Like most college students I can always rely on sustenance from a meal of pizza and beer. Also, like most college students, my wallet enjoys a lighter fare when I go out. For two years now the former Ranalli’s location at 1925 N. Lincoln has quietly remained vacant. However this is no longer the case. Rocco’s Italian Cafe and Pizzeria has just moved into the charming Lincoln Park neighborhood, a stones through from DePauls Lincoln Park campus and embedded in a family neighborhood. The menu features pizza, classic Italian dishes inspired by one of the co-owner’s Italian mother, and an impressive beer and wine list. 

I admit I am not an impartial Rocco’s patron, I am also an employee. But the testament of an employee is better than a diner’s, we see what goes on behind closed doors, and I am telling you Rocco’s is great food and fun times. We have a sprawling outdoor beer garden, our priciest pint will run you $5.50, and the pizza is everything a good pie should be, cheesy and unpretentious. 

For information on hours, menu, location, and much more visit http://www.roccoschicago.com/.

In a previous post I talked about the new Modern Wing of the Art Institute. Towards the end I was thinking about mentioning the easy ways to get to the downtown area from neighborhoods such as Lincoln Park. In past summers I found that the free trolley’s are great when it comes to getting around to the major hot spots of our beloved city. To my surprise though when looking up information to post, I found out that the trolley system has been discontinued.

What the heck Mayor Daley? I know times are tough, but these trolley’s were like one of the few things left in life that I can say were truly free. Coming across the announcement on the City of Chicago’s website was so disappointing. The way they underline how the city will no longer offer any free trolley service is like a slap in the face. They do mention the Navy Pier trolley is still in service – but not free I take it?

If you haven’t had the pleasure of riding the trolley’s before, take my word – they were super convenient, friendly, and super free. I think riders all fed off of everyone’s pleasure because I recall times being on the trolley and everyone breaking into song. Don’t believe me? Read other people’s opinions.

Oh well. Just another thing to go while our economy slowly crumbles. In the meantime, the Chicago Tribune shared some ways to deal with Postpartum Trolley disorder…

Making Do Without Free Trolleys

-lisa

It’s that time of the year again for DePaul students. Friends are coming home from college, a few trips to the beach have already been made, and there’s still 2 weeks left of papers, exams, and projects (not to mention finals week). Have no fear though, we always have FEST to look forward to and like most years, it’s looking like a good one.

The DePaul Activities Board recently announced the 2009 lineup and tickets are still on sale in the student centers down in the loop and Lincoln Park. Performers include Ingrid Michaelson, Hellogoodbye, and N.E.R.D with afterhours guest, Flosstradamus. Before the announcement was made, DAB made a Facebook group dedicated to FEST 2009 to get students hyped up as well as receieve some feedback to whom they would like to see perform. It took a little longer this year, but the students spoke, DAB officials listened, and a lineup was made to the best of everyone’s cooperation and ability.

The DePaulia wrote an article outlining this year’s FESTival, and one thing I would definitely point out from it is the importance of rain insurance. My freshman year when the Roots performed, it started to rain. It was too late to move the show, but having rain insurance would have been vital. Personally, the show was 10x better and more fun because of the rain, but that’s just me. Last year, the rain came early and FEST was moved indoors. Tons of disgruntled students couldn’t get in because rain insurance sold out, or they were just too naive or lazy to purchase the extra ticket for $1. I was one lucky enough to get a spot indoors.

As of now, the weather expected for this Friday May 29th is sunny and clear. You never know with Chicago weather though, especially when the forecast for today and tomorrow is rain and thunderstorms, though looking out my window now it’s beautiful and sunny. I purchased rain insurance regardless. Hope you did too.

But even more important than rain insurance is to enjoy FEST and be safe. It’s the end of the year and students want to get a lil crazy…let’s just hope we can all make it to finals week in one piece.

-lisa

Chicago Mayfest kicks off the festival Season in Chicago. And boy did they surpass the $5 charge to get in. The fest offered your typical festivities including ice cold beer, food, and LIVE music. According to its official site, “Mayfest has set the tone for an incredible summer of can’t miss Chicago events for over a decade.”

Before the band took to the stage, guests were offered a variety of free samples, from Starbucks coffee to cheese. They even featured the Sham-Wow, in which they did demonstrations of this awesome product. Though there were no free samples there-bummer!

This year Mayfest featured a huge tent in which at least 500 people packed in to to hear one awesome 80s tribute band.  An obvious hometown favorite, 16 candles took stage to a roaring crowd. They performed for over two-hours and the crowd still screamed for an encore. They performed huge hits including Bon Jovi, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and of course Prince.

Over all the festival offered everything a festival go-er would hope for- food, drinks, and an awesome band totaled into a great time!

This year the festival was located at 3100 N. Ashland.

Suada

Is it just me, or are there tulips all over the city? It seems like everywhere I look there are suddenly these bursts of color in the form of tulips! From the DePaul Campus to the Lake front to my parent’s house in the suburbs, it seems like they’re inescapable.

What about this year makes the tulip the reigning king?

I did some research on the flower itself and found out why, in the city of Chi, where the weather can change in an instance, the tulip was the flower of choice.

Apparently, the tulips are on ongoing theme in Chicago. According to NBC.com, “The bloom of the tulips along North Michigan Avenue signals the arrival of spring for the entire city of Chicago. The impact these beautiful tulips have on an urban destination – already one of the great avenues of the world – is significant, enhancing the incredible architecture and pristine streetscape and making its users – residents, employees, and visitors alike – relish such a welcome time of year in the city,” declares Jennifer Oglesby, volunteer Chair of Tulips on The Magnificent Mile and Tourism Manager. Adding, “Chicagoans and its visitors are now on ‘Tulip Watch’ as The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association kicks off the 6^th annual Tulips on The Magnificent Mile presented by Hotel Felix, a celebration of the blooming of hundreds-of-thousands of magnificent tulips and Chicago’s famous architecture all along North Michigan Avenue.

So, there you have it! Mystery solved!

Suada

Humboldt Park

In this video we can see the actual park and its surrounding streets.   Also, the statues built in honor of community members that have made a difference.  As the community grows, the youth of Humboldt Park has also created its own skateboard park underneath the Kennedy Highway on Western Ave. and Logan Square Blvd. 

The neighborhood

In this video we can take a glance at the Humboldt Park neighborhood. We can see the effects of foreclosed homes and the image it gives to the neighborhood. We can also see the hospitals, schools and restaurants that make up this neigborhood, and brings out the best it has to offer.

-Monica Fazekas and Ana Perez

I remember being in Millennium Park last Summer and running into the same little construction sight over and over and not knowing what was being built. Finally, when I decided to get closer and actually read a sign, I found out that the Art Institute was expanding! Turns out this little construction project is the Art Institute’s largest expansion and addition in the museum’s history. Who knew that pile of dirt and steel beems would end up costing almost over $300 million?

The Modern Wing finally opened this past Saturday the 16th. Festivities included unveiling the wing with a ribbon cutting, a dedication to its architect, Renzo Piano, live music and dancing, and many other riveting museum opening activities. Did I mention it was all free? If you’re like me and missed out, not to fear. The Art Institute is extending that free admission until May 22nd! After that, general admission is $12…or $18…or maybe $16…My sources are all confusing and contradicting, so decide for yourself…

Chicagoist says $12…or is that $7

The Art Institute didn’t make a fee apparent enough

And Yahoo just kinda threw a bunch of numbers everywhere

Whatever it is, I suggest you check out the museum expansion for free before the prices expand as well. Talk about modern…

So all this time, effort, and money put into another Chicago project. Must mean we’ve outdone all other big shot cities, right? Well, almost. The Metropolitan Museum in New York is still #1. The Art Institute just ranked 2nd largest in the US  with this addition. Oh NYC…at least the NY Times still had a lot of nice things to say about the Modern Wing.

-lisa

As the neighborhoods in Chicago are invaded with foreclosure signs and boarded homes, the housing situation has become complex.  Not only are these homes now abandoned, but the people that once lived in them are now struggling even more.  It is very hard now to find an apartment and think that it is secure.  Many property owners are losing their homes and with that more tenants are left unnoticed.

Many tenants are not made aware that payments on the mortgage have not been made.  Most homeowners rely on the income of rent and do not inform their tenants with enough notice that the home will be foreclosed.  Another effect of this is that since the economy is undergoing such a recession homeowners do not have the ability to maintain their homes as they once used to.  As the appearance of the neighborhood becomes less pleasant, it is discouraging to keep up.

Tefanie Bush is an example of a tenant that was unaware of the conditions that her landlord faced.  She was forced out of the apartment she lived on Lawndale Ave. because the owner lost his home.  When she finally found somewhere else to live the conditions were unbearable.  The owner had not paid his water bill and she received a notice of cancelation if the bill was not paid.  She is faced with having to move again, or living without water.  With the help provided by the government it seems like homeowners that are struggling are less likely to get assistance.   It is unfortunate how the spiral of economical downfall and mistakes affects the daily lives of the less fortunate ones. 

Ana Perez

Some Chicagoans refuse to abandon their neighborhoods, even when their lives are at risk.  Humboldt Park is considered to be a dangerous neighborhood, but to me it is like any other hood with good and bad.  I realized that those that do not live here fear it, but those that do live here love it. Natives of Humboldt Park have been forced to leave.  They either find a better home, work relocation, educational purposes, or the constant threat of being pushed out of their hoods by the wealthy.  This does not stop them from coming back.   Residents of this area like living here and unless they have to, they will not leave their roots behind. 

They come back for many reasons.  Friends and family still reside on the same block they grew up in.  Supermarkets in the area cater to their needs by being supplied with the spices and products for ethnic food.  The streets are a constant reminder of their childhood and past.  Cars are a vivid example of pride by representing the many different nationalities that make up Humboldt Park. 

To others, this is what held them back and more.  Michael Norton, grocery store owner on North Ave. and Cicero Ave., was shot and killed Thursday night.  He had owned his business for many years and like many from his area, he refused to leave despite how dangerous it had become to operate his business.  He had been threatened, robbed, and shot before but this did not make him leave.  The shot that took his life may have been cause by gang members.  

Ana Perez

Chicago’s crime camera survelliance program has been updated several times since its initial installation. As technology continues to advance, it is only expected that this program will continue to be updated as well.

The most recent update to the program is Mayor Daley’s idea of installing cameras on every street corner in chicago– which was discussed in my last post. Another recent update includes cameras smaller than their older versions. The mayor’s office reports that these cameras weigh 35 lbs. instead of the 100 lbs. that the older cameras weigh. Because these cameras weigh less, they are smaller and can be transported between locations much easier.

Other features of these smaller cameras give us a preview of what all future crime cameras will have. New cameras can rotate 360 degrees, zoom in and record things at night.

These features are interesting, but I think it is more interesting to think about features that Chicago cameras don’t have just yet. For instance, this story provides the idea that one day crime cameras might talk. Cameras would essentially provide advice and warnings from authority figures “as if from thin air.” That sounds kind of creepy if you ask me.

When I read this story I began thinking about another idea I came across in one of the articles I read. What if the crime cameras began recording audio footage as well as their video footage. In this case, the cameras would record any and all conversations within a certain radius. This makes me think crime cameras could one day cross the line of public privacy (forgive the oxymoron).

I’m sure that the debate around crime cameras will continue as technology advances and crime cameras get closer and closer to invading the resident’s privacy. Nevertheless, it is a debate that can potentially decide between life and death in intense situations. I find this debate interesting. In fact, this link is one that I found that discusses a little bit about crime cameras. However, the main reason I have included it in my post is because of the comments. As you can see, the people who have responded to this article are passionate about their feelings on crime cameras and bring up some interesting ideas. My favorite of these ideas: corrupt politicians having crime cameras in their offices.

The future of crime cameras includes more updates and more debates.