NEWS RELEASE
“Celebrate the Earth” at The Arboretum of South Barrington Features Day-Long Free Events
SOUTH BARRINGTON, Ill. (April 9, 2009) – As part of the retail center’s ongoing efforts to increase public interest in a greener tomorrow, the public is invited to “Celebrate the Earth at The Arboretum of South Barrington” on Saturday, April 25, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The day includes a variety of free events and exhibits ranging from screenings of two environmentally significant films at a world-class cinema, to exhibits on tree planting, alternative energy, grass restoration, environmentally-friendly home furnishings, raptor rehabilitation, and more. The event celebrates Earth Day and Arbor Day that fall on April 22 and 24 respectively. “From its conception, The Arboretum has been committed to sensitively serving its community as a beautiful and green landscape for shopping, gathering, and dining while educating our youth about adding to the quality of life for generations,” says Michael Jaffe, developer of the 600,000 square-foot town center along with RREEF.
The Arboretum itself serves as an appropriate setting for the celebration. Since the center’s inception three years ago, the developers have sought to "do the right thing" environmentally for what may be one of the largest retail landscapes in the US. For example, the developers set aside up to 22% of the lifestyle center's 86 acres for a Stormwater Management/Wetlands Mitigation Basin, which now serves as a model for other large retail developments.
“CELEBRATE THE EARTH” EVENT SCHEDULE
Below is the schedule of events for “Celebrate the Earth” at The Arboretum of South Barrington. Events are free and located throughout the center.
10:00 a.m. to Noon
Free Screenings of “An Inconvenient Truth” & “Arctic Tale,” two environmentally significant films, courtesy of Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas. Each film will be preceded by a brief seminar on global changes by Steve Frenkel, senior advisor to the Chicago office of the EPA.
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Gypsy Moth Live, presented by John Kelly, arborist.
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Donate to Clean Water at Spa Bleu and receive a free gift: a $5 donation receives an Aveda “Save the Waters” eco bag or 1 Spa Day raffle ticket. Donate $10 and receive an Aveda Light the Way Candle or 2 Spa Day raffle tickets. All proceeds go to the Alliance for The Great Lakes.
Alliance for The Great Lakes booth
The Alternative Energy of Solar & Wind presented by Ray O’Connor.
Arbor Day Foundation Sapling Giveaway.
Noon
WELCOME from Mike Jaffe, who’ll be accompanied by birds of prey from Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation, based in Barrington. The birds were once in rehabilitation but cannot be released back into the wild due to the extent of their injuries. They are now part of Flint Creek's educatonal program. In addition to education birds, Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation admits over 3,000 wild animals each year. More than 85% of the animals admitted were injured as a direct or indirect result of human impact. (Main Stage)
Noon
Professor OOPS, an environmental performer and entertainer (Main Stage)
Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Clean Air Mobile Museum Bus, the nation’s first clean air mobile museum that teaches children to be environmentally friendly courtesy of the Clean Air Club. Displays include those on air pollution, renewable fuels, lung capacities with and without asthma, and a “green tree” display where kids “pick an apple” to reveal a way they can help the environment.
The South Barrington Nature Conservancy with Eileen Koty and South Barrington Village President Frank Munao. Children who sign an Earth Day pledge to do their part to help the environment will receive a sapling. Arborists will be on hand to instruct the kids and parents on how to plant the tree when they get home.
The Proper Planting & Mulching of Trees presented by Arborist David Boone.
South Barrington Garden Club information.
Energy Star Classes with Home Depot.
Vogelei Park “No Child Left Inside” booth, with information on a bill that, if passed by Congress and signed by the President, would introduce environmental education as a subject tin grades K-12. They would learn in nature, not just about nature. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, children are disconnecting with the natural world and spending more than six hours a day in front of computer, video or TV screens.
Leave No Child Inside Consortium with the Vehe Farm Foundation
Tall Grass Restoration
Citizens for Conservation
Geothermal Energy presented by Greg Davis.
Environmentally Friendly Choices for the Home with Soft Surroundings & Arhaus
Soil & Water Districts of Northeastern Illinois
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Magician/juggler Ken Schultz
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Old Towne School of Folk Music Smart Cookies Duo
Other events will also be featured. The Arboretum of South Barrington is located at 100 W. Higgins Road in South Barrington. For further information, visit the center’s Web site at www.ShopTheArobretumSB.com or call (847) 426.6200.
The Arboretum of South Barrington is a 600,000 square-foot retail town center in Chicago’s affluent northwest suburbs that opened in September 2008. The open-air center is named for the lush treescapes and gardens, and for the large tree farm that formerly stood on the site. Among retailers at The Arboretum of South Barrington are three unique anchors, including LL.Bean’s first Midwest outdoor gear and apparel store; the country’s first Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas, a luxury cinema experience and new way to go to the movies; and Pinstripes, Chicago’s own bowling, bocce and bistro concept. An upscale mix of fashion apparel brands, home furnishings, restaurants and other retailers will occupy spaces set amidst fountains, pathways and plazas -- all less than a mile from the four-way interchange at I-90 (the region’s major transportation artery), at the highly coveted intersection of Illinois Routes 59 and 72. The center is a joint venture between The Jaffe Companies in Northbrook, Ill., and RREEF Alternative Investments, based in New York.
The Jaffe Companies, developer with RREEF of The Arboretum of South Barrington, has been developing successful shopping centers and mixed-use projects for nearly three decades across the US, primarily in the Midwest. Firm principal Michael Jaffe has been involved in several notable projects, including Huebner Oaks Center, a 400,000-square-foot lifestyle center in San Antonio, Texas; Geneva Commons, a 450,000-square-foot lifestyle center in Geneva, Ill; and The Arboretum Shopping Center in Austin, Texas.
RREEF Alternative Investments, the financial partner in developing The Arboretum of South Barrington, is the global alternative investment management business of Deutsche Bank’s Asset Management division. RREEF Alternative Investments consists of three businesses: Real Estate, Infrastructure and Private Equity. Headquartered in New York, RREEF Alternative Investments employs more than 1,400 investment professionals in 17 cities around the world to help investors meet a wide range of objectives – from diversification, to preservation of capital, to long-term performance. Named one of the world’s largest alternative investments managers in Global Investor/Watson Wyatt’s Alternative Survey, June 2008, RREEF has €55.2/$87.0 billion in assets under management worldwide as of June 30th, 2008. For more information, visit www.rreef.com.
WEB LINKS:
The Arboretum: www.shopthearboretumsb.com
PRESS CONTACTS
The Arboretum of South Barrington
Jonelle Kearney
jonelle@dodier.com
-OR-
Kasia Yuska
kyuska@dodier.com
DODIER & COMPANY
800.970.7392 or 520.299.1000