Friday, September 30, 2005
Streets & San Man vs. Slow Food
As city workers are often disparaged for their leisurely approach to the lunch break, it's no surprise that our Streets & San Man's Guide to Chicago Eats has at least the slow in common with another Chicago food guide released this year: The Slow Food Guide to Chicago. When it comes down to it, the dining advice from the wisecracking mouth of our guy's guy Dennis Foley and from the refined palates' of sophisticated Slow Food gals Kelly Gibson & Portia Belloc Lowndes actually overlap quite neatly. Both camps emphasize first and foremost authentic, local, non-corporate, savor-every-bite dining (the Streets & San Man merely narrows his focus to affordable lunches). At least 13 places appear in both books: Wikstrom's Scandinavian Foods, Bari Foods, Johnnie's Beef, Al's Beef, Byron's Hot Dogs, the now-closed Demon Dogs, The Weiner Circle, Bruna's, Carm's Beef, Top Notch Beefburger Shop, Taste of Heaven, Medici, and Borrinquen Puerto Rican restaurant. Hmm...sounds like a double endorsement for Chicago dogs, beefs, and burgers. Enjoy one today for the San Man--it's his birthday!
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Where Resurrection Mary Danced for the Last Time . . .
The Willowbrook Ballroom on Archer Avenue in Willow Springs, just south of Resurrection Cemetery. It's supposedly where the real Resurrection Mary danced her last dance (well, as a live human...she of course has shimmied with countless unaware others as a flimsy wraith). Join the filmy ghost girl at the Chicago Hauntings Black Ball Halloween Masquerade, hosted by Chicago Haunts author Ursula Bielski at the the Willowbrook on Devil's Night, October 30, 2005, 7 p.m.-midnight. Come dressed as your favorite dead Chicagoan or Chicago ghost. Live music, drinks, food, door prizes, costume prizes, ghostly presentations, and other eerie entertainment. $50 person/$90 couple. Advance reservations required. Call 1-888-446-7859, or register online at Chicago Hauntings.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Slick and Green: Chicagoans in D.C.
Working at my sister's booth, Twisted Limb Paperworks, at the Green Fest at the Washington, DC, convention center this past weekend, I met some fellow Chicagoans who were exhibiting there: ShoreBank and The Enterprising Kitchen. ShoreBank, a South Shore financial institution, has made an international name for itself for its community development efforts and commitment to economic equity over the past 30 years. Like other socially-conscious businesses, they focus on a triple bottom line, adding the goals of "wealth-building for everyone in economically-integrated communities" and the "promotion of a healthier environment" to the expected intention of making a profit.
The Enterprising Kitchen calls their specialty soap and spa products business a social enterprise. In training employees in all aspects of running a business, from customer service, sales, and inventory management to soap manufacturing, order fulfillment, and shipping, this program helps integrate women previously difficult to employee for reasons ranging from language barriers to homelessness into the workforce and on their way to economic self-sufficiency. Their soaps are especially beautiful and make great gifts.
In the few hours I had outside the convention center, I happened upon two more Chicago institutions, which are hopefully retaining all their local flavor despite their slick out-of-state homes: Pizzeria Uno, all shiny and chic on "M" Street in Georgetown, and the just opened (Sept. 20) Billy Goat Tavern at 500 New Jersey NW in the dazzling new headquarters of the National Association of Realtors. Not only architecturally stunning, the NAR building received a silver certification for its high level of environmental performance under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. Among other things, this building reclaimed a contaminated “brownfield” site by removing 24 feet of toxic dirt to an approved waste site; offers outside views from all work stations; has a glass curtain wall that reduces energy use by up to 30 percent; has a carbon monoxide–cleaning system; recycled building materials; landscapes with native plant species; and uses an irrigation system reliant on recycled rainwater. (Fewer than 100 buildings are currently LEED-certified; certified Chicago buildings include the CPL's Oriole Park branch, the 22nd District police station, and The Chicago Center for Green Technology.) Rick Kogan, author of LCP's upcoming book on the Billy Goat Tavern, has already noted the irony of enjoying The Goat's greasy traditions in such a clean, green environment.
The Enterprising Kitchen calls their specialty soap and spa products business a social enterprise. In training employees in all aspects of running a business, from customer service, sales, and inventory management to soap manufacturing, order fulfillment, and shipping, this program helps integrate women previously difficult to employee for reasons ranging from language barriers to homelessness into the workforce and on their way to economic self-sufficiency. Their soaps are especially beautiful and make great gifts.
In the few hours I had outside the convention center, I happened upon two more Chicago institutions, which are hopefully retaining all their local flavor despite their slick out-of-state homes: Pizzeria Uno, all shiny and chic on "M" Street in Georgetown, and the just opened (Sept. 20) Billy Goat Tavern at 500 New Jersey NW in the dazzling new headquarters of the National Association of Realtors. Not only architecturally stunning, the NAR building received a silver certification for its high level of environmental performance under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. Among other things, this building reclaimed a contaminated “brownfield” site by removing 24 feet of toxic dirt to an approved waste site; offers outside views from all work stations; has a glass curtain wall that reduces energy use by up to 30 percent; has a carbon monoxide–cleaning system; recycled building materials; landscapes with native plant species; and uses an irrigation system reliant on recycled rainwater. (Fewer than 100 buildings are currently LEED-certified; certified Chicago buildings include the CPL's Oriole Park branch, the 22nd District police station, and The Chicago Center for Green Technology.) Rick Kogan, author of LCP's upcoming book on the Billy Goat Tavern, has already noted the irony of enjoying The Goat's greasy traditions in such a clean, green environment.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Vale la Pena
A last-minute call from a friend a couple weeks ago reintroduced me to a great last-minute Wednesday night staple: The Old Town School of Folk Music's La Peña tradition. It's an informal weekly showcase of Latin folk music and dance by touring, local, and student talent open to all ages. If you're already a fan, tomorrow's a special ticketed $15 show (Afro-Peruvian star Susana Baca) to celebrate the series' 10th anniversary.
If you've never been, wait for the usual to resume the following week. It always begins at 8:30 p.m. and runs 2-3 hours. Drop in when you like and stay as long as you want. There's no upfront charge, but they pass a hat and suggest a $5 donation; a pressure-free atmosphere allows those on any budget to feel comfortable with whatever their contribution or lack of one. You can grab a reasonably-priced hard or soft drink and hot or cold snack (including empanadas) from the concession stand to enjoy during the show, and it's easy enough to bring in your own bottled water. The performers often speak Spanish to the mostly bilingual audience, so this is also a good opportunity to practice your basic Spanish skills in a relaxed environment.
Once I have my melancholy moment inside the Old Town's theater space for the old Hild Library stacks that preceded it, I move right on appreciating the cozy benches and smokefree room. Doesn't quite stir the imagination like the old library's maze of shelves, captivating mustiness, heavy shadows, and cobwebby characters, but it suits the current purpose better. Sigh.
If you've never been, wait for the usual to resume the following week. It always begins at 8:30 p.m. and runs 2-3 hours. Drop in when you like and stay as long as you want. There's no upfront charge, but they pass a hat and suggest a $5 donation; a pressure-free atmosphere allows those on any budget to feel comfortable with whatever their contribution or lack of one. You can grab a reasonably-priced hard or soft drink and hot or cold snack (including empanadas) from the concession stand to enjoy during the show, and it's easy enough to bring in your own bottled water. The performers often speak Spanish to the mostly bilingual audience, so this is also a good opportunity to practice your basic Spanish skills in a relaxed environment.
Once I have my melancholy moment inside the Old Town's theater space for the old Hild Library stacks that preceded it, I move right on appreciating the cozy benches and smokefree room. Doesn't quite stir the imagination like the old library's maze of shelves, captivating mustiness, heavy shadows, and cobwebby characters, but it suits the current purpose better. Sigh.
Bon Voyage, Karen!
Karen Formanski, LCP's assistant publisher for five years, has left to pursue a new career and begin her own enterprise. As that progresses, we'll let you know, because I know you'll want to support the good things she'll be doing!
Karen, having gained experience working as the extra hand in various departments of Triumph Books, approached me shortly after I moved LCP from our first Claremont Avenue office to our current one on Rockwell Street to volunteer her services! She was a native Chicagoan, a book lover, and a Chicago history buff; she was amply qualified; and--important when you're growing an office from one person to two--we apparently could happily coexist in the same small office together! Karen began by doing freelance work until I could hire her full-time a few months later, and she has helped run the office and shape the direction of the press ever since.
One of the many indispensable things Karen did while she was here was creating and nurturing a far-reaching network of two-way relationships with Chicago libraries, bookstores, organizations, and media outlets. They helped spread a general awareness of our authors and their books; we and our authors provided fresh Chicago content for the media and a steady stream of free historical programs for the public.
For this, her other lasting contributions, and her day-to-day efforts, I will always be grateful. Thanks, Karen! We will miss her, but we're excited about her new plans and can't wait to recruit you to spread the word on her venture in the making.
Karen, having gained experience working as the extra hand in various departments of Triumph Books, approached me shortly after I moved LCP from our first Claremont Avenue office to our current one on Rockwell Street to volunteer her services! She was a native Chicagoan, a book lover, and a Chicago history buff; she was amply qualified; and--important when you're growing an office from one person to two--we apparently could happily coexist in the same small office together! Karen began by doing freelance work until I could hire her full-time a few months later, and she has helped run the office and shape the direction of the press ever since.
One of the many indispensable things Karen did while she was here was creating and nurturing a far-reaching network of two-way relationships with Chicago libraries, bookstores, organizations, and media outlets. They helped spread a general awareness of our authors and their books; we and our authors provided fresh Chicago content for the media and a steady stream of free historical programs for the public.
For this, her other lasting contributions, and her day-to-day efforts, I will always be grateful. Thanks, Karen! We will miss her, but we're excited about her new plans and can't wait to recruit you to spread the word on her venture in the making.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Thursday Reminder
If you need a late-night idea for Thursday . . .
You can make a donation for the Chicago Red Cross's Hurricane Katrina Fund after this show. Last week they collected $80; this week they're going for $100.
Sure, your kid is great. There's no one like him in the entire world. He's unique, caring and—most of all—he's your favorite. You probably tell him so every night before putting him to bed. But he sure is one ugly little sucker. The thing is, you're too close to him to see that. And even if you could see it, you'd never say it. That's where we come in.
The latest venture of the multi-talented brothers Dan and David Facchini (collaborators with their father, Rocco Facchini on Muldoon: A True Chicago Ghost Story: Tales of a Forgotten Rectory) is the comic, "brutally honest sketch review," Your Favorite Kid Is Ugly, at Second City's Donny's Skybox Theatre (1608 N. Wells, Piper's Alley, 4th Floor, 312/337-3992), Thursdays, August 25–September 22, at 10:30 p.m. $8 general admission, $4 students, $3 Second City students. Dan co-wrote, and David's directing. If I can stay up that late, I'm going tomorrow.You can make a donation for the Chicago Red Cross's Hurricane Katrina Fund after this show. Last week they collected $80; this week they're going for $100.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
