Local Lesbian Couple Wins Wedding Giveaway
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
TALKING WITH BRUCE VILANCH OF WINDY CITY ‘SCROOGE THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GAY, LESBIAN, & MARLEY’ BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 NOV. 21, 2012 PAGE 26 VOL 28, NO. 7 www.WindyCityMediaGroup.comTIMES Library head talks mission, journey BY ANDREW DAVIS Brian Bannon is the newest commissioner of the Chicago Public Library—and, as WCT’S YOUTH is expected for someone in that position, he is extremely qualified. His immediate SERIES job before coming to Chicago was being chief information officer (CIO) for the San CONTINUES Francisco Public Library, and was previously chief of branches of the same system. He page 21 has also managed Seattle Public Library and even worked for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In a comprehensive interview, the openly gay commissioner (who started March 19) talked about everything from majoring in gay and lesbian studies in the ‘90s to the challenges he faces every day here in the Windy City. Windy City Times: Eight months on the job—so how has it been? Brian Bannon: It’s been great. It’s hasn’t just been eight months on the job—it’s been eight months in Chicago. It’s been a big learning experience, with an accelerated learning of the library and the city. It’s an incredibly welcoming city. It’s been fun and invigorating. Chicago Public Library enjoys a really stellar national reputation among urban librar- ies, so it was a huge honor to become the new commissioner. Chicagoans seem to really love their libraries. I don’t feel like I’m fully here yet; after the first year—the full cycle of seasons, including the budget and nature seasons—I’ll get a better grasp of things. We have an incredibly talented and lean team. WCT: What was your biggest concern moving from San Francisco to Chicago? Turn to page 8 Brian Bannon heads the Chicago public library system. Photo courtesy of Ruth Lednicer LATROBE Local lesbian couple LEAVING CENTER ON HALSTED wins wedding giveaway page 9 BY CARRIE MAXWELL Local lesbian couple Connie Pare and Jessica Shagena won this year’s elev- en eleven WEDDING Giveaway sponsored by Greatest Expectations Special Events and Weddings, Inc. The giveaway is in its third year, and Pare and Shagena are the first same-sex couple to win, although other same-sex couples have applied in the past. Greatest Expectations Special Events and Weddings, Inc. owner/ event director Heather Lynne Vickery said, “Connie and Jessica are amaz- ing, funny and dynamic women. They have a beautiful love story and a zest for life that just lights up a room. We couldn’t be more excited to work with them!” The couple tied the knot Nov. 11 at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in front of about 75 people. Pare and Shagena’s guests, they explained, included close family and friends who have been an active part of their relationship. Originally from Michigan, both Pare and Shagena now call Chicago their home. Pare, who is 32, grew up with a younger brother in a small town in Michigan. She moved to Kalamazoo, Mich. for eight years prior to arriving in Chicago a little less than five years ago. Shagena, who is 26, grew up in Port Huron, Michigan as an only child and made the move to Chicago about MANILA LUZON four years ago. TALKS ABOUT Both women plan on becoming teachers. Shagena is currently finishing LOSING SAHARA her teaching degree while Pare works at Capital Grille. Pare plans on going back to finish her degree when Shagena graduates. DAVENPORT pagE 18 Turn to page 10 Connie Pare and Jessica Shagena won a wedding giveaway. Photo from Amanda Hein 2 Nov. 21, 2012 WINDY CITY TIMES Andersonville Holiday Events Late & Late-er Night Andersonville Friday, November 30, 6 – 10 pm & Friday, December 14, 6 – 10 pm Both nights, shops are open late with BIG discounts on great gifts and meals plus free refreshments, entertainment and pictures with Santa! Pick up a Late Night coupon at Andersonville businesses or online at andersonville.org. Julmarknad “Holiday Market” December 1 & December 2 The annual Julmarknad holiday fair, featuring traditional Swedish entertainment, food, and crafts, at the Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark St., plus a host of holiday festivities throughout the neighborhood. Admission to the museum is $2. St. Lucia Festival of Lights December 13, 4:45 pm @ Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark A candlelit, carol-filled procession down the sidewalks of Clark Street, followed by singing and treats at the Museum. Admission is $1 or a can of food to benefit Care For Real, Edgewater’s food pantry. Fantastic Holiday Contests Win fabulous prizes from your favorite Andersonville businesses! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for fun contests and great prizes featuring Andersonville businesses every weekday from Thanksgiving ‘til Christmas! /andersonville @avillechamber Complete holiday listings at www.andersonville.org Sponsored by the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce. www.andersonville.org WINDY CITY TIMES this week in Nov. 21, 2012 NEWS WINDY CITY TIMES Petraeus and LGBTs Attorneys chair pro-gay committee Why marriage equality won ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS Passages: Rodriguez; Starr event 4 Scottish Play Scott Talking with out library head 5 Pop Making Sense 3 LaTrobe leaving Center over event 6 Franka Potente; Manila Luzon Lesbian couple’s wedding win 7 Trans-centered films to watch 13 Gay in the Life 8 Books: Talking with Mark Zubro 17 Lesbian becomes federal judge 9 SPECIAL on LGBT youth 18 Views: Segal, Rudolph 10 Spread on Scrooge & Marley 19 11 Knight: Hitchcock, David Geffen 20 Photos on cover (left, from top): Photo of 11 Dish: Troy Mediterranean Grill 21 Bruce Vilanch by Hal Baim; photo of Chicago 12 Billy Masters 26 youth Priest by Erica Demarest; photo of 28 June LaTrobe by Mel Ferrand; photo of Manila 30 Luzon by David Laffe OUTLINES 33 Real estate; classifieds Calendar Q TALKING WITH BRUCE VILANCH OF WINDY CITY Sports: Lesbian official ‘SCROOGE THE VOICE OF CHICAGO’S GAY, LESBIAN, & MARLEY’ BI AND TRANS COMMUNITY SINCE 1985 NOV. 21, 2012 PAGE 26 VOL 28, NO. 7 www.TIMESWindyCityMediaGroup.com 31 Library head talks mission, journey BY ANDREW DAVIS 32 Brian Bannon is the newest commissioner of the Chicago Public Library—and, as WCT’S YOUTH is expected for someone in that position, he is extremely qualified. His immediate SERIES job before coming to Chicago was being chief information officer (CIO) for the San CONTINUES Francisco Public Library, and was previously chief of branches of the same system. He PAGE 21 has also managed Seattle Public Library and even worked for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In a comprehensive interview, the openly gay commissioner (who started March 19) talked about everything from majoring in gay and lesbian studiesDOWNLOAD in the ‘90s to the THIS! challenges he faces every day here in the Windy City. Windy City Times: Eight months on the job—so how has it been? Brian Bannon: It’s been great. It’s hasn’t just been eight months on the job—it’s been eight months in Chicago. It’s been a big learning experience, with an accelerated learning of the library and the city. It’s an incredibly welcoming city. It’s been fun and invigorating. Chicago Public Library enjoys a really stellar national reputation among urban librar- ies, so it was a huge honor to become the new commissioner. Chicagoans seem to 34 really love their libraries. I don’t feel like I’m fully here yet; after the first year—the full cycle of seasons, including the budget and nature seasons—I’ll get a better grasp of things. We have an incredibly talented and lean team. WCT: What was your biggest concern moving from San Francisco to Chicago? Turn to page 8 Brian Bannon heads the Chicago public library system. Photo courtesy of Ruth Lednicer Go to www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com LATROBE Local lesbian couple LEAVING CENTER ON HALSTED wins wedding giveaway PAGE 9 BY CARRIE MAXWELL Local lesbian couple Connie Pare and Jessica Shagena won this year’s elev- en eleven WEDDING Giveaway sponsored by Greatest Expectations Special Events and Weddings, Inc. The giveaway is in its third year, and Pare and Shagena are the first same-sex couple to win, although other same-sex couples have applied in the past. Greatest Expectations Special Events and Weddings, Inc. owner/ event director Heather Lynne Vickery said, “Connie and Jessica are amaz- ing, funny and dynamic women. They have a beautiful love story and a zest for life that just lights up a room. We couldn’t be more excited to work with to download complete issues of Windy City Times and Nightspots. them!” The couple tied the knot Nov. 11 at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in front of about 75 people. Pare and Shagena’s guests, they explained, included close family and friends who have been an active part of their relationship. Originally from Michigan, both Pare and Shagena now call Chicago their home. Pare, who is 32, grew up with a younger brother in a small town in Michigan. She moved to Kalamazoo, Mich. for eight years prior to arriving in Chicago a little less than five years ago. Shagena, who is 26, grew up in Port Huron, Michigan as an only child and made the move to Chicago about MANILA LUZON four years ago. TALKS ABOUT Both women plan on becoming teachers. Shagena is currently finishing LOSING SAHARA her teaching degree while Pare works at Capital Grille. Pare plans on going back to finish her degree when Shagena graduates. DAVENPORT Connie Pare and Jessica Shagena won a wedding giveaway.