During the winter I failed to grow potatoes. I got some scrawny stalks then the seed potatoes turned into something resembling used band-aids after the stalks died.
My sister, the most amazing gardener I've ever known sent me ideas on potato growing.
Any tips for warnings?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
My Courtyard is Your Courtyard
Supposedly some of our neighbors want to reclaim part of our courtyard for a garden. After attending this weekend's FamilyFarmed Expo I feel pretty inspired to follow-up on this. It's sandy with mixed light but who knows, I'm no master gardner.
I think last year's GlennLeaf Castle Social Committee's two building picnics were successful. One was in June and the other was over Labor Day. While only a portion of the building came out, we had most of the 1407 tier and representation from the others (including PFK).
All winter I've been talking with the retired teacher in the co-op across the courtyard. Mostly we've discussed the Participatory Budgeting in our Ward and the prospect of having tea, but I think it would be great if we could bridge this renter vs. owner divide. In the past few years, a few incidents occured where the co-op members sent mixed-messages of what they think of their renting neighbors. Perhaps hoisting a hot-dog and moaning about the building further west will make us all a little more neighborly.
I think last year's GlennLeaf Castle Social Committee's two building picnics were successful. One was in June and the other was over Labor Day. While only a portion of the building came out, we had most of the 1407 tier and representation from the others (including PFK).
All winter I've been talking with the retired teacher in the co-op across the courtyard. Mostly we've discussed the Participatory Budgeting in our Ward and the prospect of having tea, but I think it would be great if we could bridge this renter vs. owner divide. In the past few years, a few incidents occured where the co-op members sent mixed-messages of what they think of their renting neighbors. Perhaps hoisting a hot-dog and moaning about the building further west will make us all a little more neighborly.
March 16
This morning was the first day of 2010 I sat outside eating breakfast on the porch. Rasberry scones and coffee. A dove in the hanging basket and all the pots ready for planting. This year we plan on peas and beans, and are leaving behind all dreams of cucumbers and tomatoes.
Being shut inside all winter makes one forget how damn loud Glenwood is- the train (especially the express), beer trucks, garbage trucks, kids, that damned dove and my crank radio. Its a good loud. I didn't even have to wear a coat.
Being shut inside all winter makes one forget how damn loud Glenwood is- the train (especially the express), beer trucks, garbage trucks, kids, that damned dove and my crank radio. Its a good loud. I didn't even have to wear a coat.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The Black Hood of Rogers Park
Yesterday while reading through the neighborhood's assortment of entertaining, informative and ridiculous blogs, I responded to Grammar Gals' request at Rogers Park in 1,000 Words for opinions on whether the current 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore is as bad as she thinks. Despite having read her contributions before, I had assumed that while she and Bill Morton love to attack the Alderman that she was seriously asking for other people's opinions and her rage was reserved for Joe Moore.
I was mistaken. Her wrath and lack of logic became apparent quickly as I was labeled a dope and accused of being Joe Moore, Committeemen David Fagus, or Chief of Staff Wayne Frazier (and accusing Wayne of being a druglord). I am surely none of these three men and while I am not the smartest man on Earth I do not think I am a dope. Grammar Gal asserted that an elected official needs to be proactive. Any elected official who presumes to know what constituents will want is standing on a slippery slope sliding away from democracy and toward tyrrany. Grammar Gal also said that I should not support the Alderman as he is being investigated. While she did not site any specific investigation, I hope that our country continues to abide by the presumption of innoncence until guilt is proven. I hope Joe and each member of the City Council gets inspected, by an indepedent Inspector General.
This morning Grammar Gal posted a report by ABC 7 on heat-related deaths in the area since Joe Moore would never publicize such an item. This was only after denouncing the installation of bird spikes at the Metra viaducts in the ward. While I commend Grammar Gal for posting such news, I hardly believe it is the responsibility of elected officials to report all the happenings in Chicagoland weather and public health. I challenged the blogger to outline the responsibilities she would like to see the Alderman take on in order to be an effective representative...just so I can understand where her rage comes from. I certainly see room for improvement in every elected official and the Alderman of the 49th Ward is no different. Grammar Gal deleted my post asking her to state the guidelines around which the Alderman should be judged.
Perhaps Grammar Gal should look up with the city what actions should be expected of an Alderman. All this rage could be a result of expectations by the individual that don't align with expectations of the position. Go after Joe for substantive things. He and all our electeds need to be held accountable. Expressing disgust in such a way is like getting mad at the guy in the toll booth for not being able to serve you a side of fries. I challenge Grammar Gal and everyone else who blogs about our neighborhood to step up your game and go after the actual meat of issues and not just grind your axes and assassinate personalities.
I was mistaken. Her wrath and lack of logic became apparent quickly as I was labeled a dope and accused of being Joe Moore, Committeemen David Fagus, or Chief of Staff Wayne Frazier (and accusing Wayne of being a druglord). I am surely none of these three men and while I am not the smartest man on Earth I do not think I am a dope. Grammar Gal asserted that an elected official needs to be proactive. Any elected official who presumes to know what constituents will want is standing on a slippery slope sliding away from democracy and toward tyrrany. Grammar Gal also said that I should not support the Alderman as he is being investigated. While she did not site any specific investigation, I hope that our country continues to abide by the presumption of innoncence until guilt is proven. I hope Joe and each member of the City Council gets inspected, by an indepedent Inspector General.
This morning Grammar Gal posted a report by ABC 7 on heat-related deaths in the area since Joe Moore would never publicize such an item. This was only after denouncing the installation of bird spikes at the Metra viaducts in the ward. While I commend Grammar Gal for posting such news, I hardly believe it is the responsibility of elected officials to report all the happenings in Chicagoland weather and public health. I challenged the blogger to outline the responsibilities she would like to see the Alderman take on in order to be an effective representative...just so I can understand where her rage comes from. I certainly see room for improvement in every elected official and the Alderman of the 49th Ward is no different. Grammar Gal deleted my post asking her to state the guidelines around which the Alderman should be judged.
Perhaps Grammar Gal should look up with the city what actions should be expected of an Alderman. All this rage could be a result of expectations by the individual that don't align with expectations of the position. Go after Joe for substantive things. He and all our electeds need to be held accountable. Expressing disgust in such a way is like getting mad at the guy in the toll booth for not being able to serve you a side of fries. I challenge Grammar Gal and everyone else who blogs about our neighborhood to step up your game and go after the actual meat of issues and not just grind your axes and assassinate personalities.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
National Service as an investment in communities
Today President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which will among other things expand AmeriCorps, a network of organizations provide opportunities for Americans to provide community service, from 75,000 to 250,000 members. AmeriCorps volunteers commit to part- and full-time terms of service in programs that range from beautifying national and state parks to providing literacy support for elementary school students in the urban core. Most AmeriCorps members receive a small living stipend and are eligible an education award upon completion of the term of service. The Kennedy Act will increase this education award, making terms of service more viable for people of all economic backgrounds.
Chicago is quite lucky to have a number of worthwhile programs currently serving communities across the city and the benefits go far beyond after school programs in elementary schools, teacher training and support in high schools, regular help in shelters and community beautification projects in blighted areas. While these types of services are needed more than ever as economic downturn drives the need stretch social services to more people and provide opportunities to take pride in themselves, these types of programs are a long-term investment in Chicago and vitality of its communities.
Community service and the opportunities AmeriCorps programs provide draw talented young people from around the country to Chicago, provide opportunities for native Chicagoans to serve in their hometown, and expose countless individuals to the social, political and economic realities of urban life. Following college and without any geographic anchor one AmeriCorps program, City Year Chicago, drew me to this city. In my first year I worked as a tutor at McCutcheon Elementary in Uptown where I learned about the challenges that immigration, homelessness and poverty pose to children and their families. I moved up in the organization and led teams working on the South and West sides of the city where I learned how disinvestment and depopulation strip communities of their vitality. In addition I learned technical skills in team leadership, grant management, program analysis and organizational politics. My time with City Year also exposed me to the number of organizations and theories of how best to build our community. I decided to stay and see myself having a long career of public service in Chicago.
Many of my fellow AmeriCorps members similarly came to understand their responsibility to learn about their community, build their skills in being productive members of it, and pass on their lessons to others in the community. Some may have only stayed here for a year or two, but while here they made it their responsibility to be full time big citizens. During my tenure with AmeriCorps we only did a few projects in Rogers Park, the relatively low rent, youth-friendly atmosphere and safety of the neighborhood makes it a host to dozens of AmeriCorps members each year. The passage and implementation of the Kennedy Serve America Act is good for the country, our community and individuals. This is the type of long-term investment that is worth far more than any sports exhibition or quick-fix solution to our current economic problems.
Chicago is quite lucky to have a number of worthwhile programs currently serving communities across the city and the benefits go far beyond after school programs in elementary schools, teacher training and support in high schools, regular help in shelters and community beautification projects in blighted areas. While these types of services are needed more than ever as economic downturn drives the need stretch social services to more people and provide opportunities to take pride in themselves, these types of programs are a long-term investment in Chicago and vitality of its communities.
Community service and the opportunities AmeriCorps programs provide draw talented young people from around the country to Chicago, provide opportunities for native Chicagoans to serve in their hometown, and expose countless individuals to the social, political and economic realities of urban life. Following college and without any geographic anchor one AmeriCorps program, City Year Chicago, drew me to this city. In my first year I worked as a tutor at McCutcheon Elementary in Uptown where I learned about the challenges that immigration, homelessness and poverty pose to children and their families. I moved up in the organization and led teams working on the South and West sides of the city where I learned how disinvestment and depopulation strip communities of their vitality. In addition I learned technical skills in team leadership, grant management, program analysis and organizational politics. My time with City Year also exposed me to the number of organizations and theories of how best to build our community. I decided to stay and see myself having a long career of public service in Chicago.
Many of my fellow AmeriCorps members similarly came to understand their responsibility to learn about their community, build their skills in being productive members of it, and pass on their lessons to others in the community. Some may have only stayed here for a year or two, but while here they made it their responsibility to be full time big citizens. During my tenure with AmeriCorps we only did a few projects in Rogers Park, the relatively low rent, youth-friendly atmosphere and safety of the neighborhood makes it a host to dozens of AmeriCorps members each year. The passage and implementation of the Kennedy Serve America Act is good for the country, our community and individuals. This is the type of long-term investment that is worth far more than any sports exhibition or quick-fix solution to our current economic problems.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
IL Campaign Finance Reform- A Betrayal of Corruption
Thursday, April 10th CHANGE IL held a rally outside the Thompson Center against political corruption in the state. CHANGE IL, a coalition of community groups headed by Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, brought together 200+ people of all ages on this cool Maundy Thursday to support HB 24, a bill put forth by Rep. Harry Osterman to limit campaign contributions and the number of political committees candidates and office holders may have at one time.
The hope is that these basic limits on money in politics will curtail corruption and make elected officials more responsive to all constituents in a state that continues to earn its reputation as the Wild West of campaign finance. Currently candidates face no limits for the amount contributors may give to their campaigns allowing those who can write massive checks an undue amount of influence. Under HB 24 candidates in Illinois would face contribution limits at the same level as Federal candidates. While those who are able to write $2,400 checks to campaigns are small minority of the state population, it does force candidates to talk to far more people in order to fund their campaigns.
After enjoying a doughnut provided by CHANGE IL and receiving my press packet, I took my spot in the crowd to experience the closest thing I will come to church this Easter season. The first speaker and MC was Rev. Patricia Watkins of the TARGET Area Development Corp who gave a call and response sermon against corruption that even got this lock-jawed congregationalist hooting and hollering. Rev. Watkins was followed by Rami Nashashibi of Inner City Muslim Action Network, Merri Dee of AARP Illinois, Peter Bensinger, Jesus "Chuy" Garcia of Enlace Chicago and the Rev. Phillip Blackwell, Senior Minister of First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple. The final speaker, Rev. Blackwell, called on us as Illinois residents to betray the old ways and betray corruption by supporting reform and rejecting the status quo.
The hope is that these basic limits on money in politics will curtail corruption and make elected officials more responsive to all constituents in a state that continues to earn its reputation as the Wild West of campaign finance. Currently candidates face no limits for the amount contributors may give to their campaigns allowing those who can write massive checks an undue amount of influence. Under HB 24 candidates in Illinois would face contribution limits at the same level as Federal candidates. While those who are able to write $2,400 checks to campaigns are small minority of the state population, it does force candidates to talk to far more people in order to fund their campaigns.
After enjoying a doughnut provided by CHANGE IL and receiving my press packet, I took my spot in the crowd to experience the closest thing I will come to church this Easter season. The first speaker and MC was Rev. Patricia Watkins of the TARGET Area Development Corp who gave a call and response sermon against corruption that even got this lock-jawed congregationalist hooting and hollering. Rev. Watkins was followed by Rami Nashashibi of Inner City Muslim Action Network, Merri Dee of AARP Illinois, Peter Bensinger, Jesus "Chuy" Garcia of Enlace Chicago and the Rev. Phillip Blackwell, Senior Minister of First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple. The final speaker, Rev. Blackwell, called on us as Illinois residents to betray the old ways and betray corruption by supporting reform and rejecting the status quo.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Ride a dove!
The fire escape to my apartment was home to several birds last summer. There was a large robin that had two sets of hatchlings in the overhang of the porch's roof, and a dove that nested in my neighbor's hanging planter. The dove would still let people water the plants it had nested amidst, but puffed up and gave them dirty looks.
Across the way in the berm where a strip of wilderness (albeit mostly invasive species) that lends some break between our buildings and the L each of these birds would hunt for food and nesting supplies. When the trees are full of leaves we can no longer see a neighbor's tv running all night and the branches are filled with all kinds of birds and critters.
One night last Fall another set of neighbors coaxed a stray cat out of her life on the berm. I imagined she had escaped from her home and built her own oasis among the tall weeds much like the kid in My Side of the Mountain. The last I knew they had convinced her to stay with them out of the wilderness.
This past winter, much like many apartment buildings, the drain pipe became encased in ice. Years of not cleaning out the gutters led to 3-story icicle that was bigger than me around. It and the month-long cold snap made me want to write a story about winter turning to climate change as an over the top measure to counter humanity's stubborn global warming efforts that would have been compared to Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip. Fortunately, the full story was never written.
Yesterday's return of snow made many people want to cry. The dove came back to it's hanging nest last week and is still there today.
Across the way in the berm where a strip of wilderness (albeit mostly invasive species) that lends some break between our buildings and the L each of these birds would hunt for food and nesting supplies. When the trees are full of leaves we can no longer see a neighbor's tv running all night and the branches are filled with all kinds of birds and critters.
One night last Fall another set of neighbors coaxed a stray cat out of her life on the berm. I imagined she had escaped from her home and built her own oasis among the tall weeds much like the kid in My Side of the Mountain. The last I knew they had convinced her to stay with them out of the wilderness.
This past winter, much like many apartment buildings, the drain pipe became encased in ice. Years of not cleaning out the gutters led to 3-story icicle that was bigger than me around. It and the month-long cold snap made me want to write a story about winter turning to climate change as an over the top measure to counter humanity's stubborn global warming efforts that would have been compared to Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip. Fortunately, the full story was never written.
Yesterday's return of snow made many people want to cry. The dove came back to it's hanging nest last week and is still there today.
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