By J.J. Tindall
Down around Peotone grows
a tree of Heaven
and within it rests a bird
named Tomorrow.
Posted on July 31, 2018
Pilcher Park Now A Dedicated Nature Preserve
By The Illinois Audobon Society
A large and diverse forest complex near Joliet, known as Pilcher Park, was dedicated as a nature preserve by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission in May.
The dedication culminates a nearly four-year effort by the Illinois Audubon Society, Joliet Park District, Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, and Illinois Nature Preserves Commission to expand and protect one of Northeastern Illinois’ premier woodlands.
The dedication protects in perpetuity 293 acres as nature preserve and an additional 110 acres as a land and water reserve at the site. The park is owned and managed by the Joliet Park District and features outstanding spring wildflower displays and old-growth trees.
Posted on July 18, 2018
Chicagoetry: Wells At Dearborn
By J.J. Tindall
Wells at Dearborn
1. Alexander at Kandahar
Kandahar was founded
By Alexander the Great
During his questionable Afghan campaign,
As one of a series of fortresses established
To protect him and his armies
As he pursued the Persian Satrap Bessus.
At each of these fortresses,
Alexander left behind hundreds
Or thousands of Macedonian and Greek soldiers
As well as logistics and supply troops, builders,
Artisans, tillers, every type of worker needed
To create a real settlement.
Today, at Kandahar Air Field (KAF):
U.S. Army, Marines, Navy,
Air Force. British, Canadians, Belgians, Italians.
Mirage jets from France.
Private contractors to clean toilets, run chow halls,
Build gyms, train bomb-sniffing dogs, service the phones.
A TGI Fridays, a Nathan’s, a KFC,
An ice cream stand, pizza by the slice . . .
Posted on July 15, 2018
The Lost Children Of Chon Thanh
By The National Veterans Art Museum
The National Veterans Art Museum is proud to announce “The Lost Children of Chon Thanh,” our upcoming exhibition of then-and-now photographic portraits by Bob Shirley and Reed Young.
In 1969, U.S. Army medic Bob “Doc” Shirley worked in a temporary clinic in the village of Chon Thanh, providing medical care to the local people. During that time, he captured poignant images of some of the children he treated.
Over 40 years later Larry Johns, curator of the current exhibition, saw Shirley’s haunting portraits and began to wonder whether any of these children had survived, and what their lives were like now. Johns had lost a brother who was serving at a remote artillery post near Chon Thanh and had been trying to seek out people who might have had a connection with his brother during the war.
Posted on July 11, 2018
The Arts Of Life Annual Studio Sale 2018!
By The Arts of Life
The Arts of Life, a Chicagoland non-profit arts studio for adults with and without disabilities, will be having their Annual Studio Sale on Friday, July 27th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 2010 West Carroll Avenue.
The talented group of artists who make up The Arts of Life have been featured at galleries and museums around the city and country, including most recently Heaven Gallery, Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, Andrew Edlin Gallery, and the Chicago city clerk’s office.
Don’t miss out on the chance to own a piece of work by one of our esteemed artists! The Annual Studio Sale only happens once a year and is a wonderful opportunity to find a work of art that you love while supporting a local cause. Stay for a drink and learn more about The Arts of Life.
Posted on July 9, 2018
Janene Gordon, Postal Inspector
By The U.S. Postal Inspection Service
“‘Show up with a hat and tie.’ Those were the instructions given to law enforcement officer applicants in 1971. The applicants were always men. Janene Gordon changed that. As one of the first female postal inspectors and first to achieve a law enforcement retirement, she broke through many barriers. Watch and listen to some of the trials and tribulations of blazing a trail for women in federal law enforcement. Her remarkable career paved the way for the women who followed.”
Posted on July 3, 2018
Chicagoetry: A Garland Of Moons
By J.J. Tindall
A Garland of Moons
I conjured a garland
Of moons, like a garland
Of garlic
To resist the
Vampyric gales.
Fat, full moons
Which dissolve
Into the great, black lake.
All because I insist
On existing.
And I exist
to resist.
Posted on July 2, 2018