“What Tomorrow Really Means” by Courtney E. Martin

 

Our President, by Jack M Silverstein. Foreword by Scoop Jackson

Market research time for Our President…searching for comparable works, with none so far…but did come upon this fantastic column from NY writer Courtney E. Martin from January 19, 2009, titled What Tomorrow Really Means.

I have reprinted an excerpt below, the transition between what Martin states “tomorrow isn’t” and what she thinks it is. For the column in full, click here. For more of Martin’s work, check out her site.

Our President is currently being printed…stay tuned for release date and celebratory celebration…

Eyes Manouche: the delightful sounds of gypsy jazz

“The accordion is said to be slipping out of sight as a popular instrument.”

Catch Eyes Manouche every Tuesday night at the Xippo Lounge!

—Mike Royko, July 31, 1968

Don’t tell that to Chicago’s Eyes Manouche. Because while Slats Grobnik may be lamenting the accordion’s downfall, the squeezebox is popular as ever with this gypsy jazz quintet, thank you very much.

Concerning the NT referendum: Why I am voting ‘NO’

To New Trier Township voters,

The New Trier renovation debate: Get informed!

Hello. My name is Jack Silverstein, and I am a New Trier graduate, class of 2000, writing today to discuss the upcoming funding referendum.

Until October I knew absolutely nothing of the New Trier renovation project. Over the past four months, I have spoken extensively with nearly every person involved in the planning process, most notably Superintendent Yonke, school board president Jim Koch, and principal Tim Dohrer. I have spoken with countless community members on all sides of the issue, former principal Wes Baumann, members of the community group New Trier Choices, current and former New Trier teachers, and various experts in the fields of construction, real estate, and taxes. I saw the facilities for myself in an exclusive, one-on-one tour with Principal Dohrer. I attended all three school board meetings that addressed the final version of the current plan (October 19th, November 3rd, November 16th). And I read all pertinent documents compiled and released by New Trier concerning the renovation, including the 21-page long-range facilities report.

After all of this research, I have decided to vote against the current 174 million dollar referendum on February 2nd. The following is my reasoning for doing so, as well as a basic guide to the issues for new voters.

On the John: The sound of greatness

On the John

The sound of greatness

Originally completed January 26, 2010

The Dunk.

 

Hear that? That’s the buzz.

The buzz is pulsating, especially in Chicago. You see it in the bullhorn of national press and the personal pokes of status updates. You see it in the Saturday-night bar crowds that, a year ago, had their eyes on their beers and their minds on each other regardless of what He was doing on the screens beside them. You see it on youtube and ESPN, see it on the Score, see it bursting into the general discussion, see it from people who tell you they haven’t watched the Bulls since Jordan, but man, they’re watching now.

To all those who attended the January 19th NT board meeting

 

New Trier High School.

Jack M Silverstein, Class of 2000

In defense of listening

January 20th, 2010

To all community members who attended the New Trier board meeting of January 19th–

For the past month, I have been preparing an essay that would introduce the referendum debate for those new to the situation, while also outlining my reasons for voting against it. I have written ten drafts of this report yet not finalized anything, wanting to be sure I really knew the details, and, more importantly, that I’d posed all my questions to the appropriate people in person before posing them in print.

That would have been my first public statement. However the scene at last night’s board meeting must be addressed.

Six songs for a lovely Tuesday…

 

Can you take me back where I came from? Y'all wanna know why I don't stop?

Lots happening, lots to tell, lots to do. And as always, a good day for music.

Hope everyone’s having a ball! New material coming from me shortly…

Best,

JACK

Concerning the NT referendum (VOTE Feb. 2nd!)

 

February 2nd referendum on $174 million renovation to New Trier.

Early voting in the New Trier township for the February 2nd primary began on Monday. With time running out and both sides picking up the pace with their messages, make sure you get informed.

QUICK OVERVIEW:

* $174 million renovation will demolish and replace the cafeteria, Gates Gym, Tech Arts building, music building, and boiler plant

* This is Phase One of a 30 year long-range plan to completely overhaul the Winnetka campus

* Project will be paid for with property tax hike

The following is a must read in order to understand the position of New Trier Choices, a community group that includes former principal Wes Baumann and opposes the current plan. More renovation info coming from me later today and tomorrow.

JACK

On the John: A small, good thing

On the John

A small, good thing (Much obliged, Raymond Carver)

Originally completed December 31, 2009, 4:50 PM

Hoyne and LeMoyne

Chicago, IL

It was the year I lost my fandom.

Not lost, exactly. Set aside. To a more appropriate place, to a smaller room of the house of Jack, tucked away, not the first sight upon entrance. A room of peace and calm, of relaxation, of luxury in the truest sense: a luxury, something one is lucky to have, but can do without.

From rapreviews.com, critic Eric Sirota breaks down ‘Splitting Image’ by Kam Moye

Kam Moye :: Splitting Image :: MYX Music Label 
as reviewed by Eric Sirota

 

The Onion recently rated Spike Lee’s 25th Hour the second best movie of the decade (the best being Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). In making this choice, The Onion AV Club reasoned that that 9/11 is the most defining moment of the last ten years and that 25th Hour is the best movie about 9/11. Fair enough, but what makes The Onion’s characterization of 25th Hour as a “9/11 Movie” interesting is that the flick barely mentions September 11, terrorism, the Middle East, al Qaeda, etc. Rather, the film is so effective because, though an intimate, personalized narrative about a man’s last night before going to jail, it captures the spirit of New York City struggling and surviving after the Towers fell.

Can you name all of the players on the championship Bulls?

It’s quiz time!

Can you name all 38 players who appear on Bulls championship banners?

Ready…