StreetWise Redesign
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Transcript of StreetWise Redesign
SPECIAL ISSUE
Only Buy StreetWise From A Badged Vendor June 9-June 15, 2010Vol. 18 No. 24
2$
SPECIAL ISSUE
STREETSTWEETSfrom the
AnnMarie Walsh shares details of her homeless life
on Twitter
TABLE OF CONTENTS4 ZAP Props
Chicago’sgo-toshopforcollectibles
5 Settle on a PedalPicktheperfectpedal
6 Gourmet on a BudgetFindoutwheretogetcheapeats
7 Local DebateIsGraffitiartorcrime?
8 Tweets from the StreetsTweetingtofindherway
12 GamesSudoku&Crossword
14 Our VendorsEdCephus
15 My ChicagoWhatweloveaboutourcity
T hisisaspecialissuedesignedby10graduatestudentsat
NorthwesternUniversity’sMedillSchoolofJournalismwithaneyetowardcreatingamoreengagingandimpactfulpublication.Ourhopewiththisspecialissueisthatbyprovidingamorevibrantandin-sightfulmagazine,thepublicwillbegintoviewStreetWiseasessentialread-ing.AftermorethanfivemonthsofresearchcompletedbetweenJanuaryandJune,webelievewehavepinpoint-edanuntappedaudience.OurmissionistohelpStreetWisereachevenmoreChicagoanswhileretainingitsimpor-tantroots:socialconsciousness.Wefocusedoninterestinglocalpeople,excitingtrendsandunder-ex-ploredissues.Wechosetodesignthemagazineinacleanandinvitingway,makingthestoriesmoreaccessible.Weexpandedthemagazine’sonline
contentandimplementedseveralinteractivefeatures.Theseincludeavendorlocationmap,avolunteerresourcesmap,acalculatorwherereaderscanfindouthowmagazinesalesimpactthevendors’livesandawayforreaderstosubmitphotosandsoundsthatillustratewhattheyloveaboutChicago–readerscanmakeStreetWisetheirown.StreetWiseismorethanamagazine.Theorganizationprovidesjobtraining,jobandhousingreferrals,tutoring,apeersupportgroupforveteransandon-sitecasemanagement,inadditiontopublishingaweeklymagazine.Weencouragereaderstotalktolocalvendors,findouttheirstoriesandpurchaseStreetWiseweekly.Ultimate-ly,wehopereadersenjoyStreetWiseandknowthemoneyisgoingtohelpat-riskChicagoansachieveself-suffi-ciencythroughmagazinesales.
Exploring a New Look
BETA- STREETWISE.ORG 3
OUR MISSIONStreetWiseempowershomelessandat-riskChicagoansthroughsocialservicesandmagazinesales.OurmagazineissociallyconsciousandChicago-centric.
WHERE THE MONEY GOES...VendorsbuyStreetWisefor75cents,andsellitfor$2—theprofitof$1.25goesdirectlytothelicensedvendor.
75¢ forStreetWise
$1.25 forVendors
PhotobyTommyGiglio
Medillstudenteditors:(frontrowfromleft)ReeseRuiz,AlisonFox,CatRabenstine,MónicaOrbé,ManyaGupta,KennedyElliott,(backrowfromleft)MarissaMitchell,CassieWierenga,MarlaFriedman,PaulTakahashi
Executive Director/ Publisher: [email protected]
Editor-In-Chief:[email protected]
Director Of Distribution & Vendor Services:[email protected]
Production & Marketing:[email protected]
Director of Advertising & Corporate Development: [email protected]
Advertising Sales Executives: MaryFaithHilboldt
Proofreader: RobertCass
Address: 1201W.LakeSt.Chicago,Illinois60607
Office:312.829.2526Fax:312.829.2623
STREETWISE: WE’RE MORE THAN A MAGAZINE
BETA- STREETWISE.ORG4
Man Behind the PropsChicago entrepreneur collects the castoffs that end up in Hollywood films
Stanley Thurston’s Carnival Sign (double-sided)$375
Flying A Gas Pump $1,000PhotoscourtesyofZAPProps
W henwewatchmoviesonthebigscreen,it’seasytoforgethow
theyallcametogether.Wewanttheaction,thesuspense,eventhedrama,right?Butineveryfilmtherearepropsandequipmentthathelpusappreciateeachscene.AndZAPAntiquesandPropsOwnerWilliamRawskisayshe’sthemanbehindmanyofthepropsyouseeinbig-budgetfilmsshotinChicago.Nestledina36,000-square-footbrickwarehouseintheBridgeportneighborhood,ZAPPropsboastsmorethan1millionknickknacks,collectiblesandantiques,Rawskisays.HerentedoutvintagewoodenchairsforJohnnyDepp’sfilm“PublicEn-emy”andprovidedtwoeight-trackcasesforthe2000flick“HighFidelity,”starringJohnCusack.He’shadhishandineverything,evendesigningpaintingsandfixturesforlocalchainrestaurants,liketheGiordano’sandAurelio’spizza.Thecollectibleconnoisseuralsoof-fersframingandfurniture-designser-vices.Tocheckouthisshopanditems,visitwww.zapprops.comor3611S.LoomisPlace.
ARTICLEMarissa Mitchell
Video online
PhotobyMarissaMitchell
J azztrumpeterOrbertDavis’accoladesrangefromheadliningthe2004ChicagoJazzFestivaltobeingacomposer/jazzconsultantforsuchfilmsas“ALeagueofTheirOwn”and“RoadtoPerdition.”Aself-described“studiomusician,”hesaysthatheenjoys“thechallengeofhavingtoplayallstylesofmusic…beingabletoreadandplayanythingatthedropofahat.”Heenjoysdrawingonhislifeexperiencesforinspiration.Asaresult,hiseclecticarrangementsdoawaywiththestereotypicalfeelofjazz.ThisChicagoresident’scurrentroleisascomposerforWTTW’supcomingdocumentaryspecial“DuSabletoObama:Chicago’sBlackMetropolis,”airingonJune7.Davissayshecameupwitha“fresh”soundforthespecial,whichchroniclesChicago’sBlackcommunityforthelast200years,bydrawingonhistoricalresearch.Buthedidnotattempttorecreatethemusicofthattimeasonemightsuspect.Instead,Davispreferstocreateauniquesoundthattellsthelistener“yes,thisishistoric,butitsoundsnew.”Hebelievesthatmusic“shouldgiveareferenceoftime,”whilestilltranscendingit.Davisshareshisloveofmusicthroughhispro-gramfordisadvantagedyouthcalled“JazzAlive.”Itusesmusictoteachstudentsreadingandmathby“breakingdownthecomponentsofmusicandconnectingthemtootherskills.”OrbertDavisistrulyalivinglegendwhogivesbacktothecityhelovesbyemployinghiscreativegiftsandinnatedesiretomakeChicagobetter.
ARTICLE & PHOTO Mónica Orbé
Chicago’s Living Jazz LegendOrbert Davis shares his gifts with Chicago
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CHECK OUT:www.chicagobikes.orgforbikeroutesinChicago,citylaws,eventsforbikersandmore.
Settle on a Pedal
Her Choice: Aplasticplatformpedal.Her Reason: They’relightanditdoesn’thurtasmuchifthepedalhitsyourshin.Her Style: ShetearsthroughChicagoinaskirtandhighheels.
ARTICLE & PHOTOS Cat Rabenstine
Korie Lazdowsky, 24
S ummerishereandthestreetsarebusy.Bikinginandaroundthecitywillsavetimeandmoneyandfindingtherightbike
pedalwillensurecomfortwhilenavigatingthecity.AvidbikerKorieLazdowskyofBucktownsaysbikingis“faster,easierandhealthier”thantakingpublictransportationordriving.“It’sliberatingtomoveonyourownterms.”
TIPS:
“Ifyou’regoingtobebop-pin’aroundtown,getsomestiff[platform]pedals.”
Paul McNamara,OnTheRouteBicycles
“Platformswithlittlespikesonitworkwithbootsinthewinter.”
Anthony Mikrat, VillageCycleCenter
“Iencouragepeopletoexperimentandfindtheirgroove.”
Jarod Walz, RapidTransitCycleShop
“I,myself,usethespeedplate,aplatformpedalwithaconcaveshapetoitsoyourfootfitsinitreallywell.Ithinkitlooksreallycool,whichishonestlythereasonalotofthingsenduponbicycles.”
Steve Evans, VillageCycleCenter
“There’snoshamegoingintoastoregreen,notknowingwhatyou’relook-ingfor.”
Jeff Perkins, Chicagobikemessengerformorethanfiveyears
PLATFORM CLIPLESS CAGE / TOE CLIP
FACTS
BMXpedalswithteethwon’tletfeetslip.
Providesmorepowertopumpuphills.
Itcanbedifficulttogetinandoutofthecage,butsomecagepedalscomewithoutthestrap.
PERFORMANCE
Youcanwearalltypesofshoes,evenbootsduringwinter.Alargerpedalleavesroomforbigfeet.
Youget360degreerotationofpedalbecauseyouarepullingthepedalupandpushingitdown.
Allowstheridertopulluponherpedalstroke,similartothecliplesspedal.
STYLE
Justablock,nobellsorwhistles.
Requiresspecialshoesthatconnecttothepedal.Youcanremoveyourfootfromthepedalbytwistingit.
Feetstrapintocages.Thestrapcanbeloosenedortightened.
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Bored with the same ol’ burgers? To all my fellow cheapskates: Yes, you can eat like kings.
ARTICLE & PHOTOS Kennedy Elliott
Everyday Gourmet
Grass-fed lamb burger: toppedwithsheep’smilkfeta,olivetapenade,tzatziki,Greeksalad($8)andparmesanfrieswithtrufflecream($4).
DMK Burger Bar,2954N.SheffieldAve.
Ahodaga sandwich: porkcarnitas,blackbeans,tomatobroth,spicyarbolchilesauce,pickledonions($9.50).
Xoco,449N.ClarkSt.
A saborn-againcarnivore–aftermorethan13yearsoforthodoxvegetarianism–Iwas
readytoreconnectspirituallywithsomeupscaleversionsofoldclassics.Istartedatthemorebudget-friendlyofRickBayless’restaurants,Xoco.Ninebuckslater,Iwasengaginginacar-nivorouslyrighteousmo-mentwiththeirfamedAhodagasandwich:aspicyporktortaservedinagiganticbowloftangytomatosoup.Whyeaseintomeateatingwhenyoucandiveinheadfirst?NextmeetHot Doug,Chicago’ssultanofexot-ichotdogs.Hisdomainisatinyhole-in-the-wallshackinthemiddleofAvondale.HesuggestedItrythe“GameoftheWeek,”whichseemedabitdaunting,butwhocouldturndownostrichsau-sagesmotheredincuminmustardandTabascoolives?Andtakeitfromsomeonewhohasprob-ablyhadafairamountofgourmetmeat:Ostrichsausageshouldbeonyourbucketlist.IfinallymadeittoDMK Burger Bar,whichfeelsmorelikeyouareinsomesortofposhloungethanaburgerjoint.RenownedchefMi-chaelKornickofMKrestaurantchoosesonlythehighest-quality,grass-fedbeefandpairsitwithsomethoughtfulandhighlyoriginalfixin’combi-nations–allforonlyeightbucksapop.Halfwaythroughmylamb,tzatzikiandfetaburger,Ino-ticedtherewasn’taketchupbottleinsight.NeverhadIencounteredaburgersotastythatketchupissacrilegious!Soditchyourbolognaandcheeseandoptforgourmet.Youmayonlybespendingoneortwobucksmore,butthetasteful–andsometimesdeistic–experiencefaroutweighsthecost.I,forone,amadevoutbeliever.
Ostrich sausage (above): withcuminmustardcream,TabascoolivesandagedPiavecheese($8)andaloadedChicago-stylehotdog($1.75).
Duck fat fries (left): ($3.50),avail-ableonFridaysandSaturdaysonly.
Hot Doug’s,3324N.CaliforniaAve.
BETA- STREETWISE.ORG 7
Art or Vandalism?ARTICLE & PHOTOS
Marla FriedmanT hecityofChicagostartedfightingabattleagainstgraffitiin1993
whenMayorRichardM.Daleyintro-ducedhisGraffitiBlastersprogram,whichoffersfreegraffitiremovalservicetoprivatepropertyowners.Still,nearlytwodecadeslater,graffitiaboundsintheWindyCity,particularly
andgraffitiwriter.HesaysprogramsliketheGraffitiBlasterssimplygivegraffitiwritersacleancanvasonwhichtopaint.Next,meetScottStarbuck,aWickerParkbusinessownerwhoseCitySolesstorefronthasbeencoveredwithgraffitiforthepast17years.
inareaslikeWickerPark.MeettwoChicagoanswhoofferyouacloserlookatgraffitifromthestreets.First,hearfromJesseGreen,a26-year-oldartist
SW:Howdoyoudefinegraffiti?Starbuck: Juvenile.
SW:Howhasyourbusinessbeenaffectedbygraffiti?Starbuck: Theoutsideofthestoreisconstantlybeingtaggedwithspraypaintandblackmarkers.It’saconstantbattleinthecityanddefinitelyinourarea.Itaffectsusalot–there’snohavingapretty,cleanstoreinahigh-exposureareainthecity.
SW:Sowhatisyourfeelingtowardgraffitiwriters?Starbuck:Intenseopposi-tiontothegraffitiartists.Thereissomegraffitiartouttherethat’scool.Thisisn’tart;it’sgangtaggingandthingslikethat.There’snoth-ingartisticaboutit.Ifsome-bodyputsabigmuralonthesideofmybuildingoutside,IthinkI’dbealothappierwiththatthanwithgangletters.
SW:Howmuchmoneyhaveyouhadtospendtoremovegraffiti?Starbuck:I’vehadtospendseveralthousanddollarsayearandI’vebeenonthiscornerfor17years.Severalthousandayearinremovingitandtryingtobattleit.It’sfrustratingandirritating,butyouknow,we’reinahigh-exposureneighborhood;wegetalllevelsofconsumers.
SW:Somegraffitiwriterssaythateventhoughtheirworkisvandal-ism,it’sstillart.Whatisyourreactiontothis?Starbuck:Thereareneighborhoodbusinessesthathavehiredgraffitiartiststodomuralsandbillboardsforthem–they’regreat.Butjustdrawingsomelettersthatmeansomethingtogangmem-bersisnotart.
SW:Usefourwordstodescribegraffiti.Starbuck:Childish.Aggravating.Persistent.Never-ending.
SW: Howdoyoudefinegraffiti?Green:It’salltypographyandcolortheory,combinedwithart.Ev-erygraffitiwriterhasalittlebitofanartisticbackground,otherwisetheywouldn’tbedoingit–theywouldn’tunderstandhowtodoit.
SW: Whatisthepurposeofgraffiti?Green: Onepurposeisfame.Everybodywantstogettheirnameoutthereandgetknown.It’slikeyou’rebuildingaportfolio.
Ifeellikegraffitiartistsarejustartiststhatdon’twanttobuildaportfolioofpaint-ings–theirportfolioisbasedstrictlyonstreetwork.It’salsoanetworkingtool–it’sasocialthing,there’sasubcul-turecompletelyconsumedingraffitiandwho’sdoingwhat,where,how,when.
SW: Whatdooutsidersnotunderstandaboutgraffiti?Green: Outsidersdonotunderstandthatthereisalotofarttoit.It’salotofperfec-tion.There’salotofthingsthatgointoit,it’snotjustgoingoutandtaggingthings.Theseguysspendalotoftimemakingatemplateforthemselvesthattheycanre-
peatoverandover,andittakesalotoftimejusttomakethatonetemplate.It’slikeasignature–somepeoplespendalotoftimetryingtoperfecttheirsignature,it’stheexactsamething.Theonlydifferenceisthatgraffitiartistswritetheirsignatureonagarbagedumpster,whereasyou’rewritingitonapaycheckoracontract.
SW: WhatisyouropinionofMayorDaley’sGraffitiBlastersprogram?Green: Ithinkit’sawasteofmoney.Butitdoessupplyjobs.Ifwe’renotwritinggraffiti,thenwhataretheGraffitiBlastersgoingtodo?They’renotgoingtohaveajob.It’skindofaCatch-22.
SW: Usefourwordstodescribegraffiti.Green:Practice.Patience.Time.Money.
Jesse Green Scott StarbuckArtist Owner of City Soles
BETA- STREETWISE.ORG8
TWEETS FROM THESTREETS
nnMarieWalshhasmoreTwit-terfollowersthanthemanagingeditorofCrain’sChicagoBusi-ness,thefounderofWindy-Citizen.comandthepresidentofTimeOutChicago.Combined.Butthe39-year-olddoesn’thaveacomputer,aniPhoneoraBlackberry.Sheisoneoftheesti-mated6,000peoplelivingonthestreetsofChicago.Despitebeinghomelesssince2004,Walshhascreatedahomeonline.Underthepseudonym@pad-schicago,Walshhasdispatched
morethan15,000tweetsandamassedmorethan2,500followers.Hertweets—rangingfromlocationupdatestowordsaboutservicesavail-abletothehomeless—havegottenherinvitedtoaTwitterconferenceinLosAngeles,Calif.,andevenlandedheraspotinadocumentaryaboutthesocialmediawebsite.“It’samazingwhathashappenedtomebecauseofTwitter,”shesays.“It’sanadventurerightnow.”
TWITTER: MORE THAN A SOCIAL FAD WalshisarelativenewcomertotheTwitter-verse;she’sonlyhadheraccountaboutoneyear.Herventuresinsocialmediaarededicatedtoraisingawarenessabouthomelessness.WalshcreatedtheTwitterhandle“@padschicago”becauseofthepadshomelesspeoplesleeponinshelters.HerAmazonWishlist,Flickraccount,Facebookpage,WordpressblogandYouTubechannelallbearthesamemoniker.
TweetingisnotjustasocialfadforWalsh;italsohelpshercopewithapainfulpastandthepersistentlonelinessoflivingonthestreets.Thispain—whichsheattributestosexualabuseshesufferedasachild,aswellasatraumaticdivorcein2001—isakintoPost-TraumaticStressDisor-der,Walshsays.Tweetingisliketherapy,shesays,awayforhertoreachavirtualnetworkofpeerswhenshefeelsalone.Eventhoughherphone,anLGRumor2giventoherbyoneofheronlinesup-porters,doesnotallowhertoreceiverealtimeupdatesfromherfollowers—itonlyallowshertotextmessagedirectlytoherlivefeed—it’sstillwelcomedsolaceintimesofneed.“I’vefoundthatithelpsmeinsituationswhenIhavealotofanxietyaboutsomethingandI’dbereallyscared,likesleepingoutside.”shesays.“EventhoughIcan’treadthetweets,itfeelssogoodtoknowsomeone’soutthere.It’sbeenawe-sometohavethissupport.”HerPastor,RandyThompson,firstmetWalshfouryearsago.“She’sacelebrityonTwitter,someonewhoisreachingoutinthisarea,”Thompsonsays.MollySavage,thecommunityrelationscoordi-natorforSaintVincentdePaulCenter,sayshersocialserviceorganization’stweetsareoftenre-tweeted—passedalong—byWalsh.Thisis
AAnnMarie Walsh, who
once described herself
as sheltered and shy, is
now one of Chicago’s social
media mavens
ARTICLEKennedy Elliott &
Paul Takahashi
BETA- STREETWISE.ORG 9
“Even though I can’t read the tweets, it feels so good to know someone’s out there.” —ANNMARIE WALSH
FROM TWITTER:#Homelessmanjustmovedintoapartment!Needsvacuumanddresser.CananyoneinChicago/suburbsareahelpanddonate?10:20AM MAY 22ND VIA TXT
exactlyhowWalshwouldliketoseewordabouthomelessnessspreadtootherpeople.“WhatIrespectsomuchaboutherissheishomelesswithseveralhealthissues,andshe’stakingadvantageofeveryresource,”Savagesays.“She’susingTwittertotryandgetbackon
herfeet,andtotrytohelpedu-cateothers.Itsaysalotabouthercharacter.”
TROUBLED BEGINNINGSWalshgrewupinthesmallfarmingcommunityofBeaverDam,Wis.Shesaysshehadarelativelynormalchildhooduntilsomethinghappenedthatwouldshapetherestofherlife.WhenWalshwasateenageroneof
herneighborsmolestedher,shesays.Thefamilydidnotpursueanychargesagainsttheelderlyman,butWalshsaysthepainlingeredandshebecamemoreintroverted.
AfterservingintheArmyinanon-combatrole,sheelopedin1992withherboyfriend,JohnP.Walsh,whomshemetthroughafriend.By2000,themarriagehaddeteriorated.Courtdocumentscite“irreconcilabledifferences”asthecausefordivorce.Followingthedivorce,Walshlostcustodyofhertwochildrenandcouldn’tholddownherjobasapharmaceuticaltechnician.Walshfoundherselffailingtopayherbillsandwounduponthestreets.“Shehadnoplacetotake[thechildren]overnight,”saysJohnWalsh,whonowhasfullcustodyofthechildren,aged16and9.“Threeyearsago,wewereallsetforhertoseethemonedayandshenevercame.That’sthelasttimeshe’sseenthem.”WhileWalshcatchesglimpsesofherkidsfromtime-to-timeinArlingtonHeights,shehasnotbeenabletomaintainasubstantiverelationshipwiththem.“Iwanttobenearthem,ifnotphysi-cally,”shesays.DuringthedaytimeWalshhangsoutinArling-tonHeightsattrainstationsandeateries,suchasPanera.Atnight,shepreferssleepingoncon-
AnnMarie Walsh, below, is a homeless Chicagoan who uses social media — especially Twitter — to share her experiences living on the streets.
PhotobyKennedyElliott
PhotosbyKennedyElliott
cretetograssbecauseconcreteislessmoldy.Beingawomanandhomeless,Walshsayssheisoftensubjecttounwantedsexualadvancesandharassment,attimeswakinguptoseemenstaringather.Butbeingahomelesswomanalsocomeswith“benefits,”shesays.Morepeoplearesympathetictowardherbecauseofhergender.Walshsaysmanyresidentsrecognizeherinthelibraryandcoffeeshopsandofferherfoodandmoney.Somehaveplacedgranolabarsbesideherwhileshe’ssleptonthestreets.“Idon’tdrink,Idon’tdodrugs,”Walshsays.“I’mnotaproblem-I’mquietandrespectful.Icleanupaftermyself.Theyrealizethereweresometroublesfrommypast,andtheyareverykind.”Still,Walshisestrangedfromherfamily.Withoutthissupportnetwork,Walshwasforcedtonavigatetheuncertaintyofthestreets.SheturnedtoTwittertobuildanewfamily.“Ilikehavingsomedegreeofcontrol,”shesays.“Beinghomelesscanhelpmehavethiscontrol.”JohnRevis,whohasbeenWalsh’sprimarycarephysicianatNorthshoreUniversityHealth-Systemsince2002,saysthatdespitehisnumer-ouseffortstohelpherfindahome,thissenseoffreedomshefeelsfrombeingonthestreetsmightbehinderinghisefforts.“Thestreetsprovideforhertotalcontrolofherlife.She’snotdependentoneveryone,”Revissays.“Offthestreets,you’reaccountabletopeople,you’reinastructuredenvironment.”
PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION
WalshheardsomuchbuzzaboutTwitterfromnewsreportsthatshejumpedonthebandwagoninJuly2009.Atfirst,itwasawaytoconnectwithpeople,butnow,it’sawayforhertobreakoutoftheshellofherformerself.“Inthepast,Iwassheltered,keptawayfromtheworld,”Walshsays.“Iwasn’thappy...Iwantedtomakeadifferencewithmyselfandotherpeople.Iwantedtoseesomechanges.”Shebegansharingherstory,gainingfollowerswitheachtweet.“Ididn’tknowanyoneonTwitter[atfirst],butdidasearchfor‘homeless’andfoundotherpeople,”shesays.“Itfeelsreallygoodtotweettothousands,evenmillions.[Thereare]highquality,verysincereandsupportivepeopleoutthere.”HerTwitterfollowersaremorelikeherfamily,theInternetheronlinehome,Walshsays.“Ifanythingeverhappenedtome,whowouldknow?”Walshasked.“People[onTwitter]worry,asking‘Whereareyou,wherehaveyoubeen?’[ifIdon’ttweet].”Aswordofheraccountspread,Walshsaysshebeganreceivingdonationsfromheronlinefollowers.Itstartedoutwithsomeheadbandsandtoothpaste,buteverynowandthenshegetsawindfall.LastOctober,Walshtweetedabout800minutesexpiringonherpay-as-you-gocellphone.
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“It’s amazing what has happened to me because of Twitter. It’s an adventure right now.”
— ANNMARIE WALSH, above,holdinglipbalmandhercellphone,anLGRumor2
BETA- STREETWISE.ORG 11
OnOctober29,2009,VirginMobilesentheratweetviatheirTwitteraccount:“SendmeaDM(directmessage)withyourVirginMobileaccount#andwe’lltopyouup!”OneofheronlinesupportersevenboughtabloodpressuremonitorthroughherAmazonWishlisttotrackherhypertension.Itisthissupport–emotional,spiritualandotherwise–thathascarriedWalshtothisday.ShenowdevoteshertimeandscarceresourcestowardmaintainingherTwitterrelationships.“It’smyhighestpriority,”Walshsays,recount-ingatimewhenshefounda$20billandspentitongettingmoreminutesforherphone.“I’vegottohavethatconnectiontotheoutsideworld.Ineedit,evenifit’svirtual.Justsayingaprayerforme[overTwitter]meansalot.”Walsh’spastor,Thompson,sayshehasseenWalsh’stransformationfirsthand.The57-year-oldpastorattheCrossandCrownLutheranChurchinArlingtonHeightsfirstmetWalshwhenhefoundedMinistryofHope,ahomelessoutreachprogram.“Icanseethechangeswithinher.I’veseenheropenup,”Thompsonsays.“Whenshefirstcame[totheprogram],shekepttoherself.”ThompsonrecallsWalshwasquietandre-served,even“mousey.”Hisvolunteers,someofwhomweretaskedwithbuildingrapportwiththeprogram’shomelesspatrons,oftenhadtocoaxhertoshareherstory.AfterWalshbegantotweet,shebegantoopenup,Thompsonsays.“She’sjustasgoodahostasourvolunteers,”Thompsonsays.“It’snicetoseethischange.”ThompsoncreditsTwitter’sabilitytobringpeopletogetherforWalsh’stransformation.“Avirtualcommunityisarealcommunity.Theyarelegitimatelyinterestedineachother,”hesays.“But,shedoesn’tjustliveinavirtualworld;shedoesthefleshandbloodstuff,too.Shecomesheretoconnectwithpeopleonapersonallevelandgrow.”WalshhasevenleveragedherTwitterconnec-
tionstosecurefourwinetastingpartiesforthechurch’ssummerrafflefundraiser,afeatthatThompsonsaysamazeshim.
STRENGTH THROUGH TWITTERLastyear,Walshmettwodocumentaryfilm-makersontheirwaytoattendthe140Char-actersConferenceinLosAngelesandgottheopportunityofalifetime.Within30minutesofmeetingWalsh,SingaporeanfilmmakerSiokSiokTanwassomovedbyherstory,sheboughtherabusticketandofferedWalshaspeakingroleattheconference,whichcelebratessocialmedia’simpactonsociety.Walshacceptedtheinvitation,takingonlyaredbackpackwithhertoCalifornia.“Shewasthehighlightoftheentireconfer-ence,”Tansays.
Atthetime,Tanwasintheprocessoffilmingherowndocumentaryentitled“Twittamentary,”showcasingtheinfluenceofTwitterinpeoples’lives.Understandingthatmanyhomelessindividu-alsaredeeplyanchoredintheirdailyroutinesforsurvival,TanfeltthatWalshwasverybravetotraveloutofhercomfortzoneonawhimwithcompletestrangers.“Myconclusionisthatitisdifferenttobehome-less,andtobehomelessandbeconnectedto5,000people,”Tansays,reflectingonWalsh’sabilitytocreateanonlinenetwork.“Thatcon-nectednessgivesyouagreatsourceofstrength.Ratherthanbeingpowerless,youareinpowerbybeingconnected.”Walshhopesherinvolvementwithsocialmediawillsomedaybringheroutofhomelessnessandlandherastablecareer.ShehasbigplansforherTwitterfeed,envisioningitasaninformationalhubforhomelesspeopleinChicago.Inadditiontotweetingande-mailingaboutreferences,Walshhasstartedbuildingadirectoryofresources—suchashealthservicesandfreegiveaways—onherblog(padschicago.wordpress.com).“Everyonehastalentsandexperience,”Walshsays.“Twitterletsusshareinformationandideas.It’saninspiringnewthing.”Socialmediahasgivenherthestrengththathermoretraditionallifecouldnot,Walshsays.Shedefinesthehumanconditionasfindingthecouragetocopewithone’sownsituationwithwhatevermeansareavailable,andhelpingothersduringtheprocess.ShebelievesthatbuildingrelationshipsviaTwitterhasbroughtherclosertothefutureshewants.“Thingsaredefinitelychangingintherightdi-rection,”shesays.“Ibelieve2010tobemyyear—anewlife,newchange.Thingswillhappen.”n
FROM TWITTER:Ohwow!Ihaveover2,500followersnow!Thathappenedjustthisafternoon!!Awesome!!!Thankyoueverybodyforfollowingme!!!XOXO=)8:48PM May 19th via HootSuite
Sudoku
Last Week’s Answers:
©2010PuzzleJunction.com
BETA- STREETWISE.ORG12
CrosswordWe’re more than a magazine
©2010PuzzleJunction.com
Across1 Places5 Foodfish9 Bookofmaps14Rushjobnotation
15Onthesafeside,atsea
16Dog17Moviesensation
19Itinerary20Knittedfabric21Comparable23Keyboardkey24Marchfollower25Codename27Wingedit30Femininemember
34Opencarriage37Morningmoisture
39Spit40EgyptandSyria,once(Abbr.)
41Grill43Before,inverse44Ballroomdance
46Jog47Feudalworker48Humdrum
50Effortless52Cherish54Minimal58___amis61Soon,toabard62Sheen63Kindofnerve65Pond67Parasite68Collartype69Just70Indianlodge71Familyrooms72Hardyheroine
Down1 Noodles2 Seize3 Rhinorelative4 Elaborate5 Throwoff6 Cockpitabbr.7 Bailiwick8 Era9 Partyafterhittingtheslopes
10Also11Lummox12Courtrecords13Actor,singerWooley
18Bun22Avatar;Hare___
26Summer(Fr.)28Magazineissue29Network31Amazes32Flowerlessplant
33Atliberty34Pumptype35Locks36Florence’sriver38Combat41Migraine42Pooltool45It’safreecountry
47Withinview49Gloated51Aspersion53Relatedmaternally
55Makeamends56Vends57Lowcards58Shed59Fencingsword60Dancebit62Eyepiece64Winterdrivinghazard
66Freightweight
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Street Scene is in its 7th season!CatchitonCAN-TV 21 everyThursday at 4:30 p.m.JoinGregPritchettontheair.Call:(773) 999.1060Ore-mail:[email protected].
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ARTICLE Reese Ruiz
Three Uncommon
Praying for ObedienceJesus’faceisthefirstthingyouseebeforeyouplantyourbuttonatoiletseatpaintedbyMitchO’Connell,artistatTheTattooFactoryGalleryonNorthBroad-way.Itwasdesignedtopraisemenforputtingtheseatdown–henceJesus.Anotherdesignscoldsthemforleavingitupwithanangrydevil.“Toiletswillnevergooutoffashion,”O’Connellsays.“Andyoucouldn’thaveamoreintimaterela-tionshipwithyourfineartpurchase.”The appeal: Pensivehesitation.
E veryonepoops.It’safactoflife—andalsotheti-tleofaneducationalandbluntchildren’sbookby
TaroGomi(definitelyworthbookmarkingforfutureuse).Inlightofthisfact,StreetWiseventuredintothecityinsearchofChicago’smostinterestingcommodes.We’velaidoutsomefeaturesofthebestofthebestforyoutoconsider(youcanthankuslater).
PhotocourtesyofMitchO’Connell
PhotocourtesyofKohlerStore
Thetroughsinthemen’sroomsatWrigleyFieldarenon-replaceable.Businessesthatcurrentlyhavetroughscankeepandmaintainthem,buttheycan’tbenewlyinstalled,accordingtothecityofChicagoMunicipalCode.The appeal: You’reinandoutinfiveseconds,nowaits,alwaysroom.Isthereanythingeasierinastadiumthatholds40k+people? PhotocourtesyofRossKutzler
Commodes
Boozing & Bathing ThewetbaristheweirdestdesignelementseeninMerchandiseMart’sDreamHome2010bathroombyWil-liamCollins,seniordesignerforTheKohlerStoreinChicago.Afterseeinganotherdesigner’s2007DreamHomewetbar,Collinssaidhe“wantedtomovein.”Collinsdesignedthebath-roomfora10-roomshowcaseofelegantdesignsinspiredbyChicago.The appeal:Drinks.Man-room.‘Nuffsaid.
Chicago’s Water Cooler Talk: Toilets
A Ballpark Classic
More commodes
online
Ed CephusARTICLE & PHOTOS
Manya Gupta
S tandingathisregularcornerinfrontoftheArtInstituteofChicagoonawindyWednesdaymorning,EdCephusbusied
himselfdoingwhathedoesbest--makingsalespitchesforStreet-Wise.Dressedinbluejeans,agraysweatshirtwithamatchingjacketandablackwoolencap,Cephus47,engagedhiscustomersbynarratinganecdotes,crackingjokes,givingdirectionsandevenperforminganoccasionaljigwhileaskingthemtobuythemaga-zine.“Onadayliketodayit’skindofslow,”hesaysbeforeimmersinghimselfbackinthecrowdstosellthe40magazineshehadpur-chasedfromStreetWiseearlierthatday.Adecadeago,Cephuswasstrugglingwithsubstanceabuseproblemsandhadnoplacetocallhisown.Today,heisoneofthetop-sellingvendorsatStreetWise,earningenoughtopayweeklyinstallmentsforhisstudioandtakecareofthefourgodchildrenhetookinwhentheirparentsdied;twoofthemarenowincollege.“Whenitwasonlyme,Iwaskindofrecklesswithmylife,”hesays,addingthattheresponsibilityofthekidsinspiredhimto“getmylifetogether.”BorninChicagoandraisedbyhisauntanduncle,CephussaysheworkedasasecurityofficerfortheChicagoHousingAuthoritybeforehebecameaddictedtodrugs.
HefirstcametoStreetWiseafterachancemeetingwithanothervendorandhassinceworkedonandoffwiththeorganiza-tionforthepast10years,primarilyasavendor.Simultaneouslyheworkedseverallow-wagejobsatplacessuchasProvidentHospital,Jewel-OscoandCVS/pharmacy.Butduetoaseriesofmisfor-tunes,includinglayoffs,heoftenfoundhimselfoutofworkandbackatStreetWise.“EachtimeIwouldlosemyjob,I’vealwayshadStreetWisetofallbackon,”hesays.Hisjourneyfromlosinghisjobtokickinghisdrugprob-lemandbeingabletoaffordthreemealsadayisaninspirationtootherStreetWisevendors.CashierRonMadere,whohasbeenatStreetWiseforfiveyears,saysthemannerinwhichCephusismaintaininghimselfandhisfamilyisapositiveinfluencetoothervendors.CephussaysheconsidersStreetWiseanditspeopleashisown.“StreetWisetruly,forme,becomesafamily,”hesays,addingthatjustashehastakencareofhisgodchildrenaftertheirparents’death,hefeelsrespon-siblefortheyoungervendorsandhelpsthemwheneverpossible.However,hesaysheisnowlookingtomoveaheadinlife,starthisownbusinessandmakehisfamilyproudofhim.“IwouldlovetoshowthemthatIamsuccessfulandindepen-dent,”hesays.
“StreetWisetruly,forme,becomesafamily.”
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Cassie’s Chi-Town Track: “Never Careful” by Brendan Losch
Location:
Promontory PointMy Chicago is beautiful and
peaceful during sunset at
Promontory Point. This Hyde
Park treasure is often forgotten
by busy North Siders, but
perhaps this is a good thing because I value
its tranquility. All I need is my iPod and a
cozy rock on The Point and I am truly in bliss.
Looking at the skyline from afar allows me to
better appreciate its grace.
I love my Chicago.
Submittedby:Cassie Wierenga, 23
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