Guests: The Resource Center's Ken Dunn is receiving the 5th Annual Elizabeth I. Benson Award this Wednesday, January 27, at the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ. Ken and Pam Richart of the Eco-Justice Collaborative talk about the event (which I am emceeing). Also on the show, CMAP Executive Director Randy Blankenhorn on the Go To 2040 initiative; Dave Snyder from Chicago Rarities Orchard Project (CROP).

Mike and Heather talk about relief for victims of Haiti earthquake; Guests: Maureen Phillips talks about the 7th Annual Gardening Show presented by the Porter County Master Gardeners Association. Speakers for the show include Connor Shaw from Possibility Place Sursery and writer Jean Starr from Chicagoland Gardening Magazine.

Guests: Robert Nevel, Joel Smith and Terra Brockman discuss the Martin Luther King, Jr.Social Justice Weekend at KAM Isaiah Israel January 15th & 17th; Guy Sternberg, Mayor Bruce Tossell and David Ellis talk about saving the historic Osage-orange tree in Kewanee, Illinois; actor/producer Michael Martin and Chicago actor Richard Henzel preview the opening of Verbatim Verboten: The Words You Long to Hear at Hamburger Mary's in Andersonville on January 13 (yes, I'm in the show).

Guests: NeighborSpace Executive Director Ben Helphand talks about One Seed Chicago; Robin Schirmer of Churches' Center for Land and People and Rob Gardener of The Local Beet discuss Winter Farmers Markets in and around Chicago.

Mike looks at the stories of 2009 that fell through the cracks.

The Mike Nowak Show X-Mas X-Travaganza! Guests: Joe Heidgen from Shady Hill Garden; Scott Austin , who has hosted his own radio show in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada for 21 years. And the WCPT premiere of It's a Wonderful Slice of 'It's a Wonderful Life.'

Guests: Chicago French Market co-developer Bob Wislow, and Dimitri Fayard, co-proprietor of vendor Vanille Patisserie. Shawn Kingsette and Thom Kraak from The Care of Trees discuss indoor and outdoor holiday trees--how to decorate them and keep them healthy.

Guests: Tim Magner of Green Sugar Press on his environmental books for children; Brian Granahan of Environment Illinois talks about various green issues, including the drawbacks of nuclear energy and the future of cap-and-trade in America; Josh Mogerman from Natural Resources Defense Council discusses the threat of Asian carp to the Great Lakes.

Guests: Bruce and Erika Horigan of Horigan Urban Forest Products, Inc., Roy Diblik of Northwind Perennial Farm, and a special appearance in the second hour by arborist Guy Sternberg of Starhill Forest Arboretum. In a completely non-horticultural related appearance, Mike's holiday caroling group, The Frozen Robins take over most of the second hour with their warbling and improvisation.

Guests: Chicago Gardener of the Year Ellen Moderhack and family, representing Franklin Fine Arts Center; Mike Mitchell, executive director of the Illinois Recycling Coalition, talking about America Recycles Day; Kay McKeen of SCARCE previews this Thursday's conference for people and organizations that want to learn about the new Illinois food scrap composting law.