Friday, November 26, 2010

All Skokie Photo Contest deadline December 1

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Please share this invitation to have pictures of Skokie neighbors and family in the Skokie Historical Society's archives...and possibly win a prize.


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Chicago Hypnosis Center offers free stress reduction classes Dec 8 and 9

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This in from Skokie Chamber of Commerce member Chicago Hypnosis Center...

Chicago Hypnosis Center offers a complimentary Holiday Stress Reduction Class with Karen Hand.

She'll teach participants how to control or even remove stress around the holidays and through the New Year.

When: Wednesday, December 8th at 6 p.m. or Thursday, December 9th at noon.

Where: Chicago Hypnosis Center, 4801 West Peterson Avenue, Suite 601, Chicago IL 60646

Registration: Space is limited. Pre-registration is required via 773-725-3200.
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Monday, October 25, 2010

All Skokie Photo Contest has begun

Dig out those old photos and shoot some new ones, Skokie!

Time to submit your new and old photos of Skokie friends and neighbors to the All Skokie Photo Contest so they might win a prize and potentially be included in the Skokie Historical Society's photography archives.

SkokieNet has organized this contest with the All Skokie Photo Project.

Sweet pictures will win sweet treats from Sweet Attila's. First prize is a year's worth of cookies. The best Halloween and Thanksgiving theme pictures will win a gift certificate.

With the help of folks submitting images to the All Skokie Photo Contest and everyone who cares about Skokie, the All Skokie Photo Project will update the world on what Skokie is all about.

Through photos, you're invited to help tell Skokie's story.

Inclusivity and creativity are important elements of this project, which is why your involvement is vital.

The All Skokie Photo Project is a community photo project, a photo census, of sorts, making and collecting photos of everyone who's made Skokie what it is today--everyone who lives, works, studies or worships in Skokie, past or present, or otherwise cares about our village, which includes students, teachers, families, athletes, workers, politicians, brides and grooms, worshipers, club members, business owners, immigrants and more. The list goes on. Skokie is very diverse and the Skokie community is being asked to help tell Skokie's story with pictures and, yes, accompanying text.

Get scanning and shooting now, because the deadline is December 1, 2010 and time flies.

Check out the details.

Originally posted in August. Updated October 25, 2010.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Be included in Skokie's history: Get your picture taken Sunday for FREE

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Get ready for your close-up, Skokie, and become part of Skokie's history!

The All Skokie Photo Project invites everyone with ties to Skokie, everyone who makes Skokie what it is today, to get their picture made for inclusion in the Skokie Historical Society's photography collection. 



When: Sunday, September 26, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.  (at the same time as Skokie's Farmers' Market)

Where: Skokie Heritage Museum, 8031 Floral Ave. in Downtown Skokie

Bring a friend or neighbor.  The event's Facebook page offers a clue about who else is expected.

George Pfoertner and I will be the primary shooters.



Comb your hair or not. We'll be making real pictures of real people as they want to be known. 



Participation is free, but a donation would be appreciated. 



Photos from this shoot will be posted as soon as possible on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/WeAreSkokie. 



The All Skokie Photo Project is a year-long community photography project aiming to make pictures of everyone with ties to Skokie--everyone that lives, works, worships, studies in Skokie, ever has, or who just care about Skokie--by May 2011 for inclusion in the Skokie Historical Society's archives. 



We aim to update the world on what Skokie is about now.

 Besides getting your picture taken, you'll be asked to fill out a questionnaire so we can write a short story about you to go with your picture.

Inclusivity, creativity, bridging the gap among people of different backgrounds and promoting pride in Skokie is the focus.
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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Were you at the first Rocky Horror Picture Show fun at the Skokie Theatre?

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Saturday, August 28, 2010, approx 10:40 p.m.: The house was sold out for the first screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Skokie Theatre
That's Aleks Krapivkin in the red t-shirt standing up on the left in the back. Joel Lerner is the guy with the camera shooting for the Skokie Review standing in the aisle on the right.  I think that is Carly Tennes in the black tank top in the second row. Who else do you know in this picture?

On August 28, Scott Holtz, Kring Lerner Group and other fans of the Skokie Theatre organized a benefit--a screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, the classic musical sci-fi satire about an alien transvestite named Frank-n-Furter who aims to build the perfect man and his fellow Transexual Transylvanians. Originally released in 1975, this cult favorite features young Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meatloaf.

Save the date: The next benefit screening is Animal House on Oct 30.

There's also talk of another screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show in early 2011.

Stay tuned.  For more information, contact Scott Holtz.
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Monday, September 13, 2010

Niles Township Food Pantry needs food and volunteers Sept 25

This just in from Cathy Struzynski...

I hope everyone had a great summer and is ready for the fall season. After several scheduling difficulties during the summer, we are hopeful to have regularly scheduled food drives for the Niles Township Food Pantry this fall. Cynthia Carranza, the Director of the Food Pantry, reports that the need for food from the pantry keeps increasing and donations to the Niles Township Food Pantry are needed now more than ever.

To help stock the Food Pantry shelves, a food drive is set for September 25, 2010 at the Jewel in Niles, located at 8203 W. Golf. Volunteers are needed from 9:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. We would like four volunteers for each shift. Please let me know your availability (via cathystruzynski@yahoo.com) for one or more of the shifts and indicate your first, second and third choice for each possible shift. Once I receive responses, I will confirm your scheduled time. The shifts are:

9:00 – 10:30
10:30 – 12:00
12:00 – 1:30
1:30 – 3:00
3:00 – 4:30
The last shift includes assisting in unloading the food at the Food Pantry.

The need is great, the time commitment relatively small and the appreciation for our efforts from the staff at the food pantry is gratifying. You can be a part of this project to help our neighbors by volunteering for at least one shift. Please respond with your availability, indicating the number of shifts you can cover and your first, second and third choice for each shift.

Thanks for your help and I look forward to hearing from you.
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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

We Are Skokie: a few of the pictures from the All Skokie Photo Project

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These are just some of the pictures made for the All Skokie Photo Project. These happen to all be by me, but other photographers are shooting too. Other photographers are being assigned to shoots and shooting pictures on their own. Those who want to contribute pictures and the stories that go with them should consider submitting them to the All Skokie Photo Contest.

To see more, go to the Skokie Historical Society/Skokie Heritage Museum to see Picture #1, the picture of nearly 300 people taken at Festival of Cultures or go to Facebook.

The next shoot is scheduled for Sunday, September 26 at the Museum.

If you have any questions about the Project, you can contact me directly at krkring (at) gmail.com.
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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Fran Roehm appointed advisor to Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to help eliminate the digital divide

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This just in...

Frances Roehm, SkokieNet Librarian and Community Liaison at the Skokie Public Library, has recently been appointed by Illinois Senate President John Cullerton to serve on the statutorily created advisory committee of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for its Eliminate the Digital Divide program. This grant program, created in 2001, provides digital literacy grants to public computing centers in low income communities across Illinois.

"The committee is charged with advising DCEO staff regarding grants for computer access and training for folks who otherwise would not have it," says Fran. "This agency's grants support digital literacy and reach state residents who are job hunting and receive assistance with their resumes, adults who receive assistance in developing needed computer workforce skills, and others who otherwise would be without the tools to compete or take part in an increasingly digital world."

In 1998, Fran created, and with her colleagues maintains, the ChicagoJobs.org website. Since 2005, Fran has been involved with the development of Illinois CLICKS!, the online information portal designed to provide digital information resources for all in the state, including the 1 million residents without traditional library services. Fran is also a member of Gov. Quinn’s Illinois Broadband Deployment Council and will seek to work with the DCEO and other digital literacy advocates to support the computer technology centers and libraries that offer this important service along with the expansion of broadband and information services statewide.

For more information on IDCEO EDD program see granttracker.ildceo.net.
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Through the All Skokie Photo Project, I'm working with Fran and other at SkokieNet on the All Skokie Photo Contest. I'm an advisor for SkokieNet.  Fran is on Facebook and tweets as SkokieGal.
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Saturday, August 21, 2010

All Skokie Photo Project's photo fun at the Backlot Bash

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All Skokie Photo Project's Picture #1, severely cropped


The Skokie Backlot Bash will be more than bands, rides, food and movies this year.

The All Skokie Photo Project's Picture #1, the big group photo taken at the Festival of Cultures in May, will be on display at the Skokie Heritage Museum, 8031 Floral Ave., 12-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, August 28 and 29.  Maybe you remembering me writing about this picture which launched the Project earlier this year.

At 50 inches wide and 30 inches high, approx. 300 people are in the picture, including the Mayor George Van Dusen, Jan Schakowsky, Lou Lang, Beth Coulson, Howard Meyer, Krishna Goyal, Scott Holtz, Ann Tennes, Janet Rosenberg, Jim Szczepaniak, Norman Kozak, Julia Clarke, Bill Schmidt, Bill Novello, Jin Lee, Ken Grossman, Roy Swenson, Svetlana Kramarova, David Battaglin, Omprakash Kamaria, Rich Reeder, Jelly Carandang, Joel Farber, Nora Cotter, Mark Adler, Jenna Dodson, Paul Pitalis, Nanciann Gatta, Louie Posey, Robert Yuen, Mary Recchia, Leah Raffe, Matthew Robins, Jason Block and so many others who make Skokie what it is today and friends.

This will be the first public display of this picture. The Village's Janelle Silva gave the picture a "Wow!".

Other photos made since the launch will be on display too.  

Lasting Memories, the portrait and wedding studio in downtown Skokie, will be shooting for the Project on Saturday and Sunday starting at noon each day. They'll be making free prints for everyone who poses. Even those who've already had their picture made for the Project are invited to come get another one made.

The All Skokie Photo Project will also be making two other large group pictures during the Bash. I expect it will be me shooting the picture of the audience just before the screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Skokie Theatre on Saturday night. Another picture will be made from the main stage at 5:45 p.m. on Sunday.

All are invited to shoot pictures of the fun at the Bash and submit them to the All Skokie Photo Contest to possibly win a year's worth of cookies from Sweet Atilla's and for potential inclusion in the Skokie Historical Society's photo archives. If you don't have a camera, you can check one out from the Skokie Public Library.

The All Skokie Photo Project is updating the world on what Skokie is about now, at the beginning of the 21st Century, through photographs and the stories that go with them. This year-long project aims to make (or collect) pictures of everyone that makes Skokie what it is today. Inclusivity and creativity in all aspects of this project are key to its success. Contact me at AllSkokiePhotoProject@gmail.com to discuss yours or your organization's ideas.
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Monday, August 16, 2010

Q and A with Scott Holtz, Rocky Horror Picture Show event organizer and...

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Scott Holtz and other big cheeses in Skokie have enlisted the help of Dr. Frank N. Furter and Meatloaf to help save the Skokie Theatre.

And so the Rocky Horror Picture Show will play at the Skokie Theatre August 28.

To better understand Scott and his cause, I posed some questions. Here's his response:

Q: What inspired you to organize this screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show to benefit the Skokie Theatre?

Scott: The Skokie Theatre needs our help! It is a gem of a space and could be central to what is coming for Downtown Skokie. It is a gathering place. In the past when times were hard places like the Skokie Theatre provided the escape the public needed. We must work to save what we have in downtown Skokie to use that to get more here. A full house at the Skokie Theatre nightly would support more nightlife here. The matinees could offer more opportunities for a noon shopping/eating crowd.

Q: Why Rocky Horror?  Why not Sound of Music or something more mainstream?

Scott: I wanted this event to be an experience. The Sound of Music is fine to watch on your TV at home or live on stage. Rocky Horror needs to happen in a public space with people. It (RHPS) doesn't work on DVD in your living room. What fun is audience participation with 1 person? Besides - you look pretty silly doing the Time Warp alone.

Q: What is so special about this theatre?

Scott: Its past, its present and its future. It's been re-invented many times. Just as we struggle to find the identity for Downtown Skokie the same struggle has occurred over the life of the theatre. Where the current vision started with just jazz , the Skokie Theatre has evolved into including everything from live theatrical performances to cat acrobats.

Q: Why should others--local, country and state government officials; real estate developers; area businesses; community members--care about this
theatre and help support it?

Scott: It is a theatre. It has a life. I cannot imagine another use for that building or that property. It can become a key in the Village center. Steps from Village Hall and one of the finest public libraries in the country, it has a place. There is sculpture all over the Village Green. A successful theatre could help turn Downtown Skokie into a fine regional art/education/performance center.

Q: What do you see in the Skokie Theatre's future?  What do you envision it could be in order for it to remain viable?

Scott: It needs to offer a variety of programming options and become more community friendly. There needs to be a solid marketing effort to provide an awareness for the theatre. Marketing has always been word of mouth and by chance. I think if more people are aware of the theatre and what is doing selling tickets would be much easier.

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By day Scott is website designer living and working in downtown Skokie. He used to work in theatre as a set and lighting designer. In is scarce free time, Scott is board member of IMODS (Independent Merchants of Downtown Skokie) and Skokie Chamber of Commerce where he was named Volunteer of the Year for 2009. Scott has been instrumental in forming the Economic Development Task Force for the Skokie Chamber. With Caryn Watson, he runs Skokie's Classic Car Show. Oh, and he can run a 5 K in 28 minutes.
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Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Sunday's Garage Sale to Benefit Multiple Sclerosis Sufferer

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Next week, Sunday, August 8, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.,  a multi-family garage sale to benefit a multiple sclerosis sufferer is scheduled to be held at 9636 Lawler in Skokie, that's across from Old Orchard and down the street from Niles North.

Items for sale include collectibles, 32” TV, desk, furniture, maternity clothes, plus size clothes, housewares, rug, paintings, lots of stuff for the college students and more.

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The family hosting the garage sale are the Taxmans, my cousins.
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Thursday, July 8, 2010

Scenes from Skokie's Fourth of July Parade

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Masons were just one of the community groups to come out to march in Skokie's Fourth of July parade.


 
WBBM's Mary Frances Bragiel interviewed one of the parade goers.


Karen Wallace (center) marched, while her sister Robin Wallace, in skates, rolled in the parade with their uncle Michael Vernon and other "Jan fans".


 
These "Jan fans" know how to roll. 


Candidate for State Representive Daniel Biss worked both sides of the parade.

















Temple Beth Israel came out again this year.


Friends watched the parade in front of Skokie House on Lincoln Ave.


Michael Becker next to Skokie House.

 
UBD aka Urban Beat Dance marched again this year.


Rolling up Lincoln Ave. 


The bands were great again this year.























Marine Corps veteran Joe Leifer.


Julie, Max and Sam Yusim.


These kids worked their lemonade stand on Oakton.
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Wednesday, July 7, 2010

All Skokie Photo Project portrait session - July 25

Get ready for your close-up, Skokie!

As the Skokie Historical Society board member Dick Witry once pointed out, our lives get busy. While so many of us appreciate learning about our own family history or our Village's history, we sometimes forget we are making history right now and that is worth documenting for ourselves and later generations.  With that in mind, the All Skokie Photo Project invites everyone who makes Skokie what it is today to have their portrait made for inclusion in the Skokie Historical Society's contemporary photography collection.

This portrait session is all about making real portraits of the real people of Skokie. Creativity encouraged. Bring a friend or neighbor. We'll also be asking you to fill out a questionnaire so we and future Skokian can know you better.

When: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sunday, July 25, 2010

Where: Skokie Heritage Museum
8031 Floral Ave., Skokie, IL (map)

How much: Free, but a donation would be appreciated.

Please RSVP on Facebook or contact me via email.
Photos are being posted on Facebook.

More shoots and exhibitions are being scheduled and a contest in cooperation with SkokieNet is in the works.

The All Skokie Photo Project is a year-long community photography project aiming to make pictures of all Skokians--everyone that lives, works, worships, studies in Skokie, ever has, or who just care about Skokie--by May 2011 for inclusion in the Skokie Historical Society's archives. Inclusivity, creativity, bridging the gap among people of different backgrounds and promoting pride in Skokie is the focus.

More sponsors are be being sought. The May project launch was supported by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; the Skokie Fine Arts Commission; the Skokie Park District; SkokieNet, the Village of Skokie, Print Xpress and Kring Lerner Group.

In the picture: Skokie resident and public relations and business communications expert Sally Chapralis. She participated in the June 27 shoot at the Skokie Heritage Museum.
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Friday, July 2, 2010

Niles Township Food Pantry needs food and volunteers July 17

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This in from Cathy Struzynski...

As you know, donations to the Niles Township Food Pantry are needed now more than ever. To help stock the Food Pantry shelves, a food drive is scheduled for July 17, 2010 at the Jewel in Skokie, located on Skokie Boulevard at Old Orchard Road.

Volunteers are needed from 9:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. We would like four volunteers for each shift. Please let me know your availability for one or more of the shifts and indicate your first, second and third choice for each possible shift. Once I receive responses, I will confirm your scheduled time. The shifts are:

9:00 – 10:30
10:30 – 12:00
12:00 – 1:30
1:30 – 3:00
3:00 – 4:30

The last shift includes assisting in unloading the food at the Food Pantry. We also need another vehicle for transporting the food to the Food Pantry at 4:00 p.m. Unfortunately, the van we use is not available on July 17; please let me know if your vehicle can be used for this purpose.

Significantly more people are using the Food Pantry and our contributions are invaluable. Cynthia Carranza, the Food Pantry Director, is very grateful for our efforts and the food we collect is distributed in just a few days. Volunteering for at least one shift is an easy way to help our less fortunate neighbors. Please respond with your availability, indicating the number of shifts you can cover and your first, second and third choice for each shift.

Thanks for your help and I look forward to hearing from you.

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Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day, Wai Mui

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Wai Mui, and his daughter Erica Mui, had their picture taken by me for the All Skokie Photo Project Father's Day weekend. This one and others taken of Skokians throughout the year will be included in the Skokie Historical Society's photography archives.

The next shoot will be June 27, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Skokie Heritage Museum. Facebook users are asked to RSVP.

If you have ideas or questions about the project, want to be a sponsor or donor, want to volunteer, want to have your picture taken, contact me at krkring@gmail.com and check out the Friends of the All Skokie Photo Project group on Facebook.
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Sunday, June 6, 2010

It's Farmers' Market Time!

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Carrots, melons, peaches, tomatoes, cheese, spices, flowers, baked goods and the knife sharpener.

I always have a good time at the farmers' markets, especially the Skokie Farmers' Market. Located between Village Hall and the library, for me it is an nice walk, though parking is easy too. The atmosphere offers just the right balance of calm and chaos. I usually see a friend or two, but no dogs. They're not allowed.

Tubroses became by favorite flower last year due to a certain flower vendor. Crossing my fingers he'll show this year too.

Skokie's Farmers' Market gets back in full swing Sunday, June 27. Its hours are 7:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

If you'd rather shop on Saturdays, or are jonesing for some really good peaches, like me, Evanston's Farmers' Market started last month. It's open from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Morton Grove's Farmers' Market is in business on Saturdays too from 7:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. Be on the look out for Niles North alum Rick Kazdan's El Gringo Loco salsa booth as mentioned in last week's Morton Grove Champion.

For more information about other farmers' markets in the area, check out Farmer's Market Online.
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Thursday, June 3, 2010

Who is a Journalist Now?

a Making Media Connections roundtable discussion; FREE and open to the public

This just in from Community Media Workshop...

The Chicago Community Trust’s Community News Matters initiative and Community Media Workshop invite you to this roundtable discussion.

When: June 10, 3-5 p.m.
Where: Columbia College’s Film Row Cinema, 8th Floor, 1104 South Wabash, Chicago.

We’re all creating and reporting news and stories for and about our communities, our region, and beyond. But the more common online news technologies become, the clearer it gets that you can deliver news without doing journalism.

Join us for a public forum to help frame a new set of questions for the coming year around journalism, technology, new business models and the people helping to shape a new path for Chicago’s information society.

Who’s creating and reporting news and stories for and about our communities, our region, and beyond? Are online outlets supplementing or supplanting daily newspapers or television networks in delivering news? Come discuss the latest in the changing media landscape:
• Who really is a journalist now, anyway?
• How has the explosion in online news shifted the types of news we produce?
• How is the information ecosystem shifting away from traditional media outlets?
• What do these changes mean for our neighborhoods?
• Are we getting the news we need to make better decisions than before?

The forum will also feature a brief report out on the results of the Workshop’s second annual online news survey.

Concurrent Breakouts


The Business: As news reporting moves online publishers and writers face the same issue as traditional media. How do we raise revenue to pay for content? Some new news outlets are starting to make money and while others are still discovering what the new business model might be.
Panelists: Steve Rhodes (Beachwood Reporter), Rich Gordon (Northwestern University), Dave Greising (Chi News Co-Op), Sherry Skalko (Online News Association)
Moderator: Toure Mohammed (Beansoup Times)
Scribe: Gordon Mayer (National People’s Action Network)

Influential Voices: Bloggers have become new publishers as they post content and build audiences. How do online writers find audiences? How does news happen with these new outlets?
Panelists: Veronica Arreola (Viva La Feminista), Andrew Huff (GapersBlock), Charles Mombo (Chocolate City), Teresa Puente (Chicanisima)
Moderator: Steve Franklin (Community Media Workshop)
Scribe: Barbara Iverson (Chicago Talks)

Platforms & Tech: The shifting media landscape has not only blurred the lines between professional journalists, bloggers and citizen journalists but is also being shaped by new forms of technology that go beyond the printing press and network television.
Panelists: Tracy Schmidt (ChicagoNow), Brad Flora (Windy Citizen), Ernie Sanders (Chicago Digital Cities), Justin Kaufman (Chicago Public Media)
Moderator: Dan Sinker (Columbia College Chicago)
Scribe: Justin Massa (Metro Chicago Information Center)

The Locals/Communities: One characteristic of the online news environment are geo sites that focus on specific communities. Hear about several neighborhood specific news and information outlets. Panelists: Suzanne McBride (Austin Talks), Glenn Reedus (S. Suburban Publishing), Lorraine Swanson (Lake Effect News)
Moderator: Tony Olivia (Chicago Tribune)
Scribe: Ann Marie Mitchell (Journalist)

4:45 p.m. Recap in the big room
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FYI: I used to work at Community Media Workshop.
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Friday, May 28, 2010

34th annual Bicycle Safety Day is June 6

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This just in...

Join your friends and neighbors at the annual Skokie Bicycle Safety Day, Sunday, June 6, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oakton Park parking lot, 4701 Oakton Street (Oakton Street at Knox Avenue).

Children through age 14 can participate in games and win prizes. A bicycle safety course will test their knowledge of the law and their ability to properly handle a bicycle. Bicyclists can register their bicycles with the Skokie Police Department this day as well.

Members of the Skokie Park District, Skokie Police Department and the Skokie Fire Department will be on hand to promote pedestrian and traffic safety.

Skokie Traffic Safety Commission's Paul Pitalis, Chairman mentioned for the first time two Masonic Lodges based in Skokie will also be there to offer their ILCHIP (child identification) program.

The Skokie Traffic Safety Commission sponsors Traffic Safety Week. Traffic Safety Week is designed to further public awareness of traffic and pedestrian safety 52 weeks a year.

The rain date for this event is Sunday, June 13, 2010.

For more information, contact the Traffic Engineering Division at 847-933-8231.
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Saturday, May 1, 2010

All Skokie Photo Project: It will take a village...

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The All Skokie Photo Project is not just about enhancing the contemporary photography collection of the Skokie Historical Society, promoting pride in Skokie and helping bridge the gap among people of different backgrounds. It is also about everyone getting creativity and having some fun as I, with other photographers, aim to make pictures of everyone in Skokie during the coming year. Granted, we might not get a picture of everyone who lives, works or goes to school here, or ever did live, work or go to school here, but we are aiming to invite them all to participate.

The plan is that on May 22, 2010, I'll make the first photograph, an aerial group picture of everyone gathered for the opening ceremonies at the Festival of Cultures at Oakton Park, which start at 1 p.m. Cross your fingers that we'll have good weather. Plan B is to make the photo sometime on Sunday.

Launching the project at Festival of Cultures is ideal as this year it celebrates its 20th anniversary. This also happens to be a census year. Skokie will not only be documented statistically, but photographically too.

Soon after the launch, the aerial group photograph will be printed very large, approximately 7 x 5 feet, and exhibited at the Skokie Heritage Museum. The exhibition is tentatively scheduled to start in early August and continuing through Fall. It would be viewable at an opening reception, during regular museum hours and Skokie's Backlot Bash and other civic events.

Throughout the year there will be other shoots: more large scale group shoots, shoots at the Farmers' Market, block parties, parades, schools, senior centers, workplaces and other place in Skokie. Just to elaborate on a couple now, I'm hoping to do large group pictures at Niles North's and Niles West's homecomings. Hoping to get permission to shoot on the Skokie Swift train and at the station.

Some great images will be made of families, friends, neighbors, students, workers, worshipers and others. The images will be beautiful, funny, revealing, unusual--and all valuable.

Emphasis will be placed on documenting real people as they really are.

Images will be exhibited online via a new website being developed, SkokieNet and in public spaces throughout the Village as soon as possible after each shoot.

Skokie is known for its diversity, but we've only scratched the surface in understanding how diverse and rich we are. People in Skokie have so many great stories to share and this project has the potential to bring them forward. I think that even the biggest fans of Skokie and those who've lived or worked here the longest will be able to say that they learned something new about the Village or someone in it through this project.

Inclusivity is an important feature of this project in order for the archive to be most relevant now and 100 years from now and continue to be maintained. Every person, business and school will be invited to get involved in some way.

I'm excited to see how Skokie folks embrace this project and get involved. I've been conceptualizing this project for a long time and doing a lot of homework in order to make it a reality. That said, there's so much more homework to do. I welcome everyone's input and ideas. I also welcome everyone's help. We are working on identifying sponsors, contributors, endorsers, collaborators and friends.

The growing list of official supporters includes the Illinois Arts Council through the Skokie Fine Arts Commission; the Skokie Park District; SkokieNet; the Village of Skokie; Print Xpress and my own company Kring Lerner Group. Friends of the All Skokie Photo Project already include Erica Mui, Aleks Krapivkin, Scott Holtz, Frances Roehm, Rick Moskovitz, Linda Quinn, Angeles "Jelly" Carandang, Rachel Taxman, Rebecca Taxman, Erica Minchella, Richard Reeder, Sally Chapralis, Ken Kring, Nancy Kring Corbige, and Joel Lerner.

I think this project has will be fun for everyone involved as we rock Skokie and beyond.

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Facebook users can RSVP for shoot #1, the launch at the Festival of Cultures, on the Facebook event page.
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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

"...and the mother wasn't home."

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It has been long time since this phrase has been a staple in our lives, but even nowadays I can say to my mother "...and the mother wasn't home" and she'll know it is a reference to her caution and especially her annoyance at a certain kind of news report. When we were kids, even well into our teens, she'd not let us do much in the house when she was gone, because she was sure that if there were to be an accident, that broadcast news reports would end with "...and the mother wasn't home".

Today another broadcast news story was delivered similarly. If she heard it I'm sure she again replied as I did with this: And where was the father?
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Monday, April 12, 2010

Help Neighbors: Food Drive Volunteers Needed April 17

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This in from Cathy Struzynski...

Volunteers are still needed for the 12:30 - 2:00 shift for the April 17 Niles Township Food Pantry Food Drive. We will be requesting donations from shoppers at the Dominick's in Morton Grove, located on Dempster, just west of Waukegan.

Anyone available to help our neighbors in Niles Township during that time, please let me know.

Thanks for your help.

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Cathy is reachable at cathystruzynski@yahoo.com.
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