Third World Cafe presents their first amateur comedy night and would love for you to come out and enjoy some of the newfound comedians from throughout the Chicago area that their fantastic barista Rafeal (right) has found and organized.
Come like us on 
The crowed gathered to drink free beer at the first installation of Tom Marioni's piece "The Act of Drinking Beer with Friends Is The Highest Form of Art" within a bar-like installation in the Smart's galleries, as part of Tom Marioni's long-running salon.
The Hyde Park and Kenwood neighborhoods in Chicago are able to boast of some of the finest residential architecture in the city of Chicago... actually the country.
Sunday
Stones and Bones
Pioneer to the Past: 
Pioneer to the Past: 
Mesopotamia: 
The exhibit also shows how features of the ancient Middle East have been presented in different ways for different audiences, in some cases transforming a highly academic image into a widely recognized icon of the past.
Examples include an elaborately decorated doorway from Medinet Habu, Egypt, with small fragments of the tile work from which the decoration was restored, a watercolor of a vessel from Rayy, Iran, with a single one of its component sherds, and computer reconstructions of buildings from Chogha Mish, Iran, that are based on the foundations recovered by archaeologists in conjunction with seal impressions that show the upper stories of buildings at the site.
Did you know that you can visit the Art Institute, Field Museum or Brookfield Zoo for FREE with a museum passport from the Chicago Public Library?
The Hyde Park Art Center is the oldest alternative contemporary art venue in Chicago. Presenting innovative and challenging approaches to the visual arts, the Art Center showcases work that traverses all forms of media and encourages creative collaboration. 
Established in 1986, Clarke's has existing locations in Lincoln Park, Evanston, Lakeview, and Bucktown, as well as a new location to open soon in River North. The restaurant addresses a longstanding interest among students and other community members for more late-night dining options.
The late-night eatery is the latest business to declare its intentions for Hyde Park's commercial corridor, following announcements this spring of plans for a hotel, a movie theater, and another restaurant. Together with the mixed-use development at Harper Court, the new businesses reflect the initiative of the community, the City, and the University to promote new vitality along the corridor.
Harper Court
Hyde Park shoppers will be among the first to see Whole Foods Market's latest progressive initiative -- ensuring that animals are treated humanely before they wind up as packaged eats.
Whole Foods Market stores average 36,000 square feet. 
The Music of Howard Sandroff
Feb 20 - Jun 29
3rd Floor Reading Room Regenstein Library
1100 E 57th Street
Sound sculpture by Howard Sandroff
The exhibit The Music of Howard Sandroff and the Computer Music Studio at the University of Chicago surveys the evolution of electronic and computer music from the early 20th century to the present.
Scores and recordings, an analog synthesizer, a theremin, and Sandroff’s sound sculpture will be on display.
For exhibit hours visit hours.
Ongoing:
Hyde Park Union Church56th and Woodlawn Ave
Volunteer at a Food Pantry
"Every Healthy Community Has a Safety Net."
Join volunteers of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Hunger Programs as they unload the monthly drop-off from the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
The pantry is in the basement of the Hyde Park Union Church.
Volunteers are needed for approximately one hour on the morning of the first Tuesday of every month.
Contact Marlene Vellinga
at 773.363.0242 or EMail
Ongoing:
Volunteer at a Soup KitchenKenwood United Church
46th and Greenwood Ave
Contact: Rev. Leroy Sanders
773-373-2861
4904 S. Lake Park Ave
(312) 747-0511
Library hours:
Monday 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed
www.chicagopubliclibrary.org
April Programs and Events
Preschool
Story Time
Tuesdays may 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
10:30 am
This program will be designed around a theme and will include picture books, action activities and flannel board stories. Open to children ages 3-6.
Toddler Time
Thursdaysmay 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
10:30 am
This program will be designed around a theme and will include picture books, action activities or flannel board stories. Open to children ages 0-3.
Poetry Cafe
Wednesdaymay 9
6:30 pm
Come share poetry. Read your original poem or a poem by a favorite poet.
Each poem should be no longer than 4 minutes and must be appropriate for a general audience.
Please bring 2 or more poems. Poetry books will be available to browse or check out.
For teens and adults. Call 312-747-0511 for more information.
Asian/Pacific American
Heritage Month
Origami with
Naomi Negi
ThursdayMay 10
3:30pm
Enjoy learning a new craft with this origami workshop for beginners. We'll fold together and make a few things to take home.
Open to children ages 7 and up. Registration is required.
Call 312-747-0511
Fantasy and Science Fiction Book Club
Saturday, May 12
10:30am
We will discuss Elantris by Brandon Sanderson.
This book is Sanderson's outstanding fantasy debut, refreshingly complete unto itself and free of the usual genre clichés.
It offers something for everyone: mystery, magic, romance, political wrangling, religious conflict, fights for equality, sharp writing and wonderful, robust characters.
Call 312-747-0511 for more information.
Adult Book Discussion
Saturdaymay 19
1:00-2:30 pm
Join us for a lively discussion of Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Nearing the end of his life, Enzo, a dog with a philosopher's soul, tries to bring together the family, pulled apart by a three year custody battle between daughter Zoe's maternal grandparents and her father Denny, a race car driver.
Poetry Slam
for Teens
Tuesdaymay 15
3:30 pm
Teens ages 12 to 17, read your own work, read someone's else's work or just listen and enjoy the sounds of poetry and rhyme. Work must be free of any profanity and appropriate for a general audience
Knitting and Needle
Crafters Circle
Wednesday may 16 and 23
6:30 pm
Bring your current project. Meet other knitters and needle crafters in the community. Get inspired to finish those projects! Share tips and resources.
M T H P Artists Series
Wednesdaymay 16
6:30 pm
Concert featuring various performers from the Music Teachers of Hyde Park.
Game Day
Saturdaymay 26
11:00am - 4:00pm
Play board games all day long. Learn new games and enjoy some of your old favorites including Settlers of Catan, Munchkin, Zombies and Ticket to Ride. Dungeons & Dragons RPG will also be played.
For adults and kids 9 and up.
Twenty Minutes Still
Meditation
to start the day
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 8:20am
Rockefeller Chapel
5850 S Woodlawn
Twenty Minutes Still draws upon various traditions of meditation, as practiced for many thousands of years in the East -- a practice of which Westerners are now realizing the benefits!
The meditation techniques offered can be used by people of any (or no) religious background, and no particular spiritual or religious background is assumed.
Also, you do not need to be able to sit on the floor! A variety of props are available, including chairs, meditation benches, and pillows and cushions.
Each instructor will help you find what is comfortable for you.
Monday
Zen meditation is based on the Buddhist principle of letting go of the self, but has been widely adapted in the West for use by people of any tradition or background.
Annie Markovich is one of the leaders of the Wednesday evening Zen meditation group at Rockefeller, presented jointly by the Spiritual Life Office at Rockefeller Chapel and Ancient Dragon Zen Gate, Chicago's Zen temple.
Tuesday
Mindfulness meditation is a Western adaptation of Buddhist meditation, widely used by psychologists in the form of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), which emphasizes bringing complete attention to the present moment.
Ginger Carr is director of wellness for the University's Student Counseling Resource Center (SCRS), and she leads SCRS classes in mindfulness meditation on Monday afternoons at Rockefeller.
Wednesday
Restorative yoga consists of gentle stretches in quiet stillness, with each pose held for several minutes.
Meredith Haggerty leads wellness programs for the Student Care Center, and is a qualified yoga teacher and massage therapist. She will be offering optional neck and shoulder massage after the twenty-minute yoga practice each week.
Thursday
Meditation with chant is based on the ancient Indian traditions of the yogis, using the Indian harmonium to lead gentle, repetitive chant which has the effect of focusing the mind through music.
Elizabeth Davenport is dean of Rockefeller Chapel and director of the Spiritual Life Office, and is a licensed Ananda Sangha meditation teacher.
Friday
Indian-style meditation focuses on stilling the body and mind, and opening the heart to come to a deeper consciousness of self.
Christian Williams is a member of the Rockefeller Chapel staff and also an M.Div student in the Divinity School, and is a licensed Ananda Sangha meditation teacher.
The Ambassador of Hyde Park
Valois cafeteria has the best windows in Hyde Park for looking out on the world. And they don’t mind if you linger a bit after you’ve eaten, so when you want to go somewhere and daydream while sipping coffee, or have an intimate conversation, Valois is the place to go.
One day I was in Valois having breakfast and window gazing when my reverie was interrupted.
“Excuse me everybody!” a man in line said loudly. “Today is Larry’s birthday so let’s sing happy birthday to him.” Everyone in Valois that morning paused from eating their breakfast to sing Larry an enthusiastic “Happy Birthday.”
Larry is the man who works the front counter at Valois and is the face of the Hyde Park institution. I wondered how many people must have gotten to know him over the years. He’s a man of few words, although, I have seen him turn on the charm for the ladies.
But usually, all you hear from him is “next, who’s next?” as you step up to order. With a deep voice, thick mustache, a Greek accent, and wearing a cook’s white uniform, he’s a colorful presence. And despite the no-nonsense gruffness he takes on while he’s working, there’s still a friendliness in his manner that makes you feel welcomed.
Born in Alexandroupolis, Greece, Larry came to America to be with his father when he was twenty years old. They lived in New York for a while before moving to Chicago. He has two sons from a previous marriage whom he says he’s very proud of Chris, 28 and Jimmy, 24.
“I’ve been at Valois since 1973,” he says. “I was working at a restaurant in Palatine when my boss recommended me for the job (Valois). I came down and started the next day. I work from 4 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon every day. I’m off on Tuesday. I prepare everything, all of the food, then I work the counter – that’s it.”
Maybe, but prominent Chicagoans stop by Valois for breakfast all of the time and Larry’s been there to greet them all. “Jesse Jackson and his son, Jesse Jr., come in here a lot,” he says. “The new mayor (Rahm Emanuel) has been here. I cooked Bill Veeck’s (former owner of the Chicago White Sox) breakfast everyday in 1975. I used to cook breakfast for Mayor (Harold) Washington everyday from 1973 to 1974. ”
The cafeteria’s most famous customer was President Obama. “He came in here one day and came around the side and I shook his hand. I told him that we have the egg white special for him. He said no; I want scrambled eggs, pancakes and sausages.”
Larry is a celebrity in his own right. Once, I saw him on the street and at first I didn’t recognize him and kept on walking, then it hit me, “Hey, that’s Larry.” I turned around and he was still standing there, waiting for me to recognize him with an amused expression on his face. We looked at each other and smiled and nodded.
What does he like most about the job? He says it’s the people. “I like working with people and people like me.”
Mary, Larry’s co-worker for twenty years, agreed that he’s well liked in the community. “Some customers will come in on Tuesday and ask ‘where’s Larry?’ When we tell them it’s his off day they’ll turn around and leave.”
I asked him what was the most important life lesson his father taught him. He paused for a moment, then he said, “My father, he taught me to be nice to old people, don’t lie and don’t steal – be straight. That’s it.”
Cardell can be reached at cardell167@gmail.com
How To I.D. Genetically Modified Food at the Supermarket
Not many consumers realize that the FDA does not require genetically modified food to be labeled.
That's because the FDA has decided that you, dear consumer, don't care if the tomato you're eating has been cross bred with frog genes to render the tomato more resistant to cold weather.
Some consumers may not be concerned with eating Frankenfood, but for those who are, here's how to determine if the fruits and vegetables you're buying are (GM) genetically modified.
Here's how it works:
For conventionally grown fruit, (grown with chemicals inputs), the PLU code on the sticker consists of four numbers.
Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 9.
Genetically engineered (GM) fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 8.
For example: A conventionally grown banana would be: 4011 An organic banana would be: 94011 A genetically engineered (GE or GMO) banana would be: 84011 These tips are specially important now that over 80% of all processed foods in the US are genetically modified.
Many countries in the European Union have been banning GM products and produce (including Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary and Luxembourg).
The Urban Education Institute invites you to experience the University of Chicago Charter School firsthand by taking a tour of the four charter school campuses.
The UChicago Charter School serves approximately 1700 students on the South Side of Chicago from preK-12.
Campus visits take place monthly and rotate among the four charter school campuses.
The visits themselves last approximately two hours, during which you will have the opportunity to hear from a charter school leader (which is determined as the date of the visit nears) to learn about the charter school campuses and UEI at large, receive a tour of the facility and interact with students and faculty.
These visits provide an in-depth perspective on UEI's work to improve teaching and learning in public school classrooms in Chicago and across the nation.
All visits take place from 9 -11 a.m.
Upcoming visits
Friday, April 20th
Donoghue Campus
707 E. 37th Street
grades prekindergarten through five
Friday, May 18th
Carter G. Woodson Campus
4444 S. Evans Avenue
grades six through eight
SIGN UP FOR A VISIT NOWIf you sign up for a visit, you will be contacted with details. However, if you have additional questions, please contact Madeline Wirtz at 773.702.2312 or madeline@uchicago.edu
Fourth Ward
Headlines
The third episode of Fourth Ward Headlines will premiere on CAN-TV's Channel 21, on March 9, at 8:00pm.
For this edition, my guests are Jacqueline Payne, the area 6 manager, central region, of the Chicago Park District, and Joshua Krasne from the Autism Resource Center.
There will be two additional opportunities to catch the program on Channel 21:
3-17-12 at 5:00pm 3-19-12 at 10:30pm
Department of Water
Management Infrastructure
Improvements
The Department of Water Management (DWM) will begin a water main construction project in your area starting in late February.
Project Specifics A new water main will be installed in E. 41st Place (S. Ellis Avenue to S. Lake Park Avenue), in E. 42nd Place (S. Ellis Avenue to S. Lake Park Avenue) and in S. Berkeley Avenue (E. 41st Place to E. 43rd Street).
We expect the job-including restoration - to be completed by late May 2012, although dates may change depending on weather and other factors. If there is any appreciable change we will notify you.
ParkingWe will post work area for "No Parking" as needed, during working hours (7am-4pm, M-F). We will preserve as much parking as possible on the street. Although we may have closures to "through traffic", you will always have access to your property.
Water ServiceThere will be a short interruption of water service during this work. Residents will be notified in advance. If there were an emergency shutdown, we would not be able to provide advance notice, but will go door to door telling you the situation after the shutdown.
Questions or concerns?Contact:
See the foreman on the street, or call Tom LaPorte 312-742-1029 or call the ward office.
Alderman Burns declines
salary increse
Good morning, last year, I made the decision to not take the salary increase for 2012. I also took the maximum amount of furlough days.
People all over the City of Chicago are struggling to make ends meet in these hard economic times; many families have made difficult sacrifices due to layoffs, furloughs, and other financial emergencies.
In light of these facts, I could not have accepted, in good conscience, a salary increase. If the families of this city can make a sacrifice for the greater good, then so can I.
Alderman Burns' Statement
Regarding Recent CPS Actions.
A high quality system of public education is a necessary precondition for a democratic society. And access to education has served to reduce inequality and poverty.
As a consequence of the role that public schools can play in the lives of students and the broader community, I have worked on education policy issues for many years. I staffed the Illinois Senate Education Committee for the Democratic Caucus in the late 1990s.
I organized a statewide campaign for education funding reform in the early 2000s, and as a state representative I successfully sponsored laws to incentivize the creation of community schools.
No one can defend under-performing schools. Schools that fail to prepare young people for the future as both workers and citizens fail all of us. But, the question on how we improve public schools is an area of great debate.
Last month the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced plans to close Dyett High School and send Dyett students to Wendell Phillips Academy. CPS also announced its intentions to turn over the management of Fuller Elementary School to the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL), and to close Price Elementary School.
This plan is touted as a way to improve some of the worst performing schools in the City of Chicago.
But I believe that the approach proposed for the schools in the Fourth Ward is shortsighted and wrong.
The underutilization of Dyett High School and Price Elementary School is directly related to the perception of those schools in the community. If parents and caregivers believe that a school is not a good school, then they are less likely to send their children to the school.
The good news about Dyett is that progress has been made. New partnerships with the Chicago Botanic Garden, ESPN, and others have brought a new vitality to Dyett High School. New school leadership has reduced incidences of violence - necessary to creating an environment important for learning.
Similarly both Price and Fuller have new school leaders who have made important improvements in the school environment.
What all three schools tell us is that additional resources to improve teacher quality, educational offerings such as specialization in languages, science, or technology - would amplify the incremental progress that has been made in those schools in the short run.
More to the point, aligning resources with the community input, provided through Bronzeville Community Action Council, a group of Bronzeville residents and leaders, would increase community buy-in and support for the three schools. This support would, in turn, lead to increased student enrollment.
The role of an alderman relating to the Chicago Public Schools is not straight forward. The mayor appoints the members and chairman of the Board of Education. While the City Council exercises an oversight function, it has no formal authority to override the decisions of the Board of Education.
Said differently, I don't have a vote.
But, I do a voice. I have joined with other community organizations to express my opposition to this plan.
It is my hope and my objective to ensure that Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Board of Education strongly reconsider their proposed school actions for the Dyett, Price, and Fuller.
City of Chicago Public Hearing:
Jamaica Foods & Liquor Update
On Thursday, January 12, 2012 the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer (BACP) Protection held a deleterious actions hearing today at City Hall.
The hearing was called due to the overwhelming number of calls to the Chicago Police Department and my office about the quality of life issues in the area surrounding Jamaica Foods & Liquor.
According to Alderman William D. Burns "Jamaica Foods & Liquor is the epicenter of illegal activity at the intersection of 43rd and Cottage Grove.
The store has repeatedly failed to live up to the expectations that the community has for places of business, and has created an environment of fear and disorder."
After hearing the complaints of the residents of the Fourth Ward that live in the community surrounding the store, the hearing officer for the City of Chicago issued a decision regarding the store's inventory and actions.
The following directives were required of the owner of Jamaica Food & Liquors:
Discontinue the sale of liquor of the low cost high impact variety. The owner of the store has 30 days to deplete his stock of the liquor deemed to be inappropriate by the hearing officer. Including and not limited to the following items:
Wild Irish Rose
Night Train
Mad Dog 20/20
St. Ides
Thunderbird
Colt 45
Schlitz Malt Liquor
Cobra
- The premises must be cleaned twice a day.
- All half pint products are banned.
- All employees must undergo BASSET training.
- The store may no longer close its doors after six during hours of operation.
- The owner of Jamaica Foods & Liquor must attend all community meetings.
- Security personnel must wear a uniform on the premises at all times.
- A call log for 911 and a community meeting log must be created.
A follow up meeting will be held on March 13, 2012 at City Hall.
Criteria For Truck Parking
On Residential Streets
Please be aware that the City of Chicago will ticket your pick-up truck or van weighing under 4,500 if you do not have a permit for the vehicle.
Truck permits can be picked up at the 4th Ward Service Office, located at 435 E. 35th Street.
Below are the criteria for the permit:
- Pick-up truck or van weighing under 4,500 pounds.
- Owner has no outstanding parking violations.
- Owner has current vehicle sticker displayed on the truck of van (Truck A).
- No Company name on truck - cannot be use for commercial purposes.
- Truck bed must be empty.
- Truck must be in good repair.
Shared Cost
Sidewalk Program
2012 Program opens
to new applicants
Jan. 1, 2012
The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular program in which residents share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City.
The program has been a successful service for many years, offering an outstanding value to property owners.
All property owners pay the same square-foot cost for new sidewalk: $3 per square foot--well below what a private contractor would charge.
The 2012 program opens to new applicants January 1, 2012.
Applications will only be accepted through the City's 311 system (by phone or by clicking on the button below).
Owner information and the property address must be provided at the time of request.
Participation will proceed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Note that the program typically reaches capacity quickly, so you are encouraged to apply early in the year.
Please note that if you applied for the program in previous years, you must apply again in 2012.
Overview pdfSidewalk Survey
Volunteer for
a FREE water meter!
Want to save money
MeterSave customers are on average saving over 50% on their water & sewer bills.
MeterSave provides a 7 year guarantee that your water and sewer bill will go no higher than what it would have been had it not been metered.
MeterSave offers you a choice of FREE water conservation incentive: an indoor conservation kit, an outdoor conservation kit, a water meter monitor, or a rain barrel.
For more information or to volunteer, go to www.metersave.org or call 3-1-1 or 312-744-4420
4th Ward
New Water Main Projects
Department of Water Management Infrastructure Improvements
The Department of Water Management (DWM) will begin a water main construction project in your area starting in late February.
Project Specifics
A new water main will be installed in
E. 41st Place (S. Ellis Ave to S. Lake Park Ave),
E.42nd Place (S. Ellis Ave to S. Lake Park Ave)
S. Berkeley Ave (E.41st Place to E. 43rd Street).
We expect the job-including restoration - to be completed by late May 2012, although dates may change depending on weather and other factors. If there is any appreciable change we will notify you.
We will post work area for "No Parking" as needed, during working hours (7am-4pm, M-F). We will preserve as much parking as possible on the street. Although we may have closures to "through traffic", you will always have access to your property.
Water ServiceThere will be a short interruption of water service during this work. Residents will be notified in advance. If there were an emergency shutdown, we would not be able to provide advance notice, but will go door to door telling you the situation after the shutdown.
Questions or concerns? Contact:See the foreman on the street, or call Tom LaPorte 312-742-1029 or call the ward office.
4th Ward
Street Resurfacing Projects
COMPLETED RESURFACING PROJECTSPROPOSED
- 48th St - Drexel Blvd to Greenwood Ave
- Woodlawn Ave - 47th St to E. Hyde Park Blvd
- Ellis Ave - 41st Pl to E 46th St
- 46th St - Langley to Cottage Grove Ave
- Greenwood Ave - Est 47th St to East 50th St
Streets with Priorities For 2011
To Be Resurfaced
- 49th St - Greenwood to Woodlawn Ave
- 33rd Pl - King Drive to Cottage Grove Ave
- Rhodes - 33rd Place to 35th St
- 35th St - King Drive to Cottage Grove Ave
- Ellis Ave - 54th to 55th St
- Ellis Ave - 39th to 41st St
- Greenwood Ave - 48th St to 50th St
- 47th St - St. Lawrence Ave to Drexel Blvd
- Langley Ave - 46th to 48th St
- 37th St - Vincennes to Rhodes Ave
If someone you know is assaulted...
If someone you know discloses to you about a sexual assault, the way you react is a crucial part of their healing process. The most valuable thing you can do is validate their feelings, decisions and wishes.
Here are a few things to keep in mind. Believe them. Verbalize it explicitly. You may be one of the few who do. Don't make assumptions. No one experience is like another.
Survivors as well as perpetrators of sexual assault can be of any gender, race, creed, class and can have any other social relationship to one another (sibling, spouse, neighbor, lover, teacher, hairdresser, etc). Do not pass judgment based on any preconceptions of rape, or of the relationship between the perpetrator and the survivor.
It's not about you...Read the rest here
CTA & University
Bus Tracking
Now Online and mobile
Finding a bus has become easier. The University of Chicago's bus system has a new online tracking application that delivers real-time location information through a free iPhone app, smart phones, iPads or Internet-connected computers.Read The Rest
Cleaning for a Reason
If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment.
All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment.
Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service.
This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women.
Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along. cleaningforareason.org
Wednesday
10 Arrested Protesting Planned Closure of Chicago Mental Health Clinics
The arrests occurred outside the Woodlawn Mental Health Clinic which is scheduled to close on April 30.
Those arrested were members of the Mental Health Movement
Work is well underway to convert the old Hyde Park Theater building into a fancy art-house cinema.
Recently after hearing multiple concerns about the safety of the intersection at Hyde Park Blvd and Cornell Ave, Ald Will Burns directed CDOT to take action to install Stop Signs at the hazardous intersection.
