Backyard

Sunday March 6th, 12:30 pm/ Ascension Catholic Church/ Tickets

A light lunch will be served at noon, immediately prior to the films. Three short films (Bomb Trains on the Hudson, Backyard, and The Sustainable) will be woven together with quotes from the recent Papal Encyclical, Laudato Si, which urges a sense of integral ecology and care for our common home and common family. Post-film opportunities include a panel of experts in trains that carry hazardous materials, fracking in Illinois and updates on the solar energy field. There will be time for Q&A and opportunities to take concrete action on various issues, including local environmental issues in Cicero and information on socially responsible investing (Joe O'Krepky with Edward Jones). Facilitator: Gina Orlando, DePaul Faculty; Wellness Coach, Consultant, Hypnotherapist at Healthy is Wealthy.

Panelists include:Alexis Aurigemma, Co-producer of the film "The Sustainable" Lisa Albrecht, Board member of ISEA (Illinois Solar Energy Association) Stacey Durley Hess, Environmental consultant for environmental investigations and remediation in the Midwest. Dawn Dannenbring, Environmental organizer for Illinois Peoples Action

Deia Schlosberg/ 2013/ 28 min/ Energy

FILM DESCRIPTION: Energy companies pursue increasingly difficult methods of fossil fuel extraction at increasing costs to the people and the environment. “Backyard” examines four states that are presently in different stages of hydro-fracking development. The results are several powerful stories of people at odds with the natural gas extraction occurring around them.

Bomb Trains on the Hudson

Sunday March 6th, 12:30 pm/ Ascension Catholic Church/ Tickets

A light lunch will be served immediately prior to the film, at noon. Three short films (Bomb Trains on the Hudson, Backyard, and The Sustainable) will be woven together with quotes from the recent Papal Encyclical, Laudato Si, which urges a sense of integral ecology and care for our common home and common family. Post-film opportunities include a panel of experts in trains that carry hazardous materials, fracking in Illinois and updates on the solar energy field. There will be time for Q&A and opportunities to take concrete action on various issues, including local environmental issues in Cicero and information on socially responsible investing (Joe O'Krepky with Edward Jones). Facilitator: Gina Orlando, DePaul Faculty; Wellness Coach, Consultant, Hypnotherapist at Healthy is Wealthy.

Panelists include:Alexis Aurigemma, Co-producer of the film "The Sustainable" Lisa Albrecht, Board member of ISEA (Illinois Solar Energy Association) Stacey Durley Hess, Environmental consultant for environmental investigations and remediation in the Midwest. Dawn Dannenbring, Environmental organizer for Illinois Peoples Action

Jon Bowermaster/ 2015/ 7 min/ Energy

FILM DESCRIPTION: For many years, the Hudson river, like so many waterways, was treated like an infinite waste barrel, a receptacle for poisonous chemicals, hazardous waste and trash of all descriptions. However, in the past forty years, thanks to a committed group of environmentalists and their agencies (Riverkeeper, Scenic Hudson, Clearwater and more) the river has become markedly cleaner. While it is still an under-utilized natural resource, increasingly it is used by boaters, kayakers, even swimmers as a recreational playground. But the river has had a "foot on its neck" for one hundred years and still today, despite the efforts to clean it up, there are environmental risks and concerns.

Watch trailer: https://www.hudsonriverstories.com/bomb-trains/

Catching the Sun

Saturday March 5th, 11 am/ Institute of Cultural Affairs/ Ticket

Program will include a tour of the Institute of Cultural Affairs Greenrise's solar array (the 2nd largest in the City of Chicago), and a brief sharing of initiatives by Cook County Community Solar Project, as well as Ben Ishibashi of the National People’s Action Clean Jobs Bill. Facilitator: Samantha Sainsbury, Program Coordinator at Institute of Cultural Affairs.

Saturday March 5th, 3 pm Trinity United Church of Christ/ Tickets

Stay for our post film program where Imani Village will share about their solar house project. There will also be opportunities for taking concrete action from local advocacy groups such as Faith in Place. Facilitator: Fara Taylor, Finance & HR Administrator at Institute of Cultural Affairs.

Shalini Kantayya/ 2013/ 75 min/ Energy

FILM DESCRIPTION: Through the stories of workers and entrepreneurs in the U.S. and China, Catching the Sun is a feature length documentary that explores the global race to a clean energy future. Catching the Sun follows the hope and heartbreak of unemployed American workers seeking jobs in the solar industry and sheds light on the path to an economically and environmentally sustainable future.