Mike's Corner
Meet the 808s: Youth Empowerment thru Dance at their upcoming World Premier on Thurs night, 8/25
Now, we are only three days away from our performance; we have had some phenomenal support from the community; and we can't believe that we have successfully drawn a total of 25 kids (maybe 30.) We are excited, and, yes, a bit nervous, but we are ready! We invite members of our community to attend our free performance, Thursday, August 25, 2011, 6:30PM, at the Willye B. White Center, 1610 West Howard Street.More…
Posted by Mike G on August 22, 2011 |
Live, Video and Let Die
Just as I started wondering if my preoccupation with videotaping this song was preventing me from enjoying this wonderful moment, pandemonium broke out on the stage. Multiple blasts of fire broke out on the stage in front of Paul each time he belted out the words “lie and let die.” And then fireworks launched as Paul and his band blasted their instrumentals. The crowd erupted. An incredible energy filled my beloved stadium- probably the highest level of excitement felt within Wrigley Field since the national anthem before the outdoor Blackhawk’s hockey game on January 1, 2009, or through 8 1/3 innings of Game 6, National League Division Series, October 14, 2003.More…
Posted by Mike G on August 11, 2011 |
Reflections of a Beginning Yoga Student
If you are a relative beginner, try to claim a space in the far back of the room. Our innate need to avoid looking like a fool necessitates we grab a spot in the last row, similar to what we did when we were unprepared for school and you did not want the teacher to call on you. If you are concerned that your mishaps on a yoga floor might lead to the amusement of others, go to the rear of the room.More…
Posted by Mike G on July 24, 2011 |
Congratulations, Lost Boys
With a sense of urgency, nearly all of the young men became engaged in their new lives, combining school (many attending Truman College), work (many worked at area hotels and at the airports), and attending church. The men carefully monitored the status of the wretched conditions in the South of Sudan, not to mention the events in western Sudan region of Darfur. Later, I learned how a couple of the men were able to reestablish connection with family members, joyously reuniting with sisters, parents, aunts and uncles over the phone.More…
Posted by Mike G on July 09, 2011 |
Father’s Day Road Rage
We drivers cannot presume that all bicyclists are responsible. Many don't wear helmets, and if we hit them, and they experience serious head injuries, we will bear the liability. Some who choose to ride at night - especially, it seems, those who ride to bars - avoid adequate reflective gear, or lights. Many don't believe in stopping at stop signs or stop lights or remaining on the right side of the road. And, very important: we must be extraordinarily careful each time we open our driver's side door, being sure no bikes are racing along in our path. This happens far too often, and the injuries that can result are often severe.More…
Posted by Mike G on June 21, 2011 |
Carlos Zambrano and a High School Math Student’s Help in Understanding the Nation’s Budget Deficit
“If you took the entire playing surface of Wrigley Field – the entire infield and the outfield – and you were to drop one trillion one dollar bills onto it, how high would this pile rise, presuming there was a way to make the pile evenly proportioned?”More…
Posted by Mike G on June 06, 2011 |
Join “Team Bud” at Family Matters Walk-A-Thon, Saturday morning, May 21st
I can assure you that Family Matters devotes this money to a very good use: as Bud would say, helping create a safe environment for local children and their families – helping these kids develop strategies that will help them be successes in life. In other words, funds raised will impact people who can become capable and caring members of the community – like Bud.More…
Posted by Mike G on May 12, 2011 |
Commemorating Ten Years of Rogers Park Business and Artist Network (RPBizArts)
One morning back then a group of local business people and artists* thought that Rogers Park needed a networking organization that was uniquely suited to Rogers Park. They spoke with Heartland Cafe owner Michael James who agreed to host the meeting and serve breakfast. Around 15 - 20 locals showed up with the goal being to get to know each other, what each other does, and to describe more about what they do. People exchanged business cards. New friendships and business relationships were established.More…
Posted by Mike G on May 06, 2011 |
Morse Avenue Grill(ed) to Perfection
Talk to Eddie about his restaurant and you’ll hear a person with heart and drive and a zealous desire to succeed. Hear the excitement in his voice as he describes the outdoor seating he will have this summer. He is enthused about his new liquor license, allowing his patrons to enjoy a beer or wine with their meal. Eddie proudly describes customers who drive from miles away simply to eat his food. He does an active home delivery business – hear him describe his commitment to delivering his meals hot and fresh.More…
Posted by Mike G on April 15, 2011 |
Don’t Miss a “Must Do” Event on Saturday May 21st
This year, we encourage everyone to consider assembling a team. (Definition of team = 2 or more people.) Think about friends and family who you would like to share some time with. Call them up and ask them to join your team. Try to get 6, 8 or a dozen people together. (Use Facebook - Family Matters has a Page- and increase the size of your team. Target financial goals for your team and help out this truly wonderful Rogers Park organization. Do it!More…
Posted by Mike G on March 26, 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
