Lincoln Park neighbors quiz developers
about proposed giant new warehouse grocery
New Roundy’s on Diversey jeopardize future of local family-owned stores
Over 50 Lincoln Park neighbors met Tuesday night at Sunrise Assisted Living, 2710 N. Clark St., to talk about plans for a proposed new, 2-story, 70,000 square foot Roundy’s Grocery store on the 600 block of Diversey Pkwy. in east Lincoln Park. While neighbors mostly expressed rightful concerns about the location, density and traffic that the massive new store would bring, little conversation was focused on the fate of three local, family-owned grocery stores that have served the community for generations. Indeed, the future viability of The Lincoln Park Market, 2500 N. Clark St., Big Apple Finer Foods, 2345 N. Clark St., and The Market Place, 521 W. Diversey Pkwy. could be in jeopardy if this project goes forward.
While the plans for the proposed new Roundy’s are still purposely vague, Dominick’s Finer Foods has made their own plans quite clear for the new, 2-story 40,000 square foot store at 3000 N. Broadway. Construction started Thursday and the store is expected to be open sometime in 2010. This Dominick’s is being rebuilt after the original store at this location burned down in a spectacular Father’s Day 2005 fire. The new store will be much larger than the original and it will also host two additional floors of commercial space above the store and 80 condos.
Now, a mere two blocks south of that Dominick’s, Roundy’s has announced plans for a new concept store to fill the location where Pier One once was and Barnes and Noble Bookseller will vacate once their current lease is up. Neighbors pressed the developers for details but the Roundy’s plans are still quite vague in order to not tip off the competition about their plans, but industry sources claim that a store this size could draw up to 50,000 people per week, many who would drive to the store due to the volume of groceries the average customer would be hauling out.
“We hope to see [the plans] ourselves later this week,” said Jeff Shapack, a partner with M Development, owners of the site. “All I know is that Roundy’s says that they want the whole site and their architects have been working on it for a long time. They have taken the lead on design, but this is not a done deal yet. We’re still talking to other potential tenants for this site too.” Shapack said that there are at least five grocery groups trying to get into the east Lincoln Park market area “including Jewel, Trader Joe’s, Fox & Obel and Dean & Deluca’s. We’re talking to all of them still. Filling commercial space today is very difficult and this is a large, unusually configured lot.”
Shapack said that because of the 191-foot depth of the lot, not a lot of commercial tenants were willing to take on such a large configuration. The project is expected to encompass the areas from Orchard St. east to the alley just west of Clark St. and rise to 56 feet with the top two floor reserved for a 190-car parking lot. As proposed, Orchard street will become a two-way street for one block south of Diversey Pkwy., and 16 street parking spots will be removed. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc. is one of the Midwest’s largest grocers. The company owns and operates 152 retail grocery stores in Wisconsin and Minnesota under the Pick ‘n Save, Copps Food Center, and Rainbow Foods banners.
The majority of the audience was concerned about the overall lack of notification and communications on the project, the added congestion it would bring to an already gird-locked neighborhood and over the massive size of the project. But Peter Stellas is mostly concerned what it would do to his own family’s store.
“This project would kill us,” said Stellas of the store his family has run in Lincoln Park for 85 years. “The re-opening of the Dominick’s we could survive, but if they put this giant grocery store right up the street from us we won’t make it,” he said of the store which employs 150 people and is now in it’s third generation of family ownership. The Market Place Foodstore is now Chicago’s oldest remaining independent grocery store. In the last decade the North Side has also lost other independent grocery stores including Butera Foods, Cardenas Grocery, Johnny’s Market, Super Pleasing Foods, Lincoln Park Foods and International Foods.
Indeed, other well-established family-owned Lincoln Park-area grocery businesses face many challenges, including competition from big chains with deep pockets. While many North Side residents lament the loss of locally owned businesses, the city seems to be doing very little to actually help them stay in business and in some ways participates in making local grocers job’s tougher.
“I’m not as worried about Roundy’s, I’m more concerned about all the farmer’s markets,” said Russ Lodarek, owner of Big Apple Finer Foods. “The city does things to help them out but not us. Many of them are buying produce from the same wholesalers we are, repacking the goods and telling people they’re ‘farmers’ and selling them on public property, not having to pay for real estate or property taxes like we do.”
“We’re just worried about ourselves,” said Lodarek who wonders how much Roundy’s will actually make at this location. “We’re lucky, we’re small and pretty locked into this area and we’re doing record sales this year. We’ve been here 46 years and hope to expand the store next year. The competition is a lot tougher here than [Roundy’s] may think, they’ll have to do a lot of business to make it work.” Several residents at the meeting shared this concern and pointed to the failed Sunflower Store on Clybourn Ave. They wondered out loud what would happen if Roundy’s found their concept failed and they vacated the property, leaving a giant empty building on the street.
Bruce Longenecker, owner of The Lincoln Park Market also wonders if Roundy’s really knows how to cater to the Chicago market. “Do they really know this market? People are going to have to get into their car to go to that kind of store and most of our neighbors avoid that area now already because of the congestion. I’m also not sold on the 2-story food store concept. These guys will need to invest a lot of money on this concept and I think they will be taking a big risk.” Roundy’s reportedly sees this store competing with Costco and other giant food retailers. Upscale or not, the warehouse food store concept has never been tried in east Lincoln Park due primarily to the lack of available space and high cost of commercial real estate. “I don’t think it’s going to have much impact on me,” said Longenecker. “A lot of my traffic is foot traffic. People go some place once a week to stock up and stop here to fill in their daily needs.”
Roundy’s secret plans were clearly the focus of this meeting and area residents wanted a better understanding of what the project would entail. “Diversey is grid-locked most of the day already and cannot handle the additional traffic this project would draw,” said Margaret Zureich, a resident of the 2800 block of Orchard St. “Bottom line, this project is much to big for the space.”
“I think this store needs to be downsized,” said Diane Handelsman, an area resident and one of the meeting’s organizers. “It’s three to four times larger than the stores we’re used to and need... it’s going to be the size of the Home Depot on Halsted St. Why does the store have to be this large?”
In fact the Diversey/Clark/Broadway intersection has long been the most congested crossing in Lincoln Park. While two loading docks are planned for the rear of the Roundy’s project, anyone who lives near the Dominick’s at Sheffield and Fullerton avenues knows the frustration of sitting in traffic watching the stoplight pass from red to green to red over and over again while five or more trucks, which are usually double parked on Sheffield, unload their wares on a street no wider than the 600 block of Diversey Pkwy. is. Dominick’s officials had originally promised to police the area and try to keep the streets open but their efforts have been a dismal failure, if they had ever really made any attempt to do so in the first place. Area residents could be excused for fearing the worst considering the conga line of cars and trucks that already back up on Diversey Pkwy. west to Ashland Ave. on most afternoons and now they see Roundy’s wanting to bring 50,000 more people onto the street every week.
Another resident complained that because he lives north of Diversey Pkwy. he had been kept in the dark about the project. “A lot of us were left out of the first meeting. [44th Ward Ald. Tom] Tunney’s office told me they knew nothing about the meeting or project,” said Anil Kashyad of the 2800 Block of Burling St. “Roundy’s wants to be a ‘destination store’ and I’ve heard nothing about it... there seems to be an arbitrary line drawn down Diversey, why have I been kept in the dark?” Diversey is the dividing line between the 44th and 43rd Wards, the south side of Diversey Pkwy., where the proposed store will actually sit, is located in the 43rd Ward.
Ald. Vi Daley [43rd Ward] said she had talked to Tunney about the project but agreed that there needed to be “more door-to-door notification for future meetings on the project. We did do a survey of area residents and asked them what they wanted to see in our community and they said they wanted a grocery store. There is a process we go through and we plan to have more meetings with the community on this proposal as we move forward. I have asked the Chicago Department of Transportation [CDOT] to study the impact this project will have and we’ll get back to the community with their results.” Ald. Daley also agreed to let a local resident sit in on discussion with CDOT when they’re ready to present their report.
Ald. Daley also pointed out that there were parts of the proposal that she was concerned with and that the project would need a zoning variance to move forward. “There has been no lease signed and I have no agreement with Roundy’s and M Development at this point.”
Residents interested in following the progress of this proposal were encouraged to write and e-mail to Handelsman at: djhandelsman@hotmail.com.
Peter von Buol contributed to this report.
Demolition of public housing may halt
If two U.S. Congressmen from California and Massachusetts get their way, demolition of public housing across the nation will cease throwing in wrench in the Chicago Housing Authority’s “Plan for Transformation.”
On the North Side, Cabrini Green, and Lathrop Homes, based at 2962 N. Clybourn, are among those being redeveloped.
Public housing buildings on the Near North Side at 911 N. Hudson Avenue and 862 N. Sedgwick Street containing a total of 129 units are scheduled for demolition and closure this year.
Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Barney Franks (D-MA) sent a letter last month to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steven Preston.
“We call on you to immediately cease approval of all demolition,” they write. “We believe that the loss of public housing units has now reached epic proportions and further loss must be averted for the sake of the nation’s low-income families.”
Waters and Franks claim public housing units are being destroyed without adequate replacement being built in their place.
According to the CHA website, “25,000 units will be redeveloped or rehabilitated under the plan.”
CHA spokesperson Matt Aguilar did not return a call for comment.
However, the CHA maintains it is working hard to find new homes for those displaced when their public housing is demolished using vouchers in part.
According to the Plan for Transformation Year Nine Annual Report dated Dec. 28, 2007, “During 2007, 16,202 units were delivered - 64.8 percent of the 25,000 unit goal.”
According to the report, the CHA plans to “conduct demolition activity at the Frances Cabrini South” development in 2008 at 911 N. Hudson Avenue and 862 N. Sedgwick St.
At the seven-story building at 911 N. Hudson, there was fire in Feb.
911 N. Hudson has a total of 65 units and 862 N. Sedgwick contains 64 units.
Spokesperson Peter Karafotas for U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9) did not return a call before deadline for comment and Kathleen Connery, spokesperson for Rahm Emanuel (D-5), suggested Waters and Franks had the pertinent information and did not comment specifically on the issue.
The letter was penned because “more and more housing authorities are choosing to relinquish their public housing stock and with it their responsibility to provide affordable housing.”
They continue, “since 2000, 99,032 public housing units have been approved for demolition across the nation. However, during this same period 61,618 public housing units were reconstructed and it appears fewer than 40,000 units are public housing.”
Intruder breaks in, stands over sleeping Old Town women
On three separate occasions, an offender has entered a residence through an unlocked window or door and stood over a female resident while she is sleeping. Once the female awakes, the offender makes a bogus reason for being there and flees the residence, police say.
The three instances have taken place in the 1300 block of Sandburg Terrace, the 700 block of North Wells and the 2100 block of North Seminary.
Make sure your doors and windows are locked, police warn.
Officials also advise people to do other things.
If you leave windows open, ensure there are window locks, they say. Use motion detectors in dark areas. Keep landscaping clear of low windows and doorways. Utilize home alarm systems. Report suspicious persons/activity to 9-1-1.
Watch two presidential debates at
History Museum
The Chicago History Museum will provide the opportunity for Chicagoans to watch two of the presidential debates on Friday, September 26 discussing domestic policy and on Wednesday, October 15 with a focus on foreign policy. A third program, on Thursday, October 2 will look at the candidates for vice-president as they debate each other. All three programs begin at 7 p.m.
To help individuals make an informed decision on Election Day, prior to each debate there will be a panel discussion with journalists and scholars letting people know what to watch for during the debates. Following the panel, the debates will be televised live in the Museum’s auditorium.
The presidential debate programs will feature Chicago Sun-Times journalist Laura Washington and Chicago Public Radio political correspondent Ben Calhoun. Debate Watch I: Domestic Policy, on Friday, September 26 will also feature Alan Gitelson, Professor of Political Science at Loyola University Chicago, and Bruce Newman, Professor of Marketing at DePaul University.
These four experts will discuss the candidates’ platforms as it relates to domestic policy. For Debate Watch II: Foreign Policy, on Wednesday, October 15 Washington and Calhoun explore the candidates’ foreign policy views.
As the vice-presidential campaign has become a popular topic in the news, the museum , 1601 N. Clark St., will also host a debate watch on Thursday, October 2. Join both Democrats and Republicans as Senator Joseph Biden and Governor Sarah Palin talk about the issues and their experience. There is a suggested donation of $5 for each program.
Bank robber caught
A suspect was arrested Sept. 10 in connection with the robbery of a Lincoln Park bank.
The bank on the 900 block of W. Armitage was robbed just before noon at 11:53 a.m. The robber was caught shortly there after, officials said.
An FBI notice advised that the robber may also be guilty of a second bank robbery on the Gold Coast that occured just half-an-hour before the Lincoln Park stick-up job.
A bank on the 800 block of N. Rush Street was robbed at 11:25 a.m. that same day.
Officials believe the same bandit may be responsible for both the Gold Coast and Lincoln park robberies.
CTA cuts $40 million
from budget
The CTA outlined a series of belt-tightening measures they are taking Sept. 8 to reduce costs in light of soaring fuel prices, the loss of a state subsidy for reduced fare rides, new free ride programs and lower than anticipated tax proceeds that have combined to put pressure on the CTA’s $1.2 billion budget. In total, the new and ongoing cost control initiatives are estimated to save the CTA about $40 million.
Current projections indicate that CTA’s fuel and energy costs for 2008 will be $37.3 million higher than last year; the loss of the reduced fare subsidy will be $16 million; the free ride program will cost at least $20 million this year, and the RTA has reported that tax proceeds are coming in lower than projected.
“In order to keep the CTA on the right track financially, we have to stay on top of the budget and keep making adjustments as often as needed,” said Chicago Transit Authority President Ron Huberman. “In July we announced steps we were taking to offset rising costs, such as fuel. The realities of a weak economy and new unfunded mandates such as the free rides programs require us to find additional ways to cut costs.”
Huberman announced the elimination of 43 positions and said that CTA plans to eliminate 80 administrative positions before the end of the year through a combination of layoffs and cutting vacant positions. The job cuts announced Sept. 8 are expected to save the CTA $4.9 million (total includes fringe benefits as well as salaries).
In addition, he said the CTA is moving ahead with plans to outsource refuse collection at its facilities. This is expected to save the CTA more than $500,000 annually.
Other cost cutting initiatives already underway include deferring contract spending for non critical needs, changing the labor mix to reduce reliance on overtime, reducing bus maintenance costs through fleet upgrades and more efficient preventative maintenance practices and using technology to improve the efficiency of bus supervision, making supervisors mobile instead of stationary.
Huberman said that 43 positions announced Sept. 8 include nine management positions. The other positions come from realignments in the Technology, Purchasing, and Law departments in order to reduce costs and operate more efficiently.
He said the remaining positions will be identified in the next few months as the CTA develops its 2009 budget proposal. Each department has been directed to reduce costs.
Earlier this year, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation to provide the CTA with highly-controversial additional funding after the agency threatened the Chicago people with massive service cuts. It enabled the CTA to issue bonds to restore the financial health of the pension and establish a retiree health care trust. It was also expected to provide sufficient funding to allow CTA to get its operating budget back on solid financial footing.
However, due to the economic slow down, some projected tax revenues have been less than anticipated, they now claim. Most recently, the reduced fare reimbursement was vetoed, impacting the CTA’s bottom line by $32 million annually. The CTA was counting on this annual funding to help offset a portion of the free ride programs. The lack of a new state capital program has also strained the CTA‘s operating budget as resources are diverted to maintain aging equipment and facilities.
Although these complications, in addition to skyrocketing fuel prices, have put pressure on the CTA’s budget this year, Huberman claims the agency is committed to “maintaining service and improving quality for customers.” The CTA will continue to look internally for ways to cut costs and operate more efficiently.
“Like every rider of the CTA, we had hoped that the state funding would be enough to bring the CTA financial stability, but soaring fuel prices, the weak economy, all the new free rides initiatives and loss of expected revenue are resulting in continued financial challenges,” he claimed. “Still, we have devoted significant resources to maintaining service levels, improving the cleanliness and reliability of our vehicles and investing in projects to enhance service and safety.
It has been our goal to avoid budget actions that would impact the riding public, and that is why we continue to look internally for ways to tighten our belt.”
Huberman said that the CTA is still developing its 2009 budget, but has already begun the process of cutting costs..
Play set in 1968 good way to spend some time this weekend
U.S. troops battling fatigue and struggling to keep morale high, anti-war protesters and peace activists galvanizing, politicians waging attacks against the war and scandal and blackmail in political families during an election year. Sounds like 2008 but this play was written forty years ago.
“Weekend premiered on Broadway in the heat of the 1968 presidential campaign,” TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers said. “It has rarely, if ever, been produced since, and TimeLine is proud to unearth this gem from the great writer Gore Vidal. Now seems like an ideal time to introduce this play to a new generation. In many ways it feels like it was written last week — Vidal’s biting political humor is remarkably prescient and should provoke a lot of discussion this fall as we’re embroiled in a national election!”
Taking place over the course of one weekend in a U.S. Senator’s mansion, this play effectively illustrates what can happen inside a family during a run for the White House. With many truly surprising twists and turns, Terry Hamilton’s performance as Senator McGruder will stay in your mind long after you’ve seen this play. Truth be told, each and every character in this play will linger in your mind afterwards. I saw this play a couple of weeks before Sarah Palin was announced as the Republican’s choice for V.P. ... and I am still laughing out loud about it all. Is art imitating life—or is it the other way around?
Penny Slusher’s portrayal of the senator’s wife is exceptional, showing a sage view on the arena of politics, while spotlighting the very human side of what it takes to endure being married to a politician. Her unexpected partner in crime, Miss Wilson, played by Juliet Hart, should make you gasp, literally. But they aren’t the only one’s on the handsome and stately stage, designed by Keith Pitts, who will catch you off guard. Mica Cole plays a pivotal role as Louise, the girlfriend of the senator’s son, which reminds one of when the hunter gets captured by the game. Not much more can be written about that without giving it all away. Suffice it to say that the son, played by Joe Sherman, shakes up the establishment in ways other than just being against the war.
Janet Ulrich Brooks and Tom McElroy play a visiting Southern Senator and wife, bringing a madcap sensibility to the story, helping the audience to question just how far have we come in regards to racism. Brook’s ability to portray the nervousness that one may feel when encountering their own prejudices should have you nervously laughing yourself.
In this election year, TimeLine’s spot-on performance of Vidal’s keen and timeless Weekend is a “must see.” You shouldn’t have to go through another day of either party’s campaign without the hilarious yet thought-provoking insights that this cast provides.
Weekend runs through October 12 at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave, runs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Sunday, October 12. Tickets are $25 (Wednesday – Friday) or $35 (Saturday & Sunday). Advance purchase is recommended as performances may sell out. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 773.281.TIME (8463) or visit timelinetheatre.com.
Thanks for drinking
Retired actor Ken Kincaid has collected over 250,000 aluminum soda pop can tops in the last two months as part of a fundraiser for Children’s Memorial Hospital. He just turned his bounty in at the club’s last meeting at Ann Sather’s Restaurant.
City launches new emergency notification plan
Alerts on cell phones
Mayor Richard M. Daley unveiled the city’s new “Notify Chicago” initiative Sept. 9, an enhancement to the current “reverse 911” program that will now give the city the ability to provide anyone in the Master Street Address Guide who signs up for the program with emergency alerts on their cell phones and handheld computers.
“In today’s world of ever changing technology, it is critical that public safety agencies do their part to stay in tune with the latest tools available to help keep residents safe,” Daley said in a news conference held at the city’s 911 Center, 1411 W. Madison St., in which the Mayor reviewed the steps the city has taken in recent months to enhance security.
“Notify Chicago” is the latest addition to “Alert Chicago” - the city’s initiative for educating and informing communities on how to protect themselves and their families from harm. It is managed by the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications.
Daley pointed out that in 1997, only 27% of 911 calls were wireless. Ten years later, more than 58% of 911 calls came from wireless devices.
“Because federal regulations prohibit mass notifications to wireless users, and because we didn’t have this software, we were limited in communicating with many people. Now, if residents register for “Notify Chicago” - and that is required by federal rules - we’ll be able to send pro-active alerts to them on everything from traffic to weather emergencies to hazardous materials situations,” he said.
Daley said that to publicize the program and ensure the city’s most vulnerable populations register for “Notify Chicago,” city departments will be work with their partners and clients.
To sign up to receive “Notify Chicago” alert messages, residents need to log onto www.notifychicago.org and create a personal account.
Residents who do not have access to the Internet can sign up at one of Chicago’s Public Libraries. All you need is a library card.
Residents can register up to three telephone numbers, including home, work and a cell phone, as well as an email address. They can choose from different types of notifications to receive, such as life safety, fire, weather, disasters and accidents involving utilities or roadways.
For more information on preparing for emergency situations visit alertchicago.org and click on the “Notify Chicago” link.
Notify Chicago uses a program that uses a patented combination of database and GIS mapping technologies to deliver outbound notifications.
In reporting on the city’s preparedness, Daley said that thanks to the efforts of many departments in city government, Chicago remains as safe and prepared as any city can be.
“One of our fundamental responsibilities is to keep Chicago as safe and secure as it can be during these uncertain times and to be prepared to manage emergency situations.
He said the city continues to work closely with the federal government, state and regional agencies to use state-of-the-art technology and strategies to stay ahead of potential threats posed by increasingly sophisticated terrorist groups.
“And many of the steps we have taken in recent months also enhance our ability to keep our neighborhoods safe from the threat of gangs, guns and drugs. We are proud of the fact that, when it comes to emergency preparedness, Chicago has a history of innovation,” the mayor said.
Daley pointed to several recent steps taken by the city to improve preparedness.
It has employed mobile command vehicles equipped to provide critical infrastructure information as well as internet and video conferencing capability with other city, regional, state and federal agencies.
In addition, the city continued to install security and safety cameras both as a deterrent to terrorism as well as to address the challenge of gangs, guns and drugs and worked toward a comprehensive school security system that gives school, police and Office of Emergency Management and Communications personnel access to video provided by more than 4,500 cameras inside and outside about 200 public elementary and high schools.
The city unveiled new tools for helping keep residents safe, including the Fire department’s “279 Incident Management Unit” -- a command vehicle that carries the kind of state-of-the-art electronic equipment needed to coordinate communications and command at emergency events – and the 5-2-6 Special Operations Tunnel rescue unit used to respond to tunnel, building and trench collapses and problems that occur in the subway, freight tunnels or the pedway.
The city also unveiled the fire department’s new helicopter and its digital equipment, which will greatly strengthen our ability to communicate by audio and video in both firefighting and in rescue operations while opening a new fire station last month at 6030 N. Clark Street that serves Edgewater, Andersonville and Rogers Park.
The city also added two state-of-the-art 31-foot boats used by the Police Marine Unit to perform search and rescue and other security operations since 9/11.
At the city’s airports, Chicago has invested in the newest security and safety enhancements, including a fingerprint identification system for airport access, license plate recognition cameras and a state-of-the-art video management system.
And in a in a continuing effort to improve emergency coordination, CTA has worked with the Chicago Fire Department to continue to improve interagency coordination and emergency preparedness, Daley said.
In addition, the CTA is investing in infrastructure improvements in its subways to speed evacuation in the event of an emergency. These include brighter subway lighting, the addition of reflective signs to identify emergency exits, escape path lighting, rebuilt stairwells, improved drainage, replacing emergency phones and applying reflective paint to handrails.
Cell phones have been added as an additional communications tool on the Red and Blue Lines, which operate in the subways.
“Keeping our neighborhoods safe and our city secure today is not an easy job,” Daley said, “but through the combined efforts of well-trained personnel equipped with the latest technology and supported by an engaged and informed public, we are doing it.
New eatery opens in Lincoln Park
Founded in 2003 by restaurant industry veteran Jeff Weinstein, Culver City, Calif.-based The Counter offers a fresh, unconventional approach to the American tradition of creating the ultimate premium burger. Since opening its original Santa Monica location, The Counter quickly gained national acclaim. In July 2005, GQ magazine columnist Alan Richman named The Counter’s “Build Your Own Burger” to his list of the best burgers in America and “The Oprah Winfrey Show” featured the GQ list shortly thereafter in a segment entitled “20 Burgers You Must Eat Before you Die”.
The Counter customers at 666 W. Diversey Parkway can choose from its standard selection of six signature burgers, including the Old School with fresh ground beef, Tillamook cheddar cheese, lettuce tomato, onions, pickle and red relish or the Taco Turkey with fresh ground turkey, jalapeno jack cheese, lettuce, scallions, dried cranberries and spicy sour cream. But 80 percent of The Counter customers choose to “Build Your Own Burger” and get creative with the hundreds of thousands of possible variations that The Counter offers them. The Counter’s burgers are made from certified humane-raised, natural grain-fed beef and are available in 1/3-pound, 2/3-pound and one-pound patties. Customers are given a clipboard from which to make their selections when they are seated in The Counter’s full-service, sleek, retro-feel dining room.
“We’re giving the power back to the customer,” said Weinstein. “We’re putting the choice in their hands. Ultimately, they’re responsible for what goes on their burger. They own that burger. It has their name on it.”
The variations seem to never end.
Unique monthly burger selections include such choices as Old Bay Lobster Cake with Fried Artichoke Hearts or a Ground Ahi Tuna Burger with Saffron Aioli.
Other popular menu items include the Burger in a Bowl – The Counter’s version of a salad featuring a burger without a bun – fried pickle chips, sweet potato fries and crispy fried onion strings along with additional appetizers, sandwiches and desserts. The Counter in Lincoln Park will also offer a selection of beer and wine in addition to specialty liquor drinks.
The Counter’s atmosphere, with its modern, industrial décor, is as unique as its menu choices.
Burgers start at $6.95.
Suspect sought in liquor store break-in
Chicago Police are looking for a man who recently broke into a liquor store near Fullerton Parkway and Clark Street in Lincoln Park early Saturday morning on Sept. 13.
The offender is described as a Male Hispanic or light skinned African American, 25-30 years of age, possibly 5’08,” 5’10” tall, 160-170 lbs, with a thin mustache.
He was last seen wearing a dark baseball cap, a hooded jacket with a very detailed embroidered design across the front, back and cuffs of the jacket sleeves, blue jeans and white gym shoes. The subject shattered the front door to gain access and stole property which he placed into a dark shoulder bag that he had been carrying.
He was armed with a dark colored semi-automatic pistol and should be considered armed and dangerous.
Detectives are seeking any information you may have to assist in identifying this subject. Anyone with information should call
312-744-8263.
Newberry Library hosts Lincoln history lecture
The talk “The Lincoln-Douglas Debates and the Nature of the American Republic” will be presented on October 1 at 6 p.m.; by Speaker Robert Sprott, Instructor at the Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton.
In the summer of 1858, in seven different Illinois towns, the Democratic incumbent senator Stephen A. Douglas shared the platform with Abraham Lincoln, his Republican challenger. Although there were a number of issues on which they clashed, the question of slavery and its extension into the Territories was the issue of greatest interest to the public, both in Illinois and nationally, and the issue on which they spent most of their time.
Although Douglas’s doctrine of “popular sovereignty” seemed to be the quintessentially American political philosophy in its respect for personal liberty and its confidence in the ability of citizens (both as individuals and in groups) to make the correct choice, Lincoln was convinced that the triumph of Douglas’s views would lead to the political and moral collapse of the American republic.
A century and a half later, we find that although the specific issues these men debated have changed, the underlying intellectual currents of those debates are still very much with us. This lecture will present those currents and attempt to show how, in spite of our admiration for Lincoln, we are, many of us, on the side of Douglas.
Sprott holds an M.A. in anthropology and theology, and a Ph.D. in linguistics. A Roman Catholic priest and a Franciscan, he is on the staff at St. Peter’s Church in the Loop.
Children’s Memorial aims to raise $600 Million
Billionaires aid cause
Children’s Memorial Hospital has announced the launch of one of nation’s largest fundraising campaigns for pediatric medicine and research, the Heroes for Life campaign, to raise a minimum of $600 million
Children’s Memorial Hospital formally announced its most ambitious fundraising initiative on behalf of children and families in the hospital’s 126-year history, the Heroes for Life campaign, at an event on September 10 at Northerly Island.
The campaign goal is one of the largest ever announced by a children’s hospital in the United States.
The goal of the campaign is to raise a minimum of $600 million, which will be used to help create the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, scheduled to open in the Streeterville community in 2012, and to support its medical and nursing professionals, programs and research.
“Tonight we celebrate the public announcement of one of the most important undertakings on behalf of children in our city’s history,” said Christopher Reyes, chairman of the Board of Directors of Children’s Memorial Medical Center. “The Heroes for Life campaign presents all of us with an opportunity to help shape the future of pediatric health care and research for generations of children in Chicago and beyond.”
The campaign will be led by a cabinet of members of the community, who have made significant contributions of time and talent, as well as generous gifts to the campaign. Honorary campaign co-chairs are billionaire philanthropists Lester Crown, Ann Lurie, Andrew McKenna and Penny S. Pritzker.
Campaign co-chairs are J. Christopher Reyes, Robert S. Murley, Daniel J. Hennessy and Paula H. Crown.
The leadership phase of the campaign began in 2004 and has raised more than $400 million to date, including the $100 million commitment from Lurie for whom the hospital will be named. In addition, those closest to the organization – its boards, senior management, leading donors and other key stakeholders – provided the foundation to publicly launch the campaign. The leadership phase also received early support from the Children’s Memorial Hospital Faculty Practice Plan, which committed $3 million, one of the largest gifts from a faculty group to a pediatric hospital in the U.S.
“The Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago will allow us to draw as never before on the expertise of specialists in every field of medicine,” said Patrick Magoon, CEO of Children’s Memorial Medical Center. “Our new location will also enable us to enhance that expertise, attracting new leaders to our staff of talented pediatric specialists and nurses. The Heroes for Life campaign is essential in making this possible.”
“This move will create great synergies in education and research that will positively impact patient care and ultimately, children’s health. This is such an exciting time for Northwestern University, Children’s Memorial and for the entire community,” said J. Larry Jameson, Dean of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
“The new state-of-the-art facility will feature the Regenstein Comprehensive Cardiac Unit, one of the nation’s first units with acuity adaptable beds that will allow children with heart problems to remain in the same room with the same caregivers from admission to discharge,” said Thomas Green physician-in-chief at Children’s Memorial Hospital. “We will also be among less than a handful of children’s hospitals nationwide that offer a dedicated program in neurocritical care that offers a dedicated program including specialized clinical care, training and research in pediatric neurocritical care. And with space for clinical research, we can investigate the newest treatments to improve the lives of children.”
Construction began in April on the new 23-story facility, located between Chicago Avenue and Superior Street, east of Michigan Avenue and just west of Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s new Prentice Women’s Hospital in Streeterville.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Questions lease of state lottery
State Representatives have moved quickly to pass legislation to lease the Illinois Lottery, leaving many questions unanswered.
Illinois voters approved the Lottery to fund education. SB 2595 will lease the lottery with only a portion going to education--$600 million a year, which is a decrease from the $657 million the Lottery contributed to the Common School Fund for fiscal year 2008.
There are only a handful of Lottery companies in the world, and many of the largest ones are owned by companies in foreign countries. How much more money will Illinois residents have to lose to recover the $10 billion leasing fee, plus turn a profit for a foreign-owned Lottery company?
SB 2595 will bind the state in a lease for a minimum of 50 years, which is longer than the 34 years the Illinois Lottery has been in existence. The roads will wear out before the contract expires!
What company would pay $10 billion to lease 80 percent of the Lottery and then operate under the same rules or even more restrictions than the current state Lottery?
SB 2595 is the “foot in the door” for an enormous expansion of gambling. Once private owners control 80 percent of the Lottery lease, they will lobby Legislators to loosen restrictions. A For-Profit operator will expand the Lottery to the Internet, Video Lottery Terminals, Keno, or use future technology to addict people quickly to increase revenue. The Legislature will become dependent on the revenue and would be unable or unwilling to rein in the leased Lottery.
The Lottery is a regressive tax on the poor. SB 2595 could allow a foreign-owned company to further exploit the poor through the Lottery by increasing retail outlets.
Call the Governor (800-642-3112) and your State Senator (217-782-2000) and tell them not to gamble on the future of Illinois – Vote no to oppose leasing the Lottery.
Anita Bedell, Executive Director
Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction
Alderman hosts meeting Sept. 23
A Lincoln Park community meeting will be held by Ald. Vi Daley (43rd) on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N Cannon Drive. At 6:30 p.m., proposed private scavenger changes will be discussed. Daley invited Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Commissioner of the Department of Environment, to the meeting to discuss the proposed change to private scavenger service. The proposal would designate one private scavenger service for a geographic area. Residents and managers of high-rise buildings, owners of businesses and owners of properties that do not receive city garbage collection are encouraged to attend.
The proposal will be further explained and comments will be sought. At 7:30 p.m., recycling in the 43rd Ward will be detailed.
The Blue Cart program is currently in use north of Diversey and east of Western with a few scattered wards throughout the city included. The 43rd ward is scheduled to join that program in 2009. Daley has asked residents to advise her of whether or not they were interested in hiring a private, not-for-profit recycler to pick-up in this ward. The question was raised because there is a fee for this service. The support for this program was over-whelming. Over 97% of all responses were positive, she says.
“I hope that we will be able to begin this program in the coming weeks. It is an option for those who want to lessen their carbon footprint. There is no question in my mind that this program will succeed here,” the alderman says.
Aaron Trulley from the Resource Center will present their proposal for curbside recycling pick-up at the meeting. He will answer questions and sign up residents.
“I hope that you will join us for this very important step in improving our recycling participation,” Daley said. “While our intent is to provide this service to single family homes and small apartment buildings, the Resource Center welcomes high-rises, multi-unit buildings, institutions and commercial businesses.”
Chamber offers street pole banners to business
Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce members have the exclusive opportunity to advertise their businesses to the thousands of people who pass through Lincoln Park’s prominent commercial streets every day by ordering street pole banners.
The chamber is accepting fall orders for banners through September 30.
The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce currently has more than 400 banners on Lincoln Park streets, including Armitage, Halsted, Fullerton, Clybourn and Sheffield.
Each six-foot, blue banner says “Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce Since 1947” and includes business information for a member on the lower one-third of the banner.
The chamber will work with chamber members to determine ideal locations for and information to include on banners, which are available from $250 to $300 per banner, depending on the size of the order.
Banners remain up for one year, at which point members may renew their orders at a discounted rate.
The chamber perfroms quarterly maintenance checks of banners and replace any wear and tear at no additional charge.
For more information or an order form, contact Katie Freese or Jennifer Payne at (773) 880-5200.
DePaul psychologist to speak on ‘rescued lives’
A DePaul University psychologist and researcher will share stories from his new book ‘’Rescued Lives’’ at a Sept. 17 book signing.
Leonard Jason’s book talk will include accounts from former drug users.
Oxford House, a success-oriented network of residences for recovered drug users, has received a powerful endorsement in the form of a new book, “Rescued Lives: The Oxford House Approach to Substance Abuse” (Routledge). Leonard Jason, director of DePaul University’s Center for Community Research and a co-author of the book, will share stories of overcoming addiction gathered during his research, at a book reading on Sept. 17 at DePaul University Bookstore at Barnes & Noble, 1 E. Jackson Blvd, from noon to 1 p.m.
“Rescued Lives” presents success stories of a cross section of recovered substance users living in the 1,200 places throughout the country, while explaining how the program works to bolster the sobriety of its 9,500 residents. The book examines a society in crisis due to conditions such as drug use, retraces the history of the first recovery houses and devotes considerable coverage to expansion of the model to include homes for women and children, criminal offenders and society’s disenfranchised.
Jason’s co-authors are Bradley Olson, an assistant professor at Northwestern University; and Karen Foli, a registered nurse and researcher with a doctoral degree in communications from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
In presenting the model as one worthy of replication, the book explores the concept of self-governed living as a new paradigm based on a simple yet successful concept.
A community psychologist, Jason’s prevention-oriented research resulted in two Oxford House studies that showed recovering substance users living together in self-governed home settings attained a 65 to 87 percent abstinence rate. Prior to this research, published evidence revealed that a majority of individuals in recovery relapsed after treatment. As a result of these findings, the state of Illinois, last year, reinstated its group home loan revolving fund initiative, which allows for an annual increase of between 10 and 20 new houses.
Past and present members of Oxford House, as well as administrators of the Oxford House program in Illinois, will participate in the book signing and discussion. For more information about the book signing, contact Deborah Liebow, DePaul University Bookstore at Barnes & Noble, 312/362-8795.
CTA to Test Reduced-Seat Rail Cars on Brown Line
The Chicago Transit Authority announced Sept. 12 a pilot program to test three pairs of reduced-seating rail cars on the Brown Line in an effort to increase capacity. The reduced-seat cars were phased into service that afternoon, running only during peak periods on the Brown Line.
“Ridership on the CTA rail system has increased 8.3% compared to last year,” said CTA President Ron Huberman. “While we welcome more riders, it does present challenges during peak periods. By removing some of the seats we are able to increase the capacity for customers on the train while still providing seating for those who need it most.”
The changes are part of a continued effort by the CTA to accommodate an increase in ridership. Preliminary CTA numbers for August 2008 show a ridership increase of 9.5 percent compared to August 2007. In hard numbers, that means that 1.9 million more bus rides and 808,000 more train rides were taken this August, compared to last August. For the year, ridership is up 5.3 percent compared to 2007.
The Brown Line is the third busiest line in the CTA rail system. The average weekday ridership on the Brown Line is 80,000.
The six pilot rail cars provide limited seating. The 3200 series rail cars used for the pilot originally had 39 seats. Twelve have been removed in one of the cars, 14 in the other to provide increased standing room. For every seat removed, CTA estimates that at least two riders can be accommodated. Additional stanchions and handles have been added to these cars for customer safety.
The six pilot rail cars with reduced seats will be clearly identifiable for riders before they board the train with large “Max – High Capacity Car” decals located on both sides of the train’s doors indicating they are reduced seating cars.
Although the CTA originally considered removing all the seats from designated cars, engineering tests determined that doing so could pose potential operational and safety issues. The specifications for the rail cars original design designate a load of 22,500 pounds. CTA personnel tested the weight limits of the rail cars and determined that removing all the seats for standing customers would result in a weight increase that exceeds the specified design weight limits.
While a rail car with all seats removed would still operate, stress would build up on the suspension and undercarriage and would result in reduction of the built in safety factors causing damage to the rail car body structure, suspension or undercarriage. Using a formula of estimated customer weight of 175 pounds per person, design capacity and floor spacing, personnel were able to determine how many seats could be safely removed without adversely affecting the suspension system.
The cars with reduced seating are better able to manage the extra weight distribution. In addition, by leaving seats in the cars they are better able to accommodate riders who require priority seating such as seniors and expectant mothers.
Low-interest loans offered to storm victims
Low-interest loans are available to the owners of homes and businesses that sustained weather-related damage during recent storms, Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias said Sept. 15.
Under the Opportunity Illinois: Disaster Recovery Loan Program, the Treasurer’s Office obtains below-market interest rates for storm victims in declared disaster areas who finance their disaster repairs through participating lenders. As of today, loan rates would be no more than 4.5 percent.
Governor Rod Blagojevich declared seven Illinois counties in Chicagoland state disaster areas Sept. 15 as residents work to recover from flooding caused by record-setting rains over the weekend.
Under the State Treasurer’s program, residents and businesses that expect insurance to cover their damages can qualify for one-year bridge loans with interest-only payments. These loans are designed to be paid off in one lump sum when insurance or aid comes through.
Underinsured residents and businesses can qualify for low-interest loans with repayment terms of up to five years. The underinsured storm victims must make payments on the interest and principal for loans exceeding one year. Also, loans with terms longer than two years require a compliance review.
“Many times, storm victims need to make immediate repairs to their homes and businesses while they wait for insurance or aid payments,” North Sider Giannoulias said. “We help them obtain affordable rates so they can rebuild and get their lives back on track without delay.”
To participate in the Disaster Recovery Loan Program, borrowers must own damaged property in an area declared a local, state or federal disaster are, secure a loan up to their damage amount with a participating lender, file the application within 90 days of the state or federal disaster declaration and use the money for disaster recovery.
For more information on applying for a loan, finding a participating financial institution, or becoming a participating financial institution, call the Disaster Recovery hotline at (866) 523-0641.
New members join Lincoln Park chamber
The following businesses joined the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce as announced in September.
Bakery
Sweet Mandy B’s
Cindy Levine
1208 W. Webster
(773) 244-1174
Coffee & Tea Shop
Nespresso
Robin Poulsen
217 Westminster Pl
Munster, IN 46321
(312) 402-6440
Electronics
Best Buy
Dan Palmer
1000 W. North
(312) 988-4067
Financial Consultant
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Katie Garber
2254 N. Bissell
(773) 935-9526
Health Care: Dental
Dentistry for Children
Georgina Boyd
1721 N. Halsted
(312) 988-9855
Heating & Air Conditioning
Comfort Heating & Cooling
Sonia Teruel
6424 N. Francisco
(888) 268-4464
Hotels & Lodging
Inn at Lincoln Park
Michael Kenney
601 W. Diversey
(773) 348-2810
Massage Therapy
Veria Natural Wellness Center
Kathryn Fenske
2010 N. Halsted
(773) 281-3467
Pet Services & Animal Care
Fetch! Pet Care
Carolyn Alonzo
5023 W. 64th
(312) 235-2409
Restaurant:Bar
State Restaurant and Café
Tyler Lewis
935 W. Webster
(773) 975-8030
Restaurants: Carry Out
Edwardo’s Natural Pizza
Faraz Sardharia
2662 N. Halsted
(773) 871-3400
Retail: Clothing
Frankie’s on the Park
Lisa Burik
2322 N. Clark
(773) 248-0400
Salons & Spas
Dynamic Studio
Michelle Gomez
2643 N. Clybourn
(773) 472-1400
Sports & Recreation
DePaul University Athletics
Eli Cutler
2323 N. Sheffield
(773) 325-1440
Public school test scores improve
A record number of Chicago public elementary school students are meeting or exceeding Illinois reading and math standards, setting a new all-time district high—all despite a late state mandate requiring English Language Learners to take the test for the first time, Mayor Richard M. Daley and school officials announced Monday.
According to preliminary data from the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT), the district’s composite score—which captures reading, math, and science — increased 1.3 percentage points this year, marking the seventh year that CPS test scores have increased. That means 65.4 percent of all students met or exceeded state standards across all subjects in the 2007-2008 school year, up from 64.1 percent the previous year.
A “true apples-to-apples comparison”—without English Language Learners included--— would show a 3.7 percent increase to 67.8 percent meeting or exceeding state standards, district officials said.
“More important, we are making steady gains over time, with hundreds of schools making progress on ISAT over the last seven years, including this one,” Mayor Daley said at E.F. Young elementary, 1434 N. Parkside Ave., where composite scores rose 36.3 percentage points, from 18.7 percent of students meeting or exceeding standards in 2001 to almost 55 percent in 2008. “We’re making great strides in the right direction, thanks to the dedication of our principals, the hard work of our teachers, the guidance of many of our parents, and the growing number of community partners that have teamed up with us to help this district improve.”
Fifth-graders, in particular, stood out in reading and math on this year’s ISAT exam, given to third- through eighth-graders every spring.
“While this means that an increasing number of students have improved their performance in the classroom, let’s remember that we still have a lot of work to do to help students who are still struggling in a handful of schools,’’ the mayor said. “We all need to continue to raise the bar on students and their teachers, to close failing schools, and create new schools that give families quality choices.”
Without the inclusion of ELL students, scores for all racial and ethnic groups increased. African-American students went from 54.2 percent meeting or exceeding standards on the composite to 58.3 percent, and Hispanic students went from 72.0 percent to 74.4 percent. Since 2001, when the percentage of African-American students meeting or exceeding standards was 30.5 percent, the percentage has nearly doubled. Hispanic students have increased nearly 34 percentage points, from 2001’s 40.8 percent.
“A true apples-to-apples comparison, this year to last year, shows larger gains, but it all points to the fact that our core strategies are working,’’ said CPS CEO Arne Duncan. “And we’re proud that district-wide, more of our students are finding themselves in the exceeding-state-standards category, across subjects.”
The preliminary data shows that the percentage of students exceeding state standards, or performing above their grade in various subjects, also rose. Last year, the ISAT composite score was 11.4 percent of students exceeding state standards, which jumped up to 13.1 percent this year. In reading, 12.8 percent of students exceeded standards, up from 10.3 percent last year. In math, 14.9 percent of students exceeded standards, up from 14 percent last year, and in science 8.3 percent exceeded standards, up from 7.1 percent last year.
“These steady gains over multiple schools are moving us in the right direction to close the achievement gap,” said Chicago Board of Education President Rufus Williams said. “It’s the kind of progress you want to see. It is real improvement, year after year.”
Not including ELL students, 66.7 percent of students met or exceeded state standards in reading this year, up from 60.9 in the previous year, an increase of 5.8 percentage points. Fifth-graders made a particularly significant improvement, going from 52.5 percent of students meeting or exceeding last year to 60.1 percent this year. In 2001 only 34.5 percent of fifth-graders met or exceeded standards in reading.
In math, 70.6 percent of students met or exceeded state standards, an increase of two points over last year, when 68.6 percent of students met or exceeded standards. Again, fifth-graders showed improvement, going from 65.5 percent meeting or exceeding last year to 68.9 percent this year, and up from 32.3 percent in 2001.
Both fourth- and seventh-graders, the only grades to have consistently taken the science test since 2001, have shown consistent improvement. In 2001, 36.4 percent of fourth graders met or exceeded standards. That number rose to 57.4 percent by 2007 and again to 60.2 percent this year. In 2001, 51.6 percent of seventh-graders met or exceeded standards, compared to 62.8 last year and 64.7 this year.
During the past spring’s testing period, the district learned that English Language Learners would have to take the ISAT for the first time. In the past, those students were allowed to take the IMAGE, a test specifically designed for students who are learning English. ELL students range from those who do not speak or understand any English to those with limited English abilities.
The composite score for this year with ELL students included is 65.4 per cent, reading is 63.5 and math is 69.1.
CPS, other districts, and parents of ELL students argued that ELL students would not have had enough time to prepare for or enough test-taking accommodations to take an exam that would yield results that truly measured their knowledge of a particular subject. But the state still required ELL students to take the ISAT.
“Providing a world class education to every child is not just my mission – it’s our city’s mission and I want to thank every parent, teacher and community and business leader for their ongoing support,” Daley said.
“Over the last thirteen years there have always been those who said our children weren’t up to the challenge and that we’d never turn around our schools and graduate students prepared to compete in the global economy.
“Of course, there’s more to be done -- especially to turn around our underperforming schools. But, we should never underestimate the commitment of every student in every school in Chicago to do their best.
“They’ve shown they’re up to the challenge,” he said.
Currently, more than 65,000 students are considered English Language Learners within CPS, which has the highest number of ELL students in the state.
Alcott high school meeting slated for Sept. 18
A community forum will be held on Thursday, September 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Alcott Elementary School, 2625 N Orchard St., to offer information about a proposal to create a new neighborhood high school and to answer questions.
The Alcott High School for the Humanities would be open to all graduates of the Louisa May Alcott School.
Remaining seats will be equally divided between neighborhood and city-wide students.
The mission for Alcott High School for the Humanities is to meet the demand for expanded options for 9th through 12th grade students by providing a dynamic small school.
Emphasizing solid mentoring towards college and post-secondary success, it would nurture a student body capable of critical thinking, active citizenship and private contemplation, officials say. A location for the new high school has not been determined. The new school will be sited in an existing CPS facility.
Explore Ape Behavior at zoo
If you have ever wondered what a chimpanzee or gorilla may be thinking, why they do what they do and what that behavior means - the Lincoln Park Zoo’s Exploring Ape Behavior course may be just the program for you.
This 1 hour 15 minute interactive class explores great ape behavior, introduces the public to the scientific research happening at the zoo and allows participants to collect data with a zoo scientist.
This program is aimed at adults and students aged 12 years and older.
Experience firsthand how zoo research helps us better understand the intelligence and complexity of these extraordinary animals.
The course is offered from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday.
Participants meet at the south entrance of the Helen Brach Primate House (#6 on the Visitor’s Guide map). $5 tickets must be purchased online.
If you are reserving for a group of 10 or more for the Exploring Ape Behavior program, please call Education Program Coordinator Mark Foster at 312-742-2669.
Dumpster diving and night ministry taught in new DePaul course
‘City at night’ class meets from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Dumpster diving, ghost hunting and the CTA are among the subjects that DePaul University students will explore in a new course kicking off this fall.
“Although most courses about urban life feature some discussion of the night, the scheduling of these classes prohibits a consistent firsthand collective experience and analysis of the city at night. This class seeks to provide students with an opportunity to study urban communication and culture in the context of the night,” said professor Daniel Makagon, who is teaching the course.
Students in the 10-week “City at Night” course, which meets from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., will also learn about the death of neighborhood taverns and help night ministry workers feed the homeless.
“One of the most powerful dualisms is day and night. Not only do the rhythms of the city change with the shift from day to night, but the representational power of light versus dark infuses our sense of who moves through the city at night,” he said.
Makagon’s teaching and research interests include urban communication, ethnography, cultural studies, documentary films and community. Other areas of expertise include alternative music and culture, community radio, independent media, and pop culture in urban public spaces.
An upcoming book Makagon co-authored with Mark Neumann, titled “Recording Culture: Audio Documentary and the Ethnographic Experience” (Sage Publications October 2008), explores how researchers can use audio documentary to reach a larger audience and provide more opportunities for collaborative work in the pursuit and representation of knowledge and experience. He also wrote a book on New York’s Times Square titled “Where the Ball Drops: Days and Nights in Times Square,” and has published articles on guerilla art, democracy, urban life and youth and loud car stereo systems.
|
