Chilling at King Spa

updated November 22, 2018

I go to King Spa almost monthly. It feels like a vacation, because it's such an uncommon-to-me atmosphere and I leave feeling good, body and soul.

By uncommon-to-me, I mean that it is a Korean-style spa. Most of the staff seems to be Korean. The televisions are tuned into Korean programs. Most of reading materials are in Korean. I’m not Korean. That said, it feels as common-to-me as going to my neighborhood pool. Little kids try to swim in the hot tubs (to the annoyance of some). There are signs telling us the rules and minders, a combination of lifeguards and librarians, making sure we observe them, rules like no water in the hot rooms and only whispers in the hot tubs. There are lockers, towels, showers, and what I call a concession stand, but with tasty, healthy Korean/Asian food. No hot dogs here.

If you’ve never been there, I wholeheartedly encourage you to go.
Here’s some tips.

* Entry costs $40. Discounts are available via coupon sites and on their website, but I think the best deal is found next door at Super H Mart. Their customer service desk staff sell passes for $24 each, if you give them cash. Note that while the spa is open 24 hours, the customer service desk closes at 9 p.m., last I checked.

* The locker key issued to you includes a fob that allows spa staff to track your purchases — food, slippers, facial masks, plus facials, massages, scrubs and other services. You’ll pay for those items on your way out.

* Hot tubs are not co-ed. They’re accessible only through locker rooms and include lots of nakedness. If one is not used to this, this can be challenging at first. To me, the scene by the hot tubs is like an impressionist's painting. This I believe: a) If any of the other women in and around the hot tubs looks at you at all, it won't be for too long. No one there cares much about your looks. b) You won't have the most unusual, noteworthy body in the place.

Before going into the cool tub, spend as much time as you can in the hottest tub. If you do that, the cool tub will feel refreshing, not freezing.

A Korean women long acquainted with the hot-cold system of recommends continuing to move in the hot and cold tubs to help the toxins leave your system and keep your joints nimble.

* Hot rooms are co-ed. You’ll be issued blousy shorts and a top. No one looks good in them, but no one looks bad either.  No dust or dirt on the floors, but in the hottest rooms, those floors get very hot, so wearing socks is a good idea.

I hope you’ll go and enjoy it.

[ Photos courtesy King Spa's website ]

Learn about artist Gabriele Munter--or Pirate Women--at the Evanston Public Library, courtesy Rotary Club of Evanston

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Gabriele Münter (1877–1962) was a central figure of German Expressionism and the artist group Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider)--artists who believed the Neue Künstlervereinigung München had become too strict and traditional--which was founded at Münter’s house in Murnau, in Bavaria, Germany. Her role as a dedicated proponent, mediator, and longtime companion of Wassily Kandinsky is widely recognized.

Less known is the fact that Münter is one of the few women who played an early role in developing modernism.

Her openness and willingness to experiment as a painter, photographer, and graphic artist will now be presented in detail for the first time at an exhibition now at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Germany, until January 13, 2019.


For those of us not going to Cologne: Gabriele Münter: Painting to the Point, by Isabelle Jansen, Matthias Muhling und Johannes Eichner-Stiftung has been gifted to the Evanston Public Library by the Rotary Club of Evanston, in honor of fellow Rotarian Julie Clark's visit to one of their Thursday lunch meetings. (Better than a pen or a mug.)

A few of the other books we've donated in the name of our guest speakers:
> Black Opera: History, Power, Engagement by Naomi Andre

> A Guide to Improvised Weaponry: How to Protect Yourself With Whatever You've Got by Terry Schappert

> The Science of Positivity: Stop Negative Thought Patterns by Changing Your Brain Chemistry by Loretta Breuning

> Pirate Women : the Princesses, Prostitutes, and Privateers who ruled the Seven Seas by Laura Duncombe

> Critical Race Theory: An Introduction by Richard Delgado

> 1,001 Ways to be Creative : a Little Book of Everyday Inspiration by Barbara Kipfer

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Sources: https://www.worldcat.org/title/gabriele-munter-1877-1962-painting-to-the-point/oclc/982099207 ><  https://www.museum-ludwig.de/fileadmin/content/07_Presse/ML_GM_PressRelease.pdf >< https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_Blaue_Reiter

Help neighbors and strangers celebrate their birthdays

Imagine.

You’re doing what you can to make ends meet.
Your loved one’s birthday is coming up.
Do you spend funds on ends meat--sold at some deli counters, sometimes they include cheese--or on baking supplies to make a birthday cake?

Skevanton’s Hillside Pantry has got your back.
They provide birthday cake kits: Cake mix, frosting, candles, sometimes a card.

If you have the means, consider creating some birthday cake kits for the pantry.

You can drop them off at Rotary International's headquarters on Sherman. In the lobby, by the sundries shop, is a collection box. A member or friend of the Rotary Club of Evanston will take contributions to the pantry.

Learn more about the kits and what else the Hillside Pantry is looking for online, because while cake is nice, so is tuna.

Meet Rotary's Michele Berg

That's Michele with one "L".

Michele Berg, as Susan Trieschman discusses
restorative justice and her passion for Curt's Cafe
at one of the Rotary Club of Evanston's
Thursday lunch meetings.

Maybe you've already met Michele Berg. Maybe you met her at an Evanston Fourth of July parade. She'd have been there marching with Rotarians. Maybe you met her at a Evanston Community Foundation gala. She's on the foundation's board. Maybe she seems familiar, because last year you read about her in Evanston Woman magazine.

By day, Michele Berg is the deputy general secretary for the Evanston-headquartered Rotary International, the second highest ranking person in the organization.

In 2009 she doubled down and joined the Rotary Club of Evanston. She was the only RI staffer in the club at the time. She became a Rotarian during fellow Rotarian Dick Peach's first stint as club president. On July 1, Dick ended his second term as president when he handed the gavel over to Michele.

As a fellow club member, I was curious about what was on Michele's mind as she took the top post in our club.

Here's what I learned.

Q: What do you especially enjoy about your job at Rotary International these days?

As Deputy General Secretary, I have a broad portfolio of work including Global People & Talent, International Operations, building operations of our world headquarters, support for Rotary Board/Trustees and audit. I also have the opportunity to represent the General Secretary at events locally and internationally. I enjoy the variety of the role and the ability to work with people from all around the world.  

Q: What’s on your mind as you begin the next Rotary year as president of the Rotary Club of Evanston?

Our club has a rich history and is made up of enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers. I’m proud to lead the club as the 100th president, but certainly I can do nothing alone. I’m grateful for how many individuals have stepped up to plan service projects, invite compelling speakers, promote our activities on social media, and work on member events. I hope we continue to have fun and contribute to our community at the same time.

Q: Years ago you and I collaborated on inviting guest speakers to our weekly lunch meetings. I enjoyed working with you on that. I especially appreciate your equanimity and intelligence. I think you’re going to be a great president.

As club president, do you have any specific goals you’ll be focusing on this year?
 
Thanks, Karen! So kind of you.

The Rotary Club of Evanston has a strategic plan with goals to increase membership, focus on a signature fund raising activity, focus on a signature service project, and improve our public image. As club president, I certainly want to support our strategic plan and keep us on track for a successful year. Other than these goals, I’m hoping to engage as many members as possible in club activities and get us ready to celebrate our 100th year.  



Q: What inspired you to join our Rotary club years ago?

I’ve been involved in Rotary for over 20 years as a member of the Rotary International staff. I believe in the mission and I see the impact the organization is having to create lasting change in our communities and in our world. I wanted to join the Rotary Club of Evanston, because I wanted to get more involved in the community. I live and work in Evanston and am raising a family in Evanston – I thought it was important to be involved and connected. 
 

Dick Peach and Michele Berg at the
annual transition party at Rotarian
Elio Romero's Chef's Station.
#peopleofaction

Q: Any of us can conjure up some "good" reasons to NOT serve as club president, but what ideas coaxed you into taking the gavel this year?

A Rotary club is run by volunteers and someone needs to step up to lead the club each year. And Dick Peach asked me. As we both know, in Rotary you just say yes!


Q: What does your family think of you taking on the role of club president or should I ask them myself?

Ha! Definitely ask them, but if I had to guess... I met my husband working at Rotary International, so my family has grown with Rotary always in the mix professionally and personally. I’ve always involved them in service projects and some of my travel for work. They understand that Rotary is about helping people, so they are supportive of all that I do with Rotary.

Q: You’re one of the leaders of your family and Rotary International. What lessons learned in those roles do you expect to make use of as you lead our club?

Delegate! I am grateful to have a great team in my family, at work and in the Rotary club - I’m surrounded by wonderful people, so it is really about having a goal and then working together as a team to reach our goals.

Q: What would you like more people to understand about being a Rotarian?

I hope people understand that being a Rotarian opens a network of 1.2 million other Rotarians who are all committed to working together to bring lasting change to our communities and around the world. It is a powerful group – we are literally changing the world with our efforts in polio eradication, water and sanitation, peace, economic development, maternal and child health, education and literacy, disease prevention and treatment. And we work locally in Evanston as well – community grants, scholarships. We need more hands to do good work – anyone interested should come check us out!  Like our Facebook page or come to a meeting – we meet Thursdays at 12:15 at Rotary International, 1560 Sherman Avenue in downtown Evanston.
 

To take up MIchele's offer of lunching with
the Rotary Club of Evanston,

RSVP to her via email.

Michele Berg plants a tree with her daughters at Evanston's Harbert Park
in May. One of Rotary International's goals for last year was for
1.2 million new trees to be planted, one for every Rotarian in the world.
The Rotary Club of Evanston pitched in.

THANKS, again, Dick Peach

Monarda, aka Bee Balm.

Roses, lilies, black-eyed Susans, bee balm and purple cone flowers are just some of the flora at home in Evanston's International Friendship Garden. Maybe you've strolled through it or ridden past it at McCormick and Bridge St. in the middle of the Ladd Arboretum. Established in the early 1960s by the Rotary Club of Evanston, not widely known is that Dick Peach, with his wife Shelley Peach, have lead the maintenance of it for many years, until recently, on behalf of the club.

Few people active in Evanston's civic life don't know Dick Peach. He's consider by many one of the unofficial mayors of Evanston. By day he's the general manager of Dempster Auto Rebuilders. In his spare time he's doing all he can to help Evanston be all it can be, plus a little more fun. He plays Santa during Evanston winter Holiday Bash. He writes the Hooked on Fishing column for the Evanston Roundtable, which he's won awards for. He's served in leadership positions in numerous Evanston's community organizations: Evanston Chamber of Commerce, City of Evanston's Liquor Control Board, Evanston Community Foundation, Evanston Environmental Association, Evanston's 4th of July Association, WE Foundation and probably others. The position he takes a special pride in is being a Rotarian. It is a rare day he's not wearing one of his Rotary shirts, and if he's not, he's wearing a Rotary pin.

Dick Peach

This past Rotary year, July 2017-June 2018, Dick served as president of the Rotary Club of Evanston, again. The first to serve as president twice in the club's nearly 100-year history.

Dick is not hard to get to know. What you see is what you get. For certain details, one has to dig a little deeper. I pressed him a bit on his thoughts about his recent stint as club president.

Here's what he had to say:

Q: How are you feeling about your year leading the club, again?

Feeling pretty good, the year was not a bad year for our Club. We lost a few members due to job changes, and we gained a few new members. Leading this club is a joy because we have so many outstanding Rotarians leading the way and their showing the newbies how we do it.

Q: How did this year differ for you from your first time serving as president during the 2009-10 Rotary year?

This year we didn’t make any major shifts in the club's operations. Last time when I came in I changed how we collected for lunch, by adding it to the dues instead of everyone paying at the door. Last time I de-emphasized taking attendance and offered a number of new ways to ‘make-up’ a meeting like Tuesday Toasters. This year was pretty uneventful in comparison.

Q: What was the high point of the year for you?

Getting the dues structure realigned with the financial reality of our membership. With the shift from most companies covering all the dues for the members, to most not covering the dues cost, this putting the weight on the individual. I think it was prophetic that it was on my first presidency we added the meals to the dues making them substantially higher, that on my current watch I was able to restructure dues and make it easier on the membership to pay dues. Big change.

Q: Is there anything you feel you left undone?

I wish I could have had more new members. I couldn’t find a way to get our members to invite more people to join us.

Q: What’s next for you? Any projects you’re looking to take on within the club or outside of it?

Within the club, finish another big banner with club banners from around the world to make our meeting area look even better. I told [current president] Michele [Berg] I would be happy to work on our 100th Anniversary project for the club and I’m on two other committees, so I’ll stay involved.

Outside of Rotary I’m working with the WE Foundation to help kids get ahead. I’m taking a back seat on the 4th of July doings, stepping down from Celebration Manager for next year. I’m also going to be working full time on my retirement and move to Minnesota.

Q: What else is on your mind as you transition out?  Any advice for new president Michele Berg?

I told Michele the best thing she can do is to delegate as much as possible, because otherwise the job will overwhelm you in a minute. Pick good people to run your committees hold them accountable. And most of all…have fun. Remember you have lots of experienced past presidents to lean on for advice and guidance.

Santa Sandwich: Elf Eldridge Shannon (center) with
Dick Peach (right) and I at the first annual Evanston
Holiday Bash and Tree Lighting. November 2012.
[Photo by Genie Lemieux]

More about the Rotary Club of Evanston

Planting trees, rehabbing homes for low-income families, cleaned-up beaches, packing backpacks of school supplies for K-12 students, tending to the International Friendship Garden and raising funds for not-for-profit organizations addressing issues from illiteracy to HIV/AIDS to homelessness, poverty, and gang violence is just some of what Rotary Club of Evanston does locally.

Through the network of 35,000+ clubs connected through Rotary International--which just happens to be headquartered at Sherman and Grove--the Rotary Club of Evanston, as well as the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club, partner with other clubs to do what they can to tackle the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges, which include eradicating polio, disaster relief, clean water and micro-enterprise in Kenya, and upgrading health care systems in Guatemala.

Most of the humanitarian efforts Rotarians work on globally fall under six areas of focus: peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development.

If you'd like to learn more, check out the club's website and Facebook page. All are welcome to our Thursday lunch meeting in downtown Evanston. For an invitation to lunch and to learn more about membership in the club, contact club member Brian King.

Dick Peach, with fellow Rotarian Gene Servillo, at a Tuesday Toasters, one of the
Rotary Club of Evanston's events that is only about fun and friends.

Gale West's Success with Soul Summit starts June 4

Success with Soul Summit host
Gale West

What do Rhonda Britten, Lynne Twist, Dr. Richard Schwartz, Ben Saltzman, Susan Jenkins, Georgina Sweeney, Lisa Marie Platske, Brandon Peele, Mark E. Sackett, Alison Armstrong, Jennifer Hough, Sahar Nafal, Martin Rutte, Jeffrey Van Dyk and Jodie Baudek all have in common?

They’ve all been on Oprah?

Close. A few of them have been.

They’re authors, coaches, and thought leaders in the area of personal transformation. All are participating in the Success with Soul Summit hosted by Evanston’s own transformation coach Gale West. It starts June 4 and runs for two weeks.

Gale talked to these leaders about living fearlessly, designing your own destiny, love, the need for community, the value of creativity and other topics relating to aligning passion and profession in agreement with the nature of one's own being...and recorded their conversation.

One thought leader/coach is featured daily. Sign up online to receive the link to his/her conversation with Gale in your inbox each morning.

The summit is "free" and hopefully freeing. ;-)
The summit will only cost you some time and attention. It might even cost you some limiting beliefs, which would surely make this all worthwhile.
(If you'd like access to the talks after the summit, that will cost you some money.)

If you’ve been feeling that our society’s current definition of success, which tends to foster competition and values image, status and money for money’s sake, is soul sucking, this is for you.

Gale says this summit aims to promote new definitions of success that are soul nourishing, life enhancing, celebrate your unique gifts in the marketplace, allow your magnificence to shine and for money to be an agent for good.

It promises to be inspirational. Maybe it will change your life.

Ooh. Cool. Thank you, Karen.

You're welcome.

PizzaFest ala Evanston Rotary at Gigio's May 22

Incoming Rotary Club of Evanston president
Michele Berg, with outgoing club president Dick Peach,
at last year's eat-a-thon. [Photo by Ada P. Kahn]

Evanston's annual May all-you-can-eat pizza and pop extravaganza is a go for Tuesday, May 22 at Gigio's Pizzeria, at Davis and Maple. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and close at 8:30 p.m. Go having combed your hair, washed your face and wearing a clean outfit, because lots of pictures will be made at this party. Last year's doings can be seen online.

The big cheeses expected to serve up the slices include Rotary International's John Hewko and Evanston Community Foundation's Monique B. Jones, and Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse's Aina Gutierrez, as well as Evanston's own Mayor Steve Hagerty, Alderman Peter Braithwaite and one of Evanston's unofficial mayors, Dick Peach.

Organized by the Rotary Club of Evanston, tickets to this eat-a-thon run $20 for adults and $12 for kids, if you purchase from a club member or online before May 22. Tickets at the door will cost a bit more.

Funds raised will support community projects and initiatives vital to the well-being of all of those in Evanston.

Past and recent beneficiaries include James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, Family Focus Evanston, On Your Feet Foundation, Curt's Cafe South, Evanston Food Exchange, The Ridgeville Foundation, Park School PTA, School for Little Children, Youth & Opportunity United/Y.O.U., Mudlark Theater Company and Youth Job Center.

The Evanston RoundTable ran a piece about the club's recent philanthropy.

Rehabbing homes for low-income families, cleaned-up beaches, packing backpacks of school supplies for K-12 students, planting trees, maintaining Evanston's International Friendship Garden and raising funds for not-for-profit organizations addressing issues from illiteracy to HIV/AIDS to homelessness, poverty, and gang violence are some of the other things Rotary Club of Evanston does locally.

Through the network of 35,000+ clubs connected through Rotary International--which just happens to be headquartered at Sherman and Grove--the Rotary Club of Evanston and the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club partner with other clubs to do what they can to tackle the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges, which include eradicating polio, disaster relief, clean water and micro-enterprise in Kenya, and upgrading health care systems in Guatemala.

Most of the humanitarian efforts Rotarians work on globally fall under six areas of focus: peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development.

To donate to the Rotary Club of Evanston (or a buy a ticket to PizzaFest), you can go online. Another way to donate is to walk a check over to Dick Peach at Dempster Auto Rebuilders before July 20. In exchange you can get a hug, but if you're not into that, he'll shake your hand.

What’s on your mind, Evanston? What do you believe?

Update: April 27, 2018

The On The Table Evanston 2018 dinner will be at Evanston Township High School on May 8. Anyone and everyone who cares about Evanston is invite. That said, seating is limited, so if you want to come, sign up soon. Click here to RSVP and for other additional information.

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March 2018

Tell me and my colleagues HERE.

Below I ask again, but more graciously, and explain why it matters.

THIS I BELIEVE: When you and I come together, as fellow human beings and community members, to listen and learn, we have the power to enhance the lives of our neighbors and the quality of life in our community. I also believe that all of us--I say ALL OF US--have stories and perspectives to share that others would benefit hearing about. Can I get an AMEN?!

What do you believe? I'd like to know. Others would like to know. Really.

In the works for mid-May is an On The Table Evanston dinner. I hope you’ll come. I’m one of its organizers, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Evanston. My co-organizer is Joi-Anissa Russell, Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Moran Center for Youth Advocacy.  The exact date, time and place for this meal has yet to be determined. The point of this gathering is to get neighbors talking, listening and thinking about the issues that matter to them, as well as inspire new relationships and collaboration in the Evanston area.

How lovely would it be to break down some of the us vs. them perceptions that creep into the way we think?

Joi-Anissa and I don’t pretend to know everything, so we’re asking for guidance.

Here’s what we want to know: What topic(s) would you be most interested in exploring with community members at this meal? What is on your mind regarding the larger Evanston community and your specific neighborhood?

Please answer HERE. Note that if you give us your email address, we’ll make sure you get an invitation to what we expect to be a rare, very interesting event. Thank you.

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On The Table meals are not new to the Chicago area or Evanston. I hosted a dinner 2 years ago at Peckish Pig. That same year a variety of Evanston organizations hosted their own gatherings. Initiated by the Chicago Community Trust in 2014, On the Table is an annual forum designed to elevate civic conversation, foster new relationships and inspire collaborative action across the region.

Terry Mazany, Chicago Community Trust's former President and CEO reflects on his takeaways: Listening with Courage and Compassion: Lessons from On the Table

Let's Talk about Engineered Foods, Pesticides and Health at ETHS April 10

ETHS Green Team invites everyone who cares about the food they eat to a conversation with Drs. Thierry Vrain and Susan Buchanan. They will discuss

how does industrial agriculture impact your health and steps we can take to protect ourselves and families.

Tuesday, April 10, 7 p.m.
at 
ETHS Auditorium
1600 Dodge Ave.
Evanston

Tickets: Free

RSVP via Eventbrite

Dr. Thierry Vrain is a longtime soil biologist and genetic engineer at the Canadian Department of Agriculture, past president of national and international associations of soil biologists, and an associate editor of scientific journals in Europe and the USA.

Dr. Susan Buchanan is the Director of the Great Lakes Center for Children’s Environmental Health/ Region 5 Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) School of Public Health.

Co-hosts include Go Green Oak Park and Citizen's Greener Evanston.

As a primer to this discussion, consider listening to
what Dr. Vrain has to saw about GMOs here.

My Spouse Daniel Biss: Our Best Choice for Governor of Illinois

Karin and Daniel with their children,
Theodore and Elliot.

by Karin Steinbrueck


It’s not every day that someone gets to vote for their spouse to be the Democratic candidate for governor in the state of Illinois – but that day is almost here for me. And I couldn’t be prouder. 

Since Daniel and I met thirteen years ago, I’ve always supported him in all his endeavors. I wouldn’t have said yes to this campaign if I didn’t believe that he is truly the best person to be out next governor and rebuild Illinois for working families. Here are a few reasons why:

    •    Daniel has been a standout progressive leader in the Senate of the Illinois General Assembly, passing over 80 bills that have improved the lives of working families like ours. From protecting patients with pre-existing conditions to banning the gay panic defense to protecting reproductive freedom -- Daniel works harder than anyone I know (with maybe the exception of his mother) to get things done. He may not always remember where things belong at home, but he never forgets that his work in government is to help and better the lives of the people of Illinois.


    •    As a middle class father with kids in public schools, he is in a much better position to represent everyday Illinoisans than any inexperienced billionaire – because he knows what it’s like to worry about things like sticking to a budget in order to pay the mortgage, and to cover property taxes that are 10% of our income.


    •    Even though our family isn’t part of the 1%, Daniel's campaign for governor has the resources to succeed. He has actually raised more money than the other guys, and he did it through small grassroots donations from passionate supporters. He has the kind of support that money can’t buy, while others have to write giant checks to themselves to meet their quarterly deadlines.  


    •    I’m in a unique position to tell you that Daniel is compassionate, committed, and works harder than anyone I know. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Any of his colleagues in the Illinois General Assembly will tell you the same thing.


Even though I am biased, I ask that when you vote in the March 20th primary you’ll cut through the noise and consider Daniel’s proven record of progressive leadership, legislative experience, and commitment to working families – and, like me, that Daniel has earned your vote.  Thank you.

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Karin grew up in New Hampshire, but traveled often to Illinois to visit her maternal grandmother in Chicago and family in Mt. Prospect and Addison.  She is a first-generation American and the first in her family to earn a PhD, which she received from Northwestern in 2017. She is a historian of modern European history, specializing in 20th century Communist Central and Eastern Europe.  She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the former Soviet Union, was Fulbright Scholar in Romania, and worked as a photojournalist. Currently, she is an adjunct professor in history in National Louis University's Pathways Program. In her free time she loves to cook, knit, and be in the forest or at the beach. 

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I hope when you go to the polls on March 20 or vote early, that you'll have done your homework, consider all you've learned about candidate in all the races and cast an informed vote for the women and men you think will do the best job for all of Illinois.  

I've known Daniel Biss since as early 2010 when I started working with Abbey Fishman Romanek on her election for Cook County judge. I like him. I appreciate his intelligence and demeanor. He's a good listener and supportive of what others are working on. Translation: He's really smart. He's put up with my smartass-ery very well. He's been nice to me and said nice things about me in public. He didn't mock me when an event for new voters that I planned didn't go as expected. 

Joys of Canvassing

This New York Times Magazine piece I just came across is such a lovely read, you’ll consider canvassing to see if you too can blow someone's mind.

“…After a long day of canvassing on that Saturday, tired but exuberant volunteers returned for a debriefing. One canvasser stood up and spoke of moving a man to a seven from a three. Another — a tattooed student who identifies as gender-nonconforming — proudly recalled persuading a voter “who clearly had no experience with anyone who identified as being outside the gender binary. He said I blew his mind, and that he would never forget the conversation we had!”…” Read more here.

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Originally posted January 19, 2012

by Anne Crowe 

Saturday morning, 10 a.m.  It’s sunny and crisp as I pull up to my local Democratic office. Gear check: comfortable shoes, hat, gloves and chapstuff. There’s a spring in my step and a smile on my face. Canvassing today!

Inside, there’s coffee and donuts and collecting packets for the canvass. The packets include your walk map, lists of names and addresses of Democratic voters and a script. I could go alone, but I prefer a walk partner. Both to commiserate and cheer with. More importantly, for me, a walk partner shares tasks and its easier for both of us. Sometimes, we do odds and evens, making our way on blocks that maybe we’ve never seen before and talking to people who have never heard of our candidate.

So off we go, into the neighborhood. We check where we are, house numbers and names. The first door knock and the next. This is where the real work starts and the reward.

This is a chance to interact with my neighbors on a meaningful level about a candidate I know and believe in. Some people aren’t home, aren’t answering or aren’t interested. When someone comes to the door, we are elated. We establish rapport by introducing ourselves and our candidate. We offer information, answer questions and discuss the ideals and values of the candidate. 

Even when the weather is awful, the idea that I can be an instrument of political change is enough to keep me going. The people we meet make it worthwhile and perhaps, in part because of us, our candidate will garner another vote.

The camaraderie in a Democratic campaign office after a successful canvass is energizing.  Our packets are complete and given to the campaign manager.  Stories of friendly supportive neighbors are exchanged over the last cups of coffee. 

Community building is a civic privilege. Canvassing allows citizens a unique means of connecting with each other, the ability to educate neighbors and effect real change.

That said, walking around talking to people is a great way to lift body and spirit. And at the end of the day, to feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from doing the good work.

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Anne Crowe lives in Chicago, near the shores of Lake Michigan. Anne enjoys all aspects of campaigning and volunteers for local, state and presidential campaigns. When not involved with politics, Anne is a licensed clinical professional counselor and works at NORC at the University of Chicago.