In a digital age, over one billion people have turned to social media, either in the form of Facebook or Twitter. In the 46th ward, residents have turned to Uptown’s Facebook page in order to form their own unofficial neighborhood watch. Currently 1,581 Facebook users “like” the page and are utilizing it to share...
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Ernie Runyon, a farmer outside Pekin, is one of many residents in Illinois who’s been a target for copper thieves. Last summer, robbers looking to make some quick cash stole the copper wiring from 13 of his 31 land irrigators. One of the irrigators was robbed in three separate instances. Runyon had to pay...
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Chicagotalks has written about the Read/Write library, most recently about its move to a new location. Now everyone has a chance to see the digs and to showcase their literary work. This is a DIY library, where the readers and writers who care to get involved curate the collection. The aim to collect a...
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Income disparities seem to appear less distinct when it comes to communicating through social media. “I can always reach my clients by facebook which they keep active even if their phone is inactive,” said Sol Anderson, the regional program manager for LIFT-Chicago, an Uptown-based nonprofit that partners college student volunteers with its low-income clients...
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In Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, Donte Gilliam was walking to his job with the CTA when he was suddenly confronted by a man. On the corner of Lawrence and Kenmore, five guys surrounded him; four of them had guns. Uptown (Photo credit: Alex Barth) “The guy asked me what I was doing. I told him I...
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In his State of the Union speech, President Obama called for states to increase the minimum age at which students can drop out of high school, but people are questioning whether it will actually positively influence teenagers to stay in class. At least one student questions whether it will do much good. “Rather than...
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Charette n.: A focused, short-term workshop engaging diverse disciplines and interest in an effort to explore a range of design opportunities and solutions. The ideas are expressed graphically and supported by text. The Near Northwest Arts Council is putting on a “charette” workshop to discuss the proposed Bronzeville Artist Lofts work/live loft spaces with local artists...
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via YouTube Craig Key, 50, is homeless. He grew up on Chicago’s south side in the Lakefront and Rainbow Beach area. Three weeks ago, after governmental grant money was cut, he was laid off from his job at the Chicago Park District. He was first hired there in December 2009 after being put on...
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Illinois is in line to get $42.8 million of  “Race To The Top” grant money from the U.S. Department of Education, and members of Chicago’s local organizations say they hope a sizeable portion goes to Chicago Public Schools. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided $4.35 billion for “Race To The Top,”...
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Valentine’s Day means big bucks for florists, and this year the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois warns that complaints filed against florists increased 47 percent to 588 complaints in 2011, compared to 2010′s 398. “When buying flowers consumers should be especially careful when making the purchase online or over the phone,” said Steve J....
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