Learn how to make 'going green' more than slogan

Now that both individuals and corporations are embracing the idea of environmental consciousness, "going green" has moved beyond the slogan stage.

So Mount Prospect resident Martha VanGeem, an environmental engineer for Skokie-based CTL Group for the past 26 years, will speak on "Going Green: How You Can Help Preserve Our Planet" at 7:30 p.m., June 3 at the Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St.

VanGeem will discuss ways to balance conservation and environmental awareness with today's lifestyles. Her topics range from water conservation to energy reduction and how individuals can play a major role in reducing use of limited natural resources and protecting the environment.

A principal engineer and manager of CTL Group's Building Science and Sustainability Group, VanGeem serves as a principal investigator and specialized in-house consultant in the areas of sustainability, energy conservation, heat transfer, thermal properties, and moisture migration.

After completing her education in 1976, she first worked as a structural engineer at Sargent & Lundy Engineers in Chicago. She joined CTL Group, an independent subsidiary of the Portland Cement Association, in 1982 and over the years has participated in over 200 consulting, research and testing projects related to heat flow, heat dissipation, energy use, condensation potential, temperature gradients and thermal resistance for building components.

According to CTL, VanGeem routinely performs analysis and measurements to determine R-values, effects of thermal mass, and energy use in buildings and serves as principal investigator on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design projects and others to develop environmental assessments on cement, concrete, and related products. She has also determined the cause of moisture problems and proposed solutions for various types of structures.

To hear this local resident speak, call (847) 253-5675 or log onto www.mppl.org/events.

The Henhouse Prowlers: If you like bluegrass music, plan on spending the evening of June 8 in Moehling Park next to Capannari's Ice Cream, 10 S. Pine St. The local band, "The Henhouse Prowlers," will perform at 6 p.m.

According to Katie Dolan Dix, one of the owners of the award-winning ice cream establishment, this will be the first of five concerts they plan to hold this season.

The six-piece band focuses on traditional vocal harmonies, hard-driving instrumentals and "sincere" lyrics, according to their promotional materials.

Dix encourages everyone to bring a picnic blanket and dinner for an evening of music under the stars.

Summer Reading Program: The Mount Prospect Public Library will kick off their summer reading program for children, teens and adults on June 2. This year's theme is "Get in the Game: Read!"

You can sign up for the program at the Youth Services or Fiction/AV/Teen desks for the program which includes books, movies, music and all kinds of games and runs through July 31.

Call (847) 253-5675.