May 2021 Newsletter
HPKCC Celebrates One Year of Community Dialogues; More Coming Soon
HPKCC has proudly hosted ten events over the past year featuring updates from experts and community conversations on important topics.
On April 21, 2020, the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference held a community forum on the COVID-19 pandemic. This event drew hundreds of attendees on Zoom and Facebook Live and led to the creation of a Community Dialogue series covering a wide range of topics:


HPKCC also held an Emergency Community Forum following the murder of George Floyd and social justice protests in Chicago.

Visit HPKCC's Community Dialogues web page to learn more about these events and visit HPKCC's YouTube channel to watch the recordings.

Stay tuned; more Community Dialogues are coming in the summer of 2021.
Have an idea for a Community Dialogue?
Board Member Spotlights - Bryan Glenn and Raquel Irvin
We continue our series featuring members of HPKCC's Board of Directors.
This month's newsletter highlights Board members Bryan Glenn and Raquel Irvin. Thank you for your service to HPKCC.

What is your current professional position?

I lead sales at SERVUS, a company that I founded to help low-income people pay their municipal and government debt.

Why did you join the HPKCC board?

I wanted to do something that could lead to improving our neighborhood and the surrounding areas. 

What community issues are most important to you in the Hyde Park-Kenwood area?

Safety, communal experience, and economic development.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Spending time with my family, volunteering at my church, binge watching YouTube videos, listening to audiobooks, working out, and studying socioeconomic trends.

What is a Chicago tradition or activity you would like to do again when the pandemic is over?

Going to the beach with my family.

What is your current professional position?
 
I currently work at St. Thomas the Apostle School as the administrative assistant to the principal. 
 
Why did you join the HPKCC board?
 
I joined the board because I love living in Hyde Park and wanted to do my part to keep it as a neighborhood everyone is welcome and want to live.
 
What community issues are most important to you in the Hyde Park-Kenwood area?
 
I'm really interested in affordable and fair housing, neighborhood safety and neighborhood events that can bring in revenue and family fun.
 
What do you like to do in your spare time?
 
I'm really into knitting. I have a ton of yarn and 6 different projects I'm working on. You may find me walking all over the neighborhood staring and pointing at houses and buildings. I love looking at architecture and craftsmanship. I'm even known for asking homeowners questions about their home. When it was built, who built it and who was it built for. I love British TV and cozy mysteries.
 
What is a Chicago tradition or activity you would like to do again when the pandemic is over?
 
I can't wait to go to the Christmas Market downtown and see the parade of lights. I really enjoy fall and winter events.
Want to learn more about serving on HPKCC's Board? Contact communications@hydepark.org.
Transit Task Force Update
Learn more by subscribing to the TTF Updates e-list.
Last Saturday, May 8th, the latest TTF Update was sent to subscribers. It had news on the Metra Electric schedule changes that went into effect Monday, May 10th, and on the One Central proposal to create a transit center on air rights over the Metra Electric tracks and rail yard west of Soldier Field. 

You can learn about these items and more on the TTF Web Page and subscribe to the TTF Updates e-list by scrolling to the bottom of the page.

Questions or comments? Contact transit@hydepark.org.
Parks Committee Update
Help keep our parks clean by joining an upcoming cleanup.
Jackson Park Cleanup

On Saturday, May 22, meet at the Fieldhouse at 6401 Stony Island for a Jackson Park Cleanup from 11am to 1pm.

OR

Clean up Your Park nearest to you on May 22nd and send pictures and number of bags of litter you picked up in your park.

“Walking With A Purpose“ (park cleanup) - Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 in May 

Leaving from the Jackson Park Fieldhouse. Bring gloves and water.

Jackson Park's Japanese Garden

Visit the Japanese Garden of the Phoenix on the Wooded Island. Open Dawn to Dusk.

Questions or comments? Contact Vera Louise McCurry at commissioner751@icloud.com.
Community Announcements
Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary Celebration
Odyssey Project at Illinois Humanities Now Accepting Applications for Academic Year 2021-2022
Make a difference in your community. Join us.