Community Happenings
By The Editor
Who knew chess could be so fun? Ask Riverside resident and head of the Indy Inner City Chess club, Yuri Smith, and he will tell you that not only is it fun but a game of life. For the second year in a row, Yuri, with a few of his fellow teachers, graciously gave their time, passion, and expertise to be with our youth for eight weeks straight, teaching the mindset, basics, and strategies of this ancient game of chess.
After mirroring the success of last year's pilot program, this series did not just focus on chess. It focused on relationships. Many like Officer Riley, of IMPD, came out to interact with the youth; Ralph Adams and Mike Carter from the Wes Fest and Jazz City Internet Radio shared their love for jazz with everyone. The environment spoke of a long cultural tradition of family reconnecting on a Sunday. Theresa McMurren emboldened the sentiment by lovingly catering the event each week with a traditional Sunday dinner bringing participants back again and again craving more!
The fact that this now two-year-old event sponsored by the Near Northwest and its partners such as:
Nine13sports
Aspirehouse
Northwest CRDC
Mark Nordemeyer
Bloom Project
CLD
Wes Fest
IMPD
Special appearances by Head Coach Perry McMurren of the Indianapolis Enforcers allowed these youth to see what it looks like when we come together for a great cause.
With gratitude and thankfulness, we are blessed to have this experience. We cannot thank all the participants enough for their contributions. Chess in the actual Park may be over for the year but, we are still going to be playing every Sunday from 2 to 4 at Cleo's Bodega this winter. Do please, bring your kids and "CHECK" in with us!
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