Events

Sep
7
Mon
Henry George Day
Sep 7 @ 3:00 pm – 7:15 pm
One of the vignettes created by the late Evanston artist Bill Judson for an HGS booklet in the 1990s
One of the vignettes created by the late Evanston artist Bill Judson for an HGS booklet in the 1990s

We’ll gather in a rustic Evanston back yard [you get the exact address when you RSVP] to commemorate Henry George’s 174th birthday (actually he was born September 2, but that’s inconvenient for most working folks).  This year, we’re also celebrating a new team supporting School operations. In honor of which, and thanks to the generosity of HGS supporters past and present, everyone who’s completed any HGS course, ever, is welcome to attend without charge. Bring a significant other, or a friend who might find HGS or interest, also no charge.  And of course no charge for your minor dependents. We hope to see people who might have taken a course years ago and almost lost touch with us. Come by, meet the new team, and share your ideas.

There will be food, drink, a lot of conversation and maybe some productive argument about how to help our community understand how the economy works, the fundamental principles which can be harnessed to bring prosperity and freedom.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us know by Friday September 4 whether you’ll be coming.  It would be great, but not required, if you can bring something to share.  Monetary donations are also extremely welcome, and can be made here, or by check to the School, or at the event.

Oct
31
Sat
Invisible Robbery Tour @ Henry George School
Oct 31 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
image credit: Maggie Schreiter (cc) via flickr
Hallowe’en costumes optional. image credit: Maggie Schreiter (cc) via flickr

Right on the streets of every American community, robbery takes place every working day. You might not realize how much value the people of Chicago (and every other community) create, simply by going about our daily activities. What is this wealth, how do we create it, and where does it go?

Originally conceived as a field trip for Progress & Poverty students, this stroll — about 2 km and 90 minutes — presents some answers for those interested in finding out.  Additionally, we’ll take a look at recovered loot of a long-ago theft, learn how Thomas Jefferson proposed to finance Chicago’s public schools, and see an economic development incentive that costs less than nothing.  We might stop for snacks along the way (individual settlement).

Detailed sourced notes will be provided. This is now a free tour, no donation required, although we do appreciate (tax-deductible) contributions from those who can afford it and find the event worthwhile.

Jun
1
Wed
Political Economy Book Club: Resurrection @ Henry George School
Jun 1 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Tolstoï_-_Résurrection,_trad._anonymeResurrection (1899)
By Leo Tolstoy

This late 19th-century novel about nobleman Dmitri Ivanovich Nekhlyudov’s efforts at redemption after a life of sin is Tolstoy’s last major novel before his death in 1910. The readers will have a complex relationship with the tormented protagonist and his desperate attempts at redemption and forgiveness, since Nekhlyudov’s misguided decisions and youthful errors are often not so dissimilar from our own. Resurrection is a scathing exposition of the myriad prejudices of the man-made justice system and the hypocrisy of the establishment, while it also explores the economic philosophy of Georgism – of which Tolstoy had become a strong advocate toward the end of his life.  [from the Culture Trip]

Political Economy Book Club discussions are open to everyone interested, without charge, and the text (in English translation) is available free from various sources including archive.org, who also offer a free audiobook. There is also a more recent translation by Anthony Briggs, which can be purchased or licensed in various formats and is available in some public libraries.  Any questions about the PEBC may be directed to Convenor Bob Matter,

Sep
5
Mon
Henry George Day
Sep 5 @ 3:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Peace
Another of the vignettes created for the School in the 1990s by the late Evanston artist Bill Judson

We’ll gather in a rustic south Evanston back yard [you get the exact address when you RSVP] to commemorate Henry George’s 177th birthday (actually he was born September 2, but that’s inconvenient for most working folks).  This year, we’re also celebrating, we hope, the School’s new location (yet to be determined at this writing).

Thanks to the generosity of HGS supporters past and present, everyone who’s completed any HGS course, ever, is welcome to attend without charge. Bring a significant other, or a friend who might find HGS of interest, also no charge.  And of course no charge for your minor dependents. We hope to see people who might have taken a course years ago and almost lost touch with us. Come by, meet some of the new students and graduates, as well as the volunteer staff.

There will be food, drink, a lot of conversation and maybe some productive discussion about how to help our community understand how the economy works, the fundamental principles which can be harnessed to bring prosperity and freedom.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us know by Friday September 2 whether you’ll be coming.  It would be great, but not required, if you can bring something to share.  Monetary donations are also extremely welcome, and can be made here, or by check to the School, or at the event.

Jul
11
Tue
Alden Loury on the Costs of Segregation @ Overflow Coffee Bar
Jul 11 @ 6:15 pm – 8:15 pm

Metropolitan Planning Council’s Alden Loury will discuss his research into the costs that racial and ethnic segregation impose on all of us here, and might be persuaded to hint at the recommendations to come from phase 2 of the study.  We have a post with a bit more information.

Sep
4
Mon
Henry George Day
Sep 4 @ 3:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Thinking inside the box outside. Image credit: Frits Ahlefeldt (cc)

We’ll gather in a rundown south Evanston back yard [you get the exact address when you RSVP; be assured it is half a mile to publc transportation.] to commemorate Henry George’s 178th birthday (actually he was born September 2, but by tradition we use Labor Day).  This year, we’re also celebrating our transition to a virtual school using multiple locations, no longer paying monthly rent to a landlord.

Thanks to the generosity of HGS supporters past and present, everyone who’s completed any HGS course, ever, is welcome to attend without charge. Bring a significant other, or a friend who might find HGS of interest, also no charge.  And of course no charge for your minor dependents. We hope to see people who might have taken a course years ago and almost lost touch with us. Come by, meet some of the new students and graduates, as well as the volunteer staff.

There will be food, drink, a lot of conversation and maybe some productive discussion about how to help our community understand how the economy works, the fundamental principles which can be harnessed to bring prosperity and freedom.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us know by Friday September 1 whether you’ll be coming.  It would be great, but not required, if you can bring something to share.  Monetary donations are also extremely welcome, and can be made here, or by check to the School, or at the event.

Jun
25
Tue
Political Economy Book Club reads Jack London’s The Iron Heel @ Bridgeport Coffeehouse (Loop location)
Jun 25 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Bob Matter’s Political Economy Book Club is reading Jack London’s dystopian novel The Iron Heel On June 25 we’ll discuss chapters 1-13, and on July 23 chapters 14-25.  This 1908 text is available free from Project Gutenberg, in hardcopy from some public libraries, or as an audiobook.  You can buy used hardcopies for < $10 from several vendors.

We’ll meet at the East Loop location of Bridgeport Coffeehouse, 73 E Jackson Blvd.

Jul
23
Tue
Political Economy Book Club finishes Jack London’s “The Iron Heel” @ Bridgeport Coffee (Loop location)
Jul 23 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Bob Matter’s Political Economy Book Club concludes its discussion of Jack London’s dystopian novel The Iron Heel On July 23 we treat chapters 14-25.

We’ll meet at the east loop location of Bridgeport Coffee, 73 E Jackson.

Oct
12
Sat
Invisible Robbery Tour @ Van Buren/Wabash
Oct 12 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Building sold — land not included (Henry George School photo by Chuck Metalitz)

Right on the streets of every American community, robbery takes place every working day. You might not realize how much value the people of Chicago (and every other community) already create, simply by going about our daily activities.  You’ll learn how we could comfortably produce much more, if only a smart tax policy were put in place.

Originally conceived as a field trip for Progress and Poverty students, this stroll — about 2 km and 90 minutes — presents some answers for those interested in finding out.  Additionally, we’ll take a look at recovered loot of a long-ago theft, learn how Thomas Jefferson proposed to finance Chicago’s public schools, see some infrastructure that you probably didn’t know about, visit a shopping mall that you paid for but don’t own, and glimpse a billionaire’s downtown garden.

Detailed sourced notes will be provided. This is now a free tour, no donation required, although we do appreciate (tax-deductible) contributions from those who can afford it and find the event worthwhile.

Please sign up using the Eventbrite link.

Sep
22
Wed
Political Economy Book Club @ HGS at Signature Offices #2700
Sep 22 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

“In 1606, approximately 105 British colonists sailed to America, seeking gold and a trade route to the Pacific. Instead, they found disease, hunger, and hostile natives. Ill prepared for such hardship, the men responded with incompetence and infighting. Only the leadership of Captain John Smith averted doom….” (from the book jacket).