Get to Know Your Urban Forestry Board this April!
Celebration Arbor Day 2012 (April 27) by getting to know and supporting the Blue Island’s Urban Forestry Board (UFB).
The UFB is a volunteer board who assists City Council and staff with forestry and landscaping issues in Blue Island. In addition to monthly meeting, members work hard on local tree related issues and activities - some of these efforts are visible, while many are behind the scenes. A short list of recent accomplishments include:
- Completed Tree City Application (2011)
- Blue Island Designated a Tree City (2011)
- Worked with Christy Webber on Western Ave Streetscaping (2011)
- Ash Tree Inventory (2011-2012)
- Awarded Emerald Ash Borer Grant (2012)
- Developing 2012 Summer Workplan
- Upcoming Summer 2012-Hosting 2 Saturday Work Days per month
- Maintaining plantings throughout the City (ongoing)
Blue Island’s UFB is looking for volunteers to help with 2012 work days. Upcoming dates include April 21 (planting), May 12 & 19 (Veterans Triangle), but help is needed through September. Please contact Perry Recker to sign up as a volunteer.
Please come out to the Blue Island Comprehensive Plan Open House, Monday 4/16/12 from 4:30-7:30p. We would love input from you before this important document is sent on for its formal review and adoption by City Council.
The Blue Island Comprehensive Plan builds on previous planning and revitalization efforts, and will guide growth and decision-making in the City for years to come.
The purpose of the open house is to receive public comment prior to beginning the formal review process with the City Council and other Blue Island officials. Representatives from the City and CMAP will be available to answer questions and provide clarification.
January is National Mentoring Month
January 2012 is the 11th National Mentoring Month.
A mentor is a coach, guide, tutor, facilitator, counselor and trusted advisor. A mentor is someone willing to spend his or her time and expertise to guide the development of another person.
As tutors, coaches, teachers, volunteers, and friends, mentors commit their time and energy to kids who may otherwise lack a positive, mature influence in their lives. Their impact fulfills critical local needs that often elude public services.
Many of us are fortunate to recall a role model from our own adolescent years who pushed us to succeed or pulled us back from making a poor decision. We carry their wisdom with us throughout our lives, knowing the unique and timeless gift of mentorship. During this month, I encourage Americans to give back by mentoring young people in their communities who may lack role models, and pass that precious gift on to the next generation.
10 11 Things to Do This January
- Become a mentor in your community.
- Learn more about mentoring.
- Partner with a mentoring organization.
- Tell 5 friends about National Mentoring Month.
- Think about the mentors in your life and post a tribute to them online.
- Watch videos of celebrities such as Quincy Jones, Sting, Cal Ripken, Jr., talk about the mentors in their lives.
- Read the latest research and find resources on mentoring.
- Go to YouTube on Thank Your Mentor Day™ (January 21st) and make the National Mentoring Month videos the most popular of the day!
- Serve your community on MLK Day of Service by deciding to become a mentor.
- Make a donation to a mentoring organization in your community.
- Help us compile a list of local mentoring opportunities.
Take the Comp Plan Visioning Survey Today!
As you may know, City of Blue Island is currently developing a comprehensive plan – a long-range planning document which will guide land use and development decisions in the community for decades to come.
What’s YOUR Vision for Blue Island’s Future? Tell Us Today!
Take the survey today! It will only take a couple of minutes, and the more public input we can collect, the more reflective the plan will be of the community’s interests. Thank you for your time and input!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Blue-Island-Visioning
Comp Plan Process to Date
This comprehensive planning process has involved community stakeholders and the general public from the outset, with public meetings held both in June and in October 2011. During these public workshops, residents and other community leaders helped identify issues that the comprehensive plan should address, and envisioned what they would like Blue Island to look like in the future.
At the October public workshop, participants voted on their top 10 “big ideas” that they would like addressed in the comprehensive plan. For those residents, business owners, and other interested parties in Blue Island who were not able to attend the October workshop, please follow this link to a 2-question online survey, which allows respondents to share their opinions and vote for their top idea for the comprehensive plan.
Existing Conditions Report
With assistance from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), we now have an Existing Conditions Report to share with the public, documenting the current state of housing, economic, transportation, and environmental conditions in Blue Island today. The draft Existing Conditions Report can be found here [.pdf].
Volunteer & Donate Locally this Holiday Season
Angel’s Touch
For Human’s in Need: Angel’s Touch is collecting donations of
- canned goods
- Christmas gifts
- toys
- clothing
- hats, mittens, gloves & coats
You may also adopt a family which means buying gifts for them and Christmas Dinner. Contact Jude Coyle at 708.925.5579 or jmorancoyle@aol.com.
For Pet’s in Need: Bags of cans of dog/cat food and even pet coupons can be dropped off at 11933 Greenwood or the Blue Island FORUM 12757 S. Western Ave
Holiday Greeting Card Fundraiser: Purchase holiday greeting cards handmade by Blue Cap students.
Kaleidoscope
Holiday Grocery Big Box Gift Card Drive: Kaleidoscope for Kids is accepting low balance and new gift cards for their transitional living program.
Book Drive (NEW books for all ages): Help create memories for Kaleidoscope kids.
Donate: Make a $$ donation.
Like: ‘Like’ Bright Spark Student Travel on Facebook during the Month of December & they’ll donate $1.00 each to Kaleidoscope.
Please contact 773.292.4027 for inquiries or donation pick ups/drop off.
Donate: Make a Donation
Salvation Army CrossGenerations
Salvation Army of Blue Island (2900 W. Burr Oak) is seeking volunteers for several activities and positions over the holiday season. Check out these rewarding oppertunities:
Angel Tree
We will need help sorting out hundres of gifts: toys and clothing items, etc. according to type/age/size, etc. After these items are sorted, they will be packed into bags according to family’s requests.
Bell Ringer 12/6-12/24/11: The success of The Salvation Army’s annual bell ringing campaign is critical to their year round operations. Bell ringers are needed at various locations on the south side of Chicago, starting at 127th & Western, all the way to 167th & LaGrange. Shifts range anywhere from 2 to as many as 8 hours. Volunteers make the Salvation Army world go round!!
Year Round Opportunities
Food Pantry Assistant: M-F, with the exception of Tuesday. From 9a-1p, social service clients visit the facility for food pantry services. The assistant monitors and logs what items are selected by the client and then helps to bag their groceries.
Food Pantry Restocking/Unloading Delivery Truck: Once every 2 weeks on Tuesday, the food pantry recieves its truck delivery. Pallets of food need to be brought into building, opened up and put into pantry or storage.
Senior Lunch Program Server & Greeter: (other positions available for Senior Lunch Program Dining room setup/Dishwasher.) 11a-2p M-F
Building Maintenance: M-F am & pm: Volunteers must be able to lift 20 pounds, be 16 or older, and undergo a background check.
General Clerical Support: M-F positions available (mornings, afternoons, and evenings.) Helping around the office with basic clerical duties including but not limited to applying postage to mailings; shredding of papers; filing; relief reception; possible phone answering.
For more information call 708.332.0100, or visit myvolunteerpage.com.
Share Your Vision for Blue Island - Public Visioning Workshop 10/19
The next public meeting for the Blue Island comprehensive plan will be a visioning workshop, and it is open to all stakeholders in the community.
Public Visioning Workshop
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (sign-in begins at 6:00 p.m.)
MetroSouth Medical Center, Conference Rooms B & C, 12935 Gregory Street, Blue Island, IL 60406
The public had 2opportunities in June, 2011 to contribute during the first phase of the comprehensive plan by attending one of two kick-off meetings to discuss issues that the plan should address.
How is this different from past public workshops?
Unlike the Blue Island Plan, the Comprehensive Plan will cover all of Blue Island (not just downtown & TOD areas) and address additional issues like public health, food access and heritage/culture/arts.
Why should I care about the Comprehensive Plan?
Potential for Increased State Funding: IL communities are not required to adopt comprehensive plans. However, if we do, the Local Planning Technical Assistance Act (20 ILCS 662) provides that we may obtain preference for state funding for state economic development, transportation, planning, and natural resource and agriculture programs.
Traditionally, a comprehensive plan is advisory, but the Local Planning Technical Assistance Act states that any municipality or county receiving state assistance to write or revise a comprehensive plan should ensure that land development regulations, including zoning map amendments and any other land use actions, be consistent with the new or revised comprehensive plan.
City of Blue Island Comprehensive Plan - Schedule & Process
Model Community Update - Non Motorized Transportation Plan
August & September Recap
On August 27, 2011, BICDD and Active Transportation Alliance (ATA) hosted a bike rodeo and workshop at the Blue Island Public Library. This event was held to collect community input on developing a non motorized transportation plan (also known as a bike or pedestrian plan) for the City.
September marks an exciting month for the project, as ATA will also lead a bike ride with the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan (NMTP) steering committee on the 9th. Later in the month, we will also host a steering committee working session.
Upcoming Visit from Mark Fenton
Fenton is a walking advocate for America Walks, a nonprofit organization that leads a national coalition of local advocacy groups dedicated to promoting walkable communities. The mission of America Walks is to foster the development of community-based, pedestrian advocacy groups, to educate the public about the benefits of walking, and, when appropriate, to act as a collective voice for walking advocates. They also provide a web-based, online support network for local pedestrian advocacy groups.
Bike Rodeo & Non-Motorized Plan Event
Join us to discuss walking, biking, and transit improvements in Blue Island.
When: Aug 27, 2011, 10:30a-12p
Where: Blue Island Public Library, 2433 York Street
- Bring the kids for a BIKE RODEO!
- A bicycle skills event. No bike…no problem - We have extras you can borrow!
- Snacks and light refreshments will be served.
Download the updated Non-Motorized Plan event flyer. [En español]
Take the Non-Motorized Plan Walking & Bike Survey.
Please note: Cal-Sag Cycles will reopen for the day from 10a-2p!!
Get Involved: Take our Walking & Biking Survey
Survey results will be used to develop Blue Island’s Active Transportation Plan (sometimes referred to as a pedestrian or bike plan).
The Active Transportation Alliance is working with the City of Blue Island to develop an active transportation plan. Made possible through funding from the Department of Health and Human Services:Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) grant. CPPW is a joint project between the Cook County Department of Public Health and the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago.
