Look here for Earth Day festival info

Here is info that ran in today's Gazette (4/14/10) about upcoming Earth Day celebrations in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City:

Festivals celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in the Corridor

By Cindy Hadish

The Gazette

New Bohemia in Cedar Rapids will go green Saturday with an early celebration of Earth Day that also will mark the district's own recovery and renewal since the Floods of 2008.

As Earth Day marks its 40th anniversary April 22, other Corridor organizations too are honoring the occasion with Corridor Earth Project's Earth Day celebration on April 24 in Cedar Rapids and a monthlong celebration in Iowa City.

In New Bohemia on Saturday, CRecycle Eco-Arts Fest 2010 will bring back the environmentalists, artists and community activists who developed the New Bohemia Cultural District in 2002

"We were looking to do something with recovery and renewal in the district," said Jim Jacobmeyer, president of the district. "We just thought this was a timely event."

The event includes a Recycled Ball from 8 to 11 p.m. at Third Street Saloon, 1202 1/2 Third St. SE.

The costume ball features music by the Polkaholics of Chicago. Attendees who wear recycled fashions and accessories will receive $3 off the $10 ticket price.

Prizes will be awarded for best recycled retro fashion, best trash fashion and best Earth Day tribute fashion.

Other Eco Fest activities are free and include a juried recycled art show and trash fashion exhibit at the Cherry Building, 329 10th Ave. SE; and an environmental art installation in New Bo Park.

In addition to Eco Fest, as the event is called for short, New Bohemia is collaborating in the Corridor Earth Project's Earth Day celebration on April 24. That event, featuring demonstrations, live music and door prizes, will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Teamsters Hall, 5000 J St. SW, Cedar Rapids.

In another nod to flood recovery, Corridor Earth will feature author Connie Mutel as keynote speaker. Mutel, who wrote "A Watershed Year: Anatomy of the Iowa Floods of 2008" will speak at 1 p.m.

In Iowa City, a monthlong celebration is under way. ECO Iowa City started with a grant to the Iowa City Public Library and Public Works Department in early 2009. Organizers wanted to celebrate Earth Day's 40th anniversary, but decided that "one day was not enough."

One of the highlights of ECO Iowa City's celebration will be Ecopalooza from 4 to 6:30 p.m. April 22.

The event, at the Iowa City Public Library, 123 N. Linn St., will spotlight local environmental groups. Three speakers will discuss past, present and future environmental initiatives.

Comments: (319) 398-8428; cindy.hadish@gazcomm.com

CRecycle Eco-Arts Festival 2010

 Where: New Bohemia, Cedar Rapids

 When: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday

 Events:

Educational Seminars, Horizons Building, 819 Fifth St. SE;

10 a.m. to noon, "Eco-tecture"

2 to 4 p.m., Urban Agriculture

Recycle/Reuse/Renew Exhibition, Cherry Building, 329 10th Ave. SE

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Childrens activities; juried recycled art show; trash fashion exhibit; 2x2xU gallery and auction; green products and services, vendors show and sale; environmental advocacy organizations; Ceramic Center open house.

CSPS events, 1103 Third St. SE

11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Open House/Gallery

3:30 to 5: 30 p.m., Salsa CR

8 p.m., Baby Dee

Earthwork Environmental Artwork Installation, New Bo Park, all day.

Art Bikes/Creative Bike Racks, Bottleworks Atrium, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Recycled Ball, Third Street Saloon, 8 to 11 p.m. $10 cover.

 More information: www.newbohemia.org

ECO Iowa City, Earth Month

 Iowa City Landfill & Recycling Center tours, Saturday, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., 3900 Hebl Ave. SW.

 Preschool Storytime: "The Garbage Monster" with Debbie Dunn and Jennifer Jordan, April 22, 10:30 to 11 a.m., Iowa City Public Library, 123 N. Linn St.

 Ecopalooza, April 22, 4 to 5:30 p.m., learn about local environmental groups and how to get involved.

 Earth Day: Celebrating 40 Years, 5:30 p.m., three local speakers discuss past, present and future environmental initiatives.

 Children's Discovery Garden tree planting, April 22, 6:30 p.m., Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St.

 Earth Day School's Out Special, April 24, 10:30 10 11:30 a.m., children's activities, Iowa City Public Library.

 More information: www.icpl.org/ eco-iowa-city

Corridor Earth Project, Corridor Earth Day Celebration

 When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 24

 Where: Teamsters Hall, 5000 J St. SW, Cedar Rapids.

 What: Local organizations and businesses offer eco-related information. Learn about renewable energy, recycling and more. Free family activities. Native plants for sale. Reptiles and amphibians to see and hold. Make a Tibetan-style Earth flag. Learn how to use 'plarn' -- plastic yarn made out of plastic bags. Door prizes. The first 100 people receive a free reusable bag.

 Events:

Live music by Reunion, acoustic guitar/fiddle duo, 10:15 a.m.,

Tap or Bottled: We're Talking Water, program about bottled vs. tap water, 11 a.m.

Live music by Deep Dish Divas, 11:45 a.m.

Keynote: Connie Mutel, "A Watershed Year: Anatomy of the Iowa Floods of 2008," 1 p.m.

Trees Forever and Alliant Energy: Why Trees Matter, 2 p.m.

Live music by Junk Rhythm, the ultimate Earth Day band, 2:25 p.m.

David Brenzel of Indian Creek Nature Center, Every Gallon Counts, 3 p.m.

 Information:

www.corridorearthproject.com