Parks & Recreation

Two weeks after gang murders, a reason for youth to dance in Rogers Park

By Bob Spoerl They jived and dipped and grooved and spun and yelled and swayed and made the wind at times seem a step behind. The “they” are creative dancers living and performing in Rogers Park. One night after the Grammy's, a group of young dancers from the neighborhood known as 808s -- the name is an ode to loud hip hop music, 808 being the penal code for noise violation -- teamed up with a professional dance company from the far North Side, Phoenix Rising, to produce a dance show called "Lover's Lane." It was only several weeks after two young men were shot and killed near Howard Street in Rogers Park.
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Posted on February 17, 2012

Willye B. White Youth Prevail in City Wide Tumbling Competition

On Saturday, December 3rd, a newly formed tumbling team consisting of youngsters aged 8 - 10 representing the Willye B. White Center placed first overall in the City of Chicago Tumbling Competition, conducted at the Broadway Armory. Four of the tumblers on the WBW team, coached by Stephan Fouche and Sherman Bryant, scored highly in individual competition: Micah Hightower (1st), Nishawn Madden (1st), Daesoni Mills (2nd) and Clarence Walker (3rd). All four of the aforementioned youth participated on the Willye B. White football team, in the City's Junior Bears Program. That team completed in a post season bowl game, finishing the season with a 4-3 record.
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Posted on December 07, 2011

RPBizArts Networking Breakfast - Willye B. White Center

Rogers Park BizArts is providing a great opportunity to meet some of the staff of the Willye B. White Park, tour the facility, and learn about a youth created and youth lead urban dance program that is inspiring many teenagers and young adults in the neighborhood. The Willye B. White Center, opened in 2008 and is named after the five time Olympian, Willye B. White. Among the Center’s more recent successes is completion of a youth football program, which just ended its first season with a winning record. Anyone driving along Howard Street in recent months have probably seen the football program in action.
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Posted on November 07, 2011

808’s Youth Empowerment thru Dance to Perform on Thursday, Aug 25th

By Dominique Johns, for rogerspark.com Three highly skilled dancers, all young Rogers Park residents in their early 20s, a youth leader, and a theatrical and talented young lady joined forces this summer, out of a mutual concern over gullable at risk youth in the North of Howard community of Rogers Park. Only five short weeks ago we created 808's: Youth Empowerment through Dance. Our vision: to create a refuge for the youth that helps empower, motivate, inspire, and build hope; to help young teens be more in control of their own minds.
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Posted on August 23, 2011

Check out Mary’s Bao’s and Neil Lifton’s latest Video

Posted on June 29, 2011

2011 Artist of the Wall Festival

"We are pleased to announce the theme for our 18th Annual Artists of the Wall Festival. May the "Wall of Dreams" be all you wish for! Our 18th annual Father's Day Weekend event will occur over the weekend of June 18th and 19th. Applications for space reservations may be downloaded at this site, rogerspark.com, or picked up at the Loyola Park Fieldhouse, 1230 W. Greenleaf."
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Posted on June 14, 2011

A Neighborhood Success Story Beat 2431 CAPS

Loyola Park, a twenty acre gem in the Chicago Park District, is one of the 49th Ward’s many treasures. As with many treasures, there is often a dark side. Along with its excellent beach, large park area and recreational facilities, Loyola Park was becoming dangerous. It was plagued by group drinking, drug dealing, petty theft, prostitution and assaults. From May to November overnight camps, of people too drunk or unwilling to find their way back to their apartments, were set up behind bushes, under trees and out on the beach. A community park was becoming lost to the community. Read the rest here>>

Posted on June 08, 2011

Glenwood Sunday Market - This Weekend!

The last Winter Market of the season gave us a taste of what is to come this summer! Freshly picked asparagus from Hardin Family Farms in Michigan, watercress from Oriana's Orchard, eggs from the best fed chickens in Illinois from Midnight Sun (Nick says he is going to start feeding the chickens flax seed), and amazing mushrooms from River Valley. And that is just a sampling of what was available. For vegatable gardeners, there were beautiful starter heirloom tomato and herb plants, fertile compost and more. And let's not forget about the TREATs from Katherine Anne Confections and amazing baked goods from Bennisons Bakery among others.
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Posted on May 31, 2011

Residents React to Participatory Budgeting Year 2

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Posted on May 16, 2011

Spring Chase 5K @ Heartland this Sunday May 15th

Athletes United for Peace and Heartland Cafe present SPRING CHASE 5K Sunday May 15th. Promoting friendship & Peace through sport. Meet @ Heartland Cafe 7000 N Glenwood by 8:00 AM RUN FOR FREE Post race breakfast.
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Posted on May 11, 2011

The Recyclery Film Screening

Recyclery Join The Recyclery Collective's screening of the award winning documentary SCRAPPERS, Recycling the American Dream. Directed by: Brian Ashby/Ben Kolak/Courtney Prokopa. Friday March 18, 2011 7:30 Doors / 8 p.m. Screening Living Water Community Church - 6808 N. Ashland Blvd. Admission: $5 Set in Chicago's labyrinth of alleys, Scrappers is a vérité portrait of Oscar and Otis, two metal scavengers who search for a living with brains, brawn and battered pickup trucks. The 2008 financial collapse and crackdowns on undocumented immigrants jeopardize their means of providing for their families. Stay for a Q&A with the filmmakers. "You want green, there ain't nobody greener than Oscar and Otis." -Roger Ebert

Posted on March 17, 2011

The Recyclery Collective - 2011 Bike Repair Classes

Learn bicycle maintenance at The Recyclery Collective, a nonprofit bicycle shop. Payment is sliding scale to make classes affordable to those with limited income. Register at the recyclery.org to save your spot.

Posted on December 15, 2010

WILLYE WHITE PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL NOTICE OF ELECTIONS

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21ST 7:15 p.m. 1610 W. Howard Street Open Offices: President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer For more info about Willye White Park click here
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Posted on September 15, 2010

LAST CALL FOR DONATIONS! for the GARDEN OF TREASURES SALE & FUNDRAISER Sunday, Sept. 26

t's almost time for the Garden of Treasures Sale and Fundraiser, once again to be held at Jarvis Square the last Sunday in September. But for the sale to be a success we need your donations. Just think, your gently used garden and garden-themed items and dividings from your garden will be turned into cash that the RPGG will then provide to Adopt the Public Way grant recipients in 2011 to green Rogers Park. That's quite a recycling program!
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Posted on September 08, 2010

LEARN ABOUT INDOOR GARDENING ON TUESDAY, AUG. 31

Rogers Park Garden Group invites you to : Exploding the Myths of Indoor Gardening David Wachholz, Plant Parenting Inc. Tuesday, August 31, 7 pm Plant forum begins at 6:30 pm RP Presbyterian Church, 2nd floor Greenview & Greenleaf
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Posted on August 30, 2010

AAUP - Heartland Cafe HEAT OF THE SUMMER RUN - Sunday 8:00 AM

Proceeds from the race will go to Heshima Kenya. A speaker from this organization will join us after the race. Heshima Kenya serves unaccompanied refugee children in Africa with an emphasis on education for adolescent girls. Their Chicago chapter is also looking for a team to run the Chicago half marathon. This Sunday, Heartland Cafe 8:00 AM 7000 N Glenwood, Chicago, Il

Posted on August 13, 2010

Welcome to Certified Kayak Instructor - John Tebbens

Rogers Park resident John Tebbens wants to teach you to kayak! Learning how to get your kayak to do exactly what you want it to do and when, allows you to enjoy a freedom and sense of comfort on the water you have to feel to believe. You can learn to Eskimo roll and other forms of self-rescue. You can learn forward and racing strokes, support and reverse strokes, ruddering and draw strokes and then seamlessly flow them together with a grace that allows you to read subtle water patterns and catch an exhilarating ride surfing waves forward, backwards and sideways if you'd like. If you are beginning and terrified or an old dog wanting to learn new tricks or improve your stroke, you are in the right place to learn with comfort, confidence and ease. There is no better way to directly address your needs than with private instruction from a certified kayak instructor who wants to see you smile that big smile when you amaze yourself with your own skill and grace. Click here for more info...

Posted on August 10, 2010

Rogers Park Men Step Up To The Plate!

Hey, Rogers Park men. We know you can eat, but can you also cook? We’re betting you can, and that you are great at it too! Maybe you even get compliments on your cooking! Do you grill or cook meals every day or just occasionally? Do you cook for yourself or the whole family? We know some of you have really fine talents, and your friends and family look forward to the festive holiday meals you prepare.
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Posted on June 01, 2010

Canines and Cocktails II Help support the creation of Paw-ttawattomie D.F.A. (Dog Friendly Area)!

The campaign has started and it's going to be a very busy month leading up to the election on April 10. In order to win, we need funds to help spread the word and get out the vote.
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Posted on March 23, 2010

Willye White Park Council Fundraiser

Youth between ages 13-15 are participating in Inner City Hoops basketball tournaments every Friday at Willye White Community Center. The first event was Friday, March 12 and will be every Friday with the last event being held April 23.
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Posted on March 18, 2010