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The Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) hosted a Virtual Town Hall with 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins on May 12.
bKL Architecture is making face shields, and hundreds were donated in April to the medical industry to help protect health professionals from COVID-19.
By Daniel Patton, May 8, 2020 A City Council resolution calling for Tax Increment Finance District (TIF) funds to be released to small businesses dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic could appear on the agenda at the city’s Economic Development Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 12. Part of an …
Lake and river-based businesses endure stay-at-home order By Daniel Patton and Mat Cohen The allure of the tropics, thrill of a regatta, and serenity of a kayak ride are water-based attractions that open to great fanfare every May in New Eastside. But Chicago’s unique relationship with the w…
By Stephanie Racine Virtual museum tours Travel through the travel ban and visit some of the world’s most famous museums on a virtual tour. Some of the tours available include the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, which houses works from famous French artists such as Gauguin, Monet and Degas. Locall…
Chicago’s iconic six-pointed star and a font called Big Shoulders are key elements in a new city logo unveiled by Mayor Lightfoot’s office on March 4.
by Elisa Shoenberger The One Earth Film Festival hopes to change hearts and minds about the environment, sustainability, and climate change through the power of film. The festival will be presenting 48 films throughout Chicago from March 6-15. “I think film presents us with stories,” said fe…
Local writer Richard Rose thought his screenplay would never get off the ground.
by Jon Cohn It’s all about the brackets in March. Bracketology, to be precise. No, it’s not about shopping hints from the fix-it folks at your local hardware store. And these brackets will definitely not be sold on the Home Shop- ping Network. The brackets that come to the forefront thi…
A popular Wicker Park bookstore has opened a second location at 900 North Michigan Shops in the Gold Coast. Rebecca George, who co-owns Volume Books with her sister Kimberly, said they were approached by the six-level shopping destination after they had a successful pop-up store at Water Tow…
by Doug Rapp A local eatery is offering mid-week wine deals. On Wednesdays, Pinched on the River, 443 E. Illinois St., is offering first glasses of wine for $1. From 6 to 8 p.m. on hump days, customers can try a glass of red, white, rose or sparkling wine for a buck. The choices will be rota…
by Mat Cohen Despite his Texas roots, Zack Gardner has been able to work through the shock of the Chicago winter to become New Eastside News Doorperson of the Month. Gardner has been working at Park Millennium for nearly six years, but he still misses the Texas heat. “I still haven’t gotten …
by Mat Cohen Sheri Campbell is an integral part of the community she loves. She’s been a doorperson at Elm Street Plaza, 1130 N. Dearborn St., for four years and has won Streeterville News Doorperson of the Month. “It’s all just a lot of customer service and interacting with people,” she sai…
by Mat Cohen At the Feb. 6 New Eastside CAPS meeting, community members and police discussed competition for sidewalk space by pedestrians, scooters and Segways. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt by these yo-yo’s,” one male resident said, noting that many violators know they are in the wron…
by Stephanie Racine “Elevating State” will be the goal and catchphrase of a new plan to revamp the State Street Corridor in the Chicago Loop. The State Street Corridor plan was the main focus of the Chicago Loop Alliance and Foundation Annual Meeting on Feb. 20. Ernest Wong, co-founder and p…
by Stephanie Racine Expectant parent classes can cost a substantial amount in downtown Chicago. For example, classes at Northwestern Hospital cost from $50-$120. But Dr. Daniel Weissbluth, a pediatrician who has an office in Northwestern’s campus in Streeterville, is out to buck the trend. …
by Stephanie Racine The Joffrey Ballet’s “The Times Are Racing” is a modern repertory ballet, with five works from contemporary choreographers. The performance, taking place at the Auditorium Theatre from Feb. 12-23, displays innovation, while still maintaining artistry. The production begin…
by Doug Rapp They’re freezin’ for a reason. The 20th annual Chicago Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Chicago is scheduled for Sunday, March 1, 2020, at North Avenue Beach. “Plungers” collect donations and pledge to jump into the icy waters of Lake Michigan. “People are excited we’ve …
by Mat Cohen The Pedway system has its lovers and its haters. Some people frequent the walkway everyday while others won’t step foot in it. Enjoy it or not, the tunnels are an integral and symbolic part of the city with their perfect imperfections. Margaret Hicks leads a tour through the wal…
by Mat Cohen No one knows love more than the people who have been pierced by Cupid’s arrow and withstood the test of time. Two couples in the Streeterville neighborhood offered their stories and advice for others. Bill and D Clancy, married 60 years, went on the most epic first date you can …
by Stephanie Racine Don’t have time to get away this winter? Take a staycation at one of Chicago’s best hotels. The Ivy Hotel, 233 E. Ontario in Streeterville, offers an at-home getaway for Chicagoans. The hotel has spacious and apartment-size rooms, with rainfall showers and deep-soaking t…
by Doug Rapp In the summertime, you see police boats and helicopters cruising the shoreline. But during the winter, although the lakefront is desolate—save for a few hardy joggers—it doesn’t mean the marine unit isn’t working. “During the winter, we still see a fair amount of activity on the…
By Elisa Shoenberger Debbie Sharpe came through Chicago on Paul McCartney tours while working as a caterer. “I met some people and I thought, ‘Oh nice place to stay,’ and so I just decided to stay,” Sharpe said. Sharpe opened her own business, The Goddess and Grocer, which provides both read…
by Stephanie Racine What started out as a regifting event turned into something much more. In December, a group of Parkshore residents had an idea. Resident Jonni Miklos and social director of the Parkshore, Charlene Roderick, met to discuss how to give back for the holiday season. Miklos n…
by Stephanie Racine Streeterville police want to work with residents to help keep them safe. After a slew of violent muggings and surprise carjackings in Streeterville at the end of December and beginning of January, 18th district police held a community meeting on January 11 to discuss safe…
by Mat Cohen Arte Brinson is accepting the Doorperson of the Month Award on behalf of the whole team at 540 N. Lake Shore Drive. “They could’ve made this phone call to the paper for any one of us,” he said. “I’m not the only one that deserves the recognition.” But February is Brinson’s month…
by Mat Cohen For Alonzo, there’s nothing better than a great football game, jazz music and his family, which includes the people at 400 E. Randolph. “Everyone is special at 400 E. Randolph,” he said. “I make sure they feel special. I try to make the family at 400 feel as I would want to feel…
by Mat Cohen At the New Eastside CAPS meeting, which is now the first week of the month, community members discussed traffic clogs, pedestrian safety and an increase in construction in the neighborhood. A resident said that due to the construction of three new condos in the neighborhood, the…
by Jacqueline Covey At the Streeterville CAPS meeting, 6 p.m., Jan. 2 at Living Access, discussion focused on neighborhood justice activities and when to contact the police. Officer Al Robinson reported to residents that calls to service were up. Calls to service are the number of times “th…
Roe v. Wade remains one of the nation’s most controversial Supreme Court decisions. “Roe,” a play by Lisa Loomer showing at Goodman Theatre until Feb. 23, looks into the lives of those who were a part of the famous decision. Plaintiff Norma McCorvey (Jane Roe), and her legal representative …
The Chicago Children’s Theater presentation of Wake Up, Brother Bear! Is a delightful, interactive play that will take you, and your little ones, on a magical journey through the four seasons.
by Doug Rapp When Adam Weisell would return to Rome after growing up there with his United Nations-employed parents, he often heard about a new style of pizza. People would tell the budding chef about pinsa (pro- nounced “peen-sa”). “I’d go eat it and think, ‘This is delicious,’” Weisell …
After a white Christmas, there may be a Blue Monday. Blue Monday is the name given to what some consider the most depressing day of the year—usually the third Monday in January. The idea originated with a Welsh academic as a marketing plan for a travel company, according to the British ne…
by Jacqueline Covey The Chicago Help Initiative gives free meals to guests who are in need. During the holidays, there is no shortage of volunteers, but post giving-season, this organization, like many non-profits in the area, becomes short-handed. Executive Director of Chicago Help Initiati…
New laws add complexity to going at it alone by Urban Real Estate This past November, the Cook County Board of Commissioners adopted a set of rules known as the Just Housing Amendment, which went into effect December 31, 2019. Essentially, the tenant screening process is two-steps: First, th…
by Mat Cohen On Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m., Phyllis Mitzen walked with a cane along E. Delaware Place and across Michigan Avenue along with her husband, Michael. She’s on a mission to make cross- walks safer. Six months ago at this crossing, Mitzen was knocked to the ground by a van whi…
By Elisa Shoenberger While many people will be snapping their fingers to the music while leaving Mean Girls, they will also be taking away some life lessons. “It’s very clear that (though) it is a comedy that there are dire repercussions to being mean—to being a bad person,” said Danielle W…
by Mat Cohen The 1920s was a decade unfamiliar to most. But Wanda Bridgeforth remembers it well. Bridgeforth saw the Great Depression, World War II and lived in Chicago when the tallest building was eight stories high. As the year 2020 begins, she’s ready to welcome the changes that a second…
Gym managers say setting smaller goals along the way helps by Mat Cohen You’re not alone. According to Strava, a social network for athletes, most people don’t keep their New Year’s resolutions past Jan. 12. That’s when, just nearly two weeks after the start of the year, lack of motivation…
by Doug Rapp Self-ordering kiosks with food appearing in a cubby minutes later. Robots working as concierges and assisting restaurant servers. All of these are happening in Chicago in what might be a version of dining in the future. Hotel EMC2, which bills itself as “at the intersection of …
The challenge is on, and it won’t be easy. The problem? This month features Restaurant Week. One of Chicago’s most celebrated winter events is about to kick off and it will provide the greatest of challenges to those still fighting to keep those resolutions of eating a little less and …
by Angela Gagnon Maintaining a gluten free lifestyle is challenging, and especially import- ant for those with celiac disease, an autoimmune condition where ingestion of gluten leads to damage of the small intestine. Two community members living with celiac disease shared tips on how to …
by Stephanie Racine When it’s hard to decide between desserts, JoJo’s can save the day. Have your cookie and eat it too—on top of a delicious milkshake. JoJo’s Milk Bar, which has been making waves in the dessert bar scene with intricate and decadent offerings, opened in River North in Febru…
by Mat Cohen It’s been a long journey for Doorperson Marek Sit to get to 400 E. Randolph. Actually, about 4,500 miles. Sit was born in Poland. In 1981, at 24 years old, he followed his mother to New York City, and then to Chicago. “First I wanted to go to Canada, but I decided to go to Chi…
by Jacqueline Covey The best young voices in Chicago perform with the Chicago Children’s Choir in storied locations like the grand glass-roofed third floor of the Chicago Cultural Center. Members of the Voice of Chicago choir, the Chicago Children’s Choir’s premier mixed-voice ensemble, have…
by Mat Cohen When people think of yoga, they often think of twisting, sweating and breathing in a 95-degree room. However, that’s not always the case. Chair Yoga is practiced around the neighborhood, including at Renaissance Court in the Chicago Cultural Center and a senior class at the Magg…
by Stephanie Racine It’s hibernation season for bears—and humans. But a Pedway art installation may turn hibernation on its head. “Massimals in the Loop,” will be situated across the Pedway from Dec. 20 through the winter. The artwork depicts hibernating bears that vary in color and size as…
By Mat Cohen It’s rare for one of Santa’s little helpers to be a realist who gets satisfaction from asking, “Have you ever imagined Santa as an anagram of Satan?” But then again, a Christmas grouch doesn’t usually make you smile. Steven Strafford does while performing The Santaland Diaries i…
by Urban Real Estate The time to move is now. The interest rates are low. The New Eastside neighborhood is hot, although the temperature outside is not. If you are thinking of buying, selling, investing or leasing, think now. According to a recent Housingwire.com report, “Low mortgage rates…
Photo credit: Chicago Theatre street scene 1951 Chicago History Museum, ICHi-019350; Harold Beach, photographer By Elisa Shoenberger Chicago’s Christmas traditions are a mixture of ethnic and racial celebrations, combined with the strategy of the city’s retailers to form the public celebra…
by Jacqueline Covey For many religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism and Paganism, the end of the year marks a time of change, rebirth and renewal. “Almost every religion is celebrating a festival of light,” said Rabbi Seth Limmer of Chicago Sinai Congregation, “The y…
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