By Susan Messer
What’s on your evening calendar for Thursday, March 12, and Friday, March 13? OEFF offers two enriching and wonderful opportunities to learn, commune with others, and act to address climate change.
Wonderful Opportunity #1
At 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, attend a pre-screening reception with filmmaker Ines Sommer, while also enjoying sustainable beer, wine, and farm-to-table bites. And then watch her film "Seasons of Change on Henry's Farm," about Henry Brockman, who has worked for a quarter-century in what he calls a “full-immersion profession,” growing organic vegetables on his idyllic Midwestern farm. But because farming is taking a toll on his aging body, Henry dreams of scaling back, of spending a “fallow year” with his wife Hiroko in Japan while his apprentices run the farm.
On sabbatical, as turbulent weather strikes the Midwest and devastates some of the crops, Henry allows climate change to enter his consciousness, unbidden and unwelcome, and he realizes he will have to re-envision the future of farming—for himself and for coming generations.
This quietly observed documentary illuminates the massive effort involved in bringing good food to the table, and the key roles biodiversity, adaptability, and resilience play for survival in an ever more unpredictable future.
After the film, stay for the Q&A with director Ines Sommer. Also learn about local action opportunities via FamilyFarmed and the Urban Canopy. Discussion facilitated by Karen Kitto, from Oak Park’s District 97 PTO Council and the Brooks Middle School Green Team.
Thursday, March 12
Reception 5:30 p.m.
Film begins at 6:30 p.m.
Patagonia Chicago, 48 E. Walton St., Chicago
Admission $20
Wonderful Opportunity #2
Makes good sense that someone with a 4-year-old child would look with concern toward the future of our planet. And so, with his daughter in mind, award-winning film director Damon Gameau embarked on a journey to meet innovators and change-makers all around the world and discover their thoughts on what, if anything, we can do about our climate crisis. His journey is the central premise for “2040,” screening on Friday, March 13, at Chicago’s Navy Pier. What he encounters (and which you will as well if you attend the screening) is the very real possibility that humanity could reverse global warming and improve the lives of every living thing in the process.
And if that is not enough to soothe your troubled soul, come early to Navy Pier’s Crystal Garden, where you can see the Nowhere Collective's "Bloom the Room" interactive art experience. “Always keep your eyes peeled,” says one member of the Collective, “for potential flower materials.” And, indeed, for the exhibit, they have followed this advice--collecting carry-out containers, plastic bags, and steel rods; sorting through Terracycle’s (https://www.terracycle.com/en-US) generous contribution of diverted plastic; and picking up any promising thing littering the path on their way to the studio, all diverted and upcycled into an eccentric array of flowers and a hand-powered lighting system (that even a three-year-old can manage). In the words of the Collective, “We gotta work together to make a beautiful impact on this planet cuz we got NOWHERE else to go. Come explore and play. We have surprises at every corner!”
Before the film, OEFF sponsor Bill Reilly of Merrill Lynch's The Reilly Group will extend a welcome. And after the film, Olga Lyandres, Ecosystems Specialist at Delta Institute; Vanessa Perkins of E2 Community Charging; and Jamie Ponce, Director of Strategic Partnerships at City Tech Collaborative will discuss concrete action opportunities.
Friday, March 13, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Navy Pier, Crystal Garden
600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago