Mike's Corner
Invitation to Candidates in Contested 49th Ward Committeeman Races
Better to present that question to the existing candidates for 49th Ward Committeeman (both Democrat and Republican – yes, there is a contested race for Republican 49th Ward Committeeman as well)? Three questions come to my mind: a) What does a Committeeman do? b) Why are you the most qualified? c) Why should we care?More…
We are Family – and Village too.
There are plenty of decent and talented young people who live in this challenged neighborhood. These kids can potentially have a decent life and future – yet so many lack direction and positive interaction with adult mentors. Not all mentoring relationships can and will result in great success – that depends on a variety of factors, and the commitment that both the mentor and the mentee offer to the relationship.More…
Saluting the Work of Alden North
I was also impressed with the compassionate and dedicated care that the residents received from the Alden staff, which seemed keenly engaged with their jobs. Depending on the residents’ capability, the staff encouraged them to clap along, sing, or somehow interact with the dancers. Few of the patients seemed able to offer the dancers direct eye contact – and though it seemed many could hardly comprehend what was happening in the room, I also sensed that the dancers somehow connected with many of these residents, and with the caretakers, directing a positive energy and love to them. One more able resident actually lead us in song, a clear highlight of the afternoon.More…
Posted by Mike G on December 29, 2011 |
Speculating over Process
For those of you who don’t follow this stuff, there is a strong chance that Governor Quinn will appoint Alderman Moore to a cabinet level position, thus opening up his slot. There is speculation, grounded in a Tribune article printed earlier this week, that the Mayor will give major consideration to any recommendation offered by the Alderman, who, in turn, suggests that he will have his 49th Ward Democratic Organization, headed by Committeeman David Fagus, engage in a community process to recommend a successor to fill his slot until we can conduct a special election.More…
Posted by Mike G on December 10, 2011 |
Alternative Ways to Fill City Coffers
But, why stop there? State and City officials should write law prohibiting other inappropriate things I’ve seen people do while on the road. Admittedly, I might find myself at fault on occasion as well, but I am committed to changing my ways. How about legislation prohibiting us from playing Words with Friends while driving?More…
Posted by Mike G on November 18, 2011 |
A “Guy’s” Road Trip
Within a few minutes, and with heavy reliance on MapQuest, I found the street where sits our President’s house. I parked a block away, and we walked past the signs that noted that the sidewalk was reserved for residential use only. “What harm in a white man and a couple of African American youth looking at the house owned by America’s first black President?” I thought. After walking northbound for half a block, we approached the area where the President’s house is located. As we approached, two (white) large and important looking security officers approached us. We walked a couple of steps closer, as one of the guards approached. “Are you going to the synagogue,” he asked, pointing to the building across the street? “No,” I said. “I just wanted for the boys to see the President’s house.”More…
Posted by Mike G on November 08, 2011 |
One Artist; Two Performances
To me, a sparsely attended tavern, late night (especially on a Sunday evening) offers a unique opportunity for meeting new people – whether it be a conversation with the lonely bar tender, or with someone sitting on his or her own, on the opposite end of the bar, such as this man. Sure enough, in time, the three of us began chatting with the man, learning that he was a Peruvian guitarist named Daniel. He told us about how he has lived in Rogers Park for several years, where he has been living a busy life, as a single Dad, a full time job, while pursuing his passion for playing guitar. All of this lead to me posing the obvious question: “Would you mind playing a tune for us?”More…
Posted by Mike G on October 27, 2011 |
Outrage over City Pension Debacle
Imagine: our tax dollars pay annual pensions ranging from $115,000 to $158,000 a year to union chiefs whose jobs as city workers ranged from $15,000 to $57,000. (The series describes other injustices, such as how a union leader was offered his city job back for one day so that he could qualify for this deal.) Years ago, it seemed that awarding these unjustified pensions was the best and easiest way for the new Richard M. Daley administration to achieve labor peace. The municipal pension plan seemed plush with cash – who would ever know? Or care? According to the Tribune, many elected officials had a hand in pushing through this legislation (ultimately signed by then Governor Thompson) – yet the only official remaining in office today is Senate President Cullerton.More…
Posted by Mike G on October 01, 2011 |
A Direction for this Website
Those of you who read my blogs know about my enthusiasm for a new dance troupe that four young adults have recently formed in the North of Howard community, called 808s: Youth Empowerment thru Dance. Its been exciting to see how these young residents have stepped forward in the past six weeks to create something special for 30 or so youth in that neighborhood. Not only is their enthusiasm about dance special, but so is the way that this group, youth lead, focuses on character building traits.More…
Posted by Mike G on September 16, 2011 |
808s post performance update
I was confident that we would have a decent crowd – I figured, around 80 people. Do the math: the dance program had expanded to 25 – 30 youth, and if each brought in on average two family members or friends, we would have at least 60. And I knew of other community members and other people expressing an interest at what these young people were doing that 80 people total sounded about right. I was helping one of the young men with his speech when the doors officially opened. A crowd of 20 or so people entered the room, filling in the first few rows of seats. Steadily, for the next forty minutes, a crowd of people, mostly residents from the neighborhood, flowed into the room, occupying the rest of the seats, and the bleacher seats along the side of the room as well.More…
Posted by Mike G on September 01, 2011 |
About the Author
Mike has a long term relationship with Rogers Park, having lived here at various times in his life, most recently returning to the neighborhood in August, 2009. While living here as a third year law student, he remembers drunken nights at Biddy Mulligan’s and hosting a couple of memorable parties that he, hypocritically, now forbids his own tenants from having. Years later, after completing his stint as a lawyer, Mike started investing in apartment buildings in Rogers Park (and elsewhere), and soon after, did what many newly divorced real estate investors do: he moved into one of his buildings. In 1992 Mike was one of the founding members of the Rogers Park Builders Group, an organization that he eventually headed for six years, until yielding those reigns three years ago. Around a decade ago, on a whim, he reserved the web site “Rogerspark.com,” which he has been developing ever since, and which co-hosts RP BizArts networking events. Mike is the proud father of three wonderful children, Amy, Mitch and Ella.
Mike Glasser
