How do people really find work? Not thru standing in the “job search line” or tossing resumes into cyberspace. Job search, as all who have had to do it know, is not a rational process. The best resume simply does not win.

“Finding Work” takes a totally different approach. Instead of offering the same, tired advice; this book prompts individual action by using riveting stories and questions that will prompt the reader to start asking, “What if I did something different in my work search? The result is a book that goes beyond job search and speaks to a question relevant to ANY reader, “What if I started thinking differently about work?”

Revolving around “The Five,” five key principles for charting your own unique path, “Finding Work” delivers is attention grabbing stories that are actually fun to read.

 “Finding Work” is the missing piece in the connection between a person and work. No magic. No experts. This book is a prompt to find one’s own answer to “How do I find work when there are no jobs?” 

Author Bio

Roger Wright started out as a Special Education Teacher and Workforce Development Executive. He is a ghost writer, leadership coach and training developer, a former senior executive in the technology sector, and has done extensive consulting in talent and change management in business, non-profit, government and faith based organizations. His “Chicago Guy” blogs are on the literary E-Zine Fictionique and the blog aggregators Our Salon & Open Salon.

He is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post.

Roger is the co-author of “I Am Your Neighbor: Voices from a Chicago Food Pantry.” His latest release is: “Finding Work When There Are No Jobs” (Think Different Press. Feb 2013)

He can be reached at www.findingwork.org

“Mom, guess who’s walking?” My oldest son queried.  I knew immediately that it had to be my 13 month old grandson, Frank. I was even more excited when he added, “Let’s Skype, so you can see for yourself.”

After clicking the Skype icon on my computer, there they were, my son, the beaming father with his equally beaming son, toddling across their apartment.  It was a real “Grandma Moment”. Thank goodness for Skype.

My son and his family live in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY. We only see them once or twice a year. If it weren’t for Skype my grandchildren wouldn’t know who their Chicago grandparents are.  We wouldn’t be able to converse with them and see them as they grow and meet new challenges.

Instead, we were able to see those first steps and then have our 4 yr. old granddaughter announce that she is swimming without her water-wings!

Thank goodness for Skype!

Marilyn Donovan

From our Master Blogger Jean

Here’s a question for you: What percentage of third grade children in the Chicago Public Schools are reading at grade level…and no fair Googling.  82%?  61%?  28%? 19%?  (You’ll discover the answer as you read along). A service called Experience Corps, instituted by AARP (American Association of Retired People), began a program about ten years ago to tutor and mentor children K through 3rd grade, using volunteers to help improve reading ability nationwide.  The program exists in 19 states and, this year, the program is being introduced into the Chicago Public Schools beginning this October, making Illinois the 20th state.  The program is based upon well-researched, well-documented strategies to improve reading ability.  If you guessed that 19% of Chicago Public School third graders read at grade level, then you chose correctly.  To read “at grade level” translates to a letter grade of C-/D+.  Obviously, we need to help improve these numbers, preparing our children to transition from “Learning to Read” to “Reading to Learn.”
The AARP Experience Corp will designate 15 schools within three networks of the Chicago Public School districts for its focus.  An intensive three day training session will be held at the end of September to train tutors in the reading program. There is on-going instruction and evaluation for both child and tutor to aid in positive outcomes.  The tutor works with the same children, numbering one to four, in the classroom setting throughout the school year.  Tutors, ages 50 and above, must be high school graduates or have a GED; commit to two days a week, 4 to 5 hours; complete a screening process; and take the required training.  The impact of the tutor’s presence in the classroom is significant.  In addition to documented improvement in children’s reading ability, this program is said to improve behavior as well as “shrink” the class size by 40%, allowing teachers to focus on other groups of children within the classroom.

If you are interested in finding out more about this program, please contact Jacob Cashman at AARP Experience Corps, (312) 660-8655; or visit the website www.ecchicago@aarp.org.

Sewing Circle continues to be a great way to get together with other crafty types, we sure are having fun. We met on Wednesday at the library – what a great way to avoid the heat!

Arlene brought a tablecloth she had embroidered, it was remarkable (Check out the pictures). She worked on it for over 4 years, and was driven to finish by her grandmother saying she would never finish…we all know how a little push can help us to succeed! Can you believe that each star took over 2 hours and there were 17 rows vertically and 24 horizontally – well, you do the math – this tablecloth was an act of love, something that is

passed down through the generations. The pictures don’t do it justice…it is beautiful.

Karen brought some cut fabric for a quilt she is working on, and the group worked together on fabric choices to add. It’s always great to have the opportunity to get an outside perspective about your upcoming projects. I know I sure appreciate it!

Finally, we saw some excellent holiday aprons that Betty is working on. We were all inspired to get cracking on holiday projects. So cute!

We also had a great discussion about our favorite tools, and we all plan to bring more to share to our next meeting. When I was talking to someone who could not come to the meeting this month (it sure was hot getting to the library) she told me that she has been inspired to start new crafts and take up new hobbies as a result of our little group. That is what it is all about!

Join us next month – Wednesday, August 21st (we meet the 3rd Wed of every month!) from 10:30 – 12. We meet in the Sulzer Library – just past the check out desk (by the recent releases – just ask at the front desk).
Knitters, embroiders, quilters, people who sew (sewers? that doesn’t sound right!) – everyone is welcome. We usually bring a project we are working on or something we have created in the past. Join us for a lovely morning with other fantastic crafters!

Maifest 2013

Approximately 450 people attended the annual 47^th Ward senior luncheon last month.  It was a beautiful, sunny day and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves as well as the delicious lunch prepared by the Dank Haus.

Our special entertainment this year was the Lakeview High School choir.  They sang both the oldies and contemporary songs for us while we dined.  Forty-seventh Ward Alderman Ameya Pawar and 5^th District Congressman Mike Quigley spoke briefly to the crowd and thanked them for coming.

All in all it was a great way to celebrate our Ward’s Maifest celebration. The entire community is looking forward to next year’s luncheon.

Matty K’s Hardware is a family owned and operated general hardware store in Lincoln Square. With a focus on customer service, Matty K’s provides a comfortable, welcoming location to help with all your do-it-yourself projects.

In addition to all your plumbing, and hardware needs, Matty K’s also offers a paint design room where you can sit and plan your room design, taking as long as you need to insure that you have picked the right color and compliment.  For gardeners of all skill levels and interests, Matty K’s offers a garden market in the spring and summer with a large selection of flowers, vegetables, soils and seeds.

4874 N Lincoln Ave  Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 654-1347

www.mattyks.com/

Susan Romano, owner & broker of Real Estate Solutions, believes that in today’s   challenging market, REALTORS® must bring even more to the table.

“More than ever, people need to trust you and rely on your knowledge and integrity.  They need to know you care about them because they have a lot at stake.  Whether it’s a million dollar home or a one bedroom condo, people have similar needs, questions, concerns and fears about the market.”

With over 15 years of professional experience, Susan is prepared to assist you with your Real Estate needs.  She works with each client to develop a strategy and execute a game plan based on their best interests and the realities of the market.

Let me begin with a disclaimer.  I’m biased.  I live in Andersonville, I love Andersonville and I love my surrounding neighborhoods.  Truth be told, I’m a former long-time resident of Lakeview and most of my friends reside in the understandably popular and desirable neighborhoods of Lincoln Park and Roscoe Village.  Heck, I won’t think twice about trekking down to my old stomping grounds for sushi at Sai Café or to catch a show at The Vic.  But I have to say, after 5 years living “north of Irving”, I have come to truly appreciate and relish the unique community in which I live, work and play.

This past Sunday, a beautiful and unseasonably warm Sunday in May, was the kind of day which stokes those feelings.  I feel like I could have written one of those “3 Perfect Days in fill in the blank” articles – with a slight modification.  How about “3 Perfect Hours in the 47^th Ward”?

Ironically, there was nothing particularly surprising about the itinerary that unfolded for my husband, my almost 3-year-old daughter, Rachel and me – lunch at Potbelly’s; browsing at Lollipop Seeds (to which we made an unexpected return after we inadvertently left my daughter’s beloved Doggy behind – thank god he was still there!); my very first experience at Gene’s Sausage Shop (who knew they had so very much more than fare for the meat-eaters?!); frozen yogurt at Yogurt Square; then over to Winnemac Park playground to finish off the day.  But the highlight?  Bubbles.   Not just any old bubbles – but endless, overflowing, sudsy bubbles in the Lincoln Square fountain.

Perhaps it was the whimsy it evoked, the seemingly “out of place-ness” of it, the cool feeling of scooping up the suds and letting them wash away in the cold stream of water, or maybe the wonder and excitement in my little one’s eyes as well as the cute thing she did with her lips when trying to blow them off her fingers.  But it drew me in.   The bubbles seemed to draw everyone in, young and old alike.

For me, the bubbles in the fountain represented the uniqueness of our community.  How we seem to have things here that are just a little more one of a kind than in other neighborhoods.  Witnessing all of the people, their friends and family, enjoying the day in Lincoln Square, I was reminded how the richness, diversity and bonds of our community make this a place where I’d like to live more than anywhere else.  Yes, it really was 3 Perfect Hours in the 47^th Ward.

I am, however, left with a burning question.  How did those bubbles make it into the fountain anyway?  Actually, if you know, don’t tell me.  The mystery makes it all just a little more special.