Bring Two Friends and Win a Prize

Bring two friends who have never been to a "Meet Me at the Movies" event and win a free MMATM coffee mug. Your friends will be glad you invited them and you'll love the mug!

Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotten star in the Hitchcock classic, Shadow of a Doubt.

The Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) invites you to "Meet Me at the Movies," Friday October 29, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at Sherwood Community Music School, Columbia College recital hall, 1312 S. Michigan Ave. Shadow of a Doubt starring Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotton is the classic movie to be screened. The cost for the movie is $5 per person. To RSVP, click here.

Coffee taste better in a "Meet Me at the Movies" mug.

Author, Karen Abbott, "visits" the South Loop

Sin in the Second City author, Karen Abbott, spoke with members of BookSpeak, a book club in the South Loop, via telephone last night. BookSpeak's April selection was the nonfiction bestseller about the infamous Everleigh Club located in Chicago's notorious Levee District.

Call me!
At 7 p.m., BookSpeak leader, Jackie Walker, started the discussion and explained that each member present would be able to ask Abbott a question related to her book. After a few discussions and glasses of wine, Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) president and BookSpeak member, Tina Feldstein, called the author.

For around 40 minutes, members asked Abbott: "Were Minna and Ada really sisters? Did they have any boyfriends--did they even like men? If they were living today, what business do you think they'd be in?"

Philly and Chicago have something in common
Much to everyone's delight, Abbott was an engaging and personable author. She did her best to answer members' questions and speculations. A Philadelphia native, Abbott told the group that "she loves Chicago" and it's welcoming spirit. She noted that the cities of brotherly love and big shoulders have a lot in common, not the least of which is political corruption. Abbott observed that Chicago residents are more interested in their city's history than those living in Philadelphia and New York. Abbott also talked about her current project, a biography of burlesque legend Gypsy Rose Lee, which will be released in January 2011.

Invitation extended
The meeting ended around 8:15, but could have gone on much longer. One got the feeling Abbott would have been happy to continue the conversation.   Before the group signed off with Abbott, she was invited to Chicago and promised a tour of the Prairie District and the other locations she wrote about in her book. Here's hoping she takes up BookSpeak's offer.

May's selection
May's BookSpeak selection is Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. De Rosnay's novel takes place in France during the Nazi occupation in 1942.

Festival on Prairie Ave.

The Festival on Prairie Ave. took place on Saturday September 12, 2009, from noon to 6 p.m. There was plenty to see and do for children and adults, including a petting zoo, Daniel Burnham exhibit, and tours of the Glessner and Clark houses.

Sponsored by the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA), the annual block party was held at Prairie Ave. at 18th St. Other activities were held at Chicago Women's Park, adjacent to Prairie Ave., including a tug-of-war contest, potato sack races, and obstacle course sponsored by the Illinois National Guard.

Festival on Prairie Ave. this Saturday

The Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) invites you to the Festival on Prairie Ave. (Prairie at 18th St.) Saturday September 12, 2009. The festival hours are noon to 6 p.m.

Billed as "a day of fun for the whole family," the event will include activities for children, musical performances, emcee and humorist Stuart Jackson, and tours of the Glessner and Clarke houses. Food will be provided by Cafe Society during the festival. A $5 food ticket will get you a choice of hamburger, hot dogs, brat, veggie burger, with chips and a drink. Cafe Society will also have other items available from their regular menu.
Festival tickets are $7 (entrance donation). Children 12 months and under free will be admitted free of charge. For more information, including information on volunteering, visit the PDNA Web site.

Festival on Prairie Ave.

The Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) invites you to the Festival on Prairie Ave. (Prairie at 18th St.) Saturday September 12, 2009. The festival hours are noon to 6 p.m.

Billed as "a day of fun for the whole family," the event will include activities for children, musical performances, emcee and humorist Stuart Jackson, and tours of the Glessner and Clarke houses. Food will be provided by Cafe Society during the festival. A $5 food ticket will get you a choice of hamburger, hot dogs, brat, veggie burger, with chips and a drink. Cafe Society will also have other items available from their regular menu.

Festival tickets are $7 (entrance donation). Children 12 months and under free will be admitted free of charge. For more information, including information on volunteering, visit the PDNA Web site.

Battle of Fort Dearborn Park Naming and Dedication

The dedication and naming of the park at 18th St. and Calumet took place on Saturday and attracted a fairly large crowd. It was officiated by Native Americans, politicians, and members of local community groups.



A diverse group of participants

Leslie Recht, assistant to Second Ward Alderman Robert Fioretti moderated the event.The ceremony started with a blessing of the site by Roger Williams, Potawatami elder and tribal representative. A history of the site was given by Russell Lewis from the Chicago History Museum. A "presentation of city council resolution" was delivered by Alderman Fioretti, with William Tyre, executive director and curator of the Glessner House Museum standing by his side. Tina Feldstein, president of the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) welcomed those in attendance. There was also a Park District dedication by Commissioner Scott Hanlon.

The event, which started at 10 a.m., ran about an hour. It included the participation of War of 1812 Reenactors, the Illinois National Guard, American Indian Center, Chicago, U.S. Daughters of the War of 1812, and the Chicago Park District among others.

After the ceremony, a new plaque commemorating the spot and the park was unveiled.

Italian picnic held at local landmark

On Saturday July 25, the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) hosted a Venetian Night feast in the courtyard of the Glessner House at 1800 S. Prairie Ave.

Let the sun shine

The sun-filled courtyard stayed sun-filled for most of the evening. A little bit of rain had us running into the Glessner coach house, but that was fine because that's where all the food was! Speaking of food, there was plenty of it. Panozzo's Italian Market, 1303 S. Michigan Ave., and Pizzeria Brandi, 67 E. Cermak Rd., offered up salad, lasagna, spaghetti with meat sauce, and surprise, pizza.

Wait till next year!

Stuffed, we didn't go down to the lake to view the boat parade or see the fireworks. Walking to the lake would have been a good idea; we could have worked off some of the calories we consumed. Oh well; there's always next year.