Friday, January 22 & Saturday, January 23; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Tesla Store Chicago Open House

Stop by the new Chicago Tesla Store this Friday and Saturday at 1053 W. Grand Ave. to help celebrate the opening. It’s quite exciting to see such a high-performance electric car in person! There are a few Tesla Roadsters in the showroom to ooo and ahh over–my favorite is the white one.

Sunday, January 24; 1 – 5 p.m. — Conscientious Luxe Winter Sample Sale

A few fan-favorite local eco-fashion designers including Mountains of the Moon and Lara Miller are getting together this Sunday at Great Taste Cafe (355 E. Grand Ave.) for an amazing sale. Definitely drop in this Sunday if you’re looking for a winter blues pick-me-up. Vaute Couture is even offering a buy one, get one free deal on their luxe coats!

Tuesday, January 26; 5 – 7 p.m. — Green Grocer Sprecher Brewery Tasting

Every Tuesday evening Green Grocer features a wine or beer tasting. Stop by next week for some fun, conversation and shopping before heading home to make dinner!

Eco Scenes category: These entries share upcoming events with a focus on learning about creating more sustainable communities and lifestyles. The point is to do more than “be seen on the scene.” Engage with others, take valuable information away, and use it to make positive changes in your life and others.

Tuesday, January 12; 12 p.m. — The Hull-House Kitchen Hosts re-Thinking Soup

I have heard so many great things about this series, but unfortunately have not been able to attend a Tuesday yet. “Every Tuesday from 12:00-1:00pm, the Hull-House Museum hosts a modern day soup kitchen that is a public and communal event where we gather together and eat delicious, healthy, soup and have fresh, organic conversation about many of the urgent social, cultural, economic and environmental food issues that we should be addressing.”

I don’t see January 12th’s topic or speaker posted yet, but I’m sure it will be an informative and engaging way to spend a lunch hour.

Wednesday, January 13th; 5:45 – 8:30 p.m. – Chicago Green Drinks: Annual State of Sustainable Chicago

If you haven’t been to a Chicago Green Drinks before, this would be a good one to start with. Note: pre-registration is required for this event, so act quickly if you’re interested. (Normally you can just show up to Green Drinks, but this is a particularly popular night.) “How will the events of 2009 impact us in 2010? Come gain a broad perspective from local leaders on topics ranging from green restaurants to environmental policy. Leave inspired with ideas about how you can get involved in issues that will influence Chicago in the coming year.”

Foresight Design’s Chicago Green Drinks has been around for quite a while now and it attracts a loyal, business and networking-minded crowd. It’s a great opportunity to hear some of the city’s top leaders in sustainability and interesting thinkers. You can go with the mindset of meeting new people and networking, or you can make your night more laid back if you prefer and just take in the panel discussion. I’ve got my ticket, so I’ll see you there.

Eco Scenes category: These entries share upcoming events with a focus on learning about creating more sustainable communities and lifestyles. The point is to do more than “be seen on the scene.” Engage with others, take valuable information away, and use it to make positive changes in your life and others.

(Image via Medill Reports)

If you’re not finished with holiday shopping yet, there’s a great event in Chicago this Thursday featuring eco-fashion brands Frei Designs, Mohop and Mountains of the Moon. And if dresses, jackets, jewelry or shoes aren’t on your shopping list, maybe you’ll be interested in checking out eco-friendly paint or consulting services from Colori–where the event will be held. I’ll definitely be stopping in! Details are in the flyer above, or click here for more information.

A few other Chicago independent retailers I like for gifts:

Post 27, 1819 West Grand Avenue: Mid century modern furniture and home goods with a mix of new eco items and locally made artists works. I can spend hours in here, but it won’t take you long to see there are a ton of great gift options.

Green Grocer, 1402 West Grand Avenue: Buying foodstuffs or a nice bottle of wine is a great gift option when the person is hard to buy for, you’re looking for lower price points or maybe you just want something fun to add to a larger gift. Stop at Green Grocer for organic and local treats that anyone will appreciate.

Permanent Records, 1914 West Chicago Avenue: I really like the idea of supporting local music shops and Permanent is a great one. Sure, iTunes gift cards might be nice and easy and used by everyone. But there’s something great about going to a shop and listening to music, seeing the staff picks, petting the cute cat and then buying a physical cd.

Eco Scenes category: These entries share upcoming events with a focus on learning about creating more sustainable communities and lifestyles. The point is to do more than “be seen on the scene.” Engage with others, take valuable information away, and use it to make positive changes in your life and others.

2009 Green Awards honorees at reception

Chicago magazine is accepting nominations for its 2010 Green Awards now through January 5! If you’ve been out and about and participating in the “eco scene” in the Chicago area, I’m sure you have more than a couple people you’d like to nominate. Editors are looking for groundbreakers in conservation and sustainability. Think about the people you know who are doing something really unique or especially forward-looking in the “green” realm.

I was honored to be included last year with five other amazing individuals. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the honorees to share the work they are doing and potentially reach new audiences that are key in helping them achieve success. I applaud Chicago magazine for developing this tradition and making it a priority to their publication. We need to recognize, celebrate and foster innovative leaders in sustainability in Chicago, and the magazine offers a great platform to do so.

Get going and nominate!

Frei Designs Fall 2009

I’ve been asked by journalists or out-of-town visitors many times since I opened Pivot what the “eco scene” is like in Chicago. I always answered a little bit differently each time, depending on what I thought the asker was most interested in: fashion, food, sustainable businesses, interiors, government, architecture, etc. In general, I would say there are many exciting “eco” events and communities to be part of in Chicago. But, there’s always room for improvement and growth of course. And while it makes sense to focus on events that feature your area of interest, it’s also great to get out of your comfort zone sometimes and try something new. Maybe you attend dozens of solar energy seminars and speaker panels every year, but what about learning more about and meeting people passionate about local food systems?

In the new Eco Scenes category, I plan to share upcoming events where you can find other people working to make communities and lifestyles more sustainable, or those interested in doing so. They might range from panel discussions and speakers to open houses and shopping parties. Hopefully at each there will be excellent opportunities to learn new things, connect with great people and gain inspiration.

Right now, I will be focusing on Chicago, but I’ll be looking for others to share insight on “eco scenes” in other cities!

FOR CHICAGO …

Thursday, December 3; 6 p.m. — Mindful Metropolis MindfulLive! Moving Screening Event

This month Mindful Metropolis, Chicago’s magazine that connects the conscious community, is screening the non-fiction feature Oh My God. The film stars Hugh Jackman, Seal, Ringo Starr, Sir Bob Geldof and more, and examines the idea of God through the perspectives of various people. Should be an interesting film, and Mindful Metropolis events always draw a great community of people to meet and connect with.

Saturday, December 5 (4 – 9pm) & Sunday, December 6 (12 – 6pm) — Insanely Beautiful Curiosities, Holiday Shopping at Workshop

If you are looking for thoughtful, unique, beautiful, ethically made and wonderful gifts (I hope you are!), you should definitely stop by Workshop, 818 West 18th Street, this weekend. You’ll find treasures from Frei Designs, Noon Solar, Abigail Glaum-Lathbury, Tania Bowers and more. Annie Novotny, designer of Frei Designs, opened Workshop this fall and if you haven’t been yet, you must make a visit to Pilsen to see her goregously curated space. This weekend is a perfect time since she has invited over these additional designers to make your holiday shopping easier … and better.

Eco Scenes category: These entries share upcoming events with a focus on learning about creating more sustainable communities and lifestyles. The point is to do more than “be seen on the scene.” Engage with others, take valuable information away, and use it to make positive changes in your life and others.