Vol. 18 No. 35 August 25-August 31, 2010

Buy StreetWise only from a $2 badged vendor Our Mission To help people help themselves to self-sufficiency through gainful employment From the Director About Us

By Bruce Crane StreetWise is published weekly and is sold StreetWise Executive Director by the poor and homeless of .

Life is a series of opportunities, I be- StreetWise is a registered 501(c)3 non- lieve. The opportunity to learn presents profit organization and is a member of itself every day. Some we see, others we miss. At our vendor meeting today, we discussed this the North American Street Newspaper Photos by Mary Faith Hilboldt idea, in the context of building increasing sales skills and Association (NASNA). communication skills. The quest for continuous learn- ing, lifelong learning, is one of the distinguishing char- 1201 W. Lake, Chicago Illinois 60607 acteristics of successful individuals. Striving to learn is Office: 312.829.2526 Fax: 312.829.2623 not an admission of weakness, as none of us are expected to know everything. Rather, learning is the hallmark of strength. Thus, my belief is that if we wish to be suc- cessful, we aught to strive to continuously learn. We had a marvelous benefit for StreetWise last week. Following last year’s successful gala, it was our second annual benefit. It was a beautiful rooftop venue, amid sculpture and gardens, albeit in sweltering heat! We learned a lot from last year’s dinner and this year’s event was a lovely improvement on our prior experience. We sold more tickets, had more sponsors, had great vol- unteer involvement, and raised more money. All are great things. But we also had lovely conversations with our supporters, recognized exceptional volunteers, and helped more people understand all the ways we are more than a magazine. There were things we could do better, and we have taken notes and will learn from them. Keep your eyes out for the third annual benefit, and join us for a great evening that will demonstrate continuous learning in all that we do, even throwing a benefit. For if we are not striving to improve the organization, what leg do we have to stand on in supporting our vendors in their own quest to improve themselves and their situation? We look forward to seeing you at next year’s benefit where we can share our growth and get to know you. Between now and then, do let us know ways that you see that we might improve what we do.

2 www.streetwise.org August 25-August 31, 2010 Your StreetWise vendor: index

cover story

Supporting a mom with pediatric AIDS

Susan is a 24 year old girl who has overcome isola- tion, homelessness and AIDS to create a new life for herself.

Send a picture of yourself with your favorite StreetWise vendor to [email protected] features Streetwise Staff Executive Director/Publisher Proofreader Event Calendar Bruce Crane John Patrick Pazdziora [email protected] Tall Ships sail into Navy Pier, plus Ran- Production & Marketing Editor-in-Chief Manager dolph Street Market, Bucktown Arts Suzanne Hanney Ben Cook [email protected] [email protected] Fest, Lake View Music Fest, Jammin’ at the Zoo, plus a in-depth look at the Director of Distribution & Advertising Sales Executives Vendor Services Grace Federighi Smart Museum’s ‘Good Design.’ Greg Pritchett [email protected] [email protected] Mary Faith Hilboldt Page 8 Development Consultant [email protected] Jim LoBianco Entrepreneur Spotlight contributing writers StreetWise vendor Don Smith Cindy Kurman Barrie and Lee Barrie are Alex Filipowicz was born in 1992. He is a the principals of Kurman Communications, student at Northside College Preparatory uses the stability provided by his Inc., a Chicago-based marketing and public high school. He learned to speak Polish relations agency. Please follow all StreetWise from a young age. He enjoys making surreal magazine sales job to give back to restaurant features on Twitter @DineWise drawings. He also enjoys listening to obscure his family. and subscribe to the blog at: http://dinewise- music and watching dark comedies. He is chicago.blogspot .com. Or visit their blog at learning to play trumpet because he likes ska gotbuzzatkurman.com music. He plans on becoming a fiction writer. Page 15 Ginny Erwin has written nutrition and Sarah O’Rourke, a StreetWise intern, fitness articles for several local and national attended Mother McAuley Liberal Arts publications, such as the Chicago Tribune and High School in Chicago and is currently a On-Health magazine. She has a bachelor’s sophomore at West Virginia University. She departments degree in nutrition science and dietetics and has written for WVU’s school newspaper, The a master’s degree in nutrition communications Daily Athenaeum, as a contributing staff writer and marketing. and also plans on majoring in Journalism with News Entertainment a minor in French. Rachel Sylwestrzak was a summer Street- From the Street page 4 -5 DineWise page 6 Wise intern and a student at Alma College in Ryan Singleton is a speechwriter and WorldWise page 11 FoodWise page 7 Alma, Michigan. She is currently entering her freelance journalist who cares deeply about junior year with a major in English and a minor individuals and communities that experience Cover Story page 12-13 Event Calendar page 8-9 in Communications. While at Alma, she has poverty. After he graduated with his master’s Theatre Spotlight page 10 been a member of Literacy Beyond Borders, a degree from the University of Chicago in StreetWise non-profit organization dedicated to increasing 2008, he began to publish widely on matters literacy rates in the nation of Ghana. After of economic disparity, human dignity and The Playground page 14 Volunteer graduating, she hopes to continue her journal- self-reliance. You can find more of his work at Entrepreneur Spotlight page 15 page 7 Check out our volunteer ism career. During her free time, Rachel www.ryansingleton.com. enjoys reading, spending time with her family network @ www.streetwise.org and cheering on the Detroit Tigers.

August 25-August 31, 2010 www.streetwise.org 3 From the Streets Finding a water-energy solution Anti-Hate speech efforts

By Sarah O’Rourke surround Rosanna Pulido StreetWise Contributor at Tea Party rally ith a heavy focus on global By Suzanne Hanney warming and the quest to StreetWise Editor-in-Chief find energy efficient out- espite urgings from civil rights advocates and lets, attention drifts away faith groups across Chicago, several Illinois Wfrom human’s most important resource, wa- Tea Party and Republican leaders shared the ter. Dspeakers’ platform with Illinois Minuteman What remains underrepresented, however, Project Director Rosanna Pulido at a Tri-Count-Teas rally is the intimate relationship water shares with (Cook, DuPage and Kane counties) Saturday, August 14, energy, which then affects climate change. in suburban Bartlett. Pulido’s repeated outbursts of hate speech, the Chi- The Metropolitan Planning Committee cago groups say, should have been good reason for the and Openlands Roundtable held an informa- GOP and Tea Party leaders — who are candidates for tive panel regarding this water-energy bond, governor, Congress and local offices — to disassociate “Down the Drain, Up in Smoke: Exploring themselves from her. the Water-Energy Nexus in the Chicago “Ms. Pulido’s vicious remarks targeting my fellow Cath- Region. Throughout the presentation, a list olics, Muslims, Mexicans, and gays are full of hate,” said of distinguished speakers discussed solutions Joshua Hoyt, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). “Racism and the and data concerning the water-energy crisis. politics of hate have no place in Illinois. We urge the Tea The speakers included Frank Benichou of Party and the Republican leadership to reject the hate, Veolia Water North America, Bill Abolt of Lakes Commission is looking at is how ef- bigotry, and extremism Ms. Pulido represents.” Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure Group ficiency oriented pricing can be employed to Hoyt spoke at a news conference called by civil rights and Jeffery Edstrom of Environmental Con- not only promote conservation but also to activist organizations in advance of the Tea Party event. sulting and Technology, Inc, all of whom document what the benefits of this might be In an open letter, more than a dozen social justice or- provided profound insight on the topic. to the Great Lakes ecosystem and what the ganizations asked State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), State Sen. Randy Hultgren (R-Wheaton), and other Illinois The amount of water available is not the challenges most importantly to water utilities leaders to pledge to be hate-free in their campaigns. The problem. The real issue is that the water is in who are trying and struggling to do this,” letter included signatures from ICIRR, the Jewish Council the wrong place, wrong form or coming at said Mary Ann Dickinson, president of Alli- on Urban Affairs, the Council of Islamic Organizations of the wrong time, Dr. Michael Webber, asso- ance for Water Efficiency. Greater Chicago, the United African Organization, Priests ciate director of the Center for International Though water scarcity may become a for Justice for Immigrants, and Equality Illinois. Energy and Environmental Policy in the threat if water conservation is not well im- Leaders were advised to cut ties with Pulido and a group she once worked for, the Federation for American Jackson School of Geosciences at the Univer- plemented in water and energy utilities, the Immigration Reform (FAIR), which the letter describes as sity of Texas, said. pricing of water will not affect the availabil- having a history of bigotry, anti-Latino, and anti-Catholic “We have plenty of water in the glaciers ity to those on the verge of financial instabil- views. or in the sea; it’s just in the wrong form and ity or poverty, Dickinson said. The groups also asked Illinois leaders to stand with hard to reach,” Webber continued. “In this “What the water pricing changes would them against hate speech and to embrace principles lack of access, we have an energy implication. target are the high water users, the ones who that encourage racial tolerance and participation from a That means either we move the people to the are wasting water and could perhaps do the broad spectrum of cultural and religious groups. “Throughout our nation’s history, hate has haunted us. water or we move the water to the people or same activity with half the supply…So it’s a It has destroyed communities, separated families, and we move the water from the form that is not block structure where usually at the subsis- torn apart the fabric of our society,” said Jane Ramsey, usable to the form that is usable. All of which tence level or poor level the water is subsi- executive director of the Jewish Council of Urban Affairs. require energy.” dized, so that would never be the case where “We must have leadership who share these basic values In the Great Lakes, thermoelectric power is water is not available for those in need,” she and help to guide our communities and nation toward so- the main source of energy, which uses an in- said. lutions and with respect for all peoples.” creasingly large amount of water to produce. Despite this, it is crucial to not forget the During a March 2009 rally in which Cardinal Francis George urged immigration law reform, Pulido told ABC7 Additionally, the second source of energy importance of the water-energy nexus and that “CardinalIra Eleazer George is responsible for every illegal im- generation, electricity, uses a considerable the future of water and the global climate. migrant who dies while crossing the border coming over quantity of water as well. “If we infinite energy we have infinite wa- here, because he is luring them.” With these issues at hand, the panel stressed ter…If we have infinite water we have infi- Pulido says on the Illinois Minuteman Project that “Any- the importance of finding ways that help re - nite energy,” said Webber. body who can sneak into our country gets to stay in. This duce energy emissions, (which harm the cli - But it is necessary to consider this inter- is not sound immigration policy. Our open borders are a mate), and practicing water conservation. changeable relationship between water and surrender of the United States to anarchy.” During an April 2008 Illinois House hearing on religious Pricing in relation to this issue was another energy when preparing not just for the future ministry access to prisons, she said, “How can you tell key theme throughout the panel. of the world’s energy and climate but for the the difference between a radical Islamic Jihadist…and “So one of the issues a project at the Great future of the world’s water, too. just another lay volunteer visiting from the mosque?” 4 www.streetwise.org August 25-August 31, 2010 From the Streets New Study: Chemical Insecurity

America’s Most Dangerous Chemical Companies Put Millions of Americans at Risk and Spend More Than $70M to Fend Off Regulation

new Illinois PIRG Group report identifies the 14 chemical companies A that endanger the most Americans in the event of a chemical release. These com - panies also spent more than $70 million lob- bying and bankrolling the campaigns of the members of Congress on the committees that oversee chemical security policy. Illinois PIRG’s research also shows how many of the lobbyists hired by these 14 com- panies participate in the so-called “revolv- ing door” of lobbying employment—moving from positions on the committees of jurisdic- tion to lobbying the members on them. “The Chemical and Water Security Act would protect the public from the conse- quences of an attack or accident at the most dangerous chemical facilities, but the pay- the-piper culture of influence in Congress has kept this common sense legislation from becoming law,” said Celeste Meiffren, field director with Illinois PIRG. “When public safety takes a backseat to Key findings of the report include: Homeland Security in the House, and En- money, it’s time to take a hard look at our vironment and Public Works and Home- influence culture and work towards moving The 14 companies with the most peo- land Security and Government Oversight money out of politics,” said Meiffren. ple in the danger zones in the event of in the Senate. “The Senate should waste no more time an accident or attack on one of their fa- bringing comprehensive chemical security cilities are: Clorox, Kuehne Chemical, JCI The political action committees (PACs) legislation to the President’s desk. As the BP Jones, KIK Custom Products, DuPont, of these 14 companies and the PACs accident in the Gulf of Mexico shows, worst PVS Chemicals, Olin, DX Holding, Solvay, of their affiliated trade associations gave case scenarios really can happen, and they can Valero, Occidental Petroleum, Honeywell, $ 2 , 1 8 7 , 8 6 8 i n t h e 2 0 0 8 e l e c t i o n c y c l e Dow Chemical, and Sunoco. and the 2010 cycle to date directly to the produce worse than worst case results,” Meif- campaigns of members of the commit- fren added. The Clorox Company, Kuehne Chemi- t e e s o f j u r i s d i c t i o n o v e r c h e m i c a l s e c u r i t y “Further delay on this common sense re- cal, and JCI Jones Chemical each own legislation. form is unconscionable and dangerous,” she facilities that together put more than 12 concluded. million people at risk. These 14 companies and their affiliated trade associations employ 20 ‘revolv- These 14 companies and their affiliated ing door’ lobbyists who previously staffed The report can be found at: https:// trade associations spent $69,286,198 the committees of jurisdiction over chemi- www.illinoispirg.org/home/reports/ lobbying the committees with jurisdiction cal security and toxics before becoming report-archives/public-health/public- over chemical security legislation in 2008 lobbyists on those same issues. and 2009 —Energy and Commerce and health/chemical-insecurity

August 25-August 31, 2010 www.streetwise.org 5 DineWise In Chicago, a great burger is never far away

By Lee Barrie & Cindy Kurman Barrie StreetWise Contributors

amburgers are comfort food — ev- eryone has a favorite. Really, there Hare no right or wrong choices, just what you like. We like to find hamburgers that show the restaurant went the extra mile to of- fer something either unusual or of exception- ally high quality. Sometimes, you can get both in the same burger. As you journey through Chicago’s eternal grid of hamburger stops, don’t forget to give these burgers their due, and give them a try.

Prairie Fire 215 N. Clinton, Chicago (312) 382-8300; www.prairiefirechicago.com ginger sauce; and the Portobello Mushroom for his restaurants. We know it’s a secret blend, Hours: Lunch, Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Burger with sautéed spinach, creamy goat so we won’t ask and he won’t tell. Duchamp is Dinner, Mon. – Thurs. 5 p.m. - 10 p.m., Fri. cheese, mini-wedge salad and onion rings. If a great casually upscale bistro that has a wide – Sat. 5-11 p.m., Sun. 5-9 p.m.; Brunch, Sat. – you enjoy wine, you’ll be amazed that Flem- range of excellent small plates, large plates, and Sun. 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. ing’s offers 100 wines by the glass. desserts in addition to the burger.

Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris have Sola The Chicago Diner featured Chicago’s own Bill Kurtis’ Tallgrass 3868 N. Lincoln Ave. (at Byron), Chicago 3411 N. Halsted, Chicago Beef for several years at Prairie Grass Café in (773) 327-3868; www.sola-restaurant.com (773) 935-6696; www.veggiediner.com Northbrook and now at Prairie Fire in the West Hours: Lunch, Thurs. – Fri. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m; Loop. Their #1 Sirloin Burger was named best Dinner, Sun. – Thurs. 5:30 - 10 p.m., Fri. – Fri. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.; in Chicago by Chicago Magazine, and it’s as Sat. 5:30 - 11 p.m.; Brunch, Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. Sun. 10 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. good as it is healthy. The key to this winner is - 2 p.m. the Tallgrass Beef, from cattle raised on native It would be a crime if vegetarians couldn’t prairie grasses of Kansas and neighboring states. Chef/owner Carol Wallack claims that her find a great burger in Chicago. Fortunately, at The meat is lean and flavorful. The #1 Burger is excellent Wagyu “kobe” beef burger took 20 the acclaimed vegetarian Chicago Diner, even topped with a delicious mild Amish blue cheese years to perfect. This beauty of a burger is meat lovers will be more than pleased with the crust, and served with a roasted tomato slice and topped with cambazola (a soft, rich cheese), huge Seitan “steak” burger with crisp veggie potato wedges. It’s normally served without the bacon, pineapple caramelized onions, arugula, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, cajunnaise sauce, bun, but fresh baked buns are available on re- and served on a fresh pretzel roll with a side of and melted cheese on a multi grain bun. The key quest. Asian slaw or fresh fruit. Add to your pleasure to this great burger is the wonderfully spiced with Carol’s Sola Idaho Potato Truffle Fries, seitan, which is a high-protein food made from Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar which won the Grand Prize for “Best Potato wheat gluten, tasting surprisingly like meat. 25 E. Ohio St., Chicago; (312) 329-9463 Side Dish” at the 2009 South Beach Wine and Two other great burger choices are the Bud- 960 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire; (847) 793- Food Festival’s Burger Bash. dha Burger, which is a curry-tofu sweet potato 0333 www.flemingssteakhouse.com burger with mango-pineapple Karmic Realign- Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 5 - 10 p.m.; Fri. – Sat. Duchamp ment Sauce, and the Black Bean Burger, served 5 - 11 p.m.; Sun. 4 - 9 p.m. 2118 N. Damen, Chicago with melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, and Creole (773) 235-6434; duchamp-chicago.com mustard. The Chicago Diner is a place for ev- Fleming’s Prime Burger may be the best burg- Hours: Dinner, Tues. – Thurs. 5 - 10 p.m.; eryone simply because the food is so good. If er deal in town. As part of their “5 for 6 ‘til 7” Fri. – Sat. 5 - 11 p.m.; Sun. 5-10 p.m; you don’t eat vegetarian, go here to experience bar menu, the restaurant offers five appetizers, Brunch, Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. a breakthrough. If you are vegetarian, we’re five cocktails, five wines, and the Prime Burger, preaching to the converted. for only $6 each until 7 p.m. The luscious Prime Chef Michael Taus’s Duchamp Havarti cheese Burger is topped with cheddar cheese and pep- burger with tomato rémoulade and garlic Ro- pered bacon. Other burger options (prices vary) mano French fries is so good that, by popular Other Burgers Worth Trying: include the Sliced Filet Mignon Burger with request, he also offers the burger at Zealous, his The Kobe Beef Burger at the Paramount Room sautéed mushrooms and Béarnaise sauce; the acclaimed fine dining restaurant. The secret to The Swiss and Mushroom Burger at Culver’s Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Burger, with creamy the lusciousness of this cheeseburger lies in the Anything from Five Guys mustard sauce; the Ahi Tuna Burger, with soy meat blend that Taus has prepared especially Max’s Minis at Maxwell’s at the Club

6 www.streetwise.org August 25-August 31, 2010 FoodWise Greening up your kitchen

By Ginny Erwin MS, RD, CPT StreetWise Contributor

Green living is catch- remains the best metal for cooking. Not only ing on, and people are can a well-seasoned pan be as nonstick as Tef- starting to pay attention lon, it adds a little extra iron to your daily in - to their own green life- take. style. Did you know your Aluminum has been found to add to the kitchen is one of easiest overall risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s best rooms in your house to to switch to stainless steel or glassware. Some “green-up”? What is your researchers believe Teflon leads to long-term Cookless Sauteed Spinich personal “cook print”? health problems - causing birth defects, can- Many of us spend our mornings and evenings cer, and increased risk of stroke risk. Consider makes 4 servings in the kitchen; it should be comfortable, effi- other materials if you want a greener, safer cient and safe. Even if you don’t cook, you still kitchen. Shopping List: are heating up or storing what someone else Lastly, utensils and containers — glass, wood, • 1 pound of organic baby spinach has fed you that day. The chain of resources and steel – are better for us than we knew. Re- • 1 tablespoon minced garlic that have gone into your meal for the day can cent reports of polycarbonate plastic (#6, used • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil be brought to you in a smarter way. in baby bottles and other reusable containers) What is your influence on the planet? That’s warn that heating, scrubbing, washing, or ag- Cooking Instructions: a big thought to ponder. How about thinking ing can cause the release of chemicals that have • Rinse and spin dry spinach- place in of it in smaller terms, like how often do you been found to disrupt hormone levels. large bowl. travel to get food? Do you drive to the store Some metals are poor food containers. Cop- every day? Do you buy local grown food stuffs? per or brass leaches into acidic foods — such • Drizzle olive Start with your refrigerator. Is it set to the as lemonade, tomato sauce – creating a toxic oil over spin- proper temperature — between 37-40 de- brew. Beware of ornamental items made of pewter. They may be fine to hang on the wall, ach- then add grees? If not, you could be driving up your electric bill and food cost. Make sure you use but they should never be used for food, since minced garlic those built-in meat, dairy, and produce bins. they contain lead. Remember, iron, stainless and gently toss. Also, cool foods down properly when storing steel, glassware and crockery are the best alter- them. Placing extremely hot food in the fridge natives for durability and your overall health • Serve at room can raise the temperature of the entire fridge. safety. temperature or Next, pay attention to your pots and pans. chilled. Try the reliable and inexpensive iron skillet. For more nutrition and wellness tips go to www. You can fry in it, grill in it, or bake in it. Iron ginetics.org

Volunteer Spotlight Chicago Canine Rescue Since its founding, CCRF has helped save 2227 W. , Chicago over 2,500 dogs and cats. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities Those with a sof t spot for our four-legged available, including dog-walking and dog- friends will want to steer their volunteer ef- bathing, fostering animals, and fundraising forts towards the Chicago Canine Rescue opportunities. There are also local events Foundation (CCRF). Founded in 2001, the coming up at the CCRF shelter, such as the CCRF helps find permanent, loving homes Lakeview Fest (Aug. 28-29) and the Mutt for homeless dogs in Chicago. Strutt (Sept. 18), that need volunteers. CCRF helps animals slated for euthana- Email volunteer@chicagocaninerescue. sia — animals that are too young, too old, com or call 773-697-8848 for more informa- or have been overlooked by other adop- tion. tion facilities. —Compiled by Rachel Sylwestrzak

August 25-August 31, 2010 www.streetwise.org 7 Event Calendar

www.tallshipbounty.org on stages throughout the fest, plus a food court and beer vendors. 2238 N. Oakley Ave. August 28 and 29, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Price: Free. For more info call 312-409- 8305 or visit www.bucktownartsfest.com/ index.htm

ake View Music Fest The ninth annual Levent takes place just outside Wrigley Field and features live music, arts and craft vendors and food from area restau- rants. Their live music lineup includes The Ginge, Sorry for Partying, Too White Crew, Fortunate Sons, Rock Candy and Infinity. August 28 and 29 from 12 p.m. - 10 p.m. at 3600 N. Sheffield Ave. $5 to $7 suggested donation. For more info call 773-868-3010 or visit http://chicagoevents.com/event. cfm?eid=134 SUNDAY (Aug 29)

oulevard Lakefront Tour Opt for a B15-mile South Side architecture ride; a 35-mile boulevard tour of South and West Side parks; or a 62-mile Ultimate Neigh- borhood Tour that traverses more than 30 Chicago communities. Includes guides and historical information, T-shirts and a Pictured: The main mast of the HMS post-ride festival with live music, plus food Bounty, one of the many participating and beer vendors. Be prepared to travel on Tall Ships at Navy Pier this week city streets and obey traffic signals. August 29 at 7 a.m. Meets at 1000 South Morgan Street. Price: $25 - $30. For more info call WEDNESDAY (Aug 27) SATURDAY (Aug 28) 312-427-3325 ext. 251, or visit www.boule- vardtour.org. all Ships See more than 18 vessels andolph Street Market Shop for Tfrom Germany, the Netherlands and Rantiques, vintage collectibles and indie other spots around the globe at Navy designer apparel from more than 200 deal- Pier. Highlights include daily sailing ses- ers along between Ada UPCOMING (Sept 3) sions, deck tours, crew meet and greets, Street and , and also inside maritime displays, sail training, green the historic Plumber’s Hall (1340 W. Wash- aste of Polonia Dine on pierogi, Polish initiatives and more than 75 vendors. Also, ington Blvd.). The seventh annual Europe- Tsausage, sauerkraut, kabobs, pizza, catch a fireworks display at 9 p.m. nightly. an-style fair also features food and beer hot dogs and beer at the 31st annual cul- August 25 to 28, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and vendors and themed mini-markets stocked tural celebration of Polish traditions, where August 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Passes cost with rare vinyl recordings, global goods Polish and American bands play every- $9-$15 for viewing; $15-$20 for boarding; and fancy foods such as chocolates, cakes thing from rock to blues to polka music on and $44-$54 for sailing. For more info call and spices. Includes kids’ activities. August five stages. Also features costumed folk 312-595-7437 or visit www.navypier.com/ 28 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and August 29 dancers, a Sunday mass, arts and crafts tallshipschicago/home.html from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Price: $9-$12. $5 for and kids’ activities. Billed as the “largest students. Tickets include repeat entry all ethnic fest in Chicago,” the outdoor event FRIDAY (Aug 27) weekend. For more info call 312-666-1200 takes place on Lawrence Avenue between or visit www.randolphstreetmarket.com Milwaukee Avenue and the Kennedy ammin’ at the Zoo The popular sum- Expressway. September 3 from 5 to 11 Jmer concert series returns with the ucktown Arts Fest The 24th annual p.m. September 4 and 5 from 12 p.m. to 11 band Lovehammers. Gates open at 6 p.m. Bcelebration of art features paintings, p.m., and September 6 from 12 p.m. to 10 Bring a lawn chair for seating in Lincoln sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, furniture and p.m. Price: $6-$7; $3 for seniors; free for Park Zoo’s Main Mall. No outside food or photography from local and national artists, kids under age 12. For more info call 773- beverages permitted. Price: $12-$28. For plus live music, theater, film screenings, 777-8898. more info call 800-919-6272. dance and spoken word performances —Compiled by Alex Filipowicz

8 www.streetwise.org August 25-August 31, 2010 Wise Pick Event Calendar Mid-Century: “Good Design” in Europe and America, 1850–1950 Exhibition presents icons of modern design from the Smart Museum’s collection

he University of Chicago’s Smart Prairie Style in America, 1880–1920; Function- workshop on July 25. Museum of Art presents masterworks alism between the World Wars, 1918–1939; and Free, but advanced registration is required Tfrom its collection of modern design International Modernism around 1950. as space is limited. To RSVP, contact Kristy in the special exhibition Mid-Century: “Good The show is highlighted by masterworks Peterson at [email protected] or Design” in Europe and America, 1850–1950 on such as Edmund Johnson’s rare facsimiles of 773.702.2351. display until September 5. medieval treasures made for the 1893 World’s Offering a focused look at more than 60 re- Fair in Chicago, Frank Lloyd Wright’s unique About the Smart Museum markable objects—both long-held treasures dining room furniture from the Robie House As the art museum of the University of Chi- and newer acquisitions to the Smart’s collec- (which is celebrating its centennial this year cago, the Smart Museum of Art takes a distinct- tion—the exhibition gives insight into the and is located just blocks from the Smart Mu- ly interdisciplinary approach to the collection, interweaving history and iconic forms that seum), Marianne Brandt’s rare handmade tea display, and interpretation of art. Founded in defined the domestic world of modernism dur- service from the Bauhaus, and Charles and 1974, the Smart Museum is home to acclaimed ing the fertile period between 1850 and 1950. Ray Eames’s classic plywood and metal chairs. special exhibitions and a permanent collec- Featuring both one-of-a-kind commissions as As these and the other works on view in the tion that spans 5,000 years of artistic creation. well as mass-produced objects, Good Design is exhibition demonstrate, the best designs of the Working in close collaboration with scholars divided into four overlapping thematic sec- period are derived from a complex intermin- from the University of Chicago, the Smart has tions highlighting extraordinary works by Ed- gling of utility, social value, and formal inven- established itself as a leading academic art mu- mond Johnson, Frank Lloyd Wright, Marianne tion. seum and an engine of adventurous thinking Brandt, and Charles and Ray Eames, among about the visual arts and their place in society. many others. Special Event Good Design offers nuanced perspectives on Sunday, August 29, 12–3 pm The Essentials key artistic innovations within a broader cul- Smart Readings: “Containing Emotions: Chairs” Smart Museum of Art, University of Chi- tural context of social activism, nationalism, Read excerpts from poems and essays and cago 5550 S. Greenwood Avenue Chicago, IL and international politics. think about what it means to be held by or- 60637. 773.702.0200 www.smart-museum. Good Design is curated by Richard A. Born, dinary and extraordinary chairs. Led by poet uchicago.edu Smart Museum senior curator. The exhibition Matthias Regan, workshop participants will is accompanied by several talks and other pro- examine feeling—the dimension of experience Summer Hours: Tues – Fri 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. grams that dig deeper into the intersections of where sensation meets emotion—in relation to Sat – Sun 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Galleries closed modern design, politics, and society. objects that are often overlooked due to their Mondays and holidays. Café and Museum Shop Good Design spans the period between 1850 fundamental utility. Readings include works open daily. Thursday evening hours return in and 1950, when progressive artists, designers, by Gertrude Stein, Martin Heidegger, Lorine the fall. Admission is always free and architects decisively reshaped the everyday Niedecker, and John Dewey. See also related world of objects. Advocating for design re- form—and by extension, social reform—they promoted a host of competing ideologies that Right Charles and Ray Eames, Dining Chair, 1946, embraced aesthetic revolution and technical Molded and bent plywood and rubber shock innovation. mounts. Smart Museum of Art, University of Chi- Though the history of modern design is of- cago, Gift of Barry Friedman. ten charted as a singular arc—one beginning Bottom Charles and Ray Eames, Dining Chair, 1946, Molded plywood, steel rods, and rubber with the legacy of historicist designs and hand shock mounts. Smart Museum of Art, University craftsmanship and ending with the widespread of Chicago, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest R. Frueh. embrace of new abstract forms and machine production—in actuality the ideals underly- ing modernism resulted in a variety of solu- tions. As tastes changed, young designers, new movements, and a previous generation’s van- guard overlapped, and the newcomers did not always reject the immediate past while project- ing in their own innovations a better material and spiritual future. With a more focused arrangement than most traditional survey exhibitions, Good Design demonstrates the ways in which design ideolo- gies and practices defy neat categorization. It is divided into four overlapping thematic sec- tions: From Revivalism to Arts and Crafts in the British Isles, 1850–1910; Arts and Crafts and

August 25-August 31, 2010 www.streetwise.org 9 Theatre Spotlight ‘The Weir’ at Seanachaí Theatre Photo by Johnny Knight eanachaí Theatre Company is thrilled to announce that Brad Armacost has joined ensemble members Jeff SChristian, Kevin Theis and Sarah Wellington, along with Brad Smith in the cast of The Weir by Conor McPher- son, as part of Seanachaí’s first-ever subscription season. This represents something of a coming home for Arma- cost, whose long-standing association with the Irish American Heritage Center inspired his vision and sub- sequent construction of the IAHC’s 3rd Floor Theatre, Seanachaí’s new home. The Weir, a tale of lonely (left to right) Moon (Philip Winston) and Birdboot (Jon Steinhagen) comment on the play while Cynthia characters, reveals how the (Meredith Bell Alvarez) and Inspector Hound (Joseph Stearns) act in the play, in Tom Stoppard’s 1968 human need to be heard satire The Real Inspector Hound. connects souls through sto- rytelling. An enigmatic young woman from Dublin finds herself the center of atten- ‘The Real Inspector Hound’ tion at a local pub. Pints in hand, the local barflies recount ghostly yarns of the supernatural to impress and entertain her, but it is the visitor herself who relates the most unset- at Signal Ensemble Theatre tling story of all. Inaugural production in Signal’s new Berenice Ave. space Irish American Heritage Center members are eligible for a $5 discount on tickets for most performances (cannot be ignal Ensemble Theatre presents the first show of its eighth season, Tom Stop- combined with other discounts). See www.seanachai.org or pard’s comedy The Real Inspector Hound,the ensemble’s inaugural presentation call (866) 811-4111 for more details and use code “IAHC.” in its permanent theater space, a 50-seat venue in Chicago’s North Center Conor McPherson wrote the hauntingly beautiful and S neighborhood. humorous play The Weir at the age of 26, winning the Ol - In The Real Inspector Hound, theatre critics Moon and Birdboot attend the pre- ivier Award for Best New Play, and the Evening Standard miere of a new murder mystery and are swept into the whodunit they are view- Award for Most Promising Playwright. ing. As Moon laments his status as a second-string The Weir runs through October 3 Thurs-Sat @ 7.30pm, reviewer, and Birdboot considers adultery with one Special Events: Sun @ 3 p.m. $10 Previews August 26 & 27 @ 7.30p.m. of the show’s actresses, they soon find themselves VIP Opening Performance August 29 @ 3pm inside the play-within-a-play, implicated in the le- 2-for-1 tickets on Labor Tickets $22-26 – www.seanachai.org or call (866) 811- thal activities of an escaped madman. In a hilarious Day weekend, Saturday 4111. Performed in the 3rd Floor Theatre, The Irish Ameri- send-up of Agatha Christie-style melodrama, Stop- and Sunday, September can Heritage Center. 4626 N. Knox, Chicago. FREE Park- pard’s 1968 work is just as rooted in absurdism as it is 5 and 6 ing El: Blue Line to Montrose. in satire. Kicking off Signal’s “Season of Comedy,” About the theatre: Seanachaí is the Gaelic word for Sto- this play set in the theater will appropriately open Season Concern benefit ryteller. The people’s stories were at the very core of ancient Signal’s new performance space. The show will run on September 11 Irish culture. It was the duty of the Seanachaí to keep these about 65 minutes with no intermission. ($5 from each ticket stories alive. The mission of Seanachaí Theatre Company The Real Inspector Hound runs Thursdays, Fridays goes to the charity) is to return theatre to this origin - by creating compel- and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.until ling productions and programs that focus the energy of art- September 18th ists towards the common goal of exceptional storytelling. The Signal Ensemble Theater is located at 1802 West Berenice Ave., Chicago. To achieve this end, Seanachaí Theatre Company strives Street parking available on Ravenswood and Berenice (which runs one way go- to provide an atmosphere where all theatre artists - actors, ing west) CTA Brown line EL stops Irving Park and Addison. CTA buses #80-Ir- playwrights, directors and designers - have the support v i n g P a r k , # 1 5 2 - A d d i s o n , # 5 0 - D a m e n , # 1 1 - L i n c o l n . H a n d i c a p p e d a c c e s s i b l e ; a n d a s s u r a n c e t o c o l l a b o r a t e o p e n l y . T h a t i s a t t h e h e a r tair-conditioned. o f all ensemble companies, and Seanachaí has proven itself a For tickets: 773-347-1350; www.signalensemble.com; or www.goldstar.com. $20 major player in Chicago’s ensemble-driven theatrical com- for regular single tickets; $15 for students/seniors (with ID); also for groups of 15 munity. www.seanachai.org or more.

10 www.streetwise.org August 25-August 31, 2010 WorldWise

Burned into memory No justice for the people of Bhopal By Joanne Zuhl

By Jennifer May P Street Roots (Portland, OR) Reprinted from Ireland’s Big Issue

Patidar Portland resident Scott Ramsden is hen Union Carbide walked away and left not letting the difficulties of homeless- hundreds of thousands of people dead, dis- ness on America’s streets push him to- abled and maimed and a whole area deci- wards obscurity. Instead, he is starring W REUTERS/Raj in a film that he hopes will help shine mated, very little attention was paid by the world. Bhopal was chosen by UCC in 1969 as the site of the a new light on the issue. Scott Ramsden’s life was normal for carbide plant because of its central location in India most of his 45 years. He was married and a large lake that provided a reliable source of water. once, divorced eight years ago, and is The factory was just 2 kilometers from the railway sta- now single. tion and a residential neighbourhood as well as a squat- An activist holds a banner during a protest against the Bhopal Ramsden had always had plenty of gas disaster verdict in the central Indian city of Bhopal. ter settlement containing thousands of people. Until work, but his last job was seasonal, he 1979 the plant imported methyl isocyanate (MIC), says, and as the recession bit down, the dangerous chemical used in its pesticide produc- he couldn’t find another one quick tion, but then began to manufacture it on site. It was Children born in Bhopal are twice as likely to die in enough to pay rent. Eventually, money this decision, (no doubt a money-saving exercise) that childhood as children anywhere else. However Union trickled to a halt, and he had to sell would lead to the destruction of a whole city and eco- Carbide has claimed that MIC is only a “mild throat his belongings. He invested in a sleep- system, which remains toxic today. and ear irritant.” (The Lancet). ing bag and pad to survive. He has no On the night of December 23, 1984, the lives of the Investigations and reports into the events leading up family here, he says, and his friends people of Bhopal would be irrevocably changed for- to the disaster have been suppressed, but what seemed are unable to help. He’s been homeless ever. At 11:30 p.m. a dangerous chemical reaction oc- to have caused it was a combination of legal, techno- now for five months. curred when water leaked into one of the MIC storage logical, organizational and human error. Ramsden’s life, at least this current tanks (Tank 610). Workers noticed it when their eyes In 1989, the Indian Government agreed to a hastily portion of it, is recorded in an hour- began to burn and tear. They informed their supervi- arranged compensation deal with Union Carbide, after long movie about life as a homeless man. “Homeless in PDX” is no stereo- sor, but in the space of two hours almost 40 tons of passing the emergency Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster Act, typical representation, but the mod- MIC poured out of the tank and into the air and spread giving them the right to represent all victims of the ern-day story of life without a home throughout the city. disaster, in or outside India. UCC offered the gov- in Portland. Thousands of people were killed as they slept and ernment a paltry US$350 million (the insurance sum), hundreds of thousands (the city had a population of and in 1999 the Government settled for the derisory 900,000) ran out into the streets vomiting and cough- sum of US$470 million (the insurance plus interest) in ing with eyes streaming as their organs were decimated what was to be a “full and final settlement of its civil Zambians fight measles by the gas. The poor and children died in huge num - and criminal liability,” basically letting the company By Chamilesu Kapaipi bers, and hundreds were trampled to death in the mass off the hook, while a whole region continued to suffer Street News Service rush away from the poisonous fumes. the appalling after affects. By morning the city reeked of death as bodies piled In Zambia, death from measles in up; 170,000 people were treated at hospitals and most What did this mean for the victims? children under five is falling but not of the livestock were dead. Within a few days even A one time payment of RS1,500 ($32) was given to quickly enough to reach the desired trees had withered and died and there were food and afflicted families with an income of less than RS500 target of reducing child mortality. The fuel shortages. But it is the long term affects of the gas, per month. But in order to receive this laughably small recent hosting of Child Health Week, the lingering diseases and disabilities that survivors sum of money, claimants had to be categorized by a combined with the government’s suffer that has been most devastating to the people of doctor and be able to prove “beyond reasonable doubt” measles campaign, aimed to promote Bhopal. According to an international medical com- that death or injury was attributable to exposure. routine immunization exercises across mission, victims suffer from numerous serious health By 1992, over 44 percent of all claimants were still the country. problems that have either been misdiagnosed or ig- waiting to be medically examined. The final compen- The campaign provided commu- nored by local doctors. sation paid for personal injury years after the event nities with interventions like child Bhopal aftereffects include respiratory ailments like was RS25,000 ($536); in 2007 almost half out of the growth monitoring, immunization chronic bronchitis and emphysema, gastro-intestinal 1,029,517 claimants were rejected. There is no doubt and supplementations of Vitamin A, all strategic tools that will increase conditions such as chronic gastritis and hyperacidity, that the Indian government has failed the people of and enhance the life of children in the eye problems like cataracts, conjunctivitis, poor mem- Bhopal, but so has Union Carbide, who never admit- communities. ory and motor skills, psychiatric problems and muscu- ted any liability (because of that hastily agreed deal In relation to the estimated 66 loskeletal problems. with the Indian Government). deaths that occurred due to an out- break of measles around the country, the disease was generally mild in im- StreetWise is proud to provide WorldWise content republished by the International Network of Street munized children and could only be- Papers’ independent Street News Service. This service features stories submitted by the 100+ street papers around the world in an effort to raise awareness for homelessness and bring a voice to the underserved. come a problem if children are under- nourished.

August 25-August 31, 2010 www.streetwise.org 11 room to collect blood samples and poke her with needles. But they said nothing. After being discharged, Susan sat silently— confused and quiet. A week later, her doctors called. Susan was HIV positive. Susan had never experimented with drugs, and had tested negative for the disease months prior her pregnancy. Devastated, she turned to her partner, “and it was just chaos,” Susan said. Her boyfriend denied the diagnosis. “It’s positive. I have the lab results right here,” Su- san told him. “Do you want to go in [to get tested]?” Since he said hadn’t been with anyone else, he answered no and chose not to see a doctor. Their conversations continued like this for two weeks. Then Susan’s partner grew angry. He accused her of cheating. The relationship fell apart. Susan resumed her quiet burden and con- tinued to live with her father and stepmother, trapped in an endless fear. She said nothing. Silence is isolating. But, as Susan eventually learned, breaking that silence is even more iso- lating when you have HIV. After sharing her Cover Story story with her dad and stepmom, her parents banished her from their home. Her stepmoth - er was particularly afraid that Susan’s disease would spread to the children. Susan stayed with a cousin, who let her sleep on his couch. She remained silent, storing her diagnosis in an imaginary, secret box that she supporting a mom kept trying to lose, but couldn’t. Every time she opened it, her situation seemed to worsen.

Alone and depressed Though Susan continued to see HIV and with pediatric aids OB/GYN doctors, she struggled to embrace By Ryan Singleton the reality of her situation. She refused to take AIDS Foundation of Chicago would empower her years later. medicine and eventually collapsed into a state When Susan turned 22, she was living in of depression. usan was 15 years old when her mother, Chicago with her father, step-mother, and “I thought negative all the time,” she said. sister, grandmother, and great-grand- younger siblings. She carried a fulltime course But she never judged herself or blamed loved Smother died in an automobile accident load at South Suburban College nine months ones for abandoning her when she needed their outside their home in Mississippi. Devastated, out of the year. For 12 months a year, she took support most. “At first I thought suicidal, but I Susan dealt with her grief the only way she care of her sisters and brothers. She maintained didn’t do it. I just thought about it.” knew how — by swallowing a handful of pills. this routine even when she became pregnant. Then something changed. She remembered As terrible as that experience was, it became Susan describes her 22-year-old self as a how she felt about her loved ones who died a source of strength that would empower her “spoiled brat.” But she sees those years as one years earlier in the car accident. years later. She recalls her overdose in the same of the most normal, stable periods of her life. “After that [tragedy], I never had a mother matter-of-fact manner that one might describe Her boyfriend supported her, as did the soon- figure in my life,” Susan said. “And I always last night’s dinner. The tenor of her voice fluc- to-be grandparents of her child. wished, since I was 15 years old, that I would tuates between peaks and valleys with barely Four months into her pregnancy, Susan’s life have a baby that would love me the same way I enough space between her words to capture a began to shift, and the silence set in. would love him.” breath, but she speaks with a confidence and The thought of loving her child the way her peace that a person three times her age might An isolating silence mother cared for her encouraged her to take struggle to find. She first felt the silence from her doctors, her medications and fight this disease. As gut-wrenching as those years were for the who said little during her stay at the hospital, For the first time since her diagnosis, she young, half-Kenyan, half-African-American while they examined an ovarian cyst. Physi- was not alone. Susan let go of her silence and girl, they became a source of strength that cians and nurses constantly passed through her enrolled in the Pediatrics AIDS Chicago Pre-

12 www.streetwise.org August 25-August 31, 2010 I just started crying, because I never had an apartment before, and I was pregnant.

vention Initiative (PACPI) program at her apartment before, and I was pregnant. I was hospital, in southwest Chicago. She became a like, ‘Oh wow! My child has a house to come focal point for a medical network dedicated to to. And [my caseworker] was like, ‘Well that’s supporting pregnant women who have HIV/ not all.’ Then she gave me the two checks. She AIDS. gave me a $3000 voucher and a $1000 one. She PACPI gave her an opportunity to choose was like, ‘This is for your furniture, and this is hope when she could have chosen hopelessness, for all your appliances, which we’ll take you to “to be strong when she could have been weak, get.’ I don’t know why—I was overwhelmed to give birth to a baby without HIV when de- because I didn’t have anything,” Susan said. nial could have devastated her child’s life. Her two-bedroom apartment fills with light Citywide bar crawl Starting with six pills a day and frequent in the sunset. Her living room holds a soft, tan therapy sessions, Susan slowly began to con- sofa, matching love seat, and several end tables Aug. 26 against AIDS quer her illness and eventually achieved her with lamps. Down the hall from her living et ready for the most exciting fund- goal of becoming undetectable with three room is a kitchen stuffed with essentials, filling raiser of the summer! EdgeAlliance months remaining in her pregnancy. her apartment with the scent of home cooking. Gand AIDSCare Progressive Services But she was still homeless. But more than anything else, her 15-month- present the 7th annual Bar AIDS Chicago. An With so many doors slamming on her, she old son—who tested negative for HIV—makes intoxicating mix of one part night-on-the-town, needed one to open—one she could walk this apartment home. “This is his home,” Su- two parts fundraiser, and a dash of HIV/AIDS through and create her home. san said. “This is all that he knows. He knows awareness, Bar AIDS 2010 promises to be a Social workers at the hospital connected her every part of this house.” night to remember. Over 30 Chicago pubs, with a housing organization on the North Side And so does this new mother. She knows ev- coffee shops, and juice bars will host events dedicated to raising money for AIDSCare Pro- of the city. However, the agency could only ery part of her house, how it came to be and gressive Services, a member of Edge Alliance. provide a distant solution to an immediate, what it feels like to finally have a home. EdgeAlliance is a Chicago-based non-profit vexing problem. Susan needed housing now. After giving birth, Susan’s father reached out that has been working for 18 years to provide After exhausting all other possibilities, Su- to her after months upon endless months of si- state-of-the art housing together with life prog- san moved into a temporary shelter that also lence. He knew she was in a shelter but didn’t ress services to 125 men, women, and children provided medical care. She lived there for know which one. When they finally connected living with HIV and AIDS. three months. Not only was she the youngest on the telephone, he asked, “Where are you?” This year’s Bar AIDS will feature our new resident, she was the only pregnant member. “I’m OK. I’m OK,” Susan reenacted her re- citywide Bar Crawl! Every bar will have themed Her feelings of being different didn’t matter sponse, speaking in a delicate, nurturing voice parties with guest DJ’s; signature cocktails though, because it was there that she found a as if her father was still listening. featuring our liquor sponsors: Effen, Lunazul, home. Or rather, her home found her. “He didn’t believe I had an apartment. He PAMA, and Stella Artois; and fun prizes and didn’t believe none of that. He was like, ‘No, giveaways, making each stop a can’t miss op- portunity to experience your favorite bars in a An apartment just in time you’re in the streets.’ I said, ‘No, I have an totally new way! During her stay at the shelter, the AIDS apartment, Dad. I’m OK. I have a full fur- Though you can spend the whole night at nished apartment. I got help. I’m OK.’ And Foundation of Chicago and PACPI Housing your favorite bar, experiencing their party to the Program located an apartment one week be- that’s the good part about it. I don’t have to fullest, this year we are also introducing the Bar fore her 36-hour labor. rely on anybody to help me or take care of me AIDS Flex-Pass: for $40, you get free entry into “When I first came here and I looked [at the because I got everything under control.” any five participating bars of your choosing and apartment], I was like, ‘Oh wow!’” Susan said. And she does because she’s not alone. Even- a free signature drink at each bar. With every “When [my caseworker] came I said, ‘This is tually she will find a job that will allow her to participating bar listed on the pass by neigh- for me?’” support her small family, and she will achieve borhood, you and your friends can design your Receiving this gift is an experience she cher- her dreams of becoming a registered nurse, own custom night out, mixing and matching ishes daily. It gave her the opportunity for a finding a partner and giving birth to another between all of our taverns, grills, bars, and new beginning when the end was so near. child. Susan has chosen life—her life. nightclubs! After being diagnosed with HIV, losing her After all, 24-year-old young women Each Flex-Pass also comes with a ticket for boyfriend, being kicked-out of her parents’ shouldn’t be defeated by poverty, depression, our grand raffle, featuring over $14,000 worth of prizes, including spa packages, a skydiving house and spending three months in a tempo- and disease. They should be molding their lives jump, and roundtrip tickets from Orbitz to any- rary shelter, Susan had a home—a place with so that they can reach their potential in what- where in Mexico, Canada, or the Continental hardwood floors, offwhite walls, and lots of ever they choose. That’s exactly what Susan is US! windows. doing. Be sure to check out our website at baraids.org! “I just started crying, because I never had an

August 25-August 31, 2010 www.streetwise.org 13 The Playground

Ask Eugene Crossword Dear Eugene, As a man who works in traditional print media, what are your thoughts on elec- tronic tablet readers (Kindle, iPad, Nook, etc)? Do they have any advantages?

-Old School Dear Old School, Good question. I initially hated the idea of giving up my musty books for yet another glowing rectangle in my life, but there are some advantages to consider. First off: Some of these devices are extremely energy efficient, for instance you only have to charge the new Kindle once a month--far less than your standard paperback. The most apparent advantage of a tablet reader is that people (unless they can see over your shoulder) haven’t the foggiest what you are looking at. See that burly guy over at the bus stop? He’s in the middle of a steamy Nora Roberts passage, but you’d never know it. That kindly lady at the airport? She’s reading a drug-drenched Allan Ginsburg poem that would haunt you. Being able to read in complete privacy is kind cool, right?. For instance, I can read my Confessions of a Shopaholic n o v e l s w i t h o u t having to feel the judging eyes all around me... Send Eugene your questions at 1201 W. Lake, Chicago, IL 60607 or email him at [email protected]

Sudoku

Last Week’s Answers

Need to post a legal notice or a classified ad? check out vendor web pages! Contact us at [email protected] or 312.829.2526. Deadline: must submit text 3 Mondays prior to desired publication date. pmaeveryday.com/sallen StreetWise publishes every Wednesday

14 www.streetwise.org August 25-August 31, 2010 Entrepreneur Spotlight

Vendor focuses on family time Meet Don Smith

By Ben Cook I’ve been at my location for 7 ½ years and I try StreetWise Staff to make each day not seem like a job, but to make it fun. I work from 11:30 to 5:30-6 p.m. over at on Smith is all about family these days. Dearborn and Maple, on the Gold Coast. “My father just turned 89. On his birth- When he’s not selling his magazine Don spends Dday he got married to my mom, so it time “just hanging out with my children. I have was also their 58th wedding anniversary. I’ve three children (29, 25, & 15) and three grand- been taking care of him. children.” There aren’t any male grandkids yet, “My father don’t get around too good at his but Don said he’s looking forward to “adding one age. I just plan on being there for him. He was to the collection” so he can play sports while he’s there for me when I was a shorty and now it’s still “young and able.” time for him to lean on me. We live a couple “I like all sports. I follow the Bulls the most, blocks away so I check on him every day—if I ever since Jordan put them on the map. I like don’t go over there, I call him. That’s my goal: football too, but Jordan was legendary.” He pre- to make sure his next day is his best day. We stick dicts the Bears are going to do better than they together—he’s not just my father, he’s my friend. did last year. When I was younger he just worked a lot-- he Don takes pride in what he’s accomplished. “I kept a roof over our head. Ever since he retired, try to make sure that my appearance is always up we’ve gotten a lot closer. to par—I want my customers to see that I am do- “Also for the last couple years I’ve been getting ing something to prosper. Some people always close to my children again. We drifted apart a bit think it’s time for a party, but this is a time for when my ex and I separated 20 something years business. I just turned 50, and I’m trying to be ago.” Don says with a smile, “My son just gradu- proud of it. I think I’m in good shape, and I hope ated college.” to get in even better shape. I tell my shorties not Don sees his customers as part of his extended to fall in the holes I fell in—to jump over those family. “My customers are just tremendous. They holes. It’s a hard hole to crawl out of. I’m getting bring me food, and ask if I’m okay, is it too hot along all right like I am, but they can do much StreetWise has allowed for me, bring me pop and umbrellas and tell me better. to protect myself. It’s just like a family. I know Don is grateful for all the opportunity and me to really find myself... my customers better than the friends I grew up generosity that have allowed him to get his head with. If there’s anything I can do for them, I will. above water. “StreetWise has allowed me to real- I thank my customers and I look at my location and think of it as Our Block. ly find myself. When I first started I was drinking I could be the mayor of Dearborn and Maple— a little too much, and I wasn’t focused on what hope that I can be even everybody knows me. My customers and I mostly I wanted to do, rather than what I had to do. I know each other by name, and we’ve got a good thank my customers and hope that I can be even better as time goes by thing going, a real bond. I enjoy going to work. better as time goes by.” “

August 25-August 31, 2010 www.streetwise.org 15