Living Green on Chicago's North Shore: Rummage Sale at Kenilworth Union Church

UPDATE: Click here for information about the July 24, 2010 Kenilworth Union Church Rummage Sale!

I am getting so tired of rock stars, political losers, movie people and other sorts of their ilk trying to dictate how you and me should live responsibly in light of of global warming that I could shake a fist and shout at them. Their holier-than-thou attitude is curious, seeing that they comfortably and regularly despoil the environment, with private jets, SUV's, and rock concerts that use more energy than one hundred villages in Africa. When these celebrities tell you they are buying carbon credits, you can thank them for monstrosities like the wind farm pictured above, despoiling the otherwise pristine coastal views of Southern Spain around Gibraltar. Lady Bird would not have been a fan.

Living in an ecologically responsible way on Chicago's North Shore is easy. You can take trains downtown. You can walk or ride a bike. Nearly every community has rummage sales that raise money for charity, recycling everything you could possibly want to own for often less than pennies on the dollar.

And speaking of rummage sales, put a few dollars in your pocket and head over to Kenilworth Union Church Rummage Sale on Saturday, July 28, 2007, where from 8am-noon there will be a wide selection of all sorts of good things with which you can feather your nest--or yourself.

Kenilworth is located between Wilmette and Winnetka, of course. Just turn East toward the lake at Kenilworth Avenue, where the Kenilworth Metra station is located, and go 3-4 blocks and you will be there! Of course, you can also take the train to Rummage. Take the Metra North Line from Olgilvie Transportation Center and get off at Kenilworth. Walk east. The church is on the North side of the street. From books to boots, to linens to luggage, from sweaters and suits to bric-a-brac and bread machines, its all pre-owned, some of it never even used, and guaranteed to keep usable items out of landfills and avoid needless manufacture.

Concerned about used clothing? Please. New Trier students snap up sweaters and ball gowns and costume items at rummage. Long time North Shore women adore used clothing and purses, and I am serious about that. In fact, you could probably tell the newcomers from the old-timers based strictly on ownership of rummage items.

Of course, the other fun thing about North Shore rummage sales is the well-educated, erudite, all-volunteer, sales staff. Comfortable with dealmaking on a daily basis, its likely that they will use those skills to send plenty of good thing to your house at a price you will be delighted to pay. With all the sale proceeds going to area charities, you not only can be green, you can also help the less fortunate. What a winning combination!