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.
Showing posts with label rogers park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rogers park. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
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.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Why not me?- A statement of purpose
Whenever there is something worth doing I always think of Richard Reeves' Profiles In Power and the quotation attributed to President Kennedy when speaking about why he ran for the office. He said, "Why not me!"
I follow several Rogers Park, Chicago and Illinois blogs. While I don't exactly what I'll contribute, I think whatever it is will keep up the lively conversation. Unfortunately, I work two jobs outside the neighborhood, don't have a scanner and only have the dollars to sit in our fine watering holes once or twice a week. However, I do love the neighborhood and city. While I may champion particular causes and people at times, I am not dogmatically in favor or against any personalities or ideas. I respect the conversation in our community and think that no matter how spiteful it has been or will be, I'd rather listen to my neighbors than practice the hobby of ignoring them, which seems to be in fashion in so many places.
Until later.
I follow several Rogers Park, Chicago and Illinois blogs. While I don't exactly what I'll contribute, I think whatever it is will keep up the lively conversation. Unfortunately, I work two jobs outside the neighborhood, don't have a scanner and only have the dollars to sit in our fine watering holes once or twice a week. However, I do love the neighborhood and city. While I may champion particular causes and people at times, I am not dogmatically in favor or against any personalities or ideas. I respect the conversation in our community and think that no matter how spiteful it has been or will be, I'd rather listen to my neighbors than practice the hobby of ignoring them, which seems to be in fashion in so many places.
Until later.
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