South Shore will again be host to an Art Festival from August 16 – December 13, 2013!  Artworks will be displayed throughout the community beginning with an opening reception on August 16.  Visit the South Shore Art Festival website for full details.

The Art Festival is currently accepting applications for artists who wish to participate.  The deadline is June 2.  Apply now!

We all know that we have to make South Shore a safer place. We also know that we cannot arrest our way out of every problem we face.

That’s why we are starting to share the idea of Restorative Justice in the neighborhood. On April 27th, RSS4A will be hosting a ‘Neighbors Circle,’ to introduce the practice of restorative justice to all residents who are interested. This will be a time to share stories, build connections, and discuss our common challenges.

Here are the details:

South Shore Library
2505 E 73rd St, Chicago, IL 60649
Saturday, April 27th, 2013
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

If you plan on joining us, please arrive promptly.
RSVP to: ryan.hollon@gmail.com

Calendar Post
Facebook Event

P.S. On Saturday April 20th, the guest speaker at Exchange Ideas will introduce community leaders to the philosophy of restorative justice. The speaker is Kathy Bankhead, Assistant State’s Attorney, South Side – Community Justice Center.

After numerous discussions to brainstorm and refine, we are pleased to share the principles of engagement in which we believe:

• We believe everyone who lives in South Shore and is invested in building a positive community should have a voice in deciding the future of the neighborhood and decisions made by public officials.
• We believe in affirming the voice and contributions of all members of our community, regardless of race, gender, income, sexual orientation, ability, age, faith/religion and other identities.
• We believe in a spirit and practice of volunteerism.
• We are committed to:
  • Consensus-based decision making
  • Collective leadership
  • Taking actions that strengthen our community
• We are committed to celebrating, respecting and honoring our community

Last fall, neighborhood meetings in the 5th Ward produced lots of ideas for budget priorities. Over the winter, ward residents formed committees, charged with evaluating those ideas and deciding which to put on the ballot.

In April, residents of the 5th Ward will come together to unveil projects they have proposed. There will be two Expos, which combine elements of a high school science fair and campaign event, and will feature volunteers pitching their proposals to other ward residents before voting begins in May.

Expos will take place on April 10 and 13. See our calendar for the latest details.

We are pleased to announce that this summer the South Shore Farmers Market will officially be part of the City of Chicago Farmers Market (sponsored by DCASE). SSFM will take place Sundays from 1-5pm starting on June 16 at Rainbow Beach Park (3177 E. 77th Street).

Deadline for vendor applications is April 15th. Click here for more info about market management, policies, and procedures. Or just connect with the South Shore Farmers Market on Facebook! Also see the Rainbow Beach Advisory Council website.

Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th Ward) is one of nine Chicago City Council members to form an organization of longtime council allies with a set of bylaws, a statement of principles and a political action committee. “The city’s progressive voices need to stand together to push for policies that create a more just and equitable Chicago,” said Ald. Bob Fioretti on behalf of the group. He identified key issues to be privatization, government transparency and the closing of schools and mental-health centers. Read more about the formalization of the Progressive Reform Coalition here.

A second progressive caucus was formed in the City Council and announced just a day after this one. The second caucus calls themselves the Paul Douglass Alliance, but no aldermen representing South Shore are members.

Alderman Holmes has announced a series of meet and greets throughout the neighborhood over the coming month. Check our calendar to get the details about these four events, and come meet the new 7th Ward alderman!

Thanks for all who joined our General Meeting on Saturday, March 9th! We had more than 20 people come out to discuss our overall strategy and specific actions that we’d like to take as a group. We are thrilled to see so much energy and interest in some of our signature issues, including ensuring political accountability, furthering the use of restorative justice, and addressing economic development needs. Stay tuned for more about specific ways to plug in!

There’s a lot going on in South Shore! If you’re having trouble keeping up, check out our new Event Calendar! Bookmark it, or just glance at it on our front page – upcoming events will always be listed in the right sidebar from now on.

Got an event you’d like to see posted? Email info@southshoreforall.org!

Let’s Get Connected!

Come to a meeting on Saturday, February 23rd to learn more about setting up and running block clubs & community groups!

Saturday, February 23rd
10:30am
South Shore Library

For more information, email:
valfree07@gmail.com
mary@zoradesign.com