Hollywood researchers consult History Museum
By Lindsey Reiser
Special to Inside
The Chicago History Museum isn’t just educating tourists and fellow Chicagoans, it’s keeping film makers informed as well. Movie makers for the Universal Pictures film Public Enemies, a synopsis of John Dillinger and the “public enemies” era of the 1930’s, consulted the archives of the Chicago History Museum when researching the dress and atmosphere of the Midwest Crimeland.
Adapted from Bryan Burrough’s book "Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-43," the film revolves around the criminal figures Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, and John Dillinger, as well as Melvin Purvis, an FBI agent in the early days of the bureau. Most of the trio’s notoriety was earned elsewhere in the Midwest, the most infamous incidents being a shootout at the Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin, and Dillinger’s near-impossible escape from the county jail in Crown Point, Indiana. He crafted his break from Lake County Jail using a fake handgun, a legendary feat still debatable amongst historians. Even the nature of the gun is disputable; whether Dillinger had made it from wood or a bar of soap is still a mystery. He was also the central figure in several other jail breaks where dozens of criminals were freed in huge shootouts. He was also known for carrying bags of nails with him; the purpose of the nails was to throw on the road to disable the tires of pursuing police cars.
Despite many of Dillinger’s exploits taking place in other Midwestern locations such as Indiana and Ohio, much of the filming has already been done in Chicago, where the bank robber spent the end of his life and his gang spent much time hiding out. The Biograph Theater in Lincoln Park, famed site of Dillinger’s death, was used in the filming, a well-known fact to the many Lincoln Park residents who gathered there several weeks ago in the hopes of seeing a movie star or two. Though it was difficult to see any of the lead actors from the public barriers on Fullerton, the spectators could catch a glimpse of the mob-era touches the film makers had added. From the automobiles on the road to the costume design, tips about these items were all gleaned from the archives at the Chicago History Museum.
Even for the ordinary visitor, the museum is a wealth of information about our city. Special interest should be paid to the “City in Crisis” exhibit, a series of chronological displays detailing the many troubles Chicago has been through, from the Great Chicago Fire to the civil rights tensions culminating in the Chicago Freedom Movement of 1966.
Somewhere in the middle of all this is an exhibit entitled “Gangland Chicago,” which focuses mainly on Public Enemy Number 1, Al Capone. The display highlights the facts about momentous events such as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and key figures like Papa Johnny Torrio and “Untouchable” agent, Eliot Ness.
However, the more interesting aspects of the exhibit revolve around the gangster’s image. Popular fiction, films, comic books, and biographies such as "The Life of Al Capone in Pictures" are also present, conveying the sensational popularity and interest that surrounded the mobster lifestyle. There’s even a chart of “gangster slang” in the biography, so readers could learn to talk like Capone himself. Such information is very useful when re-creating a figure like John Dillinger for the big screen. Dillinger had all the charisma of a public enemy-era criminal, performing bank robberies so creative and entertaining that Americans followed his media coverage just to see what he would do next. Dillinger was known for robbing police stations themselves in order to garner additional weapons, for example. As for the look and feel of the film, the movie makers consulted the museum’s archives which aren’t typically on display. The museum has an extensive stockpile of Depression-era photographs, many of which feature famous mobsters of the time. Clothes were a particular point of interest to the film makers.
“They wanted photos of what these folks would have looked like, to know how they could reproduce the characters as best as possible”, said Lauren Dolan, the museum’s spokeswoman. “Our museum researchers had them look at Marshall Field Fashions of the Hour magazines, and our costume curator showed them some of the actual clothes of the time.”
The film’s researchers didn’t stop at clothing; every detail from old store fronts, to the exact color and shape of traffic lights, to the dimensions of the Biograph’s original marquee, an item now owned by the museum, were taken into account. They also examined old photos featuring gangster mugshots, the prisoner cells in Joliet’s penitentiary, funerals and trials of criminals, even John Dillinger himself.
Recently, 200 of these have been published in a book put together by one of the History Museum’s curators, John Russick, entitled "Historic Photos of Chicago Crime: The Capone Era." For anyone interested in one of the darkest and most compelling eras in our city’s past, the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., is open seven days a week to the general public, and Russick’s book, “Historic Photos of Chicago Crime: The Capone Era,” is available in most major bookstores.
Southport corridor undergoing transformation
By Peter von Buol
Special to Inside
Three recent property purchases by a Chicago-based real estate development company seem to indicate Lakeview’s Southport Corridor is continuing to undergo a transformation from being a lively neighborhood shopping strip to becoming a Chicago shopping destination.
Evan Oliff, the president of Preferred Development, told Inside his company completed its purchase of 3415-3421 N. Southport Avenue about two weeks ago. For decades, the property had been home to the Red Tomato pizza restaurant.
“The former owner had a good product and he was actually ahead of his time,” said Oliff.
A few years ago, the Red Tomato had been transformed from a casual pizzeria into a more upscale pizza restaurant but, according to Oliff, ongoing construction work at the Southport Elevated station located next door may have had a negative impact on the restaurant.
Oliff confirmed the purchase by Preferred Development is its third acquisition on the strip within the past two months. The other properties are located at 3510 N. Southport and 3447 N. Southport. All three are being marketed by the company as the Southport Collection.
“We are retail developers. We feel there are strong retailers out there who want to come to Southport and who are looking to be in modern buildings. Possible tenants include local, regional and national retailers,” said Oliff.
According to the web site of Oliff’s company, the Red Tomato location will have “exposed brick walls, loft ceilings and sealed-finished concrete flooring.”
According to the company’s web site, the location is projected as a two-story building with 15,000 square feet of space. Each story will have 7,500 square feet. The building will also include an underground parking lot with space for 24 cars.
Long a location for boutique stores and family-owned restaurants such as the Red Tomato, in recent years Einstein Bagel, Starbucks, Homemade Pizza and Potbelly have opened locations within the Southport Corridor. An Ann Sather Swedish restaurant is located across the street from the former site of the Red Tomato.
Two years ago, national retailer Anthropologie opened a location nearby at 3532 N. Southport and its success has attracted attention.
“The people at Anthropologie said the store is exceeding their expectations and Uncle Dan’s is also doing well,” said Oliff.
Uncle Dan’s Camping and Travel is a sporting goods and clothing retailer and its Southport location is at 3551 N. Southport.
According to Heather Way, who serves as the executive director of the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce which represents the businesses of the Southport Corridor, she hopes the street will be able to continue to maintain its unique charm and character.
“Obviously, we are in business for businesses but we also advocate responsible development. Our biggest concern is protecting the current character of Southport Avenue, which is so unique. There are so many great local independent stores along the street as well as a little bit of national flavor. What I am afraid of is the market driving out the little guys. We don’t want the street to turn it into a strip-mall or an Old Orchard-style shopping Mall. There are at-risk properties on the street but those same are the same properties that have helped maintain the special character of the street. We are more than happy to work with Preferred to find suitable tenants,” said Way.
Until the past decade, Lakeview’s Southport Corridor was somewhat of a neighborhood secret. The strip, which includes the streets north and south of the Southport Brown Line stop, contained mostly family-owned shops, restaurants, bars and other small businesses.
A former resident of the immediate area, Oliff said he has long appreciated the Southport Corridor.
“I have walked the street the past 18 years with and without a double stroller. It is an especially friendly pedestrian area and it’s one of the nicest streets in the city,” said Oliff.
Friendly sculpture saved, put on display
By Hayley Carlton
Special to Inside
A sculpture has been saved from the scrap heap and given for free to the Old Town Triangle community. The piece, by Brian Monaghan, now sits at Wisconsin and Sedgwick, in a small park area. It was untitled for most of its existence, but is now called “Friend.”
Monaghan, a sculpture who works mostly in metals, said that he choose the name Friend because it evokes something concrete, while the sculpture itself is abstract. “It brings one to a certain level, once you get to the threshold.”
The piece is made of 3/16 inch metal and vaguely resembles two flames coming together (the piece is abstract, but is tapered at the ends). It is brown metal and looks different depending on what angle it’s viewed from. “It’s got a volume to it, (but) it sits down on four points”, said Monaghan, who says that “Friend” evokes weight and energy.
It was created in the early 1980’s for the Crilly Courtyard, where it sat on top of a planter. “Friend” is about six feet tall (the planter it sat on was about 8 feet square, according to Monaghan). “My work represents energy. The piece is actually pretty dynamic,” said Monaghan who says that he is “grateful” of the sculpture’s placement in the community.
Due to rehab and condo construction, the sculpture was removed due to renovations.
Its destination was unknown until several community members stepped in to save it. Dan Baldwin received a tip that the piece was headed for the scrap heap, and contacted Monaghan about placing “Friend” in the Triangle area.
Baldwin was able to place the sculpture with help of Alderman Vi Daley’s office, which does an annual sculpture program.
Additionally, because the piece had to be removed from right away, Baldwin contacted his friend, artist Tom Scraff, who agreed to store the sculpture in his Old Town studio until a home could be found. “Friend” sat in Scaff’s studio for a year before the Wisconsin/Sedgwick location was secured.
“It didn’t cost a cent, it was done for free to the community” said Shirley Baugher, an Administer, for the Old Town Triangle Association. “Finkl Landscaping agreed to install it for free, and Tom Scraff stored it for free.”
“We’re very fortunate, the community has benefited from having this incredible piece of art. We’re very happy.” Baugher said that Old Town is a community known for its art and sculpture (including an annual art festival) and that “Friend” receives compliments from the community “every day, especially from people who live in the community.
It sits on a corner surrounded by single family homes with young children and down the street from an elementary school. Baugher says that the Wisconsin/Sedgwick location is a permanent location.
Monaghan says that he appreciates Old Town’s interest in the piece. “I’m grateful that it was saved. It’s good to have it out there…it’s a piece of myself” His pieces have been placed internationally and he works out of a studio in the Lawndale community.
Utility puts shrub in shape of lightbulb at zoo
ComEd is putting a new twist on promoting energy efficiency among customers with the installation of an eight-foot topiary in the shape of a spiral-shaped compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb at Lincoln Park Zoo, located near the east entrance across from the Lion House.
Another eight-foot topiary at Rockford's Sinnissippi Gardens and 24 three-foot topiaries along the Gardens of the Magnificent Mile were installed earlier in June. The topiaries are part of ComEd’s public education campaign aimed at raising awareness about energy-efficient behaviors, money-saving tools, and environmental impact in its Northern Illinois service territory
Roscoe Village salutes fallen police officer
By Peter von Buol
Special to Inside
On the morning of July 2, the entire Roscoe Village community was shocked to learn veteran Chicago Police Officer Richard Francis was killed steps away from the 19th District Police Station by a female offender who had grabbed his service revolver.
Neighborhood activist Brian Daley told Inside that while he did not personally know Officer Francis, it is difficult to put into words all of what the area’s police officers have done for the community.
“We have been the beneficiaries of the protection Francis and his now grief-stricken colleagues provide our ‘Village within the City’. Whether answering a call for assistance, cruising our streets on patrol, or mingling with the crowds during our annual Retro on Roscoe street festival, we know that our officers are looking out for us. We share [the] unspeakable grief of his family, friends and colleagues. We join them in mourning his death and we feel both deep humility and profound gratitude for his bravery and years of service to Roscoe Village and to the City of Chicago,” said Daley.
The current president of the Roscoe Village Neighbors Association, Dan Tomei, shared Daley’s sentiments about the loss of Officer Francis.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic death of Officer Richard Francis. We consider the officers of the 19th District to be our friends and guardian angels and losing one of them is like losing a member of the family. It is with a heavy heart that I extend, on behalf of Roscoe Village Neighbors, and indeed all of Roscoe Village, our eternal gratitude to this fallen hero and our sincere condolences to his family and fellow officers,” said Tomei.
Freshmen begin summer CPS program
Thousands of incoming freshmen began Freshman Connection in Chicago public high schools throughout the city on Monday, June 30.
That was the first day of Freshman Connection A.M. and P.M.—the cornerstones of Freshman Connection, the new CPS summer initiative that makes summer enrichment activities available to all incoming CPS freshmen. Freshman Connection is hosted in incoming freshman students’ future high schools. Almost 19,000 students and 95 high schools will participate in A.M. or P.M.
Freshman Connection A.M. has an academic focus, and Freshman Connection P.M., the afternoon portion, focuses on teamwork and social and emotional support.
Both programs run from June 30 to July 25. Most Freshman Connection P.M. classes will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays and include field trips, career activities and team building exercises.
19,000 incoming CPS freshmen at 95 high schools are set to particpate.
Vehicle sticker deadline arrives
City Clerk Miguel del Valle reminds residents that the 2008 to 2009 city vehicle sticker and residential parking permits must be displayed by July 15th.
The city provides a 15-day grace period from July 1st to July 15th for residents to purchase and display their city vehicle stickers and residential parking permits. Chicago residents purchasing the city vehicle sticker after the July 15th deadline face a possible $120 failure to display citation and a $40 penalty fee will be added to the purchase of a city vehicle sticker.
Several options are still available to residents in need of a 2008 - 2009 city vehicle sticker.
They can be obtained at Chicago Jewel-Osco locations, Chicago Dominick's locations, participating banks, currency exchanges and on select days at Aldermanic offices.
Currency Exchanges, banks, and retailers can charge a service fee of up to $5.50 for selling consumers vehicle stickers according City of Chicago
Municipal Code. For a list of locations visit www.ChiCityClerk.com.
Residents can also visit Office of the City Clerk locations and Department of Revenue substations and city offices at 2550 W. Addison St.
The deadline for city sticker purchased was the end of the month.
DePaul study measures neighborhood diversity
As Chicago showcases its rich cultural diversity in scores of summer neighborhood festivals, a team of researchers at DePaul University’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development has released a study identifying the city’s 23 most diverse neighborhoods, according to ethnic origin, income level and age of populations.
Using recent U.S. census data, Joseph P. Schwieterman, professor of public service, and Lauren A. Fischer, a research associate at the Chaddick Institute and a graduate of DePaul’s master of science public service program, set out to determine the ways in which gentrification, population shifts and business and residential development impact the historical patterns of Chicago’s neighborhoods.
“We believe ours to be the first attempt to integrate several aspects of diversity into a single index,” said Fischer, who used a composite index in “A Kaleidoscope of Culture: Measuring the Diversity of Chicago’s Neighborhoods” to determine overall diversity. “We ranked each of the city’s neighborhoods on the basis of their compositive score and assessed how diversity is likely to evolve in years ahead.”
According to the DePaul Diversity Composite Index, Uptown, Rogers Park, Hyde Park, Bridgeport and Albany Park are the most diverse Chicago neighborhoods.
Despite rising diversity as a whole, Chicago’s racial segregation seems likely to persist.
Also, public service agencies are placing greater emphasis on community development strategies that cultivate diverse constituencies.
The city’s most ethnically diverse neighborhoods are located on the North Side. Among the top five ethnically diverse neighborhoods, the largest group accounts for, on average, 48 percent of the population.
In all of the top five neighborhoods, at least three distinct ethnic groups each comprise 20 percent or more of the population.
In six of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods, Asians account for at least 10 percent of the population.
In Albany Park, residents have migrated from five continents, and schoolchildren speak 40 different languages.
There is a strong correlation between a population’s ethnic composition and a neighborhood’s religious and cultural structure.
Hyde Park ranks first in income diversity with 15.6 percent of households earning $100,000 or more; 37.8 percent at the middle-income level and 46.5 percent are low income. West Town ranks second.
If present trends continue, the Near West Side and Bridgeport will surpass Hyde Park and West Town as the most income-diverse neighborhoods.
The five most income-diverse neighborhoods in Chicago are within four miles of the Loop.
In poorer neighborhoods, the early phases of gentrification increase diversity. As higher- income people displace lower-income residents, gentrification has the opposite effect.
Reduction in diversity accelerates as developers and speculators drive up property values and property taxes increase.
By 2010, the percentage of the city’s population that is low income is expected to fall from 45.4 percent to 36 percent, while the middle- and upper-income brackets will increase—by as much as 7 percent for the latter.
The most age-diverse neighborhoods are widely dispersed throughout the city, and several of the highest-ranking ones are on the South Side.
South Chicago and Ashburn are the most age-diverse communities with one-third of the population being under 18 and 18 percent being 55 or older.
Hyde Park has comparatively little age diversity, which is not uncommon for a neighborhood with large concentrations of college students.
For a full list of the 23 most diverse neighborhoods cited by DePaul’s researchers and for a copy of the study, visit the Chaddick Institute’s Web site at: http://condor.depaul.edu/~chaddick/ or contact Lauren Fischer by e-mail at lfische6@depaul.edu or by phone at 312-362-5731.
Lincoln Park diverse, also wealthy
A new DePaul University study says the median household income of Lincoln Park is one of the highest in the city at $78,466, which is expected to increase to $94,342 by 2010. Yet, the study says Lincoln Park remains one of the most economically diverse areas in the city with 23 percent low-income, 39 percent middle-income and 37 percent of households classified as upper income.
"Many of the low-income households are college students in the DePaul neighborhood and residents of Cabrini Green and other Section 8 Housing Facilities in the most southwestern section of the neighborhood," the study says. "Lincoln Park was, as recently as the early 1980s, a mix of working class families and immigrants, including many Filipinos, and more affluent residents."
Universities win awards for transport ideas
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's Bicycle Advisory Council has given DePaul an award for advocating bicycle use through its participation in a university transportation alternatives program.
Bob Janis, vice president for Facility Operations at DePaul, accepted the award from Mayor Daley during a ceremony at Chicago's Bike to Work Day rally in Daley Plaza on June 13. Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago and Loyola University also received awards.
DePaul and the other participating universities agreed to split the cost of an intern with the city to develop marketing and advertising programs to encourage faculty, staff and students to bike to work and school, Janis said
First deaf woman earns doctorate in computer science from DePaul
Host of renowned personalities also address grads during 2008 commencement weekend
As the first graduate crossed the stage at Allstate Arena in Rosemont this past Sunday morning, American history was made.
Karen Alkoby – first in the alphabetical lineup of DePaul’s College of Computing and Digital Media grads – was draped with her doctoral hood, making her the first deaf woman in the U.S. to receive a Ph.D. in computer science.
The emotional day was the culmination of an eight-year journey for Alkoby, who had worked tirelessly to explore and research methods of using technology to improve ways for the deaf community to communicate.
“It’s hard to believe that I’m actually done,” said Alkoby via an interpreter. “Now I really feel like I’m flying out of the safety net. But DePaul prepared me well, so I’m ready for the next chapter.”
Alkoby’s dissertation, “An Analytic Model of Handshape Similarity in American Sign Language (ASL),” focused on the lack of standardization in ASL and how that might be alleviated to create a true, two-way, ASL-English dictionary.
ASL is a language used by more than one million Americans, but there are wide discrepancies in how it is interpreted by each user. ASL is not a linear language parallel to English, so the lack of standardization presents a problem for those communicating through ASL, particularly since a minor shift in the angle of a digit or fingertip can create an entirely different word or phrase.
“Handshape, or the posture of the hand, is one of the distinctive features of American Sign Language.” Alkoby wrote in her dissertation’s abstract. “Handshape is one of the most recognizable aspects of individual signs. However, there is little consensus about the number of distinct handshapes in ASL, and there is even less consensus about similarity among handshapes.” Alkoby’s research used 3-D modeling to analyze 40 different handshapes common to ASL and sought out a common interpretation for each. The goal was “to contribute toward the development of a true bilingual ASL-English dictionary that allows users to find the meaning of a sign based on the sign’s appearance.”
While she has spent time teaching ASL to deaf immigrants, Alkoby’s long-term goal is to teach computer science to deaf students, a field where the deaf community is underrepresented. Alkoby also has been an integral part of DePaul’s ASL Project, which utilized graphics and voice recognition software to develop an animated sign language interpreter.
In addition to Alkoby’s historic accomplishment, the more than 4,000 DePaul graduates who received their degrees this past weekend in late June were treated to an array of world-renowned speakers at the six ceremonies.
At the combined CDM and College of Communication ceremony, technology pioneer Mitchell Kapor, developer of the revolutionary Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet software who now runs non-profit organizations devoted to civil liberties and education, spoke of the importance of providing access to technology to underserved populations.
“What every economist tells us is that the best way in the long term to improve opportunity and decrease inequality is to improve access to education and create the kind of work force which is a leader in innovation,” Kapor said. “If we do these things, we increase the chances that achieving the American Dream is more reality than fantasy.”
Additionally, David Simon, author, screenwriter and creator of the popular HBO show “The Wire,” spoke in memory of DePaul CDM associate professor Ashley Morris, who died in April. Simon and Morris had become acquainted via a few of the show’s fan Web sites, where Morris – a popular New Orleans blogger – would post frequently about the themes of the show. Simon lauded Morris’ passion and fire, and the fact that he was “angry for the right reasons.”
“What I want to leave you with today is a healthy respect for anger,” Simon said. “That’s right, I’m advocating for anger. Not selfish, petulant anger… but anger on behalf of others and anger for the society as a whole.”
Graduates from DePaul’s College of Commerce and Kellstadt Graduate School of Business were addressed by world-renowned chef Charlie Trotter, who encouraged the class to not settle for being adequate in their pursuits.
“Always regard yourself as your own toughest boss, with the highest expectations,” Trotter said.
However, Trotter also noted that all the success in the world is of little use if it isn’t accompanied by a respect for the greater good.
“Life doesn’t mean anything unless you can make a difference in your community,” he said.
At the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ceremony, Mae C. Jemison, astronaut on the space shuttle Endeavour, physician, engineer and teacher, spoke to the graduates.
Other commencement speakers included Carla Michelotti, general counsel at Leo Burnett Worldwide (College of Law); Danling Fu, professor and pioneer of approaches to writing development and literacy for English language learners (School of Education); Daniel “Henry” E. Moran III, director of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (School of Music and The Theatre School); and Shirley Ann Jackson, theoretical physicist and president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (School for New Learning).
Steppenwolf play goes to England
Steppenwolf Theatre Company says its Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning American play “August: Osage County” by Tracy Letts will play an eight-week engagement at London’s National Theatre, Lyttelton, beginning in November.
The play tells the "explosively funny tale" of the Weston clan, triggered by the recent disappearance of the family patriarch. With "rich insight and brilliant humor," Letts’ play paints a vivid portrait of a Midwestern family at a critical turning point.
“The National Theatre is thrilled to renew its association with Steppenwolf, and to host the company that represents for London audiences the American theatre at its most exciting. August: Osage County is a tremendous play; the Steppenwolf production of it lifted me out of my seat. I could not be happier to be presenting it to the British public and to be continuing the relationship between the great theatre cities of London and Chicago,” said Nicholas Hytner, Director of the National Theatre.
The play is now on Broadway in New York.
Lincoln Park nature museum kicks off new podcast
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum’s very own podcast, “The Little Green People Show: Sound Advice on Green Living in the Big City,” helps its listeners hear about fun and simple ways to live healthier and more sustainable lives in an urban environment. It’s hosted by two of Chicago’s most respected environmental voices, both with more than 20 years working in and around the local environmental community.
“Living green isn’t always easy, and we know that from experience,” said Laurene von Klan, president and CEO of the Museum, who hosts the podcast along with Jill Riddell, vice president of exhibits and strategic initiatives at the museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive. “Sometimes we try and fail, other times we succeed,” von Klan added. “So we can’t take ourselves too seriously, but being green in the Chicago area takes specific know-how.” Riddell and von Klan give practical and local insights, as well as little and big steps listeners can take toward a more sustainable future. The educational and entertaining podcasts, which are archived online and include information on composting, recycling, living with less, green buzzwords and sustainable fashion—all come with a Chicago bend. Some of the programs feature local guests who share their green-living expertise and experience with urban nature.
The self-proclaimed “Eco-chicks” post new content online each week and invite Nature Museum visitors to sit in on the podcast tapings, encouraging questions from the audience. “It’s really about building a sense of community with people as they strive to be green in their everyday lives,” Riddell said. She and von Klan have been talking to each other about how to live greener at home and beyond for years. They thought others would appreciate this same experience in person or online. “There’s a lot of energy with a live studio audience, so we expect it to resonate with listeners.”
The hosts realize people lead busy lives and none of us are perfect. The show’s tone and sensibility is the result of that recognition.
“We want people to know that individual actions truly matter for the environment,” Riddell added. The Eco-chicks hope people will tune into some of their thoughts and advice on long commutes or walks in the park. Timely topics at tapings in the month of June include a look at our nation’s obsession with lawns as Americans begin to groom their yards for the summer season, and a conversation with Chicago’s very own Green Mamma—a writer, environmentalist and new mom struggling to stay green with a little one in tow.
For an updated list of taping days and times or to be part of the conversationthrough the Little Green People Blog, visit lgpshow.org or naturemuseum.org.
Park District pumps up summer recycling
The Chicago Park District will expand its recycling program to all its city parks and beaches this summer. In addition, the Park District has dedicated two trucks to focus on picking up recyclable materials.
“We are very excited to implement a separate container, separate pick-up recycling program in parks across Chicago,” said Ellen Sargent, Chicago Park District Deputy Director of Natural Resources. “This program is part of our greening initiative and hope this will help encourage park patrons to act in a more environmentally friendly way while enjoying the parks.”
The Park District purchased two new types of receptacles that are weighted and made of 100 percent recycled content, which were placed throughout the district. The blue receptacles are for recycled materials and the green receptacles are for all other, non-recyclable trash. There is no need to separate the recyclables.
Some of the types of materials that are considered recyclable are glass jars and bottles, aluminum cans, foil and pie tins, tin or steel cans, cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers, magazines and catalogs, telephone books and paper bags.
In addition to the new separate recycling and waste containers; the Park District has dedicated recycling trucks to pick up recyclables throughout the city. One recycling truck will be dedicated to the lakefront and a separate recycling truck for all other locations through a hauling contract with the Flood Brothers company.
Chicagoans can recycle their household materials at Blue Community Drop-Off Locations, located in 16 communities across the city with seven Park District locations currently and five more locations to come. Chicagoans can bring paper, plastics and glass for separate recycling during daylight hours. The centers accept the same full range of materials as the Blue Carts and all recyclables can be tossed in together.
Chicagoans can see “BigBelly” trash containers at lakefront locations that feature solar powered trash compactors supporting fuel conservation and decreased emissions. There are 25 units spread out at four sites on the Lakefront - North Avenue Beach, Queen’s Landing in Grant Park, Northerly Island, 31st Street Beach and 63rd Street Beach.
Film camp held in Lincoln Park this summer
Crafting a movie review like Roger Ebert, inspiring actors like Steven Spielberg, or delivering lines with flair like Tom Hanks doesn't happen overnight, but for 120 Chicago-area children it started with Young Chicago Critics.
Children ages 7 to 14 attended Facets Multi-Media's eight-day program, June 18 to June 27 to learn about filmmaking and movie critique, and then applied their newfound skills to produce original short films at 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
"The kids did it all--from brainstorming movie ideas, storyboarding, and writing a script to acting, shooting scenes, and editing," says Festival Director Nicole Dreiske. "It's all about active, thoughtful discussion and hands-on experience in the art of film."
In addition to teaching children how to review films, the goal of Young Chicago Critics is to build the kids’ skills in their favorite area of interest: acting, writing or directing.
Children worked in groups to create their own live-action narrative short films, which premiered at the end of the program during their graduation ceremony.
The children interacted with a team of seven distinguished faculty and guest critics who facilitated some dialogue and fueled the hands-on involvement in the film production process. Guest critics included John Petrakis of the Christian Century and Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune. Rich Moskal, the director of the Chicago Film Office, also addressed 70 lively Young Critics on graduation day.
"The knowledge and skills these kids learned and then applied during the program was amazing," says Young Chicago Critics teaching artist Sandy Shea. "We provided the equipment and instruction and then the kids took the reins."
An international delegation of four critics will leave for the Giffoni Film Festival in Italy on July 13 and three graduates have already been invited to appear with Dean Richards and review films on the WGN Morning Show.
More than 60 Young Critics will go on to become members of the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival's Children's Jury and award many of the Festival's top prizes. August 5 to 15, the 70-member Children's Jury will screen more than 100 films.
The second session of Young Chicago Critics runs July 7 to 16. For more information on how to become involved, visit cicff.org or contact Kathleen Beckman at 773-281-9075 or kidsfest@facets.org.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Columbus Hospital demolition resumes
We have been advised that the concluding stage in the demolition of Columbus Hospital, the razing of the former Hospital's North Building, is scheduled to begin during the week of July 7th.
As has been the case through all of the Columbus project's preceding stages, activities during this final demolition stage (and beyond) will continue to observe the Agreement governing demolition and construction practices which our Association had negotiated at the project's outset. Because the construction field office in the North Building must be vacated, it will be replaced by three office trailers. Those trailers, which will be parked on site, are scheduled to be delivered to the site on July 9th.
Please note that, in order to provide sufficient clearance for the trailers delivery on July 9th, a City permit will be issued for that one day only, to vacate seven parking spaces (approximately 132 feet of curb space) just west of Hampden Court, on the north side of Deming Place.
The project's developers have estimated that completion of the North Building's demolition will require about three months (i.e., until approximately mid-October).
Gene Fisher
President, Diversey Harbor Lakeview Association
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: State Rep: Time to cleaning up state government
Should anybody ever need a reminder of the importance of comprehensive ethics and campaign finance laws, they unfortunately need look no further than right here in Illinois. At a time when a sputtering economy, skyrocketing gas prices, and home foreclosures dominate the headlines of most states, residents of Illinois find themselves confronted daily with news stories about corruption investigations, indictments and convictions of individuals tied to state government. Making matters worse is the fact that this same news cycle has now lasted for almost a decade, only the names have been changed – and not to protect the innocent.
With no limits on campaign contributions, lax reporting laws and little lobbyist oversight, Illinois has long been referred to as the ‘Wild West’ of campaign finance laws. So perhaps it is no surprise that 3 of the last 7 Illinois Governors have gone to jail and that over 70 lobbyists, state employees and government officials have also been convicted in recent years for offenses related to the abuse of state government. While many may feel that the justice system may have worked as it was intended to, I would argue that good prosecution is no substitute for good government.
To that end, over three years ago, I introduced legislation which would be considered a given in most states, but which was unheard of, and unwelcome, in Illinois. The legislation would end pay-to-play politics in Illinois and reform the current manner of “doing business” that has dominated headlines for far too long. In sum, the legislation prohibits any person or entity holding a state contract in excess of $50,000 from contributing to the officeholder who awarded the contract. The bill further requires that, as part of the procurement process, bidders on state contracts disclose all campaign contributions to the officeholder awarding the contract for the prior two years.
But Illinois political culture being what it is, and despite picking up numerous co-sponsors in the House, we were unable to gain the necessary traction to move the bill forward the first two years of trying to do so.
Then came what I refer to as a ‘perfect storm for ethics reform’. Former Governor George Ryan was convicted and sentenced to 6 years for offenses related to the exchange of payoffs for state business. Concurrently, Governor Blagojevich was being dogged by multiple federal investigations and the indictments and convictions of multiple individuals in his inner circle, bringing with it stinging allegations of what U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald referred to as ‘pay-play on steroids’. Add these two factors to a backdrop of legislative stalemate and a record overtime session last year, and you get a public whose complacency had quickly vaulted past discontent and was now in outrage mode.
Following several weeks of intensive negotiations, an agreement on language was reached between the two chambers. Three years of effort and countless obstacles along the way caused me to lead off the press conference announcing the agreement by stating that “it must be snowing in Hell”.
On the last scheduled day of this legislative session, the Illinois General Assembly unanimously passed what the Chicago Tribune described as “the strongest campaign fundraising restrictions state lawmakers have ever approved.” It must be noted that as of the time of writing this article, it remains to be seen what action Governor Blagojevich will take with respect to the bill.
I have now served in the Illinois General Assembly for twelve years, and am proud to count passage of this measure among the achievements of my tenure. Public confidence in government, once shaken, is very difficult to rebuild. But through the passage of this bill, we have taken a significant step in the right direction.
State Rep. John Fritchey
(D-11)
Lincoln Park Health Center moves, changes name
On July 21, the Advocate Health Center in Lincoln Park will begin seeing patients in its new location at 1460 North Halsted Street, Suite 401, at the corner of Halsted and Blackhawk. The center currently is located at 2400 N. Sheffield.
To reflect its new location, the center will change its name. As of July 21, it will be called the Advocate Health Center—Halsted and Blackhawk.
The new office offers many benefits. It was built specifically for the convenience and needs of our patients and staff members. It is easy to access because it is near the intersection of North Avenue and Halsted Street and close to the #8 Halsted and Blackhawk bus stop and the Red Line “L” stop at North and Clybourn. It also offers discounted indoor parking for patients.
“We are delighted about our new location. This new location will be easy for our current patients to access and will be convenient for the many new patients we hope to attract. Our medical staff includes board certified internal medicine and family medicine physicians, so we can offer care to all patients who come to us: babies, children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. We also have several specialists on site and we have laboratory facilities. If our patients need hospital care, we refer them to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center," said Dr. William Faber, Medical Director of the Center.
"Our goal is to provide each patient with excellent clinical care and compassionate, friendly, and efficient service. We have convenient morning, evening and weekend hours and we always try to make appointments the day our patients call us. And, our patients have access to Patient Care Express, a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week service that allows them to call, schedule or reschedule appointments, leave a message for their doctor, or speak with a nurse. We hope everyone in the neighborhood will mark their calendars for the grand opening on October 4 from 11 am to 2 pm,” said Faber.
CPS launches program to help kids catch up online
Online summer school offered to 600
In accordance with Chicago Public Schools push to get freshmen students on-track for graduation, the district has launched a pilot program that for the first time ever offers online credit recovery to CPS students during the summer.
June 30 marked the first day of Summer Online Credit Recovery, when students started logging onto the Internet and, with the assistance and supervision of a CPS mentor, taking courses and recovering lost credits. The pilot program targets first-time freshmen who have accumulated one or two credits less than what is required to be academically on-track to graduation.
“We must use all available resources to get our students on track, including the summer months when school is out of session and the technology at our fingertips,” said CPS Chief Executive Officer Arne Duncan. “We believe that Summer Online Credit Recovery will help us put our students on a path that leads to high school graduation and much, much more.” The 30 CPS mentors facilitating these courses will support students, at their schools, as they progress through their individual programs of study in a variety of online courses simultaneously in a single classroom. About 600 students from 19 schools are participating in the entirely virtual credit recovery experience
Each course taken in Summer Online Credit Recovery represents 60 hours of class time. A passing grade in an online course earns a student half, or 0.5, of a high school credit. A total of 24 credits, or six credits a year, are needed for graduation from high school.
Data shows that credit recovery is most effective in a student’s freshman year. First-time freshmen, who have earned four of six possible credits by the end of their freshman year, have only a 24 percent chance of graduating from high school. However, if these students are able to recover just one of these credits, for a total of five credits by the end of their freshman year, their chances of graduating high school go up to 45 percent. If these students reach a total of six credits, their chances of graduating high school shoot up to 68 percent.
“Summer Online Credit Recovery allows students to work at their own pace, so they can move quickly through the parts that they understand and spend more time on the concepts that they find challenging,” said Rufus Williams, President of the Chicago Board of Education. “This independence gives our students control of their own success.”
CPS students currently can take online credit recovery classes during the school year, but the online credit recovery program never has been used as a summer school program, nor has it ever specifically targeted ninth graders. Funding for the pilot program is provided by the CPS Department of Graduation Pathways.
June 30 also marked the start of Freshman Connection, a collection of programs that for the first time ever is making summer enrichment activities available to all in-coming CPS freshmen.
Hospital residents elect executive
The resident representatives of the Graduate Medical Education Committee at Saint Joseph Hospital, 2900 N. Lake Shore Drive, selected Neeti Kapur, M.D., third-year family practice resident, as the hospital’s executive resident for 2008-2009.
Dr. Kapur will address challenges that affect residents in the hospital’s six residency programs - general surgery, transitional, internal medicine, podiatry, obstetrics/gynecology and family medicine. She also will represent the residents on various hospital committees.
“I am excited to work with Dr. Kapur this year. Her experience and enthusiasm will add depth and a fresh perspective to our executive resident program,” said Pat Hardy, director of academic affairs.
Dr. Kapur received her medical degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, the Chicago Medical School, in 2002, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Toronto in 2000. As a research assistant for the Department of Diabetes & Endocrine Center of Western New York, she analyzed the effects of various drugs and lifestyle factors on atherosclerosis.
Study says not to lower drinking age to 18
A new study, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, indicates that state laws making it illegal to possess or purchase alcohol under the age of 21 have led to an 11 percent drop in alcohol-fueled traffic accident deaths among youth since the federal law in 1984 that raised the minimum drinking age to 21.
The study comes at a time when there is renewed interest among some to lowering the drinking age to 18 years old.
States with tough fake ID laws on the books have experienced a 7 percent drop in alcohol-related car fatalities among drivers below the age of 21.
Laws vary by state. The study focuses on 16 of the most pertinent underage drinking laws. The authors noted that no single state has embraced all 16 legislative options, although some are stricter in harnessing the law to tackle underage drinking.
The findings will be published in the July issue of Accident Analysis and Prevention.
Karen Sheehan, M.D., medical director, Injury Prevention and Research, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, and medical director, Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Chicago, is the co-author of the study.
"This study confirms drinking laws designed to limit alcohol use by drivers less than 21 years old have accomplished what they set out to do -- decrease the number of fatal crashes,” she said.
BenFest scheduled for this weekend
North-Side St. Benedict Elementary School and Parish hosts the annual BenFest celebration on Friday and Saturday, July 11 and July 12 in the parish courtyard at 2215 West Irving Park Rd. and along Byron St. on the south side of the school. A neighborhood family tradition, BenFest will feature a variety of music for all ages and a plethora of games and activities for kids, including inflatable bounce stations, an obstacle course, arts and crafts, and “Nature’s Creatures” animal shows. Neighborhood restaurants will sell food and a local distributor will provide a beer tent. In addition, there will be a fundraising raffle throughout BenFest; a $50 raffle tickets buys a chance to win one of ten cash prizes, including the top $15,000 cash prize. The drawing for top cash prize raffle will take place on Saturday at 10:45 pm.
“BenFest is a tremendous event, offering something for everyone,” said parishioner, school parent and festival volunteer, Debbie Gordils. “Adults can listen to some great ‘grown-up’ music while the kids enjoy any number of activities, including their own fun music.”
The musical lineup Friday starts at 5:30 pm and includes Breaking Strings, Todd Carey and Will Hoge. Saturday’s acts begin at 4 pm and feature Entertainment Project, Open to Suggestion, The Ginge, and Hello Dave.
Admission for kids is $5, while adults pay $5 before 8 pm and $10 after 8 pm. Donations will benefit the Parish and Schools of St. Benedict. St. Benedict’s offers special thanks to BenFest sponsors Paddy O’Splaines Restaurant and Bar and The Wilcox Company Real Estate.
Since 1902, the Schools of St. Benedict have prepared young people from preschool through high school for life-long learning through academic excellence based on individual needs and talents, spiritual formation, personal growth and a commitment to a multicultural community life and Christian stewardship.
For ticket information, please call Mrs. Marge at (773) 463-6797, Ext. 402.
Students enter playwriting program
The Victory Gardens Theater Arts Education Department has selected nine talented Chicago-area high school students to participate in its free, summer youth playwriting intensive program, Sound Off: Your Words/Your Voice 2008.
Now in its 6th year, Sound Off is designed for high school students to receive mentoring from a professional playwright while learning the mechanics of writing a play and having it produced for the stage. Nine students have been selected to work Victory Gardens' resident playwright Douglas Post from a pool of more than 50 candidates.
They are Alexandra Anderson, Chicago, Taft Academic Center, Christina Courtney, Arlington Heights, Elk Grove High School, Caroline Donnelly, Chicago, Lincoln Park High School, Breanna Lucas, Arlington Heights, Prospect High School, Robert Walker, Chicago, Fenger High School, Latasha Hoard, Chicago, Kenwood Academy, Gabriella Martinez, Chicago, Kenwood Academy, Melissa Renee Smith, Chicago, Kenwood Academy, and Ayanna Wimberly, Chicago, Kenwood Academy.
These young writers will meet twice a week from June 24 through July 31 at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater to work on developing their original plays. The program concludes with each nominee holding auditions for their play, which will be subsequently performed on the Biograph mainstage Sunday, August 3 at 4 pm, allowing the young playwrights to see their work performed Readers Theater-style by working actors in front of a live audience.
Candidates were nominated by their teachers and have displayed interest in theater, creative writing, and self-expression.
"The goals of Sound Off include mentoring students in the craft of writing a play, and nurturing and developing their individual voices," said Victory Gardens Arts Education Director Robert Cornelius. "Being a playwrights' theater, we also want to spur interest in playwriting and the theater arts as career options. We've found helping students write their own play with guidance from a real playwright, and watching actors bring life to the students' words is a great way to do that."
Organization for the blind selects new chairman
Near North Side resident William L. Conaghan, CEO of Bridgeview Bank Group, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.
An attorney, Conaghan is also counsel at Vedder, Price in Chicago, where he has advised a broad and diverse client base in the banking industry on legal and regulatory matters.
Conaghan has a background in community involvement. In addition to his service at the Lighthouse, he is a director of Catholic Charities and previously served on the boards of St. Xavier College and Catherine Cook School.
“Bill Conaghan is passionate about the Chicago Lighthouse and the work we do,” says James Kesteloot, president and executive director. “His enthusiasm for our agency and dedication to the people we serve coupled with his excellent organizational, planning, communication and presentation skills will make him a superb board chair.”
Conaghan, who succeeds Dr. Joel Kaplan as Lighthouse chairman, is a graduate of John Marshall Law School. Prior to that, he earned a B.S. degree with honors in Finance from the University of Dayton.
Founded in 1906, the Chicago Lighthouse major programs include a low vision clinic; a school for children with multi-disabilities; and a clock manufacturing facility which distributes clocks all over the world.
Park district offers grilling tips
Before firing up those grills this summer in Chicago parks, the Park District is asking park patrons to follow a few simple safety precautions when grilling in a park.
Only grill in designated grilling areas that have red, metal “hot coal cans.” Please stay away from playgrounds or trees. Only grill in open grassy areas.
When finished grilling, please dispose of hot coals in the provided red, metal “hot coal cans.” Do not dump the hot coals at the base of tree trunks or near any playgrounds.
Please dispose of trash and recyclables in appropriate blue recycling containers or green trash containers located in every park in the District
“These metal cans are provided to protect park patrons as well as the trees from the damage that can be caused from coals that are incorrectly disposed of in the park,” said Adam Schwerner, Director of Natural Resources. “Each year, Park District trees are damaged or killed when hot coals are dumped on the base of their trunks. These new cans should prevent much of the damage that takes places throughout the parks every summer.”
Chicago Outdoor Film Fest kicks off July 15 in Grant Park
The lakefront beckons with the return and allure of the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival in Grant Park, Tuesday evenings, July 15 - August 26. This years feature films were chosen, in part, because they exemplify the definition of classic movies so join us for opening night with Richard Roeper and "All About Eve," starring Bette Davis and Anne Baxter. This event is presented by the Mayor's Office of Special Events and ComEd.
The festival also pays homage to Deborah Kerr, and Charlton Heston as well as the Chicago Blues Festival which celebrates its 25th year by showing the quintessential Chicago movie -"The Blues Brothers". The Chicago Outdoor Film Festival salutes Bette Davis on the centennial of her birthday. In addition, film goers will appreciate the director's cut of "Touch of Evil."
"Welles never realized his vision for the film. Now, thanks to a long lost 58 page memo, the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival can proudly present A Touch of Evil as Orson Welles intended it to be viewed," said Kathy Byrne, Chicago Outdoor Film Festival programmer.
All films are shown on consecutive Tuesdays at sunset.
There are no rain dates. No pets or alcohol.
Parking is available at the Millennium Park Facility, East Monroe, Grant Park North and Grant Park South garages.
For more information on Public Transit visit www.transitchicago.com or call 312-836-7000.
County extends gay marriage benefits
On Tuesday, July 1, the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to revise the County’s Domestic Partnership Registry Ordinance to preserve rights and benefits for LGBT couples in Cook County who may choose to marry out of state where same-sex marriage is now legal. Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley worked closely with President Stroger in seeking the revisions from the larger Board.
After the Board vote, President Stroger joined Commissioner Quigley, Kelly Cassidy of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Marynic Foster, acting Director of the Cook County Commission on Human Rights, and Jim Madigan of the Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund at a press conference to discuss the initiative.
"This amendment recognizes employees who are in committed relationships and who share common households, and ensures that constituents and employees who take the steps to marry in other jurisdictions do not lose their benefits," said President Stroger.
Under the old language of the Domestic Partnership Registry Ordinance, benefits were extended only to 'unmarried' same-sex partners who sought to be recognized as 'registered domestic partners' as a way to accrue benefits that include health insurance for the partners of Cook County workers. The language was originally crafted as a way to provide some local recognition and benefits for couples who were refused the right to marry legally in states that include Illinois – and therefore denied the spousal benefits currently afforded heterosexual couples.
President Stroger backed the revisions to ensure that LGBT couples that now choose to legally marry in California - a state that recently legalized gay marriage -- would not lose benefits provided through Cook County's Domestic Partnership Registry Ordinance. The administration structured the revisions to protect the rights of LGBT couples in any state or area that may legalize same-sex marriage in the future.
President Stroger supported the initiative with Commissioner Mike Quigley, also a supporter of the original ordinance that was passed under the administration of late County Board President John Stroger. John Stroger welcomed the initiative as an expression of the rights and dignity of all County residents - including LGBT people.
"The issue of recognition and respect for the rights of LGBT people in domestic partnerships is a human rights and a civil rights issue that simply must be embraced," said President Stroger. "If we truly believe in the importance of family, then we must do what we can to secure the rights and well-being of all families, including those of our LGBT residents."
Zoo leopard euthanized
Lincoln Park Zoo snow leopard Yiet Yang, 19, was euthanized last week. The elderly leopard was suffering from several ailments including renal failure.
Schakowsky comments on war contractor liability
U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-9), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, responded on July 1 to information that the U.S. has agreed to eliminate immunity for private security contractors in Iraq.
The Iraqi foreign minister announced that the U.S. had agreed to remove immunity for private security contractors as part of the U.S.-Iraq security pact negotiations last week. The U.S. embassy in Iraq declined to comment on these negotiations.
“I am encouraged by news reports from Iraqi sources that the U.S. has agreed to lift the immunity for private security contractors working in Iraq. While I believe that private security contractors shouldn’t be performing inherently governmental functions in the first place, I am pleased that they may now be held accountable for any criminal actions under Iraqi law. This decision should not only apply to future incidents, but it should also apply to all of the previous incidents. For far too long, private military contractors have been able to operate with impunity. To this day, we still don’t know what U.S. laws apply to private security contractors working in Iraq and Afghanistan. I hope that today’s news will force the Bush Administration to clarify which U.S. laws apply to private security contractors so that they may also be prosecuted under U.S. law.”
Chamber celebrates opening of baby furniture store under new ownership
The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of Bellini Baby & Teen Furniture, 1800 N. Clybourn., Floor 3, under new owners last month with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Bellini specializes in designing children’s furniture. In addition to offering a variety of items for babies, including cribs, changing tables, strollers, cradles and clothing, Bellini sells items such as beds, desks and night tables for older children and teenagers. Bedding, rugs, lamps, chandeliers, armoires, dressers and accessories round out Bellini’s collection.
Bellini’s new owners, Cindy and Jeff Hudgins, opened the store in January. They say being Chicagoans and new parents helps them better understand the market and relate to their clientele.
“When preparing for the arrival of our son, we quickly became experts in baby furniture and accessories. We shopped extensively and became aware of the quality and craftsmanship that was synonymous with the Bellini name,” says mom Cindy Hudgins. “When the Bellini franchise became available in Chicago, we jumped at the opportunity to work with a manufacturer of such a high caliber.”
The Hudgins collaborate with a group of professionals, including bedding designers, muralists, photographers and baby safety experts, to provide their customers with a full range of services. Bellini also offers interior room design expertise and personalization options for nearly every item it offers.
The Bellini store in Lincoln Park is currently the franchise’s only location in Illinois. Free parking is available for store customers.
For more information on Bellini Baby & Teen Furniture, call (312) 981-6301 or visit www.bellini.com.
Sidewalk sale scheduled
"Shop the Village" the Roscoe Village Sumer Sidewalk Sale will held July 12 and July 13 from noon to 6 p.m.
Just for the weekend the Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a sizzling summer sidewalk sale on Roscoe Street and Belmont and Damen Avenues.
"Take a break and shop our specialty boutiques to find summer sales and promotions. Savor the food and drinks at neighborhood restaurants, coffee shops and bars. Stroll the sidewalks and visit unique displays featuring local designers and artisans," said Mary Markarian, Executive Director of the Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce, 3201 N. Wolcott Avenue.
Ain't Misbehavin'
Goodman Theatre's current production of Ain't Misbehavin' based is on an idea by Murray Horowitz and Richard Maltby Jr., with music by Fats Waller. Directed by Chuck Smith , John Steven Crowley and E. Faye Butler star in the production. Ain't Misbehavin' began performances on June 21 in the Goodman's Albert Theater and runs through July 27.
Park District offers North Side budget forums
The 2009 budget process is underway, and the Chicago Park District continues to support its neighborhood parks and provide access to effective programming and facilities to all residents citywide. In order to gather opinions and information from the public, the Park District is hosting six budget forums on the north side of the city. The budget hearings are a useful tool that provides an avenue for citizens to bring forth ideas and concerns for their local parks.
“The Chicago Park District relies on these hearings to find out what our patrons need and want at their parks,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent Timothy J. Mitchell. “Whether their concerns are about capital improvements or program offerings, these hearings allow another opportunity for the public to help us shape their park.”
These budget forums are the first steps in the Park District’s 2009 budget process. In the next few weeks the following budget forums will be held at the following parks at 6:00 pm.
The meetings are slated for July 14 at Peterson Park, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., July 16 at Riis Park, 6100 W. Fullerton Ave., July 17 at Gill Park, 825 W. Sheridan Rd., July 21, at Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave., July 22 at Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Ave., and July 23, at McFetridge Sports Center, 3843 N. California Ave.
Museum offers fiction website
Site tells ‘Great Chicago Stories’
The Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., is proud to present its award winning website, Great Chicago Stories, an interactive tool containing powerful historical fiction narratives for use by elementary and high school students, teachers, and families to encourage students to critically engage with history and enhance their classroom curriculum. The website can be accessed through www.greatchicagostories.com.
Great Chicago Stories is comprised of twelve powerful historical fiction narratives on topics ranging from sports to transportation to public housing. Each narrative showcases photographs of artifacts from the Museum’s Chicago: Crossroads of America exhibition and are available through the museum’s research center. The narratives also contain interactive history maps with then-and-now photographs and audio versions of each narrative. Additional resources are available for teachers and parents to assist students with critical thinking and historical engagement.
Great Chicago Stories is the result of a two-year collaborative effort between the Chicago History Museum, classroom teachers and their students, a national advisory board, and professional writers. Great Chicago Stories was made possible by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: great ideas brought to life.
Hollywood researchers consult History Museum
By Lindsey Reiser
Special to Inside
The Chicago History Museum isn’t just educating tourists and fellow Chicagoans, it’s keeping film makers informed as well. Movie makers for the Universal Pictures film Public Enemies, a synopsis of John Dillinger and the “public enemies” era of the 1930’s, consulted the archives of the Chicago History Museum when researching the dress and atmosphere of the Midwest Crimeland.
Adapted from Bryan Burrough’s book "Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-43," the film revolves around the criminal figures Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, and John Dillinger, as well as Melvin Purvis, an FBI agent in the early days of the bureau. Most of the trio’s notoriety was earned elsewhere in the Midwest, the most infamous incidents being a shootout at the Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin, and Dillinger’s near-impossible escape from the county jail in Crown Point, Indiana. He crafted his break from Lake County Jail using a fake handgun, a legendary feat still debatable amongst historians. Even the nature of the gun is disputable; whether Dillinger had made it from wood or a bar of soap is still a mystery. He was also the central figure in several other jail breaks where dozens of criminals were freed in huge shootouts. He was also known for carrying bags of nails with him; the purpose of the nails was to throw on the road to disable the tires of pursuing police cars.
Despite many of Dillinger’s exploits taking place in other Midwestern locations such as Indiana and Ohio, much of the filming has already been done in Chicago, where the bank robber spent the end of his life and his gang spent much time hiding out. The Biograph Theater in Lincoln Park, famed site of Dillinger’s death, was used in the filming, a well-known fact to the many Lincoln Park residents who gathered there several weeks ago in the hopes of seeing a movie star or two. Though it was difficult to see any of the lead actors from the public barriers on Fullerton, the spectators could catch a glimpse of the mob-era touches the film makers had added. From the automobiles on the road to the costume design, tips about these items were all gleaned from the archives at the Chicago History Museum.
Even for the ordinary visitor, the museum is a wealth of information about our city. Special interest should be paid to the “City in Crisis” exhibit, a series of chronological displays detailing the many troubles Chicago has been through, from the Great Chicago Fire to the civil rights tensions culminating in the Chicago Freedom Movement of 1966.
Somewhere in the middle of all this is an exhibit entitled “Gangland Chicago,” which focuses mainly on Public Enemy Number 1, Al Capone. The display highlights the facts about momentous events such as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and key figures like Papa Johnny Torrio and “Untouchable” agent, Eliot Ness.
However, the more interesting aspects of the exhibit revolve around the gangster’s image. Popular fiction, films, comic books, and biographies such as "The Life of Al Capone in Pictures" are also present, conveying the sensational popularity and interest that surrounded the mobster lifestyle. There’s even a chart of “gangster slang” in the biography, so readers could learn to talk like Capone himself. Such information is very useful when re-creating a figure like John Dillinger for the big screen. Dillinger had all the charisma of a public enemy-era criminal, performing bank robberies so creative and entertaining that Americans followed his media coverage just to see what he would do next. Dillinger was known for robbing police stations themselves in order to garner additional weapons, for example. As for the look and feel of the film, the movie makers consulted the museum’s archives which aren’t typically on display. The museum has an extensive stockpile of Depression-era photographs, many of which feature famous mobsters of the time. Clothes were a particular point of interest to the film makers.
“They wanted photos of what these folks would have looked like, to know how they could reproduce the characters as best as possible”, said Lauren Dolan, the museum’s spokeswoman. “Our museum researchers had them look at Marshall Field Fashions of the Hour magazines, and our costume curator showed them some of the actual clothes of the time.”
The film’s researchers didn’t stop at clothing; every detail from old store fronts, to the exact color and shape of traffic lights, to the dimensions of the Biograph’s original marquee, an item now owned by the museum, were taken into account. They also examined old photos featuring gangster mugshots, the prisoner cells in Joliet’s penitentiary, funerals and trials of criminals, even John Dillinger himself.
Recently, 200 of these have been published in a book put together by one of the History Museum’s curators, John Russick, entitled "Historic Photos of Chicago Crime: The Capone Era." For anyone interested in one of the darkest and most compelling eras in our city’s past, the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., is open seven days a week to the general public, and Russick’s book, “Historic Photos of Chicago Crime: The Capone Era,” is available in most
major bookstores.
Southport corridor undergoing transformation
By Peter von Buol
Special to Inside
Three recent property purchases by a Chicago-based real estate development company seem to indicate Lakeview’s Southport Corridor is continuing to undergo a transformation from being a lively neighborhood shopping strip to becoming a Chicago shopping destination.
Evan Oliff, the president of Preferred Development, told Inside his company completed its purchase of 3415-3421 N. Southport Avenue about two weeks ago. For decades, the property had been home to the Red Tomato pizza restaurant.
“The former owner had a good product and he was actually ahead of his time,” said Oliff.
A few years ago, the Red Tomato had been transformed from a casual pizzeria into a more upscale pizza restaurant but, according to Oliff, ongoing construction work at the Southport Elevated station located next door may have had a negative impact on the restaurant.
Oliff confirmed the purchase by Preferred Development is its third acquisition on the strip within the past two months. The other properties are located at 3510 N. Southport and 3447 N. Southport. All three are being marketed by the company as the Southport Collection.
“We are retail developers. We feel there are strong retailers out there who want to come to Southport and who are looking to be in modern buildings. Possible tenants include local, regional and national retailers,” said Oliff.
According to the web site of Oliff’s company, the Red Tomato location will have “exposed brick walls, loft ceilings and sealed-finished concrete flooring.”
According to the company’s web site, the location is projected as a two-story building with 15,000 square feet of space. Each story will have 7,500 square feet. The building will also include an underground parking lot with space for 24 cars.
Long a location for boutique stores and family-owned restaurants such as the Red Tomato, in recent years Einstein Bagel, Starbucks, Homemade Pizza and Potbelly have opened locations within the Southport Corridor. An Ann Sather Swedish restaurant is located across the street from the former site of the Red Tomato.
Two years ago, national retailer Anthropologie opened a location nearby at 3532 N. Southport and its success has attracted attention.
“The people at Anthropologie said the store is exceeding their expectations and Uncle Dan’s is also doing well,” said Oliff.
Uncle Dan’s Camping and Travel is a sporting goods and clothing retailer and its Southport location is at 3551 N. Southport.
According to Heather Way, who serves as the executive director of the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce which represents the businesses of the Southport Corridor, she hopes the street will be able to continue to maintain its unique charm and character.
“Obviously, we are in business for businesses but we also advocate responsible development. Our biggest concern is protecting the current character of Southport Avenue, which is so unique. There are so many great local independent stores along the street as well as a little bit of national flavor. What I am afraid of is the market driving out the little guys. We don’t want the street to turn it into a strip-mall or an Old Orchard-style shopping Mall. There are at-risk properties on the street but those same are the same properties that have helped maintain the special character of the street. We are more than happy to work with Preferred to find suitable tenants,” said Way.
Until the past decade, Lakeview’s Southport Corridor was somewhat of a neighborhood secret. The strip, which includes the streets north and south of the Southport Brown Line stop, contained mostly family-owned shops, restaurants, bars and other small businesses.
A former resident of the immediate area, Oliff said he has long appreciated the Southport Corridor.
“I have walked the street the past 18 years with and without a double stroller. It is an especially friendly pedestrian area and it’s one of the nicest streets in the city,” said Oliff.
Friendly sculpture saved, put on display
By Hayley Carlton
Special to Inside
A sculpture has been saved from the scrap heap and given for free to the Old Town Triangle community. The piece, by Brian Monaghan, now sits at Wisconsin and Sedgwick, in a small park area. It was untitled for most of its existence, but is now called “Friend.”
Monaghan, a sculpture who works mostly in metals, said that he choose the name Friend because it evokes something concrete, while the sculpture itself is abstract. “It brings one to a certain level, once you get to the threshold.”
The piece is made of 3/16 inch metal and vaguely resembles two flames coming together (the piece is abstract, but is tapered at the ends). It is brown metal and looks different depending on what angle it’s viewed from. “It’s got a volume to it, (but) it sits down on four points”, said Monaghan, who says that “Friend” evokes weight and energy.
It was created in the early 1980’s for the Crilly Courtyard, where it sat on top of a planter. “Friend” is about six feet tall (the planter it sat on was about 8 feet square, according to Monaghan). “My work represents energy. The piece is actually pretty dynamic,” said Monaghan who says that he is “grateful” of the sculpture’s placement in the community.
Due to rehab and condo construction, the sculpture was removed due to renovations.
Its destination was unknown until several community members stepped in to save it. Dan Baldwin received a tip that the piece was headed for the scrap heap, and contacted Monaghan about placing “Friend” in the Triangle area.
Baldwin was able to place the sculpture with help of Alderman Vi Daley’s office, which does an annual sculpture program.
Additionally, because the piece had to be removed from right away, Baldwin contacted his friend, artist Tom Scraff, who agreed to store the sculpture in his Old Town studio until a home could be found. “Friend” sat in Scaff’s studio for a year before the Wisconsin/Sedgwick location was secured.
“It didn’t cost a cent, it was done for free to the community” said Shirley Baugher, an Administer, for the Old Town Triangle Association. “Finkl Landscaping agreed to install it for free, and Tom Scraff stored it for free.”
“We’re very fortunate, the community has benefited from having this incredible piece of art. We’re very happy.” Baugher said that Old Town is a community known for its art and sculpture (including an annual art festival) and that “Friend” receives compliments from the community “every day, especially from people who live in the community.
It sits on a corner surrounded by single family homes with young children and down the street from an elementary school. Baugher says that the Wisconsin/Sedgwick location is a permanent location.
Monaghan says that he appreciates Old Town’s interest in the piece. “I’m grateful that it was saved. It’s good to have it out there…it’s a piece of myself” His pieces have been placed internationally and he works out of a studio in the Lawndale community.
Utility puts shrub in shape of lightbulb at zoo
ComEd is putting a new twist on promoting energy efficiency among customers with the installation of an eight-foot topiary in the shape of a spiral-shaped compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb at Lincoln Park Zoo, located near the east entrance across from the Lion House.
Another eight-foot topiary at Rockford's Sinnissippi Gardens and 24 three-foot topiaries along the Gardens of the Magnificent Mile were installed earlier in June. The topiaries are part of ComEd’s public education campaign aimed at raising awareness about energy-efficient behaviors, money-saving tools, and environmental impact in its Northern Illinois service territory
Roscoe Village salutes fallen police officer
By Peter von Buol
Special to Inside
On the morning of July 2, the entire Roscoe Village community was shocked to learn veteran Chicago Police Officer Richard Francis was killed steps away from the 19th District Police Station by a female offender who had grabbed his service revolver.
Neighborhood activist Brian Daley told Inside that while he did not personally know Officer Francis, it is difficult to put into words all of what the area’s police officers have done for the community.
“We have been the beneficiaries of the protection Francis and his now grief-stricken colleagues provide our ‘Village within the City’. Whether answering a call for assistance, cruising our streets on patrol, or mingling with the crowds during our annual Retro on Roscoe street festival, we know that our officers are looking out for us. We share [the] unspeakable grief of his family, friends and colleagues. We join them in mourning his death and we feel both deep humility and profound gratitude for his bravery and years of service to Roscoe Village and to the City of Chicago,” said Daley.
The current president of the Roscoe Village Neighbors Association, Dan Tomei, shared Daley’s sentiments about the loss of Officer Francis.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic death of Officer Richard Francis. We consider the officers of the 19th District to be our friends and guardian angels and losing one of them is like losing a member of the family. It is with a heavy heart that I extend, on behalf of Roscoe Village Neighbors, and indeed all of Roscoe Village, our eternal gratitude to this fallen hero and our sincere condolences to his family and fellow officers,” said Tomei.
Freshmen begin summer CPS program
Thousands of incoming freshmen began Freshman Connection in Chicago public high schools throughout the city on Monday, June 30.
That was the first day of Freshman Connection A.M. and P.M.—the cornerstones of Freshman Connection, the new CPS summer initiative that makes summer enrichment activities available to all incoming CPS freshmen. Freshman Connection is hosted in incoming freshman students’ future high schools. Almost 19,000 students and 95 high schools will participate in A.M. or P.M.
Freshman Connection A.M. has an academic focus, and Freshman Connection P.M., the afternoon portion, focuses on teamwork and social and emotional support.
Both programs run from June 30 to July 25. Most Freshman Connection P.M. classes will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays and include field trips, career activities and team building exercises.
19,000 incoming CPS freshmen at 95 high schools are set to particpate.
Vehicle sticker deadline arrives
City Clerk Miguel del Valle reminds residents that the 2008 to 2009 city vehicle sticker and residential parking permits must be displayed by July 15th.
The city provides a 15-day grace period from July 1st to July 15th for residents to purchase and display their city vehicle stickers and residential parking permits. Chicago residents purchasing the city vehicle sticker after the July 15th deadline face a possible $120 failure to display citation and a $40 penalty fee will be added to the purchase of a city vehicle sticker.
Several options are still available to residents in need of a 2008 - 2009 city vehicle sticker.
They can be obtained at Chicago Jewel-Osco locations, Chicago Dominick's locations, participating banks, currency exchanges and on select days at Aldermanic offices.
Currency Exchanges, banks, and retailers can charge a service fee of up to $5.50 for selling consumers vehicle stickers according City of Chicago
Municipal Code. For a list of locations visit www.ChiCityClerk.com.
Residents can also visit Office of the City Clerk locations and Department of Revenue substations and city offices at 2550 W. Addison St.
The deadline for city sticker purchased was the end of the month.
DePaul study measures neighborhood diversity
As Chicago showcases its rich cultural diversity in scores of summer neighborhood festivals, a team of researchers at DePaul University’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development has released a study identifying the city’s 23 most diverse neighborhoods, according to ethnic origin, income level and age of populations.
Using recent U.S. census data, Joseph P. Schwieterman, professor of public service, and Lauren A. Fischer, a research associate at the Chaddick Institute and a graduate of DePaul’s master of science public service program, set out to determine the ways in which gentrification, population shifts and business and residential development impact the historical patterns of Chicago’s neighborhoods.
“We believe ours to be the first attempt to integrate several aspects of diversity into a single index,” said Fischer, who used a composite index in “A Kaleidoscope of Culture: Measuring the Diversity of Chicago’s Neighborhoods” to determine overall diversity. “We ranked each of the city’s neighborhoods on the basis of their compositive score and assessed how diversity is likely to evolve in years ahead.”
According to the DePaul Diversity Composite Index, Uptown, Rogers Park, Hyde Park, Bridgeport and Albany Park are the most diverse Chicago neighborhoods.
Despite rising diversity as a whole, Chicago’s racial segregation seems likely to persist.
Also, public service agencies are placing greater emphasis on community development strategies that cultivate diverse constituencies.
The city’s most ethnically diverse neighborhoods are located on the North Side. Among the top five ethnically diverse neighborhoods, the largest group accounts for, on average, 48 percent of the population.
In all of the top five neighborhoods, at least three distinct ethnic groups each comprise 20 percent or more of the population.
In six of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods, Asians account for at least 10 percent of the population.
In Albany Park, residents have migrated from five continents, and schoolchildren speak 40 different languages.
There is a strong correlation between a population’s ethnic composition and a neighborhood’s religious and cultural structure.
Hyde Park ranks first in income diversity with 15.6 percent of households earning $100,000 or more; 37.8 percent at the middle-income level and 46.5 percent are low income. West Town ranks second.
If present trends continue, the Near West Side and Bridgeport will surpass Hyde Park and West Town as the most income-diverse neighborhoods.
The five most income-diverse neighborhoods in Chicago are within four miles of the Loop.
In poorer neighborhoods, the early phases of gentrification increase diversity. As higher- income people displace lower-income residents, gentrification has the opposite effect.
Reduction in diversity accelerates as developers and speculators drive up property values and property taxes increase.
By 2010, the percentage of the city’s population that is low income is expected to fall from 45.4 percent to 36 percent, while the middle- and upper-income brackets will increase—by as much as 7 percent for the latter.
The most age-diverse neighborhoods are widely dispersed throughout the city, and several of the highest-ranking ones are on the South Side.
South Chicago and Ashburn are the most age-diverse communities with one-third of the population being under 18 and 18 percent being 55 or older.
Hyde Park has comparatively little age diversity, which is not uncommon for a neighborhood with large concentrations of college students.
For a full list of the 23 most diverse neighborhoods cited by DePaul’s researchers and for a copy of the study, visit the Chaddick Institute’s Web site at: http://condor.depaul.edu/~chaddick/ or contact Lauren Fischer by e-mail at lfische6@depaul.edu or by phone at 312-362-5731.
Lincoln Park diverse, also wealthy
A new DePaul University study says the median household income of Lincoln Park is one of the highest in the city at $78,466, which is expected to increase to $94,342 by 2010. Yet, the study says Lincoln Park remains one of the most economically diverse areas in the city with 23 percent low-income, 39 percent middle-income and 37 percent of households classified as upper income.
"Many of the low-income households are college students in the DePaul neighborhood and residents of Cabrini Green and other Section 8 Housing Facilities in the most southwestern section of the neighborhood," the study says. "Lincoln Park was, as recently as the early 1980s, a mix of working class families and immigrants, including many Filipinos, and more affluent residents."
Universities win awards for transport ideas
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's Bicycle Advisory Council has given DePaul an award for advocating bicycle use through its participation in a university transportation alternatives program.
Bob Janis, vice president for Facility Operations at DePaul, accepted the award from Mayor Daley during a ceremony at Chicago's Bike to Work Day rally in Daley Plaza on June 13. Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago and Loyola University also received awards.
DePaul and the other participating universities agreed to split the cost of an intern with the city to develop marketing and advertising programs to encourage faculty, staff and students to bike to work and school, Janis said
First deaf woman earns doctorate in computer science from DePaul
Host of renowned personalities also address grads during 2008 commencement weekend
As the first graduate crossed the stage at Allstate Arena in Rosemont this past Sunday morning, American history was made.
Karen Alkoby – first in the alphabetical lineup of DePaul’s College of Computing and Digital Media grads – was draped with her doctoral hood, making her the first deaf woman in the U.S. to receive a Ph.D. in computer science.
The emotional day was the culmination of an eight-year journey for Alkoby, who had worked tirelessly to explore and research methods of using technology to improve ways for the deaf community to communicate.
“It’s hard to believe that I’m actually done,” said Alkoby via an interpreter. “Now I really feel like I’m flying out of the safety net. But DePaul prepared me well, so I’m ready for the next chapter.”
Alkoby’s dissertation, “An Analytic Model of Handshape Similarity in American Sign Language (ASL),” focused on the lack of standardization in ASL and how that might be alleviated to create a true, two-way, ASL-English dictionary.
ASL is a language used by more than one million Americans, but there are wide discrepancies in how it is interpreted by each user. ASL is not a linear language parallel to English, so the lack of standardization presents a problem for those communicating through ASL, particularly since a minor shift in the angle of a digit or fingertip can create an entirely different word or phrase.
“Handshape, or the posture of the hand, is one of the distinctive features of American Sign Language.” Alkoby wrote in her dissertation’s abstract. “Handshape is one of the most recognizable aspects of individual signs. However, there is little consensus about the number of distinct handshapes in ASL, and there is even less consensus about similarity among handshapes.” Alkoby’s research used 3-D modeling to analyze 40 different handshapes common to ASL and sought out a common interpretation for each. The goal was “to contribute toward the development of a true bilingual ASL-English dictionary that allows users to find the meaning of a sign based on the sign’s appearance.”
While she has spent time teaching ASL to deaf immigrants, Alkoby’s long-term goal is to teach computer science to deaf students, a field where the deaf community is underrepresented. Alkoby also has been an integral part of DePaul’s ASL Project, which utilized graphics and voice recognition software to develop an animated sign language interpreter.
In addition to Alkoby’s historic accomplishment, the more than 4,000 DePaul graduates who received their degrees this past weekend in late June were treated to an array of world-renowned speakers at the six ceremonies.
At the combined CDM and College of Communication ceremony, technology pioneer Mitchell Kapor, developer of the revolutionary Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet software who now runs non-profit organizations devoted to civil liberties and education, spoke of the importance of providing access to technology to underserved populations.
“What every economist tells us is that the best way in the long term to improve opportunity and decrease inequality is to improve access to education and create the kind of work force which is a leader in innovation,” Kapor said. “If we do these things, we increase the chances that achieving the American Dream is more reality than fantasy.”
Additionally, David Simon, author, screenwriter and creator of the popular HBO show “The Wire,” spoke in memory of DePaul CDM associate professor Ashley Morris, who died in April. Simon and Morris had become acquainted via a few of the show’s fan Web sites, where Morris – a popular New Orleans blogger – would post frequently about the themes of the show. Simon lauded Morris’ passion and fire, and the fact that he was “angry for the right reasons.”
“What I want to leave you with today is a healthy respect for anger,” Simon said. “That’s right, I’m advocating for anger. Not selfish, petulant anger… but anger on behalf of others and anger for the society as a whole.”
Graduates from DePaul’s College of Commerce and Kellstadt Graduate School of Business were addressed by world-renowned chef Charlie Trotter, who encouraged the class to not settle for being adequate in their pursuits.
“Always regard yourself as your own toughest boss, with the highest expectations,” Trotter said.
However, Trotter also noted that all the success in the world is of little use if it isn’t accompanied by a respect for the greater good.
“Life doesn’t mean anything unless you can make a difference in your community,” he said.
At the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ceremony, Mae C. Jemison, astronaut on the space shuttle Endeavour, physician, engineer and teacher, spoke to the graduates.
Other commencement speakers included Carla Michelotti, general counsel at Leo Burnett Worldwide (College of Law); Danling Fu, professor and pioneer of approaches to writing development and literacy for English language learners (School of Education); Daniel “Henry” E. Moran III, director of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (School of Music and The Theatre School); and Shirley Ann Jackson, theoretical physicist and president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (School for New Learning).
Steppenwolf play goes to England
Steppenwolf Theatre Company says its Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning American play “August: Osage County” by Tracy Letts will play an eight-week engagement at London’s National Theatre, Lyttelton, beginning in November.
The play tells the "explosively funny tale" of the Weston clan, triggered by the recent disappearance of the family patriarch. With "rich insight and brilliant humor," Letts’ play paints a vivid portrait of a Midwestern family at a critical turning point.
“The National Theatre is thrilled to renew its association with Steppenwolf, and to host the company that represents for London audiences the American theatre at its most exciting. August: Osage County is a tremendous play; the Steppenwolf production of it lifted me out of my seat. I could not be happier to be presenting it to the British public and to be continuing the relationship between the great theatre cities of London and Chicago,” said Nicholas Hytner, Director of the National Theatre.
The play is now on Broadway in New York.
Lincoln Park nature museum kicks off new podcast
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum’s very own podcast, “The Little Green People Show: Sound Advice on Green Living in the Big City,” helps its listeners hear about fun and simple ways to live healthier and more sustainable lives in an urban environment. It’s hosted by two of Chicago’s most respected environmental voices, both with more than 20 years working in and around the local environmental community.
“Living green isn’t always easy, and we know that from experience,” said Laurene von Klan, president and CEO of the Museum, who hosts the podcast along with Jill Riddell, vice president of exhibits and strategic initiatives at the museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive. “Sometimes we try and fail, other times we succeed,” von Klan added. “So we can’t take ourselves too seriously, but being green in the Chicago area takes specific know-how.” Riddell and von Klan give practical and local insights, as well as little and big steps listeners can take toward a more sustainable future. The educational and entertaining podcasts, which are archived online and include information on composting, recycling, living with less, green buzzwords and sustainable fashion—all come with a Chicago bend. Some of the programs feature local guests who share their green-living expertise and experience with urban nature.
The self-proclaimed “Eco-chicks” post new content online each week and invite Nature Museum visitors to sit in on the podcast tapings, encouraging questions from the audience. “It’s really about building a sense of community with people as they strive to be green in their everyday lives,” Riddell said. She and von Klan have been talking to each other about how to live greener at home and beyond for years. They thought others would appreciate this same experience in person or online. “There’s a lot of energy with a live studio audience, so we expect it to resonate with listeners.”
The hosts realize people lead busy lives and none of us are perfect. The show’s tone and sensibility is the result of that recognition.
“We want people to know that individual actions truly matter for the environment,” Riddell added. The Eco-chicks hope people will tune into some of their thoughts and advice on long commutes or walks in the park. Timely topics at tapings in the month of June include a look at our nation’s obsession with lawns as Americans begin to groom their yards for the summer season, and a conversation with Chicago’s very own Green Mamma—a writer, environmentalist and new mom struggling to stay green with a little one in tow.
For an updated list of taping days and times or to be part of the conversationthrough the Little Green People Blog, visit lgpshow.org or naturemuseum.org.
Park District pumps up summer recycling
The Chicago Park District will expand its recycling program to all its city parks and beaches this summer. In addition, the Park District has dedicated two trucks to focus on picking up recyclable materials.
“We are very excited to implement a separate container, separate pick-up recycling program in parks across Chicago,” said Ellen Sargent, Chicago Park District Deputy Director of Natural Resources. “This program is part of our greening initiative and hope this will help encourage park patrons to act in a more environmentally friendly way while enjoying the parks.”
The Park District purchased two new types of receptacles that are weighted and made of 100 percent recycled content, which were placed throughout the district. The blue receptacles are for recycled materials and the green receptacles are for all other, non-recyclable trash. There is no need to separate the recyclables.
Some of the types of materials that are considered recyclable are glass jars and bottles, aluminum cans, foil and pie tins, tin or steel cans, cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers, magazines and catalogs, telephone books and paper bags.
In addition to the new separate recycling and waste containers; the Park District has dedicated recycling trucks to pick up recyclables throughout the city. One recycling truck will be dedicated to the lakefront and a separate recycling truck for all other locations through a hauling contract with the Flood Brothers company.
Chicagoans can recycle their household materials at Blue Community Drop-Off Locations, located in 16 communities across the city with seven Park District locations currently and five more locations to come. Chicagoans can bring paper, plastics and glass for separate recycling during daylight hours. The centers accept the same full range of materials as the Blue Carts and all recyclables can be tossed in together.
Chicagoans can see “BigBelly” trash containers at lakefront locations that feature solar powered trash compactors supporting fuel conservation and decreased emissions. There are 25 units spread out at four sites on the Lakefront - North Avenue Beach, Queen’s Landing in Grant Park, Northerly Island, 31st Street Beach and 63rd Street Beach.
Film camp held in Lincoln Park this summer
Crafting a movie review like Roger Ebert, inspiring actors like Steven Spielberg, or delivering lines with flair like Tom Hanks doesn't happen overnight, but for 120 Chicago-area children it started with Young Chicago Critics.
Children ages 7 to 14 attended Facets Multi-Media's eight-day program, June 18 to June 27 to learn about filmmaking and movie critique, and then applied their newfound skills to produce original short films at 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
"The kids did it all--from brainstorming movie ideas, storyboarding, and writing a script to acting, shooting scenes, and editing," says Festival Director Nicole Dreiske. "It's all about active, thoughtful discussion and hands-on experience in the art of film."
In addition to teaching children how to review films, the goal of Young Chicago Critics is to build the kids’ skills in their favorite area of interest: acting, writing or directing.
Children worked in groups to create their own live-action narrative short films, which premiered at the end of the program during their graduation ceremony.
The children interacted with a team of seven distinguished faculty and guest critics who facilitated some dialogue and fueled the hands-on involvement in the film production process. Guest critics included John Petrakis of the Christian Century and Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune. Rich Moskal, the director of the Chicago Film Office, also addressed 70 lively Young Critics on graduation day.
"The knowledge and skills these kids learned and then applied during the program was amazing," says Young Chicago Critics teaching artist Sandy Shea. "We provided the equipment and instruction and then the kids took the reins."
An international delegation of four critics will leave for the Giffoni Film Festival in Italy on July 13 and three graduates have already been invited to appear with Dean Richards and review films on the WGN Morning Show.
More than 60 Young Critics will go on to become members of the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival's Children's Jury and award many of the Festival's top prizes. August 5 to 15, the 70-member Children's Jury will screen more than 100 films.
The second session of Young Chicago Critics runs July 7 to 16. For more information on how to become involved, visit cicff.org or contact Kathleen Beckman at 773-281-9075 or kidsfest@facets.org.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Columbus Hospital demolition resumes
We have been advised that the concluding stage in the demolition of Columbus Hospital, the razing of the former Hospital's North Building, is scheduled to begin during the week of July 7th.
As has been the case through all of the Columbus project's preceding stages, activities during this final demolition stage (and beyond) will continue to observe the Agreement governing demolition and construction practices which our Association had negotiated at the project's outset. Because the construction field office in the North Building must be vacated, it will be replaced by three office trailers. Those trailers, which will be parked on site, are scheduled to be delivered to the site on July 9th.
Please note that, in order to provide sufficient clearance for the trailers delivery on July 9th, a City permit will be issued for that one day only, to vacate seven parking spaces (approximately 132 feet of curb space) just west of Hampden Court, on the north side of Deming Place.
The project's developers have estimated that completion of the North Building's demolition will require about three months (i.e., until approximately mid-October).
Gene Fisher
President, Diversey Harbor Lakeview Association
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: State Rep: Time to cleaning up state government
Should anybody ever need a reminder of the importance of comprehensive ethics and campaign finance laws, they unfortunately need look no further than right here in Illinois. At a time when a sputtering economy, skyrocketing gas prices, and home foreclosures dominate the headlines of most states, residents of Illinois find themselves confronted daily with news stories about corruption investigations, indictments and convictions of individuals tied to state government. Making matters worse is the fact that this same news cycle has now lasted for almost a decade, only the names have been changed – and not to protect the innocent.
With no limits on campaign contributions, lax reporting laws and little lobbyist oversight, Illinois has long been referred to as the ‘Wild West’ of campaign finance laws. So perhaps it is no surprise that 3 of the last 7 Illinois Governors have gone to jail and that over 70 lobbyists, state employees and government officials have also been convicted in recent years for offenses related to the abuse of state government. While many may feel that the justice system may have worked as it was intended to, I would argue that good prosecution is no substitute for good government.
To that end, over three years ago, I introduced legislation which would be considered a given in most states, but which was unheard of, and unwelcome, in Illinois. The legislation would end pay-to-play politics in Illinois and reform the current manner of “doing business” that has dominated headlines for far too long. In sum, the legislation prohibits any person or entity holding a state contract in excess of $50,000 from contributing to the officeholder who awarded the contract. The bill further requires that, as part of the procurement process, bidders on state contracts disclose all campaign contributions to the officeholder awarding the contract for the prior two years.
But Illinois political culture being what it is, and despite picking up numerous co-sponsors in the House, we were unable to gain the necessary traction to move the bill forward the first two years of trying to do so.
Then came what I refer to as a ‘perfect storm for ethics reform’. Former Governor George Ryan was convicted and sentenced to 6 years for offenses related to the exchange of payoffs for state business. Concurrently, Governor Blagojevich was being dogged by multiple federal investigations and the indictments and convictions of multiple individuals in his inner circle, bringing with it stinging allegations of what U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald referred to as ‘pay-play on steroids’. Add these two factors to a backdrop of legislative stalemate and a record overtime session last year, and you get a public whose complacency had quickly vaulted past discontent and was now in outrage mode.
Following several weeks of intensive negotiations, an agreement on language was reached between the two chambers. Three years of effort and countless obstacles along the way caused me to lead off the press conference announcing the agreement by stating that “it must be snowing in Hell”.
On the last scheduled day of this legislative session, the Illinois General Assembly unanimously passed what the Chicago Tribune described as “the strongest campaign fundraising restrictions state lawmakers have ever approved.” It must be noted that as of the time of writing this article, it remains to be seen what action Governor Blagojevich will take with respect to the bill.
I have now served in the Illinois General Assembly for twelve years, and am proud to count passage of this measure among the achievements of my tenure. Public confidence in government, once shaken, is very difficult to rebuild. But through the passage of this bill, we have taken a significant step in the right direction.
State Rep. John Fritchey
(D-11)
Lincoln Park Health Center moves, changes name
On July 21, the Advocate Health Center in Lincoln Park will begin seeing patients in its new location at 1460 North Halsted Street, Suite 401, at the corner of Halsted and Blackhawk. The center currently is located at 2400 N. Sheffield.
To reflect its new location, the center will change its name. As of July 21, it will be called the Advocate Health Center—Halsted and Blackhawk.
The new office offers many benefits. It was built specifically for the convenience and needs of our patients and staff members. It is easy to access because it is near the intersection of North Avenue and Halsted Street and close to the #8 Halsted and Blackhawk bus stop and the Red Line “L” stop at North and Clybourn. It also offers discounted indoor parking for patients.
“We are delighted about our new location. This new location will be easy for our current patients to access and will be convenient for the many new patients we hope to attract. Our medical staff includes board certified internal medicine and family medicine physicians, so we can offer care to all patients who come to us: babies, children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. We also have several specialists on site and we have laboratory facilities. If our patients need hospital care, we refer them to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center," said Dr. William Faber, Medical Director of the Center.
"Our goal is to provide each patient with excellent clinical care and compassionate, friendly, and efficient service. We have convenient morning, evening and weekend hours and we always try to make appointments the day our patients call us. And, our patients have access to Patient Care Express, a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week service that allows them to call, schedule or reschedule appointments, leave a message for their doctor, or speak with a nurse. We hope everyone in the neighborhood will mark their calendars for the grand opening on October 4 from 11 am to 2 pm,” said Faber.
CPS launches program to help kids catch up online
Online summer school offered to 600
In accordance with Chicago Public Schools push to get freshmen students on-track for graduation, the district has launched a pilot program that for the first time ever offers online credit recovery to CPS students during the summer.
June 30 marked the first day of Summer Online Credit Recovery, when students started logging onto the Internet and, with the assistance and supervision of a CPS mentor, taking courses and recovering lost credits. The pilot program targets first-time freshmen who have accumulated one or two credits less than what is required to be academically on-track to graduation.
“We must use all available resources to get our students on track, including the summer months when school is out of session and the technology at our fingertips,” said CPS Chief Executive Officer Arne Duncan. “We believe that Summer Online Credit Recovery will help us put our students on a path that leads to high school graduation and much, much more.” The 30 CPS mentors facilitating these courses will support students, at their schools, as they progress through their individual programs of study in a variety of online courses simultaneously in a single classroom. About 600 students from 19 schools are participating in the entirely virtual credit recovery experience
Each course taken in Summer Online Credit Recovery represents 60 hours of class time. A passing grade in an online course earns a student half, or 0.5, of a high school credit. A total of 24 credits, or six credits a year, are needed for graduation from high school.
Data shows that credit recovery is most effective in a student’s freshman year. First-time freshmen, who have earned four of six possible credits by the end of their freshman year, have only a 24 percent chance of graduating from high school. However, if these students are able to recover just one of these credits, for a total of five credits by the end of their freshman year, their chances of graduating high school go up to 45 percent. If these students reach a total of six credits, their chances of graduating high school shoot up to 68 percent.
“Summer Online Credit Recovery allows students to work at their own pace, so they can move quickly through the parts that they understand and spend more time on the concepts that they find challenging,” said Rufus Williams, President of the Chicago Board of Education. “This independence gives our students control of their own success.”
CPS students currently can take online credit recovery classes during the school year, but the online credit recovery program never has been used as a summer school program, nor has it ever specifically targeted ninth graders. Funding for the pilot program is provided by the CPS Department of Graduation Pathways.
June 30 also marked the start of Freshman Connection, a collection of programs that for the first time ever is making summer enrichment activities available to all in-coming CPS freshmen.
Hospital residents elect executive
The resident representatives of the Graduate Medical Education Committee at Saint Joseph Hospital, 2900 N. Lake Shore Drive, selected Neeti Kapur, M.D., third-year family practice resident, as the hospital’s executive resident for 2008-2009.
Dr. Kapur will address challenges that affect residents in the hospital’s six residency programs - general surgery, transitional, internal medicine, podiatry, obstetrics/gynecology and family medicine. She also will represent the residents on various hospital committees.
“I am excited to work with Dr. Kapur this year. Her experience and enthusiasm will add depth and a fresh perspective to our executive resident program,” said Pat Hardy, director of academic affairs.
Dr. Kapur received her medical degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, the Chicago Medical School, in 2002, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Toronto in 2000. As a research assistant for the Department of Diabetes & Endocrine Center of Western New York, she analyzed the effects of various drugs and lifestyle factors on atherosclerosis.
Study says not to lower drinking age to 18
A new study, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, indicates that state laws making it illegal to possess or purchase alcohol under the age of 21 have led to an 11 percent drop in alcohol-fueled traffic accident deaths among youth since the federal law in 1984 that raised the minimum drinking age to 21.
The study comes at a time when there is renewed interest among some to lowering the drinking age to 18 years old.
States with tough fake ID laws on the books have experienced a 7 percent drop in alcohol-related car fatalities among drivers below the age of 21.
Laws vary by state. The study focuses on 16 of the most pertinent underage drinking laws. The authors noted that no single state has embraced all 16 legislative options, although some are stricter in harnessing the law to tackle underage drinking.
The findings will be published in the July issue of Accident Analysis and Prevention.
Karen Sheehan, M.D., medical director, Injury Prevention and Research, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, and medical director, Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Chicago, is the co-author of the study.
"This study confirms drinking laws designed to limit alcohol use by drivers less than 21 years old have accomplished what they set out to do -- decrease the number of fatal crashes,” she said.
BenFest scheduled for this weekend
North-Side St. Benedict Elementary School and Parish hosts the annual BenFest celebration on Friday and Saturday, July 11 and July 12 in the parish courtyard at 2215 West Irving Park Rd. and along Byron St. on the south side of the school. A neighborhood family tradition, BenFest will feature a variety of music for all ages and a plethora of games and activities for kids, including inflatable bounce stations, an obstacle course, arts and crafts, and “Nature’s Creatures” animal shows. Neighborhood restaurants will sell food and a local distributor will provide a beer tent. In addition, there will be a fundraising raffle throughout BenFest; a $50 raffle tickets buys a chance to win one of ten cash prizes, including the top $15,000 cash prize. The drawing for top cash prize raffle will take place on Saturday at 10:45 pm.
“BenFest is a tremendous event, offering something for everyone,” said parishioner, school parent and festival volunteer, Debbie Gordils. “Adults can listen to some great ‘grown-up’ music while the kids enjoy any number of activities, including their own fun music.”
The musical lineup Friday starts at 5:30 pm and includes Breaking Strings, Todd Carey and Will Hoge. Saturday’s acts begin at 4 pm and feature Entertainment Project, Open to Suggestion, The Ginge, and Hello Dave.
Admission for kids is $5, while adults pay $5 before 8 pm and $10 after 8 pm. Donations will benefit the Parish and Schools of St. Benedict. St. Benedict’s offers special thanks to BenFest sponsors Paddy O’Splaines Restaurant and Bar and The Wilcox Company Real Estate.
Since 1902, the Schools of St. Benedict have prepared young people from preschool through high school for life-long learning through academic excellence based on individual needs and talents, spiritual formation, personal growth and a commitment to a multicultural community life and Christian stewardship.
For ticket information, please call Mrs. Marge at (773) 463-6797, Ext. 402.
Students enter playwriting program
The Victory Gardens Theater Arts Education Department has selected nine talented Chicago-area high school students to participate in its free, summer youth playwriting intensive program, Sound Off: Your Words/Your Voice 2008.
Now in its 6th year, Sound Off is designed for high school students to receive mentoring from a professional playwright while learning the mechanics of writing a play and having it produced for the stage. Nine students have been selected to work Victory Gardens' resident playwright Douglas Post from a pool of more than 50 candidates.
They are Alexandra Anderson, Chicago, Taft Academic Center, Christina Courtney, Arlington Heights, Elk Grove High School, Caroline Donnelly, Chicago, Lincoln Park High School, Breanna Lucas, Arlington Heights, Prospect High School, Robert Walker, Chicago, Fenger High School, Latasha Hoard, Chicago, Kenwood |
