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Dear Friends,
Welcome to late spring! The forsythias are blooming, chives are in abundance, and is there anything more cheerful than a clump of bright yellow daffodils? We hope you were able to shop the League fundraiser this last weekend at the Good Earth and are beginning to fill window sills, balconies, and backyards with flowers. Or perhaps you were more ambitious and already have carrots sprouting and a potato bed planted. Whatever your horticulture interests, we agree with Margaret Atwood that “In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”
On Thursday, April 7, the Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown-Jackson’s appointment to the Supreme Court, where both she and we note the progress her confirmation to the Supreme Court represents. Leading into the hearings, Justice Ketanji-Jackson enjoyed broad support with a Gallup poll showing that 58% of Americans supported her nomination. An impressive coalition, including the NAACP and at least 187 other organizations representing women, civil rights groups, attorneys, environmental organizations, and members of faith communities stood united behind her nomination. Heck, even three Republicans joined all Democrats to support her in a 53-47 final vote. In a press conference with President Biden, Justice Brown-Jackson said, “It has taken 232 years and 115 appointments for a Black woman to be selected to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. But we’ve made it. We’ve made it. All of us.” Please take a moment to rejoice in this historic, hopeful event.
A hat-tip to our Environmental Committee for being included on Wednesday Journal's list of Here’s who is leading green in Oak Park and River Forest. The committee is dedicated to discussing and raising awareness on environmental issues, including sustainable practices and programs across the three villages. Brava! Want to get involved? Contact Beverly Graham or Marsha Borders. Another hat-tip to the Voter Services Committee, which continues to register voters and has organized a Get Out the Vote Campaign by distributing flyers to businesses, restaurants, and public places in our communities. Can you visit a few blocks in our villages to see if they will put up a voter registration flyer? Democracy could use your help. See below to sign up.
The Civil War ended in the spring of 1865, when Robert E. Lee surrendered the last major Confederate army to Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House on April 9. Over 620,000 soldiers died in the four-year conflict. A year later, Illinoisan General John A. Logan selected May 30, 1868, as a day to pay tribute to the fallen. While it has come to signify the unofficial beginning of summer, Memorial Day is a somber holiday in which we recognize all the men and women who died while fighting in the US armed forces. River Forest will hold its 96th annual Memorial Day Parade on May 30 beginning at 9:30am starting from Augusta and Ashland Avenues.
Playing for Change was created to inspire and connect the world through music. The idea came from a belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. Utilizing mobile devices, it records musicians in separate locations around the world as they interpret the same song, then mixes it into a single tune. Memorial Day is a fitting occasion for this one: "Peace Train" featuring Yusuf / Cat Stevens | Playing for Change | Song around the World - Bing video
Peace,
Jane and Joan
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