Did you ever want to ask Mayor Emanuel a question? Are you wondering about what will happen with Chicago's extended school day? Is there a different issue surrounding the city's education system that is keeping you up at night?
Now is your chance to act. On Monday, January 23rd, 2012, Mayor Rahm Emanuel will hold a "Facebook Forum," entertaining questions from all over the city pertaining to the Chicago Public School (CPS) system. Parents, community members, Local School Council representatives, adminstrators, faculty, and staff are all encouraged to participate and submit questions. So please click on the following link and complete the survey according to the directions provided on the following website in order to do so: http://www.askchicago.org.
If at the end of the forum, your questions were still not addressed please do not hesitate to contact Pete Kalenik - North River Commission's Education Coordinator - at either
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or (773) 478-0202 ext. 111 for more answers.
"Rendering for the design for the Ronan Park Multicultural Park and Healing Garden developed by local residents"
Project Introduction
The Multicultural Sculpture Park and Healing Garden in Ronan Park and the North River Commission is currently seeking submissions for temporary art pieces to be installed in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood. All sculptures need to remain in the garden for approximately one calendar year. Additionally, each art piece must be able to withstand the harsh weather conditions associated with a Chicago winter, including: high winds and frigid temperatures. But even more importantly, the sculptures themselves must represent the motivations leading to the original creation of the garden, which is to provide a safe place for the entire community to rest, reflect, and renew.
If you are an artist, and you are interested in submitting a sculpture piece in order to support this initiative, please ask the North River Commission for a full “Request for Proposal” packet, which includes:
Guidelines & Policies as a Prospective Sculptor
General Information on Ronan Park
Sculptor Proposal Submission Form
Multicultural Sculpture Park and Healing Garden ChecklistForm
Please inform the North River Commission (NRC) of your interest in participating in this unique public arts opportunity by contacting our Arts & Culture Project Coordinator: Rebecca Rico at either:
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or (773) 478-0202 x 117. Anyone – students, school groups, pre-professionals, professionals or community groups, people of all ages and backgrounds – is eligible to submit a sculpture proposal or a concept for a sculpture.
Project Description
The Multicultural Sculpture Park and Healing Garden in Ronan Park is designed as a place where residents of, and visitors to, the greater Albany Park community can find beauty and peace. It is a place where those who have fled the violence and turmoil of their native countries or who may seek solace from the chaos and complexities of their current home life can rest, reflect and renew. In our expectations for the garden, all can experience the healing power of art and nature. The creation of the garden, its on-going development, and its enjoyment and programming, will all be done by a community-wide effort. Connections between local institutions and neighborhood associations will come together in order to bring the people of Albany Park closer to one another by overcoming the differences found within our community by focusing on the fact that we are all humans that possess a shared existence in this world.
NRC is currently seeking sculptures reflective of these goals to be installed on-site at the Multicultural Sculpture Park and Healing Garden in Ronan Park
Project Timeline
Interested parties receive a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) packet by contacting the NRC in order to register an intent to submit a proposal with Arts & Culture Coordinator: Rebecca Rico.
Submit completed sculpture proposal by: February 24, 2012.
When intent to submit a proposal is received, a member of the Sculpture Committee will contact the artists in order to discuss project details.
The Sculpture Committee will select proposals by mid-March; all participants will be notified immediately of program decisions.
Contracts setting forth the requirements and terms will be sent to selected participants and must be signed and returned by: April 6, 2012.
Site visits to sculptor’s studios to view art will be made by sculpture committee members prior to: May 1, 2012.
Installation arrangements will begin: May 1, 2012.
Installation will take place prior to: May 31, 2012, (sculptors must be present).
De-installation will take place prior to: May 31, 2013, (sculptors must be present). Sculpture Committee members will schedule individual dates at least one month prior to de-installation and all artists will be notified accordingly.
Last night was an energetic and busy Membership Council meeting where dozens of leaders representing NRC area civic associations, businesses, Local School Councils and schools, religious organizations and universities set priorities for our community in 2012. Leaders worked together to discuss and vote on key projects in the areas of Arts and Culture, Education, Economic Development, Housing, and North Park Village / Open spaces.
NRC President Ron Duplack said, "The work done tonight forms the backbone of NRC's projects in the year to come."
A highlight of 2012 projects:
*Installing more sculptures and signage and begin gardening at Multicultural Sculpture Park & Healing Garden in Ronan Park
*Launching North River After School Collaborative in spring 2012
*Physically improving our commercial streets in partnership with area civic groups
*Gaining the support of elected officials to extend the easement at North Park Village in perpetuity
*Preserving 140 units of affordable housing in Albany Park
The list of finalized projects will be approved by the full NRC Board of Directors in January and
presented to the Membership Council at the next meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. Thank you to our committed leaders for facilitating groups, and to long-time NRC member Korean American Community Services for hosting the meeting!
Did you miss this meeting? Are you interesting in connecting to a project or an issue area? Join us at our next meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. All our meetings are open to the public - and we welcome you! Also check out our facebook page for pictures, project info and upcoming meeting times/locations.
Dec15
Applying Entrepreneurial Skills to Urban School Leadership
Pete Kalenik
Empowering our Schools: A Conversation with
Jacqueline Edelberg and Dr. Isaura Pulido
"Attendees listen in as Jacqueline shares her story at Northeastern Illinois University"
Learn. Plan. Take Action.
With the fate of public education not beyond our community’s control, the North River Commission and the College of Education at Northeastern Illinois University recently co-hosted an event entitled: “Empowering our Schools: A Conversation with Jacqueline Edelberg and Dr. Isaura Pulido.”
Jacqueline Edelberg oversaw an ambitious community plan that transformed a neighborhood CPS school into one of the best performing elementary schools in the State of Illinois. She is a committed mother, a fierce advocate, and an innovative school leader that authored the critically acclaimed book: How to Walk to School: Blueprint for a Neighborhood School Renaissance.
Dr. Isaura Pulido is a Northeastern Illinois University Professor specializing in Educational Policy Studies. She re-frames conventional arguments regarding standardized testing and instead focuses her work on how performance in the classroom is affected by cultural connections, personal identity, and macro-level shifts in society with regard to immigration policies and economic globalization.
Throughout the evening, attendees learned about specific actions that can be taken in order to morph neighborhood schools into the centers of their communities, including: (1) re-branding and marketing strategies that challenge how neighbors perceive their local schools, (2) organizing chamber of commerce activities around school programming in order to build support among area business owners, and (3) supplementing the standard school day with after-school enrichment initiatives by renting classroom space to local arts, theater, and non-profit organizations while increasing school revenue.
When it was all said and done, over 40 individuals from throughout the North River Commission area participated in the evening’s discussion – stirring debate that has already initiated conversations for implementing these tactics in our area schools.
North River After School Collaborative: "Request for Proposals"
Available Friday, December 2nd, 2011
The North River After School Collaborative (NRASC) is an initiative of the North River Commission (NRC). The purpose of the program is to provide resources to create and/or enhance after-school enrichment activities in the 24Chicago Public Schools found within the geographic area bounded by: (1) Devon Avenue to the North, (2) Addison Avenue to the South, (3) the Chicago River to the East, and (4) Cicero Avenue to the West.
NRASC is a direct response to the inclusive planning initiatives that NRC utilizes as a practitioner of comprehensive community development. At the end of this year’s formal planning process faculty, parents, and community members self-identified a need for increased after-school programming in all of our neighborhood schools.
As a result, the North River After School Collaborative will enable administrators, teachers, and staff to submit proposals in order to receive one (1) $3,000 grant that can be used in order to assist the creation of an after school program or to expand a pre-existing learning opportunity for the 2011-2012 academic year.
If requested, NRC will help form partnerships between neighborhood schools and local non-profit agencies in order to help design program initiatives that best fit each school’s curriculum and the personal interests of their students.
While we are able to offer a lesser amount of program dollars this funding cycle, the North River Commission is continually seeking additional opportunities for strengthening after school programs in the Albany Park, North Park, and Irving Park communities located on Chicago’s Northwest side.
Would you like more information? Contact Pete Kalenik, NRC Education Coordinator, at: (773) 478-0202 ext. 111 or
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And for a look at the impact of last year's NRASC program take a look at the following graphic:
Thanks to everyone who came out to our second annual Bon Appetit Restaurant Crawl! Special thanks to all the sponsors, restaurants and their delicious food that made it possible! We had a great turn out and tons of positive feedback.
"Bon Appetit" Restaurant Crawl of Albany Park and North Park Returns!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 from 5pm-9pm
In a continuing effort to support local businesses and the unique community they serve, NRC and it’s affiliate Albany Park Chamber of Commerce, and co-hosts Hollywood-North Park Community Association and North Park University are pleased to announce the return of “Bon Appetit,” an upcoming restaurant crawl in Albany Park and North Park that invites Chicago-area diners to experience a world of culinary delights by visiting the diverse venues in this little corner of the globe.
Guests will depart on their tasting tour on Tuesday, September 27th at 5 PM, with passports in hand, to enjoy eclectic ethnic and cultural samples from each participating restaurant along Foster Avenue and Kedzie Avenue. Venues will provide small dishes of food until 9 PM. Free shuttle pick up from CTA Kedzie station to check-in and venues. Free parking provided by Foster Bank & WOCH Channel 41 at the corner of Foster/Kedzie.
Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at registration, $12 for children under 12.
The Crawl is generously sponsored by Harris Bank, LISC Chicago and Charter One Bank. Sponsored in part by Admiral Theater, Albany Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Advanced Pain Management Chicago, Bass Realty, Foster Bank, Korean Broadcasting Company /WOCH Channel 41, Frankenstone Artisans, Lawrence Kedzie Self Storage, MetLife, Northeastern Illinois University, SomerCor 504, Inc.
Contact Liz at NRC/Albany Park Chamber for more info at (773) 478-0202 ext. 116.
Thank you to everyone who came out and supported out Summer Concert Series in Ronan Park. Please visit our facebook page to check out photos from both concerts. Special thanks to The Uptown Strings, Roots Rock, d'gobeat from the Old Town School of Folk Music and Los Pichardo for filling the park with their wonderful music. We would also like to thank our event sponsors Advanced Physicians Pain Management of Chicago, LISC/Chicago, Albank, NEIU, NPU, Charter One, the Old Town School of Folk Music and the Chicago Park District for their support.
Thursday July 14, 6:30pm: The Uptown Strings playing gypsy jazz and the Awards Winning Roots Rock Society playing reggae.
Thursday July 28, 6:30pm: live drumming by d'gobeat from the Old Town School of Folk Music and Los Pichardo playing traditional Mexican folk music.
Bring your family and friends to enjoy live music amidst the new sculpture in the Multicultural Sculpture Park and Healing Garden in Roan Park (north of Lawrence Ave east of the Chicago River).
Saturday, August 6, 2011: Tickets cost $30 for adults, $25 for students, seniors and children (ages 8-18). Call the Chicago Office of Tourism at (312) 742-1190. Tour hosted by North River Commission and sponsored by Office of Tourism.
NRC Spotlight
NRC Welcomes New Executive Director
Ron Duplack, President of the North River Commission (NRC) has announced the appointment of Perry L. Gunn as Executive Director of the organization, effective June 1, 2011.
“We are proud to welcome Perry to NRC. He brings an outstanding record of accomplishment and leadership in community development and support, in both commercial and non-profit fields. We are confident he will make a significant contribution to our community and the organization.”
Prior to joining NRC, Mr. Gunn was VP of Operations for the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, overseeing nine YMCA membership centers and four housing units. His previous positions have focused on community initiatives, youth and education, recreation and the arts. He has degrees from George Williams College and Northeastern Illinois University. Perry and his wife have four children, three of whom are attending universities.
North River Commission is a non-profit, 501 (c) 3, tax exempt, organization that receives philanthropic support from private foundations, banks, corporations, government contracts, membership fees and individual contributions.
