Chef Jim Lederer, owner of Bluegrass Restaurant, is a veteran sustainability advocate.  He has put his money where his mouth is for years and has grown a very successful restaurant at the same time.  Jim attests that the journey is trial and error, but persistence has paid off in practices like composting and reducing waste by paying attention to proportion size.  Jim believes in respecting the environment through reduction of waste at every turn and even spent time and money in capturing food oil for reprocessing.  His carry-out business reflects the same conservation by reducing “throwaway extras” and using earth friendly containers.  Jim is always eager to share his experience and expertise to help others become more earth friendly.

Secret World Books proprietor, Gayle Brandeis, has made re-use one of her main goals.  This is a store where used books are a primary feature.  The shop has also made use of features that the past inhabitant left behind.  Gayle, a published poet and author, is eager to try sustainably oriented efforts and experiences in her shop.  She promotes and hosts a “green” book discussion where environmental ideas are given voice and investigation. Secret World Books is a sustainability story in the making.

Love That Spice & Tea speaks the personality of Marlena Jayatilake, an enthusiast of good spices, teas, smoothies and health.  Marlena has overturned the plastic water bottle habit as an affront to individual’s good health and the health of the planet.  She welcomes patrons who bring their spice pouches back for refilling and purchases her products from certified sources that benefit small businesses and support individuals.  Marlena takes a holistic approach at Love That Spice & Tea and is always eager to learn more and make improvements that will add to sustainability for her shop and the community.  At Love that Spice & Tea one can also find special events that educate, as well as entertain, bringing community health together in a unique way.

James Lynch, Exectutive Director, leads The Art Center Highland Park as a community influencer where art is an inseparable aspect of the fabric of Highland Park. He has been a founder and leader in CommUnity Dinners, held at TAC to foster communication, understanding and friendship among residents of all backgrounds. Since the beginning these dinners have included respect for resources and an stated attempt to curb waste. Every invitation requests that guests bring their own reusable plates, forks and beverage containers. James looks for new, common sense practices for TAC to be more sustainable and set an example for the community. He has now included plastic and disponsable waste saving practices in the contracts for those using TAC space.