Finkl Steel to exit Lincoln Park for South Side after 105 years
BY JEFF BORGARDT
EDITOR
The move of Northside steel king A. Finkl & Sons is shaking up Lincoln Park.
The 350-employee company has been based on a 22-acre site at 2011 N. Southport Avenue for 105 years.
Now, however, the company says it has found a new home on the Southeast side of the city which offers more space for expansion.
43rd ward Chief of Staff Chuck Eastwood said the move is “off in the long-run” and he expects the company to continue to operate the Lincoln Park site well into the future.
Even once the company opens their new site at 1355 E. 93rd Street, it will likely take time to transfer all operations there.
“We have known this about a year or two ago. We are getting used to it, it’s like Children’s Memorial moving [out of Lincoln Park],” Eastwood said.
A big question is what would happen to the large site when Finkl operates solely out of their
new home.
Eastwood said changing the zoning is a non-starter as it would mean a loss of jobs.
“It’s a nice buffer between the residential areas and the industrial corners on the river and the expressway. It’s a part of the history of Chicago.”
The steel company was founded by German immigrant Anton Finkl in 1879 on the heels of the Chicago Fire. Finkl developed a new kind of chisel to clean bricks from burnt buildings at that time. The company moved into the Southport site in 1902.
The current site has a very deep foundation and decades of intensive industrial work at the site could make it difficult for another industrial-type use.
The company was acquired by a German manufacturer in 2006 and threatened to move to Canada or Ohio before announcing the new Southside site.
The new headquarters is double the size of the Lincoln Park site. The company expects to add about 150 new jobs after moving.
The Lincoln Park land is worth an estimated $30 million.
Busloads travel for Obama
110 Uptown volunteers canvass in Cincinnati
BY JEFF BORGARDT
EDITOR
If bumper stickers, fundraising tallies and poll results are good indicators, then North Side Chicagoans seem to have been largely supportive of hometown favorite Ill. Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign for the White House.
But some locals have gone beyond just the bumper sticker.
110 Obama supporters loaded up two busses, went to Cincinnati for a weekend and knocked on tens of thousands of doors for Obama last month.
46th ward political director Sean Tenner said previous efforts had been made to help the Obama campaign in the Uptown ward by bringing smaller groups of volunteers by car or van to primary states.
The past Ohio effort, however, was the first time that busloads of volunteers were recruited.
“We took people to Iowa, South Carolina and Wisconsin before,” Tenner said. “But what made this special was we had over 100 people from the 46th ward to help in the last primary.”
The volunteers loaded onto the buses at the ward headquarters at 4084 N. Broadway on the Friday before the March 4 elections for a six-hour drive.
Once they arrived at the election headquarters, the majority of volunteers were dispatched to canvassing duties though a few of them worked on phonebanks.
“The Mayor of Washington DC came our precinct headquarters and lots of other National political figures came by that weekend as well,” Tenner said. “There were camera crews and lots of excitement.”
The volunteers worked all weekend and then returned home. They stayed at the Super 8 for lodging and split the costs of gas and other expenses.
After returning home, the volunteers gathered again for a party to watch the election returns at Nick’s Uptown, 4015 N. Sheridan Road..
“I think it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to elect a president from your city. It’s been more than 50 years since the last time someone from Illinois was nominated for president, this was a chance for us to be part of history,” Tenner said.
Lincoln Park church hopes merger brings salvation
BY TRACY YOSHIDA GRUEN
SPECIAL TO INSIDE
New Life Lincoln Park Church, formerly known as Seminary Avenue Community Church, has been given a revitalized, fresh new start.
It is now one of the 10 New Life churches in Chicago that are filled with rich history, but were in need of revitalization.
New Life leadership is concerned that many Chicago churches are closing up or being torn down and converted into another type of use so they are dedicated to merging with these churches and helping them out.
Seminary Avenue Community Church has been located at the corner of Seminary and Lill Avenues for almost 125 years and the attendance was decreasing.
After New Life officially merged with Seminary in November, the building was remodeled and a core group of people were brought in as helpful resources.
“We were down to 20 or 30 and at this past Sunday we had about 100,” said Mark King, an enthusiastic pastor. “It gives us the ability to have a bigger impact,” shared King.
Mark Jobe, a pastor of a New Life Church, said that many of the older churches are “struggling economically and lacking young blood.”
“Unfortunately, it is the story of many urban churches,” he continued. “We’re going in there with a plan and our goal is to celebrate their history and past, but also look at how to meet the needs of the community,” said Jobe. “We’re excited to roll up our sleeves and jump in.”
Jobe said that they have added an additional service to the 9 a.m. service, which is at 7:30 p.m.
Jobe said this service has been popular with those who may not be early risers or perhaps a younger crowd.
He said the music is “rockier” and the atmosphere a bit more casual. About 60 people have been attending the additional evening service.
The church will continue to offer many of the same community-oriented activities and services, such as hosting CAPS, Wrightwood Neighbors, provide recreational facilities, voting and more. However, now, they will be able to also provide more spiritual and community activities and services.
A grand opening service was held on Palm Sunday, March 16.
Jobe originally came up with the idea to help revitalize older churches when he was working at a church on the southwest side of Chicago at age 21. This church only had about 18 members remaining.
Soon Jobe realized the importance of revitalizing older churches to help them continue to be vibrant parts of the community.
CITY BEAT: Cougar killed on Northside
A 150-pound Cougar on the loose was shot and killed by police in an alley in Roscoe Village Monday evening.
The cougar was shot leaping from a fence on the 3400 block of Hoyne Avenue at about 6 p.m.
Officials say the big cat will be checked for hints of ownership.
Police say the animal was “very excited and dangerous.”
“I can’t believe it. A cougar in the city. It’s crazy!” said Marina Finkels, 26. “I mean, first I’m afraid of crime in the city with my kids, now wild killing machines like Cougars are on the loose.”
The cougar killing follows reports of cougar sightings near the train-tracks in the North Shore suburbs, notably Wilmette.
Mayor Richard Daley spoke about the cougar slaying Tuesday afternoon and defended the killing saying the city would have been to blame had the deadly cat gone on to kill.
Wildlife experts say cougar attacks are rare, but they do occur.
Officials say the five-foot long cougar could have been an illegal pet who escaped or a wild animal living on suburban fringes who slowly made way into more urban areas.
Finkels said she was in the area the cougar was shot a couple days ago.
The cougar was spotted jumping over a six-foot fence, according to one report. It has also been said the cougar was killed in a maneuver that appeared to be a potential attack on the police.
Mike Rosenthal of Cook County Animal Control said he was surprised by the size of the animal.
“It doesn’t look like it’s a very thin cat. It looks like it’s got good flesh on it - it was eating well,” he said.
The cougar killing was reported widely across the country.
In Backpacker Magazine, the magazine that “brings the outdoors to your doorstep” outdoorsman Ted Alzarez writes “One thing’s for sure: Living in the mountains has done me no good so far. Next time I feel like searching for apez predators, I’m strapping on my boots, packing my tent, grabbing my camera and heading for a nice hidden spot near Wrigley Field.”
Officers recognized for busting criminals
BY MARIA BAPPERT
SPECIAL TO INSIDE
The 19th District Advisory Council held its ninth Police Recognition Ceremony on March 11 in conjunction with the Greater Rockwell Organizations Annual Pot Luck Dinner at Luther Memorial Church, 2500 W. Wilson Avenue. In addition to GRO members, representatives from the 19th District Advisory Council, police officers from the 19th District, some of them bringing their spouses and children, were also in attendance.
At 6:30 p.m., GRO President Les Kniskern welcomed the group which numbered approximately 100. He said that GRO was honored to be part of the recognition of deserving 19th District police officers. He introduced Rev. David Abrahamson, Chairman of the 19th District Advisory Council, who greeted everyone on behalf of the D.A.C. and thanked the Greater Rockwell Organization for hosting the event. Following “grace,” he invited everyone to help themselves to the buffet.
After dinner, Kniskern introduced Barbara Silverman who sang songs and accompanied herself on the guitar. There were sing-alongs, and Ms. Silverman awed everyone by concluding with a washboard number. This was followed by the police recognition ceremony led by Cmdr. George Rosebrock. He gave a description of the incidents and asked the officers involved to come up front. He shook hands with all the honorees and presented each one an engraved plaque. Representing the 19th D.A.C. was Chairman David Abrahamson. Frank Crescenzi took photos of all the recipients.
Recognized for exceptional service in the line of duty were:
Officers Daniel Vargas, Robert McCallister,James Sumita, Paul Galiardo, Thomas Beebe, Brian Towey and Shaun Fletcher who responded to a theft in progress which was broadcast over the radio concerning a male trying to steal a Bobcat mini-bulldozer from a construction site. Due to the officers’ great teamwork, they managed to subdue the offender.
Officers Jason Barney, Christopher Hoffman, Michael O’Neill and Michael Mass collaborated in catching an offender who had robbed a man at gunpoint. The panic-stricken man gave the offender his property and began to run away. He was observed by a passing police car. After talking to the victim, the officers sent a flash message, following which the offender was spotted and arrested, recovering the victim’s property as well as a replica Taurus/bb-gun.
Officers Michael Palikij, David Cintron, Clark Eichman and Prfirio Santiago were then called up and recognized for arresting two members of the Latin Kings street gang who had committed an armed robbery. The victim knew both of the offenders by name. One offender was arrested on the spot, and the second offender was apprehended the next day.
All of the awardees gathered for a group photo by Frank Crescenzi. Rev. Abrahamson thanked everyone for coming and stated that it was important to recognize the police officers who put their lives on the line for the community. They deserve our thanks and our prayers. He did have some sad news to report, namely that Cmdr. Rosebrock was retiring. He thanked Cmdr. Rosebrock for his outstanding work in the 19th District, and everyone joined in a standing ovation and round of applause for the outgoing Commander and for all of the honorees. The official part of the evening ended at 8:20 p.m., but many lingered on for
a chance to enjoy each other’s company.
Concert to honor Lane Tech’s 100th Birthday
Violinist Rachel Barton Pine will perform a spring concert at Lane Technical High School to benefit the Lane Tech Century Foundation and celebrate 100 years of music with alumni, students and friends.
The “Alumni and Friends Centennial Concert” starring Rachel Barton Pine will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 19 in the Lane Tech High School auditorium, 2500 W. Addison Street.
“A passionate and dedicated musician, violinist Rachel Barton Pine is an inspiration to audiences everywhere,” said John Schwan, chairman of the Lane Tech Century Foundation.
Pine will be accompanied by Lane Tech musical alumni from the past 60 years, include members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and professional musicians. In addition to the concert, the April 19 event will include a Silent Auction and Student Art Sale.
For more information, call Brad O’Brien, Lane Tech Symphony Director at 773-534-5400.
Concert tickets, which are $10, $15 and $25 for ground-floor seating in the 2,100-seat Lane Tech auditorium, can be purchased via mail using a credit card or a debit card, or by a check made out to: LTO Booster Club. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Executive Circle tickets are priced at $150, and include a catered Black Tie Reception with Rachel Barton Pine, celebrities, dignitaries, performing musicians and media one hour before the show as well as premium center-section seating for the concert.
The Lane Tech Century Foundation was established in March of 2004 by Lane Alumni to raise money to restore Lane’s existing 74-year-old building and grounds.
“The goal of the foundation is to raise $2 million for the school’s 2008 Centennial Celebration,” said Schwan. “With the celebration already underway, we invite the more than 80,000 Lane Alumni, their friends and family to participate in these historic events.”
The foundation’s accomplishments to date include new auditorium seating, Lane Stadium lighting, sponsorship of the 1909 ‘Lost Mural’ rededication, and establishing the 1st Annual Open House for graduates and friends of Lane Tech and their families in 2006.
The Century Foundation also supported the Fields of Dreams committee proposal that resulted in a $200,000 National Football League grant to install field turf in Lane Stadium.
According to Schwan, current and future projects of the Century Foundation include the following repair of the Memorial Garden walkways and pools, upgrading the athletic practice fields, redesign and converting the school lunchroom into a multi-purpose room, restoration and widening the library entrance to accommodate wheelchair students and installation of a new school and community sign.
Other events planned in conjunction with the Centennial Celebration include the Down Memory Lane Memorial Day Weekend on May 23 through May 26. The event is an Open House, Carnival and Music Fest and includes dedication and recognition of donors to the Memorial Garden Hall of Fame.
There will also be a parade to Wrigley Field on Friday, May 30. This includes induction of Hall of Fame nominees and tickets to the Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies baseball game with a 1:40 p.m. game time.
Watch 5,000 killed on TV, back to normal in half-hour
Dear Editor:
This letter is in regards to a story written by Rick Tiller in the most recent edition of Inside Lincoln Park entitled, History Museum debates youth violence. In this article, Mr. Tiller quoted psychiatrist Carl Bell who seemed to disbelieve the idea that viewing television violence influences childhood aggression.
Mr. Tiller stated that “Bell does not believe in reports that media violence promote aggression in children.”
Dr. Bell apparently stated that “Somebody watches 5,000 people get killed on TV and yes, their aggression goes up, but they’re back to normal after a half-hour.”
Perhaps Mr. Tiller misunderstood Dr. Bell, or Dr. Bell himself is misinformed, but I would like to provide information that refutes this notion.
A well known logitudinal study by Huesmann et. al., which was reported in the American Psychological Association’s journal Developmental Psychology in March of 2003 clearly demonstrates the relationship between TV violence viewing and aggression in childhood.
Exposure to media violence at a young age predicts young adult aggressive behavior for both male and female.
It also predicts later aggression in life. This relationship persists even when other influences are controlled, like socioeconomic status, intellectual ability and variety of parenting styles.
Additional studies which arrive at the same conclusion can be found by contacting the American Psychological Association.
On the web, WebMD and the Surgeon General both weigh in on this issue and conclude that media violence does indeed influence aggression.
I think that it is necessary for your readership to be properly informed about this most important issue. Parents need to monitor their children’s television viewing with this in mind.
Sincerely,
Frank Scommegna,
Clinical Psychologist
Southport Brown Line station reopens
Chicago Transit Authority officials and community members officially dedicated the renovated Southport Brown Line station at 3411 N. Southport Ave. last week.
The station had been closed for 12 months for renovation. Major improvements include longer platforms to accommodate eight-car trains, a rebuilt stationhouse and newly installed elevators that make the station accessible to customers with disabilities.
At the dedication ceremony, Mayor Richard Daley, CTA Chairman Carole Brown and CTA President Ron Huberman also previewed a new digital advertising communications initiative that will ultimately enable the CTA to provide next train arrival information and notify customers of service changes and is also expected to provide the CTA with more than $100 million in revenue.
“Every day, more than 1.6 million people from Chicago and across the region use public transportation to get to and from work each day and to live their lives. They need a system that provides on-time, safe and reliable service,” Daley said. “That’s why, as we look to the future, the CTA is maintaining its focus on improving the quality of service it provides to riders day by day.”
Southport is the ninth station reconstructed and modernized as part of the Brown Line Capacity Expansion project. Accessibility features include new elevators, wheelchair accessible turnstile, TTY telephones, Braille signs, gap fillers and tactile edging.
“This new station represents a great enhancement of our transportation system and moves us closer to our goal of bringing accessible, reliable service to riders of the Brown Line and to riders of the CTA system everywhere in Chicago,” Daley said.
Other improvements at Southport include a larger, newly rebuilt stationhouse, wider stairways, additional turnstiles, a new platform canopy, customer assistant call buttons, an information kiosk, heaters, benches, brighter lighting, windbreaks and improved station and directional signs.
“The Southport station first opened in May 1907, so 101 years later, a renovation was long overdue. We are proud to offer this newly renovated, accessible station to the Southport corridor,” said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Carole Brown. “Major infrastructure improvements such as the renovation of this station and the platforms are crucial to operating reliable service for customers that can meet the growing demand for public transit.”
To foster a sense of ownership and identity within each station and the surrounding community, the CTA has partnered with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs to install public art at all 18 stations included in the Brown Line Capacity Expansion project. For Southport, Chicago-based artist Elizabeth Fraiberg created two ceramic tile murals that are located inside the stationhouse and depict layered, abstract photographs of the surrounding neighborhood.
Work has been completed at nine Brown Line stations: Kimball, Kedzie, Rockwell, Francisco, Western, Sedgwick, Montrose, Addison and Southport. A temporary station has opened at Diversey and work continues at all other stations.
Huberman said additional amenities are planned for Southport and all other CTA rail stations as a result of a new digital advertising communications network that will be installed over the next year. Yesterday, the Chicago Transit Board authorized a 10-year contract with Titan Outdoor to allow them to sell digital advertising. Over the life of the contract, the CTA expects to earn nearly $101 million.
Under the agreement, Titan will install digital screens at every CTA rail station and ‘urban panels’ at the entrances to subway and elevated stations. In addition to being used for advertising, the CTA will be able to use the screens to provide next train arrival and customer information. The messages can be targeted to specific stations or communities and the CTA will be able to issue emergency override messages as needed. Digital ads will also be displayed on the curb side of 100 buses.
Titan will assume the cost of design and installation and will be responsible for the maintenance of the signs. At the end of the contract, CTA will assume ownership.
“The digital advertising agreement with Titan Outdoor is another example – such as the partnership with Google we announced earlier this week – of the kind of creative thinking and partnering with the private sector we must undertake to keep our transit system strong in to the future,” Daley said.
“This agreement is a win-win for the CTA,” said Huberman. “By introducing digital advertising, the CTA will earn a significant amount of revenue. And it will have the very valuable added benefit of providing a fast way to communicate information to our customers, especially during emergencies.”
Titan currently has a contract with the CTA to sell advertising on trains, buses and at CTA locations. The ads generally consist of signs, poster, banners and wraps. The new contract adds digital advertising to the mix.
“This agreement demonstrates the CTA is building a system that provides quality services to its customers, using the latest innovations and technology,” Daley said.
“At the end of the day, as the leaders of the CTA agree, what’s important is that we use every available tool to have a system of public transportation that works for our people,” the Mayor said.
Breast cancer legislation offered
New legislation that intends to reduce breast cancer disparity rates and outcomes for low income women, minority women and immigrants was introduced by a Northside state representative last month.
House Bill 5192 enacts recommendations of the Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force and steps recommended by the New England Journal of Medicine that would address and reduce these astounding disparity rates.
Based on a 2007 study of disparities in detection and treatment of breast cancer by the Sinai Urban Health Institute, the breast cancer mortality rate for black women in Chicago was 68% higher than that of white women in 2003.
This was an increase from a 49% disparity rate for the years 1999 through 2003. Recent research published in the New England Journal of Medicine show that this increase in disparity is a national trend.
Also, the American Cancer Society released a study earlier this month detailing that a disproportionate percentage of those without insurance or covered by Medicaid, which include large numbers of low income women, minority women and immigrants, tend to be diagnosed in the later stages of the disease increasing the chances of mortality.
State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) worked with colleagues from the Illinois House and Senate, advocates from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and medical professionals to craft the bill.
“The fact that in this day and age of advanced medicine we are seeing increasing severity of cancer and death among poorer women is unacceptable.” Harris said. “Enacting these recommendations made by the Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force will help eliminate this disparity by increasing accessibility to screening, decreasing financial barriers to screening, and incentivizing the use of best practices for Medicaid providers.”
House Bill 5192 intends to decrease these disparities by: substantially increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates for mammography and screenings to incentivize provider participation
The bill would also require insurers to cover pain medication for women undergoing breast cancer treatment and creating a system of bonus payments to Medicaid providers using best practice screening and treatments. Patient co-pays and deductibles for privately insured women would be eliminated to decrease financial barriers for screening and a patient reminder system for female Medicaid recipients to encourage regular screening would be created.
“By enacting House Bill 5192, Illinois would be a pioneer in fighting disparities in breast cancer mortality rates,” said Dr. David Ansell, Chief Medical Officer at Rush University Medical Center. “Although Illinois would be the first to take such comprehensive steps, in a few years our policies could set the standard for breast cancer treatment and care across the nation.”
POLICE BEAT
18/23
Man shot
A laborer, 30, was shot at 2:53 a.m. Sunday, April 6 at 4646 N Clarendon Avenue in Uptown. After the shots rang out, an officer saw the victim laying on the sidewalk and he said someone walked up to him and shot him several times with a chrome revolver. The victim was reported in good condition.
Student raped
A student, 22, reported a recent criminal sexual assault to police last week. The student said she went to visit her boyfriend in March and another man was there as well. She was intimate with the boyfriend in the bedroom as the friend watched TV in the other room.
Afterwards, the boyfriend went into the bathroom. At this time, the friend allegedly went into the bedroom, began touching the woman then forced her to have sex with him saying “I know you want it” as she cried “no, no.” The friend then left and the boyfriend returned from the bathroom and acted like nothing happened, according to an April 5 police report.
Laptops taken
Three women, 23, who share an apartment on the 400 block of W. Surf Street were burglarized April 7. Two laptops were taken.
Get him
A student, 15, walking on the 4600 block of N. Sheridan Road, walked past four offenders March 13 who spotted him. One said “get him” and the Uplift Community High School student ran but was grabbed and pushed to ground, kicked and punched.
Vehicle taken,
keys left inside
A vehicle with the keys left inside was stolen from a non-residential parking garage on the 1000 block of Wilson Avenue on April 12.
Robbers caught
A computer programmer, 22, was approached at 6:44 p.m. on the 800 block of W. Leland. He was asked the time and then shown a handgun. He forked over $40 to two offenders.
After providing a description of the robbers who were wearing clothing with noticeable features, such as fur around the collar of a coat, robbers aged 17 and 15 were apprehended nearby.
Mob marches
down street
A mob of 40 to 50 people armed with bats and sticks walked southbound on Sheridan Road March 28 to the 800 block of W. Wilson. Three shots were fired and the crowd dispersed.
Police believe the incident stemmed from a gang activity involving the CVL’s, Black P. Stone and 6D’s gangs. Two men, 17, were placed in custody for gang activity.
Robbery
A strong arm robbery occurred on the sidewalk on the 11oo block of W Lawrence Avenue. There were two offenders in the April 6 incident which occurred at 11 p.m.
Vice Lords, Vice Lords
On March 26, there was a gang disturbance on the 800 block of W. Sunnyside Avenue. An 18-year-old was taken into custody for standing on the corner yelling ‘Vicelords, Vicelords’ and blocking the walking path for an old lady and a woman with a baby stroller.
Attempted kidnapping
An attempted kidnapping was reported last month. A woman, 20, was walking in the vicinity of the Uptown Health Clinic with her five-year-old child when a motorist approached, rolled down his window and called her a vulgar name. She ignored this and continued walking, but the driver did the same thing again down the road, this time repeating the insult twice.
She then walked up to the Uptown Health Clinic and the driver followed her, parked in the lot and approached the woman. He tried to grab her by the coat and pull her to his car. He then grabbed the baby car seat and she nabbed it back and went into the health clinic.
The woman and clinic security then garnered the man’s license plate number and the man, 58, of the 5500 block of N. Broadway, was tracked down and arrested for attempted kidnapping.
Carpenter punched
A robbery occurred April 6 on the 1100 block of Lawrence. The victim, 30, a carpenter, was asked for a smoke and said he didn’t have any. He was then punched in the head and face, knocked to ground and his wallet was taken. He was treated and released at Weiss Hospital.
Women attacked
Two women were attacked by a dozen assailants at 2:30 a.m. April 5 on the 1000 block of N. Lake Shore Drive. The women were first approached by a gunman who said “give me your s--t.”
They ran away and were then tracked down by a gang of twelve men and women who knocked over the victims and continued to pound them. The women eventually escaped and then called police from the Drake Hotel.
Picture pasted
on fake ID
A man trying to make a fake credit card purchase April 5 was asked for his ID on the 300 block N. LaSalle. He handed over an ID to the cashier with his picture pasted onto it.
Van owner stops graffiti
The owner of a yellow van spotted two people marking up his vehicle at 3:30 a.m. April 5 on the 300 block of W. Armitage Avenue from his window. He then ran outside and chased them away.
19/20
Student’s wallet
taken at dollar store
A student, 22, of Palos Heights was shopping at a discount Dollar Tree store April 12 on the 5200 block of Broadway when someone reached into her purse and took her wallet.
Just shoot me
A man, 37, was taken into custody for battery April 13 in a building on the 4800 block of N. Magnolia Avenue.
Police went into an apartment and interviewed people who said three combatants from an earlier disturbance had already left.
The officers then heard a noise outside the rear door, saw someone run down steps and chased him. The officers then found the man hiding in the corner. When they approached he told them “just f--n shoot me” and shoved an officer. He was taken down to the ground and arrested at 5:52 a.m.
$5,500 rang up on credit card
A woman, 62, of the 1400 block of W. Berwyn Avenue had her credit card stolen and $5500 in charges rung up between March 31 and April 12.
Argument leads to knife cut
A cab driver, 44, got into an argument with a friend last week about a parking ticket. The friend pulled out a kitchen knife and the cabbie tried to take it away and got cut in the hand. The friend, of 5841 Winthrop Avenue, was arrested.
Drunk man
asks for ride
An intoxicated freelance sound and lighting technician, 32, asked a police officer for a ride home from the Berwyn el station and became irritated and course April 7 at 1:10 a.m. He reported he had been robbed of $20 later.
Students phone taken
A Senn H.S. student, 18, had her cell phone stolen from her bookpack April 8 on the 5900 block of Glenwood.
Valet beaten
A valet, 38, was attacked by two men on the 5000 block of N Winthrop April 9 at 10:30 p.m. One asked the valet for money and said all he had was a CTA card. Another man then came and held the valet while the second attacker hit him
and grabbed his wallet and cell phone.
NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES:
Lake View - Lincoln Square - Ravenswood - Uptown
Othello in the park
The Chase Park Theatre Group invites community members of all ages to their spring production of William Shakespeare’s “Othello” at Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland, for for twelve performances April, 18 19, 25 26, and May 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 at 7:30 p.m. and April, 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8, children, seniors actors, groups of 20 and students $5, and may be reserved by calling the box office at 312.742.4701 and purchased at Chase Park prior to the show.
Othello, a tragedy, is directed by Chase Park drama instructor, Karen Fort. The story revolves around four central characters: Othello, his wife Desdemona, his lieutenant Cassio, and his trusted advisor Iago. Because of its varied themes — racism, love, jealousy and betrayal — it remains relevant to the present day
Zombie pub crawl
pH Productions, a Chicago-based improv and comedy theater company, has unveiled plans to launch Chicago’s First Annual Zombie Pub Crawl.
Dress up like a zombie, makeup and all, for a Chicago event. Join one of Chicago’s hottest comedy groups as they gather an undead army to invade Andersonville. The Crawl begins at Simon’s Tavern, then staggers on to Charlie’s Ale House, and finally lurches into Mary’s Attic above Hamburger Mary’s for a private monster mash that is sure to wake the dead. Fantastic Zombie Drink Specials will be offered at each bar. Participants will receive T-shirts, Zombie Makeup, and a commemorative Magnet.
Saturday, April 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Early registration will be encouraged for a discount fee of only $10! On-site Registration will be $15. Drink Specials:: $2 pints of Dead Guy Ale at Simon’s Tavern, $3 pints of Smithwick’s until the keg taps at Charlie’s Ale House, and TBD at Mary’s Attic
Charity fundraiser
Join Nicklebee.org, a non-profit organization established to provide scholarships for schoolchildren, for the UJAM II charity fundraiser featuring live music, a spelling bee, make-it -yourself Chicago dogs and a karaoke sing-off with a live band performing the songs. The goal is to raise $4,000 for a scholarship for an inner city child so he/she can attend a good high school. Ticket price includes 2 free drinks, live music and in the spirit of spring and baseball season, prepare-it-yourself Chicago-style hot dogs. Guests can also enter into the Live Karaoke Sing Off or the Spelling Bee to compete to win a variety of prizes including a stay at the Chicago Marriott Magnificent Mile and a party at Gibsons Steakhouse. All guests will vote by ballot for the live karaoke sing off winner. Go to www.Nicklebee.org to purchase tickets and for more details. Globe Pub, 1934 W. Irving Park Road, 8 p.m. Friday April 25.
Sounds and Spaces
The Grammy-nominated Chicago Chamber Musicians (CCM), Chicago’s leading chamber ensemble, in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) inaugurate a new music and architecture series called Sounds and Spaces on Sunday, April 27. Sounds and Spaces presents performances of chamber masterpieces in architecturally significant locations in Chicago. Each concert event features a CAF docent-guided tour, a CCM concert, and a reception with the docents and artists. This ground-breaking event will take place at the home of John and Karen Baca, formerly the Claude Seymour House, 817 W. Hutchinson Street, with the guided tour at 4 p.m., the reception at 5 p.m. and the concert following at 5:30 p.m. of Haydn’s String Quartet No. 2 Op. 77 and Debussy’s String Quartet.G.
Chicago Opera Theater (COT), the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Millennium Park, and Millennium Park Inc. today announced a cultural milestone for the City of Chicago - the first outdoor, large screen, live simulcast presentation of an opera in the city’s history. On Friday, May 9 at 7:30pm, Millennium Park will offer a free and live broadcast of Chicago Opera Theater’s presentation of Mozart’s most beloved opera, Don Giovanni, direct from the Harris Theater to the stage of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. An audience of potentially 11,000 viewers will be able to see this contemporary rendition of Don Giovanni live under the stars from both the seats and the Great Lawn of Millennium Park.
Green school event
The Community for Alternative Sources of Energy is hosting Green Scene, their second annual indoor/outdoor eco-fest, from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 19. The festival’s emphasis is on local businesses and organizations enabling the community to apply environmentalism in their everyday lives and the aim is for each visitor to leave with at least one idea that he or she can immediately implement. In addition to food and goods from green vendors, each non-sales exhibitor is offering a hands on activity or interactive display that engages festival goers and provides a demonstrable way to incorporate environmentalism into their lives.
Get your green on at this second annual indoor/outdoor Earth Day fest.
Browse goods and snack on food from 35 eco-friendly vendors. Includes a free hemp jewelry making workshop, activities from Lill Street Art
Center, kids’ crafts using recycled materials, demos, giveaways and more. Sell used books, movies and music at Half Price Books and gently used brand name clothing and accessories for young adults at Plato’s Closet. Recycle your old computers, ink cartridges and cell phones.
War event
The Veterans Disability Advocacy Symposium 2008 “The Hidden Cost of War” featuring
Keynote Speaker IL Department of Veterans Affairs Director L. Tammy Duckworth will be held Monday, April 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at DePaul University, 1 East Jackson, Lower Level Concourse.
Comedian to perform one show only: Thursday, April 24
Performing comedy since college, Prescott Tolk recently made his national television debut on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend. A veteran of the New York Comedy scene, Prescott brought his clever brand of punch lines to the Chicago Comedy Festival and the Toyota Comedy Festival. He was also a semi-finalist in Comedy Central’s Laugh Riots Contest and the Grand Prize Winner of Stand-Up NY’s Hollywood Improv Contest.
Now he resides in Chicago and travels to A-list clubs and colleges across the country where he kills audiences with his Jersey boy attitude and chill stoner mien. Time
Out Chicago just declared him a “Don’t Miss.”
In addition to performing stand-up, Prescott formerly produced and edited a network of comedy web sites for The Humor Network. He was once a beat reporter, too, covering Jersey City politics for the Hudson Reporter.
Presently, he is putting the beginning touches on his first novel.
Crowned “Best Place to See Comedy in Chicago” by Chicago magazine, the Lakeshore Theater boasts a heady, year-round roster of performances by an eclectic mix of established stars, underground heroes and left-field geniuses. Friendly service and reasonable ticket prices help add up to a consistently amazing entertainment experience. Prescott Tolk will be at the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway in Chicago, on April 24 at 8 PM. Tickets are $10 and are available by calling (773) 472-3492 or by visiting www.lakeshoretheater.com.
Art show
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art announced this week that The Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art will again be part of ARTropolis, Chicago’s celebration of arts, antiques and culture. The event will take place Friday, April 25 through Monday, April 28 at the Merchandise Mart, 320 N Wells Street. The Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art is sponsored by and benefits Intuit: the Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, a nonprofit organization. The Intuit Show features the sale of self-taught art, outsider art, art brut, ethnographic art, non-traditional folk art and visionary art. A distinct element of ARTropolis, the Intuit Show brings together leading dealers and galleries from around the world.
As an added dimension for visitors, Intuit will host the opening reception of Chris Hipkiss: Drawings on Wednesday, April 23 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at their 756 N. Milwaukee Avenue location and a First Look VIP event April 24 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Intuit Show will be the first and only show open during the First Look with wine and hors d’oeuvres provided by The Artisan Cellar; tickets can be purchased online at www.art.org/intuitshow/#VIP. Included in the daily admission price, Intuit has scheduled several days of unique programming to accompany the show, such as our popular 101 sessions on outsider art for the uninitiated. Visit www.art.org/intuitshow for a full schedule of programming and to make reservations.
Play: The Ballad of Emmett Till
April 26 to June 1, Times Vary — Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.
The now-legendary story of Emmett Till is believed by many to be the start of the modern civil rights movement of the 1950s and remains one of the most pivotal incidents in a monumental era. This world premiere, part history and part ghost story, is a jazz integration of past and present, the living and dead, factual accounts and creative interpolation. Chicago author Ifa Bayeza captures the powerful truths at the heart of the story, creating a soaring work of music, brilliant poetry, and theatricality. See website for performance schedule. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling 312-443-3800.
Kids event
The Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce Spring event “Kids in the Square” will again highlight the common denominator that so many businesses share - products and services related to kids and families.
The event will take place Saturday, April 26th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at participating businesses. To participate a business must be willing to host some sort of incentive to get people in their door and should be related in some way to kids, babies or parents. For example, Timeless Toys will be hosting Teddy Bear picnics throughout the day; Salamander will be giving out treats. Other ideas include giving away helium balloons, doing story time, giving away juice and cookies and bubbles. the possibilities are endless, be creative!
Spoken word
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Join us for an exciting night of spoken word performance, community and shared strength Thursday, April 24, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Alhambra Palace, 1240 W. Randolph, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.
Business model seminar
The Seminar “Your Business Model: Is It the Right One for Your Company?” presented by the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 1 E. Jackson. on April 24. $45.
Gold Coast - Lincoln Park - Loop - Near North
Fundraiser for alderman
Join Alderman Brendan Reilly (42) and special host State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias
for the “Club 42 Kick-Off Event” Wednesday, April 23 from 5:30 pm - 7 p.m. at Rockit Bar & Grill, 22 W Hubbard St. $50.
Don’t become a victim of investment fraud
Fraudulent investment offers are pitched every day – by telephone, through e-mails, in newspapers, magazines and television ads. Do you know how to tell a legitimate sales pitch from a fake one? Learn what sales tactics swindlers use to convince you to give them your money. Learn what questions to ask and actions to take when you receive any kind of investment offer. This program will give you the tools you need to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraudulent activity. Presented by the National Futures Association Tuesday, April 22 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago Authors Room, 7th floor.
Improv
To celebrate the upcoming 11th annual Chicago Improv Festival, Chicago Improv Festival is having its first ever preview weekend at The Second City Skybox on April 25-26.
Chicago Improv Festival Productions’ Executive Director Jonathan Pitts says, “We have 10 great Chicago acts and ensembles performing in our preview. This is a great line-up, and in a smaller city they’d be thrilled with this as their complete festival roster, much less as a ‘preview’ line-up.”
Artistic Director Mark Sutton, who selected the Chicago ensembles for the roster of CIF 2008, said, “I wanted to call the CIF Preview weekend, ‘A Celebration of Chicago Comedy’ because that’s what it will be. We can show audiences 10 funny Chicago improv teams, as well as give those Chicago teams an extra chance to perform with CIF. It’s going to be a great weekend!”
Tickets will be $12 for each show (the midnight shows will be $10). Tickets can be bought through www.secondcity.com or call 312-337-3992. The Second City Skybox: 1608 N. Wells, 4th floor.
Symphony
Symphony Center presents Zakir Hussain and the Masters of Percussion on Saturday, April 19, at 8 p.m., in a program that features traditional North Indian classical repertoire combined with contemporary and folk music, as performed on solo tabla and in ensemble collaborations—accompanied by the dancing drummers of Manipur. For this concert, Hussain is joined by master musicians from around the globe, including percussionist Taufiq Qureshi, sitarist Niladri Kumar, doyra player Abbos Kosimov, nagada player Ram Kishan, sarangi player Dilshad Khan and folk drummer Vija Chauhan. Symphony Center Box Office at 220 S. Michigan Ave.
Book reading
As part of her 20-city tour, author Hillary Jordan will read from her debut novel, Mudbound, at the Arts Club of Chicago on Monday, April 21 at 11:30 am. 201 E. Ontario.
The debut novel told in the voices of six distinct characters: Laura, a city-bred woman whose marriage brings her to a remote ramshackle farm she finds foreign and frightening; Henry, her reticent, dutiful husband; Jamie, Henry’s brother, an aviator returning home from WWII who senses what Laura needs; Ronsel, an African American war hero returning to his family and a punitive Jim Crow South; Hap, Ronsel’s father and Henry’s sharecropper; and Florence, Hap’s prescient and wary wife. And then there’s Pap, who is determined to uphold the traditions of the segregated South, no matter the cost. A distinctly Southern tragedy on the grandest scale, Mudbound reveals what it was like for WWII soldiers-both black and white-to return to an unchanged South.
Pond event
Fair and Fowl of North Pond will be held April 20, 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Who lives on the pond? Take a walking tour of lovely North Pond to find out about ducks, herons and other water birds at one of the Midwest’s preeminent migratory hubs. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 North Cannon Drive.
Global forum to discuss urban life
Officials from Morocco, Lithuania, Alabama, Pakistan and Jordan to participate
This year, for the first time in human history, more than half ofthe people on earth will live in cities, according to “Unleashing the Potential of Urban Growth,” the 2007 report of the United Nations Population Fund.
Mayors from more than 50 cities spanning the globe will weigh the social and economic effects of this mass urbanization at the Fourth Annual Richard J. Daley Urban Forum at the University of Illinois at Chicago at 725 W. Roosevelt Road on April 29.
The forum will feature a special contingent of municipal leaders from aroundthe world including Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United States. Also participating are leading scholars and experts in the field of urbanization and population growth.
Mayor Richard M. Daley will serve as co-host with Eric Gislason,interim chancellor of UIC. “These mayors understand, as I do, that urban centers are where the greatest concentrations of people will be living during the twenty first century,” said Mayor Daley. “The 2008 forum offers an unprecedented opportunity to hear from mayors from around the world about the challenges large urban cities face and how mass urbanization impacts areas like education and health care.”
This year’s forum draws its substance in part from the UN Population Fund’sreport, which states that due to this urban influx, the world is hovering onthe threshold of an “urban millennium,” and it is in these city centers thatthe solutions to all the challenges that come with this new urbanizationwill be found.
The forum’s critical mass of global mayors, along with leading scholars and other experts, will offer unique perspectives on the different ways in which cities experience the shifting population trend, and the challenges as well as creative opportunities that will emerge.
The report argues, “the future of cities in developing countries, the futureof humanity itself, all depend very much on decisions made now inpreparation for this growth.” The author of the report, sociologist and demographer George Martine, will participate in the forum as a panelist.
Participating mayors include Mian Amer Mahmood of Lahore, Pakistan, Omar Maani of Amman, Jordan, Juozas Imbrasas of Vilnius, Lithuania, Mohamed Sajid of Casablanca, Morocco, Samuel L. Jones of Mobile, Alabama
In addition, the forum will draw on the knowledge of experts such as JohnFriedmann, professor emeritus of Urban Planning at UCLA; Bruce Katz, vice-president of the Brookings Institution and founder of its Metropolitan Policy Program; and Marshall Bouton, president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
“UIC is very pleased to bring together this first-ever Chicago gathering of international mayors, academics and experts to analyze today’s unique position of the world’s cities,” said Dr. Gislason. “I believe the topic of this year’s Forum will be of great interest to anyone involved in urban planning and development, industry, arts and culture, science and health care.”
Founded in 2005 as a joint initiative of the Daley Family and the University of Illinois at Chicago, the forum is an annual symposium designed to provide mayors, business leaders, policymakers, scholars, students and ommentators to discuss critical issues facing urban areas around the world.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Against all-night riverboat casino operations
Casinos have known problems associated with the use of their product. That is why the Illinois General Assembly originally limited casino gambling to riverboats--cruises could not exceed 4 hours, and gambling could not be conducted while the riverboats were docked.
Now the casinos want the Illinois Gaming Board to eliminate the last remaining safeguard and allow the casinos to stay open 24 hour a day, 7 days a week.
While bartenders cannot serve customers who are drunk, there are no laws to force casinos to stop gamblers from losing everything. While more than 5,700 gamblers are in the Self-Exclusion Program, many more addicted gamblers continue to gamble and will only go home when the casinos close. Last month, gamblers lost $148 million at Illinois casinos.
If the casinos never close, many addicted gamblers will continue to gamble well over 24 hours. Newspapers report of addicted gamblers who have gambled for 30, 48, 72, and 81 hours without stopping. One attorney, who recently filed a lawsuit, gambled for 4 or 5 days straight at casinos in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
Allowing 24-hour gambling will impact public safety.
Addicted gamblers seem more hurried and take more risks during their heavier gambling activity, and drive much like drunk drivers according to Dr. Valerie Lorenz. The combination of alcohol and gambling can lead to serious suicide attempts.
To voice your concerns, write the Illinois Gaming Board, 160 N. LaSalle, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60601.
Anita Bedell, Executive Director
Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems
Google offers new online map systems for CTA
Chicago Transit Authority riders can now plan trips using a new Google Transit website launched last week.
Through the new partnership with the search engine, mapping and directions for CTA bus and rail services are available in 11 languages on the Google Transit web site.
“The ease with which people can access information via Google demonstrates the true value of technology – it makes the world a global community,” Mayor Richard Daley said last week at a news conference held at CTA headquarters, 567 W. Lake St.
“Regardless of whether you want to travel three miles or 3,000 miles from home, the tools to plan the most convenient and easiest way to reach your destination is captured all in one space. The CTA is now a part of that global community and offers people the opportunity to choose a more environmentally friendly way to get where they want to go,” he said.
Daley was joined by CTA President Ron Huberman and Jim Lecinski, Google Managing Director for the central region, to introduce the new service which is available at www.maps.google.com/transit or through a link from the CTA’s website at www.transitchicago.com. This initiative expands on Google’s mapping features and driving instructions to provide useful information for transit riders. Chicago is now the largest U.S. city to offer this service to transit riders, joining Seattle, San Francisco and Portland, OR.
“Having CTA service information on the universally familiar Google - web site allows CTA to reach a broader audience and introduce them to the convenience of public transit at no cost to the agency,” said Huberman.
“With Google Transit, travelers can find both driving and public transit information in the same location without visiting multiple web sites. Even existing CTA customers will find the site useful as it complements the RTA trip planner on CTA’s home page by providing maps and stop location information,” he said.
“We are happy to welcome the second largest transit agency in the country to Google Transit. The CTA is one of the most recognizable transit systems in the country with the ‘L’ trains traveling throughout the Loop and across the city,” said Jim Lecinski, Google’s Managing Director of the Central Region, based in Chicago. “Google Maps seeks to provide users with tools to help them explore the world around them -- not just virtually, but by equipping them with information that will serve their daily lives, and providing public transit information is an important piece of that.”
To access travel information, customers enter an originating address and a destination address. Tabs will allow customers to obtain public transit directions, and provide the ability to customize the date and time of the transit trip.
When accessing the public transit data, step-by-step written directions will appear with fare information included. A map of the route represented by icons appears and clicking the icon will display an estimated schedule for the departure of the next train or bus. A link on the Google Transit page will take visitors to CTA’s web site at www.transitchicago.com/ to easily access additional CTA information.
The CTA provided Google with scheduling data and bus stop and rail station locations. CTA is not incurring any costs for the partnership with Google; the partnership provides Google users with more transportation options and integrates valuable local information into Google Maps, and creates opportunities for CTA to reach out to potential riders who may not have realized the availability, cost-effectiveness, and convenience of public transit.
In addition, the Google Transit site is accessible for visually impaired users.
“In February, after the transportation funding crisis had been averted, we held a news conference to talk about next steps the CTA would take to provide better quality services to riders of the system,” Daley said. “One of the things I said was that customers need a better way to get information about the entire system -- its schedules, its routes and its problems. I said the CTA needs to enhance its online information capability.
Parks upgrade computer networks
The Chicago Park District’s Board of Commissioners approved a statement of work for the Unisys Corporation, the Chicago Park District’s information technology contractor, to provide computer network expansion services to 110 park locations. The Board of Commissioners voted on the recommendation Wednesday, April 9.
The work will not exceed $1,540,916 and will generally include project management, site assessments, router and switch implementation, remote wiring, and computer and printer installation and configuration at each fieldhouse. The purchase of hardware with a three-year warranty is also included.
The proposed network infrastructure expansion is necessary to implement new program and business applications at the local park level, improve customer service, and achieve greater efficiency. The new network would allow the Park District to track and analyze youth participation in city-wide programs and share these findings with sister agencies such as the City of Chicago and Board of Education.
The new infrastructure will allow the Park District to comply with the connectivity requirements of a multi-agency grant from the Wallace Foundation. Additionally, the Park District will be able to access in-kind donations of Cityspan software, computers, and printers to support increased teen participation in high quality out-of-school activities in connection with the city-wide project.
Car sharing offered to DePaul students
Introducing a new strategy to combat congestion and ease parking shortages in one of the city’s busiest neighborhoods, a group of state and local officials joined with representatives of DePaul University and the “I-GO” company to unveil more car-sharing options for the school’s campus.
Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn, State Representative John Fritchey, Aldermen Vi Daley (43rd) and Scott Waguespack (32nd), along with DePaul University President the Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kim Schilf and I-GO’s CEO Sharon Feigon presided over the event at the DePaul location, 2350 N. Racine Ave., that is now home to three I-GO cars, including the hybrid Toyota Prius.
“I applaud this new partnership and DePaul’s ongoing commitment to ‘greening’ its campus. I-GO is a perfect way this and other Chicago institutions of higher education can promote conservation and bring sustainable transportation options to their student bodies,” said Quinn.
Milwaukee Avenue proposed as landmark district
Designation would encompass more than 150 buildings
The Commission on Chicago Landmarks made a recommendation last month to the City Council that landmark status be granted to the Milwaukee Avenue District, which began as an early trade post and later became a main commercial street on the Northwest Side.
“This vibrant commercial district documents the development of a neighborhood over a 50-year period,” Mayor Richard Daley said. “It represents the growth of the Wicker Park and Bucktown communities, and their relationship to the development of Chicago.”
The district, predominantly along the 1200-1600 blocks of North Milwaukee Avenue, retains a solid and exceptional core of historic neighborhood commercial buildings. The 158 buildings in the district feature a broad range of architectural styles from the late 19th through early 20th centuries – including Italianate, Queen Anne, Art Deco, Classical Revival and Chicago School of Commercial, Arts and Crafts.
Notable buildings include the 12-story art deco styled Northwest Tower office building at 1606-08 N. Milwaukee Ave.; Wieboldt’s Department Store at 1275-95 N. Milwaukee Ave.; North Avenue Bath building at 2037-41 W. North Ave., which is decorated in aquatic-themed terra cotta; and the Home/Bell Theater at 1539 N. Milwaukee Ave., a rare and early movie theater.
First established as a trail by Native Americans, Milwaukee Avenue would grow into a highly traveled thoroughfare connecting Chicago and settlements northwest of the city.
Covering the 1200 through 1600 blocks of North Milwaukee Ave.; the 1500 block of North Damen Ave.; and the 1900 and 2000 blocks of West North Ave., the development of this district took place in two phases. The first low-rise phase began after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 and continued up to the introduction of the elevated train service. The second phase began in 1895 and ended at the start of the Great Depression in 1929.
This second phase marked the inclusion of larger department stores, banks, manufacturing, office buildings and entertain venues.
The resulting mix of building types, styles and uses gives the district a visually distinct and especially urban character. It also enabled Milwaukee Avenue to function as a “city within the city,” a vibrant and self contained commercial district.
Teach for a day May 6
The Chicago Public Schools is recruiting 1,000 Chicago-area business and community members to participate in the second annual Teacher for a Day event, held in all Chicago public elementary and high schools throughout the city on Teacher Appreciation Day, May 6.
Teacher for a Day, a joint project of the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union, gives business and community members a better understanding of the work of CPS teachers by providing them a first-hand look into a classroom.
“Teachers have an undeniable and powerful impact on our students’ lives,” said Arne Duncan, CEO of Chicago Public Schools. “Teacher for a Day gives those who work outside the classroom a close-up look at the student-teacher relationship, and it also gives our teachers the visibility and recognition they deserve.”
Last year, when Teacher for a Day was a pilot program, 60 Chicago-area business and community members participated.
This year, CPS aims to expand by connecting three visiting teachers with each Chicago public school. The deadline for applying is April 18. Applications can be found online.
Unlike “Principal for a Day”—an annual CPS event that focuses on the entire school and encourages donor relationships between corporate visitors and host schools—Teacher for a Day is about exposing participants to the hard work that teachers do in their classrooms, and it also lays the foundation for a personal relationship between the guest teacher and the classroom visited.
“This is not for people who already are deeply involved in our schools, or for teachers and former teachers,” said Rufus Williams, President of the Chicago Board of Education. “We want to engage those who are unfamiliar with our schools, to show them the amazing things that our educators are doing every day.”
A participant should be an employee or member of an established organization or business, an individual with the capacity to continue contact with their assigned classroom and provide assistance to the classroom during the year, and able to provide at least two references with the application. All applications will be screened and may not be accepted.
During the visit, a guest teacher could co-teach a lesson prepared by the classroom teacher, observe a class, assist a class by working with groups of students on a specific project, host lunchroom duty, and/or eat lunch with the students.
The day starts when the school bell rings in the morning. Elementary school Teacher’s for a Day end their day with an informal lunch at the school that they visit. The lunch gives the guests, and their host teachers, an opportunity to talk about the day’s experience and how the experience influenced the visitors’ impression of what it means to be a CPS teacher.
High school Teacher’s for a Day, to the extent possible, will be matched, by career expertise, to classrooms with a corresponding focus. For instance, chemists likely will be connected with chemistry teachers, and bankers with math or economics teachers. High-schooler’s will end their day around noon with an informal lunch.
Guest teachers will receive packets, which include tips and suggested activities to help them prepare for their visits. Guests also are advised to send the school a brief bio about themselves and their professional experiences.
“I think this is pretty cool,” said accountant Megan Smorkley, 31, of Lakeview. “I might try it. I’d like to be a teacher for one day, but not any more than that.”
Teacher for a Day—proposed by Chicago Teachers Union president Marilyn Stewart—is not meant to be a one-time visit, but a way for guests to stay connected with their classroom or teacher. Participants can help their classroom teacher find a guest speaker, plan field trips to museums, zoos and other places, volunteer or connect the classroom with volunteers, make a monetary donation for a specific need of the classroom, or donate equipment or supplies or other specific in-kind needs.
Annual spring sale slated for antiques
Entering its 10th year, the Gurnee Antique Center offers a full range of antiques & fine collectibles from the 18th thru the mid 20th centuries. It is for the decorator and collector as well as the casual observer. Shoppers will find furniture, porcelain, pottery, silver, fine and other glassware, Americana and primitives, vintage jewelry and clothing, fine and folk art, sports and military memorabilia, World’s Fair as well as other souvenir and advertising items.
The Gurnee Antique Center is home to a collection of 200 dealers offering top quality merchandise to discriminating customers in a friendly and spacious 24,000 sq. ft. environment. Unlike many Antique malls, the Gurnee Antique Center strives to sell true antiques – no reproductions and no new items.
The Annual Spring Sale is coming up Friday April 25th thru Sunday April 27th. Take a drive out and see what we have to offer you. It is located at 5742 Northridge Dr. in Gurnee.
From I-94 exit at State Hwy 132 (Grand Ave.) East. At 1st light, take an immediate right turning into Northridge Plaza. Follow the road until it ends in our parking lot. The Gurnee Antique Center is a large red building. Hours are Monday thru Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday noon to 5 p.m. and Thursday open late until 8 p.m. 847-782-9094.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Writers seeks repeal of discharge rules for recreational watercraft
In a recent case meant to control the spread of invasive species from large commercial ships, a California court made a rash decision that could doom recreational boating. The court closed a loophole that has allowed commercial ships to discharge enormous amounts of ballast water into the Great Lakes and, thereby, introduce foreign aquatic species into our Sweetwater Seas. Environmental groups alike applauded this move. However, in clamping down on commercial shipping, the court misguidedly applied these same stringent regulations to recreational boats. This one court decision could wreck one of the Great Lakes region’s most vital economic sectors-and ruin one of our most important pastimes.
As it stands currently, a regulation put forth by the EPA in 1973 makes most recreational boaters exempt from the permitting portion of the Clean Water Act known as the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System. This regulation exempts runoff from properly functioning marine engines, laundry, shower, galley sink wastes and other discharges that occur in the normal operation of a vessel. The new ruling would change that and require the owners of almost every single boat, including vessels as small as jet skis, to apply for a permit through the EPA.
In attempting to address a highly important issue-the introduction of invasive species by commercial ships-the judge’s overly broad decision has virtually eliminated the protections that enabled everyday boaters to avoid burdensome compliance. Although the judge and the petitioners are rightly concerned with regulating the ballast water of large ships, it is illogical to treat a small recreational boater in the same manner as a massive commercial cargo ship that can carry up to 10 million gallons of ballast water and typically dumps it every few weeks.
Additionally, it is extremely difficult to imagine how the EPA would feasibly go about creating a permit system for the 13 million state-registered recreational boats and the more than 25 different types of vessel discharges that could be affected. Further, few, if any, of these boaters will be aware of the new permit requirements without a costly massive public awareness campaign. The result of these new changes will be nothing short of disastrous for the boating public and the EPA alike.
The 4.3 million boaters in the Great Lakes region spend nearly $16 billion annually on their hobby, and more than 107,000 people are employed in some aspect of the recreational boating industry. This court decision would drastically reduce the convenience and fun of boating. That would drive down participation. And that would weaken a powerful sector of a struggling economy.
The changes that will occur if the court decision is allowed to go into effect will burden boaters with complications and red tape. If Congress doesn’t reverse this ruling, nearly every person with a boat will be forced to comply with new burdensome and complex regulations starting this September. It is imperative that boaters make their voices heard and compel Congress to change this vastly overreaching decision before September 30, 2008.
F. Ned Dikmen, Chairman,
Great Lakes Boating Federation
Lincoln Square condo development opens
California Corners, a new residential property featuring 8 luxury condominiums, opens this week in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood. It is located at 4809 N. California at the intersection of Lawrence and California.
Rich Aronson and his team from Camelot Realty are exclusively marketing this new construction project.
“The details and craftsmanship in this property are amazing. Custom tile work and carpentry are found throughout every condominium, making each unit a truly luxurious home for buyers,” said Aronson. “These are beautiful condominiums and they are affordably priced. We expect them to sell well in this market.”
Residences are available in three different floor plans. The two bedroom/two bath unit is approximately 1,100 square feet and is priced from $369,900. The three bedroom/two bath units are approximately 1500 square feet and are priced from $459,900. The three bedroom/2 bath penthouse duplex is approximately 1800 square feet and is priced from $539,900. Garage parking is included with each unit.
All condominiums feature gourmet breakfast bar kitchens with cherry cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The master suites feature stone spa baths with steam showers and whirlpool tubs. All units have diagonal Brazilian cherry floors throughout, built-in gas fireplaces with mantles, in-unit washer and dryer, private balconies and/or decks and many other great amenities. The public rooftop deck has a spectacular skyline view and is accessed via the elevator.
Open houses are held Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3 pm. For further information, contact Rich Aronson of Camelot Realty at 773-294-8888.
Business discussion on opening new locations
Growth-oriented retailers, restaurateurs and other entrepreneurs with storefronts typically launch their ventures with a plan to open new locations.
How to replicate a business model at a new site and how to avoid the mistakes made the first time around are some things to consider.
At this panel discussion, businesspeople will learn directly from owners who have experience and expertise in these areas.
They will share the lessons they learned from opening a new location, including their mistakes and successes. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with the panelists and to ask specific questions related to your plans to expand your own business.
Th event takes place Tuesday, May 6 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the DePaul University Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield, Room 120SA. RSVP and pay by May 5, or pay at the door.
Sponsors are the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce and the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center at DePaul University.
Church fire under investigation
Authorities said last week the cause of a blaze at St. Hedwig Roman Catholic Parish in Bucktown may have been electrical in nature.
The fire erupted at 2:15 p.m. last Wednesday in the basement of the parish on the 2200 block of N. Hoyne Ave., and spread up the walls.
100 firefighters battled the blaze; there were no injuries. It took them 90 minutes to extinguish the flames.
A hole was burned in the floor near the altar. Building damage included massive smoke and fire damage.
As they moved toward the fire, a chief in the tunnel told his crew to say a prayer. The fire department chaplain was also at the scene, praying for the historic structure.
Having Trouble Hearing on the Phone?
Free amplified phones are available to the hard-of-hearing through the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corp. It’s easy to qualify.
The phones are available to legal resident of Illinois who have a doctor or audiologist certification of hearing problems. There are no age or income restrictions. Those applying for the service should have standard phone service in their residences.
More information and the chance to sample the phones are available at any of the following locations:
Chicago Hearing Society, 2001 N. Clybourn, 2nd Flr, 773-248-9121 Ext 303, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, City Hall Room 1104, 121 N. LaSalle St., 312-744-7050 or at 2102 W. Ogden Ave., 312-744-7050.
Chamber holds pub crawl
The Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce’s annual Derby Daze Pub Crawl takes place Saturday, May 3 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Register from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Ricochet’s, 4644 N. Lincoln Avenue. Pub crawlers will be split into four groups and gallop around Lincoln Square visiting the local pubs, enjoying drink specials and watching the Kentucky Derby.
At 6 p.m. all four groups will reunite for karaoke at Spyners Pub.
The event is $25 and includes a drink ticket for each bar.
Other participating bars include 42° N. Latitude, Bad Dog Tavern and Huettenbar.
Visit www.lincolnsquare.org or call Mindi at (773) 728-3890 for more information.
School hosts service day
Gordon Tech High School, 3600 N. California Avenue, will be hosting a Serve-A-Thon on Thursday, May 1.
The Serve-A-Thon is a day in which all faculty, staff and students go help the needy, whether it’s helping the elderly, or cleaning up a park. Students say the best part about the Serve-A-Thon is that it’s a non-profit organization and the students of Gordon Tech will volunteer with a smile to help the less fortunate or needy.
Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence
The Seventh Annual Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 25 at 700 S. Des Plaines, Chicago.
The evening will showcase the talents of emerging fashion design students studying at several Chicago area schools and colleges including Columbia College Chicago, Dominican University, the Illinois Institute of Art, International Academy of Design and Technology, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Steven Rosengard of “Project Runway” will serve as the celebrity judge for the event, joining guest judges Cheryl Dyer of Van Kleef & Arpels, Ann Wallace of Escada and Cathy Busch of Sotheby’s. WLS-TV news anchor Linda Yu will emcee the fashion show which will feature the designs of talented students honing their skills in Chicago.
Chicago business leader and philanthropist Richard H. Driehaus developed the fashion awards in 2001 in order to honor the city’s leading young designers. In addition to providing these students with recognition, he also hoped to provide assistance with tuition and materials costs through cash prizes awards at the program each spring.
The Seventh Annual Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence will benefit “The Bottomless Closet,” a Chicago not-for-profit which provides business wear and career skills training to women in transition.
New police commander fields questions
BY STACY JEZIOROWSKI
SPECIAL TO INSIDE
The 23rd district, which holds Wrigley Field and Boystown, has a new commander. Katheleen Boehemer has replaced Gary Yamashiroya, following Superintendent Weis’ mass overhaul of Chicago’s Police Department. Inside Publications sat down with Boehmer to find out what she has in store for the district.
Inside: Tell us a little bit about your background.
Boehemer: I’ve been on the police department for almost 29, about 28 and something years. A lot of my time, more than half of it has been spent up in Area 3, which is the area that includes the 23rd district, as a police officer, detective and then sergeant. I worked in legal affairs for a while and most recently I was the commander of the 20th district for about two years and eight months. And then I got transferred to 23. 20 is north of Lawrence, 23 is south of Lawrence.
I: What made you want to become a police officer?
B: It wasn’t something I thought about, you know my whole life I want to do this. My father was a police officer, so when the first test that was open generally to men and women for the same test came, someone gave me an application. I filled it out and when the job came up I thought I’d try it and I actually liked it. I love it.
I: What’s it like being a woman commander?
B: It’s probably that women have different perspectives sometimes, but basically I’ve kind of grown up in this police department. I’m not so much thinking about being a woman commander. It probably means more to maybe other women on the job and citizens than it does to me. I just consider myself the commander of this district. I want to put a positive model out for everybody, men, women, children, citizens.
I: How do you like your new job? Different then your last district, the same?
B: Some is the same. Obviously geographically it’s really close to the 20th district, so a lot of the issues are the same. The sharing of borders, some of that is the same. It’s a little bit busier here. There is a little more crime here, even though this is a low crime district. I came from the lowest crime district to the second lowest crime district, which is interesting. There are a lot more issues here, like there’s two communities like night clubs. There’s Clark Street. There’s Wrigley Field. There’s Halsted. So there are a lot more challenges in the community, a lot of diversity here, which I don’t like to think of as a challenge. I like to think of it as an opportunity to reach out to a wide variety of people and maybe get some better solutions to problems we might have in the community.
I: What’s your focus on fighting crime?
B: My focus, what I want to do, is to make everyone in this community feels safe. There are a lot of different issues that we’re looking at. Safety is the first thing. We want to attack gang problems and violence problems. We’re concerned with a lot going on in the community. So I guess my focus is to look at all of the issues we have and prioritize them. Obviously, safety is first. And then from there, work to make everyone feel safe, themselves as well as their property. Every police officer should be there for every member of the community. And every member of the community should feel safe and feel free to interact with the police.
I: What are you going to do to clean up crime spots in Uptown?
B: Obviously we are looking at some gang activity up there that still exists there. We’re going to put the force of the department behind it. Gang teams and tact teams are going to work there. We want to work as close as we can with the community groups up there. We want to apply the same strategies we are doing north of Lawrence. Gary Yamashiroya concentrated a lot of his effort in Uptown, we want to build on what Gary did. We’re not going to break down and start anew. What we want to do is build on that. There’s been some success, but always if you move a gang or a group of people, sometimes there’s someone who wants to take their place. We want to make it clear that we don’t want elements that won’t contribute positively to Uptown. We don’t want them there. We are going to continue to do those things. Obviously, be aggressive with people who want to bring illegal activity to uptown. We want to reach kids that might be involved in gangs or be drawn into drugs, those kinds of things. The kids in Uptown, on Halsted Street. There have been issues of kids coming here because of the gay community here. Obviously this is a strip with bars, that’s not something that they can do is drink. To find some answers, to make sure that those kids are also safe. And that the kids in Uptown are safe. Kids should be able to be kids and be outside. There should not be any time where kids do not feel safe. That’s our goal, to make this safe, to make it safer than it already is.
I: Do you find that there are a lot of hate crimes in the area?
B: I’m not seeing tons of crimes reported like that. I’m sure there are some hate crimes, but I want to make sure people report them if they happen. I’m sure there are some issues. We have LBGT (lesbian, bi-sexual, gay and transgender) officers here, if people feel uncomfortable to make a report, they will be about reporting that kind of crime, a hate crime. I think there might be some things unreported at times, but we are really lucky in this community. It’s a very diverse community. I think everyone’s been really tolerant about everyone. We’ve done a good job embracing all types of diversity. I think we are very lucky up here. But there is still work to be done, but probably less than needs to be done in other parts of the city.
I: Do you find a lot of crime coming out of the ballpark, with people that are rowdy?
B: Sometimes, but not more that would come with any other venue like that would be. I don’t think it’s sometimes the people in the ballpark, it’s the people who are celebrating maybe with alcohol or something. They might be a bit rowdy as they are coming out of their homes or the ballpark or the taverns. People tend to watch their sports and drink that can occasionally cause people to overreact.
I: What kind of relationship does this department have with the aldermen’s offices?
B: There are five different aldermen in this district. From the time I’ve been here so far we’ve been able to talk positively to all five aldermen. Three of them were aldermen that were in the 20th district. Shiller, Smith and Schulter? Additionally I have Alderman Tunney and Vi Daley on the south end of the district.
I: Do you think it’s important to have a strong working relationship with them?
B: Absolutely. A lot of the community goes to the aldermen when they have issues and problems. It’s important that they bring them to us and we are able to give them the answers and tell them what’s going on because the community goes to them with the problems. We certainly, a lot of times, they’re police actions that we have to deal with. So I think it’s important that we have communication.
I: Do you encourage the community to come directly to you?
B: I encourage the community to be vocal if they have a concern. In all honesty I want them to express it however they feel comfortable. I want them to feel comfortable to come to us, to come to the police department, but if they choose to come to the aldermen or to a community group or through a block club whatever, the important thing is that they tell us what they are saying and let us know what their concerns are. That’s what I think is the most important thing.
I: What are your hobbies and your interests?
B: There isn’t much time I’m not here. I’m sleeping. I enjoy my friends, play some volleyball. I’m an avid reader. And my family. I don’t have kids, but I have lots of nieces and nephews and I like to spend a lot of time with them because kids are fun
I: Are you a Cubs fan or a Sox fan?
B: I’m a Cubs fan, absolute diehard. My dad was a sox fan. My mom was a Cubs fan. My family is split, I have four brothers. I probably say 50/50, my one brother is ambivalent. Two diehard Cubs and two pretty much sox. My dad’s passed away, but my mom is crazy for the Cubs. She lives and dies for all the Chicago sports teams, especially the cubs. I’ve been hearing the cheering [from the office], that sounds good, that sounds bad.
Teacher travels to Russia on fellowship
Breanne Goldman has been fascinated with Russian culture and history since grade school. Such interest inspired her to minor in Russian Studies in college. Actually traveling to Russia has been one of her major life goals; she’s thrilled with her recent scholarship selection and looking forward with great anticipation to finally realizing her dream.
Awarded by the University of Chicago, Breanne of St. Gregory High School, 1677 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, will join a group of 12 to 15 other educators from across the country - mostly social studies, economics, language arts and Russian language teachers. They will study the ways in which Americans have learned about Russia through myths and media stereotypes including television, newspapers, the Internet, radio and various other information sources.
They will travel to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladimir and Murom which will also include a homestay component, an opportunity that will provide the greatest insight into the daily lives of ordinary Russian citizens - who they are, how they live and what they think rather than what the media has perpetuated or encouraged Americans to think. Highlighting their journey will be visits to many cultural and historical landmarks, including St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin, the Bolshoi Ballet, Lenin’s Tomb in Moscow as well as the Hermitage Museum and Peterhof in St. Petersburg.
Based on their experiences they will put together a comprehensive curriculum that includes lesson plans, the goal being to break down barriers to understanding each others’ cultures and to learn about the lasting effects that stereotypes and negative or false information can have between two cultures.
Abolishing intolerance and building bridges among cultures for the purpose of greater awareness and understanding are parts of St. Gregory’s everyday mission. Students at this Northside Catholic high school represent many nationalities and religions; learning to live together with appreciation, dignity and respect will have far-reaching effects for life in a global society.
SGHS celebrates Ms. Goldman’s opportunity and anticipates with excitement what she will bring to her classroom during her next year of teaching.
Threatened Blanding’s turtles at the Nature Museum
Giving a threatened turtle in Illinois a headstart is the goal of a new program at the Chicago Academy of Sciences’ Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The Nature Museum is teaming up with the DuPage Forest District and Willowbrook Wildlife Center to restore populations of the Blanding’s Turtle in the area.
The species will be housed in a three foot by ten foot, custom-built turtle tank in the recently renovated Mysteries of the Marsh exhibition. The new display will help educate the public about the plight of the Blanding’s Turtles and assist in its population restoration. “This is a groundbreaking effort,” said Celeste Troon, manager of the living vertebrate collections. “We are giving the visitors a close-up look at these turtles while making sure they don’t bond with humans during their first year of life, which would jeopardize their survival in the wild.”
The aquarium is fitted with one-way mirrored glass, which will allow visitors to peek inside the Blanding’s Turtles’ world. Nowhere else in Chicago are people able to get such an intimate view. The glass prevents the turtles from seeing their onlookers. Special doors allow reptile specialists to access the turtles to maintain them without being seen by the turtles. When they are two years old, the hatchlings are released back into their natural habitat, wetlands and marshes. Two adult and three hatchling Blanding’s Turtles will be in the tank initially.
Along with the Blanding’s Turtles, the exhibition is home to a softshell turtle, a musk turtle, frogs, snakes and toads. The endangered massasauga rattlesnake, has a new home too. “With this exhibition, we saw an opportunity to enrich the experience for visitors,” said Jill Riddell, vice president of exhibits and strategic initiatives. “Though nothing compares with a real wetland, in Mysteries of the Marsh people can see some of the actual animals, touch real moss, and smell the scents of the marsh.” Wetlands are a critical part of the ecosystem as they absorb pollutants and harbor wildlife.”
Other enhancements to the Mysteries of the Marsh help illuminate the majesty and diversity of Chicago region dragonflies. One focal point is stained glass artwork of dragonflies by Chicago artist Sharon Bladholm. Another is a backlit panel of photos taken by dragonfly expert Marla Garrison. Admission to the Museum, including special exhibitions, is: $9/adult, $6/child 3-12, $7/seniors and students. It’s free on Thursdays. Located at 2430 North Cannon Drive in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, the Museum is open weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.naturemuseum.org or call 773-755-5100.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Support for kids legislation
Dear Editor,
A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that one in 50 children younger than age 1 were victims of nonfatal child abuse or neglect in the United States over the one-year period from October 2005 to September 2006, as reported by CNN.com. Even more disturbing was the finding that one-third, or about 30,000 of these cases, involved infants who were a week old or younger.
These are startling statistics that further highlight the need for preventive services and programs for families at risk of abuse or neglect.
Healthy Families Illinois and Parents Too Soon are programs that coach new parents to help foster their children’s development and growth. These programs help prevent child abuse and neglect in highly at-risk families through community-based home-visiting programs. Unfortunately, these services do not reach all the families who want and need services.
That is why Kids Hope United, a human service organization dedicated to protecting children and strengthening families, encourages the passage of House Bill 5570/Senate Bill 2235, which would appropriate $10 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services to expand these crucial programs.
Support for this bill would help curb these alarming statistics and secure the futures of these young, vulnerable children.
Sincerely,
Mark McHugh
Executive Director
Kids Hope United
|
