"I can't remember the name of the condo devleopment, but it's something completely ridiculous. South Water Market has such an incredible history,
and it's Chicago. It seems like they're trying to completely rewrite
history."
I know this is a bit late, but the Trib's architectural critic, Blair Kamin, did such a great job writing about the colossal aesthetic failure of the Soldier Field renovation and the subsequent fall-out, that I wanted to note it here."(The stripping of landmark status) sends a message that resounds far beyond Chicago: Don't mess with the nation's most venerated sites, not if your design is going to make it look, as this one did, like the Starship Enterprise crash-landed atop the Parthenon. The feds won't let you get away with it, especially if they have the power to stop you in your tracks financially, which, unfortunately, they lacked in this case."
"An architecture critic isn't musing on a branch of art that is tucked away in a gallery or a bookstore or a multiplex or a television set. We're entrusted with the urban landscape that everyone shares, from museums to strip malls and sidewalks to skyscrapers. . . .That's a responsibility -- and an exhilarating one.
Developers aren't likely to lop 10 floors off a building or build the thing out of granite based on a critic's contempt. But as you build your case over time, readers might begin to demand more from the buildings and open spaces that frame their lives."
"The Chicago Police Department is investigating Criminal Sexual Assault that occurred on Saturday, May 06, 2006 between 3:30 and 4:30 A.M. in the 2600 block of North Wilton Avenue.
The offender is described as Male, White, in his late 20’s, around 5’9” and 200-215 lbs. Offender was described as heavier set with a large stomach, wearing a greenish color, long sleeve shirt and khaki pants. Offender had a ski mask covering face.
The victim was assaulted after offender pushed his way into her apartment. If you have any information concerning this crime, please contact the 19th District or Area 3 Homicide/Sex/Gang Crimes Unit.
For your own safety, try to be aware of your surroundings. Walk in pairs or groups and, if possible, do not open your doors to strangers. If you note any unusual activity in your area, do not hesitate to contact the Chicago Police Department.
If you have information – contact Area Three Detectives at 312-744-8261 or District 19 at 312-744-5574 and always call 911 to report ANY emergency or suspicious activity."
"The Garfield Park Conservatory will host a tulip giveaway in conjunction with the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance. Approximately 250,000 tulips, most of them from the medians around downtown Chicago, will be given away to the public on a first come first serve basis.
The huge giveaway will be held at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., Saturday, May 20, 9 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m. Note that the event will run as long as flowers are available.
For more information, please contact the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance at (773) 638-1766 ext. 14 or visit its web site at: http://www.garfield-conservatory.org
The Garfield Market Place, a European open-air bazaar that offers greening supplies and unique products, is open Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m."
Kickball is making a comeback. Like with adults. As in for fun, not money. What could be more joyful than that? The latter two are still open for registration. You can find more here. Or, if you're really hankering to hop on board, you can find the World Adult Kickball Association's career opportunities here.
"Community character is being threatened by increasing dependence on absentee-owned businesses with formulas that dictate everything from the look of the building to who does the printing to where the money gets deposited. It's not just the local businesses that suffer--our communities are losing their unique character and self-determination while becoming increasingly dependent on outside influences as a basis of support.
Local businesses are integral to healthy neighborhoods and strong city centers. They are human-scaled, impose less distress on the environment, and help create a distinct local identity. We are here to help. "
That was the premise behind artist (and my friend) Jenny Roberts'event. She "rented" two spaces on Kedzie, just north of the Merchandise Mart last Friday afternoon for happy hour.
Another man, an opera singer, found out about the event through the art festival and was the first to arrive. He knew a lot of the words to they hymns and kept our spirits buoyed through out the evening.
I'm so saddened to learn that Jane Jacobs died today at the age of 89. She was a hero of mine. Her book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, most certainly triggered my interest in discovering the place where I live and looking more closely at the fabric of my every day. If you've never had a chance, her writing is worth discovering. You'll soon learn why her legacy will live on.
"True public space, like true democracy, can be disruptive, even unruly. The public square is not a mall or a theme park, insulated and isolated from reality. It's serendipitous, not controlled; open to all, not restricted to the privileged few. Here, the have-nots can confront the haves and the outs can harangue the ins--sometimes with deadly consequences."
Happy earth day and happy spring, one and all. 
I've been pretty indifferent to the plummeting revenues of the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. I figure they'll eventually sink or swim in the wake of the arrival of the Internets.
What were they thinking? If the money for these banners came from the SSA, I'd say that's pretty preposterous. Let' s tax people to hang banners to advertise the tax!
My plan showed up a few days ago. You know, Daniel Burnham's Plan of Chicago -- the one that everyone's quoting, but no one's ever read.No less important than . . . Michigan Avenue is the improvement of Halsted Street, often called the 'king of streets' by reason of its extreme length. . . This street will inevitably be called upon to bear a very heavy burden of traffic. One of the longest business streets in the world, it is bound to become also one of the most important.
The Chicagoist has a heartfelt wrap-up here of the life and death of 2851 N. Halsted aka the Comedy Sportz Theater. We love Chicagoist for noticing the space and writing an obituary about it.
I'm delighted to announce that a project I submitted to the Version :06 art festival -- Parallel Cities -- has been accepted. Like sirens and honking cars, church bells are part of our city’s soundscape. They peal regardless of our efforts, from towers we almost certainly have never visited. The sounds are intimate; they rarely leave their neighborhood.
This project explores the evolving presence and participation of one bell tower in the neighborhood where it peals or, in the case of Holy Covenant’s stereo system, where it plays.
People off the street in front of Holy Covenant United Methodist Church will be invited to request a hymn to be played from the church’s bell tower while they wait.
The Public is invited to visit the tower and see the stereo system that generates the “bells” they’ll hear. .
I've been watching them hand-craft these new cupolas at Holy Trinity Church ever since they were working on them in the parking lot last year. (Read previous post and see photos here.)
According to Alderman Vi Daley's office and Inside Lincoln Park, the Brown Line Armitage station will retain its historical character in the upcoming, sweeping Brown Line renovation. This came after a coalition of community representatives and Alderman Daley pressured the CTA to re-think it's original, non-contextual plan for the station.I would like to thank the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency for making themselves available on very short notice. Their attention to this proposal was essential. I would also like to recognize the residents and businesses around the Armitage Station who fought to insure that this station would retain the historic character that represents this great neighborhood.
From this week's Preservation Online, this article about historic Naperville homes in danger of being demolished.
One part of our vacation included a weekend visit to Disneyland. I was dreading it. I even wondered whether we should have postponed this trip until both children were old enough to remember our visit. That way, we'd only have to go once.Much to my surprise, I enjoyed myself. Here's why:
All that being said, they still have a long way to go in some departments. I would appreciate it if they could make a movie where the mother wasn't dead and where women were more than passive and beautiful (princesses) or subserviant cheerleaders (Minnie Mouse).
I also saw one too many depictions of Native Americans as little more than angry-looking drummers and Africans portrayed as savages. When one looks at the beautiful diversity of people percolating through the park, it's inexplicable why Disney hasn't gotten this part right yet.
Okay, off my soap box. Since the place has been well documented, I thought I'd share a peek the park through some of its signage.
Enjoy. More soon.
