Rain doesn't damper festivities

As rain poured down from the cloud-laden sky Thursday, Bloomington's sole public event celebrating Earth Day consisted of a small parade, music and a scattering of tents on Dunn Meadow. The festivities were sponsored by the Indiana Public Interest Research Group. \nBloomington's Department of Parks and Recreation organized its celebration of the Earth, EarthWorks, for June instead of Earth Day to avoid conflict with other events. \nEarthWorks, a combined effort between the Bloomington and Monroe County Parks and Recreation Departments, will celebrate at Karst Farm Park on Endswright Road from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 16. The event, which costs $1 for individuals or 50 cents per person for pre-registered groups of 10 or more, will include a variety of environmental group activities for children, including kite-making, and performances by Bloomington Story Tellers and Hoosier Hotcakes, a local band.\n"It helps get kids involved," said Jennifer Velasco, community events specialist for the Bloomington Department of Parks and Recreation. "It helps them to understand the Earth and why it is important to recycle and preserve it."\nBloomingfoods celebrated Earth Day by packing groceries in environmentally themed bags hand-painted by children at last weekend's Nur Festival and Celebration of Families. The Nur Festival Foundation promotes creativity, diversity and community among children. \n"Everything we do is with children in mind rather than children being an afterthought," said Naomi Komoda, director of the nonprofit group.\nLast weekend's festival at the Barnacle Center attracted over 200 people. Children were exposed to variety of cultures through dance, music and arts and crafts. \n"We all share the Earth that we live on, and it's important that children think about that," Komoda said.\nThe Kelley School of Business commemorated Earth Day Wednesday night with the third annual Kelley Green Awards. Students nominated businesses they thought were environmentally friendly for awards. This year's winners, Bloomington Cleaners, Valley Watch and Tetra Pak, received plaques of recognition. \n"We want to recognize those businesses that are making an effort in the Bloomington community to make an improvement to the environment," said Professor Robert Smith, chair of the Environmental Policy Committee. \nSenior Tom Goodspeed, the student representative for the Environmental Policy Committee, received recognition for his effort to promote recycling in the business school over four weeks. During his recycling campaign, he collected over 300 pounds of newsprint. \n"It was sort of my mission to add an environmental aspect to school," Goodspeed said. "The custodians loved it because it made their lives easier, and the professors all noticed how much better the school looked without newspapers lying around." \n-- Contact staff writer Jenica Schultz at jwschult@indiana.edu.