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Chosen Few Picnic 2014

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In The Crowd – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
Spiritual Dance Master David Bisqué – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
DJ Mike Dunn – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
Alderman Leslie Hairston (4th Ward) and Robin Robinson
Dance Hall Diva Jocelyn Brown – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
In The Crowd – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
In The Crowd – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
In The Crowd – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
DJ Alan King – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
In The Crowd – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
In The Crowd – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
In The Crowd – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
In The Crowd – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
Spiritual Dance Master David Bisqué – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
In The Crowd – Chosen Few Picnic 2014

R Kelly & DJ Jesse Saunders Give A Shoutout To Kenwood Academy High School – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
Back Stage – Chosen Few Picnic 2014

Picnic Area – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
VIP Tent – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
Back Stage – Chosen Few Picnic 2014
DJ Alan King – Chosen Few Picnic 2014

NIMBYism In Obama’s Neighborhood – Jennifer Pritzker’s Frank Lloyd Wright Bed And Breakfasts – Kenwood – November 18, 2013 – 4th Ward Meeting – Hyde Park Herald & Personal

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Jennifer Pritzker’s wealth management company, Tawani Enterprises, proposed a zoning change during the November 18th 4th Ward meeting at St. Paul and The Redeemer Church, that would allow the conversion of two adjacent Frank Lloyd Wright designed houses, located in the 4800 block of S. Kenwood Avenue, into bed-and-breakfast businesses.  The proposal was killed by Alderman Will Burns during the community discussion that followed Tawani’s presentation.  It was the first time that have I witnessed the death of a substantial and legitimate proposal during a ward meeting.  Doomed proposals seem to die later, behind closed doors.  I attribute this quick death to Alderman Burns’ connections to opponents of the project, many of whom have strong ties to the Obama family and serve as Kenwood’s new elite.
Sean McGowan, chief operating officer of Tawani Enterprises, introduced the proposal to the Kenwood community during the meeting.
Renovation architect Gunny Harboe reviewed work he has done on other Frank Lloyd Wright designed houses.
Kenwood resident Dr. Anita Blanchard spoke against the proposal.
Alderman Burns (4th) discussed the project while Tawani Enterprise’s zoning attorney Andrew Scott listened.

Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust president Celeste Adams spoke about the benefits Oak Park has gained through renovation projects similar to the ones proposed for Kenwood by Tawani Enterprises.

The New Hyde Park – Harper Court Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting and Party – Hyde Park – November 8, 2014 – Hyde Park Herald & Personal

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The ceremony and celebration marking the grand opening of the Harper Court project in Hyde Park are documented in the following images.  The two events were presented in the now-familiar style The University of Chicago uses when marking a milestone in the renovation of 53rd Street, Hyde Park’s developing commercial corridor – a scripted press conference and party for the people.  They were upbeat and generally fun, but some in the community (read letters to the editor of the Hyde Park Herald for reference) see the two as subterfuge and seduction, the careful products of University planning and community manipulation.
Estelle sheds a tear as she performs during Harper Court grand opening events.
Hyde Park Herald – November 13, 2013 – Page 1
Anthony Beach (General Manager Hyatt Chicago-South / University Medical Center), David Cocagne (President and CEO Vermilion Development Corporation), Robert J. Zimmer (President University of Chicago), Will Burns (Alderman 4th Ward), Rahm Emanuel (Mayor City of Chicago), and Andrew J. Mooney (Commissioner Housing and Economic Development City of Chicago) participate in ribbon cutting ceremonies marking the official opening of Harper Court, 5235 S. Harper Ave., Friday morning, November 8, 2013.
University of Chicago Board Chair Andrew Alper, City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and University of Chicago President Robert Zimmer make their way to the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Adrian Bryan-Robert, Leslé Honoré, and Lisa Foster mug for the camera as they dance to the sounds of DJ Dave Henry during Harper Court grand opening events.
Andrew Alper, Chair of the University of Chicago Board of Trustees, speaks during the ribbon cutting ceremony.    
The Freewalt family visiting from Wisconsin poses with Kilwin the Chocolate Moose during Harper Court’s grand opening celebration.
Rahm Emanuel, Mayor City of Chicago, poses for a quick snapshot before the ribbon cutting ceremony.    
Shirley Newsome, Nicole J. Sheatly and Bernita Johnson-Gabriel pose for the camera before the ribbon cutting ceremony. 
Ed Small, President of Smart Hotels, Jon Zitzman, President of JFJ Development Company, and others applaud during the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Members of the Kenwood Academy Jazz Band perform during Harper Court’s grand opening celebration. 
Members of the Kenwood Academy Jazz Band perform during Harper Court’s grand opening celebration. 
Kris Bird purchases a pulled pork sandwich from PorkChop restaurant’s food truck during Harper Court’s grand opening celebration.
The tent erected in Harper Court to house Harper Court’s grand opening celebration.
Anthony Beach, Hyatt Place Chicago-South/University Medical Center General Manager, introduces his management team, Maurese Nelson, Director of Sales, and Leroy Brown, Jr. Assistant General Manager, during Harper Court’s grand opening celebration. 
Leslé Honoré, Lisa Foster and Nikki Hayes dance to the sounds of Grammy winner Estelle during Harper Court’s grand opening celebration.
Tonya Primus and others dance to the sounds of DJ Dave Henry during Harper Court grand opening celebration.

South Side PIe Challenge – Ray School, Hyde Park – November, 2013 – Hyde Park Herald & Personal

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Hyde Park Herald – November 6, 2013 – Page 1
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Junior Troop 20089 members Louisa Darr and Camryn Gosa serve nut pies during the South Side Pie Challenge in the Ray School lunchroom, 5631 S. Kimbark Ave. Sunday afternoon.
Hyde Park Herald – November 6, 2013 – Web Site
My favorite of the three images and the one not selected by the Hyde Park Herald for publication.