Elgin Alive forums begin with film, talk on environment

As Elginites recover from the latest blast of winter, a city-based nonprofit is planning six community town halls on ways to shave home utility costs and more.

The Elgin Community Network will kick off its monthly Elgin Alive forums by serving popcorn and soft drinks while showing the film, "The 11th Hour" at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove.

Narrated by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, the film features worldwide experts such as former Soviet Prime Minister Mikhail Gorbachev, scientist Stephen Hawking, former head of the CIA R. James Woolsey and sustainable design experts William McDonough and Bruce Mau. More than 50 leading scientists, thinkers and leaders also weigh in on issues facing our planet.

Deb Perryman, Illinois' 2004 Teacher of the Year and an environmental science and biology teacher at Elgin High School, will moderate a short discussion following the film.

"We have had an excellent response to sustainable energy issues in the past and expect the same again with the showing of this film," said Dave Kaptain, an Elgin City Council member and executive director of the network. "We could not have a better moderator than Deb, who facilitated a discussion after our showing of 'An Inconvenient Truth' last year."

Since the network served popcorn at its "Popcorn & Pedaling" series several years ago and at "An Inconvenient Truth," members decided to make it a tradition and have purchased a popcorn maker. He and Carl Missele of the network have already tested the new machine and sampled its first batch of popcorn before storing it at the Gail Borden Library.

"It saves us from going out and buying popcorn," said Kaptain.

Other community forums are scheduled the third Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 9 p.m. March through July at the library. March will highlight workforce education and transportation in Elgin and feature a presentation by the Elgin Area Chamber and Elgin Community College. Kaptain said the issue is becoming increasingly important as the city grows and congestion increases. "Access to transportation is becoming an issue for teenagers graduating from high school and needing to access jobs," he said.

In April, the network will review alternative energy sources by showing the film, "Solar Energy: Saved by the Sun." May's program will feature a presentation by the city of Elgin and Neighborhood Housing Services on "Buying and Preserving Your Home." The two will collaborate on providing information on city grants, loans and counseling services designed to meet the unique needs of homeowners requiring upgrades and repairs to their older houses.

As the summer watering season heads into full steam, Kyla Jacobsen, director of the Elgin Water Department, will give homeowners and renters practical ways to save water inside and outside their houses. July's program will feature ways people can design and implement low-maintenance vegetable, plant and rain gardens.