Arbor Day Celebration May 1, 2010

Show off your green thumb with other tree huggers at a planting day
for Joy Garden, a 10,000 square-foot multi-use site that showcases
sustainable initiatives and serves as an outdoor classroom for special
education students.
The garden’s environmental components include wildlife-friendly
plantings, 35 tons of recycled materials and sustainable elements such
as a storm-water management system and permeable pavement.

Features designed for the adjacent special education department
include handicapped accessible pervious concrete pathways, raised beds
and wheelchair-height learning stations.

The garden is named in honor of project coordinator and Northside
College Prep graduate Brianna Birman’s deceased aunt, Samantha Joy
Birman, who was profoundly disabled.

The celebration includes live music, fare from local green
restaurants, kids’ activities, a raffle and a sneak peek at the
school’s recently completed $800,000 solar panel project.

Presenters: Northside College Prep’s Community for Alternative Sources
of Energy, Urban Wildlife Coalition and Urban Habitat Chicago
Venue: Northside College Prep
Address: 5501 N. Kedzie Ave.
Date: noon-4 p.m. Saturday, May 1
Phone: 773-545-8136