Monday, July 28, 2008

EcoChallenge #3


#3 - How long can you go without driving or riding in a gas-powered vehicle? One day? Two days? A week?

Send your response with your name and Elmhurst Public Library Card number to: ecochallenges@gmail.com. For participating, you will get another entry into our summer reading prize drawings (for one of 5 iPod Shuffles and other prizes). We’ll post some of the best responses on this blog. We’ll take responses for EcoChallenge #3 through the end of the day on Monday, August 4, 2008.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Things to do in our area

Thursday, July 31 - ULTRAMARATHON MAN - York Theatre - 7:00pm
Dean Karnazes, the extreme marathon runner that Wired Magazine called “The Perfect Human.” Karnazes has pushed his body and mind to inconceivable limits. His many accomplishments include: winning the worlds toughest footrace, the Badwater UltraMarathon, 135 mile run across Death Valley in 130 degree temp, running a marathon to the South Pole in negative 40 degrees, 200 mile relay solo racing alongside teams of twelve, & completed a non-stop 350 mile run. UltraMarathon Man will be shown at all the Classic Cinemas Locations (except the Meadowview Theatre) on July 31st at 7:00 p.m.
GENRE: Documentary
ACTORS: Dean Karnazes
RATING: NR
RUNTIME: 110 minutes
OFFICIAL SITE: http://www.journeyfilm.com/deankarnazes/

Friday, August 1 - Borders Books & Music - Oak Brook - 9:30pm
Attention Stephenie Meyer Fans!!
Breaking Dawn Midnight Release Party -
From Twilight til Dawn: A Night with Bite
The fun begins with a trivia questions supplied by Twilight Lexicon  the official Stephenie Meyer fan sponsored website. Fans will also have the opportunity to participate in a debate on who is the better match for Bella - Jacob or Edward. All customers are encouraged to attend in costume for a costume/homemade t-shirt contest. You won't want to miss Borders From Twilight til Dawn parties! It will be A Night with Bite! Contact your store for more details.
Official Website of Stephenie Meyer

Monday, July 7, 2008

EcoChallenge # 2 - Saving Energy



#2 - What appliances can you turn off, and even unplug, when you are not using them?

There are many so-called "vampire appliances" that consume energy as long as they are plugged in--even when they are turned off.

Send your response with your name and Elmhurst Public Library Card number to: ecochallenges@gmail.com. For participating, you will get another entry into our summer reading prize drawings (for one of 5 iPod Shuffles and other prizes). We’ll post some of the best responses on this blog. We’ll take responses for EcoChallenge #2 through the end of the day on Monday, July 21, 2008.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Summer Programs

We have 3 programs coming up this month. To register for programs, stop by the 2nd Floor Information Desk, or email (reference@elmhurst.org), or call (630-279-8696). You will need to give us your Elmhurst Public Library card number.

Triathlons and Marathons - Xtreme Athlete!
Wednesday, July 16 • 7 p.m. • Meeting Room 2
Triathlon: A 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride, then a marathon (26.2 mile run). Come and hear three-time Ironman triathlon finisher and marathon runner Marianne Fidishin. She will discuss how her lifelong love of fitness led her to these challenges. You will find out what it’s like to train and participate in these endurance events.

Xtreme Biking!
Thursday, July 24 • 7 p.m. • Meeting Room 1
Have you ever thought about biking across the country? Find out what it’s like to make a 3,163 mile bike trip over 51 days through eight states. Join York High School alumni David (Class of 2006) and Matthew (Class of 2004) Montgomery as they tell us about their bike trip from Elmhurst to Seattle, Washington, in the summer of 2006. Their accommodations were old school—a tent and sleeping bags -- but their documenting of the trip was strictly 21st century--blogging as they traveled.
Click here for their blog.

Naturally Artsy
Wednesday, July 30 • 2-4 p.m. • Elmhurst Art Museum
Take part in a workshop at the Elmhurst Art Museum which explores how nature can be used to inspire and create art. Learn how to use natural products to make your own paper. Also, create an interesting collage using the natural resources around the Museum. This workshop will give you the opportunity to learn how professional artists have used nature in their work and see what your peers are creating with what nature has given them! Co-sponsored with the Elmhurst Art Museum.
Maximum: 20 teens.

Plastic

We had one response to our EcoChallenge No. 1 on plastic. Two hours was the longest this person went without buying something made of plastic or something packaged in plastic. It's hard--it seems like if something isn't made of plastic, there's plastic in the packaging.

Did you hear about the high school student in Canada who has isolated microorganisms that make plastic bags degrade in about 3 months? Read the article.