Tea with Jan Schakowsky

When we fight, we win! -- Jan Schakowsky

 

Enjoyed witnessing the exchange between neighbors who are honing their community activist skills and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky--one who has been working it as least as long as we've had expiration dates on our food--at neighbor Janice Page's home.

Discussion included running for local office, Morton Grove's pending welcoming community ordinance, minimum wage opt-out ordinance(s), politics in among our representatives and senators in Congress and likelihood of impeachment. 

Participants included Kim Moldofsky, Janice Kantro Page, Laura Frisch, Elizabeth Jones, Tammy Astor, Shabnam Syed, Margaret Grau, Jill Alali, Anjum Ali, Sharon Maitino, Ruth Goldman Helgemo, Janice Cha, Mari Blechman Plotnik and others.

Listen? Solve? Give an opinion? Give a hug?

Words of wisdom from Greg Panaligan 

I had a lovely conversation with my neighbor Greg Panaligan last month. So much we talked about was memorable, but the following thought keeps coming back to me as I piss people off and they piss me off.

He's learned that when talking to someone--a friend, neighbor, colleague, family member--they usually just want you to do one of four things:

a) Listen

b) Help them solve a problem

c) Offer opinion

d) Just give them a hug

Trouble arises between you and this person you care about when you don't know which of those things they want from you.

As some online friend suggested, when in doubt go with a and/or d.

~-~-~-~

Related tangent.
Part 1.

A couple years ago at a breakfast with legislators at the Evanston Golf Club, Jan Schakowsky got heated during a discussion with a constituent. It was a awkward, painful spectacle.

I know Jan a little and like her a lot, so I offered her a hug. She accepted, we shared a squeeze and soon she was able to smile for a picture with a friend of ours (and critique my work.)

Later this kept going through my mind: Jan Schakowsky. What does she need a hug from me for? She's handled tougher folks and trickier issues than that guy. She's experienced. She knows what to do.

Soon after I saw Jan at another function and mentioned my afterthought. It went something like, "Oh, yeah, that guy. Wow. Hmm. I am not conflict adverse. I was fine, but I did like the hug. I'm a hugger."

Part 2.

Last year I was to photograph Jimmy Carter at an awards gala. I'd met and photographed him before, so knew what I wanted to talk about before the grip-and-grin picture-taking began. After our short conversation, I offered him a hug. We shared a squeeze and he remarked "If I have any trouble smiling, I'll remember that hug."

Takeaway from these stories: Hardly anyone doesn't like a hug.

Skokie's 4th of July Parade 2012

updated July 11, 2012

Here's Scott Holtz', Joel Lerner's and my take on from this year's Skokie 4th of July parade.

More of Scott's image can be found on Facebook via Downtown Skokie.

More of Joel's take can be seen online via Skokie Review.

 

Niles Township Assessor Scott Bagnall. 

 

Temple Judah Mizpah's Maddy Foler.

 

 

Dance Troupe Aenacer Boliviano dances down Oakton St. during Skokie's 4th of July Parade.

 

John Haber and Jeff Gould atop the Haben Funeral Home's antique hearse. 

Mike Reid.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White holds a banner as one of the Jesse White Tumblers flips over it.

 

U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky.

 

 

 

  

  

  

Illinois Representative Lou Lang (in blue cap) poses with neighbors for a picture.

 

 

Joel Lerner takes a break from covering the parade for the Skokie Review. 

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Judicial candidate Abbey Fishman Romanek wants our votes

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Skokie native Abbey Fishman Romanek is running for Cook County judge from the 9th judicial subcircuit. Some might remember that she ran in 2010, but lost by just 48 votes. She did well in Skokie during that race, and she is looking for Skokie's support again.

Abbey is endorsed by Jan Schakowsky, Toni Preckwinkle, Daniel Biss and many officials, organizations and individuals.

The Chicago Bar Association recently noted: Ms. Romanek is experienced in both criminal and civil law and is well regarded by her peers for her legal knowledge and excellent demeanor. Ms. Romanek is also actively involved in community work.

Regarding her experience: Abbey has a rare breadth of legal experience that would make her an especially valuable asset on the bench.

Regarding her demeanor: As the youngest daughter of a Holocaust survivor and a rabbi, Abbey has long understood the importance of justice and treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Regarding her community work: Abbey is on the executive committee of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center's board of directors. She's on the board of Connections for the Homeless and is a supervisor for Beth Emet's Soup Kitchen. She's also a member of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce and numerous other organizations.

If you've not met Abbey yet, there are many opportunities to do so between now and election day. Here are some notable ones:

Abbey leads discussion on HOT COFFEE, the documentary - February 22
at Evanston Public Library

Wine and Cheese with Abbey in Wilmette - February 24
hosted by Liz Challinor and Caryn Percifield

Coffee with Abbey in Skokie - February 29
hosted by Sheila Meyer

More of Abbey's public events are listed on her campaign's website at advocatesforabbey.com.

Election for Cook County judges is March 20, during the Democratic primary.

Early voting starts February 27. 
Suburban residents voting early must vote in the suburbs.
Skokie locations include Village Hall on Oakton and the Skokie Courthouse on Old Orchard Rd.
Chicagoans voting early must vote in Chicago.

Additional information about Abbey and other judicial candidates is available here.

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Karen here: My firm, Kring Lerner Group, is the sponsor of this blog. Advocates for Abbey Fishman Romanek for Judge is a client of Kring Lerner Group.

Skokie's 4th of July Parade

One needed to know Skokie and its 4th of July parade to understand something was different this year. The weather was cooler than most years, so there was less concern about band members passing out, but any Chicagoan would have noticed that. Where were the temple teams? Where was Beth Israel? July 4, 2009 landed on a Saturday. Word was that many temples opted out of the parade in honor of the sabbath. July 4, 2010 is on a Sunday next year. It's a good bet they'll be back.

Pioneer Press' Mike Isaacs wrote about the pre-parade preparations.
SkokieNet's Eh re ca wrote about teen volunteers' work at the parade.
State Rep. Lou Lang's web page offers a bit about Lou's and Jan Schakowsky's infirmities.

Here's some simple snaps I made of the parade. I didn't catch everyone's name, but aim to fill them in as I learn them, so bring on the information. Love mob sourcing.

~ Karen Kring

George and Susan Van Dusen with friend.
George is Skokie's mayor.


U.S. House Rep Jan Schakowsky didn't walk the parade
as she usually does due to her bum foot.


This Jan of fan knows how to enjoy being in a parade.


Abbey Fishman Romanek is running for judge from
Cook Country's 9th subcircuit. Election is in February 2010.


Jesse Greenberg and other advocates for Abbey.




Having fun isn't hard when you've got...


a library card.


Roy Swenson.

Kiyo Shirataki.


Nola Penn.


Young Eldridge Shannon with Urban Beat Dance.


Two Rubinos.





Angeles "Jelly" Carandang






Illinois State Rep. Elizabeth Coulsen meets the Rubinos.


The parade is not over until the Refuse Collection
Division's trucks go by.