September 2021 Newsletter
THIS WEEKEND - Visit HPKCC at the Hyde Park Farmer's Market - Sun. 9/12, 9am-1pm
HPKCC representatives will share updates and information at the next Hyde Park Farmer's Market.
Stop by the community tables on September 12, 2021 from 9am to 1pm at the Hyde Park Bank Parking Lot near Lake Park and 54th Street where HPKCC will be sharing information about upcoming events, our Committees, and how to become a Member.

Transit Task Force co-chairs will be available from 9:00-11:00 am to provide information on Cook County's "Fair Transit South Cook" fare reduction pilot on the Metra Electric and Rock Island District trains with discounts of up to 50% off regular fare for ALL passengers.

Thank you to the South East Commerce Commission for giving us an opportunity to share information with the community.
THIS MONTH - HPKCC Annual Meeting - Sun. 9/19 at 3pm
HPKCC's Annual Meeting of its membership is a great way to learn about what HPKCC has done over the past year and connect with fellow community members.
Join HPKCC for its Annual Meeting of its membership on Sunday, September 19th at 3pm via Zoom.

This event will feature the following:

  • Recap of HPKCC's activities over the past year
  • Election of Board members
  • Member meet and greet

You can join HPKCC or renew your membership by completing the membership form. 

Membership dues must also be paid for the 2021-2022 year to participate in the meeting. Dues are $15 for seniors/students, $25 for individuals, and $35 for families.

Sponsorship options are also available. Please contact HPKCC President Ali Ammoura if you are interested in learning more.
COLLECTION UNDERWAY - Hyde Park Used Book Sale
Collection has started for the Hyde Park Used Book Sale!
Bring your donations to the lobby of the Hyde Park Bank Building at 1525 E. 53rd St. There are bins there to put them in.

We take almost any kind of book. We have 50 categories, including foreign language books, graphic novels, and children’s books. Books can be new or old. We take textbooks of any age. For magazines, we accept National Geographic, Poetry Magazine, American Heritage, Chicago History, and craft magazines. We also accept DVDs, VHS, CDs, LPs, computer games.

We do not take most general knowledge multi-volume encyclopedias except for the 11th edition Britannica. We do not accept academic journals or contemporary religious tracts. We do not accept computer books over 5 years old.
Books that are severely damaged, moldy, missing a cover, or missing pages, are not suitable for sale. Please put those in your own trash (moldy) or recycling (severely damaged, missing covers or pages).

Thank you so much for the donation!
Questions? Please contact Betsy Budney at booksale@hydepark.org.
Board Member Spotlight - President Ali Ammoura
We continue our series featuring members of HPKCC's Board of Directors.
This month's newsletter highlights Board President Ali Ammoura who has also served as Forums Committee Chair. Thank you for your service to HPKCC.
Board President
What is your current or most recent professional position? 

Current position is Assistant Public Defender for the Cook County Public Defender's Office since August 2013. Practicing Attorney since 2012. Also Adjunct Professor of Law at Chicago-Kent of Law, teaching Juvenile Law.

Why did you join the HPKCC board? 

I joined the HPKCC because I love to give back to my community. I believe that we all have a responsibility to our neighbors and community and that we all make our society better by working together. I was introduced to HPKCC by my neighbor and thought that joining the board would be a great to keep our neighborhood clean, safe, and thriving.

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

The community issues most important to me are safety and access to government. Over the past two years HPKCC has hosted numerous community dialogues over Zoom dealing providing the community access to experts and officials on pertinent community issues.   

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

I love hanging out with my three lovely children, especially on our weekly Friday night game nights and our Cub Scouts activities. I also like to write short stories, listen to audiobooks, and participate in personal development activities. 

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

Once the pandemic is over, I would LOVE to attend C2E2, the annual Comic-Con convention held at McCormick Place and perhaps even get dressed up for it!   
Want to learn more about serving on HPKCC's Board? Contact Louise McCurry at commissioner751@icloud.com.
Community Announcements
Hyde Park Together Holding Weekly Cleanups on Sundays
As part of its South Burnham Park Cleanup Initiative, Hyde Park Together continues to hold weekly cleanups on Sundays, with the next set of dates listed below.

Please visit Hyde Park Together's website for more information:

  • Sun, September 19 from 10 AM to 11:30 AM
  • Sun, October 10 from 10 AM to 11:30 AM
  • Sun, October 24 from 10 AM to 11:30 AM
Make a difference in your community. Join us.