Dear Neighbor,
Summer is the best time of year to create opportunities for your neighbors to meet.The best way to make that happen is to organize a Block Party. Clearing the street of all cars and getting the kids on the block, to take it over 1-day a year can improve the dynamics of the neighborhood. Whether you want to wage a water balloon war, swap recipes or socialize with the neighbors, block parties are an honored American tradition.
Here are some helpful hints on organizing a successful Block Party where you can meet new neighbors, catch up with those you haven't seen in a while, and build a strong community network.
Set a Theme
Setting a theme gives direction to the event and aids in planning the party. Determine whether you want to have a day or evening block party, or one that spans across both. Do you want to have families wear distinctive colors, t-shirts, hats, etc. This will help your block establish a common identity.
Select an Inclusive Party Location
Start the Block Party in the middle of the block. Avoid having the party at one end of the block or the other. If the party location is perceived to be too far from home or exclusive, people may not feel comfortable attending from the opposite end of the street. 
Get a Permit
Contact your Alderman on how to secure a "Street Closure" permit. Also ask about how to schedule a jumping jack, horse-mounted police, police dogs and fire trucks. The police and fire departments are always happy to conduct a mini hands-on seminar for the kids.
Agree on Ground Rules:
It's important for everyone to know the safety rules and plans for the area.You will also want to set a time limit for the party to prevent the block party from getting out of hand or from becoming a nuisance to neighbors trying to sleep or otherwise ignore the festivities.
Delegate Duties
No one person or family should do it all. Assign party planning duties to other neighbors to avoid stress. Ask one person to make the invitation flyer, others to bring yard chairs and folding tables, someone to manage the store run, and one or two people to dedicate use of their grill. Many neighborhoods opt for each family to bring their own beverages and often ask every family to donate a set amount to offset the cost of the meat, prizes for the kiddies and entertainment.
Safety First
Take the time to minimize any tripping hazards and ensure any dogs or other pets are safely out of the way. Inform everyone on the street of the details of the party whether or not they're coming. Take precautions to not park vehicles on the street. Have everyone sign a waiver to protect homeowners and reduce potential neighborhood tension.
Cleanup Before, During, & After
Make sure each of the residents in the party area checks their front yard for any trash or doggie debris. Be sure to have trash and recycling bins throughout the street and make certain a crew of people stay afterwards to help clean up.
Have Fun!
Keep the youth entertained. You can never have too many activities. Encourage the kids to bring their bikes, skateboards, scooters or roller blades, but don't forget to encourage the use of safety gear. Kids aren't the only ones who rely on games to break the ice. Plan a few activities geared at introducing people at one end of the block to the other. Even silly games such "egg toss" can help start the party off with a festive bang.
Remember, the safest and best kept blocks are those that have the strongestr neighborhood relations. A succesful Block Party is the funnest and best way to get there!
Respectfully,
Rey Colón
Alderman , 35th Ward
City of Chicago
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How can you Market Your Experience as an
Artist to Get a Day Job that Pays the Rent?
Thursday, May 24
6 pm | Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, 5th Floor
Can directing plays get you a job leading a creative team? Does curating art exhibits constitute "event planning" on your resume? Surveys indicate that artists are more highly educated than the general population, and yet many  earn their livings in low-skill, low-wage jobs-waiting tables, temping, and walking dogs. What other kinds of jobs are available to people who want to schedule their lives around their art, not around their day job? Join this panel discussion on how arts workers can reposition their skills to get better paying employment. Admission free.
Panelists:
Christie Andersen is the Career Development Specialist at Columbia College Chicago. She helps students prepare for careers after graduation. This often involves helping them translate creative skills into job options, juggle job versus passion, and understand what companies look for when hiring. Eventually, this also involves weaving skills and strengths into resume and cover letters that get results.
Keith Griffith is Editorial Project Manager for Groupon Getaways. At Groupon, he oversaw the interviewing, hiring, and tonsuring of more than 100 writers. A writer and editor, Griffith is also a theater critic for the Chicago Reader.
Nick Keenan is Chief Technology Officer at Marshall Creative, an interactive agency founded by directors, designers, and producers from the Chicago theatre and comedy community. Nick worked for eight years as a sound engineer at the Goodman Theatre, while designing sound as a freelancer throughout Chicagoland. He began his life in web programming by automating the popular theatre jobs site BackstageJobs.com, and has since developed web sites and web applications for corporate brands and individuals in the real estate, financial, health care and cultural sectors.
Rose Walker is a recruiter with the Chicago office of Creative Circle, a national creative staffing business offering both freelance and full-time opportunities to candidates in design, creative technology, marketing and advertising functions. Produced and moderated by John Carnwath, CAR Theater Researcher.
See also Christopher Ashworth's Artist Story: "My Competitive Advantage: I Hire Artists"
Propeller Fund Opportunties |
Propeller Fund is presented by Gallery 400 at the
University of Illinois at Chicago and threewalls for
independent visual artists, curators, and visual art
groups in Cook County. Learn about this program
through a series of workshops beginning on June 2.
Call Type: Awards, Grants, Fellowships
Eligibility: Chicago/Suburbs Eric May, E-Dogz, 2011 Propeller Fund awardee.
Click to visit Chicago Artist Resource for More Info |
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Kiwanis Club of Logan Square
Boys & Girls Club Chicago
Join the fun on Pancake Day and Support the
Boys and Girls
Club...
If you don't like pancakes or just cannot get away for the fun event you can still
support the day by making a donation
or purchasing tickets to be provided to needy families in the Boys & Girls Club
Remember, all proceeds got to
& Girls Club to continue their services to the children in our community.
Tickets: $6.00 Adults - $4.00 Youth
Saturday, May 26, 2012
From 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Boys and Girls Club at 3223 W. Palmer St.
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Voice of the City presents
The Body Project Ensemble's
The Rose Parade
A play inspired by women's stories of survival and hope
presented by Voice of the City and The Body Project Ensemble
Devised by Allison McGuire, Kira Silverstein and Jenny Rachel Weiner
To be performed by Kira Silverstein, Jenny Rachel Weiner and Eunice Woods.
The Rose Parade is a devised interview-based play focusing on women's stories of survival, resilience and hope. The stories recounted by our interviewees chronicle personal experiences with genocide and political unrest, as well as medical issues, personal loss, substance abuse, and near death experiences.
It is in a time like now that we are fortunate enough to be able to share these women's stories and pasts with one another, allowing us the freedom to let go of anger and despair, and embrace the healing power we all possess.
The Body Project Ensemble explores the complex range of relationships and experiences women have with, and hold within their bodies through storytelling, gesture, movement, and ritual. In addition to exploring our personal stories, the company serves as an umbrella, a producing entity for projects consisting of devised interview-based theatre as well as community projects.
Where: Hairpin Arts Centeer - 2800 N. Milwaukee Ave, 2nd Flr.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7pm
Preview Performances: May 25, 26 & 27th
Performance: June 1st - June 10th
TICKETS: $20 adult | $10 industry/student
(2 for 1 for first 15 reservations during preview performances)
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BIKE THE DRIVE 2012 The freedom of the road beckons on Sunday, May 27. Hop on your bike the one day of the year when the length of Lake Shore Drive is open to cyclists and closed to auto traffic. Enjoy the striking skyline and the shimmering water of Lake Michigan as you cruise up and down the entire length of Lake Shore Drive for MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive. The event begins at 5:30am, and we recommend beginning no later than 7:30am. The route begins at Columbus Drive and Jackson Drive; the round-trip distance encompasses 30 scenic miles, with the northern turnaround point at Bryn Mar Avenue, and the southern turnaround at 57th Street Sunday, May 27th at 5:30 am Begins on Columbus Drive and Jackson Drive For more information and registration click on the link below.  
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WANTS YOU!
 Do you love the hustle and bustle of the market?Love connecting with new friends in the community? We're ramping up for the outdoor season, and couldn't be more exited! With a few new vendors at this years farmers market,
and lots of old favorites, there's more ways to be part of the Logan Square Farmers Market and help out. It's your community, It's your Market, we need your help!  Volunteer For the following activities at this year's market: -Staffing the information table -Help with set-up and tear down the market -Entertainment and musicians -Facilitating payment for Snap/Link and credit cards Shifts are broken into three short shifts, leaving you with plenty of time to wonder around and Shopping to!  Sign Up!
and choose to join the Market Volunteers mailing list.
Shortly, you'll be receiving an invitation to attend
a volunteer orientation on Sunday, May 27th, 2012
from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.
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2012 Summer Day Camp Financial Assitance
The Chicago Park District has limited funds available to provide financial assistance for families who wish to enroll in the summer day camp program.
Financial assistance is only available to City of Chicago residents.
Applicants must provide proof of entitlement for the reduced or free lunch program from the patron's school. Applicants who do not participate in the school lunch program can prove eligibility by providing income verification (i.e., 2012 recent pay stubs for last 30 days, AFDC / TANF case #, a copy of a recent IRS 1040 form, etc.). Information submitted is confidential.
 Applicants must bring copies of the required documents to their desired park from April 23 - June 11 during normal park hours.
Eligibility for financial assitance does not guarantee a slot for day camp and cannot be used in conjunction with any other reduced/voucher programs.
Patrons who intend to pursue financial aid, but wish to secure a spot prior to the processing dates, may put a 50% down payment at the desired park beginning Saturday, April 14, the first day of in-person registration at most parks. Please contact the park to confirm in-person registration day and time.
Applicants that do not qualify for financial assistance may inquire about the payment plan option at their local park.
Processing Dates: April 23rd - June, 2012
Locations: All Staffed Park Sites
Hours: Vary per location; Contact your local park at
(312)742-PLAY (7529) or (312)747-2001 (TTY)
Click for more informatio about your Chicago Park District
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Jobs+Internships at the
Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs & Special Events
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and
Special Events has posted 3 full-time positions
and 10 paid internships. All have application
deadlines of May 31, 2012.
Click for More Info on Jobs at DCASE |
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Employment Opportunity within
FEMA's Individual and Community Preparedness Division
A vacancy announcement has been posted for a Program Specialist, GS-0301-12/13 in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Protection and National Preparedness, National Preparedness Directorate, Individual and Community Preparedness Division (ICPD).
Click for Current Job Opportunities with FEMA |
 
Implementation Charrette
Invitation from Commissioner Michelle T. Boone
As you know, Chicago is currently undertaking its first major cultural planning process in 26 years. It's an exciting endeavor, designed for multiple levels of community engagement and civic participation.
I invite you to join us for an Implementation Charrette, where with your help, we will set the direction for the Chicago Cultural Plan 2012.
Implementation Charrette
Thursday, May 31, 2012
1:00 p.m. - 5 :00p.m.
Chicago Cultural Center - 78 East Washington St.
5th Floor - Washington Meeting Room
Please RSVP by May 23, email at sue.vopicka@cityofchicago.org or by phone at 312-744-0481
 In February 2012, the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) launched an exciting initiative to develop a cultural plan for Chicago. The plan will create a framework to guide the city's future cultural and economic growth. The 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan will be the centerpiece to continue to elevate the City as a global destination for creativity, innovation and excellence in the arts. The focus of the project will be to further build on Chicago's vast cultural assets and vibrant community, established through the collaborative partnerships formed with the public and private sectors and civic community.
 We invite your broad perspective, specialized knowledge and innovative thinking and hope you will join us for what promises to be a dynamic discussion.
What is an Implementation Charrette? A working session in all senses of the word, the charrette will gather participants to propose actions and initiatives that address the most pressing needs identified through the planning process thus far.
These needs center on:
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* Artist Sustainability
* Arts Education
* Chicago as a Global Cultural Destination
* Empowering Neighborhoods as Cultural Agents
* Eliminating Red Tape |
* Innovation
* Attracting and Retaining Creative Professionals
* Securing Spaces for Culture
* Culture as a Tool for Placemaking
* Centralizing Cultural Communication |
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Streets For Cycling Plan 2020
PUBLIC MEETINGS
 The purpose of the Streets for Cycling Plan 2020 is to identify up to 250 miles of innovative bicycle facilities that will encourage all Chicagoans to use their bikes to get around their neighborhoods.
As you are aware, Chicago is a large city with different challenges and opportunities in every neighborhood. In order to address these issues, we have divided the city into nine areas, using barriers like expressways and waterways as dividing lines (see below). For each area, we will be reviewing the existing bicycling conditions by identifying destinations, barriers, gaps in existing bikeways, and assets. We'd love to receive input on these issues. Read more about the 2020 Plans Benchmark and goals.
Upcoming Public Meetings
Spring Public Meetings to Review and Comment on the Draft Network
Gary Comer Youth Center - Exhibition Hall, 3rd floor
7200 S. Ingleside Ave.
Thursday, May 31st, 2012
4 - 8 p.m., presentation with Q&A at 4:30 & 6:30p.m.
Douglas Park Cultural and Community Center - Ballroom
1401 S. Sacramento Dr.
Wednesday, June 6th, 2012
4 - 8 p.m., presentation with Q&A at 4:30 & 6:30p.m.
Open House
77 S. Dearborn - Building Lobby
Saturday, June 9th, 2012
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Click Here to Reserve Your Webinar Seat for June 11
Webinar #1 -
June 11th - 12 - 1 p.m.
Click Here to Reserve Your Webinar Seat for June 13
Webinar #2 - June 13th - 6 - 7 p.m.
Webinar space is limited. After registering you will receive a confirmation email
containing information about joining the Webinar. |
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Buy your Chicago City Sticker and
Annual Residential Permit Parking
Alderman Rey Colón's Office
Thursday, June 7th 2012 | 2710 N. Sawyer Ave.
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
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SAVE THE DATE
Support the McCormick Tribune YMCA Youth and Family Programs  6th Annual Golf Classic Thursday, June 7, 2012 (Rain Date Thursday, June 14) Glendale Lakes Golf Club 1550 President Street Glendale Heights, Illinois 60139 Shot Gun Start 9:00 a.m. Registration 7:30 a.m. Chair: Todd Saranecki Committee Members: Sam Fox, Ed Ruiz, Mollie & Jon Stromberg, Tom Slaughter, Deanna Swanson, Tina Debrass & James Benjamin For information, please contact Steve Vick at 773.235.2525 or svick@ymcachicago.org |
The online application for green infrastructure grants through the Milwaukee Avenue Green Development program is now live! The spring application deadline is May 31. In order to qualify for funding you must first attend an introductory workshop:
Summer Workshop June 12, 2012
Fall Workshop September 11, 2012
Hairpin Lofts Art Center
2800 N. Milwaukee Ave. 2nd Fl.
Approximately 30 interested property owners attended the spring workshop.
The Milwaukee Avenue Green Development Corridor is a joint project led by the City of Chicago and the 35th Ward, funded by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and supported by Metropolitan Planning Council and Chicago Community Loan Fund. $200,000 is available through the Green Infrastructure Grant Program to provide up to 75% of the cost of stormwater management projects such as green roofs, permeable pavers, rain barrels, and rain gardens. Working together, property owners in the corridor can do their part to reduce the risk of basement flooding and improve downstream water quality.
Please visit www.logansquareh2o.org for more information and feel free to contact the 35th Ward Office or the Metropolitan Planning Council's Josh Ellis at jellis@metroplanning.org with questions. |
If you would like to be one of the skilled painters from June 13th-June 21st
please sign up for the meeting on May 24th at 5:30pm
by emailing Art Director for the project: Cesareo Moreno
If you would like to be an enthusiastic painter on Thursday, June 21st
for the Community Paint Day, you will need to register by emailing Kelsey Krzyston at KKrzyston@cityyear.orgIf you would like to make a donation to the project, please email Dennis Puhr
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35th Ward Community Service Office
2710 N. Sawyer Avenue I Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: 773-365-3535 I Fax: 773-365-7391
rey@reycolon.org
Office Hours:
Monday 10:00am - 7:45pm
Ward Night Begins at 5:30pm - 7:45pm
Tuesday - Friday 9:00am - 5:30pm |
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About Alderman Rey Colón
Alderman Rey Colón has been an independent, progressive leader in the City Council since May 2003. Alderman Colón has taken an innovative approach to increasing resident participation in local government and establishing transparency. Through these accomplishments, Alderman Colón carried out conscientious development while preserving our historical landscape and improved the quality of life of the 35th Ward. His vision builds on these achievements, making the 35th Ward one of the most diverse and exciting areas in Chicago! |
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35th Ward Recycling Schedule
Click Here to download the 35th Ward recycling schedule |
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