Funny. Three springs ago, I stepped out of my door into the front yard in the very early morning to discover, only ten feet away, an adult American Bittern, neck elongated and beak pointed to the sky. What a sight! I had never seen one before.

We encourage you to join us this Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30pm, for Food Patriots, the final film in our 61st Street Farmers Market Movies series.

We are excited to welcome you back to a new season of the 61st Street Farmers Market! As you will see this Saturday (9am-2pm), the Market grows and changes each year, while most good things stay the same. You will find your favorite farmers and food artisans from the past, as well as some new ones—and, with them, new tastes, people, and pleasures to discover!

Residents in some embattled communities say they fear, distrust gangs, criminals and police

By Dawn Turner Trice and Lolly Bowean, Chicago Tribune reporters

Richard Porter, 17, said he's seen Chicago police officers stop and frisk so many people in his neighborhood that when a squad car rolls up, he and his friends automatically "assume the position."

Martrell Harris, 16, said his only encounter with the police included an officer questioning him on the street, blowing cigarette smoke in his face and then letting him go on his way.

The 61st Street Farmers Market's 6th season is nearly upon us! Only a couple of weeks to go before we can reconnect with our farmers, our food and our neighbors every Saturday from 9am-2pm on 61st Street between Dorchester and Blackstone Avenues!

As we get ready to connect with our food once again starting this May 11th at the 61st Street Farmers Market, we invite you to reflect on your food system by joining us in the kitchen of Experimental Station on Wednesday April 3 at 6:30pm for the first in a series of Market Movies! This next week's film will be the first in a 3-part documentary entitled "The Weight of the Nation." We thank Kaiser Permanente for providing us with this series.

Come get a checkup with Chekhov! The Hyde Park Community Players are proud to announce their production of The Good Doctor, an adaptation by Neil Simon of several Anton Chekhov short stories. Ranging from men seducing married women, to finding love in old age, to dealing with downright pushy people, all of the stories are light-hearted and funny, yet with hints of gravity—a combination for which Chekhov is well-known. Set in 19th century Russia, the play offers doses of human folly that people from anywhere and any time can take to feel better.

The Good Doctor will be playing at the Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone in Hyde Park from April 12th-14th. Show times are 8:00 pm on Friday, April 12th (with a food reception to follow), 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm on Saturday, April 13th and 3:00 pm on Sunday, April 14th.

Tickets are $10 in advance available online at www.hydeparkcommunityplayers.org or $12 at the door.

The USDA posted a blog article about the impact of wireless EBT technology at Chicago area farmers markets. From the article:

“Without grants and the help of Experimental Station, we wouldn’t have been able to accept SNAP,” says Dotson. “We’d have a lot of customers ask if we could take their benefits card, and we’d have to turn them down because our machines didn’t have that capability.” Dotson says she can definitely see a difference in her family’s sales since they’ve started accepting SNAP.

We invite you to join us at the Experimental Station next Wednesday, March 20, at 7pm for an evening with aviatrix Bessie Coleman! Well, actually, Bessie Coleman will not be there in person, but through the genetic legacy she left to her great-niece Gigi Coleman. In the role of her great-aunt, the living Ms. Coleman will share with us the story of the first female pilot of African-American descent, whose name graces our streets and public libraries, but whose life and accomplishments may not be known to you. Come and learn about this ground-breaking woman!

Please enter on Blackstone. The Experimental Station is accessible for persons with handicaps. Suggested donation $5 per person.

We hope to see you there!

If you're looking for a way to celebrate Valentine's Day, we invite you to join us at the Experimental Station this Thursday, February 14 at 8pm for Flowers For the Living, "a soulful night of live music and love" by Chicago duo H.N.I.C., comprised of songstress Charisma DeGrandeDiva and lyricist Harold Green. Flowers For the Living is an annual 'viral' project created by H.N.I.C. This year, the duo has decided to incorporate a live show as well.