Take On The Good To Go Commuter Challenge!

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Karen Hanrahan

A Bloomington – Normal campaign known as “Good To Go” is gearing up for it’s annual challenge. The campaign asks commuters to look at sustainable/ alternative ways of transportation. This could include car share, car pooling, riding a bike, walking or taking the bus!

The effort asks computers to take this on for one week. It’s a super program to observe commute habits and to consider some of these shifts as your personal norm. Try it on!

The director of the ISU Sustainability program Michael McCurdy enthusiastically champions this campaign, he commutes via bicycle to his job, as program director for the local public radio station WGLT

Michael just completed a series of radio/blog interviews to illustrate several who are alternatively commuting year round. I was the project photographer.

The actual Good To Go challenge is May 12-18, a friendly competition between individuals, teams and workplaces. Participants track/report their efforts and are eligible for prizes. The simple goal is to do anything but drive alone.

The main reasons to consider alternative transportation is that it’s really good for you, great for the planet and it saves you money! It also connects you with others in the community!!

More projects by Photographer Karen Hanrahan

Old House Society Fundraiser Finds Mike Ryburn Up On The Roof!

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Karen Hanrahan

Thank you for sharing this email Karen Schmidt!

Mike is still on the roof!!

Follow the details of this fundraiser, kindly “LIKE” the society’s Facebook Page while you are there and pledge. There are great discounts on salvaged house stuffs, and an astounding raffle prize too!

Take a moment to drive past 214 E. Douglas. You will notice a few unusual sights: the faux-barn siding is off the building, revealing tile and glass, and a really keen Boy Scouts sticker on one of the western windows that have just been uncovered. Up on the roof, you’ll see a tent and a chair, and – yes – it’s Mike Ryburn, who has pledged to stay on the roof until the Old House Society raises enough money to replace the roof and bring the exterior back to its original beauty.

Former Building Exterior Old House Society

Let’s cheer Mike on and help OHS find the money to bring the building back to a great condition, and get Mike off that roof!

Following is information about the fund-raising event.

***

Help raise money for our Old House Society Architectural Salvage Warehouse 2011 Restoration Project at 214 E. Douglas Street Bloomington, IL.

Beginning September 10th, 2011 at exactly 10 a.m., Michael Ryburn, The OHS Warehouse Operations Coordinator, will be broadcasting from the top of the Old House Society Architectural Salvage Warehouse in an effort to raise funds for the restoration of the facility.

Over the weekend, OHS staff and volunteers removed the barn siding from the warehouse to unveil the original glaze block. This façade is in desperate need of restoration, starting with some tuck pointing and possible replacement of these rare glazed period blocks. Along with the façade, the roof is also in need of replacement because water is woods worst enemy and our materials are pleading for a dry place to reside.

The OHS is offering a beautiful etched Victorian window showcasing a bird with flowers for raffle. Stop by and purchase your raffle tickets at $5 each. The window has been valued at $500.00. The drawing will be held as soon as money has been raised to get Mike off the roof, all money goes toward the restoration fund.

If you can make a pledge toward the restoration fund simply email, call, or mail in a check to the Old House Society P.O. Box 581 Bloomington, IL 61702

For further details stop in to the warehouse today or give them a call at 309-820-0548.

Way To Go Artistic Chef Challenge Winners

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Karen Hanrahan

Congratulations to the winners of the Artistic Chef Challenge!!

Even though we, “Team Karen” didn’t win the contest — the experience throughout was really REALLY wonderful!

This is the dish we made:

Inspired by this painting by Natalie Wetzel:

Ironically both are very similar to my original entry to the contest!!

Here is the commentary we prepared for the judges:

Twin City Restaurant Week – Artistic Chef Challenge

Featuring: “Team Karen”

Entourage Lounge owner Karen Murukas

Community Chef Karen Hanrahan – Blog Author: Best Of Mother Earth

Our plate was inspired by Natalie Wetzel’s Painting “Psychedelic Vapor“

Title: Visual Exhalation

Psychedelic defined: vivid colors and complex patterns popularly associated with the psychotic state. A vapor is a visual exhalation.

Entourage Signature Egg Rolls: Greek seasoned (garlic, lemon and oregano) chicken and beef with savory balsamic roasted butternut squash and purple potato. For a bit of salty goo we’ve added some feta cheese. Red and yellow peppers offer some color and crisp. Note the surprise of blueberry

The above is nestled on a colorful textured bed of baby spring mix, swiss chard, red beet, shredded carrot and green onion

Spicy Side Salad: Enjoy a champagne vinaigrette marinated cucumber, shredded carrot, mandarin orange, cilantro, peas, purple cabbage salad with a hint of red pepper flakes – topped with crushed thai spiced peanuts

Bok Choy leaf with three dipping sauces: Thai Peanut Sauce, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Raspberry Hazelnut Vinaigrette

Mini Cucumber Gin Bellini

don’t tell anyone, but we totally forgot the green onions

This image is of the judges; one eating, one drinking, one writing while being filmed:

Our table setting:

above images by karen hanrahan

Newspaper Seed Starter Pots

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Karen Hanrahan

I attended a little workshop sponsored by the West Bloomington Revitalization Partnership over the weekend

A local master gardener, Charlotte Talkington — taught an enthusiastic group

how to make these nifty seed/plant starter pots out of newspaper.

What a delight!!

Pots out of newspaper foster a way to use up old newspapers, they may be planted directly into the soil, the newspaper naturally decomposes, earthworms love them and the roots of the plant are not disturbed.

Each of us walked out with a newspaper pot complete with soil and a precious coleus plant from Charlotte’s epic collection. ( Charlotte nurtures 1000 coleus plants each season! )

PLUS we all got pea seeds and seed packets donated from a local nursery.