Independence Day is coming up Saturday and we have grilling on our minds. Raw veggies, hummus (a garlicky Middle Eastern dip) and veggie burgers are easy bets for the meatless crowd, and people looking to accommodate them.

Cincinnati-based Five Star Foodies offers two vegan burgers (Artichoke Burger, Gourmet Meatless Grillers) that are a hit at local festivals and a bunch of local stores. Each pack comes with four patties and costs $7 here at Park + Vine.

Three of the beautiful people behind Five Star Foodies

Here are some good reasons to put these burgers on your grill and in your stomach:

• Green packaging – 50% less raw materials than traditional packaging
• Completely heat-sealed, providing sanitary and safety tamper proof packaging
• Awesome burger like no other, with a remarkable, rich taste
• Handmade in small batches with only the best wholesome ingredients
• 100% VEGAN and a good source of omega-3 fatty acids

Artichoke Burger ingredients: Artichokes, cashew nuts, brown rice, celery, olive oil, potato/corn starch, evaporated cane sugar, salt and spices

Gourmet Meatless Grillers ingredients: Wheat gluten, whole wheat flour, tomato paste, green peppers, onions, evaporated cane juice, soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans and salt), olive oil, spices, citric acid

The arrival of summer means that we’re ready for the season change with a bunch of new wares that are practical, ecologically-friendly and kind to the wallet. Here’s the lowdown on some of our newest arrivals:

Wrap-N-Mat: We finally have the much-requested Wrap-N-Mat. This nifty replacement to the baggie and plastic wrap is highly-coveted as an easy no-waste way to transport wraps and big sandwiches. Simply fold the wrap around your lunch and secure it with the hook and loop closure. Made in the USA with food-safe material that is phthalate-free and lead-free, it doubles as a plate/placemat.

Lifefactory: These hip glass baby bottles (in a colorful silicone sleeve) are as beautiful as they are functional. The company’s motto is “Safe, Smart Simple.” We agree.

Green Toys: Green Toys makes an awesome line of classic children’s toys constructed from recycled plastic and other environmentally friendly materials. Their toys help reduce nasty off-gassing and bring much happiness to the planet. We are super-excited about carrying their newest additions: Jump Rope Set, Sand Play Set and Recycling Truck.

Bye Bye Standby: Many electronics and appliances are still pulling electricity even when they’re turned off, because they are in “standby” mode. Bye Bye Standby is an ingenious device designed to cut power to anything plugged in when it’s not in use.

LED lights: They may not be cheap, but LED lights use just a tiny amount of energy and last for a really, really long time. That’s 60,000 hours or so. These bright little beauties clock in at under two watts and have a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Reel Mowers: If you have grass to cut, a people-powered mower is the way to go. These “made in the USA” mowers are light, dependable, economical, and easy to use. No more gas to buy or cord to trip over. The only maintenance they require is a little sharpening every now and again. Without the usual loud annoying motor sound in your ear, you may actually enjoy the whir of steel blades on grass.

Freeplay Energy: Great for camping, blackouts, “off grid” living and emergencies, these hand-crank (and solar) electronics can be used whenever and wherever. Whether you’re looking for a combo radio/charger/flashlight or weather-band radio for an emergency kit, or a dependable lantern or flashlight, Freeplay is a safe bet.

“Beware that just about everyone I know is going to be down at the OTR/Summer Festival on Saturday!” — Nikki Mayhew

Love you, Nikki, and I sure hope you’re right about the crowds for the OTR/Gateway Summer Celebration on Saturday, June 20.

This edgy, grassroots arts and crafts festival includes artists, entertainment and foodie vendors in the parking lot at 12th and Vine streets. To add to the fun, we’re offering a special on T-shirts here at the store: buy one T-shirt, get the second one at half price.

The neighborhood festival is based on the concept of the Renegade Craft Fair held every year in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, San Fransisco and Chicago. The idea is to establish the event over the next two to three years and ultimately move it to Washington Park.

The OTR/Gateway Summer Celebration follows the third annual OTR 5K Run/Walk. Make a day out of it, Cincinnati.

We just had a big bash with our Cotton Anniversary May 29 and now here we are with another party: Natural Networking 5 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, June 18.

Our pals at Cincinnati Green Drinks and Natural Awakenings Magazine have arranged hearty vegetarian food from Melt Eclectic Deli and a set of tunes from Lucky and The Magic. Also on tap: yoga, meditation, massage, herbalism, health and wellness, iridology, doulas, oxygenation station and aromatherapy, being green, and prizes.

Not nervous about this one. Hopefully, that’s a good thing.

Next up: OTR/Gateway Summer Celebration, June 20

After more than four years of working on environmental legislation, Councilman David Crowley is calling for a final vote on the Environmental Justice Ordinance 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 17 at City Hall, 801 Plum St. There will be a rally at 1 p.m. outside City Hall for everyone who wants to see environmental justice codified in our city.

Crawley states that the ordinance offers an added measure of protection from industrial activities that pose significant health risks—protection that we currently do not enjoy. The American Lung Association recently ranked Cincinnati the eighth most-polluted city for year-round particle pollution in its 2009 State of the Air Report.

Councilmember Laketa Cole, Councilmember Roxanne Qualls, Councilmember Cecil Thomas, and Councilmember Greg Harris have already committed their support. The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, on the other hand, has launched an aggressive campaign against it. The Chamber states that “requiring businesses and projects in the city limits to obtain an Environmental Justice permit through the City of Cincinnati…would not coordinate with current Ohio and Federal EPA regulations.”

Green Toys makes an awesome line of classic children’s toys constructed from recycled plastic and other environmentally friendly materials, and we have them. Their toys help reduce nasty off-gassing and bring much happiness to the planet.

We love Green Toys and are super-excited about carrying their newest additions: Jump Rope Set, Sand Play Set, and these two cuties:

Recycling Truck ($25)
Feel free to sort bottles, cans and paper with the nifty Recycling Truck from Green Toys. Little green ones will learn recycling basics while playing with this super cool recycling truck that has a movable recycling bed and an open/shut rear door. For ages 3 and up.

Ecosaucer Flying Disc ($8)
We’re super-happy that we finally get to tell people that we have an environmentally-friendly alternative to the already-efficient Frisbee. The Green Toys EcoSaucer Flying Disc is made in the U.S.A. from sturdy 100% recycled plastic milk containers. Weighing in at 130-ish grams, this green disc is for ages 5 and up.

Bike Month ended May 31, but the pedal-driven bliss continues with Cincinnati’s second annual Queen City Bike + Dine noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6 starting at Park + Vine, 1109 Vine Street. This 22-mile bike tour highlights some of Cincinnati’s best vegan options at four local restaurants (Speckled Bird Cafe, The Loving Cafe, Maribelle’s Tavern, Otto’s), while emphasizing the ease of getting around on a bicycle. Advance tickets are $35 and available at Park + Vine (513-721-7275). There’s even a cool ride T-shirt available during the ride for an additional fee. Proceeds benefit Imago Earth Center in Price Hill. There are a couple last-minute tickets available.