Dear Friends,
I know I've written about this before,
but Waters School Gardens,
and the Riverbank Neighbors site
both had sprung from the head of Zeus (or Athena) at the same moment in 1994.
They were both natural outgrowths of Waters School's decision to embrace
the path of progressive education:
doing real stuff,
engaging families
and communities
and changing them for the better.
We've done pretty well,
tho so many challenges still face us.
Next Monday, July 24, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at
Half Acre Brewery
(across the street from Jewel on Lincoln)
Riverbank Neighbors will be holding a fundraiser that includes
Tacos!
Beer! and
Music! (including, The Pete Leki Family Band w/ friends).
Riverbank Neighbors and Waters School are kindred entities.The Waters Garden and RBN site have a huge overlap in volunteer workers.
Our children visit and study the River at the RBN site.
Soon they will be able to visit the other side of the river as well,
which is spectacular.
RBN, with Friends of the Chicago River helped to initiate that project back in ..... 1998!
I would encourage you to come to the event,
or make an extra donation.
Our riverbank has never looked better.
Mostly because for the past year or so
we have been able to pay
adult riverbank workers,
with experience,
and stamina,
and knowledge,
to carry on the work almost daily,
to organize and lead additional work crews,
and to keep the energy high and happy.
We've also been able to purchase materials:
cedar split rail fencing,
refreshments for workers,
signage and plants.
The unique relationship between Waters and RBN begs the question:
don't we also have a strong relationship to Sauganash in the Forest Preserves,
and all of those sites under restorations?
And Montrose Point and the spectacular dune ecology that is re-asserting itself?
And the railroad native areas planted by the American Indian Center and Community groups organized by the Alderman's office?
Do you know what that looks like to me?
These are pieces of a once whole mosaic of natural beauty
being reassembled,
painstakingly,
bit by bit from the ruins of "progress"?
The school gardens?
Little Gompers Park?
The restoration at Eugene Field?
At River Park?
Jeff Skrentny (birder, Waters' family, restorationist) said that when migrating birds reach Sauganash, the southern terminus of the Forest Preserve District,
and look out over the vista,
they say
"Shoot...!"
Nothing! No food, no shelter.
But today,
if they fly up a bit,
or the Monarchs fly up...
they can see islands of sustenance,
way stations for life,
for survival,
for one more chance,
one small weight put on the balance between life and extinction.
We are doing that!
Join us!
Dance.
Eat.
Drink.
Sing.
Love.
and Work.
Work hard!
It is the best thing we can do.
For our kids,
our families,
our communities
and our world.
Our Future.
Riverbank Neighbors Fundraiser at Half Acre
4257 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
Ticket price: $45 before July 24, $50 at the door
Ticket includes: house beers and sodas, taco bar, live music, and brewery tours.
This is a 21+ event.
Space is limited!
Buy your tickets online or make a donation.
or contact Sue Murray to pay in cash or check.
Find out more.
-Mr. Leki
I know I've written about this before,
but Waters School Gardens,
and the Riverbank Neighbors site
both had sprung from the head of Zeus (or Athena) at the same moment in 1994.
They were both natural outgrowths of Waters School's decision to embrace
the path of progressive education:
doing real stuff,
engaging families
and communities
and changing them for the better.
We've done pretty well,
tho so many challenges still face us.
Next Monday, July 24, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at
Half Acre Brewery
(across the street from Jewel on Lincoln)
Riverbank Neighbors will be holding a fundraiser that includes
Tacos!
Beer! and
Music! (including, The Pete Leki Family Band w/ friends).
Riverbank Neighbors and Waters School are kindred entities.The Waters Garden and RBN site have a huge overlap in volunteer workers.
Our children visit and study the River at the RBN site.
Soon they will be able to visit the other side of the river as well,
which is spectacular.
RBN, with Friends of the Chicago River helped to initiate that project back in ..... 1998!
I would encourage you to come to the event,
or make an extra donation.
Our riverbank has never looked better.
Mostly because for the past year or so
we have been able to pay
adult riverbank workers,
with experience,
and stamina,
and knowledge,
to carry on the work almost daily,
to organize and lead additional work crews,
and to keep the energy high and happy.
We've also been able to purchase materials:
cedar split rail fencing,
refreshments for workers,
signage and plants.
The unique relationship between Waters and RBN begs the question:
don't we also have a strong relationship to Sauganash in the Forest Preserves,
and all of those sites under restorations?
And Montrose Point and the spectacular dune ecology that is re-asserting itself?
And the railroad native areas planted by the American Indian Center and Community groups organized by the Alderman's office?
Do you know what that looks like to me?
These are pieces of a once whole mosaic of natural beauty
being reassembled,
painstakingly,
bit by bit from the ruins of "progress"?
The school gardens?
Little Gompers Park?
The restoration at Eugene Field?
At River Park?
Jeff Skrentny (birder, Waters' family, restorationist) said that when migrating birds reach Sauganash, the southern terminus of the Forest Preserve District,
and look out over the vista,
they say
"Shoot...!"
Nothing! No food, no shelter.
But today,
if they fly up a bit,
or the Monarchs fly up...
they can see islands of sustenance,
way stations for life,
for survival,
for one more chance,
one small weight put on the balance between life and extinction.
We are doing that!
Join us!
Dance.
Eat.
Drink.
Sing.
Love.
and Work.
Work hard!
It is the best thing we can do.
For our kids,
our families,
our communities
and our world.
Our Future.
Riverbank Neighbors Fundraiser at Half Acre
4257 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
Ticket price: $45 before July 24, $50 at the door
Ticket includes: house beers and sodas, taco bar, live music, and brewery tours.
This is a 21+ event.
Space is limited!
Buy your tickets online or make a donation.
or contact Sue Murray to pay in cash or check.
Find out more.
-Mr. Leki
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