The principalities of the West Loop

When I am asked where I live, the answer varies because our area goes by so many different names.

03/10/2010

When my mom tells people where I live, she says Greektown. “Anybody who has been to Chicago knows where Greektown is,” she says. The area’s rich history and the fond memory of her post-prom at one of Halsted Street’s Greek restaurants probably have her imagining my lazy Sundays including trips to the Athenian Bakery for a box of melomakarona. It is also easier than telling her friends I live in the neighborhood formerly known as Chicago’s Skid Row.
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Staying vigilant on schools

One View

03/03/2010

The 3rd Ward was hit disproportionately hard this year with actions that would have impacted five schools, with a combined attendance of more than 1800 students.
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The businesses need us

We don't realize we are creating a depression outside our doors.

02/24/2010

Walking through the neighborhood recently with one of my pals, the conversation turned to one of our most recurring topics: How come there aren’t more businesses in the neighborhoods that are thriving? We seem to have the density now, right?
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The end of the Ickes Homes

One View

02/24/2010

From my purely unscientific and untrained perspective, when I first laid eyes upon the Harold Ickes Homes in 2006 – the year that we arrived in Chicago – it was apparent to me that I was looking at a “dead man walking.” I gave the place three years before it would meet its end.
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How to reform county government

02/17/2010

The epic spree of corruption exposed in Illinois in recent years have us confirmed as national laughingstock.
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From one craze to another

From running and yoga to Zumba and hockey.

02/10/2010

Last Monday was filled with work and community meetings. As the fourth one wrapped up after 7:00 p.m., I was ready to wind down. That would typically include my couch, Chicago Tonight on the television and a cup of vanilla tea (though Monday deserved a glass of wine).
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Roosevelt Square realities

All involved in this project should be realistic and address the community like adults, rather than posturing and saber rattling.

02/10/2010

One View
From 1998 through 2002 I served as executive director of the University Village Association. During that time I and many others were involved in the first discussions of how the ABLA public housing development would be transformed.
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Roos Collection worth the wait

I love the Roosevelt Collection because it is something from 'out there' that has been plunked down 'right here.'

02/03/2010

OK, so it's only a first impression. But I am in love with the Roosevelt Collection. For those of you who may not know, the Roosevelt Collection isn’t a set of coins, a set of books about Teddy, the Rough Rider or a set of fine plates like you’d get from the Danbury Mint.
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Bus cuts are unjust, threaten neighborhood projects

Proposed cuts ... disproportionately affect our community

01/27/2010

As many Chicago Transit Authority riders already know from the audio announcements playing in the buses, the CTA has decided to cut several routes and reduce service on others beginning Feb. 7 due to financial difficulty.
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Sending a message on Feb. 2

This election allows voters to start purging Blagojevich’s rank influence on our state.

01/20/2010

The primary scheduled for Feb. 2 is the first election in Illinois since federal prosecutors indicted Rod Blagojevich. With few apparently casting their ballots in early voting, the smart money is betting that the incompetent incumbents will slip into yet another term in office.
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