Streeterville News January 2019

VOL. 2 NO. 1

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January 2019

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WINTER RISING

It’s cold, it’s windy and it’s hot: Chicago tourism heats up in the winter

Get fit in the New Year with new routine Page 8 Quiet, please: Streeterville residents get new noise law passed Page 10 Page 7 Volunteer Chicago greeter Wally Braun at Cloud Gate. Photo by Jesse Wright

Navy Pier Flyover section open

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Doorperson of the month: Dwight Jones

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Better food, better etiquette: Improving your work lunch Page 9

Will Starbucks save downtown retail?

Page 10

2 / JANUARY OCTOBER 2019 2018

How to Contact Us

info@neweastsidecommunity.com

(312) 690-3092

Editor: Elaine Hyde elaineh@neweastsidecommunity.com Staff Writers: Elizabeth Czapski Angela Gagnon Stephanie Racine Jesse Wright Copy Editors: Ben Kowalski Vivien Lee Bob Oswald Layout/Design: Bob Oswald Community Contributors: Jon Cohn

Eastside Enterprises LLC is the publisher of New Eastside News and Streeterville News. Eastside Enterprises has provided local community news to the Chicago area since 2012.

New Eastside News and Streeterville News are monthly papers that use community writers and contributors. The views expressed by community contributors are their own. Eastside Enterprises does not take responsibility for third-party announcements or events. Eastside Enterprises is independently owned and operated.

Copyright Š2019. All rights reserved.

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PEDWAY TOUR Sponsored by New Eastside News & Streeterville News

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Index News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 Community Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-14 News Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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| NEWS BRIEFS | Streeterville residents upset over plans to move Dave and Busters into Water Tower Place In November, Streeterville residents got the news a Dave and Busters would open at Water Tower Place, on Michigan Avenue, in the heart of Streeterville.

Dave and Busters is a popular chain sports bar and restaurant that offers games for adults. At present, the chain operates a store on Clark, but that location will close when the Water Tower Place location opens in 2020.

The meeting was hosted by Alderman Brian Hopkins to gauge resident feelings for the move. In a meeting that lasted about two hours, no resident seemed pleased by the news.

Residents complained the bar hours— until 2 a.m. on weekends—would disturb residents and they complained the Clark Street location attracts miscreants. One resident asked about theft, drugs, and pubic vomiting.

Alderman Brian Hopkins leads a public discussion about plans to move a Dave and Busters into Water Tower Place. Photo by Jesse Wright

“This ain’t Times Square,” yelled one audience member.

However, while a lease has been signed, Hopkins pointed out that Dave and Busters must still seek a liquor license for the new location as it cannot transfer the license from Clark Street, so the move is far from finalized. Dave and Busters spokespeople also made the case

A worker inspects a section of the Navy Pier Flyover trail in late December. The project is expected to wrap up in late 2019. Photo by Jamie Moncrief

that the gaming restaurant is responsible and does not contribute to illicit problems and will work with local law enforcement to keep the area peaceful and free from trouble.

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Two sections of Navy Pier flyover open to pedestrians, cyclists Two sections of the Navy Pier Flyover opened in the last weeks of 2018.

Turn to News Briefs, Page 4

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| NEWS BRIEFS | News Briefs Continued from Page 3 According to the city, this is the most important section of the flyover as the pathway bypasses Illinois Street and Grand Avenue, meaning pedestrians and cyclists no longer have to travel across two major streets as they travel Lakefront Trail.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel issued a statement praising the work.

“The Lakefront Trail is one of Chicago’s jewels, and this investment will create a seamless connection between the north and south sides of the trail,” he said in a statement. “It will make it safer and easier for everyone to get through the popular area near Navy Pier, whether they are walking, running or biking.”

The pathway offers a route to cyclists and pedestrians that bypasses heavily-trafficked downtown streets.

The total length of the flyover will reach 2,160 feet when it is completed in 2019.

It will allow pedestrians and cyclists to travel from Jane Addams Park and the Ohio Street Beach to the south side of the Chicago River.

Buddy Guy made an appearance at the state's bicentennial event.

Hundreds gather at Navy Pier for Illinois bicentennial bash On Dec. 3, 2018, Gov. Bruce Rauner and Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker joined dozens of famous Illinoisans to celebrate the state’s 200th birthday. The Navy Pier celebration was part of a series of celebrations in December honoring the state’s birth, but it was the only one featuring the governor and the governor-elect together on the actual date of the birth of the state.

Pritzker, who will be sworn in on Jan. 14, said he wished the state another 200 years of success before turning the stage over to stars including Buddy Guy and Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon. The evening was emceed by public radio legend Bill Kurtis and included a special appearance by Bill Swerski’s Super Fans, the popular Saturday Night Live sketch featuring a couple of Bears fans.

M.K. Pritzker, from left, sits with Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker and public radio host Bill Kurtis at the bicentennial event in December. Photos by Jesse Wright

Alderman Brian Hopkins’ Second Ward office seeking interns Alderman Brian Hopkins is seeking interns to staff his Second Ward offices.

Interns are expected to work twice a week, and occasionally evenings and weekends.

This is an unpaid position though interns gain governmental experience and the job can help students build a resume.

Anyone interested should email their resume to Lisa.Ryan2@cityofchicago.org.

Property taxes may be prepaid now The first installment of the Tax Year

Bill Swerski’s Super Fans, the Saturday Night Live sketch featuring Bears fans, performed during the Illinois bicentennial celebration.

2018 property tax bill may be paid now through March 1.

The tax bill is 55 percent of the total prior year’s tax bill.

To prepay, have the 14-number property index number ready. The number is on the most recent tax bill, near the amount due. Residents can also look up the number on cookcountytreasurer.com.

To prepay, visit cookcountytreasurer. com and select the option to prepay the 2018 taxes. They can be paid by bank or via credit card. Taxpayers can also pay by mail. Print the bill and mail it and a payment to Cook County Treasurer at PO

Box 805436, Chicago, Illinois, 60680-4115.

Finally, taxpayers can also pay in person at a Chase bank branch or at the treasurer’s office, 118 N. Clark St., room 112.

Volunteer to help Chicagoans file taxes Tax season is around the corner and tax experts are being sought now to volunteer to help residents file their income taxes. Most of the work begins in February.

For more information, visit the website economicprogress.org and click on the volunteer tab to see where you might volunteer and to see the jobs needed.

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Doorperson of the month: Dwight Jones at 400 E. Ohio St.

By Elizabeth Czapski Staff Writer Dwight Jones, doorman at 400 E. Ohio St., said he has mastered the art of being a doorman. He'd better have—he’s been at it for 36 years.

Jones started out at the Whitehall Hotel at 105 E. Delaware Place, where he had to wear a top hat and white gloves. His colleagues there were the best of the best and taught him everything he needed to know to succeed, he said.

The most important piece of advice he got was to always be prompt and well-groomed.

Guests on The Phil Donahue Show would stay at the Whitehall, and Jones said he met many famous people, including Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Pearl Bailey and Elizabeth Taylor. The most memorable, he said, was Paul Newman, who showed up with a U-Haul full of clothes and shoes. Jones and a maintenance man unloaded the whole thing and were tipped generously. “[Newman] wore a lot of velvet,” Jones said.

After the Whitehall, Jones worked at the InterContinental training employees to be doormen. He, then he worked at a few different buildings before settling at 400 E. Ohio St., where he has been for 25 years.

A typical busy day involves “a lot of pack-

ages, a lot of greetings, a lot of smiles,” Jones said. Many of the building’s residents have lived there as long or longer than he’s been there. “It’s just like home,” he said.

Jones said he’s watched the neighborhood change a lot over the years. “I’m so proud of Streeterville, the way it came up,” he said.

“Streeterville is the new big thing in Chicago.”

As a doorperson, Jones said he has to be ready for anything—and anyone. “You have to be in shape. You have to have a presence about yourself. This is not an easy task job.

You have to be physically ready.”

In his free time, Jones likes horse racing— he’s been to the Kentucky Derby twice, he said. He also calls himself a “football addict,” adding that he’s played sports his entire life and loves the Patriots and the Cubs.

Jones also loves his job. To be a good doorperson, you have to “like what you’re doing, know what you’re doing, and be a professional,” he said. “If you don’t like what you do, you ain’t gonna survive at it, cause you’re gonna always think of problems to hate the job.”

To nominate your favorite doorperson, email info@neweastsidecommunity.com with the door person’s name and why you think they should be the doorperson of the month. Each winner will receive a $25 gift card to Mariano’s.

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| NEWS |

Top Chicago hotel, restaurant openings in 2019 The New Year will bring new developments to the city. Here are the top new developments residents can look forward to this year.

is nothing if not ambitious. Engel will serve up the usual pita and hummus, but he will also feature Midwestern produce to combine the familiar with the foreign against a formal dining background.

Galit will open in Lincoln Park at 2429 N. Lincoln Ave.

Hotels

Residencies

Actor and New York developer Robert DeNiro is coming to Chicago. DeNiro’s development team is opening the Nobu Hotel in December 2019 along Restaurant Row. In addition to luxury hotel rooms, the property will boast a street-level Japanese restaurant and a rooftop lounge.

The Hotel Essex has been working on its Michigan Avenue property for a while, and it’s expected to open in May 2019.

Located at 800 S. Michigan Ave., across from Grant Park, the hotel will be in the heart of the city and offer 254 rooms.

The Hilton brand will open another Homewood Suites in downtown Chicago in May. This one will be across from Grant Park at 1101 S. Wabash Ave., within easy

New for the New Eastside, the Vista Tower project is expected to wrap up this year. At 1,191 feet, the tower has 101 floors and at floor 47, there is an outdoor pool, a reservable kitchen and a wine-tasting room.

Nema, at 1200 S. Indiana Ave., will be completed this year. The building will offer 76 floors and 800 units and stands 887 feet tall. The luxury apartments are sure to make a mark on the South Loop.

In Streeterville, the One Bennett Park building at 514 N. Peshtigo Court is already open, but on the top floors of the luxury apartments, the work continues.

The 70-story building will be completed in 2019 after the final condominiums are finished.

By Jesse Wright Staff Writer

Vista Tower is set to open in 2019 in the New Eastside area. Photo courtesy Studio Gang

walking distance to the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium.

Restaurants Some of the top names in Korean food are coming to the city. Dave Park and Jennifer Tran operated Hanbun in Westmont

until early 2018, and now they’re looking to open Jeong at 1460 W. Chicago Ave. Park offers a modern take on Korean food in a fine-dining space, and Jeong will hold about 40 people.

James Beard Award-winning chef Zach Engel’s Israeli restaurant Galit

Old is OK in Skyline Village Chicago

By Elizabeth Czapski Staff Writer At 76, Phyllis Mitzen is — in her words — an old woman. Others might use words such as elderly or mature but Mitzen does not.

Old is OK, she says, and so is aging, provided people have the right resources and this is where Skyline Village Chicago comes in.

As president of Skyline Village Chicago, an organization for older adults, Mitzen spends a lot of time thinking about aging. According to Village to Village Network, the concept of a “Virtual Village” is simple—an organization for older adults that provides access to services, fosters community rela-

tionships and does “anything [its] members need to age safely and successfully in their own homes.”

The Village model began in Boston over 15 years ago and has been spreading since. These organizations not only connect to other villages, but also connect members to each other.

Skyline Village Chicago is open to residents of Streeterville, the Gold Coast, River North and New Eastside. Mitzen said while other villages in the Chicago area focus on providing access to services and transportation, the neighborhoods that Skyline Village covers tend to be “resource-rich,” meaning they have resources for the elderly.

Because of this, the Village

focuses on socialization, so neighbors can get to know each other, Mitzen said. Through Skyline Village’s newsletter, residents find out about local news, event dates and life updates from members.

Mitzen’s favorite village event is the Women’s Salon, which meets monthly to talk about “what it means to grow old in our society.”

She said it’s not a therapy group, but a place to share information, talk about ageism and come to an “active understanding of our aging selves.”

The village also has an advocacy group, Mitzen said, which advocates for senior issues. For instance, the group is working with the park district to discuss installing equipment for all ages in the city’s

Jack Jennings, former staff Director for US House of Representatives Council on Education and Labor, speaks at Skyline Village Chicago's Friday Forum. Photo provided by Phyllis Mitzen

playgrounds, Mitzen said.

She added that “owning old” is something that comes up often in the Women’s Salon and something she tries to do every day.

“There are frailties, and people do become disabled when they

grow older, but it shouldn't mean that their voices aren't as strong,” she said. “I'm happy to be able to do what I'm doing at age 76, and if I can't do it when I'm age 80, I'll still be an old woman who deserves respect.”

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JANUARY OCTOBER 2019 2018 / 7

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Tourists still flock to the city’s Christmas Tree no matter the mercury. Photo by Jesse Wright

SO COLD AND YET IT’S HOT, HOT, HOT Chicago activities lure winter tourists

By Elizabeth Czapski Staff Writer Winter in Chicago means one thing—cold.

Chicago might not be Miami, but Chicago gets visitors even in the depths of winter.

Some come for conferences and others come for vacation, but the city seeks to welcome all winter tourists with warm smiles and plenty to do.

“People think of the city as being very cold and unfriendly, but actually the weather in Chicago can be great in the winter time, and there are great things to do,” Erik Grazetti, director of sales and marketing at the Loews Chicago Hotel, 455 N. Park Drive, said.

He explained that the city has done a good job of marketing itself as a destination for people in surrounding states who want to break out of winter’s “cabin fever” by offering a variety of activities like the Chicago Auto Show, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, sporting events and concerts.

Colleen Sweitzer, marketing manager at the

Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park, said in addition to events for the holidays, so much of Chicago’s culture involves “great indoor fun,” including museum exhibits, theater and music.

Once visitors get to Chicago there will always be a personal, smiling face at the ready. No matter what the reason or the season, Choose Chicago, the official marketing organization for the city, said their Chicago Greeter program pairs volunteer city greeters with individuals who may want a local to show them around.

The service is available all year long, except on major holidays and it could come in handy for those visitors who come to the city at the last minute and don’t have a set itinerary. This sort of a visit is more common in the winter time than some might expect. “Seventy or 80 percent of our business on the [winter] weekends comes from within about a four hour drive of the hotel,” Grazetti said. Local travelers, he said, can plan a trip more last-minute Turn to Winter tourism, page 11

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Pet Month of the

BROUGHT TO YOU BY EAST SIDE VETERINARY CLINIC The January Pet of the Month is Marshall.

Marshall is a yellow lab/hound mix whom his owners, New Eastsiders Laura and Shane, rescued several years ago. He’s about 10 years old and he enjoys walks in the Lakeshore East Park, eating and, according to Laura, he “really likes” watching golf on television, even though no one else in the house shares his passion for the sport.

The New Eastside News’ January pet of the Month is sponsored by East Side Veterinary Clinic, a local full-service vet clinic open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The clinic is located at 333 East Benton Place in Suite 205. Their phone number is (312) 753-5551 or visit the clinic online at mysouthloopvet.com.

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VETERINARY CLINIC

8 / JANUARY OCTOBER 2019 2018

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STAY IN AND GET FIT

Don’t let bad manners eat your lunch at work

The best places to stay active inside

By Leontina Richardson President of Stepping Into Etiquette

By Angela Gagnon Staff Writer

Karl Bader of Karl’s Kraft Soups seals up containers of his eponymous meals. Photo by Stephanie Racine

Season of Soup

Local chefs give tips to making the perfect broth

By Stephanie Racine Staff Writer Cold months call for warm meals, and a bowl of hot soup fits the bill. Takeout soups can be cumbersome and can come with unhealthy amounts of sodium, heavy fats and starches, but when soup is made at home, it can be healthy and delicious. Local professional and amateur chefs shared their tips for a delectable—and healthy— homemade soup.

Karl Bader of Karl’s Kraft Soups focuses on vegan and vegetarian soups. When Bader makes his vegetable stock—the base of many of his soups—he roasts his vegetables first in the oven at high heat. “I blast them at around 550 degrees, then I throw them into the pot with water,” Bader said.

Roasting them at such a high heat makes the vegetables delicate, so he only keeps the stock on the stove for about a half hour. “I generally wait until the very end to season things with salt,” he said.

Adding salt over time is unnecessary for flavor, and makes the soup more unhealthy, according to Bader. Fresh herbs go in at

the end of the process, but that is mainly for flavor. “If you cook fresh herbs a long time, they just completely lose their punch and vitality,” he said. Bader recommends using potatoes as a thickener in lieu of flour or cream.

New Eastside resident Sue Carrel also uses this method, and recommends adding raw cashews. Carrel suggests blending cooked veggies in a broth, cashews and a pre-cooked potato in a blender. “Heat and you have a delicious cream soup,” she said.

Streeterville resident Kitty Kurth adds whatever frozen vegetables are on hand to her soup bases. She recommends adding chopped kale or spinach to soups like split pea, for an extra serving of vegetables. “After I strain the broth, the boiled down veggie scraps go into the compost,” she said.

Karl’s Kraft Soups are available at the SOAR Farmer’s Market in Streeterville in the summer. In the winter, his soups are available at any Foxtrot Market. He is also at the Indoor Hyde Park Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and at Logan Square on Sundays.

For more information, visit karlscraftsoup.com

JANUARY OCTOBER 2019 2018 / 9

| NEW YEAR, NEW YOU |

| NEW YEAR, NEW YOU |

During the cold winter months, it can be easy to stay sedentary. Try these indoor activities to keep you moving.

Ice skating: The McFetridge Sports Center, 3843 N. California Ave., offers indoor ice skating, tennis and yoga. Open skate costs $5 per person during select hours and tennis costs $25 per hour. Try a drop-in yoga class for $12. For more information, visit mcfetridgesportscenter.com Rock climbing: Go indoor rock climbing at Brooklyn Boulders, 100 S. Morgan St. Try an Intro to Climbing class to learn the basics of climbing under the guidance of expert instructors. The 60-minute class takes place on both ropes and boulders and includes gear rental. $25 for members and $49 for non-members. For more information, visit brooklynboulders.com/gowanus/ Ping pong: Hone your ping pong skills at SPIN Chicago, 344 N. State St., in a fun and energizing social environment. Taking aim at that tiny white ball will get your heart pumping. $25 per hour during off-peak hours / $39 during peak hours. Stop by for $10 ping pong on Sundays from 5-8 p.m. For more information, visit wearespin.com/location/chicago/ Bumper cars: WhirlyBall, 1825 W. Webster Ave., offers fitness-forward and fun activities to get visitors moving. WhirlyBall is not only the name of the business, but also a game where players sit in souped-up bumper cars armed with a hand scoop and fling a wiffle ball around with friends. There’s also bowling, laser tag, pool tables and a climbing wall. Walk-ins are $15 for a 30-minute session with a four-player minimum.

For more information, visit whirlyball.com Bowling: Pinstripes, 435 E. Illinois St., features bowling and bocce ball games in a social setting with game-side food and drink. Bowling is $8-18 per hour per person, depending on the hours. Shoes can be rented for $5. Bocce ball is $5-12 per person per hour. Reservations are recommended.

For more information, visit pinstripes.com/ chicago-illinois/

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Air founder Shama Patel quit her career as a corporate attorney in Chicago to develop a unique workout opportunity for clients. Photo courtesy Air

Indoor golf: Play18 offers an ultimate indoor golf experience in a relaxed country club atmosphere. Play18 features PGA Tour simulators and personal driving bays along with a locker room, full bar and lounge. Reserve online. $50 per hour. For more information, visit play18chicago.com Air workout: AIR®, a boutique fitness lab, offers classes that incorporate aerial exercises on hammocks for a unique twist on the average fitness regimen. The 50-minute Air Foundation class fuses elements of conditioning, pilates, ballet and HIIT (high intensity interval training) on aerial hammocks. There are two locations to choose from: River North, 357 W. Erie St., and South Loop, 1317 S. Michigan Ave. $30 per class or $10 for community classes. For more information, visit airfitnow.com Basketball: Check out Swish House for basketball fitness classes that makes working out fun. The high intensity interval training classes provide a unique team-based environment that engages the competitive spirit. Classes are $25 and are held at The Mercy Home for Boys and Girls at 1140 W. Jackson Blvd. For more information, visit swishhouse.com Take a walk: Take a walk through the beautiful Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., or Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton Drive, to get your heart rate up while enjoying warm lush gardens and a brief respite from the cold. Free admission to both.

Tom Linden works out the day after Christmas at Lakeshore Sport & Fitness. Linden credits his trainer with motivating him. Photo by Jesse Wright

Route to self improvement runs through downtown Chicago

By Jesse Wright Staff Writer It’s a New Year and with a new calendar come those annual thoughts of self-improvement.

Self-improvement might include getting in better shape, or realizing the dream of running a half marathon—but whatever the goal, first comes the plan.

Join a gym (but try it out first) Matthew Modleski, personal training program director at Lakeshore Sport & Fitness in New Eastside, said a gym should fit right if it’s going to be used.

“Find somewhere you feel comfortable, that has a good space-to-member ratio (not overcrowded) and that is convenient,” he said in an email. “Especially in Chicago in the winter time, convenience is going to be key.”

Modleski said gyms offer variety, which can be important.

“First, weight training is crucial to just about every goal,” he said. “It can improve posture, make you feel stronger, add lean muscle and

boost your metabolism, improve confidence, prevent or help osteoporosis, and just make you feel awesome.”

“Second, there is the staff. You’re going to have a team of people helping you along the way.

“Third, the social factor. One of the most common reasons people stop working out is because they don’t have friends who share their goals.”

Get a trainer Sharing goals is important because the gym can be intimidating. Tom Linden hit the weight room at Lakeshore on Stetson Avenue the day after Christmas. Linden is in shape and he is a regular, but he credited his dedication with a trainer.

“I wouldn’t come if I didn’t have a trainer, to be honest,” Linden said.

Thanks to his trainer—and to his own hard work—Linden said he has gotten noticable results.

“It helps keep me fit,” he said.

Bill Bishop, the head coach at Bishop Racing and CEO of The Everest Platform, has been training people in Chicago areas for years. He

trains people to run marathons, participate in Ironman triathlons and, with his software system and an easygoing—if also determined—vibe, Bishop helps people be the best they can be.

He said the first step to self-improvement is making the decision to self improve.

“The very first thing that any athlete or enthusiast or everyday person needs to do in order to start the process in order to get themselves in shape is to make the decision that they want to be in shape,” he said.

Bishop encourages students to integrate healthy activity into their lifestyles, so they can have some fun and also feel—and look—better.

“If you and your friends are going to the bar or having a huge meal, go run for an hour first,” he said. “Getting into shape doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, but by staying committed you are actually taking care of yourself first, and enjoying your life second.”

To find out more about Bishop, look up his company on Facebook or call (312) 617-9590.

For more information about Lakeshore Sport & Fitness, visit their website lakeshoresf.com or call (312) 856-1111.

Perhaps the most popular New Year’s resolution is to eat better.

People resolve to make better choices, eat out less and pack nutritious lunches for work. But don’t make better health choices Leontina Richardson only to make poor social decisions. Think before you eat and consider these suggestions.

Be careful when you bring food to your desk. Be mindful of the foods you bring. Chips and apples are rather noisy to eat. Foods with a strong scent also might annoy your colleagues.

Consider avoiding smelly foods altogether. If you heat up seafood leftovers in the microwave, it’s going to make the whole area smell. Even people who enjoy seafood don’t want to smell like a market when they leave. You might want to pass on the tuna sandwich as well, unless you plan to brush your teeth after eating.

At the end of the day, remember to take your food out of the refrigerator. It’s courteous to make space for your coworkers should they need to use the fridge. It’s understandable to forget once in a while, but don’t make a habit of it.

Clean out the microwave if your spaghetti or soup splatters. Put a paper towel over your food while you warm it up to avoid splatters. If accidents happen, be sure to clean it up.

Don't leave your food in the microwave. Don’t set the microwave for three minutes then go to your desk to finish working on an email. People are uncomfortable with removing someone’s food from the microwave, so don’t keep them waiting. Your coworkers need time to eat too.

Clean up after yourself. Cleaning up should be natural. Wipe down the tables if you've left crumbs, wash your own dishes and don’t leave them in the sink.

Don’t isolate yourself in the lunch area. Even if you don’t have energy for conversation, your presence at the table sends the message that you are a team player. Because you are eating, no one expects you to hold the floor, feel free to listen.

Business etiquette is required even in the lunchroom.

Be mindful of the needs of your colleagues. Kindness is the best New Year’s resolution of all.

Leontina Richardson is the president of Stepping Into Etiquette, a consulting firm specializing on manners and style.

For more information, visit the company website at steppingintoetiquette.com

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A Starbucks roastery could offer a better brew of retail on Mag Mile

By Jesse Wright Staff Writer

On Michigan Avenue, the old cliché is true: the only constant is change.

As online stores continue to hurt brick and mortar retailers, churn on Mag Mile is near constant.

In December, the Chicago Architecture Center hosted an evening conversation with a panel of Chicago retail experts to discuss the continuing promise of the Magnificent Mile and how, even in a virtual world, creativity could save the day— and the bottom line—of brick and mortar stores.

Much of the conversation centered on Starbucks’ plan to this year transform the old four-story Crate and Barrel store into a massive roastery—a high-end coffee space that is poised to be a cafe with major cache. It’s a gamble designers hope will pay off with a new type of store that’s as much an experience as it is a selling space.

“Things change, nothing is permanent, and if something is genuinely out of place on this street it will get replaced,” explained David Stone, a landlord and tenant representative in the downtown area.

Stone said the whole of the street reflects changing trends— and that’s a good thing, as it keeps the area relevant and vital.

One trend, Stone said, is windows. Over the last few decades, more retailers have transformed building facades with windows, giving the shopping district a more open, airy feel.

One building that typifies this is the former Crate and Barrel outlet Starbucks will take over.

After 27 years, the retailer shuttered its Michigan Avenue flagship store in January 2018. Still, whatever retail trends ended a home décor store haven’t touched the aesthetic appeal of the store’s face—a massive, bright and open facade featuring more windows than brick and mortar.

Jay Longo, principal designer at the firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz, said the new roastery on Michigan Avenue will be as daring as a four-story, glass-paneled home decor store was in 1990. He expects it will keep the area relevant to a new generation of shoppers who are as prone to shop online as they are in any brick and mortar space.

Longo pointed out that the Crate and Barrel store’s design on Michigan Avenue was unique in 1990, and that is still an asset.

“It set a lot of trends that other buildings on Michigan Avenue have followed,” he said.

He pointed out it’s not a virtual space; it is a space for people, and that means it’s a space for experiences. Longo said a roastery is a manufacturing facility as much as a café, and the combination is an experience shoppers can’t get any-

The former Crate and Barrel building will be transformed to house a massive Starbucks flagship store. Photo courtesy Starbucks

where else.

“The idea that brick and mortar is more of an experience than simply retail is definitely what the roastery is all about,” he said.

“Retailers are trying to build brand loyalty and that’s hard to do in cyberspace,” Stone said. “That’s the biggest attraction to brick and mortar.”

Program moderator Cheryl Durst, executive vice-president and CEO of the International Interior Design Association, put it in simple terms. No matter the age and no matter the trends, humans want to be wowed.

“Human beings need to be captivated,” she said.

Streeterville activism might make Chicago a little quieter in 2019

By Jesse Wright Staff Writer The New Year—and every year thereafter— should be a bit quieter for Chicago residents due to a noise ordinance that goes into effect Jan. 1.

In August 2018, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law a noise ordinance allowing ambulance drivers to use their sirens only when necessary to warn pedestrians and drivers or in the case of medical emergencies. The law only applies to Illinois cities with populations greater than one million, so it applies in no other cities outside Chicago.

Before the new law went into effect, ambulances drivers were required to use sirens on the way to and returning from calls regardless of traffic or pedestrians or whether it was a medical emergency. The law passed because of the efforts of Streeterville residents and Rep. Christian Mitchell (D-Chicago), who

An ambulance makes a stop in the New Eastside in December. Thanks to a new noise law, non-emergency work may allow ambulances to be a bit quieter. Photo by Jesse Wright

sponsored the bill.

The representative said the law is a win for residents. “This bill is a critical measure addressing quality of life and safety for down-

town residents, where excessive siren noise can cause erratic driving patterns and permanent hearing loss,” Mitchell said in an email.

“The new law allows first responders the discretion to turn off their sirens on occasions when the patient or situation has stabilized.”

Residents, too, are excited. Debby Gershbein, president of the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, said the law is the result of SOAR activism. While she praised Northwestern as a world-class medical institution and for a time the only level one trauma center in Chicago, she said the medical facility also led to a lot of noise. “The ambulance drivers were putting their sirens on even if it wasn’t an emergency and we decided we really had to do something about it,” she said. “We worked with the government and the fire department and SOAR did surveys with other neighborhoods and we found that the number one problem with noise for residents was sirens.”

Gershbein said the problem was near constant. “This is a quality of life issue where people were being interrupted 24 hours a day with the siren noise,” she said. “I think we’ve come to a good solution with the new law.”

Gershbein praised Mitchell as well as neighborhood aldermen Brian Hopkins and Brendan Reilly for their support. She said noise is more than a nuisance and excessive noise can damage health.“There are physical impacts that occur when you’re exposed to loud sirens all the time. It wakes people up and disturbed sleep is a really big health problem,” she said.

Gershbein said the SOAR group will continue to work for quality of life improvements, such as an ongoing greening effort, to improve the health of trees in the neighborhood.

“In an urban environment it’s important to make sure we have as many trees as possible,” she said.

For more information, visit the group at soarchicago.org.

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A group of visitors enjoys downtown Chicago despite the temperatures. Photo by Elizabeth Czapski

Winter tourism Continued from page 7

than someone who wants to plan a five or six-day trip. “Those types of people tend to go to the warm-weather destinations.”

“In the Midwest, we kind of hunker down, so a trip to Chicago is a nice change of pace and a fun getaway in the winter rather than hibernating until spring,” Sweitzer said.

Still, fewer people are staying at Chicago hotels in the winter. Grazetti said from January to mid-March, the Loews sees a 60 percent room occupancy rate, compared to a 90 percent average during the warmer months. That’s good news for winter travelers as fewer people in the hotels means generally cheaper rooms. Grazetti added, however, that occupancy is up, even in the winter time, compared with eight or nine years ago.

Grazetti praised Choose Chicago, which has “done a really good job, particularly I'd say over the last five years or so, in really promoting Chicago as a winter destination, and we've definitely seen the impact of that,” he said.

Besides discounts and cabin fever, there’s something else that brings people to Chicago in the winter: conventions. Grazetti called Chicago a “conference town.”

“The hotel market in the city really kind of thrives on the convention business that is brought into McCormick place and some of the larger venues here,” he said.

Grazetti said conventions bring in about 1.2 million people per year, with about 15

percent of those people during the winter months. Despite lower hotel prices, organizations tend to avoid booking conferences in colder months when bad weather could shut down an airport, he said.

The American Student Dental Association took that risk and held its national leadership conference in Chicago in mid-November. Tatum Newbill, Matthew McLeod and Chantol Peterkin, dental students from Howard University in Washington, D.C. attended the conference.

Peterkin said she had been to Chicago during the winter and wasn’t worried about the weather. “If you have the time now, why not?” she said.

McLeod said the students discussed preparing for the weather the week before the conference. “I’m wearing layers right now,” he said. “I hear it’s nicer in the summer.”

Bob and Gretchen Montgomery, along with four travel companions, made the trek to Chicago from Dallas and Denver and were taking photos in Millennium Park on a snowy November day.

“We love Chicago,” Bob Montgomery said, adding the group had come to celebrate a birthday and an anniversary and to see Hamilton.

The weather in Chicago, they said, wasn’t much different from the weather in their home cities. “Weather shouldn’t be a hindrance to going somewhere, to have fun,” Gretchen Montgomery said.

To find out more about the Chicago Greeter program call (312) 945-4231 or visit www.chicagogreeter.com or the Choose Chicago website at choosechicago.com

Designer Michelle Kim teaches neighborhood kids the finer points of fashion at one of her design courses for kids. Photo by Angela Gagnon

Fashion design classes offer creative fun for kids

By Angela Gagnon Staff Writer Children in downtown Chicago have an opportunity to channel their artistic, creative energy while learning from a fashion professional.

New Eastside resident Michelle Kim, a fashion designer, has been offering design classes to kids since July 2018. Kim is the founder of Mizel Jewelry and holds a masters degree in fashion design from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Parents said the classes encourage kids to be creative and to develop ideas, while Kim said the classes inspire her too. “Teaching these classes is very inspirational for me because I am a designer myself, and the kids often think of things adults don’t, like a unique color combination or pattern,” Kim said.

The classes, geared toward children as young as first grade, are held every other weekend in the New Eastside and typically follow a seasonal theme. Kim has introduced embroidery, fabric embellishment, collaging, beading, sewing and knitting since she began teaching the classes.

Her students have worked on hair accessories, backpacks, shoes, jewelry, clothing and

lunch boxes and used various kid-friendly materials to create unique and personalized designs.

This winter Kim will lead a class focused on cold weather items such as berets and sweatshirts. Students will work with material like faux fur and pom-poms along with fabric paints, felt, sequins and fake gems.

New Eastside mom Elizabeth Johnston said her 6-year-old daughter, Dilly, has gone to seven or eight of the design classes and her daughter loves getting creative. “Dilly was so proud of her creations and Michelle was always so encouraging and complimented them on their designs.”

Kim stresses that “perfect is not creative” and that the kids should “relax and have fun.”

Once the drawing is complete, they embellish or decorate it with the materials to make their image come alive.

Kim also puts together themed events for adults around holidays or special occasions.

Plans are in the works for a Valentine’s Day “Moms’ Night Out” in which neighborhood moms can work with Kim to make something for their kids.

For more information about themes and price, visit mizelkids.com.

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| STREETERVILLE EVENTS | Schedules are subject to change. Call venues to confirm event information. To submit events or advertise on this page, email info@neweastsidecommunity.com

Ongoing

Cheer at the Pier: Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest The Winter WonderFest is Chicago’s “biggest and best indoor winter playground,” featuring an open bar for adults, appetizers, rides and activities. WonderFest will be at Navy Pier through Jan. 7. 5–9 p.m., $15 youth ticket, $50 for adults, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., (312) 595-7437, navypier.org Ice skating in Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park The ice rinks at Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park will open for the skating season! Take your ice skates for a spin this winter for free in either park.

Skate rental is available for an extra cost.

Hours vary, free, Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., (312) 742-1168, cityofchicago.org Art Display: Passage This immersive, interactive outdoor artwork by artist and computer engineer Serge Maheu consists of 20 illuminated rings that guests can walk through, creating a unique experience of light and sound. Free, through Jan. 6 Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., (312) 595-7437, navypier.org

Jan. 3

New Year. New You. This interactive workshop is geared toward business owners who want to set goals, find success and network with other business owners in 2019.

5:30–8 p.m., free, Wright Living, 445 E. Ohio St., (312) 645-8300, wrightfoundation.org CAPS meeting Get to know your neighborhood police and find out what’s going on in your neighborhood. Meetings last an hour and they start at 6 p.m. at Access Living, 115 W. Chicago Ave. Skating theme nights Take skating at Millennium Park to the next level with themed ice skating parties

The Winter WonderFest will be at Navy Pier through Jan. 7. Photo courtesy navypier.org

hosted by local DJs. Jan. 3 is “Bling in the New Year” with 90s hip-hip, Jan. 17 is “Totally Tubular” with 80s pop and rock, and Jan. 31 is “Soul Train” with ‘70s disco, funk and soul. Costumes encouraged!

Also Jan. 17 and 31, 6–8 p.m., free entry, skate rental starting at $13, Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., (312) 7421168, cityofchicago.org

Jan. 4

Documentary Film Festival at Gene Siskel Film Center See brand-new documentaries, and engage in discussions with the directors at the "Stranger Than Fiction: Documentary Premiers". Jan 4-31, Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State Street, (312) 8462800, siskelfilmcenter.org

Jan. 6

GlowFlow Yoga at the Lincoln Park Zoo As part of the Fitness at the Zoo program, this all-levels yoga class will be held under dim lighting in the Regenstein Small Mammal Reptile House. Glow sticks will be provided and neon clothing is encouraged! Advanced registration is required, spaces are limited and guests should bring their own mats and water bottles. Ages 16 and older. 9–10 a.m. (check-in starts at 8:30 a.m.), $25 ($20 for members)

Jan. 8

Shane Koyczan performs at City Winery Author, poet and spoken word art-

ist Shane Koyczan speaks directly to the people in their own voice. He is partially responsible for the 2013 anti-bullying viral video “To This Day”— which has over 13 million views—and performed a customized version, called “For the Bullied and the Beautiful,” to acclaim at the 2013 International TED Conference in Long Beach, California.

All ages. 8 p.m., $15–25, City Winery, 11 W. Riverwalk South, (312) 733-9463, citywinery.com Author Samira Ahmed at American Writers Museum Author Samira Ahmed, presents Love, Hate & Other Filters, the story of an American-born 17-year-old girl Maya Aziz, torn between her family’s world of

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| STREETERVILLE EVENTS | Schedules are subject to change. Call venues to confirm event information. To submit events or advertise on this page, email info@neweastsidecommunity.com traditional Indian culture and her dream of attending a film school in New York City. Ahmed herself was born in Bombay, India, and grew up in a small town in Illinois. 6:30–8 p.m., $12 (standard RSVP), $6 (member guest), free (member), American Writer’s Museum’s Readers Hall, 180 N. Michigan Ave., americanwritersmuseum.org

Jan. 9

Boat, RV & Sail Show Interested in buying a boat or RV, or just an enthusiast who wants to browse?

This show is the one for you. You will also have the opportunity to attend educational seminars, and there will be activities for kids. Continues until Jan. 13, see website for hours, $15 for adults 13 and up, children 12 and under are free, McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, (312) 946-6242, chicagoboatshow.com

Jan. 10

Roya Naldi & Paul Asaro at the Coq d'Or! Jazz pianist Paul Asaro and singer Roya Nadi will play an exciting mix of jazz from the 1920s and 1930s at the Coq D’Or bar in the Drake Hotel, a historic location that adds to the ambiance. 7–11 p.m., free, Coq D’Or at the Drake Hotel, 140 E. Walton Pl., (312) 787-2200, thedrakehotel.com Ronald Cohen: Bob Dylan & American Folk Music Ronald Cohen is a folk music scholar and historian and will discuss how the folk music of the 1950s and 60s shaped and was shaped by Bob Dylan and his work.

6:30–8 p.m., free with admission, American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave., (312) 374-8790, americanwritersmuseum.org

Jan. 11

Midsummer Night’s Dream Lecture & Show The Basic Program of Liberal Education for Adults partners with Chicago Shakespeare Theater to bring a vibrant

Adler Planetarium, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago History Museum, The Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry and the Shedd Aquarium will all be participating in this free day. See the museums’ websites for opening times and more details.

December 2018 Races F^3 Lake Half Marathon 13.1 miles, 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 26, Soldier Field, 1410 Museum Campus Drive.

Aon’s Step Up for Kids stair climb, 8 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 27, Aon Center, 200 E. Randolph St.

production of Shakespeare’s classic play with a score of jazz, blues, rock and ‘50s doo-wop. 6:30–10:30 p.m, $65, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand Ave., (312) 595-5600, tickets at grahamschool. uchicago.edu

Jan. 12

Creative Minds Talks feat.

Chance the Rapper and Renee Fleming The Lyric Opera House hosts award-winning rapper, producer, and philanthropist Chance the Rapper, joined by celebrated operatic singer, arts activist, and Lyric Creative Consultant Renee Fleming.

These two artists will participate in a conversation onstage as they discuss activism, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and the future of education. Tickets are $55 and doors open at 6 p.m. Visit www. lyricopera.org The Beach Chicago Capture the feeling of going to the beach in the middle of winter this unusual interactive art installation. Dive into an open room filled with more than a million antimicrobial and recyclable plastic balls, complete with lifeguard chairs, umbrellas and a pier. Continues until Feb. 3, see website for times, free, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., (312) 595-7437, navypier.org Family Day at the Museum of Contemporary Art Family Days are free monthly programs for kids and their grownups. Enjoy free admission while taking part in workshops, open-studio sessions, gallery

Jan. 22-27

Kinky Boots opens Jan. 22 at the Cadillac Theatre.

tours, and performances, all designed and led by Chicago artists. Join us the second Saturday of every month through the spring, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., (312) 280-2660, mcachicago.org

Jan. 13

No Pants Subway Ride This unusual event was started by a New York improv group in the early 2000s, and has grown to cities across the country since then. The idea is simple: take off your pants, and board the L, watching the reactions of passengers just going about their days. The pantsless group meets at noon and rides together from the Loyola stop on the red line into the Loop.

Noon, free, find out more on the event’s Facebook page.

Jan. 18

Cubs Convention Cubs fans rejoice—this event is made for you. Featuring autograph signings, player meet and greets, interactive exhibits, special panels and more, this convention is all things Cubs. Also Jan. 19–20, Sheraton Grand Chicago, 301 E. North Water St., (800) 843-2827, mlb.com/cubs/fans/cubs-convention

Jan. 21

Free Museum Day In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, museums around the city will offer free admission with a valid Illinois ID. The

Kinky Boots at the Cadillac Theatre With music by Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots is a Broadway Show with lots of sparkle and lots of heart. A struggling shoemaker receives unexpected help from a drag performer looking for new boots, and a fabulous adventure follows! See website for showtimes, tickets start at $25, Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., (800) 775-2000, cadillacpalacetheatre.com

Jan. 23

UGC 2016 Bordeaux Tasting Do you really, really like wine? This event may be for you—described as “the most exclusive Bordeaux event in the Midwest,” this tasting will showcase the 2016 vintage, along with bread and cheese. The Union des Grands Crus (UGC) promotes the top estates of Bordeaux, France, and owners and representatives from 90 estates will be in attendance. 6–8 p.m., $60, The Drake Hotel, 140 E. Walton Place, 312-787-2200, binnys.com

Jan. 25

Dassai Beyond Sake Tasting Murasaki Sake Lounge will host a sake tasting of five different kinds of sake and Japanese tapas. Call in advance to make a reservation. 7–9 p.m., $40, 211 E. Ontario St., (312) 266-2280, murasakichicago.com Women’s Health Research Forum This forum is free and open to the public and covers the lack of knowledge about how sex and gender influence health and disease and how this can affect women’s health research. 12–1 p.m., free, Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital, 250 E. Superior St., (312) 9262000, nm.org

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| STREETERVILLE EVENTS | Chicago Restaurant Week Chicago’s biggest restaurant event of the year includes nearly 400 participating restaurants offering two weeks of dining deals. This will be the largest restaurant week ever! Continues until Feb. 7, see participating restaurants, peruse menus and book reservations at choosechicago.com/restaurants/ chicago-restaurant-week

Jan. 26

Polar Bear Plunge If you’ve ever thought about jumping into Lake Michigan in January, now’s the time to do it—and to do it for charity, too. The Chicago Polar Bear Club’s annual plunge raises money for families in need by running into the freezing waters at Oak Street Beach. Bring shoes, a bathrobe, and a costume for the costume contest. Noon, free, Oak Street Beach, 1000 N. Lake Shore Drive, chicagopolarbearclub.com You Got This: Ladies Only Money Management Workshop Set financial goals and learn how to manage your money with the help of a financial advisor. 8 a.m.–1 p.m., tickets from $70, 465 North Park Apartments, 465 N. Park Drive Conference Room, (312) 6014801, eventbrite.com

Jan. 29

Light of the Stars: Alien Worlds and the Fate of the Earth Dr. Adam Frank, professor of astrophysics at the University of Rochester, will give a talk about the solar system, the possibility of alien life, and how the search for it affects how we talk about concerns on Earth. 6-7:30 p.m., arrive at 5:30 for food and drinks, $5, Robert H. Lurie Building, Northwestern University Chicago Campus, 303 E. Superior St., (312) 5675835, c2st.org Seinfeld Trivia Seinfeld fans can participate in five rounds of trivia to see who is the master of this domain. Register beforehand online. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Pinstripes, 435 E. Illinois St., (312) 527-3010, seinfeldpc. eventbrite.com

Author Samira Ahmed presents "Love, Hate & Other Filters" Jan. 8 at the American Writer’s Museum’s Readers Hall, 180 N. Michigan Ave. Courtesy the American Writers Museum

KIDS LIST Ongoing (Saturdays)

Little Squirrels Storytime Preschool age children can read books, play, and hear a story. 10:30–11:30 a.m., free with admission, American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave., (312) 374-8790, americanwritersmuseum.org

Jan. 4

Juicebox at the Chicago Cultural Center This free event for kids presents educational and artistic performances that will get them up and moving. This month, musician Laura Doherty brings an interactive puppet concert, and Duke Otherwise entertains with his tap shoes, guitar and baritone voice for a fun show.

Also Jan. 18, 11-11:45 a.m., free, Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall,

78 E. Washington St., (312) 744-3316, cityofchicago.org

Jan. 12

Family Day: Magic Carpet The Museum of Contemporary Art features a program for the whole family the second Saturday of every month. The museum offers free admission, workshops, gallery tours, open-studio sessions, performances and more. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., free, Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., (312) 280-2660, mcachicago.org PAW Patrol Live!

See your favorite characters live on stage as they Also Jan. 13, see website for showtimes, tickets from $39, The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., pawpatrollive.com

Jan. 17

International Puppet Theater Festival This festival showcases puppet styles from all around the world in a variety of entertaining shows. Continues until Jan. 27, ticket prices, locations and showtimes vary, see the website for more details, 410 S. Michigan Ave., (312) 753-3234, chicagopuppetfest.org

Jan. 26

Polar Adventure Day at Northerly Island Experience the arctic with this adventure day at Northerly Island. Meet live animals like huskies, wolves and birds of prey, make crafts, enjoy hot chocolate and explore the island on snowshoes. 12–4 p.m., free, Northerly Island, 1521 S. Linn White Dr., (312) 742-7529, chicagoparkdistrict.com

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The small cost (and big reward) of wishing others well

By Jon Cohn Community Contributor There he was, sitting on the cement at one of the nearby busy Chicago intersections.

Jon Cohn He sat, sign in hand, in tattered clothes with a rough, unshaven look and the ever-present change cup front and center, looking for dona-

tions. I made eye contact with him, smiled and gave a little acknowledgment wave as I passed by. He gave me a little smile, waved back and said, “Have a nice day.”

I kept walking and went about my daily business. This is a scenario I am sure many have experienced in an almost routine way as we move about the city. Later, it hit me. I started thinking, it was he who said to me, “Have a nice day.”

I have a refrigerator full of food and enough money to go to a restaurant on occasion, yet he said to me, “Have a

Jumble

RONFEZ HOTER RALGGSERT SATAERIP

The more of these you take the more you leave behind. What are they?

nice day.”

I have a warm shower to go to every morning and a sink to wash up in. He maybe does once in a while, but other nights, other days? Maybe not. Yet it was he who said to me, “Have a nice day.”

I have a car to get around the city. He probably has to fight tooth and nail to get bus or train transportation. I can walk around the city in a decent pair of shoes.

He has to walk all over and his footwear padding is far from ideal.

I thought about that and it hit me a

little bit. Those folks out there on the streets? It’s a pretty tough go for them.

Still, many are able to keep their spirits up enough to say to others, “Have a nice day.”

It puts some of our own problems into perspective. We can’t possibly give money to every panhandler we walk by, but maybe we could at least acknowledge them with a eye contact, a little smile and little wave.

Maybe we could even say to them, “Have a nice day!”.

Out and About in December

Send photos and captions to info@neweastsidecommunity.com for a chance for your photo to be featured.

The December answer is: Q: A SNOWMAN MIXED WITH A SHARK GETS YOU WHAT? A: FROST BITE A riddle for the season: What food do you get when you cross a snowman with a wolf?

A brrrr-grrr

Submit jokes and quotes to info@ neweastsidecommunity.com The answer to the December “Where am I” is …

The McClurg Court entrance of the American Furniture Mart building at 680 North Lake Shore Drive.

Debra, John and Haiden Pederson go for a skate the day after Christmas at the skating ribbon. Photos by Jesse Wright

Where am I?

Try to figure out where this structure is in the New Eastside. Submit your guess at info@ neweastsidecommunity.com Good luck!

Katie Hogue and Meg Dedyne supporting After School Matters.

Madeline Obrzut and Meghan Gov. Bruce Rauner with VFW Past Farrell of SOAR attend Gail State Commander William M. Wolff.

Spreen's Christmas party.

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The Back is the New Front On 10,000 coffee tables near you.

Buy an ad at thestreeterville.com/buyad (312) 690-3092

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