Suit seeks to halt construction of Lincoln Park soccer field
By Peter von Buol
Special to Inside
A Lincoln Park community group on April 16 filed a lawsuit in the Chancery Court Division of Cook County asking for an injunction to halt ongoing construction of a new artificial-turf soccer field being built in Lincoln Park. They want a return of the park to its “original condition” as a park meadow. In addition, the group is seeking monetary and punitive damages and wants the court to void the contract between the Chicago Park District and the private Latin School of Chicago that enabled the field’s construction.
“We are asking [the court] to shut down a soccer stadium being built by and for the exclusive [use] of the Latin School of Chicago over one of Lincoln Park’s most popular open spaces,” said the park’s advocacy group, the Committee to Keep Lincoln Park Public, in a written statement released on April 16.
In their 31-page complaint, the suit named as defendants the Latin School, the seven commissioners of the Chicago Park District and Mara Georges, who serves as the corporation counsel of the City of Chicago. Also named in the suit are the city’s department of planning and development, the Chicago Plan Commission and the Department of Buildings, all of whom were cited for “their respective breaches of fiduciary duty”.
Interestingly, the community group is asking for the court to “give the committee a special right to sue the park district under the Lakefront Protection Ordinance”, a right normally reserved for the City of Chicago.
“The [city’s] Lakefront Protection Ordinance, which was designed to preserve precious lakefront land from this kind of construction, was illegally circumvented in this case. Under the ordinance, any proposed structures in the protected [Lakefront] area, which includes the meadow [the site of the soccer field under construction], are subject to public hearings to determine whether such projects should get a green-light [to move forward] but no such hearings were held for the soccer field,” said the community group in its written statement.
In their suit, the group also claims necessary construction permits were not acquired.
“[There has been no] enforcement by the city due to conflicts of interest. The City has refused to act in this capacity because the many conflicts of interest involved. Among these, the Park District Chairman, Gery Chico is one of Mayor Richard M. Daley’s staunchest supporters, and Laird Koldyke, a prominent Latin School parent, also sits on the city’s park district board who heads the committee that approved the deal.”
Last month, in a letter to Inside, Timothy Mitchell, the park district’s general superintendent, said the allegations being made by the community group were incorrect.
According to Mitchell, the community group has been wrong to characterize the agreement between the park district and the Latin School as a lease.
“The Chicago Park District’s agreement is not a ‘lease’ but a permit which, among other things, means Latin has no assignable rights to the field and does not retain any exclusivity during the term of the agreement, excepting the specific permitted times. This permit holds with it the identical right and privileges that 300 public and private schools currently have over Chicago Park District property during their specified and permitted times of use,” wrote Mitchell.
In their written statement, the Committee to Keep Lincoln Park Public on Wednesday said the agreement between the park district and the private school “grants Latin exclusive prime-time of the stadiums youth hours for the next 10 years in exchange for underwriting a portion of the initial construction costs.”
In his March letter to Inside, Mitchell defended the deal with the private school and said it was a win-win situation for both the park district and the school. With the school underwriting part of the field’s construction, Mitchell said, the park district has been able to divert funds to other parks.
“With construction costs at $2 million dollars, and [their] usage of less than 20% of the available time, Latin School will be paying the Chicago Park District over $222 per hour for the use of the field. That makes this location the priciest within the Chicago Park District system, and far from the sweetheart deal our critics have claimed. Partnerships such as these are vital. In recent years, the park district has faced the challenge of building new [facilities] and renovating dated [ones] with limited resources. Despite these obstacles, we remain firm in our commitment to enhance our parks and meet the recreational needs of Chicago residents. In today’s financial climate, budget deficits can be managed in one of three ways: by raising taxes, cutting programs, or being creative.”
In their written statement, the Committee to Keep Lincoln Park Public said the private-school will be also be able to generate and retain additional revenue through the placement of “lucrative advertising” within the stadium and concession sales.
In their statement the community group acknowledges their fight is an uphill battle as the field may be completed in late Spring but added “in February, a nearly identical situation in New York City was halted even though construction was already in progress.”
Taxi surcharge pulls at the pocketbook
By Carrie Jackson
Special to Inside
Starting April 28, taxi rides in the Chicago area will increase by as much as $1, thanks to a new fuel surcharge that was approved last week by City Council.
Instead of a permanent fare increase, or a temporary surcharge that would only last two months under current laws, the fuel surcharge will vary according to current gas prices.
The city uses FuelGageReport.com, AAA’s official gas price listing, as a barometer for average Chicago prices. If it stays between $2.70 and $3.20 for seven consecutive days, then the fare will increase by $.50. If it is above $3.20 for that same time period, the fare increase will be $1. On Thursday, the average price for the Chicago area was $3.62, and a year ago it was $3.01.
Since it is a flat increase, and not based on mileage, customers who are traveling short distances will be affected the most, proportionately. A $5 ride to the restaurant becomes $6, while a $20 ride to the suburbs only increases to $21.
The council backed the surcharge unanimously, and it is supported by Mayor Rickard Daley.
The new ordinance adds more confusion to an already complicated system of calculating fares. Currently in Chicago, it is $2.25 for the initial entry and first 1/9 of a mile. Each additional fraction of a mile charge is $.20. Each 36 seconds of time elapsed, known as “wait time,” is $.20.
This charge is in place to ensure the driver still makes money if the cab is stuck in bad traffic. There is a flat fee of $1 for the first additional passenger and another $.50 for each additional passenger after that unless the passenger is under 12 or over 65 years of age. While most companies offer flat rates to the airports and other destinations, all six thousand licensed cabs in Chicago use this system.
The city will post brightly colored signs in the back of the cabs to make passengers aware of the increase.
While most of the cabbies waiting on Sheridan Road in Edgewater last week were aware of the surcharge, they didn’t necessarily support it.
Long-time cab driver Daniel Aulufata said he didn’t have a problem with the original fees. “Sure, I would like to get more money, but this is not the right time,” he said, noting that half of his fare currently goes to cover gas. “The economy is down, and people are getting less money. They don’t have more to give us.”
Like many other cab drivers, he worries that fewer people will take cabs to go short distances. “Getting a lower fare is better for me than none at all,” mused Aulufata.”
Tree-killing beetle declared extinct
By Jeff Borgardt
Editor
It seemed like a classic rock song from the Beetles should have been playing in the background as government environmental scientists gathered in Ravenswood last week to celebrate the proclamation that the invasive Longhorn Beetle has been officially eradicated.
The odd-looking Longhorn began terrorizing trees ten years ago and felled more than 1,700 of them. Quarantine areas were established throughout the Chicagoland area but Oz Park in Lincoln Park was one of the worst hit areas along with Ravenswood and Loyola.
“This invasive species spread like a slow moving forest fire leaving devastation in its wake,” said U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary of Natural Resources and the Environment Mark Rey.
He was joined by about 50 adults and a classroom of children at the Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School, 4300 N. Winchester Avenue, on Thursday April 17..
The event was hosted by 47th ward alderman Gene Schulter.
At it, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Program Bruce Knight took the podium and said “I am now at this moment officially declaring the Asian Longhorn Beetle eradicated in the state of Illinois!” This statement was followed by cheers and applause.
“When I think about what happened with this beetle, it’s hard to believe that I am at this eradication ceremony today,” said Malcolm Whiteside, Deputy Commissioner of the Chicago Bureau of Forestry.
“There were 1,463 trees removed in the city. Entire blocks were devastated, 2,600 new trees were planted and 300,000 trees were treated to prevent the spread of this species.”
A proclamation from the governor declaring the beetle eradicated was read at the ceremony and many people were recognized for their efforts fighting the beetle. Some were given boxes with chemically-treated beetles as prizes.
The last living Asian Longhorn Beetle was spotted in Illinois five years ago in Oz Park. Since then, previously affected areas were regularly tested and no Longhorn’s were found.
$1,500 reward offered for DePaul fire tips
Six arsons on campus
After six small fires were set on DePaul University’s Lincoln Park campus since last November, security officials offered up a $1,500 reward last week for information leading to the arson offenders.
The fires were started in dorms. Posters on walls were lit in four cases and dorm garbage cans in two others.
The latest fire occurred April 6 at the Belden-Racine residence hall, according to the student newspaper The DePaulia.
More cameras have been installed on campus to apprehend the arsonists.
Four of the six small blazes occurred in the Seton residence hall. There were no injuries reported.
Alderman Daley seeks consultant for Children’s Hospital site
Urban planners sought
Alderman Vi Daley (43rd) has secured funding for a private urban planning firm to assist in the planning and redevelopment process for the Children’s Memorial site in Lincoln Park.
Firms being considered specialize in zoning and land use analysis, community redevelopment, urban design, landscape and site concept plans, historic building and restoration studies and environmental and ecological design.
“I want to hire a firm that will look at this site objectively,” said Daley. “The planners that will be brought-on to assist me with this will also be charged with creating a process that involves the community in an open, un-biased and inclusive manner.”
The Children’s Memorial site is bounded roughly by Orchard Street on the east, Altgeld on the north, Halsted on the west and Belden on the south.
It is not known at this time what properties will be sold and which will be retained.
Five separate neighborhood associations are immediately adjacent to the site and all neighborhoods in the area will be affected by the redevelopment.
Daley pointed out that, “This is the first step in a very long process. My intent is to recommend several planning firms that have no association with Children’s. The final decision will be made by the City after reviewing contract bids.”
A decision is expected early this summer. Community outreach could begin as early as this fall.
Forum to examine dual-language education
The benefits and challenges of providing dual-language programs in schools will be explored at a forum from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 28, at DePaul University’s Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave.
Titled “Education, Language and Immigration: Demographic Realities and Educational Implications,” it is the second in a series of public policy forums on topics especially relevant to Chicago’s Latino and Mexican community and those who work in it. The forum is free and open to the public.
The forum will feature Sonia Soltero, associate professor in bilingual/bicultural education at DePaul; Christine Tardy, assistant professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse at DePaul; and William Olsen, principal of Noble Street Charter High School, 1010 N. Noble Street. The forum is sponsored by DePaul’s Office of Faculty Development and Research.
“Dual-language programs provide students with invaluable skills and better prepare them for success in a global society,” said Rafaela Weffer, associate vice president for faculty development and research at DePaul University.
In dual-language programs, students are exposed to two languages at the same time throughout the school day, rather than just a few times a week.
Soltero will discuss the complex challenges that educators face in addressing the needs of an increasingly linguistic and culturally diverse pre-kindergarten through grade 12 student population in the United States, specifically in Illinois and the Chicago metropolitan area.
Her presentation also will include information on the current demographic landscape to provide the context for further discussion on the implications and recommendations of federal, state and local policies, as well as proven effective practices that facilitate the highest academic attainment for language minority students.
Tardy will describe the characteristics of adult English-as-a-Second-Language learners and discuss some of the challenges that multilingual speakers face in higher education, as well as various policies and institutional structures that can maximize the benefits that multilingual students bring to learning institutions.
Olsen, formerly a teacher and assistant principal at Nuestra America Charter High School in Chicago, will discuss overcoming the obstacles of implementing dual-language programs in schools. Olsen was a teacher, advisor and English department chair at Noble Street Charter High School for four years before becoming principal. Each year, Noble Street students have the highest state test scores of any non-selective school in the city. Noble also sends 80 percent to 90 percent of its students to college.
The forum will conclude with a public discussion on the issue. For more information, contact Lorraine Mora-Chavez at (312) 362-6672.
Tennis charity clinic April 26 at Mid Town
Midtown Tennis Club will host the “Swing for the Cure” Charity Tennis Clinic on April 26 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The club is located at 2020 West Fullerton Avenue and the event is open to the public.
Participants will be divided into squads of eight according to skill level and rotated through a series of drills for two hours led by 50 Chicago tennis professionals. Tennis will be followed by dinner, a raffle and a silent auction.
All proceeds benefit the Carol Gollob Foundation dedicated to promoting awareness of breast cancer and funding research for its detection, prevention and cure.
To register for the event visit cgfoundation.org. For more information visit midtownclubs.com/illinois/chicago.
INSIDE - LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Doc stands by violence remark
Dear Editor:
I read with interest the comments by Frank Scommegna a clinical psychologist who suggested I might be misinformed (Letter to the Editor in Inside Volume 41, Number 14, April 16-22, “Watch 5,000 Killed on TV, Back to Normal in Half-Hour”). He cited a longitudinal study by Huesmann et al in the 2003 Developmental Psychology journal that demonstrated the relationship between TV violence viewing and aggression in childhood. I am aware of Dr. Huesmann’s work and in fact have worked directly with him on several occasions over the years.
However, the problem is that aggression and violence are actually two different things. The reality is there have been hundreds of studies that show a relationship between watching TV and aggression in childhood - no contest there (provided it is understood the aggression lasts for about 30 minutes and then goes away). However, there is virtually no evidence that watching TV violence causes violence in childhood except to a very, very small effect size, thus I would not call watching TV violence a cause of violence - sorry.
To quote from Dr. David Satcher’s (the 16th Surgeon General) Youth Violence Report “Experimental studies have found that exposure to media violence has a small average effect size (.13) on serious forms of violence; the average effect size in cross-sectional survey studies was very small (.06).” Effect size essentially suggests the impact of an influence on behavior. So, if something has an effect size of .5, this means, if you expose 100 people to the influence, 50 will be effected by the influence and carry out the behavior. Dr. Satcher’s report goes on to note “Exposure to violence appears to have a weak predictive effect on relatively immediate violence in experimental studies, but there is little consistent evidence to date for a long-term predictive effect.”
The report goes on to suggest that the evidence is still out regarding video games, music videos, and the Internet and cited a meta-analysis that “video game violence has a small average effect size (.19) on physical aggression in experimental and cross-sectional studies.” In my review of the current literature, half the studies are showing there is an effect and the other half are showing no or negligible effect size.
The only scientific evidence of the media having a clear influence on promoting violence is in suicide researched by Dr. David Phillips in 1974 and reported in American Sociological Review. This research illustrates that if the media gives a great deal of attention to the phenomena of suicide, you get “copycat” or “contagion” suicides which Dr. Phillips coined as the “Werther” effect after a novel that Gothe wrote. Accordingly, the guidelines for the media reporting on suicide are clear that the media should refrain from doing such and the media follows these guidelines when it comes to individual suicide because the science is clear. Unfortunately, the media is not following these guidelines when it comes to the problem of “suicides preceded by mass murder” as we have seen in Columbine High School , Platte Canyon High School , an Amish school in Nickel Mines, PA, Virginia Tech University , and Northern Illinois University
I hope this clears up my statements which I stand by based on a careful examination of the research. If it changes, I will be the first to follow the data.
Carl Bell, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry and Public Health
University of Illinois at Chicago
Rep. Emanuel offers crime victim family law bill
U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) introduced the Crime Victims Employment Leave Act last week which would extend the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to protect victims of violent crime and domestic violence. This legislation would protect victims of violent crimes and domestic violence and their families from being terminated or demoted by offering them time off for the required court proceedings.
“No victim of violent crime should have to choose between their job and medical attention. No one should fear reprisal from their employer if they need to attend court proceedings,” said Emanuel. “National Crime Victims Rights Week reminds us of how important it is that we work to protect the most vulnerable. And we should never punish victims and their families for the crimes committed against them.”
Arizona, Colorado and Maine have enacted laws to protect victims from being terminated, demoted or required to use their leave time for court proceedings. No such protections exist at the federal level. For the first time, the Crime Victims Employment Leave Act will afford this protection to the entire nation.
“When my brother Howard was murdered in Phoenix, Arizona I exercised my state constitutional right to be present at every court proceeding—to represent my family--between the two defendants I wound up using up all my vacation time and was written up with a letter of reprimand and threatened with termination after 3 unexcused absences. I would like to thank Rep. Rahm Emanuel for his leadership on this issue—no victim/survivor of crime should be left with choosing between the right they have to attend court proceedings and their employment” said Dan Levey, National President of Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc.
“Extending the benefits of the Family & Medical Leave Act to victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes is humane, compassionate, and long overdue,” said National Partnership for Women & Families President Debra L. Ness. “We thank Representative Rahm Emanuel for sponsoring the legislation, and urge the House to waste no time in passing it. Providing unpaid, job-protected leave is critically important for those who are trying to protect themselves and their children.”
“Too often, victims are unable to exercise their right to attend criminal court proceedings because they are afraid they will lose their job,” noted Mary Lou Leary, executive director of the National Center for Victims of Crime. “We commend Congressman Emanuel for introducing legislation to make this right under the law a right in fact.”
Original cosponsors of the Crime Victims Employment Leave Act include U.S. Representatives George Miller (D-CA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Lynn Woosley (D-CA) and Gary Ackerman (D-NY).
Cubs host team event May 13
Ever dream of spending an afternoon in the outfield of the Friendly Confines and having an opportunity to meet your favorite Chicago Cubs? Now’s your chance. Tickets are on sale now for “Meet the Team, Have a Ball” to be held on Tuesday, May 13 at 2:30 p.m.
“This has been an incredibly popular event with our fans,” said Mike Lufrano, Cubs senior vice president community affairs. “It provides the unique opportunity to meet Cubs players and coaches and also to collect a rare souvenir to commemorate the 2008 season.”
The annual event provides the opportunity for Cubs fans to walk on the outfield grass and then to collect autographs from 2008 Cubs players and coaches in attendance, allowing fans to leave with a collector’s item - all while supporting a great cause.
Tickets for the event are $300 per person and are available for purchase at cubs.com/tickets. Though expensive, admission includes an authentic MLB baseball, ball cube and a ballpark snack. All proceeds benefit Cubs designated charities.
Space for the event is limited. For more information, visit cubs.com or call 773-
404-CUBS.
Program for new moms April 26
Bellini Baby & Teen Furniture in Lincoln Park will offer a series of free seminars this spring and summer for parents and parents-to-be on important topics such as in-home safety and post-partum fitness.
Each seminar varies in length and time and will be held at Bellini, 1800 N. Clybourn Ave.
“In addition to our exquisite line of baby and teen furniture, we are delighted to offer our clients valuable information that will be helpful to both them and their babies,” said Cindy Hudgins, proprietor of Bellini, along with husband Jeff.
The next April 26 seminar start at 9 a.m.
On April 26, Jackie Dorris, owner of Stroller Strides will offer pre/post natal fitness tips for new moms.
Stroller Strides is said to be among the nation’s most popular fitness program for new moms and their babies. Classes combine intervals of power walking with toning, using resistance bands and the strollers.
Dorris is a certified group fitness instructor, as well as a certified Stroller Strides instructor, with a concentration in pre and post natal fitness. Stroller Strides classes are currently offered at two locations, five days a week. Dorris will be offering one complimentary week of classes for all new clients.
Additional seminars will be scheduled throughout the year. Call Bellini at 312-981-6301 to register or for information and upcoming seminar dates.
Bellini is located at 1800 N. Clybourn Ave., Floor 3. Parking is free.
Construction update at Art Institute
92 paintings shipped to Texas, modern wing sealed off
The Art Institute’s galleries devoted to 19th-century French painting will undergo major renovations beginning in May.
Due to construction, 92 works from the museum’s collection of Impressionist and Postimpressionist paintings will be on loan to the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, this summer. This collection will return to the Art Institute this December.
The steel for the Nichols Bridgeway is being erected over Monroe Street in late April and will be completely installed by early June. The Modern Wing is officially “sealed off.”
This construction milestone means that the interior of the building is now protected from the elements and being stabilized in terms of temperature and humidity levels.
Despite difficult weather conditions this past winter, the construction is still on schedule, officials say.
Nearly all galleries of European painting and sculpture in upper Allerton Hall are now reinstalled and open.
The “breakthrough” - the removal of the interior and exterior walls that separate the existing museum from the Modern Wing - will take place in late May at the museum, 111 S. Michigan Avenue.
Wine magazine hosts tasting at museum
On Thursday, May 1 Wine Enthusiast Magazine will once again host its Toast of the Town, an evening of wine and food tastings, at Chicago’s Field Museum. This annual epicurean evening is a wine and food lover’s delight, showcasing more than 60 wine and spirit companies who will pour a selection of more than 500 of their premium products to the sounds of cool jazz.
Among the participating wineries are Domaine Chandon, Concha y Toro, Barone Ricasoli, Castello Banfi, Clos du Bois and Mumm Napa. Accompanying the beverages will be signature dishes from 30 of Chicago’s top restaurants including Carlo’s Restaurant, Vivere, Mambo Grill, Kinzie Chophouse, Emilio’s, Jackson Park, Courtright’s, Le Lan, Gejas Café, Trattoria No. 10 and Le Colonial. This year’s event will include a Silent Auction featuring gourmet experiences among other treasures; the proceeds will benefit the Field Museum’s education programs that sponsor field trips, teacher workshops and summer camps among other activities.
Toast of the Town begins with the VIP Tasting at 6 p.m. This exclusive session offers the VIP Tasting audience a special selection of premium Reserve and Estate wines. The larger Grand Tasting will take place from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $95. Space is limited so tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. For information or to purchase tickets, visit toastofthetown.com or call 800-847-5949.
“Toast of the Town captures the essence of our magazine: to educate and entertain people about wines and spirits in a fun environment,” said Adam Strum, editor and publisher of Wine Enthusiast Magazine. “Tasting and pairing great wines and food at an event like this is a wonderful way of bringing our magazine to life.”
Punk art April 27 at Victory Gardens
Jon Langford, founding member of the British punk rock collective the Mekons and lead singer with the Chicago band the Waco Brothers, will be on hand Sunday, April 27 at 7:30 pm at Chicago’s Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, to join his fans and new play enthusiasts for a workshop performance of All The Fame of Lofty Deeds, a new music/theater/art project based on his art and music.
Like Langford’s 2004 CD of the same name, All the Fame of Lofty Deeds traces the ascent of a wide-eyed young country singer from rural obscurity to tinsel-town opulence during the middle decades of the last century. His lifeparallels the optimism, grandeur, betrayals and despair of the country and culture that spawned him and eventually suck him dry. Lofty wants it all and gets a little more, climbs the showbiz beanstalk, sacks his band and darkness from whence he came.
Based on art and music, All the Fame of Lofty Deeds is written by Chicago rock journalist and playwright Mark Guarino, and directed by Victory Gardens Resident Director Andrea J. Dymond. Monday’s workshop performance, presented as part of Victory Gardens’ new Fresh Squeezed series, will feature projections of eclectic country folk artwork, as two musicians and a cast of five actors perform on the Victory Gardens Biograph mainstage. While he’s not performing in the play itself, Langford will play a short set at a post-show event.
Tickets are $15. For tickets and information, call the Victory Gardens box office, 773.871.3000. Victory Gardens Theater has been developing Lofty Deeds into a live theater piece for several months. In late March, Langford, Guarino and Dymond presented an informal reading of Lofty Deeds in the company’s rehearsal room for an audience of 60. Monday night’s performance, presented on Victory Gardens’ 299-seat Biograph mainstage, will follow an intensive workshop of the piece with a full band, actors and stage technicians.
Take advantage of this behind-the-scenes opportunity to see how Victory Gardens develops exciting new works for the stage. The Victory Gardens Biograph Theater is located 1/2 block north of Fullerton Avenue. Discounted parking is available one block south at Children’s Memorial Hospital, and Lincoln Park Hospital two blocks south on Webster Avenue.
New city sticker for motorcycles
City bikers have a new look on their motorcycle stickers.
The city has redesigned the motorcycle tag, so it will actually fit on a motorcycle.
“This newly designed motorcycle tag is smaller in size and will be much easier for motorcycle owners to attach to their vehicles,” said City Clerk Miguel del Valle.
When motorcycle owners purchase their 2008 - 2009 tag this year, they will no longer be given a large round jagged edged emblem, which was 4 inches in diameter, and was the cause of hand scratches while trying to attach it. Properly positioning the tag was nearly impossible as it covered half of the Illinois State license plate. Additionally, one of the five holes on the tag had to be drilled out to fit the screw through it to secure it the motorcycle.
The motorcycle tag is the vehicle sticker for motorcycle owners.
“For fifteen years we have been requesting a new motorcycle tag and we are grateful City Clerk del Valle took action and made the change immediately,” said Patrick Jones, A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois Chicago Chapter President.
The redesigned motorcycle tag is smaller in size and has one standard sized hole already drilled in it.
The smooth edges along the tag make it easier to handle.
In addition, the new tags are one tenth of the cost of the previous motorcycle tags.
The motorcycle tag is $45.
The currently displayed 2007-2008 tag expires on June 30.
City Clerk del Valle provides a 15 day grace period before enforcement begins on July 16.
Motorcycle owners can purchase their 2008 to 2009 tag beginning June 1.
Environmental lecture at Nature Museum May 6
Beth Viola, Senior Policy Advisor with Holland & Knight in Washington, D.C. and former senior environmental advisor to Al Gore, presents an updated version of former Vice-President Al Gore’s lecture on climate change.
Free, but space is limited and registration is required. Call 773-755-5191 Ext. 1 or email RSVP@naturemuseum.org.
The Inconvenient Truth Lecture will take place at 7 p.m. on May 6 at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 North Cannon Drive in Lincoln Park.
The event is in partnership with the Center for Humans and Nature and the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Goods donated to Children’s Memorial Hospital resale shop
The White Elephant Resale Shop at Children’s Memorial Hospital has just received thousands of dollars worth of brand new merchandise from vendors who recently participated in the International Home and Houseware Show at McCormick Place.
“We are thrilled to be receiving such an amazing array of merchandise from so many vendors this year including the always popular Le Crueset cookware,” says Leonard Muicroft, director of retail operations for Children’s Memorial Hospital. “This is the sixth year that we have been the beneficiary of the show and the amount of donated items keeps growing every year.”
Some of the vendors contributing this year include Le Crueset, Gibson Overseas Corporation, Rubbermaid, Farberware, and the Williamsburgh Candle Company.
A variety of merchandise is currently for sale at the shop with new items being added every day. The Le Crueset merchandise went on sale last week.
The Le Crueset items will range in price from $5 to $300. Store hours are Monday through Wednesday and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m and Sunday from noon until 5 pm.
In 2007, merchandise from the show raised $91,000 for the hospital. All proceeds from the sale of merchandise at the White Elephant go to support the hospital.
Children’s Memorial Hospital in Lincoln Park relies on philanthropy to help provide care to more than 113,000 patients and their families every year.
Historic photo’s catalogued at History Museum
The Chicago History Museum is working on a project to catalog and digitize 15,000 of its 250,000 Hedrich Blessing photographs within the museum’s collection over the next three years. This project will help preserve the collection and make these significant photographs available for public access.
The Hedrich Blesssing photograph collection documents the work of an architectural photography firm. Hedrich Blessing, a Chicago firm, donated the archive of their first forty years of work from 1929 to 1969 to the History Museum in 1991.
The collection contains architectural photographs from A Century of Progress International Exposition, 1933-34; Bertrand Goldberg; Holabird & Roche; Burnham and Root; as well as Anderson, Probst & White. Over 14 different collections will be digitized for this project.
Work on the project began in 2006 and by March 2007 the museum had a full-time Imaging Technician dedicated to the project restoring and cataloging anywhere from 20 to 25 images per day. Currently, the museum has completed the digitization of 2,200 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe images, 225 Frank Lloyd Wright images, and 230 images from the 1933-34 Century of Progress.
“The museum decided to make the images available based on the most requested photographs from our research center,” said Museum President Gary Johnson. “We are excited and proud to have three amazing collections finished at this point in the restoration process.”
Visitors to the research center will have access to the newly digitized images as they are completed and cataloged. At this point many of the Mies photographs are available through the research center and online and through the museum’s online research catalog.
The process of digitizing the images is no small task. First, the images are scanned into the computer to make them available via internet and electronic database searching. Second, the images are restored by removing any scratches and dust that may have occurred over the many years of handling. Third, the digitized images are cataloged within ARCHIE, the museum’s electronic online database. Each image is labeled within the database for easy access for individuals to find the images they are looking for by keyword. Fourth, they are posted on ARCHIE for the searching process to begin.
“This project is beneficial for a broad range of people including but not limited to students, academic historians, independent scholars, teachers, journalists, publishers, and producers of film, television, and video,” said Johnson.
The Hedrich Blessing collection is used extensively in publications, websites, and films representing a significant part of the museum’s image reproduction and licensing operation.
The project would not have been possible without the support of a $90,000 grant from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.
The digitization project of the Hedrich Blessing images directly supports the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation’s interest of artistic vitality by preserving the collection and making it available to a variety of audiences. The History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., acknowledges that without the support of the foundation, these photographs would not be accessible for local, national, and international audiences.
The following collections make up the 15,000 images that will be digitized from the Heidrich Blessing Digitization Project. They are listed in the order they will be completed.
• Lugwig Mies van der Rohe
• Frank Lloyd Wright
• Photographs of A Century of Progress International Exposition, 1933-34
• Bertand Goldberg
• Holabird & Roche (including Holabird & Root)
• Burnham and Root
• Graham, Anderson, Probst & White
• Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
• Harry Weese Associates
• Albert Kahn
• White, Perkins and Will
• Photographs commissioned by the Great Northern Railway Company
• Photographs commissioned by the Illinois Central Railroad
• Photographs commissioned by Meredith Publishing, the parent company for Better Homes & Gardens, Successful Farming, and other magazines.
City gets new air chief
Mayor Richard Daley last week named Richard Rodriguez Commissioner of the Department of Aviation.
Rodriguez has been serving as Commissioner of the Department of Buildings since June 2007 where he has integrated the functions of the Buildings Department and the Department of Construction and Permits. He has also worked to streamline the permit fee process and improve the inspection process.
“Rich has proven to be a strong manager during his time at the Buildings Department and at DCAP, and I believe this type of experience and the results he has been able to generate will be a great asset to the Chicago Airport System,” said Mayor Daley.
Under Rodriguez, the Buildings Department reduced their heat inspection response time from 10 days to four days over the past year, increased the number of overall inspections and continued to improve the processing time for standard plan permits.
He has also continued the successful implementation of the Green Permit Program while promoting high quality construction standards as well as the conservation, rehabilitation and reuse of existing buildings.
“Chicago’s Airport System is one of the largest and busiest air transportation systems in the world. Our airports are a big part of our City’s economy and play a very important part in our role as a transportation hub,” said Mayor Daley.
“Because our Airport System connects Chicago to cities across the country and around the world, it is important that we maintain an efficient and well-managed system.”
Rodriguez served as the Executive Director of the Department of Construction and Permits from February 2006 to June of 2007. Under his tenure, the timeframe for permit issuance was reduced by nearly 40 percent in 2006, while the volume of permit applications reviewed by the department increased by 10 percent.
He has also previously served as Managing Deputy Commissioner of Real Estate and Planning in the Department of Aviation and Managing Director of Operations for the Chicago Housing Authority.
DePaul hosts day of music
The DePaul Community Music Division will hold its twelfth annual Performathon on Saturday, May 3 from 9 am to 7 pm.
Performathon is a ten-hour marathon recital of continuous solo and ensemble performances to raise funds for the Community Music scholarship program.
Students enlist sponsors to contribute pledges for their performances. A raffle with prizes is also offered. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $6 each or six for $30. The event is held on the lower level of the DePaul School of Music, located at 804 W Belden Ave. in Lincoln Park. This event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required for admission. For more information, call 773.325.7262
Lakeview Pantry launches green bag drive
Lakeview Pantry has announced its 2008 Green Bag Drive Campaign, a series of four bag drives in which volunteers help to collect food donations to feed our neighbors in need.
“Feed Your Neighbor, One Revolution at a Time” is a fun and easy way to help Lakeview Pantry while utilizing alternative forms of transportation.
On the first Saturday of each drive, which begins April 19, volunteers will distribute donation bags around the Lakeview neighborhood. The following Saturday volunteers will pick up the food-filled bags and return them to Lakeview Pantry for distribution to those in need.
Anyone is welcome to participate. Those using bikes, skates, and other forms of alternative transportation are encouraged, and will be provided with information on trailers and other tools.
The 2008 Green Bag Drives dates are April 19, April 26, June 21, June 28, Aug. 16, Aug. 23, October 18 and October 25.
“Volunteering for a Lakeview Pantry bag drive is a simple, fun, and independent way to make positive changes for the community,” explained Erin Stephens, Director of Volunteers.
In November 2007, over one hundred volunteers raised over 1,500 pounds of food for Lakeview Pantry with the first bicycle food drive. The pantry is eager to continue that success with four bag drives in 2008. Those with bikes or other forms of eco-friendly transportation are welcome. Bike baskets, racks, trailers, and wagons are especially needed. Coffee and pastries will be provided for all volunteers.
Lakeview Pantry, founded in 1970, distributes over one million pounds of food each year to individuals in need in the Lakeview community. In addition to providing groceries, the pantry also helps clients address the issues that often lead to food insecurity, such as unemployment and housing instability. Every month over 2,100 individuals are served through its two distribution centers, home delivery program, case management services, and clothing distribution. The main site is located at 3831 North Broadway. To learn more about Lakeview Pantry, visit lakeviewpantry.org.
For more information on the 2008 Lakeview Pantry Green Bag Drives, contact Erin Stephens at 773-517-4813.
Diversey driving range to be upgraded
New turf, targets and views
As part of the plan to significantly improve its Diversey Driving Range at 141 W. Diversey Parkway, the Chicago Park District will launch a major renovation of the facility. Upon completion, golfers will have an improved practice facility, more target greens and a better overall experience.
The driving range will undergo a comprehensive upgrade that addresses aesthetic issues, uses eco-friendly practices and supports the facility’s long-term operation and sustainability. The work will include grading of the site and removal of the existing artificial turf.
New artificial turf will be installed and surrounded by a concrete curb, better equipping the range for year-round use. A crushed stone track along the fence will provide drainage and assist in maintenance of the range. Additional target greens will be installed on the range, giving golfers the ability to practice both their long and short games. These features will collectively offer golfers better views.
Renovation plans incorporate greening initiatives including a draining system that recycles water back into the lake. Additionally, weeping willows will be planted and will provide natural shade at the site.
The driving range will be closed during construction for approximately four weeks, weather permitting. Driving ranges at Jackson and Marquette Parks will remain open and available for use. The Chicago Park District is implementing a number of measures to ensure that golfers can still practice while renovation efforts are underway. For example, vouchers good at other Chicago Park District facilities will be handed out to golfers who arrive at the Diversey Range and find it closed for renovation.
The Chicago Park District offers five nine-hole courses, one 18-hole course, three driving ranges, a junior learning center, and a miniature golf course in the Chicago metropolitan area. The golf courses are open all year long, from dawn to dusk, weather permitting. Tee times can be made in person or by calling the 24-hour tee time reservation system at (312) 245-0909. Contact individual locations for driving range and miniature golf course hours of operation.
Shakespeare’s Macbeth in Lincoln Park
The Greasy Joan & Co. theater group continues its twelfth year of producing classic plays with William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, directed by Artistic Director Julieanne Ehre. Macbeth plays the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, for a limited engagement through May 25.
The company presents a “freshly imagined version of one of Shakespeare’s fastest moving plays.”
Paranoid of losing power, Macbeth forges a path of murder and violence that tears his country apart. How will his people emerge from his tyrannical rule and find hope to remake themselves? Full of supernatural witches, ghosts, and “strange imaginings,” Shakespeare’s Macbeth remains a visceral and hair-raising classic.
“After last season’s focus on new adaptations of classics, Greasy Joan returns to our roots of works that have endured over time in their original versions,” said Ehre.
Post-play discussions are held every Thursday and Sunday.
Macbeth is sponsored by Flourish Bakery, Lennox Lounge, the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Richard Driehaus Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs.
Best buddies visit Northside Catholic Academy
Student members of the Loyola University chapter of Best Buddies International visited Northside Catholic Academy 4th graders last week with their “Misericordia Buddy” a Misericordia resident with intellectual disabilities.
The “Buddies” led the students in an art activity and all groups enjoyed socializing with each other. This gathering is a part of a two-week educational program at Northside Catholic Academy and is a community building partnership between Misercorida, Loyola University and Northside Catholic Academy.
Lincoln Park’s Goose Island pub to close
One of the largest specialty pubs in Lincoln Park is closing its doors saying it has been forced out of its lease due to soaring rents in the toney shopping area.
Goose Island, makers of Summertime, Honker’s Ale, Hex Nut Brown, 312 and Oktoberfest has had its top brew pub at 1800 N. Clybourn Ave. since the beer company was founded twenty years ago.
But now the company says rents in the neighborhood have been rising too fast and it can’t keep the doors open.
The brew pub will close when its current lease expires at the end of the year. The other locations at 3535 N. Clark St. and 1800 W. Fulton St. will stay open.
The original Goose Island brew pub opened as part of the 1800 Clybourn mall, which was converted from a former Turtle Wax factory and included the Remains Theatre company, Barbara’s Bookstore, a pool hall and a miniature golf course.
That mall was demolished 15 years ago and became a newer site with a Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Mayor chides CTA for train evacuation emergency
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