Yasmin Mohamed, a Somali refugee living in Chicago, endured one of the globe’s greatest humanitarian crises, but understanding her future means journeying to ZIP code 60625. Four mornings a week Yasmin winds her way down Whipple Ave. to the Albany Park Community Center. The second floor classroom is a global village of 26 students...
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It has been more than two weeks since the City Council approved Mayor Richard M. Daley’s $6.1 billion budget, but the questions about Chicago’s fiscal future will only get tougher, according to Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd). From the Skyway to the controversial parking meter lease, the city has sold assests while looking for other...
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If you don’t ride a bike, you might think this is a trivial issue, but it is critical to making cycling a viable mode of transportation in an urban area. When you want to go into a store or lock your bike for some other reason, sturdy, permanent objects you can lock up to...
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Communities from north to south, across Chicago have been plagued with mindless violence this year. Join in a city-wide “Day of Healing” today, Dec. 8th at St. Sabina Elders Village, 1222 W. 79th St.  The Day of Healing event begins at 6:00 pm. This event is for everyone concerned about the spread of senseless violence...
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As Jennifer T. Lacey reports, Santa Claus has arrived in Austin on the West Side, and it was a huge, community-wide event that brought out kids of all ages. The new parade and tradition means a lot to the neighborhood, as you will see here.
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In this video feature, Chicagoans are asked to define what “transgender” means, with an inside perspective from someone who identifies as “trans.” Even within the LGBT community, there can sometimes be problems, like a lack of inclusiveness of transgender members. Featured is one of the most visible members of the transgender community. Click to...
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Economically, times are tough, but Chicago’s theatre scene is still thriving. There are good deals to be had, and many holiday-themed shows are being staged now, as Carla Pesono reports in this news video: Chicago Theatre Beat: Holiday shows on a tight budget
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The local group OpenGovChicago is having a Hackathon on December 13 at Columbia College. The details are still being hammered out. To start with, “hackers” aren’t “bad guys or pirates. They’re passionate pragmatic craftspeople who relish doing interesting work and doing it with style,” writes Joe Germuska of the OpenGovChicago about the upcoming “Hackathon.” At...
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Teen Living Programs, a Chicago non-profit that provides housing and services to youth who are homeless, is looking for a few good “friends” to volunteer this holiday season. But unlike most charities that ask volunteers to spend a few hours at a shelter wrapping gifts or serving turkey and stuffing, Teen Living is asking...
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By Curtis Black, Newstips Editor, Community Media Workshop With neighborhood economic development groups objecting to a major reduction in city funding at a time of growing job loss, 22 aldermen have submitted a resolution ordering the Mayor’s Office of Budget and Management to restore the funds in the city’s proposed 2010 budget. The resolution...
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