Street Level

60's Theme Dance Party - Theatre Fundraiser (03.26.04)

There is an event that came onto our radar sponsored by Chicago's American Theater Company as a fundraiser for their upcoming short-play performance.

The event is a 60's-themed dance party including a $30 full bar selection, music, dance, and an exclusive theatrical teaser.

Located at Joy Blue bar, the event is on March 26th from 8p.m. to 11 p.m. and cover is $30.

Prestigious contest places 2 Chicago chefs in nation's upper crust

The Chicago Sun-Times has reported exciting news about Rick Gresh, executive chef at the Caliterra Restaurant at the Wyndham Hotel, and Fred Ramos, the new executive chef at Pili Pili and former chef at the Printers Row Restaurant.

Read the Sun-Times story

Chicago-L.org : L Geeks Unite!

While we are on the topic of the loveable L trains, I cant help but mention this VERY informative site... http://www.chicago-l.org that deserves so much more notice.

It includes sections such as History of L Signage, histories and photographs about each of the stations (ie. Belmont), a whole section of multimedia with movie clips, video, audio and more.

If you ride the L often, then the news page may also be of interest to you.

"L" - Weekly Breakdown

Boy I wish someone would do this again as a Blog maybe? hmmm...

Ever ride the "L" and had something go wrong? The Weekly Breakdown was a journal, updated weekly on Sundays, that reports people's encounters and experiences on the "L".

It lasted from 1998 to 2000, check out theWeekly Breakdown Archives

Downloadable L maps?

I stumbled upon this little application, anyone found something better? more up to date?

FreewarePalm: Chicago "L" Train Maps v1.00

Type: Freeware
Min. Requirement:
• Any hardware
• Palm OS v3.0
• FireViewer

Description:
Chicago "L" elevated/subway rail system maps.
Includes B/W, 4-bit grayscale, 16-bit grayscale, and color maps.

How many homeless in Chicago?

It appears the city is taking the problem more seriously and attempting a first ever census of the homeless population as part of a 10yr plan.

Frank Main at The Sun-Times did a story on the new plan: How many homeless in Chicago?

In Other Media - Restaurants 3/17/04

Chicago Sun-Times, March 17, 2004
Chicago Magazine reports that four of the five nominees for the Beard Award "Best Chef: Midwest" category are from Chicago, including Sandro Gamba (NoMi), Paul Kahan (Blackbird), Michael Kornick (mk), and Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia). Tru was nominated for the Outstanding Service award.
This week’s Food section also contains listings of upcoming wine tastings, and an interview with Jesse DuMain, the new executive chef at Va Pensiero (formerly Crofton on Wells).

Chicago Magazine, April
Chicago Magazine finds Forest Park’s La Piazza a surprise, but is disappointed with the new Downers Grove member of the Carlucci family. As part of the “Chicago Favortie for Kids” cover story, the magazine recommends its favorite restaurants for kids – ranging from likely favorites (Walker Brothers, Mity Nice Grill), to off the beaten path (Flo, Ina’s), to the frankly surprising (Ambria). There are new listings for Amarind (good Thai) and Aria (“very good” global fusion in the Fairmont Hotel), as well as updates for Heat, Merlo, Shaw’s Crab House, and Vong’s Thai Kitchen.

Chicago Reader, What’s New
The Chicago Reader reviews Jacky Pluton’s ambitious, eponymous new restaurant, the theatrical Moto, and Koi, an Evanston Chinese/sushi restaurant. They also eat their way through Lakeview, visiting venues from Arco de Cuchilleros to the local Chipotle.

Columbia Journalism Review on Blogs and Journalism

In the context of what we want to do here, did anyone see this article and what are your opinions about how Street Level will fit into the space?

Emerging Alternatives: Blogworld

There is more discussion in this VillageVoice.com story as CJR has recently launched its own BLOG to pick on other BLOG...
"Last fall, Columbia Journalism Review ran a cover story hyping the impact of blogs on journalism. The author, Matt Welch, himself a blogger, argued that the very best blogs are an antidote to mainstream media and one of "the most exciting new trends the profession has seen in a while." Blogs are so exciting, he suggested, that no one should waste time holding their purveyors to journalistic standards. "" -villagevoice.com

Democrats using the web too!

Guess what? It looks like the Democrats finally got on board with using the internet. This is the first time I have ever gotten an email about something topical that was actually from the DNC. Their site has lots of interactive tools (kicking ass-a blog, epatriots, meetup site, and ecaptains mailing lists) that makes me think the Dean campaign had a significant effect overall.

Check out the Stop Bush from Balloning the Deficit Movie

Short Excerpt:
"President Bush's $5.2 Trillion Deficit: A Ballooning Disaster

President Bush's reckless fiscal policies have saddled America with huge new debts that will affect generations to come. Special interest tax cuts and deceptive budget manipulations have wiped out the enormous surplus created by President Clinton and created a $5.2 trillion deficit. Sign our petition calling on President Bush to return to fiscal responsibility."

Stop Driving

There's a STOP sign I walk by on Sunnyside every morning on my way to the train. It has a sticker stuck to it that says, DRIVING so together it reads STOP DRIVING. I'm new to the train, the CTA to be exact. I'm also new to Chicago and new to the commute from my Lincoln Square neighborhood to N. Michigan Avenue every morning and back again at five or six. I take the Brown Line, and I know I could switch at Belmont to the Red, but I don't. Getting on at Western affords me a seat I'm not eager to give up, which is precisely what would happen if I moved to the Red. So I stay with the Brown and sometimes think of getting off at Merchandise Mart to wait for a Purple train entering The Loop going east towards my stop. But no, I ride the Brown all the way around. By the time I reach Randolph and Wabash, there's no one left on the freaking train.

Vicky Stadtler/Bordello Blues @ MG Gallery

MG GALLERY features exhibitions by local emerging artists working in a broad range of media. They have been showcasing some interesting work since opening in 2003 and I imagine that Vicky Stradtler will be worth checking out! the details of the opening follow:

March 20, 2004 - April 22, 2004
Opening Reception March 20, 2004, 6-9p
Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11:00am - 6:00pm

MG Gallery 676 N Dearborn Street, Chicago IL 60610 (312.867.7900)

MG Gallery is presenting the first solo exhibition of the Bordello Blues Series by artist Vicky Stadtler. Stadtler has gained critical acclaim for her expressive nudes which she infuses with brazen female sexuality. The Bordello Blues series was inspired by Vintage Paris Erotica postcards and photographs dating 1890-1918.

"In the quiet refuge of my studio I found myself wondering who these women were that posed in bordello settings and how would I capture these muses of so long ago? I felt that their ghost-like presence had to be pulled back into this world via canvas." - Vicky Stadtler

GapersBlock.com Party! (4.16 @ 8p)

Gapers' Block (http://www.gapersblock.com), the Chicago-centric web magazine, is having another party!

This time it is Friday, April 16 at 8pm upstairs at Ann Sather, 929 W. Belmont (http://www.annsather.com). They've teamed up with SPEC Chicago (http://www.selfpublishers.org) to present readings by local bloggers and zinesters, as well as two sets by DJ Atomly (http://www.atomly.com), an audio sampler from Chicago Public Radio's Third Coast International Audio Festival (http://www.thirdcoastfestival.org) and other surprises.

All-ages, BYOB, suggested donation $10.

Readers include:
- Mimi Smartypants (http://smartypants.diaryland.com)
- Sour Bob (http://www.sourbob.com)
- Emerson Dameron (Kazoo zine)
- Alex Golub (http://alex.golub.name)
- Wendy McClure (http://www.poundy.com)
- Alicia Dorr (Random Life In Progress zine)
- Brent Ritzel (Zine Guide, Tail Spins Magazine)
- Aaron Cynic (Diatribe zine)
- Cinnamon Cooper (http://www.poise.cc)
- Shylo Bisnett (http://www.useyourhands.com)
- Keight Sandler (Backstabber zine)
- Larry O. Dean (http://www.larryodean.com)
- Michelle Aiello (Inidgo zine)

Whose Streets Are They, Anyway?

According to reports from Indy Media dot org, protestors of the ongoing Iraq War will be relegated to the sidewalks on March 20th this year, as permission to rally in the streets of our fair city have been denied. Indy Media also reports on the FBI's request that local police infiltrate and disrupt peace activist groups.