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A U G U S T 26 - S E P T E M B E R 1, 2009
*OUR CIT* FROM THE STREETS
M I S S I O N: TO
H E L P P E O P L E H E L P T H E M S E LV E S TO S E L F - S U F F I C I E N C Y T H R O U G H G A I N F U L E M P L OY M E N T
My time at StreetWise By Jacqui Batts StreetWise intern
When I arrived at StreetWise back in June for my summer internship, “nervous” StreetWise editor-in-chief Suzanne couldn’t begin Hanney, left, Jacqui Batts, right to describe what I was feeling. After initially speaking with Suzanne, the editor in chief, I figured I’d be getting people coffee or simply stapling papers all summer. When I found out I’d actually be writing for the magazine, I became excited and was eager to get started, but most of all I felt anxious: as an English major I guess I’m a pretty decent writer, but no one had ever paid to read my writing before. But to my surprise, once I started it wasn’t so bad. I also met Ben, the production and marketing manager, who’s quiet but extremely helpful. From broken microwaves to colorful layouts for my articles, he definitely made my internship easier. Like I said, I was nervous at first, but it quickly dissipated after I met Linda, the magazine’s administrative assistant. She could easily be described as the heart of the StreetWise staff. Her humor and her liveliness certainly helped with my nerves, and it made my job a whole lot easier knowing I could go to her for anything, like how to use the fax machine, or setting up my voice mail. And even though she laughed the first time I came to her with a silly question, the rest of the summer consisted of Linda helping me and then both of us laughing about it later. Then there was Greg, the director of distribution. I have to admit it took me a long time to meet him, because initially I only saw him as he was coming and going. It wasn’t until later that I learned he’s literally always busy: from the orientation sessions he holds on Mondays and Wednesdays to the meetings with the magazine’s vendors, Greg truly epitomizes hard work. In addition to his work ethic, something else I’ve observed is his compassion, and how he goes out of his way to help the vendors. It’s important that I mention the other people who had such a profound impact on my internship this summer. Grace, Danny, and Mary Faith make up StreetWise’s advertising sales team, and although I didn’t spend that much time with
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them, it didn’t take a genius to see that they were always busy talking to advertisers (while still taking the time to make me feel welcome). Bruce, StreetWise’s executive director, was really interesting in the sense that he’s hands-on with problems large and small in the office, something I wasn’t really expecting from a person in his position. I remember one meeting where he talked about something as simple as installing hooks in the bathroom so the vendors would have a place to hang their coats. It turns out common-sense ideas like that make everything in the office operate more smoothly. My time at StreetWise this summer was only enhanced by the great people I met, particularly Suzanne, my editor. She taught me almost everything I know about journalism, and since I knew nothing about it when I started at StreetWise, that’s saying a lot. From writing for the magazine to observing how it really helps people, I would definitely say this has been more than an internship—it’s been an experience I’ll never forget. Ja cqui Ba tts a ttended Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep Aca demy a nd is currently a sophomore a t the University of Illinois a t Urba na Cha mpa ign.An English ma jor, she pla ns to minor in seconda ry educa tion for the upcoming school yea r; she’s a lso a student development representa tive for the University of Illinois Founda tion. For StreetWise she wrote stories on hea lth ca re, the pla nned Sa lva tion Army community center in West Pullma n, a nd the proposa l of a new Austin High School. She ca me to StreetWise through Ka leidoscope’s Find Yout Future progra m.
STREETWISE STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/PUBLISHER BRUCE CRANE BCRANE@STREETWISE.ORG EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SUZANNE HANNEY SUZANNESTREETWISE@YAHOO.COM DIRECTOR OF DISTRIBUTION GREG PRITCHETT GPRITCHETT14@YAHOO.COM
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A U G U S T 26-S E P T E M B E R 1, 2009
Wise Questions with Fllint Chaney, Professional photographer who discusses tricks of the trade, his favorite subjects and the best photo that he ever took. page
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Half Tank Getaways Hit the road and help
We highlight 5 nearby getaway spots and the exciting volunteer opportunities that await.
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Digging in...
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Local youth are learning the oldfashioned way: hands on, in the (organic) dirt, and helping to feed their communities, too.
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From the Street page 5 This Week in Chicago page 10 Cover Story page 11-13
Reader Survey page 14-15 Ginny & the Chef page 6 DineWise page 6 Calendar page 7
A U G U S T 26-S E P T E M B E R 1, 2009
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volunteer Volunteer Chicago Online at www.streetwise.org
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Wise Questions with photographer Flint Chaney Chaney: I was collecting Spider-Man Comics at that time and I thought being a photographer like Peter Parker was cool. I’m the first Artist in my family to make their living off their Art.
SW: When upgrading to a professional camera what should one look for in a camera? Chaney: Name brand and functions that the camera has to offer.
SW: What would you say is the most important technical feature one must know about their camera to take professional photographs?
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StreetWise: At what age did you first pick up a camera?
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SW: How do you approach a stranger on the street if you want to take his or her photo?
SW: When you’re not on assignment do you carry a camera with you?
SW: What place or object in Chicago do you find inspiring to photograph?
Chaney: Sometimes. I take my Canon G9 with me because it’s lighter than carrying my Canon 5D. Since I’ve been riding the CTA and riding my bike this summer, I do find myself carrying my camera more.
Chaney: Anything around the lake. I love water.
SW: What are your thoughts on Photoshop allowing for corrections versus how photographers like Ansel Adams and Irving Penn worked? lint Chaney is a Chicago-based photographer who focuses on photographing people, music, sports and fashion. He graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a degree in Photography and minor in Japanese. His portfolio includes images from travels to over to 11 countries and his clients include Jockey, Health Connect One, Trader Monthly and Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. To learn more about Flint and see his work log on to www.flintchaney.com.
Chaney: Hmmm. That’s a tough one. Maybe the images that I took of my Grandmother and Aunt Lessie. Because they meant the most to me then and now.
Chaney: F-stops and shutter speed.
Chaney: Both.
StreetWise Staff
SW: What is the best photo you ever took? And why is it important to you?
Chaney: I walk up to them and introduce myself. Then mention that I’m a photographer second. Straight to the point.
SW: Color or Black and White?
By Grace Federighi
Chaney: Kids. If a kid doesn’t want to do something, they won’t. You’re at their mercy.
Chaney: Coming from a darkroom background, I feel that it’s necessary for today’s market. It allows you to make difficult corrections in a few clicks and helps save a lot of time when meeting deadlines.
SW: Is photography a talent or can anyone lean to become a photographer? Chaney: Both. As with many occupations the more you do something, the better you’ll get.
SW: Who is the hardest to photograph? An adult, teenager or child?
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SW: Any tips on great travel photos? Chaney: When photographing people, use the flash in the daytime to get rid of shadows.
SW: Is there a person you would like to photograph? Chaney: President Barack Obama, Jackie Chan, Bono, Dali Lama and Howard Stern.
SW: Who or what did you last photograph? Chaney: I recently photographed an Indian cabdriver in my studio and on location with his cab.
SW: Have you photographed the homeless? Chaney: Once. I never used the image. I felt bad about using their image to better my career. I thought I stole their dignity
SW: If you could tell a story in pictures what story would you want to tell? Chaney: Any story that deals with over coming obstacles and hardships.
A U G U S T 26-S E P T E M B E R 1, 2009
From the Street: Follow up on Facebook flare up By Suzanne Hanney Editor-in-Chief
riends and relatives of a homeless Native American man cruelly demeaned in a 676member Facebook group—mostly nurses and first responders—are getting their say in a new group that has quickly surpassed the old one in membership.
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“Justice and Dignity for Christopher Cornstalk” had attracted 2,242 members by August 18, less than two weeks after it was created. “This group was formed to see to it that the members of that heinous group are held to account for their racism, and many breaches of their Professional duties,” the new site notes. “We intend to honour Mr. Cornstalk and his family by standing by them as they seek JUSTICE AND DIGNITY for their lost Brother.” Headlined “Did You Know This Alcoholic Indian? Just for fun – inside jokes,” the initial account asked emergency medical technicians, nurses, doctors and police “to track how far a certain Native American alcoholic (C.C.) went for treatment of acute intoxication.” It also asked how many of them took care of Cornstalk before his death. One post included a photo of Cornstalk in hospital gown and stick-on vital sign monitors as well as an elf hat; another post said this photo had been on her Christmas card that season. Barb Low, a MicMac tribe member from Halifax, Nova Scotia who wrote the copy for “Justice and Dignity for Christopher Cornstalk,” said she had started a thread on the group’s page that asked first responders what they thought of it. “Two firefighters showed up from Chicago and I engaged them in dialogue. There was a lot of anger, but we talked it through,” Low said. “Some guys said they had joined [“Did You Know This Alcoholic Indian?”] years ago and not gone back to the site. One has vowed to change this [behavior]. It was really quite lovely. The ones who had HIPAA [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which defines privacy in patient health records] violations must lose their license, they must not deal with the public.” Low noted one firefighter in particular, “a simple man, who claims to be a firefigher, a father and a Christian, a regular guy.” He asked Low if the group had an attorney. “He could be a spy, but I don’t think so, I think he’s genuine.” The “Did You Know This Alcoholic Indian?” account had been created on July 18, 2006, the day after Cornstalk was found dead in a field in Markham, IL. Ironically, Native American activists
patrolling Facebook for racist sites didn’t discover the group until July 17 – exactly three years after Cornstalk’s death. Facebook deleted “Did You Know This Alcoholic Indian?” but the activists had preserved material on http://nativesagainstracism.weebly.com. They also contacted StreetWise. “One of the biggest bombshells,” Low said, is the rumor unearthed through the Facebook controversy, that Cornstalk may have been murdered. His obituary said he died of “natural causes,” although he was 44 years old. But during his funeral, a firefighter whispered in his foster father’s ear that those on the scene had considered it a homicide, because of bruises on his body. The foster parents had not shared this information with his siblings until the Facebook story broke. Cornstalk’s sister, Jannan Cornstalk of Petoskey, Michigan, was awaiting a copy of the coroner’s report at press time. She said she would like to accumulate money to hire an attorney to prevent similar cases and to seek a punitive settlement that could in turn “do the most good for the most people.” Possibilities include a youth program or a nursing scholarship targeted at Native Americans. “That way my brother’s memory will serve a good purpose,” Jannan said. Eldest brother Franklin Allen Cornstalk Jr. of Portland, Maine said a program for homeless people with addictions “might do more for Chris’s name, what he had to endure.” Another sister, Sandra Johnson of Macomb Township, Michigan, said she would like to reserve some funds for their brother in Florida, Eric Johnson, who is also intermittently homeless between construction jobs and visits to another brother. Amy Cook, an attorney and managing editor of The Record, the Chicago Bar Association’s magazine as well as a columnist for Writer’s Digest, said libel and invasion-of-privacy rights end with a person’s death and do not transfer to heirs. However, Cook was less certain about HIPAA violations by professionals. Franklin, Jannan and Christopher were the three oldest siblings, all three years old or younger when they were taken from their parents after briefly being left alone. They then went to separate foster families in the south suburbs. Christopher, who may have suffered fetal alcohol syndrome, lived in several foster homes, family members said. He was 16 and a ward of the state when he was reunited with Franklin, 17, in his last foster home. Franklin said the cruel Facebook quotes were “the same old, same old. We’ve been lied to all our lives. How much more do we have to endure? We always have to have a balance between both worlds: the world that wasn’t ours keeps
Contributing Writers Ginny & the Chef: Originally a professional chef, Chef J now writes a syndicated weekly newspaper column on food and fitness in Chicago. He’s also the president of the Chicago Research Chefs LLC and president emeritus of the Chicago Nutrition Association. Ginny has written nutrition and fitness articles for several local and national publications, such as the Chicago Tribune and On-Health magazine. She has a bachelor’s degree in nutrition science and dietetics and a master’s degree in nutrition communications and marketing.
A U G U S T 26-S E P T E M B E R 1, 2009
Chae Wright, who contributed this week’s Half Tank Getaways section, is an intern at StreetWise and a student at the University of Chicago. Rebecca Bluemel, writer of this week’s cover story, is a freelance writer and blogger who lives on the North Side of Chicago with her husband Aditya, and their two cats. Keep up with Rebecca at http://whichendisup2day.blogspot.com/.
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Christopher Cornstalk, 1977
intruding.To have this happen in such an evil way is another slap in the face. But I am called to forgive, otherwise this anger will turn inward, and poison my soul. I hope something good will come out of it – maybe the truth of what happened to Chris.” The possibility that his brother was murdered raises questions for him of illegal activity, Franklin said. “Somebody will have to stand accountable. It’s a terrible statement about our country. We talk about virtues and the brotherhood of man, then this happens.” After losing their babies in Chicago, the Cornstalks moved to Wisconsin and then Detroit, and had four more children, including Sandra Johnson. When she was 11, their father died of alcoholism, and two years later, their mother passed away. Aunts and uncles took care of the four children, but they had families of their own, so ultimately the younger siblings went into a group home and were eventually put up for adoption. Franklin said Christopher chose his lifestyle, which Franklin blames on addiction. He said he once asked Christopher if he wouldn’t prefer a clean bed every night to drinking and hitchhiking across the country. “He said, ‘I don’t like rules, being told what to do.’ ” “I told him, ‘That’s life,’ ” Franklin said. “He was cut from his own cloth and he let us know it. I don’t judge Chris at all. I knew this day was going to come, that I would get a phone call. I prayed God would take me [instead]. I am extremely proud of him. I know his little quirks: his laughter. We know Chris’s life was a statement, he was in God’s hand his whole life and now his hand is in a lion’s mane or he’s riding down a rainbow.”
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FoodWise with Ginny & Chef J
By Ginny & Chef J StreetWise Contributors (www.ginetics.org, www.researchchefs.us)
Design For Life We are all starting to recover, albeit slowly, from the global recession. Some folks are really starting to feel the change, while others aren’t. Why do some people bounce back quicker from a crisis or a setback than others? We recently heard about a study that looked at the various success rates of people recovering from a disaster or crisis. Those who recovered quickly had better “resilience.” But where does resilience come from? Some people are born resilient. Others, who’ve experienced a crisis at a young age, have learned that recovery is eventually possible; they under-
Chicago DineWise By Lee Barrie & Cindy Kurman Barrie StreetWise Contributors Ah, barbecue! There are days when nothing else will hit the spot. We enjoy a good dry-rubbed slab of Chicago baby backs and Fat Willy’s, right across the street from the Kerasotes City North 14 movie multiplex, is one of our favorites. The popular restaurant has been around for a few years and is as busy as ever. What we like about Fat Willy’s is the combination of good service, hearty portions and the quality of the barbecue. They pay attention to details and the preparation is superb. We dined there recently with some good friends and their food lovin’ teenage sons. We had a great time and the teens were more than delighted with their feast. But keep in mind that this is no dieter’s paradise. The food is rich and you can quickly accumulate mucho calories, so moderation—in other words, sharing—is a good idea at Fat Willy’s (be prepared for a $3 sharing charge, however). A roll of napkins is on the table and you’ll use plenty, but that’s part of the fun. The dinner menu begins with a variety of rich but tasty appetizers. We loved the baked artichoke dip, smothered in garlic cheese and served with bite size rounds of garlic toast. The BBQ chicken wings are meaty, not too hot and served with three types of BBQ sauce. The chili cheese fries are what you would hope for—indulgently gooey and delicious. If you want to cross over into fried food, the Jalapeno Corn Fritters are
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stand that “This too shall pass.” That is what the Chef’s mom always told him, and he believed her. The longer we hold onto old, familiar habits and patterns of behavior, the more we reinforce them. They can be good or bad, helpful or harmful. We hear from many of our clients that they truly feel they have little to no support to help them “change” their behavior. We show them that they can design their lives in a way that will support whatever they’re trying to accomplish, including weight loss, a new career, or new friendships. To build a supportive life, you must consider all aspects that will support what you’re trying to accomplish. Of course, the basic question is: what are you trying to accomplish with your life? This sounds easy until you start peeling away the layers. Here are a few things to consider:What do you do for a living? Where do you work? How do you schedule your time? When do you take care of your body? What does success mean to you? What do all of these things mean to you? You must define them for yourself or you’ll be living someone else’s idea of what your life is supposed to be. Remember, we all have the power to change anything we want in our lives! To do that, we just have to believe we can. We write our own scripts and compose our own life stories. If we want to change the plot, we have the power to do so. We just need to gather up the courage to do it. There are some great resources out there to get you started. When we coach young people or clients who are trying to create some change in their lives, we have them start by taking the Keirsey and Bates character and personality test, which breaks down the different parts of a person’s temperament and personality. It can be found online at humanetrics.com. Everyone is different; once you basically understand how you function and what your strengths and weaknesses are, you have a better chance of leading a fulfilling, happy life.
truly decadent, with a touch of bite but not overly hot. Other decadences include a hand dipped corn dog (kids will love ‘em) and amazingly plump doughnut-inspired onion rings. Although we didn’t order soup in the hot weather, Fat Willy’s does offer a robust Andouille sausage gumbo, with nice chunks of okra. Again, it’s got bite but is not too spicy. Fat Willy’s signature chili is what you would expect—a nice smoky flavor paired with rich cheddar; jalapeno salsa served on the side. On to the barbecue! Fat Willy’s serves several cuts. They are dry rubbed, marinated, smoked and finished on the grill. The full rack of baby backs is generous, and served with fresh cole slaw, soup or salad and choice of side dish. The ribs have a modest amount of sauce, which is how we like them, but there are three BBQ sauces on the table to enhance yo ur food, if you desire. The Kansas City style ribs are larger, with the same preparation. If you’re a rib tips fan, you can get these as well. Additional entrées include a very moist and tender sliced barbecue beef brisket, which our friend loves, and a clean but smoky flavored barbecue chicken which is smoked over Applewood and hickory. If you’re a mac and cheese fan, Fat Willy’s is the place for a h earty, baked-to-order dish. This is a great dish to share; no one will be disappointed unless you didn’t order enough. The meals come with a choice of side dish and there are several good choices. The baked beans were excellent and, as corn bread fans, we enjoyed Fat Willy’s rich take, with some jalapeno and cheddar thrown in for good measure. If you’re in the mood for a sandwich, Fat Willy’s offers ri ch, W W W. S T R E E T W I S E . O R G
Ginny & Chef J’s Secret Recipe Asian Chicken and Broccoli (serves 4) Shopping List: • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into thin slices • 1 Tablespoon canola oil • Half cup low sodium chicken stock • 2 Tablespoons lime juice • 1 Tablespoon fish sauce • 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar • 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped • 1 medium size onion, thinly sliced • 1 cup of broccoli florets • 1 medium yellow pepper, thinly sliced • Fresh ground pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions: • Heat large skillet to medium-high heat, add canola oil. • Add chicken, and cook until done, about 4 to 6 minutes. • Remove chicken from pan, and hold on platter. • Lower temperature of skillet, and add garlic and onions. • Cook until lightly translucent, about 3 minutes. • Add broccoli, and yellow peppers. • Increase temperature to medium-high heat. • Sauté vegetables for 3 minutes, then add chicken stock. • Cook with splatter screen over top of pan for 3 to 4 minutes. • Add lime juice and fish NUTRIONAL INFO sauce. • Gently toss contents of pan for about 3 to 4 minutes. • Add cooked chicken back in, and gently toss until well mixed. • Add fresh ground pepper, and remove from heat. •Serve over cooked rice or rice noodles.
hefty choices. Our teenage dining companions went simply wild about the BBQ Burgers. These ¾ pound monsters were thick, juicy and when ordered medium rare, they came out tender and pink on the inside, the way they’re supposed to be. Other sandwich choices include a hearty BBQ beef brisket sandwich, a non-greasy smoked chicken sandwich and a satisfying pulled pork sandwich. Fat Willy’s doesn’t skimp on dessert, but you should plan ahead if you’re going for it. There is a very good New Orleans chocolate pecan pie, a rich and moist chocolate brownie served with ice cream and a creamy peanut butter chocolate pie made with an Oreo cookie crust. There is a nice kids’ menu, and other extra touches include homemade lemonade and yes, some nice salads, including a cobb salad and a roasted veggie salad. You can park in the movie theater ramp for $2 or there is some limited street parking. Fat Willy’s Rib Shack 2416 W. Schubert Ave. Chicago, IL 60647 (773) 782-1800 www.fatwillys.com
Hours (open for lunch and dinner): 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun. – Thurs 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m., Fri. and Sat. Prices: entrées: $12.95 - $24.95
Cindy Kurman Barrie and Lee Barrie are the principals of Kurman Communications, Inc., a Chicago-based marketing and public relations agency. Please visit their blog at gotbuzzatkurman.com
A U G U S T 26-S E P T E M B E R 1, 2009
Event Calendar August 26-September 1 Wednesday At the Black Thai International Arts and Crafts Fest, 8 to 12 vendors sell handcrafted items from Africa, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, and Thailand. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Canal and Jackson (300 S. Canal St.). For more info call 312.491.0999. Free.
Thursday On August 27 local bars and taverns will donate a portion of their sales to AIDSCare for the 6th Annual Bar AIDS in Chicago. Visit aidscarechicago.org /baraids.html for the list of participating bars. Watch classic Italian films while dining alfresco at Italian Cinema on the Patio. This week’s selection is Cinema Paradiso (1988). 8:30 p.m., Salute Wine Bar, 46 E. Superior St. For more info call 312.664.0100.
Friday Explore the history, ethnicity, and cuisine of local communities on Chicago Neighborhood Tours, which range from three to five hours and may include snacks or lunch. Summertime Sampler Tour (3 hrs.), August 28, 9:30 a.m.: Humboldt Park, Wicker Park, and Ukrainian Village. Tours depart from the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St. Reservations recommended. For more info call 312.742.1190. $20-$50.
Saturday The sixth annual Randolph Street Market Festival, a European-style indoor/outdoor fair, showcases antiques and vintage collectibles from more than 200 dealers along Randolph, between Ada Street and Ogden Avenue. Themed mini markets boast rare vinyl recordings, global goods, and fancy food items such as truffles, salsa, and olive oils; local indie designers sell original clothing and accessories; local crafts and vintage Schwinn bicycles from the '60s and '70s are on sale; and live music and food vendors round out the Market. New this year: the Oprah Store sells clothing, home decor, African arts and crafts, and pet products, and the Retro Re-vamp Corner lets guests enhance items with beading, embroidery, silkscreens, and more. August 29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and August 30, 10 a.m.4 p.m., 1350 W. Randolph St., between Ada and Ogden. $10 (includes repeat entry all weekend), $5 for students, free for kids age 12 and under; get free entry for the last two hours of the Market each month with the "See for Free" coupon on its Web site, randolphstreetmarket.com. A free trolley departs from Water Tower Place on the hour between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and returns to Michigan Avenue from the Market every 30 minutes between 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For more info call 312.666.1200. The 24th annual Bucktown Arts Fest features paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, and photography from artists from across the country, plus theater, dance, and spoken-word performances, films, and live music. Also includes a food court and beer vendors. August 29-30, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Senior Citizens Memorial Park, 2238 N. Oakley Ave. For more info call 312.409.8305. Free.
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Calendar Spotlight:
Experience !Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival Chicago Latin Music Festival showcases local, national, and international talent in the various Latin music genres (salsa, reggaeton, mariachi, norteña, etc.). Many of the featured artists are Grammy Award winners and nominees. The festival will feature two performance stages, where all are welcome to come and dance to live music as well as stay for the evening DJs, who will be playing music from all genres. There will also be a mercado, or marketplace, that will feature all types of goods, from fine art to folk art, and the ComEd Kid’s Zone, complete with a giant inflatable for jumping and a special guest appearance by the Chicago Fire’s mascot, Sparky. Viva! Chicago has featured many legends of Latin music, and this year there will be a grand celebration to memorialize Manny Oquendo, who performed at the very first Viva! and passed away earlier this year. Oquendo was a self-taught musician and master percussionist who founded the critically acclaimed Latin band Conjunto Libre and codirected it for more than 35 years. Join performers Andy Gonzalez, Jimmy Bosch, Frankie Vazquez, and Herman Olivera as they pay tribute on Saturday, August 29, at 6:25 p.m. at the Petrillo Music Shell. See full performance schedule below. Grant Park, Jackson Blvd. and Columbus Drive. For more info visit cityofchicago.org/specialevents. Free.
Saturday, August 29 Los Barrios Stage • noon: Chicago Cuatro Orchestra School with special guest Yomo Toro • 1:45 p.m.: David Oquendo’s Raices Habaneras • 3:30 p.m.: La Excelencia • 5:15 p.m.: La India Canela Salon de Baile Stage • 12:30 p.m.: Juvenato Vallenato • 2:30 p.m.: La India Canela • 4:30 p.m.: Galan Norteno • 6:30 p.m.: TBD Petrillo Music Shell • 5 p.m.: AfriCaribe with Angel Luis Torruellas, Ricardo Pons, and Angel Melendez WW WW W.. SS TT RR EE EE TT W W II SS EE .. O O RR GG W
• 6:25 p.m.: Tribute to Manny Oquendo’s Libre, with Andy Gonzalez, Jimmy Bosch, Frankie Vazquez, and Herman Olivera • 8:10 p.m.: Aterciopelados Cantina Stage • 2 p.m.: Nuestro Tambo • 3:30 p.m.: OgundaMasa • 5 p.m.: Marcos Oliveira and Swing Brasileiro
Sunday, August 30 Los Barrios Stage • 1 p.m.: Lidia with Mariachi • 2:15 p.m.: Fandanguero • 3:30 p.m.: Banda Valle Verde • 4:45 p.m.: Diosas de Cristal Salon de Baile Stage • 1:30 p.m.: Chicago Mambo All Stars • 3:30 p.m.: Encuentro de Jaraneros Fandango featuring Tarima Son, JaroChicanos, and Son del Viento; hosted by Benjamin Anaya • 6 p.m.: Aguzate and El Caobo (DJ sets; salsa dance party) Petrillo Music Shell • 5 p.m.: Banda Manzanera • 6 p.m.: La India Canela • 7:10 p.m.: Lila Downs Cantina Stage • 1 p.m.: Banda Valle • 3 p.m.: Banda Manzanera • 5 p.m.: TBD
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Helping others while getting out of town
By Chae Wright StreetWise Contributor
hen you take a short vacation this year, why not do something that benefits someone else? Help build housing, work on a farm, or take your pets to entertain senior citizens.
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Habitat for Humanity is an organization that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness. Volunteers accomplish this goal by helping to build homes for qualified applicants. The people who will receive homes are chosen based on need, willingness to partner, and ability to pay. A visit is usually made to the prospect’s home to inspect his or her living conditions. If chosen, the person, or family, has to be willing to work 300 hours and pay off the mortgage, usually $450-$500. Habitat offers two types of volunteer work: construction and ReStore retail work. Construction usually involves painting, siding, and roofing; ReStore offers furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances, all donated goods sold to the public at a fraction of the retail price to help local Habitat affiliates fund home construction in their communities. Building materials donated to Habitat also stay out of landfills.
1. Rockford, Illinois Take I-90 88.42 miles west of Chicago, about 11.8 gallons round trip (conservatively figuring 15 miles per gallon), with gas $35.40 at $3 a gallon, midway between high and low costs at gas stations on chicagogasprices.com. Last year at this location, there were 450 volunteers and 75 applicants; seven applicants were selected. Most projects are built in northwest Rockford. The construction season for a home is generally May
through September, but this year’s construction will be complete by Labor Day weekend. You must be at least 16 years of age to volunteer. Sessions are on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and volunteers can set their own schedules. Projects such as painting or doing windows may only take a day, or you may prefer doing siding. The ReStore operates year-round Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and accepts volunteers as young as 14. Duties include customer service and pricing. To sign up, simply call the manager a couple days ahead of time at 815-713-3184.
Local attractions: Forest City Queen Riverboat 324 N. Madison St. 815-987-8894 Dinner cruises on the Rock River and luncheon water-ski shows. Burpee Museum of Natural History 37 N. Main St. 815-965-3433 This riverfront attraction includes the skeleton of a young Tyrannosaurus rex.
You don’t have to love water parks to fall in love with rides like the Typhoon Terror, a rotating funnel, and Splash Blaster, with its two 30-foot drops. Also features sand volleyball, restaurants, a cabana, and locker rentals. Lodging: River House Bed and Breakfast. Fireplaceand-jacuzzi suites for couples as well as child-friendly accommodations. 11052 Ventura Blvd., Machesney Park, 815-636-1884, www.riverhouse.ws.
2. Bloomington, Illinois Take I-55 about 250 miles southwest of Chicago. Gas cost: $96 round trip. Habitat for Humanity requires no prior skills for construction or ReStore, but construction volunteers must be at least 16 years old (16- and 17-year-olds need waivers). Project times are Tuesdays,Thursdays, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Women Build (with all-female crews) is 4 to 8 p.m.Tuesdays. ReStore is open Wednesday through Saturday; volunteers must be 18 or over. The season is May through October. Work may involve handling pickups.
Local attractions:
Midway Village & Museum Center 6799 Guilford Rd. 815-397-9112 midwayvillage.com This 137-acre site recreates village life at the turn of the 20th century. Includes exhibits of Rockford's major industries, a doll museum, and an old millhouse.
Community Players Theater 201 Robinhood Lane 309-663-2121 communityplayers.org Founded in 1923, and one of the oldest community theaters staffed completely by volunteers, it often puts up productions of Broadway shows that have just completed their run. Lost in Yonkers plays Sept. 11-13, 17-20, and 24-26.
Magic Waters 7820 CherryVale North Blvd., Cherry Valley (conveniently located just off I-90/39 near Rockford) 800-373-1679 or 815-966-2442
Children’s Discovery Museum 101 E. Beaufort St., Normal 309-433-3444 childrensdiscoverymuseum.net
ENJOYILLINOIS.COM
A juvenile T-Rex on display at the Burpee Museum of Natural History in nearby Rockford.
Three floors of unique, hands-on, larger-than-life exhibits, including 2,000 square feet on agriculture.
teaches adults and children about the natural world through the city’s waterways and public parks.
Grady’s Family Fun Park 1501 1/2 Morrissey Dr. 309-662-3332 gradysfunpark.com An 18-hole miniature golf course, batting cages, bumper boats, go-karts, and kiddie rides, plus a restaurant with a full menu, soft-serve ice cream, and an arcade.
Sea Dog Sailing McKinley Marina 414-687-3203 seadogsailingmilwaukee.com See cityscape landmarks in comfort and style aboard Blue Chip, a Catalina 34 sailing yacht.
Pepsi Ice Center 201 S. Roosevelt 309-434-2737 pepsiicecenter.com You no longer have to wait until winter to ice skate. Features indoor public skating along with lessons and a comprehensive hockey program.
Visit bloomingtonnorma lcvb.org for more tourism spots.
3. Milwaukee, Wisconsin Take I-94 West 91.71 miles north of Chicago. Gas cost: $36.60 round trip. Volunteer at Trinity Village, 7300 W. Dean Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53223, vmpcares.com. Job: Travel with your pet and share playful moments with your pooch or kitty and the senior residents at this center. Don’t forget to bring updated shot records. Age Requirement: 12 Contact: Kari Rodriguez, 414-371-7318 When: Ongoing
Local attractions: Urban Ecology Center 1500 E. Park Place 414-964-8505 urbanecologycenter.org A "green" building with activities for all, from climbing a tower to visiting animals and hiking wooded trails along the Milwaukee River. The center
Milwaukee Repertory Theater 108 E. Wells St. 414-224-9490 milwaukeerep.com Once a generating station, this theater is home to three stages. See a compelling drama or a lively cabaret show from September through May. Milwaukee Art Museum 700 N. Art Museum Dr. (downtown along the lakefront) 414.224.3200 mam.org/visit The museum’s buildings were designed by Eero Saarinen, David Kahler, and Santiago Calatrava, and house works by Degas, Monet, Lautrec, Cindy Sherman, Braque, deVlaminck, Kirchner, Kandinsky, Picasso, and Giacometti. Andy Wa rhol: The La st Deca de, the first American museum survey of the artist’s work in his final years, begins its national tour here September 26 and runs through January 3. Lodging: Doubletree Milwaukee City Center (611 W. Wisconsin Ave.), a “green hotel,” donates leftover food to a local food program and has its own recycling program. Within walking distance of the Shops of Grand Avenue and the Bradley Center, home of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team. For more info call 414-273-2950 or visit doubletreemilwaukee.com.
4. Auburn, Indiana Take I-80/90 138 miles east of Chicago, then south on I-69. Gas cost: $54 round trip. “Our mission is to make it a meaningful experience for volunteers and to provide a home for a family,” said Habitat for Humanity’s Don Cross. Its project started in July and will be completed September 13, but new ones will be available in October. Check at least a week ahead with volunteer coordinator Lili Hand at 260226-1319. Minimum age for volunteering is 16, but you must be 18 to work on a roof or operate power tools. “Unskilled volunteers do the best work,” Cross said. This branch doesn’t have a ReStore but is working on getting one.
Local attractions Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum 2181 General Doolittle Dr. 260-927-8022 or fordv8foundation.org If you love Ford cars or just cars in general, you’ll love this museum, the first phase of a national collection focused on Ford Motor Co.’s history from 1932 to 1953. National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States 1000 Gordon M. Buehrig Place 260-925-9100 or natmus.org Post-World War II cars and trucks, plus “highwheelers” from 1908.
Visit a uburn-in.com/a ttra ctions.a sp for more tourism destina tions.
5. Carmel, Indiana Drive 183 miles south of Chicago on I-90/94 E, then southwest on I-65. Gas cost: $72. Volunteer for United Way of Central Indiana’s Day of Caring at the Children’s TherAplay Foundation,
9919 Towne Rd., in Carmel (317-8724166). TherAplay is an outpatient rehabilitation clinic for children that incorporates the movement of horses into physical and occupational therapy. Horse movements transferred to the patient provide a combination of sensory, motor, and neurological input that treats autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and traumatic brain injury. Help to beautify the TherAplay farm by doing chores such as painting, sanding, pulling weeds, gardening, landscaping, power washing, and cleaning. Don’t forget to wear closed-toe shoes in case a horse steps on your foot. Must be 16 years old to participate. Or you can attend Dog Day Afternoon, Sunday, September 13, from noon to 5 p.m. at the intersection of Main and Ridge Line Road in the Carmel Arts and Design District (317-571-2790, carmelartsanddesign.com). Includes dogfriendly events such as pooch paw painting, microchipping, pet photography, dog agility, fashion for humans and pets alike, and hobnobbing with other pet lovers. Silent auction of cat and dog items, restaurant certificates, Carmel Symphony tickets, clothing items, custom-created dog collars, and much, much more. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society for Hamilton County, Indiana. The event is free to the public, but those who donate $10 will be able to participate in the “cat” walk of fame in the first annual puppy parade.
Local attractions The Carmel Arts and Design District, home to art galleries, interior designers, specialty shops, showrooms, and restaurants. Monon Greenway: Walk, bike, or run this 5-mile trail that connects to the 10.5-mile Monon Trail (indianatrails.org/Monon_Carmel.htm). And visit the Monon Center, a state-ofthe-art water park and fitness complex at Central Park. Prairie View Golf Club, 7000 Longest Dr., is an 18-hole golf facility designed by architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. where you can play free on your birthday (offer expires 12/31/09, with twoplayer minimum). Call 317-816-3100 or visit prairieviewgc.com. Lodging: Old Town Carmel Bed and Breakfast, 521 First Ave. NW, is a 100year-old restored home that offers three luxurious guest rooms and is located just steps from Monon Trail. Call 317566-9696 or visit carmelbandb.com. —Grace Federighi contributing
This Week In Chicago WWW.LASZAPATILLASDEHERMES.ES
By Suzanne Hanney & Sylvester Quast, Vendor #6908 Editor-in-Chief & Vendor Volunteer
This Week in Chicago 25 Years Ago... “I really don’t want to measure up to everybody’s expectations of me when I start playing here,” Michael Jordan said in his first press conference as a Chicago Bull. “I just want to live up to my expectations.” According to the Aug. 16, 1984 Chicago Defender, the Bulls were “considered by many to be the one of the worst franchises in the NBA,” but “the Bulls brass is on the threshold of seeing their stock rise to heights never reached before thanks to Michael Jordan.”
It was a prophetic statement -- perhaps even an understatement—about possibly the greatest player in basketball history. The Jordan-era Bulls won six NBA Championships: in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1996, 1997 and 1998. Jordan himself went on to become 1984-85 Rookie of the Year and to five Most Valuable Player awards. He will be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame on September 10-12 in Springfield, Mass. According to basketball-reference.com, he averaged 28.2 points his first year and 37.1 the next (his career high), followed by 35 points in the 1987-88 season. His career NBA average was 30 points per game (32,292 points overall). He had 2,514 NBA career steals and 893 career blocks. Jordan had been excused from rookie/free agent camp at Angel Guardian Center on Devon and Ridge because he had just come off three months training with Bobby Knight and a gold medal at the Olympics. He had also been College Player of the Year. “But add the gold medal to his enormous basketball skills, a silky smooth personality and articulate expression…. Jordan is sure to command big bucks which probably will make him the highest paid member on the team,” the Defender noted. Drafted by the Bulls from the University of North Carolina in the first round of the 1984 NBA draft, Jordan’s first-year salary was just $550,000, but he reached $2 million by 1988-89. In 1996, his salary leapt from $3.85 million to $30.14 million. Jordan’s agent David Falk of ProServe said endorsement projects awaiting him included several stores, athletic shoes and electronic companies. That was another understatement. “If O.J. Simpson and Arthur Ashe crossed the color line in product endorsement, Jordan obliterated it,” Hoop magazine said in 1991. Jordan had just landed a 10-year, $18 million contract with Quaker Oats for Gatorade. Other endorsements were with Coca-Cola, Chicagoland Chevrolet dealers, General Mills (Wheaties), Wilson basketballs, Sara Lee (Hanes underwear) and the Illinois State Lottery. Jordan had made $10 million the previous year just from his contract with Nike; sales of his “Air Jordan” shoes for Nike had topped $500 million.
But he had almost signed with Nike archrival Adidas, according to MSNBC.com. “The thing is, I never wore Nike shoes until I signed that Nike contract,” Jordan said. “All through college we worse Converse. And up to that point, my favorite shoe was an Adidas shoe.” Nike basketball talent scout Sonny Vaccaro convinced the company to bet its entire $500,000 budget on Jordan, although at the time, “it was an unheard of price for an endorsement deal, especially for someone who had yet to play a minute in the NBA,” according to MSNBC. In the 1984 Defender, Bulls general manager Rod Thorn said the 6-6, 195-pound Jordan would likely be most effectively as a big guard. “But there may be occasions during the season where he could play small forward because of his quickness and ballhandling ability. The small forwards who may be a little bigger than him won’t be able to stay with him because of his mobility with the ball.” On Oct. 6, 1993, following his father’s murder that summer, Jordan retired from basketball, saying that he had achieved all his goals. Instead he played “competent if unspectacular” minor league baseball for the Class AA Birmingham Barons of the Chicago White Sox organization, according to NBA.com. He returned from retirement late in the 1994-95 season, but the Bulls lost to the Orlando Magic in the conference semifinals. Jordan retired again from the Bulls on Jan. 13, 1999 and then signed as a free agent with the Washington Wizards at the start of the 2001 season. He played for $1 million per year until he retired at the end of the 2002 season. Also in the Aug. 16, 1984 Defender, the Chicago Housing Authority promised to deal with 300 complaints of “unbearable” living conditions at the Henry Horner Homes on the West Side. “I still have the same maintenance problems [which included kitchen sinks prone to flooding] that I have been trying to get corrected for four years,” said one resident. Other complaints included worn out stoves; unworkable refrigerators and broken kitchen cabinets; and missing curtain rods, shades, screen doors and window screens.
Have you taken our readership survey yet? There’s still time! We want to hear from you. Turn to page 14, or log on to www.streetwise.org to take the survey online or call us at 312-829-2526 and we'll fax or send you the survey.
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A U G U S T 26-S E P T E M B E R 1, 2009
youth community
Gardens
By Rebecca Bluemel StreetWise Contributor
t 4943 West Quincy, on a quiet, residential West Side street, lies a most unexpected find. It’s here that Mercy Housing sponsors a bona fide and diverse urban garden.
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While urban gardening is a growing trend that’s taken on new importance in a slow economy, along with the organic boom that’s whetted American appetites for fresh fruits and vegetables, what sets Mercy Housing’s lush garden apart is its hard-working and dedicated crew: a team of 12 middle school children from surrounding neighborhoods. The 11 girls and one very brave young man are part of a summer program that runs through Labor Day. After-school coordinators Ms. Maggie and Ms. Banks, who are admitted gardening novices themselves, are a fully integrated part of the agriculture, management, and promotion of the garden and its crops, learning the art of horticulture right along with their charges. Together, these stakeholders in the Mercy Garden have banded together to bring “something new” to the neighborhood and community eating patterns. Members of the StreetWise team ventured over to the Mercy Garden on a beautiful morning in late July for a tour of the grounds. We also spoke firsthand with Ms. Maggie, Ms.
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Banks, and the young gardeners themselves in order to gain their perspective on how the urban garden project has impacted their lives as well as those of their families and neighbors. According to Ms. Banks, gardening is serious business, and each of the children is “cross trained” in areas such as marketing and money management in addition to actually farming the crops.The kids are receiving a full education in the entrepreneurial spirit, facilitating a biweekly farmer’s market where they unload their wares to hungry members of the community looking for fresh food at a good bargain. Mr. Granville, a Mercy House resident of 15 years and a dedicated resource for the children, has worked the garden in the past, when it was known for “plants and spices,” and is proud to have helped convert the large plot of land to “organic” this year. Even for the experienced, undertaking a youth-managed organic garden is a learning process. Granville details some unique challenges that the children and the garden have experienced this season: in addition to a relatively “cold summer [that is] delaying some crops . . . it was better in April than July,” the young farmers have confronted some problems you might not expect—like cats. Local strays are fond of wandering the property despite the children’s—and Mr. Granville’s—best efforts to keep them at bay. WW WW W.. SS TT RR EE EE TT W W II SS EE .. O O RR GG W
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The cats aren’t simply looking for a nice place to rest—they’ve turned into pests who relieve themselves on some of the crops. Toia, Mercy Garden’s treasurer, describes feeling “bad, bogus” when the cats and other destructive forces besmirch the fruits of the gardeners’ labor. However, problem solving is an integral part of the learning experience. Though surrounding the crops with chicken wire failed to keep the felines away, the gardeners haven’t given up: Danisha, the garden’s compost coordinator, says the distribution of lime across the garden “does no harm” to the plants but “helps a lot” in deterring animal guests. Maps created by Ms. Banks,Toia and Darnisha, with intermittent assistance from some of Mercy Garden’s other youth workers, provide an expert guided tour of the grounds. There’s a surprisingly diverse variety of crops nurtured on a plot of land that measures no more than 50 by 100 feet. Toia and Darnisha pepper their tour with a liberal sharing of the agricultural lessons they’ve learned this summer. For example, the tomato plants are growing well, but are bent a little too low to the ground for the group’s liking. This is the result, according to Toia, of “tomato stakes that are too thin . . . we need to get bigger ones next year.” Commenting on bean sprouts that appear randomly throughout the garden, even in areas where they weren’t intended to breed, Danisha wisely notes, “Beans grow wherever you drop seeds.” While proudly presenting the parsley, beets, mint, sunflowers (Ms. Banks’ personal favorite), peppers, and other crops found in the garden, the girls discuss the impact of this experience on their home lives. They often bring some of the fresh produce home, sharing it with their parents and siblings and involving them in the work they do three days a week with Mercy. Toia says, without a hint of irony, that she’s enjoyed her time in the garden so much, she will definitely “grow when I’m old.” Ms. Maggie, Ms. Banks, and the children have
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received more than a little help from their friends at Angelic Organics, an agricultural learning center located at 6400 S. Kimbark Ave. In addition to providing an assistance grant to the project and the donation of a worm colony, Angelic Organics has mentored the children, providing training and workshops. One such workshop was a “bug review,” which educated the kids about harmless and harmful garden pests. In collaboration with Angelic Organics, the Mercy Garden has a goal of farming “year-round,” according to Ms. Maggie. Armed with information, the gardeners and their mentors have branched into some new areas in an effort to diversify their crops and utilize their available resources to the fullest extent. Apple trees have recently been planted, with the hope of producing some tasty fruit for the coming fall. And more recently, Mercy Garden introduced a rain-garden feature, a method of allowing plants to retain water by keeping it from running off into an aging sewer system. Proper management of the rain-garden feature should minimize the threat of overflowing sewers. And of course there’s the burgeoning farmer’s market, a full-fledged business managed by the children that permits them to introduce their organic crops for the direct consumption of the surrounding community. Ms. Banks notes that the market is often at the mercy of the “readiness of various crops,” but this new venture is already beginning to gain both attention and traffic. The children are involved in every aspect of it, from pricing to customer service, which provides them, according to Ms. Banks, with “a tremendous sense of gratification and ownership” of their work. Mercy Garden also happily offers tours of the land for anyone in the community. Mercy Garden isn’t the only urban farming program to utilize school-age resources to achieve a twofold benefit: dedicated part-time labor for community food production, and an opportunity to positively impact the lives of atrisk youth and their eating patterns. StreetWise caught up with an old friend, Ken Dunn, founder and director of the Chicago Resource Center,
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located at 222 E. 135th Place. One of the high-profile urban farms run by the center, at the corner of Division and Clybourn, makes use of the untapped potential of neighborhood adolescents. Dunn spoke of a “summer program for youth employment with the [Chicago] Mayor’s Office of Manpower,” now known as the Office of Workforce Development. Fifteen teenagers,“from schools local to the garden,” learn the business of agriculture, literally, from the ground up. Dunn also referred to “ongoing programming with colleges in the area,” including students from the University of Illinois at Chicago, as well as a group from Toledo, Ohio. These young people are “interested in our sustainable growing on city properties, avoiding contamination, [and] growing in compost and wood chips, which absorbs rain water with no runoff and holds it for access by the plants for the next month.” The trend toward local, urban farming shows no signs of slowing down, and in the future, additional opportunities will be created for youth involvement in the mini explosion of this industry. Rising food costs, impacted by the city’s current need to import most of its fresh fruits and vegetables, will drive the expansion of metropolitan farming. As a matter of fact, Dunn relates that as a result “of the recession—there are many more requests from property owners to maintain and beautify while they wait to sell or build.” Moreover, though “not yet finalized so [locations] can be publicly announced,” City Farm, the urban gardening arm of the Chicago Resource Center, may be expanding its farmable land mass shortly to include “three more acres on the North, and two more on the South Side.” Development of these acres would necessarily result in job creation and an additional influx of fresh produce to the local food supply. Dunn sums up the growing need to produce fresh produce at the local level: “Everyone is talking about eating fresh vegetables these days. Demand for our product has always been good, but fresh vegetables are increasingly getting [into] people’s diets, which can only be a good thing.” The ways to positively harness this trend are obvious. Word-of-mouth awareness of the community gardens and the programs that sponsor them generate more interest in both the farming itself and the purchasing of the organic products the programs offer.The potential for a neighborhood boost to the local economy and employment market, plus the simultaneous education of citizens who can fill their bellies with quality foods, cannot be overstated. Both Mercy Garden and City Farm have discovered that the younger people are when they’re first exposed to the benefits of urban agriculture, the more likely they are to stay engaged and pass along what they’ve learned to their families, not to mention the next generation of Chicago’s youth. For more informa tion on Mercy Housing a nd its loca l progra ms, plea se visit www. mercyhousingla kefront.org. To lea rn more a bout City Fa rm, log onto the Chica go Resource Center’s home pa ge a t www.resourcecenterchica go.org.
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1. What is your zip code? _____________ 2. What is your sex? Female Male 3. What is your age? 0-18 19-24 25-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+ 4. What is your marital status? Single Married Divorced Widowed 5. How many people live in your household, including children and roommates? __________________________________ 6. Do you have children, if so, how many? Yes. If yes, how many? ______________ No. 7. Do you have roommates? Yes. If yes, how many? ______________ No 8. What is your household income? Less than $15,000 $15,000 - $24,999 $25,000 - $49,999 $50,000 - $74,999 $75,000 - $100,000 More than $100,000 9. Which best describes your housing? Rent condo, house, or apartment Own condo or house Live with family, friends or other 10. Which best describes your employment? Full-time Part-time Retired Self-employed Student Underemployed Unemployed Other 11. What is the highest level of formal education you have completed? High school or less Some college Associates degree
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33. How long do you hold on to an issue? One day Two-Three days One week More than one week 34. Do you pass along the magazine to another reader? Yes No Sometimes 35. On a scale of 0-5 how likely are you to be influenced to shop and support a business that advertises in StreetWise? With 0 being “not influenced at all” and 5 being “extremely influenced.” (circle one) 0
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36. How often do you log on to www.streetwise.org? Never Hardly ever Somewhat often Very often
37. What type of cover would most capture your attention? Choose one Local person Social cause Entertainment Local or world issue
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A U G U S T 26-S E P T E M B E R 1, 2009
38. How comprehensive do you think the cover story features are? Too short Just right Too long No Opinion
W W W. S T R E E T W I S E . O R G
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________ From the Executive Director ________ Wise Questions ________ INSP Page (International Network of Street Papers) ________ FoodWise with Ginny & Chef J ________ DineWise ________ Health & Fitness ________ The Good Life with Temple Hemphill ________ Theatre Page ________ This Week in Chicago - x Years Ago ________ Event Calendar ________ Reel Chicago ________ Shopwise ________ Feature Story ________ Volunteer Chicago ________ Sudoku ________ Ask Eugene ________ Crossword ________ Entrepreneur Spotlight (vendor profile) 40. Do you have any additional suggestions for content? If so, please share here: _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ When your finished you can tear and fax your results to StreetWise at 312.829.2623 or mail it to our office at 1201 W. Lake Chicago, IL 60607 or log on to www.streetwise.org and take the online survey
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