Now here's a block that really knows how to throw a rockin' block party. Take our neighbors who live east of Sheridan Road, on Farwell, by the lake. They have a huge, open park, (Loyola Park) right there at their footsteps. And, guess what? They decide to call their local alderman pal to come out and block off the street, with his fancy blue sawhorses. A brilliant idea for a neighborhood struggling with parking issues. But it doesn't faze these folks, or our Alderman. They've got off-street parking. At least most of them do.
Now come on - doesn't this tiny turn-out look silly to you people? Even you wonderful Farwell Neighbors have to agree? Blocking off the entire street for this embarrassingly small turn-out.
Where's all the fun and games and neighbor mingling? You neighbors look like a bunch of elitists. You could've shot a cannon down the street without hitting anyone. (Hint to Farwell party planners, my idea for next year.)
And where's the neighborhood promotion for this block club party? If you're going to block off a public access street, a street to the public park, you should open your party up to the neighbors, right? What'd you do, send out a super-secret, invitation only, RSVP?
You've even got the Alderman's help. Where's the information from his office about this party?
And where's the neighborhood promotion for this block club party? If you're going to block off a public access street, a street to the public park, you should open your party up to the neighbors, right? What'd you do, send out a super-secret, invitation only, RSVP?
You've even got the Alderman's help. Where's the information from his office about this party?
Where's the fire truck? Where's the CAPS information tent?
Where are the PEOPLE?
Then, to top it off, you Farweller's want to charge us neighbors $10 bucks per person to get in to your little block party? For what? You're holding this on public property.
Next time - if this is as large a crowd you're going to get, try another smaller sized venue. Say, someone's back yard. Closing the entire block is not worthy of this poor turn-out. Unless this is what you intended to do? To look like a bunch of snobs who have clout with the Alderman.
Then, to top it off, you Farweller's want to charge us neighbors $10 bucks per person to get in to your little block party? For what? You're holding this on public property.
Next time - if this is as large a crowd you're going to get, try another smaller sized venue. Say, someone's back yard. Closing the entire block is not worthy of this poor turn-out. Unless this is what you intended to do? To look like a bunch of snobs who have clout with the Alderman.
25 comments:
CRAIG is this the gang that asking the alderman to steal park land for parking?
ps wonder if any goose live was served at the outing?
on my behalf (i live at 1127 w farwell), i wasn't here this weekend, so that's why i wasn't at the party. though i probably wouldn't have gone anyways b/c block parties aren't really my thing. a wine and cheese party in the park, now that would be nice. but burned hot dogs and hamburgers? eh.
craig,
have you ever thrown a party and had 50 people tell you they would attend, and then only 20 show? it happens all the time.
of course you do have a good point of the open space they have nearby which could be used instead.
block parties have been a tradition for years. they have gone by the wayside as many do not associate with their neighbors anymore. at least this group tried.
by the way, i'm still waiting for westgards apology, but now no comments on his site!
Craig...
Have to disagree with you here, friend. When communities organize as block clubs and have block parties, it helps to unify our community, even if it is only one block at a time. I recall seeing this block party in the past while walking through the park, and the turnout was always strong. Perhaps the rain deterred a few folks yesterday.
As for the parking issue, I believe it is purely voluntary and mostly affects the cars of the folks on that block.
Craig, while I appreciate your diligence as a neighborhood watchdog, you can't be serious about attacking a group of neighbors who organized a block party?
If every block in Rogers Park would do the same thing, our neighborhood would be better for it.
Sorry Isaac, I've never had that problem with promotion of a party or event. Just ask the Rogers Park Garden Group.
Believe me, I'm all for a good block party. This wasn't.
Charging 10 bucks to get in. The poor promotion. What the fuck is that about?
No, I'm not buying it. This wasn't a block party to bring the neighborhood together.
Otherwise the Alderman/block club would've done a much better job using his/their resources to promote the event as such, a neighborhood block party. Not just set-up a couple of sawhorses to block off a entire public street and let a few neighbors hog it for their own personal use all Saturday.
If I didn't know better - this block club must have gone to one of DevCorp North's training seminars on neighborhood public relations.
Even the definition 'Block Party' says there's suppose to be a many, many people. Not just a select few.
And it's says they should have a fire truck too.
Just look.
is Chicago a small town???
"In many small towns, the local fire department may also participate in the party, bringing out trucks that they display for show."
i still think you can request the fire dept. if you contact your aldermans office in advance.
and craig if you have never had people cancel when they said they would attend a party, then good for you. I doubt you have thrown many parties, or are just full of it.
Come on, Craig, you might have an opinion on how good a job they did of it, but you have to agree it's crazy to criticize someone's attempts to do something good.
I've lived in other neighborhoods and we always had annualy block parties. It's a wonderful way to meet your neighbors. And there is always an entry fee. It covers the cost of food and drink.
And there is no issue of "clout" with the alderman's office in this case. You call up, get a permit, they bring over saw horses. The flip side is you have to put up with the saw horses being printed with the alderman's name.
Sorry to push the issue, Craig, but you should be praising these people. Or are you really suggesting that the problems our community faces are in some way related to a frightening rash of block parties.
No disrespect, but there is simply no way I can agree with you on this. And if you think about it for a minute, I'm guessing you might change your mind.
God, you are a miserable S.O.B Craig. Like the Grinch.
And a whine and cheese party more like it.
Seriously, go move near Ravinia.
Neighborhood fests charge money, I have never been to a block party that did. We have one every year and all the neighbors contribute food and drink.
As for a wine and cheese party at park, nice idea but it's illegal to drink on park district property.
Want to throw a diverse neighborhood event, and not charge your neighbors to enjoy the event?
Halloween 2004, Margot and I put together such a neighborhood party. And didn't change anyone - anything.
We flyered the entire neighborhood for a 'trick or treat' walk and wild after-party. We did apple bobbing, story-telling, the whole nine yard.
We had the good time at the Cocoabean Cafe. This was before it closed. I rented the spot to help a local business. I paid for it with my own money and everything. Amy Westgard was a big help.
We bought food and drinks with our own money, and got some donated too.
We got neighbors to open their homes to trick-or-treaters and hand out special treats.
We escorted them around the neighborhood so they could do it in a safe environment.
Here's a photo of some of the group who dressed for our contest.
Now that was a family friendly, neighborhood event. We even had a few neighbors who just dropped off their kids like we were free baby-sitters or something.
The people (me included) at this party suffered only from impulsive friendliness and some disorganization. We have no official "block club" (though we are trying to). I was invited on the fly by one of the neighbors who was throwing this together. I was surprised by the $10 fee, but understand it was for the band and the grilled items. It probably could have been better organized, but a few well meaning neighbors throwing a party to try to create a feeling of camraderie is not elitest. The members of this neighborhood include nurses, Chicago Public School teachers, construction workers, massage therapists,and other salt of the earth types. It gave me an opportunity to meet neighbors I had never met, thanks to these efforts. BTW, our precinct voted for Gordon, and at least 2 of our members hosted events and were quite involved in campaigning for Gordon. Do not paint us with an elitest brush because we were fortunate enough to buy into this neighborhood 10 years ago when prices allowed the working class to buy in. This was an effort for solidarity that should be applauded, even as there needs to be some adjustments made for future parties.
Being a lifelong resident of Rogers Park I have to tell you for some strange reason 'block parties'
were never a real successful venue.
We hade one on my block about 8 or 9 years ago and about 10 people showed up
the alderman did not show up which is funnier in a way or not
he lives on the block
no jumping gym, no firetruck, no balloons, we did have a barbeques and two or three people brought out their lawn chairs and everyone talked for about 2 hours at the most
no no block parties have never really been big in this community.
now go to my friends that live in Lakewood Balmoral - woah!
Their block party is a great event!
Kids, dancing, imbibing but nothing extreme, free, and it lasts from dawn until noone has anything left to say.
The really really nice thing about this block party is people actually remember me and my family from year to year. That is really a neighbor!
Ah, the memories. I thought I'd share a couple more photos from that fun day.
Here's one.
and another.
All this neighborhood fun. I think I'll put together a 2007 version called the 'Broken Heart' Halloween Party. Better start planning now.
JUST CURIOUS WHAT WAS THE TEN DOLLAR COVER CHARGE-FOR "JOE MOORE FOR ALDERMAN'
WHY I ASK HE HAD HIS MANE SMEARED ALL OVER THE PARKING BARRIERS-
isaac, that's why you invite a lot of people. Community events require community invitations, not "I'm going to personally speak to 50 neighbors and hope they all come."
Craig...
Looks like you had a very nice party. I still wish you wouldn't be so quick to criticize rather than support people like the folks on Farwell who held a nice block party.
Craig, I think you are barking up the wrong tree here ;-) Weak publicity doesn’t mean the neighborhood wasn't welcome and the rain probably didn’t help. They did flyer the blocks around that area.
We swung by late since we had other commitments that day. No one demanded the ten bucks from us and we didn't eat or drink, just hung out. No idea how they came up with the cover charge, but perhaps it was to pay the band and cover the BBQ food and drinks?
Someone mentioned that the current democratic committeeman made an appearance (he got no special invitation anyone was aware of). Getting a head start on February, I guess. I was told he got a very lukewarm reception once it dawned on people who he actually was.
I'm sure the organizers wished for a better turn out and would take constructive suggestions on how to do better publicity next time. Some of these people are also faithful readers of Broken Heart...
I would figure the folks on Farwell HAD to charge $10 to cover their costs.
These are moderate-to-middle income people, after all. It's expecting too much for two or three people to front the entire cost of the event out of their pockets. Even a little get-together like this can cost a couple hundred bucks, and most people think a while before they spend that on a Sat afternoon party.
In fairness, it did rain yesterday which probably put a damper on most outdoor parties last night.
now that I'm banned I can write anything to you about you and all you can do is seeth
Charging money to get into a block party? I've never heard of such a thing. When did that trend start?
I think that I saw an announcement on Rogerspark.com about this one. A group of neighbors looking to encourage others to meet, socialize, and network helps. You can't give up on a block party too quickly. It has to be a tradition. Otherwise, it dies on the first try. I remember going to one in the northern suburbs; it lasted one year, while another lasted fifteen and a third is now on it 25th year. As far as the "St. Pat's BP," that is promoting the Church and usually there are many donations, among other things that differentiate it.
St. Ps is a gathering of people who want to promote the Church. Farwell is a bunch of neighbors, who are having a potluck with entertainment. Apples and oranges.
Craig, don't give up so easily. Find others to work with you; don't carry the torch on your own.
Also, if you need a few dollars to make it work, don't be shy to ask for it. Finally, if ten show up, it is a good beginning. Take photos, blog it and encourage next years event.
I am on my third year of an event that brings together about 25 to 35 attorneys for dinner each year. It works. Its not the numbers, its the people. Isolating the block and encouraging the neighbors to meet others even at the last minute is worth the effort, even if a few don't have the ten bucks. However, I would pay the ten if someone put in an effort like this. Vale la pena.
http://whenmorsehellholesays.blogspot.com/
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