Around Town

Community Orchard News for August 2010

Thursday, 12 August 2010 07:48

the Bloomington Community Orchard is flourishing, and there are so many ways you can help nurture and support this fine new organization in our community. First, having already won fruit trees from the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation and Edy's Fruit Bars, the Orchard is competing for a $20K grant from Tom's of Maine. Please cast a daily vote here from now until Sept. 10.

Also, we have begun work at Winslow Woods Park to prepare for our initial tree planting on October 9. Volunteers are working at the site every other Saturday from 9 till 1 or 2. We may be adding or alternating Sundays for those who can't make in on Saturday. Folks who are interested in joining in the physical labor, or in any other aspect of this all -volunteer community project, such as soliciting funds or materials, maintaining the website, bloomingtoncommunityorchard.org, and so on, should call the Orchard Involvement Coordinator, Stacey Decker at 812-327-0181.

If there are individuals who would be interested in joining a Community Orchard Speaker's Bureau to share the vision with groups in our community, and/or if one is a member of an organization or congregation which would be interested in learning more about what we are creating, they should contact Sarah Ryterband at 812-333-9139, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

2010 Simply Living Fair

Wednesday, 11 August 2010 09:23

The Center for Sustainable Living, in partnership with the Bloomington Permaculture Guild, will host the 2010 Simply Living Fair on September 25-26 in Third Street Park.   “We’re excited to bring back the original Simply Living Fair format –a full day of workshops and hands-on demonstrations on Saturday that include everything from home weatherization to backyard chickens to rain gardens,” said coordinator Maggie Sullivan. “We have a great line up of local experts as well as a whole track of workshops in our Family Tent aimed towards children. The day will conclude with a talk by Aaron Newton, the author of ‘A Nation of Farmers’ and an important food activist in North Carolina.” 

In addition to Saturday’s activities, this year the fair will continue on Sunday with four great bus tours of local green projects, including several permaculture sites. Permaculture is an ethical system of design focused on reintegrating the human world with the natural world to keep both worlds healthy. One tour will feature the homestead of nationally acclaimed permaculture instructors Keith Johnson and Peter Bane who have created a beautiful home and garden that demonstrate how to produce enough food, water, and energy for their personal needs while enhancing the natural environment. Another will feature permaculture design used in a neighborhood setting to strengthen the sense of community connections.   

One of the goals of the organizers is to keep the fair affordable and several events will be offered free of charge. Many of the events, including keynote talks by Eric Brende and Aaron Newton, are free. Day passes for the Saturday workshops are only $15 and the bus tours on Sunday are $15 each. Visit www.simplylivingfair.org to learn more.

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Event Schedule 
Thursday (09/23) – Eric Brende Presents “Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology” at 7:30pm in the Monroe County Public Library Auditorum, FREE. 
Friday (09/24) – Local Food Dinner and Welcome 6:00 at the First United Methodist Church, $10
Saturday (09/25) – Workshops, hands-on demonstrations, and family-friendly activities 9:00 to 5:00 in Third Street Park, $15 day pass (free demonstrations)
Aaron Newton Presents “A Nation of Farmers” at 7:30 in the Bloomington Playwrights Project Theater, FREE 
Sunday (09/26) – Bus Tours of local sustainable projects, $15/tour leaving from Third Street Park at 10:00 and 1:00.

4th Annual Bloomington Chefs' Challenge

Wednesday, 11 August 2010 05:34

The Community Kitchen invites you to the 4th Annual Bloomington Chefs' Challenge. Each day the staff and volunteers at the Kitchen face the challenge of putting together a nutritious meal for over 300 individuals using collected and donated food items. The Chefs’ Challenge pays tribute to this effort and raises funds to support them while highlighting the talent of local chefs in a friendly competition.

This year Dave Tallent returns to defend his win against two competitors, and you can help us choose who they are! Below are the Chefs in the preliminary vote, pick your favorite and send an email with their name in the subject to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Vote only once and look in the Food Section of the Herald Times on Wednesday 8/18 to see who won!

The initial chefs are:
Jake Brenchley, Scholars Inn
Neil Riley, Upland Brewing Co.
Randy Glaze, Malibu Grill
Corbin Morwick, One World Catering
Jeff Finch, Finch's Brasserie
Damian Esposito, Sodexho, IMU
Alan Booze, Meadowood
Bob Adkins, FARMBloomington
Luke Combs, Sweet Grass Restaurant
Patrick McCandless, Chapman's
Thomas Gregory Dempsey, Scenic View

Krista Detor in Bryan Park, Sunday August 1st

Friday, 30 July 2010 05:31

Come out to Bryan Park for a special performance by Krista Detor and Friends. Part of the Summer Performing Arts Series, this free concert is brought to you by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, and sponsored by Wandering Turtle Gallery and Art and Bloomingfoods. Bring a lawn chair, a blanket, and a picnic basket for a glorious summer evening in the park.

Not familiar with Ms. Detor? Here's what Wikipedia has to say:

"With her highly acclaimed album, Mudshow (“a small miracle” Rolling Stone), Krista Detor was established as a gifted player on the world stage. Together with partner and producer, David Weber, she has since released the follow-up album, Cover Their Eyes (“one of the best albums of the year” Revolver), continuing to push the edges of genre while remaining close throughout to the lyrical thread that defines her work. She has reached #1 on the Euro-Americana chart and her music has been featured at the Cannes Film Festival, on NPR, PBS, the BBC, as well as countless U.S. and European national,

Salsa Contest 2010

Friday, 30 July 2010 03:45

It’s the 22nd year of the Bloomingfoods Salsa Contest! For the 7th year in a row we are pleased to team up with Bloomington Parks and Recreation to co-sponsor this popular annual event, when local judges to determine who makes the best salsa in Bloomington.You can submit your entry or just catch the Salsa Contest at the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market at Showers Commons, beginning at 10am on Saturday, August 28th.

Local judges from the food community will evaluate three categories of homemade salsa: raw, cooked, and specialty. Greg “Raggs” Rago of Nick’s English Hut will demonstrate how to make salsa and guacamole.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Bloomingfoods prize bags will be awarded in each category. 1st place winners will be have their recipes featured in a future issue of Bloomingnews. All of the winning recipes will also be posted on the co-op website, www.bloomingfoods.coop. Participants may enter in up to two categories.

Salsa contest prizes are contributed by Bloomingfoods, the City of Bloomington, and other local businesses, restaurants, and organizations within our community. You or a representative must be present at the contest to win and claim prizes.