This photo was sent in today by an "Updater" of a Farmer's Market downtown near Water Tower Place. Compare and contrast this with our current Farmer's Market offering.
I'm not sure how helpful it is to repeatedly point out how horrible our ward is. What can I, as an individual, or we, as a group, do to promote change? There are many positive things happening, and many things that need work. Let's DO SOMETHING instead of sit here and bitch all day.
One of the problems in Uptown is a information void. It is very difficult to get updated information from the Alderman's office, and you have to be very proactive in seeking it out. This blog hopes to address that issue by providing a forum to communicate issues facing Uptown - both the good, bad and the ugly.
I agree with you that it is important to do more than "bitch." There are neighborhood block clubs to join, community service organization to volunteer for and CAPS meetings to attend, just for starters.
Maybe a new group does need to be formed. Historically, Uptown Chicago Commission has been successful and helping make positive change in our community, though I have not seen them be active as of late.
What's your problem 12:29. How are we supposed to address any problems if nobody points them out? A lot of work goes into this blog in order to bring issues to people's attention. If you want to do something about any of the issues you learn about here, you're free to do so. In fact that's the whole point. But what's really unhelpful is your bitching about somebody else who's actually doing something.
But that doesn't mean we can't or shouldn't have a decent farmer's market in Uptown. I think you'd be surprised how nice a farmer's market we could have if the organizers paid attention to what people in our neighborhood asked for.
Namely, a weekend market or maybe even an evening market that residents could attend.
I too would love a true farmer's market in Uptown, but sadly, have my doubts on whether there's enough real consumer demand for it. Talk is one thing, but to actually go out to the market, not once, but at least semi-regularly throughout the summer, is another. You need a critical mass of die-hard produce lovers to sustain a farmer's market, in addition to those who might buy a bag of tomatoes one time in August.
Also, have to slightly agree with Thomas's point that to compare Uptown with the Gold Coast is a little ridiculous. Show me a picture of a market in Andersonville or Ravenswood - those are more realistic comparisons.
One can dream, no? Wouldn't it be nice to have something we could be proud of? Something we could brag about?
No.
We have to have free HIV/AIDs testing and distribution of Hepatitis pamphlets at Unity Fest.
CR and the rest of us will never know if Uptown could support a properly run market because we don't have the collective political will and/or leadership to even try.
And that, my friends, is the saddest part of the whole discussion on the topic.
This photo was sent in today by an "Updater" of a Farmer's Market downtown near Water Tower Place. Compare and contrast this with our current Farmer's Market offering.
I'm not sure how helpful it is to repeatedly point out how horrible our ward is. What can I, as an individual, or we, as a group, do to promote change? There are many positive things happening, and many things that need work. Let's DO SOMETHING instead of sit here and bitch all day.
ReplyDeleteUptowntodd,
ReplyDeleteOne of the problems in Uptown is a information void. It is very difficult to get updated information from the Alderman's office, and you have to be very proactive in seeking it out. This blog hopes to address that issue by providing a forum to communicate issues facing Uptown - both the good, bad and the ugly.
I agree with you that it is important to do more than "bitch." There are neighborhood block clubs to join, community service organization to volunteer for and CAPS meetings to attend, just for starters.
Maybe a new group does need to be formed. Historically, Uptown Chicago Commission has been successful and helping make positive change in our community, though I have not seen them be active as of late.
What's your problem 12:29. How are we supposed to address any problems if nobody points them out? A lot of work goes into this blog in order to bring issues to people's attention. If you want to do something about any of the issues you learn about here, you're free to do so. In fact that's the whole point. But what's really unhelpful is your bitching about somebody else who's actually doing something.
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked that Uptown doesn't have a farmers market as nice as one in the Gold Coast given that the two neighborhoods are otherwise so similar.
ReplyDeleteOf course the neighborhoods are very dissimilar.
ReplyDeleteBut that doesn't mean we can't or shouldn't have a decent farmer's market in Uptown. I think you'd be surprised how nice a farmer's market we could have if the organizers paid attention to what people in our neighborhood asked for.
Namely, a weekend market or maybe even an evening market that residents could attend.
I too would love a true farmer's market in Uptown, but sadly, have my doubts on whether there's enough real consumer demand for it. Talk is one thing, but to actually go out to the market, not once, but at least semi-regularly throughout the summer, is another. You need a critical mass of die-hard produce lovers to sustain a farmer's market, in addition to those who might buy a bag of tomatoes one time in August.
ReplyDeleteAlso, have to slightly agree with Thomas's point that to compare Uptown with the Gold Coast is a little ridiculous. Show me a picture of a market in Andersonville or Ravenswood - those are more realistic comparisons.
CR:
ReplyDeleteOne can dream, no? Wouldn't it be nice to have something we could be proud of? Something we could brag about?
No.
We have to have free HIV/AIDs testing and distribution of Hepatitis pamphlets at Unity Fest.
CR and the rest of us will never know if Uptown could support a properly run market because we don't have the collective political will and/or leadership to even try.
And that, my friends, is the saddest part of the whole discussion on the topic.