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“In Our Nature” documents Southside Blooms’ work. (Courtesy of Synchronous Pictures) |
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For years, Southside Blooms has been beautifying blocks one flower at a time.
The new documentary “In Our Nature” digs into the nonprofit’s work on the South and West sides of Chicago. The film also highlights environmental educators working to plant the seeds of meaningful change.
Director and producer James Parker’s inspiration for the film came from the continuous turmoil he’s observed when the topic of environment pops up.
“My co-producer, Juliette, and I were noticing how partisan nature had become, and how it was a bit counterintuitive, because it’s this thing that we all share,” Parker said. “And then that, coupled with lots of issues around access to environmental education, both because of political stripes of parents for children, but of course, also issues around access to nature and to environmental education programs of where you live.”
Along the making of this film’s journey, Parker and his team discovered that those who teach environmental education could act as powerful agents to bridge divides.
“When he (James) approached us, we were interested because we felt like it was like a novel approach to the storytelling of environmental education,” said Quilen Blackwell, co-founder of Southside Blooms. “We thought that we would also do a good job of handling our story with care.”
More about Southside Blooms:
Southside Blooms has transformed a number of vacant lots on Chicago’s South and West sides into flower farms. The organization also uses flower farms to provide employment opportunities for youth in underserved communities.
Blackwell founded Southside Blooms with his wife, Hannah. In 2015 they set up Chicago Eco House, a rehabbed two-flat property in the heart of Englewood.
“In Our Nature” will make its Chicago debut July 17 at the Gene Siskel Film Center. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Southside Blooms. |
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This satellite picture by Planet Labs PBC shows Iran's underground nuclear enrichment site at Fordo on March 19, 2025. (Planet Labs PBC via AP) |
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The ceasefire between Iran and Israel came a day after Iran launched an attack on a U.S. air base in Qatar — a retaliation to the U.S. bombing Iran’s nuclear sites. University of Chicago political scientist Robert Pape fears the U.S. attacks on Iran could further escalate the violence in the Middle East.
“We’ve seen a high-risk mission with very little benefit,” Pape said. “The ceasefire is an effort to dig us out of this hole. Once you start bombing, this is going to provoke a hornet’s nest of conflict.”
On whether U.S. airstrikes destroyed Iran’s nuclear stockpile or ended the nation’s nuclear ambitions.
“There’s no evidence whatsoever we knocked out any nuclear material, any of the centrifuges,” Pape said. “We dug some holes, and that’s about it.”
On whether Iran will trust a negotiated ceasefire with Israel or the United States:
“It looks like Israel and the United States colluded and perhaps even colluded with Israel’s first strike on the Iranian nuclear program about two weeks ago,” Pape said. “The Israelis and Americans double-crossed the Iranians twice, lied directly to their face and have lost tremendous credibility.”
On an extremely violent era in domestic American politics:
“This is not normal,” Pape said. “You have to go back to the 1960s to remember the chaos of anything like this before. And we’re just getting started with the summer season. We’re just getting started with protests. We’re now really teetering on the brink of some quite serious violence.” |
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(WTTW News) |
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When Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling broke the news to the family of Officer Krystal Rivera that she had been fatally shot, he recalled her young daughter Isabella asking him one question: “Was my mom a good officer?”
“I remember saying to her, ‘Your mom was an exemplary police officer,’” he said. “She was magnificent.”
Hundreds of family, friends and fellow police gathered Wednesday afternoon at the Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park to mourn the fallen Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera. The 36-year-old mother and four-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, was unintentionally shot by her partner during a foot pursuit in Chatham on June 5.
“She was, she is and she always will be a hero to everyone here,” CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling said. “Her name will not be forgotten. She gave everything to help other people.”
Family and friends remembered Rivera as “joyful and fearless” with a contagious smile and laugh, her friend said. She was “bold” enough to wear a badge, but couldn’t make it through watching a horror movie. |
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Back in the Day: June 26, 2015: Chicago Celebrates Supreme Court’s Gay Marriage Ruling |
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On this day 10 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states cannot prevent same-sex couples from marrying. The 5-4 majority opinion of Obergefell v. Hodges, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, effectively legalized gay marriage nationwide based on the 14th Amendment's Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses. While same-sex marriage already was legal in Illinois before the high court's ruling, celebrations erupted across the state. Both Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Clerk David Orr attended a party at Sidetrack Bar in Boystown (now Northalsted). "The real value of the court decision, besides saying it's the law of the land, is now that you don't have to go shopping from state to state to figure out what your rights are," Orr said. “So goes Chicago, so goes Illinois, and now, so goes the country,” Emanuel also said to loud cheers. Cars honked and revelers gathered around North Halsted Street. “We’ve been fighting for this day for decades, and the Supreme Court has delivered us a great victory,” said Camilla Taylor, an attorney with Lambda Legal in Illinois, which was involved in the Supreme Court case and other same-sex marriage cases. “It’s complete affirmation of the equal personhood of lesbian and gay people.” |
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This Week’s Arts and Culture Events |
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Every Thursday, WTTW News arts correspondent Marc Vitali highlights the must-see cultural events happening in this city.
There are lots of celebrations on the horizon in Chicago — openings, closings, anniversaries, festivals — but’s it’s only a party if you show up. With a boatload of entertainment options out there, hop on board and grab a paddle.
“Destination Ghibli” - Music Box Theatre
The Music Box celebrates 40 years of Japan’s beloved animation studio, Studio Ghibli, which was co-founded by the visionary director Hayao Miyazaki. Here’s a chance to see 14 gorgeously animated films on the big screen, including “Spirited Away” and “Princess Mononoke.” (NOTE: Most of it is family-friendly, but “Princess Mononoke” is gory and frightening.) Presented in partnership with the Japanese Arts Foundation. Begins Friday, June 27.
“Angels in America” – Invictus Theatre Company @ Windy City Playhouse
Angels, ghosts and historical figures inhabit this haunting, metaphorical play that playwright Tony Kushner subtitled “A Gay Fantasia on National Themes.” Kushner’s two-part epic won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. Here, both plays (“Millennium Approaches” and “Perestroika”) are presented in repertory by a single cast, which means one poor actor has to portray Roy Cohn all summer long. Through September 7.
“Rhythm Fest” – Epiphany Center for the Arts
A one-day riot of rhythm from Third Coast Percussion, the Grammy Award-winning quartet of classically trained percussionists. Expect virtuosity, precision and a healthy dose of wit, because these fellows find rhythm and fun in everyday objects. A full day of performances from friends and collaborators – including Glenn Kotche of Wilco – takes place in the splendid spaces of the Epiphany Center for the Arts. Saturday, June 28.
“Dusk” – Links Hall
Last but not least, it’s the end of an era at the venerable Links Hall on Western Avenue. An all-day event celebrates nearly 50 years of dance and performance to honor the closing of the arts incubator. There will be a marathon set of performances by alumni and a sunset ceremony – followed by a dance party – as Links Hall sinks into a bittersweet sunset. Saturday, June 28.
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What’s your favorite public pool in Chicago? Tell us why. |
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. |
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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