Not everybody loves our Chosen Few Picnic: this week's Hyde Park Herald

[Discogoddess]

I figured that there would be some disgruntled neighbors, but dang: http://www.hpherald.com. Article on page 2; letters to the editor begin on page 4.

Of course, we know that those with negative feedback usually are the ones to speak out about anything while those with neutral or positive comments say nothing, but it's disheartening to read 1.) such an obviously skewed article (I find it hard to believe that the permit was only for 500 people) and 2.) letters from neigbors who sounded beyond inconvenienced. I definitely know that's not the intent of the organizers and most of the attendees (though I do have to wonder about the idiots who think it's okay to trespass on private property and those who think it's cool to pee on public or private property).

I hope a good solution can be found for next year, and am willing to do WHATEVER I can to make it so.

P.S. Alan, please check your PMs.

[liL Ray]

I figured that there would be some disgruntled neighbors, but dang: http://www.hpherald.com/index.html.

The "Webpage Cannot be found"

also, could you please include the address/email to the editor of the paper.

[darrow]

the period at the end of the URL is causing the problem.

http://www.hpherald.com/index.html

I think the article is http://www.hpherald.com/pg2.html

[Discogoddess]

Sorry about that...I included a period in the URL, which I shouldn't have.

Editor info: Gabriel Piemonte (according to the article on page 3, he's the new editor). Email: hpherald@aol.com; Phone: 773.643.8533 (general #).

[liL Ray]

Editor info: Gabriel Piemonte (according to the article on page 3, he's the new editor). Email: hpherald@aol.com; Phone: 773.643.8533 (general #).

I think letters to the editor is in order, especially from out of town peeps who attended.

[Javier Drada]

You see that is foul, why can't the heads be more responsible the picture of the aftermath alone is enough to cause concern.

[Discogoddess]

You see that is foul, why can't the heads be more responsible the picture of the aftermath alone is enough to cause concern.

Certainly there is room for improvement on the part of attendees, but I think that, for one, there needed to be a TON more garbage cans at the site so that folks could throw their trash away. We always bring our own garbage bags, but not everyone is a planning nerd like me.

[Jamie 3:26]

I boxed all of my trash up.Just liek last year,they don't provided enough garbage cans.

They are supposed to also pick up the cans and empty them...they being the park district.

[DJ Celeste Alexander]

At first, I felt that the new location would be too small and congested, but I was surprised. The picnic didnt seem any more crowded in this location than the location behind the museum. I do think the park district should have made sure there was at lease one trash pick up during the event and that would have cut down on the over flow. Their also could have been more port-a-potties. For the most part,people who set up campsites,with tents and bbq pits were very responsible in making sure they kept their areas clean. Im sure complains were to be expected with an event this large, in a residential area. The Hayes Drive location seemed to me to be the better choice for a location to move the CFP to. Maybe next year. All in all I think the event was a sucess, without any major dificulties to speak of and that says alot for the CF organization and the attendees.

[sammyrock]

I think letters to the editor is in order, especially from out of town peeps who attended.

I totally agree.

[Discogoddess]

I think letters to the editor is in order, especially from out of town peeps who attended.

Agreed. Also, I think that residents of the area DEFINITELY should weigh in with their positive comments. The paper gives a lot of weight to residents of the area.

[liL Ray]

Certainly there is room for improvement on the part of attendees, but I think that, for one, there needed to be a TON more garbage cans at the site so that folks could throw their trash away. We always bring our own garbage bags, but not everyone is a planning nerd like me.

just a few pointers and recommendations...only because I care to see this continue on and on...

Organizers also have to have a roving Garbage pickup crew...that crew watches the bags, changes the bags and put in new bags...they also "clean up" as best they can as the party is going on....never depend on the Parks dept. to clean up while the event is going on...use those large outdoor trash bags or those Contractor bags, because after you leave the animals come out and party and they can make your work look like you did nothing at all. Also, annoucements to "Please Clean up after yourselves if you want us here next year" goes a very long way, you would be very surprised.

This is what I did when I had my Jamboree...but understand, the Chosen few picnic is at least four time bigger....

I also make sure I hunt out the head of maintenance who is working that day for the Parks Dept (usually a person who never gets the word from the Parks Dept) and ask him to get me more Garbage cans than the Parks Dept allowed....a plate of food and something to drink usually gets you whatever you want.

good luck

[liL Ray]

I do think the park district should have made sure there was at lease one trash pick up during the event and that would have cut down on the over flow. .

this is very rarely going to happen...this is on the promoters of the event...see my answer above.

[BrazenMuse]

Agreed. Also, I think that residents of the area DEFINITELY should weigh in with their positive comments. The paper gives a lot of weight to residents of the area.

Must weigh in with positives!! Need some letters from vets of the event too!!!

[liL Ray]

Must weigh in with positives!! Need some letters from vets of the event too!!!

also, a letter of apology on behalf of the organizers, with a little history, will go a very long way in patching things up.

"Jesse Saunders said from his Nevada home" is not a good luck.

[AK]

Thanks DG and everyone. This so-called "coverage" comes as no surprise. Without going into too much detail, there are certainly things and approaches that can be improved upon and will be, but the reports are largely unfair and smack of ...oh, nevermind. What we won't do is have this wonderful event spoiled by a few old farts, nor be run out of OUR community. If we choose to move it will be because WE choose to, not because some people think they know where 'niggas' ought to be having their events. The police, park district and alderman are cool with us and are not sweatin' this coverage.

I am personally submitting a letter to the editor and I would appreciate anyone else doing so who may be so inclined. Here are the Herald's instructions for doing so:

E-mail: Letters@hpherald.com
Letters are due Friday by noon and must include a name, address and daytime telephone number or e-mail address.

Peace.

[Jay Rags]

damn....that's a lot of trash.

[DaveR]

"Nearly 8,000 people this year some coming from as far as Japan"

Trash, noise and the other comments are normal for a festival of this size - that's not a negative, that's a neutral at worst ... I think this article is Positive Press & Promotion that can't be bought at any price!

As someone looking in from afar, the fixes can be met relatively easily - don't be so sensitive everyone, not every person in a city thinks a massive event is 'cool' ... but in the end, and the long run, this article is gonna do more for the picnic than tons of positive/loving reviews ...

8,000 bodies doing anything together speaks to opportunity, and being able to write one's ticket to ride anywhere next year

* All IMHO of course

Much Respect!

DR

[AK]

"Nearly 8,000 people this year some coming from as far as Japan"

Trash, noise and the other comments are normal for a festival of this size - that's not a negative, that's a neutral at worst ... I think this article is Positive Press & Promotion that can't be bought at any price!

As someone looking in from afar, the fixes can be met relatively easily - don't be so sensitive everyone, not every person in a city thinks a massive event is 'cool' ... but in the end, and the long run, this article is gonna do more for the picnic than tons of positive/loving reviews ...

8,000 bodies doing anything together speaks to opportunity, and being able to write one's ticket to ride anywhere next year

* All IMHO of course

Much Respect!

DR

Agreed, Dave. By choice or not, this thing is now at a whole other level, and we will have to react accordingly. The opportunity is immense. Thanks.

[S&S]

thats alot of dam trash in that field

[Fletch]

"Nearly 8,000 people this year some coming from as far as Japan"

8,000 bodies doing anything together speaks to opportunity, and being able to write one's ticket to ride anywhere next year

This means that there is some type of contribution to the city's economy! No one's driving y'all anywhere!

Of course, improved cleanup procedures are in order for next year (I'm looking to come, too!).

[Fletch]

letters from neigbors who sounded beyond inconvenienced.

Want to know "inconvenienced"????? I'll give y'all some "inconvenienced"........

**** Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11216

[House]

Thanks DG and everyone. This so-called "coverage" comes as no surprise. Without going into too much detail, there are certainly things and approaches that can be improved upon and will be, but the reports are largely unfair and smack of ...oh, nevermind. What we won't do is have this wonderful event spoiled by a few old farts, nor be run out of OUR community. If we choose to move it will be because WE choose to, not because some people think they know where 'niggas' ought to be having their events. The police, park district and alderman are cool with us and are not sweatin' this coverage.

I am personally submitting a letter to the editor and I would appreciate anyone else doing so who may be so inclined. Here are the Herald's instructions for doing so:

E-mail: Letters@hpherald.com
Letters are due Friday by noon and must include a name, address and daytime telephone number or e-mail address.

Peace.

DAMN!!!!

I aint never seen AK this pissed (LOL). "Smacked of" was my thought on reading those letters

Keep up the great work

[DJ Ronnie]

Maybe we designate our own clean up crew

[Big Ken]

The good thing is that the paper reported that the Police Chief stated there were no major incidents reported. That says a lot for an event with 8,000 people in attendance.

I knew the people who lived in the apartments on 59th street were going to have some complaints. Like AK said, as long as the alderman, the city, and the university is cool with everything, thats all that matters.

As far as people pissing in the alley, (they could have been pissing on the building's lawn) and the garbage issue, thats small potatos. I know for a fact that the kats who set up the garbage cans made a speical effort to accommodate my camp by putting an extra can by us with a ton of trash bags. I changed the bags on the can by my camp at least 5 or 6 times, putting the full bags close to the curb for pick up.