Mike's Corner
Stories to Tell
One of the joys of living in such a diverse community is knowing that such people are our neighbors. Peter and Sonny are only two of a countless number of our neighbors, including business owners, who have fascinating stories to tell.More…
Posted by Mike G on March 08, 2011 |
Reflection on Election and post Election
As critical as I am of his conduct (or misconduct) during the campaign, I now want to commend Joe’s office for a couple of positive steps his office has made post election.More…
Posted by Mike G on February 26, 2011 |
Are Joe Moore’s Attacks Necessary?
Of course, being a landlord, I am more sensitive about Joe’s campaign literature on this topic – for I sense that in his zeal to diminish Brian’s proposal, he had no problem disparaging the local landlord community, inferring that we are the greedy landlord seeking to deprive the public of vital services for our own profit.More…
Posted by Mike G on February 18, 2011 |
Sullivan Students Shine in Day of Politics
During his remarks, DeValle singled out the Sullivan students as he described how proud he was of a ninety second video that they produced. “Their message is clear,” said DeValle. “Here are talented young high school students from a neighborhood high school sending a clear message… And there are plenty more kids like them throughout the city.”More…
Posted by Mike G on February 07, 2011 |
Exciting “News” about this website
We at rogerspark.com are proud to announce that Bob Spoerl will be joining our team, submitting original content local news. A Loyola University of Chicago graduate and former Rogers Park resident who is midway through the journalism program at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Bob will be posting articles about the Rogers Park neighborhood onto this website.More…
Posted by Mike G on January 28, 2011 |
An Aldermanic Election in the Air?
We ought to have a vigorous discussion of the issues. There are many issues. What ideas does each candidate have for reducing the mega city budget shortfall? What changes can we expect with a new mayor and what role each candidate envision him having with a new administration? Is participatory democracy a good thing or does it unduly democratize decision-making that an alderman ought to be making on his own? What challenges does this neighborhood face in the area of public safety and coping with gang issues? How do we stimulate investment and further develop retail corridors, perhaps focusing the discussion on Howard Street? How do we help those who are facing any one of the numerous challenges in the area of housing - rental and home ownership? What about the TIF/RIF that one candidate has proposed?More…
Posted by Mike G on January 14, 2011 |
Alice Bowdon, 1927 - 2010
Yet, from time to time we might lose someone who has lived such an incredible life that we feel that we want to share portions of their life story with others. Such is the case with my aunt, Alice Bowdon, who passed away last weekend at age 82, at her home in New Smyrna, Florida. In her memory, I am posting a portion of the eulogy I wrote for her.More…
Posted by Mike G on December 30, 2010 |
“Fear in my Heart”
What matters to me is that this upstanding, honorable young man is afraid, never sure if he will be the next victim. It’s one thing to read about these sorts of things in the media, if they ever receive any coverage, which happens all too rarely in today’s far too competitive news environment. It’s different when you have some sort of a personal connection to it. The youth in Family Matter’s Young Men’s Programs seem to know all too well the impact that violence has in their livesMore…
Posted by Mike G on December 10, 2010 |
Doll-ing for Dollars
The kids all seemed eager and engaged, and a handful of girls (the essay winners, I surmised) excitedly clutched a large box with a doll inside. Examining their faces, I could see how wildly diverse these kids were – a true assemblage of cultures, with skin tones and other body features representing Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. This kind of stuff excites a Rogers Parker like me.More…
Posted by Mike G on November 28, 2010 |
Strip Searches Taxing to Property Owners
Can we at least be proud that we are the guys who are stepping up to the plate, paying for critical and essential City and County services? Hardly. Was it coincidence or simple irony rearing its head when a journalist friend of mine who covered Tuesday's Cook County Board meeting told me about the big news coming from that meeting: the County Board unanimously approved a $55 million class action lawsuit filed on behalf of inmates and detainees of Cook County jail who were subjected to strip searches. Yes. I said $55 million.More…
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
