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Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesNew Belgium and Active Trans Make for a Strong Partnership
When it comes to businesses and organizations, “for-profit” and “non-profit” are often thought of as being on opposite sides of the table culturally and philosophically. But look closely at your community, and you will find the kind of partnerships formed between business and non-profits to have fun and make the world a better place.
Such is the case in Chicago, where New Belgium Brewing, a 100% employee-owned brewery, has joined forces with Chicago’s Active Transportation Alliance, a non-profit that has spent the last 30 years helping to develop and improve sustainable transportation options in the city.
Through their partnership with Active Trans, New Belgium will be participating in 2016 events such as Bike the Drive on May 29th and the Bike Commuter Challenge in June. Steve Navas, New Belgium’s Chicago Field Marketing Manager, sums up the synergy involved: “The partnership has made sense for a while, since our values sync so well, and we’re also sponsoring Chicago Bike Week. We look forward to continuing to make Chicagoland a great place for alternative transportation. We definitely love two wheels and helping Active Trans spread that love.”
New Belgium Brewing got its start during a bike ride through Belgium (the country). Two-wheeled transportation is a fundamental part of the company’s DNA. Their collaboration with Active Trans is what on Wall Street they would call a “natural fit.” Fortunately for the Chicago community, it’s also a pairing for a cause that makes life a little better for everyone.
SKaiser writesThe Chicago Help Initiative
The face of homelessness brings images to mind of souls bared on cardboard and subsequent gratitude for the familiar jangle drop in a cup. Sometimes we know the progressive story of why someone is living on the street. Sometimes it’s not that easy. We all know them, and may even find ourselves among them.
For one Chicago woman, it took the experiences of forcing homeless people out of condo building doorways she sells on Michigan Avenue for her to realize as a community in a great city, this just isn’t right.
“I thought tourists must think we’re horrible by the way our homeless population are treated,” Jacqueline Hayes, founder and President of the Chicago Help Initiative (CHI), said.
It was 1999 and Hayes’ first phone call was to Monsignor Boland of Chicago Catholic Charities. He offered dining hall space at the Archdiocese of Chicago to host meals for those in need. To say services expanded from there is an understatement.
SKaiser writesGrowing Home Fall Open House: TOMORROW
The Chicago community is invited to visit Growing Home urban farm and job training program.
Who: Growing Home
What: Growing Home is opening its doors for an afternoon of family-friendly fun and learning at their Fall Open House! All are welcome to come tour Chicago's first and only USDA-certified organic urban farm to learn how food is grown right here in the city. Learn kitchen skills from Growing Home's job-training graduates as they host a healthy cooking demo using Growing Home's farm-fresh ingredients, and then take some home with you from the Farm Stand. Meet Alderman Raymond Lopez and hear him speak on community development. Take a yoga class with iGrow Chicago while the kiddos are entertained with face paint, sidewalk art, and veggie games!
Where: 5814 S. Wood Street (Pilsen)
When: Saturday, October 10, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Why: This is the perfect time to explore an urban farm and learn how local food can change communities and help people find jobs in Chicago's local food chain.
SKaiser writesTour de Fat Car Trader Benefits Include Friendly People at New Belgium
This Wednesday marks the deadline to submit your sweet soul to the Tour de Fat car-for-bike challenge. The folks at New Belgium Brewery will take good care of you and we at CHIRP Radio are happy to support the Tour de Fat celebration in Palmer Square this Saturday, July 11th.
Click here if you're ready to give up a your vehicle and commute by bicycle for one year, or longer if you fall in love with two wheels of transport.
We met up with original car trader of 2009, Joseph Marinaro. He enjoys keeping in touch with the New Belgium people and encourages the 2015 car trader to commute by bike as long as possible.
"The freedom and health benefits are amazing and the experiences are plenty and thrilling," he said.
CHIRP: Where do you currently live and what are you doing these days?
Marinaro: In early 2010, I moved to the farthest reaches of the suburbs, Crown Point, IN!!! I still work downtown and make the 50 mile-each-way commute by car, now. While we have bikes, family life (I have a stepson in high school, a stepdaughter in grad school and a four year old son) gets so busy that put exercise is usually hiking, swimming and going to places we have to drive to.
CHIRP: Why did you take the challenge to give up your car?
Marinaro: I was fairly new to city life and found owning my Jeep was more of a hassle than it was worth.
SKaiser writesIs 2015 Your Year for the Car Trader Challenge?
The deadline is fast approaching to enter New Belgium's Tour de Fat car-for-bike challenge. If you're unfamiliar, take a look at details and enter your spectacular self-made video here.
CHIRP Radio supports the Tour de Fat celebration in Palmer Square on Saturday, July 11. Entries are due by Wednesday, July 8.
In 2013, Johnny Mays took the challenge and says this for the next winner: Don't half ass it. Read on for Johnny's commitment to the yearlong ride.
CHIRP: Where do you currently live and what are you doing these days?
Mays: I live in Houston, TX and work for Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), IT auditing Fortune 500 companies. I also teach yoga on the side.
CHIRP: Why did you take the challenge to give up your car?
Mays: I was sick of working corporate America life, and I wanted to get out to travel and see the country - on a bike!