November 23rd, 2009
All thanks go out to the folks at the Indiana Recycling Coalition for a fantastic event. The group at the IRC was absolutely amazing to work with and Blooming Branch was delighted to help celebrate the anniversary of such a wonderful organization. These great leaders in the Indianapolis environmental community have been doing heroic things for 20 years to promote a greener Indiana and recycling efforts galore.
The green ideas that the IRC had were amazing and the event itself was as close to a zero waste event as Blooming Branch has seen in quite some time. The picture of the above centerpiece is a great example (pardon the glare). The poinsettias were grown with gas generated and recycled by Southside Landfill. The chocolates were donated by Indy’s own Endangered Species Chocolates and the menu cards show the menu of local and organic ingredients. Guests were asked to write their favorite recycling tips using recycled stylus pens.
I could go on and on, the IRC is serious about a greener Indiana and Blooming Branch was proud to be a part of such a wonderful celebration for Indiana recycling past, present and future. Thanks to you all!
November 4th, 2009
Blooming Branch is absolutely thrilled for the Indiana Recycling Coalition gala this Saturday November 7th at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The folks at the IRC have been just great to work with and are really focused on making their event as close to a zero waste event as possible. The following steps are being taken to ensure this is the greenest gala in town. Stay tuned for pictures!
- Carbon offsets were purchased for the event
- Event invitations are printed on recycled paper by Twisted Limb Paperworks
- The evenings menu is based on local and organic ingredients provided by Nourish Events
- Reusable linens and table ware and glassware will be used to minimize waste
- Recycling- post event all bottles, cans and glass will be recycled
- Remaining food scraps will be composted after the event
- Paper print outs were minimized
- Bar is stocked with Organic beers and wines produced in green facilities
- The awards for the event were made with recycled glass
- Leftover meals will be donated to Second Helpings
- The table centerpieces were grown in Southside Landfill’s greenhouse,
which is powered by methane gas
October 26th, 2009
Blooming Branch always believes in practicing what we preach so we were proud to join the fight and sign the Indiana Clean Energy Business Pledge (see pledge below). We vow to do our part to help practice, promote and support green, clean energy in Indiana and hope you will too!
Indiana Clean Energy Business Pledge
We believe that now is the time for America to take bold and serious action to build a clean energy economy for the future. We urge President Obama and Members of Congress to enact comprehensive federal legislation that provides incentives for new industries, businesses and jobs. This investment in a reliable, clean energy future will strengthen national security, promote environmental sustainability, and create opportunities that ensure America remains competitive in a global energy market.
The U.S. is already behind in clean energy sectors. Chinese cars are more than one-third more efficient than U.S. cars. China is also set to be the world’s leading manufacturer of wind turbines by the end of 2009. And, as of 2006, the U.S had less absolute renewable power capacity than the 25 member nations of the European Union.
It would be a mistake to inhibit the success and leadership of American businesses in the global market. While government must take the lead, we will be strong and willing partners in this effort, which is why we are pledging our support for a comprehensive federal policy that achieves the following:
Incentives to create clean energy jobs. Incentivizing investments in clean energy technology will create new jobs, businesses and industries. Clean energy industries have produced at least 770,000 jobs, while the traditional energy sector employs only 1.27 million workers. According to a recent report from the Pew Charitable Trusts, clean energy jobs in the U.S. grew at rate 2 ½ times greater than the general economy from 1998 to 2007. A 2009 study by the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in partnership with the Center for American Progress found that investing $150 billion in clean energy produces a net gain of 1.7 million new jobs and reduces the unemployment rate by one full percentage point.
A path to energy independence. America consumes about 11 percent of world oil production, while we produce only about 3 percent of it. Meanwhile, America spends more than $200,000 per minute on foreign oil, that’s $13 million per hour. For decades we have avoided addressing this dependence on foreign oil, placing America’s economic and national security at risk. Now is the time to move towards greater use and production of clean energy sources such as wind and solar.
A promise of environmental sustainability for future generations. There is consensus within the scientific community that carbon pollution will have catastrophic impacts on the American people, creating severe natural disasters, spread of disease, loss of coastal communities, and a decline in crop and fish yields unless action is taken to mitigate these impacts.
Advancement of America’s global competitiveness. Climate and energy trends are compelling a worldwide race toward clean energy goods and services. If we are to remain prosperous and secure, this is a race we must compete in effectively. According to a task force of the World Economic Forum, investment in clean energy has surged from $33 billion annually in 2004 to more than $155 billion in 2008. Similarly, the International Energy Industry estimates that global investment in clean energy will need to grow to between $500 billion and $1 trillion annually in the next decade. This is a tremendous opportunity for American ingenuity; the clean energy economy must be a pillar for American economic renewal, progress and leadership in the coming years and decades.
We recognize that these are bold and challenging goals. However, when faced with adversity, Americans conquer their problems with optimism, courage and ingenuity. We call upon our leaders in Washington to forge policies that will achieve the economic, energy and environmental goals we need to realize.
October 5th, 2009
We are proud to be partnering with the folks at the Indiana Recycling Coalition for their 20th anniversary gala event in November. We are doing our part to make this event as close to zero waste as possible! It is great to work with the people that are working to help pass legislation to make IN a greener state for all of us! Hope to see some of you there!
September 18th, 2009
Its official, we are one! Blooming Branch has just celebrated its first year in existence. Thank you to everyone that has played a role in our success thus far, we couldn’t have done it without you. Over the past year, we have had our mitts in all sorts of projects from private events to town festivals and even managed a tv appearence. We have diverted atleast 780 pounds of trash from landfills and saved many a recyclable from life in a trash heap. We have a lot of great things coming up in 2010 and hope you will all continue to let us help plan your green events as we keep on keeping on.
August 18th, 2009
Check out the article below:
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/20445153/detail.html
INDIANAPOLIS — While weddings may bring to mind images of white, the color “green” is also becoming part of the big day for couples who want more eco-friendly celebrations.
Demand for sustainable weddings has grown across the country, including in Indiana, as more couples strive to make their events more like their everyday lives.
“For most of my clients, ‘green’ is a way of life,” said Cristina McGinnis Widman, owner of Bloomington-based Blooming Branch Green Events, the state’s first exclusively green even planning business. “If you are someone who is diligent about recycling, composting, why would you want your event to be anything different?”
Sarah and Andrew’s ‘Green’ Wedding
That premise is what led Sarah Oblon and Andrew Distelrath to decide early on that they wanted a wedding with a limited impact on the environment.
”We wanted to have a wedding that reflects the choices we normally make,” said Oblon, who works for a wind energy company in Houston, Texas, where Distelrath teaches eighth-grade social studies. “Our No. 1 goal was to reuse when we can, and then minimize what we had to buy.”
Oblon’s parents, who live in Indianapolis, scoured garage sales looking for reusable items, while salvaged paint was used to decorate flower pots, later filled with flowers grown in the family’s garden.
Distelrath’s aunt hosted a wedding shower by mail in an effort to cut down on carbon emissions from traveling, with all guests urged to take on a “green” project in the couple’s honor.
But the real sustainable showcase came in the form of Oblon’s dress. The custom-made garment incorporated pieces of 45 used white T-shirts collected from the couple’s family and friends.
”I had always envisioned people wearing T-shirts to my wedding. But this was a way to reuse in a unique way,” Oblon said.
The strapless, floor-length dress impressed not only guests, but those behind the scenes as well.
”This couple really went above and beyond,” said Mindy Olson with Venture Food Company, the caterer for the couple’s outdoor park reception featuring washable china and reusable plastic cups. “We’ve had some people do little things, but this is the first full-fledged ‘green’ couple.”
Growing Industry
And as more couples inquire about “green” options, the more outlets Hoosiers have to find those services.
A group of likeminded businesses in Bloomington, including McGinnis Widman’s event planning service, created the Local Green Wedding Package to offer eco-friendly recommendations on everything from cakes and catering to flowers and invitations.
”I want to be able to send couples to other vendors in town, instead of national vendors,” said Sheryl Woodhouse-Keese, owner of Bloomington’s Twisted Limb Paperworks, which features 100 percent recycled, chlorine-free invitations. “A lot of people were finding us through online searches, and then discovering that we were right here in Indiana.”
Woodhouse-Keese said her business, which uses alternative energy sources and recycles water from its dehumidifiers and air conditioner, saw an upswing after former Vice President Al Gore’s 2006 film “An Inconvenient Truth,” detailing the climate change crisis.
Now, the company offers papers in 26 different colors, all without additional dyes, and customized packages, including do-it-yourself invitation kits, to accommodate a wide range of budgets.
”A lot of people think that having a ‘green’ wedding is going to be more expensive, but really, I think the spirit of having a more environmentally conscious wedding has nothing to do with purchasing,” Woodhouse-Keese said. “It has more to do with just being more thoughtful.”
She recommends couples plan far in advance so they have plenty of time determine how their “green” priorities will fit with other important considerations like budget and the overall vision.
Blooming Branch’s McGinnis Widman said that when planning a sustainable wedding, every decision counts.
”When planning a ‘green’ event, it is important to consider the impact of the event long term,” she said. “Consider the environmental impact that your event will have, and think past the day of the event, (to the larger) sustainability factor.”
For Oblon and Distelrath, the planning and hard work that they and their family members put into their August nuptials paid off in the end, they said.
”It’s just a different way to plan a wedding,” Oblon said. “Not everything panned out 100 percent green, but it’s at least a good start, and we helped share that with the young people at our wedding.”
More Information:
Blooming Branch Green Events
Venture Food Company
Bloomington Local Green Wedding Package
Twisted Limb Paperworks
August 15th, 2009
Apologies for the lack of blogging, this has truly shapped up to be the busiest summer, ever…more to come later… Blooming Branch is so proud to have helped with Taste of Bloomington at the begining of the summer, it turns out that not only did we put a dent in the amount of waste and lack of sustainability of the festival, we also played a huge role in helping those in Monroe County. See excerpt below regarding the benefit to the Monroe County Community Kitchen. Thanks again for letting Blooming Branch play a part in this marvelous event!
Dear friends on the Taste of Bloomington Steering Committee:
Thank you all very much for your hard work on Taste of Bloomington. It was, as always, a wonderful day.
We are certainly grateful for the $8,000 contribution from Taste!! Your support helps us provide over
150,000 meals to the hungry each year; 51% of those meals go to children and another 20% go to seniors.
July 13th, 2009
This year’s Taste of Bloomington was a huge success, the event drew nearly 3,000 more visitors than the previous year and although Blooming Branch was up against a huge challenge, we were able to rescue our fair share of plastic cups and cardboard boxes!
A huge kudos to the restaurant vendors as well. Over 10 restaurants chose to go the green route by using biodegradable/compostable paper products, but in the end One World Catering reigned supreme. This earth friendly Bloomington based caterer used local/organic ingredients, biodegradable detergents, compostable food service items, bamboo staff t-shirts, etc etc…..Thanks for your efforts and congratulations on being the first ever recipient of the Taste of Bloomington Eco Award!
And might I say, thanks to Reverend Peyton for some fine entertainment as well!
Click here for some more pictures of this years event.
June 19th, 2009
Google News Alert for: “blooming branch green events”
Taste of Bloomington goes green
The Herald-Times (subscription) - Bloomington,IN,USA
The festival committee hired Blooming Branch Green Events to address the issue, and the company worked with vendors to limit their environmental impacts. …
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Take a Taste of Bloomington
Indiana Daily Student - USA
Blooming Branch Green Events will partner with Taste of Bloomington this year to provide “green” event planning services to guide Taste of Bloomington to …
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June 15th, 2009
Blooming Branch Green Events Helps Taste of Bloomington Go Green
Bloomington, IN June 11, 2009- Blooming Branch Green Events proudly announces its partnership with Taste of Bloomington, one of Bloomington, Indiana’s most popular summer festivals. Blooming Branch will be providing its “green” event planning services to lead the Taste of Bloomington towards becoming a more sustainable and environmentally friendly event.
Cristina McGinnis Widman, owner of Indiana’s first environmentally focused event planning company Blooming Branch Green Events, is working with the Taste of Bloomington Event Committee to take a step in the green direction. Working closely with the Taste of Bloomington staff, Blooming Branch has been charged with helping plan the event to limit its environmental impact.
Blooming Branch Green Events and “Team Green” volunteers will be providing recycling services and are working with the event’s vendors to limit their impact by encouraging them not to use Styrofoam, minimize packaging, and conserving on materials. In recognition of these efforts an award will be presented to the most “eco-innovative” restaurant or vendor. Blooming Branch is confident by taking a small step in the eco-friendly direction that thousands of pounds materials and recyclable trash will be diverted from landfills.
This year’s 27th annual Taste of Bloomington will be the first year the festival committee considers its environmental footprint in planning the event. “While there is certainly room for improvement at future Taste of Bloomington events, Blooming Branch is proud to be leading the festival in the right direction and hopes that each year there will be an increased effort towards sustainability” said Cristina McGinnis Widman, owner of Central Indiana’s Blooming Branch Green Events.
Taste of Bloomington will take place Saturday, June 20th at the Showers Plaza in downtown Bloomington. The event will feature over 40 local restaurants, breweries, wineries and concerts from nationally recognized bands. The annual event draws an average of 6,500 guests each summer.
For additional information on Taste of Bloomington Goes Green, contact Cristina McGinnis Widman or visit http://www.visitbloomington.com/microsites/index.cfm?action=Cover&meetingid=20
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