Dozens of star struck elementary school students could not keep their eyes off Miss Illinois, who was donning a shiny silver crown and sparkling sash.

In July Rev. James Meeks first raised the issue of school funding, plans for a boycott of Chicago Schools and plans to register students at New Trier. Since that time, we here at NeighborhoodCircle.com have been linking to the latest local news on the issue. We have also polled our readers about the issue.

When French teen Hugo Martin set foot in America for the first time, he quickly realized that cobblestone streets might be the only similarities between Wilmette and Paris.

Cork and Canvas Proudly Welcomes
Joe Miretti & Bob Heelan
of Stefano Miretti Imports.

GardenABCs.com, a new, locally produced website, is helping educators, parents and local advocates start and maintain school and community gardens.

The Broadway Dreams Foundation is coming to Chicago July 30th - August 3rd to give a 4-day musical theatre intensive camp at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest. A concert will be given on Sunday evening August 3rd. This camp is designed for both children and adults who love musical theatre. Active Broadway actors teach and perform with the students. This year's teachers are the wonderful Hollis Resnik, Jarrod Emick, Jeremy Schonfeld and David Petro.