Snowshoe making; a holiday in the garden; Nature's Noel and more coming this month

A surprising number of eco-events coming in Eastern Iowa in December 2009. Here are some of the ones I've run across. Let me know of others. Send an e-mail to: cindy.hadish@gazcomm.com

Wed. Dec. 2,  12:45 to 2 p.m, The Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency is sponsoring three “e-sessions” on managing discarded electronic products. Others are on Dec. 9 and Dec. 14. Attend one, two or all three. Discarded electronic consumer products and parts are a growing component of today's solid waste stream and have the potential to create significant negative social and environmental consequences if managed improperly. Whether you approach the topic from the perspective of a solid waste manager, a recycling manager, a business, or a concerned citizen, fundamentals of sound recycling and disposal should be understood by all. Dec. 2: State of the North American e-Scrap Sector: Speakers: Jerry Powell, Executive Editor, E-Scrap News & Resource Recycling Magazines; Dec. 9: Building Effective Electronics Recycling Partnerships: Speakers: Arman Sadeghi, CEO, All Green Electronics Recycling; Dec. 14: Finding a Local Electronics Recycler to Meet Your Community's Needs: Speakers: Maureen Craine, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, e-Recycling of California. RSVP to Stacie Johnson, Education Coordinator if you are able to attend at 377-5290, ext. 101 or sjohnson@solidwasteagency.org All sessions will be at the East Central Iowa Council of Governments, 700 16th St. NE, Suite 301, Cedar Rapids.

Sat., Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to noon - Nature's Noel, Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids. A marvelous array of handmade arts and crafts; fresh evergreen centerpieces, wreaths, and swags; and, delicious baked goods, appetizers and frozen foods will be sold to benefit the Nature Center. Hosted by the ICNC Guild, this fundraiser also features various vendors, live music, and a hospitality room.

Sat., Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., “Holiday in the Garden” sale at Lowe Park, 4500 10th St., Marion. Talented Master Gardeners are presenting hand-made merchandise as well as holiday arrangements at their first boutique. Items available for purchase include beautiful mosaic items, handmade birdhouses, stepping stones, garden aprons, ornaments, pillows and table runners, embellished Santas and fresh evergreen and dried arrangements.  A primitive area features a great rooster, benches, garden signs, totes and many other items.  Lunch will be served featuring homemade soup and bread and wonderful desserts.  Solve your holiday baking with “cookies by the pound” with a large variety for your selection. The Artists' Gallery shows a sample of the beautifully hand-crafted items that will be available: http://picasaweb.google.com/LinnMGs/HolidayInTheGarden#

Sat., Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m., the Linn County Conservation Department is hosting a book reading and program by Bill Whitaker on “The Frontier Forts of Iowa” at 10:30 a.m. at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville. At least 56 frontier forts once stood in, or within view of, what is now the state of Iowa. The earliest date to the 1680s, while the latest date to the Dakota uprising of 1862. Some were vast compounds housing hundreds of soldiers; others consisted of a few sheds built by a trader along a riverbank. Regardless of their size and function, all sought to control and manipulate Indians to the advantage of European and American traders, governments, and settlers. Frontier Forts of Iowa draws extensively upon the archaeological and historical records to document this era of transformation from the seventeenth-century fur trade until almost all Indians had been removed from the region.  Cost is $2.50/adult, $1/child 16 and under, or $5/family.

Mon. Dec. 7, 7-9 p.m., Iowa River Bend Chapter of Buy Fresh Buy Local workshop at the Diamond Jo Casino, 301 Bell Street in the Port of Dubuque. This free workshop will bring together local food growers and personnel from schools, colleges, restaurants, and other institutions in Dubuque and surrounding areas to facilitate the formation of sustainable grower/buyer relationships. Presenters:  Garry Griffith, Director of Dining at Augustana College, and Jim Johansen, local producer and owner of Wesley Acres.  Less than two years ago, these two individuals did not even know each other.  Since then they have formed a partnership that provides fresh, locally raised fruits, vegetables, meats and value added products to Augustana Dining Services from a number of local farms in Illinois and Iowa.  All potential food buyers and growers are encouraged to attend. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Bridge Room. Facilitated workshop after Questions and Answers to help connect buyers with producers.  Refreshments will be served. Advanced registration not necessary but RSVP appreciated by Dec. 4 to joe.wagner@ia.usda.gov or 319-462-3196 Ext. 3.  For more information go to www.JonesSWCD.org/Brochure/BFBL.pdf or call Lori Schnoor at 563-652-2337 Ext. 3 or Joe Wagner at 319-462-3196 Ext. 3.

Sat., Dec. 12, 7-10 p.m., The Linn County Conservation Department is hosting an Ice Fishing Rod Building Class at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville. In this class, participants will build their own ice fishing rods just in time for the hardwater season.  If you have always wanted a fine ice fishing rod but didn't know what to do this is the class for you.  Establish your hand at turning blanks into your new favorite ice fishing rods.  We will be building ice rods using St. Croix Ultralight, solid carbon blanks and cork Tennessee handles.  The cost for this class will be $50 per builder.  Class size is limited to 12 builders so register early.  To register call Chuck at 319-892-6489 by Dec. 8.

Sun., Dec. 13, 1-4 p.m., Linn County Conservation will offer the opportunity to build a pair of traditional snowshoes. Classes will take place on December 13, 15 and 20 at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville.  Conservation Education Specialist Chuck Ungs will guide participants through the snowshoe building process. Participants should also plan to attend the evening sessions on Tuesday, Dec. 15 and Dec. 20. The evening classes will start at 7 p.m. and end at 10 p.m., also at Wickiup Hill.  Additional evenings will be needed to varnish the shoes in the week following construction. Participants must pre-register and pay by December 9, so kits can be ordered. The $150 class fee includes the cost of a snowshoe kit, a binding set and varnish for each participant. To pre-register or for more details and options please call 319-892-6485. Attendance at all three lacing sessions is highly recommended. Kit building typically requires the manual dexterity of someone high school age or older. Class size is limited to 15 individuals.

Tues., Dec. 15, Registration Deadline for the following: On Saturday, January 9, join the Linn and Buchanan County Conservation Boards for a one-day bus tour to experience Bald Eagle Days on the Mississippi River.  Spend part of the day at the Quad Cities Expo Center to watch live birds of prey - bald eagles, owls, and falcons fly over the audience and see over 30 live animals from the Niabi Zoo. Enjoy more than 100 display and information booths.  A variety of foods will be available for snacks or lunch at the expo center. The bus will also stop at locations along the Mississippi River to view wild bald eagles. Bus pick-up time will be 7:30 am in Hazelton and 8:30 am in Hiawatha. Cost: Adults - $45; Children ages 5-12 - $41; and children 5 and under - $40. Call 892-6485 for more information. Registration deadline is December 15.

Thurs., Dec. 17, 7 p.m. - Join Cree Native Wha'la  for a Change of Season Ceremony at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville.  The winter solstice is a time for native peoples to celebrate the coming of winter. Join in a traditional ceremony to observe this seasonal change. Cost is $2.50/adult, $1/child 16 and under, or $5/family.

Mon., Dec. 21, 6- 7:30 p.m., Winter Solstice celebration at Prairiewoods, 120 E. Boyson Rd., Hiawatha. All are invited to attend the Winter Celebration during this unique turning point of the year - the time of the longest night and the shortest day. Celebrate with shared music, ritual and stories from around the world.  Feel free to bring something that represents how you celebrate this time of the year. A tree will be decorated outside for the animals. Free-will offering or bring a canned food item for a local food pantry.

 Tues., Dec. 29, 1 p.m., Birds, Bird Feeding and Bird Blinds, Indian Creek Nature Center. Make a simple bird feeder for your yard. Learn to recognize the different winter birds and what foods they are attracted to. Borrow our binoculars to join the naturalist at the bird blind to catch some feathered fun. Then explore along the Cedar River to spot returning eagles. Dress for the outdoors! Member: Adult: $3, nonmember: Adult: $4, Member: Child: $1; nonmember: Child: $2.

 Wed., Dec. 30, 10 a.m., Snowshoe hike, Indian Creek Nature Center. A snowshoe walk is great winter exercise with the benefit of fresh air, beautiful scenery and signs of wildlife to enjoy. Try out your new snowshoes or borrow a pair of ours for an afternoon of outdoor activity. No snow? We'll hike instead. Members, Adult: $3, Nonmembers Adult: $4; Members: Child: $1, Nonmembers, Child: $2

 Thurs., Dec. 31, 2-4 p.m., Eco Iowa City, Green New Year's Eve Party, Iowa City Public Library Room A. Come make a green New Year's Resolution and receive a green incentive for the New Year. Register your resolution so you can check back on April 22, 2010, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.