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Dear Neighbor,
A special Congratulations goes to Christopher House Logan Square Family Resource Center!They have the first Day Care Center in Chicago to receivie a four-star Quality Rating System Certification (QRS). Achieving a QRS Certification means the provider has achieved specific standards of quality set by the State of Illinois. QRS Certification is a detailed process that takes many hours of preparation. While participation in the QRS certification process is voluntary, it demonstrates that as a child care provider, Christopher House is committed to exceeding the minimum requirements. A QRS rating means that Christopher House is providing at-risk children and their families with the very best learning and care experience available.
The Logan Square Family Resource Center is in the former Logan Square Public Library building located on 3255 W Altgeld Street. After an amazing green, rehabilitation to the facility, Christopher House opened its doors there in 2007. Since that time the Center has not only offered a safe, caring environment for children of working families; Christopher House is known nationally and internationally for its high-quality early childhood learning environment.
Christopher House was founded in 1906 by the First Presbyterian Church of Evanston as a settlement house for Chicago's growing immigrant population. For over a century they have evolved to meet the changing needs of Chicago's neediest families. Christopher House was one of the first Head Start providers in the country when they opened their first Head Start program in the 1950's. Many decades later, Christopher House continues to be the leading provider of Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Through their success we all now know that kids who start school ready are the most likely to succeed. The neediest children in our community are the most likely to drop-out of school if they don't get a quality early childhood education. What makes Christopher House so dynamic is not just their commitment to providing the best possible programs, but they also maintain a data-driven approach to evaluating their accomplishments. Christopher House can actually prove that their students enter kindergarten ready to learn.
I am especially grateful to Christopher House for maintaining the highest level of excellence for the children of our community. Visit their website at: http://www.christopherhouse.org/ to find out more about what Christopher House is doing throughout Chicago's neighborhoods.
Respectfully,
Alderman Rey Colón City of Chicago, 35th Ward
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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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Relax Attack Jazz Series is pleased to announce a month-long residency featuring Bootstrap, a new group led by drummer Frank Rosaly. Every Tuesday in June, Rosaly will be joined by Mars Williams (sax), Jim Baker (piano, synthesizer) and Nate McBride (bass), playing material based on anthems and music of rebellion, from Andres Jimenez to Max Roach. Rosaly describes the inception of the project as an attempt to connect improvisational strategies of the Chicago avant-garde scene with melodies and rhythms abstracted from Puerto Rican traditions:

"Over the last several years, I have been studying bomba and plena music of Puerto Rico as a means to further connect with my heritage. After the conception of another group of mine which focuses on integrating my experiences as an improvising experimental musician with the traditions of bomba, plena, jibaro and seis called ˇtodos de pie! (everybody stand up!), I had compiled a lot of transcribed music from the island. Bootstrap is a smaller group, and that will allow us to explore some of these melodies, rhythms and song forms (which I have abstracted) in a free-jazz informed setting. Using these melodies/anthems as springboards for improvisations, these anthems also help regroup for the next improvisation. Though much of the tunes are original compositions, the themes and anthems act as connective tissue throughout the set."
Rosaly's stint with Bootstrap continues The Whistler's residency program-which has included groups led by Rob Mazurek, Josh Berman, and Jason Adasiewicz-as a vehicle for some of Chicago's most ambitious jazz and improvisational artists to develop new material in the context of a lively crowd, full of spirited conversation and (of course) cocktail shaking. the WHISTLER 2421 n milwaukee ave / chicago / 773.227.3530 / m - th: 6 - 2 / f: 5 - 2 / sat: 6 - 3 / sun: 5 - 2 / 21+ - no cover |
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
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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The Dill Pickle Food Co-op
is seeking a General Manager
Opening its doors in December 2009, the Dill Pickle is the only retail food co-op in Chicago. The store has over $1.3 million in sales in 1200 sf retail, 11 FTEs, morethan 1100 member-owners and is open to members and non-members alike. Our co-op prioritizes local, fair trade and organic products with particular attention given to produce, staple foods and bulk dried goods. A shared demand for a cooperative and a conscientious food source in our neighborhood has led to an expansion effort in just under 2 years.
The Dill Pickle Food Co-op is located in Logan Square, a large neighborhood on the near west side of Chicago. The neighborhood has a history of community involvement, with the longest running neighborhood association in the city. It is the seat of innovative social and environmental cross pollination projects, from a new affordable housing development designed according to Chicago Green Guidelines to a recently opened green business center to a community orchard project slated to break ground just one block from the co-op, as well as a thriving farmer's market, farm-to-table food establishments and art and music festivals.
A detailed job description can be found
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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 |
Propeller Fund 2012 Deadline and Workshop
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.
Propeller Fund provides money directly to artists, curators, and groups living and working in Cook County, Illinois, and seeks to support projects that are independent, informal, self-organized, and long-term or short-term. Propeller Fund provides support at two levels: * Five grants at $6,000 * Ten grants at $2,000
Photo By: Eric May, E-Dogz, 2011 Propeller Fund awardee.
In its first two years, the Propeller Fund awarded 30 grants to a diverse range of work, including Dorchester Project, Five Funerals, Life's A Ball, ChicagoRICAN, Qeej Hero, The Storefront, E-Dogz, Eyeworks Festival of Experimental Animation, Monsters and Dust, The Chicago Arts Archive, and The Happiness Project.
Call Type: Awards, Grants, Fellowships
Eligibility:Chicago/Suburbs
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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 |
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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 |
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Get your commuter team
challenge ready!

Celebrate Chicago Bike to Work Week by signing up for the Bike Commuter Challenge June 9-15! It's free for you and your company, and the Active Transportation - Alliance will give you all the tools you need to get your office going on two wheels. Compete to see your office honored as the greenest and healthiest in Chicagoland.
VOLUNTEER
We need your help. There are many opportunities to get involved: flyering, prepping/distributing materials, or working at a Bike PitStop during Bike to Work Week! Volunteer at commuter@activetrans.org.
TEAM LEADER TOOLKITS
This year, you have a host of options picking up your Team Leader toolkit. Starting May 15, you can get it at Active Trans' office in River North or a variety of other locations in the city.
Click Here For More Information on How To Bike To Work! |
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PRESENTS: Photography Portfolio Walk
Admission: Free for the public to view, $25 for photographers to reserve a table
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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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