGHT: Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Wisconsin estate.
Spring and summer are synonyms for life and motion, especially here in the Midwest. Given our long winters, whose frigid winds stiffen even the most energetic travelers, these two seasons of sun and vigor can be a sail to pull our spirits out of hibernation and an elixir to revive our bodies. And where to shed the lethargy imposed by the frost? Wisconsin. The land of milk and honey, custard, wine, cheese, cheese curds, and spicy cheese bread – and excellent beer, too, is proudly called God’s country by Wisconsinites. And with good reason. That land not only delights the taste buds, but its green hills, lakes, towns and cities provide a myriad of pleasures both simple and sumptuous. The itinerary is up to you. Start off in Milwaukee or go the way of Madison, the state capital and the home to the University of Wisconsin.
wards, make sure you catch the sunset at the water’s edge by the university’s Memorial Union.
Madison will seduce you with music, food and water. The city sits amid four lakes: Mendota, Monona, Wingra and Waubesa. They give the city a relaxed, backcountry feel. Boats zip by. Joggers trot. Fishermen patiently wait for tugs at their lines while townspeople and students amble by the lakeshore.
WRIGHT’S SKETCHPAD The next day, lovers of architecture will want to go west from Madison to Spring Green and nearby Taliesin (pronounced tally-ES-in – Middle Welsh for shining brow), which was the Wisconsin estate of Frank Lloyd Wright. A national landmark since 1976, the mansion and other buildings on the site are a testament to his genius.
If it’s Saturday, they’re picking up locally grown fruit, vegetables, flowers or bread from local bakeries at the farmers market. From mid-April to early November, sellers set up shop on Capitol Square from 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. This is an invitation to relax and let go. Spend your morning there, walk around or shop nearby. Later, head into one of the city’s many restaurants. There’s traditional American fare, Italian, Japanese, Thai and Mexican among many others. You’ll find one to suit your taste. After-
Orange, red and violet seem to seep up from the land and into the sky as the sun dips into the horizon swallowed by city and lake. Bands liven up the night with music calling everyone to dance. Many do. Some listen to the music. Others simply sit by the water and take it all in between sips of wine and words.
Taliesin was Wright’s sketchpad and its environs were his inspiration for other projects. This is where he sought to join human works with nature in harmony, following natural patterns for construction and designs. The residence and farm buildings are not built on a hill, but seem part of it, accenting the hill’s contours in the process. Take your time and take a tour for an intimate look at one of the homes of an American architectural master.
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Then prepare yourself for the House on the Rock. Breathe in and clear your mind because it’s not really a house, but a museum of imagination and madness. Its creator, Alex Jordan Sr., and Frank Lloyd Wright crossed paths but never shared muses. Many call his creation eccentric. It’s not…it’s really not. It’s bizarre! Jordan’s building is, to put it mildly, unforgettable, in the same way you would never forget being haunted. And that is the House on the Rock, a labyrinth of rooms haunted by trinkets, guns, dolls, musical instruments in an unending collection that seems to have no reason, or unifying motif. Among its diverse collections: beautiful stained glass, winged mannequins, sculptures and the world’s largest carousel. It also has a breathtaking infinity room extending 218 feet into the air and standing 156 feet above the forest floor, completely unsupported. This clashes with the strange creations and collections that go on and on, a mishmash of fantasy, kitsch and nightmare. It’s worth the visit just for the experience. Seeing this could make you forget that the House on the Rock is part of several complexes that include The Inn and The Resort – which by the way, are normal and rather plain. Leave to rest and regain some sanity with an afternoon of wine at the Wollersheim Winery just across from the town of Prairie du Sac. It could be said that the California wine industry was born here. Hungarian immigrant Agoston Haraszthy planted his first vineyards on American soil in Wisconsin, before moving west in December of 1849. He is considered the father of modern winemaking in California, one of the top wine producing regions in the world. Despite this important contribution there are no monuments to him, just a collection of buildings with the sole purpose of making and selling wine. They sit among the vineyards, soft hills and tall trees – a pastoral setting, perfect for a picnic. Stop in and sample their creations and make sure you get a bottle of the fruity, refreshing Seyval wine, Prairie Fumé. Buy some extra bottles for a night of extraordinary theater back at Spring Green.
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TOP: The Wollersheim Winery could be considered the birthplace of the California wine industry. BOTTOM: The House on the Rock is a labyrinth of rooms haunted by trinkets, sculptures, dolls and instruments.
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If you want a quieter trip to Milwaukee, you might want to stay in the downtown area, where you can enjoy its many museums and fine dining.
ENTERTAINMENT UNDER THE STARS Passion has found a purpose and a place in the forest where since 1980 the American Players Theatre has been presenting the works of Shakespeare, Shaw, Chekov, Shiller and Wilde among others. Sitting in a meadow near the Wisconsin River, the natural amphitheater is a cozy venue. There are no bad seats. The forest, the fading pastel colors of the sunset and the starry sky provide a wondrous, shifting backdrop. With no curtains, actors simply come on stage and give the audience their best, sweeping you from emotional crescendos to whispers to joy and laughter. The theater continually draws more than 100,000 visitors to the intimate venue, a testament to its quality. Catch a play from June through October. Music lovers might want to plan their jaunt northward around Summer Fest, which Milwaukee boasts as, “the world’s largest music festival.” First celebrated in 1968, this year’s music party will be held June 24 to July 4. Held at Henri Maier Park on the city’s lakefront, it draws talent from around the region and the country. There is sure to be some music you’ll like: Artists charge the air with rock, country, R&B and Latin beats. Last year, Bon Jovi opened the event, and the year before that Stevie Wonder filled the night sky with soul. The festival grounds hold the Marcus Amphitheater with capacity for 23,000, with 10 additional stages, as well as a wide selection of food and beverages stands. Opening night features a dazzling fireworks show visible from any point on the lakefront. If you want a quieter trip to Milwaukee, then you might want to stay in the downtown area, which has enough posh to satisfy those looking for some comfort and style. Pick a fine hotel, settle in and then walk over to the Milwaukee Art Museum, a masterpiece by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. His curvilinear style often imitates natural forms and here, they resemble sails or wings lifting you over the water and into the sky. The two large sails that sit atop the museum are a siren
Green Trips in God’s Country Get out and get in touch with nature. Here’s a short list of places that our northern neighbor offers to deepen our connection with Mother Earth: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: Located off the northernmost point of the state in Lake Superior, the Apostle Islands can be a playground for nature lovers. Hike, swim, scuba dive or bring your kayak. www.nps.gov/APIS/index.htm Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest: Up in the corner of Wisconsin near Michigan, you can also find vast areas of enchanting woodlands. Make a long weekend of it. The two separate preserves have miles of trails and plenty of space to forget your harried city life. www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf Schlitz Audubon Nature Center: Closer to home and 15 minutes from downtown Milwaukee, the center is a green gem along the shore of Lake Michigan. It has nature exhibits, workshops, hiking trails and great views from its 60-foot observation tower. www.sanc.org
song, pulling your vision with their delicate lines, making it hard to walk away. Inside, you can move between the museum’s three sections and view contemporary art and the works from many masters, which include Rodin, Degas, Monet, ToulouseLautrec, Picasso, Miró and Warhol. Continue the feast of the senses at the Bacchus restaurant. Located in the Cudahy building in city center, the restaurant showcases fresh seafood, handmade pastas, and delicious grilled meats. The attention to detail and service is impeccable. No doubt you will spend hours here. It’s a good place to get pampered before resting or to recharge before going out on the town. By then, Wisconsin will have reawakened that desire to travel that so fills our thoughts as the days grow longer. Return revived, full of memories and ready to do much more. The rest of spring and an entire summer await.
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The Elaborate Vision of Kristoffer Diaz
“Welcome to Arroyo’s,” the Puerto Rican playwright’s first play, gets a full-bodied world premiere production in Chicago words
Once upon a time, “in hip-hop’s earliest days, there was a Boricua — I’m sorry, you might not know what that means — there was a Puerto Rican woman who could rock a microphone in English and Spanish with only herself as her DJ …”
Benjamin Ortiz
“There was a lot I needed to figure out [...] about my place in Latino culture,” says Puerto Rican playwright Kristoffer Diaz, above, who currently resides in Minneapolis. | photo carlos anguita |
That’s how Kristoffer Diaz kicks off his latest play – like a hip-hop fairy tale, following up on “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity,” his firstever full-length work to be produced. Chicago area critics and audiences loved its 2009 run at Victory Gardens Theater, and currently there’s an off Broadway production in New York City. Now Diaz comes home to the very first play he ever wrote, “Welcome to Arroyo’s,” at the American Theatre Company (ATC).
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“The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” will run in New York from April 26 to May 20.
| photo victory gardens theater |
“There was a lot I needed to figure out when I was in college and then graduate school about my place in Latino culture,” says Diaz in a phone conversation from Minneapolis, where he currently resides. “I think ‘Arroyo’s’ is the play that, as I was writing it, really helped me figure all that out.” While “Deity” mixed geopolitics and searing racial satire with authentic, live, prostyle wrestling on-stage, “Arroyo’s” transforms the ATC into a party lounge, with live DJs, interactive freestyling, breakdancing and actual graffiti writing. Diaz’s story spills out from the stage and involves the local hip-hop community, artists and more than 800 high school students through the ATC’s American Mosaic program, which works the production into Chicago Public Schools’ ninth-grade literature curriculum. This program was one reason Diaz chose to work with the ATC. He considers his play to be about family and community 70 Café APRIL | MAY 2010
foremost. It’s “the first time I wrote something where I started to understand the value of not just having characters sitting in a living room talking to each other, but having them break the fourth wall, having them interact with the audience” he says. “With ‘Arroyo’s’ or with ‘Chad,’ I think of those in a lot of ways as musicals … in ‘Arroyo’s,’ instead of singing, they’ll play some music, they’ll rap or they’ll use some hip-hop techniques.” Born in Manhattan and raised mostly in Yonkers, Diaz sees himself as a suburban kid who roamed the New York City metro area, visiting relatives in the Bronx and his grandmother on the Lower East Side. These places and their pan-cultural populations inspired his characters, settings and the overall swagger of the dialogue. In “Arroyo’s,” the main locale is a bar whose owner considers it “the nerve center” of the neighborhood – a sort of community center with alcohol. Owner Alejandro Arroyo tries to keep the
business running while his sister Molly tears through the neighborhood with teen angst and an itchy spray-paint finger. Suburban egghead Lelly Santiago shows up at the bar to validate her own existence as an assimilated academic by proving that a Puerto Rican woman named Reina Rey helped create hip-hop. (Reina Rey also may or may not have been the Arroyos’ mom, who quit rapping to raise a family and run the bodega that Alejandro later turned into a bar.) “Arroyo’s” B-boy hiphoppers Trip and Nel infuse the action with commentary like an urban Greek chorus, rewinding and re-mixing scenes with sampled and scratched dialogue. ATC artistic director PJ Paparelli calls Diaz a “fusion artist” whose work fully realizes the company’s commitment to American stories that engage the question of what it means to be American in today’s global, multicultural society. “‘Arroyo’s’ is a working-class story,” Paparelli adds. “Whether you’re Latino, whether you’re white … The idea of embracing who
mustgo your family is and figuring out who you are is something we all go through.” Paparelli also points out that rehearsals in Logan Square will open the doors to the community on Fridays for spoken-word open mics, while the actual run will feature postperformance DJ sets. ATC ensemble member and “Arroyo’s” director Jaime Castañeda — a Texas native who bops around between Chicago, New York and Los Angeles — says Diaz is creating a new and different kind of Latino theater that taps into our own diversity as multiracial, multicultural people. Castañeda worked with Diaz on a smaller-scale mounting of the play in New York, but he says the ATC production fully realizes all of the challenging technical, artistic and spatial aspects of the work, down to creating a party atmosphere that pulls the crowd in. Similar to the splashy wrestling spectacle of “Deity,” “Arroyo’s” hip-hop exposition will be “like sitting at a rock concert or a hip-hop show,” says Castañeda.
IF YOU GO Welcome to Arroyo’s When: April 15-May 26 Where: American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St., Chicago Showtimes: Thursday and Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 3 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. Admission: Previews (first week of performances), $30; Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, $35 Info: (773) 409-4125, www.atcweb.org The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity When: April 26-May 20 Where: Second Stage Theater, 305 West 43rd St., New York Showtimes: Tuesday, 7 p.m.; Wednesday and Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. (except May 2 when there will be two shows at 2 and 7 p.m.) Admission: $15-$70 Info: (212) 246-4422, www.2st.com
Like Castañeda, Eddie Torres thinks Diaz “has pushed the envelope” of both conventional theater and Latino identity with provocative artistry that doesn’t beat you over the head. Torres co-founded Teatro Vista, which collaborated with Victory Gardens in mounting “Deity,” and he directed the work that he now takes to New York City.
Diaz doesn’t seem worried at all about topping the profusely rave reviews of “Deity.” He mentions that he spends a lot of time in bars, both writing and hanging out with friends. He also blogs regularly about theater, baseball and one of his favorite TV shows, “The Wire.” He says, “this is like the nerdiest thing, but that’s sort of what I do for fun.”
For someone poised to hit Broadway soon at the ripe age of 32,
You can read Kristoffer Diaz’s musings at kristofferdiaz.wordpress.com
“The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” mixes geopolitics and searing racial satire with authentic, live, pro-style wrestling on-stage. | PHOTO VICTORY GARDENS THEATER |
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ToDOTOSÍ 26th Chicago Latino Film Festival When: April 16-29 What: Over 100 short-, medium- and feature-length films from Latin America, Spain and Portugal will be showcased in this two-week event, some even receiving their U.S. premiere. Among the films confirmed so far: “Felicitas” (Argentina, left); “La Pasión de Gabriel” (Colombia); “Cinco Días sin Nora” (Mexico): “Contracorriente” (Peru); “Ella es el Matador” (Spain); and from Chicago, “Immigrant Nation.” Where: Landmark Century Center Cinema, 2828 N. Clark St., Chicago Admission: General, $10; special events, $50 Info:www.latinoculturalcenter.org
Translating Revolution: U.S. Artists Interpret Mexican Muralists When: Ends August 1 What: Kick off the celebration of Mexico’s bicentennial and the 100th anniversary of its Revolution with this exhibit that explores the influence Mexico’s acclaimed muralists had over U.S. artists. “Translating Revolution” shows how artists like Xavier Guerrero, Margaret Burroughs, Jackson Pollock and Edward Weston mimicked and even reinterpreted the themes and techniques used by the muralists. Where: National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., Chicago Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Info: (312) 738-1503, nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org Pizza: Any Way You Slice It! When: Ends May 24 What: Pizza and math — an irresistible combination. Kids can learn the basics of math with this new interactive exhibit that will allow them to make pizzas with a wide variety of toppings and practce division, among other games. Where: Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview Hours: Monday 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; TuesdaySaturday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 12-5 p.m. Admission: Adults and children, $7.50; grandparents and seniors, $6.50 Info: (847) 832-6600, kohlchildrensmuseum.org
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Planet Explorers What: In this new interactive exhibit, children can become the astronauts and scientists of the future through a series of role-playing activities. Where: Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Info: (312) 922-7827, adlerplanetarium.org Our Lady of the Underpass When: April 1-May 1 What: One of the best theatrical productions of 2009 is back. Written by Tanya Saracho and directed by Sandra Marquez, this play explores the effect the sudden appearance of an image of the Virgin Mary on a discolored wall had over several people. Where: 16th Street Theater, 6420 16th St., Berwyn Admission: $16 Hours: Thursday and Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 5 and 8 p.m. Info: (708) 795-6704, 16thstreettheater.org Gilberto Gil When: April 2, 8 p.m. What: One of the founding fathers of Tropicalismo will perform a rare, acoustic concert alongside Bem Gil on guitar and Jacques Morenlenbaum on cello. Where: Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago Admission: $15-$60 Info: (312) 294-3000, cso.org
Gabriel Iglesias When: April 10, 7 p.m. What: He’s fluffy, he likes to wear Hawaiian shirts and he’s good at imitating sound effects. This Mexican-American comedian can deliver a laugh a second whether he is talking about his childhood, his girlfriend or the Latino experience in the United States. Where: Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago Admission: $37.50-$45 Info: (312) 462-6300, thechicagotheatre. com In The Works: El Nogalar When: April 15–17, 7:30 p.m. What: Tanya Saracho joins forces once again with Teatro Vista in this loose adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard.” The final offering of Millennium Park’s new theater lab series, “El Nogalar” explores the clash between Mexican natives and those Mexicans who have returned to their homeland from the United States after the economic downturn. Audiences will have a chance to personally experience the development of this play that will eventually be staged by Teatro Vista. Where: Stage of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, corner of Randolph St. and Michigan Ave., Chicago Admission: $10 Info: (312) 742-8497, millenniumpark.org
calendar Susana Baca When: April 23, 8 p.m. What: One of the leading voices and defenders of Peru’s African culture and music returns to Chicago. Where: Old Town School of Folk, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago Admission: General public, $28; Old Town School members, $26; seniors and children, $24 Info: (773) 728-6000, oldtownschool.org CÈU When: April 23, 7 p.m. What: After performing at Coachella, the acclaimed Brazilian singer arrives in Chicago to perform tracks from her new album “Vagarosa,” a collection of funky, samba and bossa-nova tinged melodies infused with little dollops of electronica. Where: Green Dolphin, 2200 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago Admission: Advance, $20; at the door, $25 Info: rationation.com Los Tres: Alejandro Fernández, Joan Sebastian and Marco Antonio Solís When: April 24, 8 p.m. What: It is being billed as the “biggest showcase of Regional Mexican music and
Mexican pop.” Three different artists, three different approaches to two all-encompassing musical genres. Alejandro Fernández, son of the legendary ranchera singer Vicente, has easily navigated both musical worlds, and his most recent album, “Dos Mundos” (“Two Worlds”), is proof of it. Both Joan Sebastian and Marco Antonio Solís are among Mexico’s most prolific singer-songwriters. Solís’ shows are full of Las Vegas’ style kitsch while Sebastian evokes those old cowboys of yore. Where: Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont Admission: $69-$180 Info: ticketmaster.com Ozomatli When: May 4, 7:30 p.m. What: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with this rambunctious and socially committed multiethnic L.A. band. They will perform tracks from their new album “Fire Away,” and for sure will be leading a conga line all over the House of Blues dance floor. Where: House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago Admission: $18 Info: ticketmaster.com
Things to Come: 21st Century Dizzy When: May 21, 8 p.m. What: Panamanian pianist Danilo Pérez will lead his own version of Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nations Orchestra in this tribute to the master trumpeter’s work and universal vision. The orchestra will feature David Sánchez, Adam Cruz and Jamey Haddad. Where: Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago Admission: $18-$70 Info: (312) 294-3000, cso.org Fuerza Bruta: Look Up When: Opens May 21 What: Are you ready for the ultimate immersive, interactive experience? “Fuerza Bruta: Look Up” features mind-blowing special effects, as well as a 15-foot-long treadmill platform and a 50-foot long pool, hung from the ceiling from where actors defy gravity. Where: Auditorium Theater, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., Chicago Admission: $50-$80 Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7:30 and 10:00 p.m.; Sunday, 3:00 and 6:30 p.m. Info: (800) 775-2000, broadwayinchicago.com
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Taste Buddies
One chef’s matchmaking mission: Show Chicago diners that healthy food leads to scrumptious dishes words
Marla Seidell photos Jillian Sipkins
74 Café APRIL | MAY 2010
DINING Blind Faith Cafe Jacky’s on Prairie
525 W. Dempster St., Evanston 2545 Prairie Ave., Evanston
(847) 328-6875, www.blindfaithcafe.com (847) 733-0899, www.jackysbistro.com
Jona Silva is a man with a mission. As executive chef of Evanston’s Blind Faith Café and Jacky’s on Prairie, the French bistro he created out of the ashes of shuttered Jacky’s Bistro, Silva is bringing a healthy food mantra to the public, one plate at a time. Although Blind Faith is a vegetarian restaurant and Jacky’s is not, Silva strives to serve organic, seasonal ingredients from both kitchens, prepared with fresh herbs and international recipes that lean more heavily toward fresh vegetables and grains than protein. “We just want to be an option for people that want to eat healthier,” Silva says. Thanks to Silva’s efforts, Blind Faith Café is now a certified green restaurant (with two stars awarded by the Green Restaurant Association). Green initiatives at the restaurant include faucets that curb water consumption, eco-friendly cleaning chemicals for the dishes and green-certified pest control. Food products are seasonal and mostly organic (about 60 percent) and local. The ambience is laidback and cozy, with the same wooden chairs and tables used 20 years ago and peaceful, relaxing music in the background. “We try to keep it simple,” Silva says. On a Friday around lunchtime, despite the current economic situation, Blind Faith is reasonably packed, with young families and groups of friends and co-workers gearing up for lunch at tables in the front area and booths in the main dining room. What patrons won’t find here is the groovy, brown rice-and-beans type of fare the place was dishing up since the 1980s until recently. In 2006, Blind Faith hired Silva – who worked in kitchens in Montreal and Chicago and earned a master’s degree in research and development plus certification as chef de cuisine from the Culinary Institute of America – with the idea that he would create a new menu, which launched last fall. The new plates are a version of vegetarianism that’s hipper to the 21st century. A DIFFERENT WAY OF EATING
Some of the old standbys, such as the macrobiotic plate and the Mongolian stirfry, are still on the menu, but there’s a whole bunch of new dishes, such as the Moroccan vegetable tagine and shitake walnut loaf,
Jona Silva launched Blind Faith’s new menu, a 21st century answer to vegetarian cuisine, last fall.
which contains root vegetables and mashed potatoes in place of meat or even tofu. “It’s not all about the protein,” explains Silva. And with a menu that relies on nuts, vegetables and grains to make a complete protein, Silva is introducing his patrons to a different way of eating. “There are more options out there than [what you’ll find at] your regular restaurant and food market,” notes Silva, who has also incorporated smaller portions in the dishes. And in order to impress the masses, the most important thing is turning folks on to delicious food that is also good for you. “If you make healthy food for your family, make sure it tastes good. There’s nothing worse than trying to introduce people to another way of eating and being turned off by first experiences,” he says. Two dishes that have been particularly popular on the new menu are the pastel Azteca and the sagamite, inspired respectively by Silva’s own Mexican heritage and Native American culture. Layers of spinach, black beans, tortillas and poblano peppers form the basis of the pastel, which Silva explains is a complete meal that reflects the traditional Aztec diet with the presence of a corn base, protein and vegetables. Also, like foods in Aztec and preEuropean Mexican diets, the meal is cooked without oils or fats, such as butter. “The pastel is healthy and complete and
is a happy memory from home,” says Silva, who also creates salsa for the dish with a mortar and pestle, similar to how his mother did it in San Marcos, a small village near Oaxaca, Mexico. With sagamite, a dish served by the Peoria Indian tribe to Jesuits in the 16th century, Silva has used his experience with local and sustainable cuisine to revive a Native American dish. He researched the dish by consulting with the current Peoria Indian chief, and spoke with a Springfield Museum curator. True to original form, the dish contains hominy, but Silva added other ingredients indigenous to the Great Lakes region: wild mushroom, Jerusalem artichoke, wild rice and applewood smoked squash. “The sagamite is truly local!” says David Lipschutz, owner and founder of Blind Faith Café, who has seen Silva add an element of sophistication and modernism to his 30-year-old business. Lipschutz, who also owns Jacky’s On Prairie with Silva, appreciates his partner’s culinary and business skills. “A lot of chefs are good at their art, but they can’t really translate it into a working business model,” he notes. “You need three qualities: a strong culinary background, the ability to manage and motivate people, and the business acumen... and Jona brings all three to the table.” For a complete version of this story, visit www.cafemagazine.com
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MANA Food Bar 1742 W. Division St., Chicago (773) 342-1742 www.manafoodbar.com Vegetarian fare is served in a relaxed and hip environment at MANA Food Bar. The menu offers cold dishes, including chickpeas with hearts of palm, olives, tomato, cucumber and sherry. Larger dishes include tomato pumpkin ravioli in a sage cream sauce and the MANA slider, a small brown rice and mushroom burger with spicy mayo. Midwestern beer served include a white ale from Michigan’s Bell’s Brewery and a French country ale from Two Brothers Brewing in west suburban Warrenville.
Dig in! Before being consciously green, organic and vegetarian was trendy, Chicago area restaurants were busy creating tofu and seitan dishes for local veggies and raw foodies. Ever wondered what a fast food vegan joint serves or how soyrizo tastes? Wonder no more: These raw food, vegan and vegetarian restaurants have spiced up many of your favorite ethnic dishes without the meat. A raw diet consists primarily of uncooked fruits, vegetables and, for some, fish and meats. A vegetarian diet consists solely of vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, etc., while a vegan diet, a subset of vegetarianism, does not allow the use of any animal-derived ingredients, like dairy products or eggs. BYOB
ATM
Cash only
Raw Borrowed Earth Café 970 Warren Ave., Downers Grove (630) 795-1729 www.borrowedearthcafe.com Entrees include pizza made with a sprouted rye crust, marinara sauce, tomatoes and almond ricotta cheese; the burrito loco, which includes guacamole, sour cream, cheese, salsa and spicy sunflower seed beans wrapped in a corn tortilla; and the kale-licious salad, made of kale, pine nuts, raisins and sun-dried tomatoes. Vegan falafels, gyros, lasagna and wraps are also on the menu.
Cousin’s Incredible Vitality 3038 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago (773) 478-6868 www.cousinsiv.com Cousin’s Incredible Vitality is
76 Café APRIL | MAY 2010
Credit cards accepted
more than a restaurant, offering food delivery, community outreach educational programs on food nutrition and detoxing sessions at their venue. The restaurant menu includes tacos served on a baby romaine “tortilla,” refried beans made of sesame tahini over a mango salad and guacamole, and the Cousin’s tamale, made with spiced cashew pate, mango salad and guacamole wrapped in a corn husk. The juice bar offers an array of teas and energy drinks.
Vegan Karyn’s on Green 130 S. Green St., Chicago (312) 226-6155 www.karynsongreen.com Karyn’s on Green is part of the Karyn’s empire of vegan and
Accessible
Music
raw food restaurants that has grown on Chicago for more than 20 years. Recently opened in Greektown, Karyn’s on Green offers vegan food in an upscale lounge. The menu offers vegan spins on vegetarian and raw maki rolls, chorizo sliders, crab cakes, BBQ bacon meatloaf, linguini, shepherd’s pie and poached haddock. Other Karyn’s vegan and raw restaurants: Karyn’s Raw Café at 1901 N. Halsted St. and Karyn’s Cooked at 738 N. Wells St.
Life on Mars 2910 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago (773) 489-6277 mars-takeout.com You knew it was coming: vegan take-out. Life on Mars posts the day’s selections on their Web site. Offerings include vegan
sloppy Joes, BBQ ribs and baked beans, coconut greens, macaroni and cheese, pasta and green salads with an occasional tuna salad. Patrons can build their own sandwich from fresh ingredients that include tofu egg salad, baba ganoush and hummus. They also serve a rice or baked good of the day, tea, coffee, smoothies and soy shakes.
The Loving Hut 5812 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago (773) 275-8797 lovinghut.us/chicago Edgewater’s The Loving Hut is part of an international vegan chain of restaurants, each locally owned. The menu offers cleverly named, Asian-inspired dishes including Buddha’s braised tofu, a bowl of tofu, soy, cabbage, carrots and goji berries served with rice; Forever Love, made up of fried soy protein, pineapple, onion, red pepper, cabbage and black mushrooms with sweet and sour sauce and rice; and Dol Sot Bi Bim Bob, a Korean rice bowl served with smoked tofu, bean sprouts, bell flower root, and vegetables.
RESTAURANTGUIDE Veggie Bite 1300 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago (773) 772-2483 veggiebite.net It’s vegan fast food. Veggie Bite offers all the typical Chicago fast food, but without the pork, beef, chicken, and fish. On the menu are vegan gyros, Philly cheese steak, chili cheese dogs, Italian beef, nachos, tofu nugget, buffalo wings, cheese fries and chili cheese fries.
Vegetarian Chicago Diner 3411 N. Halsted St., Chicago (773) 935-6696 www.veggiediner.com Since 1983, Chicago Diner has been a favorite vegetarian restaurant locally and nationally. Highlights from the six-page menu include the customer favorite radical Reuben sandwich, pork tacos, the deluxe olive
burger and BBQ fib-rib sandwich. Vegan shakes, fruit smoothies, juices, coffee drinks, beer and wine are also served.
Green Zebra 1460 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago (312) 243-7100 www.greenzebrachicago.com Green Zebra offers a mostly vegetarian menu with the occasional seafood or chicken dish in an upscale environment. The menu includes Thai-spiced sweet potato coconut soup served with crispy rice noodles; black rice with salsa verde, grilled red onion, cilantro, and queso fresco; and hot and sour broth with udon noodles, roasted squash, gai lon and chestnuts. Sunday brunch highlights: chilaquiles, gingerbread hotcakes and German style pancakes with caramelized apples.
Fa b u l o u s
Handlebar 2311 W. North Ave., Chicago (773) 384-9546 handlebarchicago.com Handlebar has one of the largest mostly vegetarian and vegan lunch and dinner menus. Highlights include vegan huevos diablos with scrambled tofu; seitan chorizo on chipotle sauce; the Handlebar omelette made with organic eggs, smoked gouda, walnuts and pears; black bean tostadas, black beans and maduros served with brown rice, jack cheese and chipotle sauce; and BBQ seitan chicken wraps.
Shree Indian Vegetarian Restaurant 655 N. Cass Ave., Westmont (630) 655-1021 Shree Indian Vegetarian Restaurant offers South and North Indian vegetarian cuisine in a buffet with five varieties of rice, 12 curries, and several crepe
Victory’s Banner 2100 W. Roscoe St., Chicago (773) 665-0227 www.victorysbanner.com Breakfast is served all day at Victory’s Banner. More than a dozen egg dishes are on the menu, all made using free-range eggs and include sides and toppings such as feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, organic salsa, grilled potatoes, organic tofu, soy sausage, soy chicken and stripples-soy bacon. Pancake choices include oat bran, chocolate chip, apple-pecan, raspberry and banana walnut, all served with maple syrup. Waffles, cereals, yogurts and fruits are also on the menu.
UA L 20TH ANN
E S U O H R E H P C H R I S TO TO T H E
specialties including sadha dosa, rice and lentil flour crepes, potato and onion crepes and Indianstyle pancakes.
G A L A
WHEN THE HOUSE WINS, FAMILIES WIN
Ravenswood Billboard Factory • Saturday, May 8, 2010 • 4043 N. Ravenswood Ave Special Emcee Anthony Ponce NBC 5 Chicago
PRESENTED BY:
Featuring “Mr. Rat Pack” Frank Lamphere and his Rat Pack Jazz Band
MEDIA SPONSOR:
For tickets or to learn more visit www.christopherhouse.org or call 773.472.1083.
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Tony Ibarra and Omar Ibarra
PICKTHISUP Maureen Mena and Yezmina Ontiveros
ANDLOVEIT photos abel arciniega and elia l. alamillo
It might have been a below-zero January night but inside the Crimson Lounge, 333 N. Dearborn St., it was as hot as July. Cafeteros came out in full force Jan. 28 to celebrate the publication of Café's first edition for 2010.
Erika Cano and John Alfonzo
Karla Soto, Karina Soto and Maria Arias 78 Café APRIL | MAY 2010
Raymond Torres, Ishmael Gonzalez and Daniel Miles Perez
Ana Vega and Jorge Corona
Maritsa Campo, Ana Fajardo and Rosa Martinez
Jermaine Collins and Karen Canaho
Vanessa and Caroline Nicole Figueroa
sceneat
Chiara Mangiameli from flamenco trio Idilio
Ronnie Malley
Ana Saboya, lead singer of Canteca de Macao
gypsywave photos abel arciniega and karthik sudhir
The Instituto Cervantes presented its 2010 Flamenco Festival at different venues of the city. One of this year's highlights was the U.S. debut of Spanish band Canteca de Macao at the Green Dolphin Feb. 12. Local groups like Idilio and Las Guitarras de España were also featured in the month-long event.
Jessie Duran, Cesar Vazquez and Martha Duran
Sonia Urintsev and Jessica Moore
AllinAFLUX photos alberto treviño
Fashion designer Agga B. Raya curated “THE FIRST: Flux,” one on a series of monthly events cosponsored by Toyota featuring works by local artists, March 1st at Chicago Creative Lounge, 1564 N. Damen Ave. Artists who use a fusion of science and technology in their artwork were featured.
Christina Bock and Cleveland Dean
Ron Mendoza and Julius Lacour
George Keaton and Agga B.
Sofia Spadafora and Carley Ruane
Marcos Raya
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caféBLEND | A MÍ ME ENSEÑARON
No se agüite
pa’ que pite...
M
My dad is one of those parents who always tried to navigate the thin line between being an authority figure and being a cool role model. He wasn’t always successful. However, his corny one-liners have followed me to this day. On really bad days, I often catch myself muttering one I particularly remember: “No se agüite pa’ que pite, ni se apure pa’ que dure” (literally, “Don’t get sad so you can whistle, nor worry so you can last”). He would always use this dicho whether we had failed a test, fallen from a bike or misplaced a prized possession. My dad was left an orphan at a very young age. Because of this, he was passed from one family member to another. Throughout his life, he has encountered great grief and loneliness and yet he is the liveliest person I know. If someone like my dad can surpass the difficulties life tosses, I believe anyone can. So whenever I’m stressed, I tell myself what my dad has probably said to himself all his life. It’s corny, but it never fails to make me smile. And sometimes that’s all we need to make our problems just a little more manageable.
–Danny Olvera, Chicago 80 Café APRIL | MAY 2010
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