Keep that Earth Day energy going

Perhaps you've been inspired by all the Earth Day activities this week to try to live a little more "green." Well, Whole Foods Market in Palatine might have just the deal for you.

From noon to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, shoppers can bring in any new or used household cleaner to Whole Foods, 1331 Rand Road, and exchange it for a new full-sized greener cleaner made with natural enzymes. (One toxic trade-in per family is allowed.)

Whole Foods Market is teaming up with Naturally Clean in this effort to help shoppers reduce their environmental impact.

Congratulations: Painting In Partnership, Inc. of Palatine won first place in the 2008 TOP JOB Awards, sponsored by the American Painting Contractor magazine. The project is featured in the March-April issue of the magazine. The winning entry was called "The Lyon Project," a Craftsman-style house located in Arlington Heights. This is the seventh national award earned by the company in the last three years.

More kudos: Palatine resident Don Kronberg, president of Itasca-based NiteLite Promotions, has been nominated in the category of Promoter of the Year for the 43rd Academy of Country Music Awards, which will be presented May 18 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Kronberg is one of five nominees which include other entertainment promoters nationwide.

"I was stunned when I found out. To be nominated for this award alongside some of the biggest promoters in the U.S. is amazing," said Kronberg, who has been promoting concerts throughout the Midwest since the early 1990s in venues such as Joliet's Rialto Square Theatre, Waukegan's Genesee Theatre and Elgin's Hemmens Cultural Center.

Moving: Beginning May 7, my column will begin appearing every other Wednesday in the Neighbor section, instead of every Friday. Please keep sending me information about all the interesting people and great events in your neighborhood.