Washington Park
Seeds of knowledge
An endearingly diverse group had come together for the second installment of the Washington Park Conservancy’s Birds, Bees & Beets 2011 lecture series. »
The Gospel According to Barrett
The Life Center Church of God in Christ sits on the corner of Garfield and Indiana, just east of the honorary two-and-a-half block Rev. T.L. Barrett, Jr. Blvd. The boulevard’s namesake is sitting in a pew close to the pulpit. »
A Gentleman’s Game
The morning of the Midwest Cricket Conference’s (MCC) Division II final dawns so hot that the sun melts the goose feces that litter the massive fields of Washington Park. On ground number four, elegantly dressed all in white and toting worn bats and wooden wickets, the QC Kings and Rogers Park are readying... »
Cirque du Soul
On October 1st, the eastern edge of Washington Park is coming alive as families make their way into the blue and yellow tents of the UniverSoul Circus. The classic circus imagery is all here: brightly dressed clowns, animals pacing outside the tents, food everywhere, and appreciative kids. But there’s a significant difference from... »
Down for the Count: A night on the streets with Chicago’s homeless
In Chicago, 5,922 people are currently estimated to be homeless. This figure was derived from the 2007 point-in-time count mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); it is used to determine the federal funding that homeless assistance agencies receive. The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services, together with the... »
Olympian Activism: The Unlympic Games compete with the Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid
Last Saturday afternoon, a small but enthusiastic group of activists and community members gathered in Washington Park to play kickball. Class-conscious kickball, that is. The event was part of the Unlympics, a movement that seeks to raise awareness and questions about the prospect of a 2016 Chicago Olympics. Characters dressed as wealthy corporate representatives... »
Hip-Hop under the Big Top
The Soul Circus Divas circled around the ring, grooving along to Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music” as their roaring audience’s applause swelled with frenetic excitement. Accenting their performance with impressive headstands and choreographed dances, the Divas amazed the crowd with unmatched talent and gargantuan presence to a soundtrack of hip-hop favorites. Then one of... »
