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2 Buy StreetWise only from a badged vendor
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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
From the Director By Bruce Crane Executive Director
We’re more tha n a ma ga zine… If you are a regular reader of StreetWise Ma ga zine, then you may be aware of the many things we do at StreetWise. However, if you are a casual reader, or a newer supporter of StreetWise, then this column is for you. When discussing StreetWise, one of the more common reactions I get is “I had no idea StreetWise did so much for the vendors.” There are benefits to having developed strong brand recognition for our magazine. However, the disadvantage is that the visibility of the magazine sales activity eclipses the awareness of the rest of the story. The magazine is a vehicle to give our vendors two distinct opportunities, both needed in varying degrees by our vendors. First and most obvious, is the income earning potential. The second is less visible, but no less important: our vendors are learning sales and interpersonal skills, to manage money and inventory, and to develop a customer base through consistent work. Simply put, they are learning entrepreneurial skills that can improve over time, providing them with an increasing income for support as they take the next steps to self sufficiency. But we are more than a magazine. We do continuous training internally to help our vendors improve their sales and interactions with the public. We have a quality assurance team that roams the streets and responds to any
complaints we receive. We support our vendors in external training and school programs through our education partner organizations, utilizing our volunteers as tutors and mentors for each enrolled vendor. We host weekly AA and NA meetings and help our vendors work through the many issues associated with addictions. We have seven computer work stations available 50 hours a week for our vendors to use for internet job searches, resume writing, email, online courses, homework; and volunteer assistants to help them learn to use the computers and internet more effectively. We always have hot coffee and ice water in the vendors’ community room, where they can have a break, get out of the weather, help themselves to used clothing and toiletries, and have a welcoming place to eat and wash up. We work with banks to help our vendors learn about and utilize bank accounts. Finally, we help our vendors secure permanent housing. We help our wider community as well. We provide about 25 internships each year to students from local college journalism, education, and business departments. Our staff volunteers in leadership roles to help other street news paper organizations through the North American Street Newspaper Association and the International Network of Street Papers. We regularly share our articles with other publications for their benefit. When you buy a copy of StreetWise you help a vendor earn an income and indirectly provide the financial support to StreetWise to be more than a magazine…Thank you for helping make all this possible.
Advertise your Business in StreetWise Magazine and support those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless who are working towards self-sufficiency through gainful employment with dignity. Promote your business to a demographic who is socially conscious, educated and always wants to support like minded, local businesses. Call us at 312-829-2526 or e-mail is at advertising@streetwise.org
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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
& VENDOR SERVICES
PRODUCTION & MARKETING MANAGER BEN COOK BCOOK@STREETWISE.ORG DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT GRACE FEDERIGHI GRACE@STREETWISE.ORG
&
ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES MARY FAITH HILBOLDT PROOFREADER ROBERT CASS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ROB FEDERIGHI—PRESIDENT CHICAGOBROKER.COM
JOHN J. LEONARD MORGAN STANLEY
PETE KADENS—VICE PRESIDENT SOCORE ENERGY
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On the Street Heartland Health extends outreach
The Uptown clinic opens its refurbished facility to those who need access to health care the most, but don’t possess the means. page
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Event Calendar Your guide to Halloween...
Plus, the Heart of Chicago Fest, Laughter: Chicago Humanities Festival Hyde Park Day, Modern Vintage Chicago Fall Fashion & Jewel Explosion and more...
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page
Entrepreneur Spotlight
The People’s Garden
Patience makes perfect...
Eden Place, just off the Dan Ryan at 43rd, uses urban agriculture to improve the health and economic well-being of the Fuller Park neighborhood.
StreetWise vendor Steve Allen uses his strong will and patience to succeed in a tough sales environment to keep the things that matter most to him. page
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page
news
streetwise
entertainment
volunteer
Ont the Street page 4 WorldWise page 5 This Week in Chicago page 10 Cover Story page 12-13
The Playground page 14 Vendor Profile page 15
Ginny & the Chef page 6 DineWise page 6-7 Health & Fitness page 7 Event Calendar Page 8 -9 Theatre page 11
Volunteer Chicago
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Online at www.streetwise.org
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On the Street: Heartland Health extends outreach By Ben Cook
Heartland Health Outreach programs:
StreetWise Staff
eartland Alliance, a nonprofit outreach agency that specializes in providing and advocating for accessible, affordable healthcare services for those who’ve historically been hardest to reach, launched a renewed facility, Heartland Health Outreach, at 1015 W. Lawrence, on September 29. Working with homeless people, immigrants, refugees, people experiencing mental illness, and those with substance-use issues, the center has expanded beyond primary care and is now equipped for oral hygiene, among other treatments. Funding for the project, which was three years in the making, was provided by the Chicago Community Trust, the Illinois Children’s Foundation, IFF, and federal stimulus funds. Chicago are “asset poor,” meaning they don’t have Heidi Nelson, executive director of Heartland enough money saved to subsist at the poverty level Health Outreach, explained the benefits of the ($21,200 annual income for a family of four) for even renewed facility: “Our total patients served in 2008 three months if their income suddenly dries up. [during construction] was 11,000, and we expect to Without a monetary cushion, unexpected expensserve 14,000 in 2009 due to the es such as prolonged illness, car or expanded facilities in the remod- Heartland Uptown home repairs, and reduced eled health center, and we have 1015 W. Lawrence Ave. work/pay could lead to a quick added a number of shelters to our 773-275-2586 descent into poverty. This is further health care for the homeless out- hch@heartlandalliance.org complicated by the fact that the reach program. Our goal for 2010 median household income in Mon, Wed-Fri 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; will be 15,000 patients.” She Chicago, which is now $46,911, has Tue 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. explained that with a new look, the declined by nearly $3,000 in the facility will have a renewed sense of With advanced notice, Heartland past nine years. State representative its mission. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), who was Alliance’s services can be provid“HHO is a community health cen- ed in more than 35 different lanon hand for the ribbon-cutting cereter that specializes in serving per- guages. Appointments and walkmony, said that 240,000 additional sons who are experiencing home- ins are accepted. Illinois families fell below the federlessness. We provide a full range of al poverty line last year. health-care services, and persons are charged for Also on hand for the ceremony were state Sen. services based on their ability to pay. Health centers Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and U.S. Rep. Jan are an important part of the safety net in Chicago, Schakowsky (D-Ill.), who stressed with considerable which includes community hospitals that accept tenacity that despite the negativity coming out of Medicaid and the Cook County Bureau of Health Washington concerning health-care reform, better Services network of hospitals and health centers.” days are ahead for everyone. Like Heartland Alliance, The timing for the facility’s increased patient out- Schakowsky shares the philosophy that health care is reach couldn’t come at a better time for Chicago. a basic human right. She also noted, with tongue in A Social Impact Research Center study released cheek, that revitalization projects like Heartland September 29 that focuses on poverty, income, and Uptown are examples of the dreaded budget health insurance in Chicago reports that 526,082 res- “earmarks” that got so much attention in the 2008 idents don’t have health insurance, which translates elections. to 21.6 percent of the city’s population in 2008. To “It doesn’t matter if you do have the funding put it into perspective, there are more than two mil- in place,” said Steans, “if you don’t have the lion uninsured people in all of Illinois. physicians and the centers to provide the care to the The study also found that 42 percent of families in communities.”
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Health Insurance Coverage Status in Chicago, 2008
Health Care for the Homeless Health Care for the Homeless makes cost-free, highquality primary, mental, and oral health care available to homeless men, women, and children. Heartland Alliance's medical team of doctors, nurses, and other health-care professionals reaches out to people in need, meeting them where they are—at shelters, single-room occupancy (SRO) buildings, on the streets, or at Heartland’s health centers throughout the area. Heartland's professional staff conducted nearly 100,000 health-care visits last year, and Heartland Alliance is the leading organization in Chicago to offer medical care to adults and families who are homeless.
Integrated services for refugees living with HIV/AIDS Refugees living with HIV/AIDS were first welcomed and resettled in the Midwest by Heartland Alliance, one of only a handful of organizations around the country with the resources to address the needs of this population. Our successful integration of culturally sensitive health care combined with housing, job training, and supportive case management has solidified Heartland’s position as a leader in working with populations with complex needs.
Pathways Home Pathways Home integrates the harm-reduction approach by providing an alternative to life on the streets for men and women experiencing severe mental illness and substance-use issues. Pathways Home offers residents an independent, safe environment where they can receive the supportive services they want and need. The impact is clear: 97 percent of residents adhere to their psychiatric medications, and 100 percent of participants who were recently discharged remained housed 60 days later, an important benchmark.
Contributing Writers Ginny & the Chef: Originally a professional chef, Chef J now writes a syndicated weekly 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 bac helor’s degree in nutrition science and dietetics and a master’s degree in nutrition communications and marketing. Rebecca Sarwate is a near-lifelong resident of the greatest city in the world, Chicago, and darned proud. She lives on the North Side with her beloved husband, Aditya, and their two cats. In her spare time Rebecca is a blogger and avid reader of, well, anything. She couldn't be happier to be p art of the StreetWise family. Barrett Newell is a former StreetWise intern and recent journalism graduate of Loyola University Chicago. He has an interest in arts journalism and has interned for the Chicago Sun-Times. John Godoy is a Chicago-based wellness consultant and personal trainer with a leading prevention-based, integrative health and wellness provider.
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International Network of Street Papers: Street News Service
WorldWise Back to the Future By Ross Evertson The Denver Voice
was raised in the carpet-and-drywall world of suburban Denver. The homes of my friends all looked and felt so similar to my own, each one was like a visit to a parallel universe (some of them even shared the exact same floor plan, and everyone decorated the same way—the primary difference was the odor, e.g. if the parents smoked or if there was a baby). There was something comforting about the sameness at that age, but as I got older the sameness became almost depressing—it was rare that I found that level of comfort again in a home. That said, it was particularly bizarre when I first stepped into a home known as an ”earthship.” It didn’t look like any home I’d ever been in before. Beneath the iconic south-facing, floor-to-ceiling windows is an indoor garden, fed by greywater from the sinks and shower. The soft forms of the structure flow all around. As organic as the stucco walls feel, they cover a traditional earthship building material: used automobile tires filled with tightly compacted dirt. Earthships, as envisioned by an architect in the 1970s, can have an almost future-prehistoric look, like a reclining dinosaur carcass that just happens to have a bank of windows for a stomach. But underneath that fantastic facade are concepts that are finding their way into almost every single facet of new construction. As strange as earthships may sound, they feel perfectly right. Dug into the sides of hills, their south-facing windows and thick northern walls regulate the indoor climate. It’s the natural way to heat and cool a building. No forced air, no noisy furnace—just a pleasant, naturally comfortable temperature. This kind of innate pleasantness, however, isn’t even the most desirable aspect of an earthship. The concept of “green” is now fully ubiquitous; it even has its own cable network (which, of course, is the 21st century’s primary cultural indicator that an idea has “arrived”). And while we as a nation struggle to define what we need to do to address energy independence, architect Mike Reynolds, the founder of Earthship Biotecture, handily defined it over 30 years ago.
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Six principles define an earthship: (1) Thermal/Solar Heating & Cooling 2) Solar & Wind Electricity 3) Contained Sewage Treatment 4) Building with Natural & Recycled Materials 5) Water Harvesting 6) Food Production Adopting all of these principles can theoretically lead to a life completely off the grid, with all food, water, waste, and energy concerns addressed by the home itself, a self-sufficient oasis. While Reynolds’s earthship “biotecture” movement inspired thousands of people, it took a global climate crisis for the world to begin to realize that these principles need to be applied to every structure to limit the immense waste that’s
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created when constructing, maintaining, and using our buildings. It’s unlikely that an office building would process its own waste in-house (though it may be only a matter of time), but real progress is already being seen in public housing. For instance, when it was built in 2004, Highland Gardens, a midrise public housing facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, had the largest modular “green roof” in the United States. On green roofs a cover of vegetation provides for lower energy consumption, prolonged roof life, and improved air quality. This sort of technology—and specifically this kind of implementation—has caught the attention of the nation. Last year the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) encouraged public housing agencies to adopt green strategies whenever possible, from new construction to maintenance and reconstruction. HUD put a particular emphasis on renewable energy: it claims that public housing agencies spend nearly a quarter of their operating costs on utilities. In Denver, just a few feet from the Platte River, and under the shadow of an I-25 overpass, Renaissance Riverfront Lofts officially opened on April 7. One of Colorado’s first green-built affordable housing developments, Renaissance provides 100 units, with roughly 40 percent reserved for homeless individuals who are served by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH). Its ribbed metal cladding and contemporary paint job makes Renaissance blend in with the now commonplace loft aesthetic. There aren’t any spare tires packed with dirt underneath the paint, but there are Energy Star appliances, low-flow W W W. S T R E E T W I S E . O R G
toilets, and EcoSpace elevators that use two-thirds less energy than traditional elevators. While the building is very much on the grid, power usage is supplemented with rooftop photovoltaic panels, which will provide 40 megawatts of power a year, the equivalent of nearly 40 tons of CO2 emissions.To put this in perspective, the EPA claims the average American produces four tons of carbon dioxide a year in energy usage. Renaissance performs the equivalent of taking roughly 10 of its residents off the grid. Now that it’s reasonably well-known that energy efficiency and green practices save money and improve living conditions, it’s a trend that will be difficult to stop. Bette Iacino, director of education and advocacy for CCH, says that moving forward, new construction will be built and maintained to green standards “as much as we’re able.” What’s next? Expect more of those earthship principles to be adopted in public and private housing nationwide. Public housing authorities are in a unique position to adopt new money-saving technologies, and to educate and protect the health of their residents with greener buildings. Although fully contained, closed-loop public housing might be a long ways away, sustainable energy practices, water harvesting, and on-site food production are right around the corner.
StreetWise is a member of North America n Street Newspa per Associa tion & the Interna tiona l Network of Street Pa pers, which ma inta ins the Street News Service. © Street News Service (street-papers.org)
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FoodWise with Ginny & Chef J
By Ginny & Chef J StreetWise Contributors (www.ginetics.org, www.researchchefs.us)
Seven Deadly Sins... ...against Health Part 4: Envy Aristotle once wrote,“Envy is pain at the good fortune of others.” The pain of feeling envy can manifest itself into physical and emotional illness. It’s a feeling of discomfort some people get when they desire something that someone else possesses. Have you ever found yourself focusing on what other people have, wishing you could take it away? Ever envied what other people are eating or not eating? Have you noticed what the healthy, attractive girl is eating? Have you compared it to what you’ve chosen to eat? Do you ever sabotage friends or loved ones who are making progress with healthy lifestyle changes? Is that because you secretly want them to fail? Do you envy your friends and family? Perhaps you see them living in big homes, driving new cars, eating out at nice restaurants? Maybe we envy our siblings and friends because they can still fit
DineWise By Lee Barrie & Cindy Kurman Barrie StreetWise Contributors
Coming Home from Lunch at Gene & Georgetti Nowhere in Chicago is a restaurant’s history more laid out for you than at Gene & Georgetti. This venerable Italian steakhouse, at the same location since its founding in 1941, lives in the heart of Chicago’s old Italian neighborhood and its legacy shines in the smiles and laughter of its many regular customers. Owner Tony Durpetti proudly displays a magnificent two-wall mural of his old neighborhood at Franklin and Grand—complete with Gene & Georgetti in its original form. In the mural you’ll see a small, seven year old boy standing in front of the restaurant’s door. The little boy is none other than Durpetti. Little did he know at the time that, years later as a returning soldier, he would meet Marion, his wife to be, who just happens to be the daughter
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into their old high school jeans. You wish you could get healthier and lose some weight, yet all your attempts have failed because you know it’s easier to envy others than make real changes in your lifestyle. Envy has taken over your life. Instead of living your own life and making your own best choices, you hang your head and compare what you don’t have to those who do. Let’s face it—when our cup is empty, we can’t tolerate the full cup of others. Thinking with this frame of mind can make your life miserable, and it can make it difficult for you to enjoy spending time with people who appear to have more than you do. Perhaps you seek out folks who are more like you, or worse off, but does that make you feel any better about what you do have? Chef and I are here to say, “Stop comparing yourself to others!” Count your blessings every day and be thankful for what you have. Take inventory of what and who is actually in your life right now. Then ask yourself, “Can I do better?” More importantly, should you do better? It all boils down to making good choices. You can choose to focus on what you don’t have, you can wish for things others have, or you can choose to figure out what you really need to be happy and fulfilled. So, get out your pen and paper and write down your needs and your wants. Really take some time to figure out what you need to make your life complete, and then take the steps to make it happen. Remember, the opposite of envy and resentment is gratitude. Americans really do live in the greatest country on earth: we still have plenty to eat, and we still have a free country, safe from other countries that envy—and would love to take—all that we have. Begin each day with this thought: “It is better to give than to receive.” Keep smiling!
of restaurateur Gene Michelotti. He also couldn’t have foreseen that many years after that, in 1989, he would take over the restaurant around the time his father-in-law passed away. He hasn’t changed a thing that’s important. Many of the employees have been there for decades. He takes good care of his staff and his customers. A visit to Gene & Georgetti is also a tour of celebrity history. The walls on the first level (there are three levels) are covered with memorabilia of the many stars and political leaders who have visited this proud establishment: Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Barack Obama, Russell Crowe, Dennis Farina, Andy Garcia, Keanu Reeves, Daley One, Daley Two, Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell, Tom Selleck. The list goes on and on. Although you might think that Gene & Georgetti is simply a nostalgia trip, you’d be dead wrong. The restaurant remains as crowded as ever. It’s informal, boisterous and homespun with just enough formality to remind you that they are serious about what they’re doing. The wait staff is highly professional and efficient. We visited for lunch recently—it’s a special place, indeed. There is a familiarity and friendliness that permeates the dining room. The staff is busy and in W W W. S T R E E T W I S E . O R G
Chef J’s Secret Recipe: Mushroom & Farro Soup (serves 6) FoodWise Shopping List:
•2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil •1 small yellow onion [chopped] •2 cloves of garlic [minced] •1 cup mushrooms [sliced] •2 stalks of celery [chopped] •32 ounces of low-sodium beef stock •1 cup of cooked Farro or Spelt (prepare to manufacturer’s instructions) •½ cup low fat milk •1 tablespoon cornstarch •Fresh thyme [chopped] garnish •Salt and pepper to taste
FoodWise Cooking Instructions: •Heat olive oil in a large pot (medium heat) •Add onions, garlic, mushrooms, celery. •Cook vegetables about 5 minutes (stir constantly) until they soften. •Add beef stock and NUTRITIONAL INFO bring to boil. •Add farro. •To thicken the soup- in a cup, add cornstarch to low fat milk and stir. •Add mixture to simmering mixture, and stir until soup thickensabout 1 minute. •Serve hot with salt and pepper to taste. •Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme.
motion, but not harried. They know how to run this place and everyone does their job well. The décor is mahogany and white tablecloths. This is a come as you are restaurant. It’s one of Chicago’s great places for a business lunch or a place to take time out from a busy day to shoot the breeze over great food. The menu is much more eclectic than you might think. Yes, Gene & Georgetti is known for its exceptional steaks, but you can have something completely different every day, if you choose. The menu is rich with time-tested dishes. The quality of the steaks is first rate: the meat (all Prime) is wet-aged in-house under very controlled conditions. It’s buttery tender and the flavor is rich and juicy. The Prime Rib portion is large and luscious. But Gene & Georgetti has so much more going for it. Take the salads. They are perfected. The dressing is delicious but not overwrought, and the ingredients are as fresh as can be. Choose between the signature Garbage Salad, Julienne Salad, Caprese Salad, Chicken Caesar or Romaine Walnut Salad. Add some dry bleu cheese to any salad, if you wish. The entrees are traditional Italian American. Classic. Flavorful. Choose from Chicken Vesuvio, Boneless Chicken Limone, Chicken or Veal Parmigiana, Filet Florentine, Veal Scallopine, Veal Marsala. If you’re in a
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Health & Fitness
You are how you sit By John Godoy StreetWise Contributor
Stand-up – let your body run true! Whether we’re hunched over our computer workstations plugging away at the keyboard, driving to and from work, sitting down with friends and family for meals, recovering from a taxing workday by relaxing on the couch and watching TV, or sleeping on our side, many of us spend roughly 60 percent of our day (some even more) in some variation of the seated position, aka the fetal position. The problem is that our bodies adapt to the positions we place them in the most. A great visual analogy is the spokes on a bicycle tire: It’s very important that there is equal tension on each spoke. If not, the tire will eventually lose its shape as well as its ability to maintain its form and its ability to spin true. This is exactly what’s happening to the body when we spend most of our time in some variation of the seated position. Muscles in the hips, abdominals, calves, and hamstrings become tight, and those in the lower back, shoulders, and neck become stretched out and weakened. This muscle imbalance results in physical discomfort—and in many cases, pain—as the body loses its ability to run true. In other words, it loses its posture. Here are some things you can do to counteract this phenomenon: 1) Get up from your desk every 30-60 minutes for a one-minute walk. 2) Sleep on your back. 3) Purchase an ergonomic chair that keeps your body in better alignment than conventional chairs. 4) Take some yoga classes in conjunction with beginning a strength training program. Use yoga to help rebalance the tension in your muscles, and use strength training to rehabilitate the muscles in your body that have been weakened by continuous time in the seated position.
seafood mood, choose broiled whitefish or salmon, Shrimp De Jonghe, Mussels Marinara or Breaded Shrimp. They are all excellent. Pasta dishes are classic but not boring. Spaghetti and meatballs, Ravioli with Meat Sauce, Mostaccioli with Meat Sauce or Marinara Sauce; Linguini alla Marinara or Linguini with Clam Sauce (the best we’ve ever tasted), Angel Hair with Tomato Sauce and Basil. Choose a side dish, big enough to share. There is fresh asparagus, sautéed spinach or broccoli, fresh broiled mushrooms, sautéed mushrooms and sweet peppers and more. You’ll also want to check the menu for the daily specials. They include appetizers, sandwiches (amazing corned beef) and other varied items which offer regular customers some special treats. The desserts are rich, classic Chicago: Carrot Cake, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Cheesecake and Spumoni. At dinnertime, you’ll find an even wider selection in every category. Along with the steaks, the broiled lamb chops are to die for. Don’t forget to say hi to Tony for us. If he’s not too busy, perhaps he’ll give you a personal tour of his beloved mural. This place has aged as well as the steaks. Enjoy.
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Hours:11 a.m.–midnight, Gene and Georgetti Monday through Saturday. 500 N. Franklin St. Lunch Pricing: Chicago, IL 60610 Salads, $4.75-$14.50; (312) 527-3718 www.geneandgeorgetti.com Entrées, $13.50-$25.75 Cindy Kurman Barrie and Lee Barrie are the principals of Kurman Communications, Inc., a Chicago-based marketing and public relations agency. Please follow all StreetWise restaurant features on Twitter @DineWise and subscribe to the blog at: http://dinewisechicago.blogspot.com. Or visit their blog at gotbuzzatkurman.com
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Events: October 14-20 Wednesday 6 p.m. Dance for the Camera and Hedwig Dances Present: Making Dance for the Stage and for Film. A preview of choreographer Jan Bartoszek's dance film, Arch of Repose, followed by a live performance by Hedwig Dances. Then, dance critic Lucia Mauro will moderate a discussion with members of the film's creative team. Chicago Cultural Center 78 E. Washington St, Claudia Cassidy Theater Chicago. Free.
Thurs-Sat. Lucinda Childs is a pioneer of the postmodern dance movement. Her landmark work DANCE, for which Childs was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, is a collaboration with visionary contemporaries, composer Philip Glass and artist Sol LeWitt. Reprised on its 30th anniversary, this production integrates Childs’ polished choreography with LeWitt’s black-and-white film, which is projected in front of the stage in perfect synchronization with the live dancers. Thursday, 6 p.m.; Opening celebration with Childs and Glass, Museum of Contemporary Art stage benefit. Performance alone Friday, 9 p.m.; Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at Museum of Contemporary Art 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago. Admission: $40; MCA members $32; students $10 at www.mcachicago.org.
string quartets; and soundtracks to films, including the Academy Award-winning motion picture The Hours. Glass performs from his growing body of work for solo piano. Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago. Admission: $40; MCA members $32. More information at www.mcachicago.org. 7 to 9 p.m. Bedtime Buddies, a new program hosted by Lincoln Park Zoo's Education Department, is geared for children ages 3 - 10. See the zoo under moonlight. Help wish the animals good night as they bed down for the evening. Wander inside a bat cave and get up close and personal with some of the zoo's ambassador animals before heading home for a good night's rest in your own bed. Lincoln Park Zoo, Cannon Drive & Fullerton Parkway, Chicago. Admission: Adults $40; children (3 years and older) $30; children (2 years and under) FREE. Zoo members: adults $35; children (3 years and older) $25. More information at www.lpzoo.org
Fri-Sun Heart of Chicago Festival. This inaugural festival celebrates all things Italian – food, music, wine, artisans -- in conjunction with Italian Heritage Month. Grape stomping competition at 3:15 p.m. Saturday. Bands include The Breakfast Club at 6 p.m. Friday, the Buckinghams at 8 p.m. Saturday and Rick Saucedo at 6:15 p.m. Sunday. At 24th and Oakley, the Heart of Italy. Proceeds benefit the Heart of Chicago Association.
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7 p.m. One of the most influential composers of the 20th century, Philip Glass is known for his meditative and hypnotic musical scores. He has collaborated with Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Yo-Yo Ma, Twyla Tharp, Allen Ginsberg, Woody Allen, David Bowie, and Chuck Close. In the past 25 years, the prolific Glass has composed more than 20 operas; eight symphonies; two piano concertos;
Laughter: Chicago Humanities Festival's Hyde Park Day What makes us laugh, and why, according to neuroscientists, anthropologists, economists, historians, artists, poets, musicians, and writers. They’ll explain what we find funny, what’s funny in other cultures, what’s made us laugh through history, how animals express humor.
CAPTURING THE VATICAN AND CHICAGO ON PAPER: FRANKLIN MCMAHON EXHIBIT By Barrett Newell StreetWise Contributor
Those familiar with the imagery of the Catholic Church’s Second Ecumenical Council (Vatican II) may recognize the work of Franklin McMahon. For those who aren’t familiar with this Lake Forest native’s work, Loyola University Chicago’s LUMA art gallery is providing the opportunity to see it for one more week. McMahon: Vatican & Chicago opened in June and close its four-month instillation on October 18. Drawings hand-picked by the award-winning McMahon depict not only historical events from the Vatican II period (19621965), but also capture Chicago area churches, religious events, and “parish life.” Curator Jonathan Canning optimized LUMA’s small paper gallery space, creating a visual narrative that transitions seamlessly from Rome to Chicago’s West Side. It is easy to appreciate McMahon’s talent when he effectively renders both an interfaith council meeting at Chicago’s Palmer House and the ornate furnishings of Gian Lorenzo Bernini found in St. Peter’s Basilica with the same fluid line-work and attention to detail. McMahon, who now lives in Lincolnshire, has always considered himself an “artist-reporter” and all of his drawings were sketched on-site, often to accompany stories he pitched for his work as a journalist. This
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10 a.m. Steven Small: Humor Humours, Laughter and the Brain, Ida Noyes Hall, Max Palevsky Cinema, 1212 E. 59th St. Adults $5, educators and students free. Noon. Big Apple Circus’s Clown Care Unit brings classical circus joy to patients at the U of C Comer Children’s Hospital and 17 others. Performance at International House, 1414 E. 59th St. Adults $5, educators and students free. 2 p.m. Tim and Tom: A Comedy in Black and White: two comedians, African-American Tim Reid and Caucasian Tom Dreesen, reflect on a lifetime of laughs. Adults $5, educators and students free. DuSable Museum, 740 E. 56th Place. 2 p.m. Lester Munson: Chicago Sports. The sportswriter leads a panel of writers and athletes for a mashup on Chicago sports history. Adults $5, educators and students free. International House, 1414 E. 59th St., Chicago. 4:30 p.m. An Incomplete History of Comedy in Hyde Park: travel from the early 1950s and the Playwrights Theatre Club through Alan Arkin, Mike Nichols, and Elaine May’s Compass Players to today’s Second City to learn how improvisational theatre from this neighborhood changed the course of comedy. At International House, 1414 E. 59th St., Chicago. Adults $5, educators and students free. 6 p.m. Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago in authentic West African performance. Adults $10, educators and students free. At Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th St., Chicago. Additional information at http://www.chfestival.org.
Sat. and Sun. Modern Vintage Chicago Fall Fashion & Jewels Explosion! Sat. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun. Noon to 5 p.m. Metro to retro. Historic perspective and trend setting aesthetics, that's the look of the moment! Spend a high fashion weekend in a glittery party loft with the top indie designers and vintage vendors in Chicago and beyond. 100 of the best vintage dealers and indie designers display their diverse wares. 30 N. Racine, Chicago. Admission: $10; discount online tickets $8. For additional information please visit, http://randolphstreetmarket.com/ modernvintagechicago/
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approach contributes a strong photojournalistic quality to many of his compositions. Hints of a cultural narrative are present in each of the pieces on display and, while stylized, they remain “honest” by depicting subject matter realistically. According to Canning, McMahon’s work is also quite historically significant. The Vatican II renderings are some of the only visual documentation of certain happenings within the Vatican’s walls. “The primary image [of Vatican II is] the opening procession of the Council in St. Peter's Square,” Canning explained. Despite their guarded nature, Church officials “provided McMahon [with visual] access many photographers and videographers weren’t allowed,” he added. Admission to LUMA is free on Tuesdays and for further details on pricing, concurrent exhibitions, and museum hours visit http://www.luc.edu/luma. W W W. S T R E E T W I S E . O R G
Komer Kids’ Classic 10 a.m. from 58th Street and University Avenue in Hyde Park. 7th annual walk, run and kids dash. Proceeds benefit University of Chicago Children’s Hospital, which opened in February 2005. Preregister 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at U of C Bookstore, 970 E. 58th St., Chicago. 5K walk/run $25, kids dash $10 for kids under 10. More info at www.chicagoevents.com.
Monday 7:30 p.m. LiveWire Chicago Theatre is a collective company of artists with a common drive to develop unique theatre that is vital to the world. A glimpse of its work-inprogress: Lower Debt (or It's Not You, It's the Economy). Part of the Studio Theater Incubator Series of Chicago DCA Theater. Chicago Cultural Center 78 E. Washington St., Chicago. Admission Free, but reservations encouraged by calling 312.742.TIXS (8497).
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Trails of Terror (Fri 10/23-Sun 10/25 and Thu 10/29Sat 10/31, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Peterson Park, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., 312-742-7584; $8 for ages 12 and under, $10 for ages 13 and up; recommended for ages eight and up; free parking available): Wind your way through nearly a half mile of spine-tingling terror in the woods, which will be crawling with creepy characters. The setting is a small seaside town, complete with an old general store and abandoned fishing boats haunted by the ghostly remains of their crews. No-Scare Children’s Trails (Sat 10/24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Peterson Park, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., 312-7427584; $6; all ages; free parking available): The family area will include a live “creepy critters” show, a “wacky hat” art-project station, instructions for learning Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance, treats, and more. Get in the spirit of Halloween and come in costume.
The Ghostbusters (now 25 years ago!) tackle spook central. The Chicago Park District hosts nearly 70 Halloween events this fall, including several haunted houses, numerous pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and parties. This year marks the debut of the Doggie PUPkin Party, a Halloween event for dogs, and also features a ghostly movie series. Highlights include: Pumpkin Patches and Halloween Parties (through Sat 10/31 at various parks; entrance fees vary; all ages): Fall pumpkin patches throughout the city feature a selection of all shapes and sizes and decorating stations. Some pumpkin patches and Halloween parties include a petting zoo, hayride, pony ride, inflatables, games, and a chance to take a photo at the harvest photo station. For more info visit chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312-742-PLAY.
Halloween Fall Fest Featuring the Halloween No-Scare Maze (Sat 10/17-Sun 10/18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Athletic Field Park, 3546 W. Addison St., 773-478-2889; children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult; admission is free, but nominal fees apply for certain activities): Children can pick a pumpkin in the outdoor pumpkin patch or enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, and inflatables. An indoor “no-scare” maze featuring costumed cartoon characters is available for children ages five and under. Concessions available for sale. Pumpkins in the Park 5K Run and Walk (Sat 10/17, Lincoln Park, south field, 1800 N. Stockton Drive; 2:30 p.m., Kids Spooky Sprints; 6 p.m., 5K Run; $35 for 5K, $10 for Kids Spooky Sprints): The 10th annual Pumpkins in the Park 5K is presented by the Chicago Park District and Fleet Feet Sports. Participants of all ages come dressed in costume. To register, visit fleetfeetchicago.com; all registered participants will receive a T-shirt and goody bag. Postrace activities include a kids’ costume parade, adult costume contest, pumpkin decorating, refreshments, and live music. Haunted Drive-In Movie Series (Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen Ave., 312-742-7553; $5, includes pizza): Enjoy screenings of Ghostbusters (1984), Ghostbusters II (1989), and Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954) outdoors in the park, or inside the gym if it rains. Thu 10/22 and Sat 10/24, 6:30 p.m.: Ghostbusters Fri 10/23 and Sun 10/25, 6:30 p.m.: Ghostbusters II Sat 10/24 and Sun 10/25, 1 p.m.: Creature From the Black Lagoon
Haunted House (Wed 10/28-Fri 10/30, 7-9 p.m., Columbus Park, 500 S. Central Ave., 773-287-7641; $3; all ages): Discover several rooms of spooky fun in this neighborhood tradition. Haunted House (Thu 10/29-Sat 10/31, 6-9 p.m., Archer Park, 4901 S. Kilbourn Ave., 773-284-7029; $5; ages six and up): This haunted house features 10 scary scenes and includes candy as a treat. Halloween Teen Dance (Fri 10/30, 6-9 p.m., Vittum Park, 5010 W. 50th St., 773-284-6022; $10; recommended for grades 6-8): Teens can enjoy dancing and music in a safe environment. Doggie PUPkin Party (Sat 10/31, 9 a.m.-noon, Brands Park, 3259 N. Elston Ave., 773-478-2414; $5 per dog; the event will be held rain or shine): Owners and dogs of all sizes are encouraged to come dressed up in their favorite costumes. Activities include a doggie parade, a dog/owner lookalike contest, art projects, drawings and giveaways, and dog-and-owner photos that can be purchased from the photographer. Local pet businesses will set up tables and offer goods and services for dogs. Creatures of the Night (Sat 10/31, noon-3 p.m., Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., 312746-5100; free; all ages): Nighttime creatures—fruit bats, spiders, owls, and more—make a rare daytime greenhouse appearance.
Nightmare at 63rd Street Beach House (Thu 10/22Sat 10/24 and Thu 10/29-Fri 10/30, 6:30-9:30 p.m., 63rd St. and Lake Shore Dr., 312-742-5369; $7): Get spooked along the lake at this haunted house.
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This Week In Chicago 25 Years Ago By Suzanne Hanney & Sylvester Quast Editor-in-Chief & Vendor Volunteer
s the Chicago Housing Authority proposed $82.6 million in federal funds to hire more security guards, two tenant leaders said the money should be spent instead on repairing the buildings after years of neglect. “We know that crime is a major problem [for] the CHA . . . but the authority must also do something to eliminate the depressive atmosphere in public housing that breeds crime and other types of negative things,” said Marion Stamps, executive director of the Chicago Tenants Organization, in the October 13, 1984, edition of the Chica go Defender. “As long as tenants have to live with broken elevators, no lights on the stairs, no heat or hot water at times,” she predicted that crime would continue. “If you give tenants a better environment to live in, it will give them a sense of pride and initiative to take better care of their own neighborhood,” added Mary Cowherd, president of the Robert Taylor Homes’ Local Advisory Committee (LAC). Cowherd said that the CHA should have consulted with tenants before developing a plan. When the activists had expressed concerns, the authority told them to put it in writing, but when they did so, “Nothing happens and the CHA continues to do what it wants to do . . .We never know what is going on until we read about it in newspapers or see it on television.” Besides the additional guards, the CHA’s security plan called for security lobbies in 106 highrises, at a cost of $28.7 million over the next three years.There would be 100 new security guards for 61 senior citizen buildings but also $29 million to purchase security equipment and pay the salaries of 706 tenants hired as unarmed security aides. Although a CHA spokesperson said maintenance had improved since Zirl M. Smith took over
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the previous spring, there was no additional money for renovation in the $82.6 million plan. Violent crime had risen 41.3 percent from the previous year; rapes were up 28.9 percent; robberies, 15.6 percent; and serious assaults, 70.7 percent. Also in the October 13 issue of the Defender, the Metropolitan Sanitary District (MSD) unanimously passed an affirmative-action amendment that would allocate 10 to 15 percent of its contracts to small businesses and minority and women’s businesses. Since adopting its first affirmative-action policy in 1976, $96 million in contracts had gone to minorities, MSD president Nicholas Melas told the Defender. The new policy would retain minority businesses but add “small” and “women-owned” operations; an amendment would require contractors to give five percent to these businesses. Comedian Dick Gregory was also scheduled to keynote an upcoming benefit for the Children’s Foundation Inc. entitled “To Your Health With Love.” Proceeds would benefit the West Side’s Shule Ya Watoto, a preschool that had served 600 families since 1972. Participants were shown to be 1.5 years ahead of even Head Start students. In addition to preschool classes, the Shule offered Saturday tutoring and cultural activities, including the Fulani performing arts troupe for African dance and drumming. Appearing with Gregory would be members of Muntu Dance Theatre and Dr. Alvenia Fulton, whom Gregory had frequently praised when she supervised his fasts. Fulton died in 1999 at age 92, and according to her obituary in Jet magazine, she had been the first woman to graduate from Greater Payne Theological Seminary in Birmingham, Alabama, after which she pastored churches in Birmingham; Louisville, Kentucky; and Manhattan, Kansas. Exposed to natural foods and cures through her parents, she earned an N.D. and Ph.D. from Lincoln
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Dick Gregory
College of Naturopathy and Natural Medicines in Indianapolis. Then in the 1950s she became the first black business owner to open a healthfood store and vegetarian restaurant in the black community. "She taught us that our health is determined by the foods we eat and the liquids we drink," said her nephew Robin Brown, chief of staff to thenalderman Dorothy Tillman (3rd Ward). "She was the first anywhere to recommend fasting as a means of cleansing the body. . . . She called it therapeutic healing." Fulton taught Gregory how to fast in the ’60s, they collaborated on her 1978 book Vegeta ria nism: Fa ct or Myth? She worked in her store, Fultonia Health and Fasting Institute, until shortly before her death.
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StreetWise Theatre
Shaw Chicago’s Votes for Women!
(left to right) Sandra Delgado, Belinda Cervantes and Christina Nieves. Photo by Saverio Truglia.
Shaw Chicago’s first play of the season, Votes for Women!, kicks off the 90th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the United States. Written by Elizabeth Robins in 1907, the play centers on British suffragettes’ clash with Parliament over the right to vote. A naive young heiress is drawn into the conflict after she attends a demonstration in London’s Trafalgar Square and meets an activist who shares a tragic secret with her fiancé, a candidate for the Conservative Party. Robins, who was born in the United States, lived from 1862 to 1952 and was involved in theatre, writing, and politics, often all at the same time. An associate of George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, and Herbert Beerbohm Tree, she was among the first to bring Henrik Ibsen’s strong women to the British stage as an actress in the late 19th century. Robins also wrote books and articles about feminism and gender equality, and in 1913 she used her British farmhouse as a refuge for suffragettes recovering from a hunger strike. Tickets for Votes for Women! are $22 and are available at 312-587-7390. Performances are Sat-Sun 2 p.m. and Mon 7 p.m., through 11/9, at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Pkwy.
Check out Chekhov’s Ivanov
House on Mango Street at Steppenwolf Steppenwolf Theatre brings The House on Mango Street to its upstairs theater this fall as part of the Steppenwolf for Young Adults program. Celebrated Chicago writer Sandra Cisneros’s 1984 novel about a young girl coming of age in a diverse West Side neighborhood has been adapted for the stage by Tanya Saracho, cofounder of Teatro Luna, Chicago’s all-Latina ensemble. Saracho said in an interview on Steppenwolf’s Web site that she was aware of her responsibility to stay true to the book because of its iconic status among Latinas ranging in age from 13 to 39.
SiNNERMAN Ensemble presents a contemporary English-language adaptation of Anton Chekhov's Ivanov, featuring eight ensemble members in a passion-filled production of the classic story that swings wildly from comedy to tragedy. In a community obsessed with gossip and greed, the brilliant Ivanov has fallen out of love with his wife and bankrupted his land, only to be dangerously attracted to the beautiful y oung daughter of his creditor. Chekhov's most accessible play asks the burning question “How do you live without hope?”
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Sheldon Patinkin, who adapted the play and directs it, is chair emeritus of the theatre department at Columbia College and artistic consultant to the Second City and Steppenwolf Theatre. The play runs 2 hours 30 minutes, with one intermission, at Viaduct Theater, 3111 N. Western Ave. (The theater’s parking lot is at the southwest corner of Belmont and Western.) Performances are Thu-Sat 7:30 p.m. and Sun 5 p.m., through Sat 11/7. Tickets are $15-$30; call 773296-6024 or visit viaducttheatre.com.
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Performances are Fri 7:30 p.m., Sat 3 and 7:30 p.m., and Sun 3 p.m., through 11/1, at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at steppenwolf.org. The Fri 10/16 performance is a benefit for the Maria Mangual Unidas Fund of the Chicago Foundation for Women’s Latina Leadership Council, awarding grants to nonprofits working in the Latina community. Tickets for this event are $40 and include a reception from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by The House on Mango Street at 7:30; they can be purchased by calling Marisol Ybarra at 312577-2836 or by visiting www.cfw.org.
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StreetWise Feature
The people’s
Garden Story & photos by Rebecca Sarwate StreetWise Contributor
evin Concannon, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s under secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, paid a September 1 visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden, as well as the USDA's People's Garden at 215 N. Kenneth. The purpose of the visit, according to Alan Shannon, director of public affairs, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Midwest Region, was to promote "the establishment of People's Gardens around the country, to underscore the importance of community gardening." At a time when many Americans are still struggling to find ways to pull themselves and their families out of a prolonged economic downturn, a time when food costs appear to be rising with each trip to the market, Under Secretary Concannon's message to Chicagoans went far beyond advocating for gardening as an aesthetic tool. He delineated a clear directive from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack: "The federal government is to provide a good example. People's Gardens are something we can all do together to improve communities, address hunger, and get us physically active." It is this recognition of the importance of community as a means to combat economic ills, to positively foster growth and change, that drives
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the recent explosion in urban agriculture. Cannily recognizing that no legislative or bureaucratic body can do a better job of locally creating a sustainable society than residents themselves, Shannon claims that when it comes to community gardens, "The federal government cannot do them alone. We have to do them in partnership with communities and companies. People's Garden [in Chicago] is a good representation of that vision come to fruition." Community activist and visionary Michael Howard anticipated the need for the neighborhood as an agent of change in communal health and development patterns back in 1993, when he moved his family to the Fuller Park neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. At the time, the four-block area was literally being torn apart by gang warfare and pollution. By 1995, most children under the age of six living in Fuller Park had developed elevated lead levels, ingested from the local water supply and surrounding playgrounds. Lead poisoning, in many cases, can usher in developmental and physical delays in young children. Howard's answer to this community threat, even at a time when neighborhood support was difficult to obtain, was Eden Place, a thriving nature sanctuary and garden located between railroad tracks and the Dan Ryan Expressway at 43rd Place and Shields. He’s the first to admit that W W W. S T R E E T W I S E . O R G
when he announced plans for the site, people thought he might be crazy. But armed with a passion for bettering the health and security of his fellow Fuller Park residents, he "willed [Eden Place] into being." With little more than pluck and the donated time, tools, and labor of his neighbors, Howard has transformed this former illegal dump site into an "urban oasis." There are no fewer than four thriving, complete ecosystems on the grounds: the original garden, where members of Eden Place's Leaders in Training Program are taught the lessons of agriculture; a wetland that doubles as home to a large family of ducks; a section of Illinois prairie; and a wooded habitat. As if all this biodiversity wasn’t unique enough, Eden Place also boasts an authentic community-built wigwam, a new hoop house that education coordinator Tiffany Chan claims will allow for "year-round growing with some space devoted to a classroom area," and its latest pet project—plans to convert a junked bus into a solar-powered movie theater. Eden Place has certainly done much to improve the lives and opportunities of Fuller Park residents. In 2004, less than a decade after work began to convert the former property, Eden Place received the Environmental Protection Agency and Chicago Wilderness’s Conservation and Native Landscaping Award. The aforemen-
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StreetWise Feature
tioned Leaders in Training Program, begun this past May, is a summer opportunity for local teens to study the ins and outs of urban agriculture. The trainees also develop "green" business acumen selling the "fruits" of their labor at Eden Place's on-site Market Days, farmer's markets in Lincoln Square, and the Illinois Institute of Technology. However, in order to uplift the Fuller Park neighborhood to its highest potential, Michael Howard recognized that opportunity also had to be created for the adult segment of the community's population. To that end, the South Point Academy was founded, a 16-week training program that awards graduates with a "Property Maintenance Technician Certification." Students learn to be environmental stewards, acquiring basic training in areas such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, drywall, and heating and cooling. Graduates of the program include Mr. Day, Eden Place's now full-time groundskeeper. Eden Place is able to pursue such a wide and diverse agenda of community development through the devoted efforts of the Howard family, two full-time staff members (Chan and Day), and the support of the greater Fuller Park neighborhood. To accomplish so much with so little man power, and without the benefit of millions in financial resources, is staggering. The Leaders in Training Program is supported by a two-year grant from the U.S. Forest Service International Program, but most of the work is left to the Howards, Chan, Day, and a plethora of willing , volunteers. To say that the genesis of Eden Place has transformed Fuller Park is an understatement. The sanctuary is committed to maintaining, according to Chan, "an open-door policy with consistent business hours." This inclusive attitude has occasionally created tension between the need for expansion of community awareness and keeping traffic controlled for the sake of the environment. However, compared to some of the difficulties faced by Eden Place in the past, Chan
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declares this one to be "a challenge we welcome." A greater challenge to historic residents of Fuller Park is the inevitable gentrification of the neighborhood, which has come as a result of the Howards' committed development efforts. Chan admits an awareness of the changes in the neighborhood’s makeup, and affirms Eden Place's commitment to helping legacy residents stay in their homes. "Fuller Park Community Development Corporation [also founded by Mr. Howard] does outreach on financial literacy and planning" in order to combat local displacement. "Some new [housing] developments are out of affordability range by far," she says. The trifecta of an economic recession, growing awareness of the need for local fresh fruits and vegetables, and the public-relations efforts of government entities like the office of the Secretary of Agriculture are waking up Chicagoans to the idea of urban agriculture as more than a passing fad. It may very well be the key to long-term sustainability of the city's environment and food supply, in addition to acting as a powerful lightning rod for community activism and change. However, the growing number of Chicago neighborhoods undertaking urban gardening projects temper their enthusiasm with a watchful eye toward gentrification. The displacement of the very residents served by these programs is an unfortunate and paradoxical result in a number of at-risk communities. Eden Place, with the length and breadth of its educational offerings— and its 16 years of success reinventing a formerly dangerous area—can serve as a mentor, with its unofficial motto of "start at any scale, any place," according to Chan. For more information on Eden Place and its community outreach and educational programs, please visit edenplacenaturecenter.com. And for details regarding the USDA's People's Garden Initiative, log onto usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome. W W W. S T R E E T W I S E . O R G
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The Playground
Ask Eugene
Crossword
“all the brilliance that will fit” Dear Eugene, I know you don’t technically have a need for sunglasses, but I thought you might be able to help me out with a sunglasses related question. Why do people leave their sunglasses on as they ride the El train underground? It’s the darkest place there is, but yet they insist on keeping their glasses on. What gives? —Don’t Even Get It Dear Don’t Oh man, this is going to be dicey. This is going to be like trying to describe to a vegetarian how delicious a medium-rare steak is... The people wearing sunglasses in the dark—they aren’t like you. They are Better. They have a different special set of rules that they live by—it doesn’t have to make a lick of sense. They are fashion. They are artists. They are cutting edge. They could be movie Specializes stars if they wanted, but they’re kind of beyond that stage, thank you. They wear sunglasses in the dark because they simultaneously want to judge you without you noticin Dog ing you’re having holes burnt in the back of your head, and so you notice that they are Walking Really Cool, but totally aren’t trying hard to be, making them even cooler. Doesn’t that just make you jealous? Doesn’t that just make your skin flush with inadequacy? Does it not? Sure. Whatever you say. •40 years of
experience •Friendly & reliable professional care •flexible service hours & much more
“Quality Care With Recession Prices” Contact Sam at 773.587.1829
Need to post a legal notice or a classified ad?
Dear Eugene Considering the younger generation, and all of their text-speak, Facebook posts, do you think that they will ever learn to spell or conjugate correctly? —Is it hopeless? Dear hopeless, It’s hard to predict. History teaches us that the ruling class always uses a “prestige dialect,” meaning that they elevate themselves with special accents, or word use that makes them different from the serfs, commoners, and what-have-you. In our culture, you have in some situations a choice which class you would like to be in. For example: take a politician, a person who is by income and power standards upper crust, but watch them transform in a town hall meeting as they drop colloquial old-timey middle class words or phrases straight out of 1950’s sitcom land. This is temporary downward mobility. Or, take a poor person who overcompensates for their upbringing by quoting Milton while placing an order at Subway. There’s no right or wrong way to speak, but if you try to declare a culture war on poor grammar the electronic community will rally against you with constantly updated, mispelled posts about how ewe wil Roo the dei. And so it goes.
You can send Eugene your questions at 1201 W. Lake, Chicago, IL, 60607 or e-mail him at supreme_eugene@yahoo.com.
Sudoku Difficulty: Medium
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Last Week’s Answers
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Entrepreneur Spotlight
Patience pays off By Ben Cook StreetWise Staff
M
any years ago Steve Allen was a StreetWise vendor. He used the income to keep a roof over his head until he was able to make a living as a painter. Four months ago Steve was laid off from his painting job, but rather than feel sorry for himself, he came down to StreetWise and got started selling magazines later that day. He knew that just because the economy is a tough market to crack right now doesn’t mean bills can go unpaid in the meantime. “It was comforting knowing that there was a place that I could go to keep my life together,” he said. In the years since he first sold StreetWise, Steve had bought a red Jeep Cherokee, and in 2005 he got a dog, a chocolate lab named Latte. Now he sells near the Jewel grocery store at Addison and Broadway. He likes the area because he can relate to the bluecollar people he meets. Although his spot was difficult at first, Steve had a secret up his sleeve: “I just have patience. They say patience is a virtue. You have to work hard dealing with the public. You have to work hard to be where you’re at. There isn’t a substitute.” That being said, it took a while for him to find a sales pitch that worked and approach customers with it, as no two people react the same way.“There are different varieties of people. Some give me dirty looks or say, ‘I don’t want that. Not today—tomorrow.’ . . . All I can say is, ‘Have a good day. God bless.’”
In addition to potential customers being rude to him, Steve struggles with panhandlers in his area.“If you’re walking [down the] block and there are three people panhandling you and I’m trying to sell my magazine right in the middle of it, it’s hard to stand out in a positive way.” But being consistent has paid off: Steve works seven days a week, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Although the hours may seem unusual to some, they work best for his customers. Someday, when jobs are in greater supply, Steve would like to return to steady work as a painter. In the meantime, selling StreetWise allows him to pay the bills, keep his Jeep up and running, and keep Latte fed and healthy. To his customers he’d like to say, “Thanks for your support and buying the magazine from me. It helps me, and it helps StreetWise.“
Meet: Steve Allen
“
You have to work hard dealing with the public. You have to work hard to be where you’re at. There isn’t a substitute. —Steve Allen
Haven’t seen it yet? StreetWise the Movie is available at www.streetwise.org
Look for the Badge!
Where the money goes...
Please purchase your copy of StreetWise from badged vendors only! For questions or comments regarding our vendor force, please contact Greg Pritchett at (312) 829-2526 or at gpritchett14@yahoo.com.
Vendors buy StreetWise for 75 cents, and the remaining $1.25 goes directly to the licensed vendor.
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We’re more than a magazine.
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