Chicagotalks » Chicagotalks http://www.chicagotalks.org Community & Citizen journalism for your block, your neighborhood, our city Wed, 27 Jul 2011 05:00:51 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= 7th Annual Printers’ Ball: IT’S ALIVE! /2011/07/27/7th-annual-printers%e2%80%99-ball-it%e2%80%99s-alive/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed /2011/07/27/7th-annual-printers%e2%80%99-ball-it%e2%80%99s-alive/#comments Wed, 27 Jul 2011 05:00:51 +0000 Chicagotalks /?p=15499 The Printers’ Ball: IT’S ALIVE! is a raucous sprawling event, presented by the Poetry Foundation and Poetry magazine with the Center for Book & Paper Arts, the Chicago Underground Library, Columbia College Chicago, and MAKE magazine. Their 7th annual event will be one of the largest celebrations of literary culture in the country. On Friday, July 29, in the historic Luddington Building  at 1104 S. Wabash, whimsy meets fantasy and fun. Plus, this event is free and open to everyone. There will be a featured reading by poet, cartoonist, and former Silver Jews frontman David Berman, scheduled for 8 p.m. Berman’s first book of poems is Actual Air (Open City, 1999). As Poetry contributor Cathy Park Hong has said, Berman is “a good gateway drug for that stubborn student who hates poetry.” Berman’s reading will be one of many live performances featured at this year’s Printers’ Ball, which welcomes more than 200 organizations from around the world and more than 2,000 fans of the literary arts. The event will host Chicago Underground Library’s larger-than-life-size Ouija Board and haunting encounters with ghosts of literary past, including Ernest Hemingway, Harriet Monroe, and Nelson Algren. Paul Durica’s Pocket Guide to Hell Tours will induct new members to the fabled Whitechapel Club, a [...]

7th Annual Printers’ Ball: IT’S ALIVE!

]]> /2011/07/27/7th-annual-printers%e2%80%99-ball-it%e2%80%99s-alive/feed/ 0 Weekend “Don’t Miss These at MAAF” Alert /2011/07/26/weekend-dont-miss-these-at-maaf-alert/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed /2011/07/26/weekend-dont-miss-these-at-maaf-alert/#comments Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:44:19 +0000 Chicagotalks /?p=15538 Don’t forget the Milwaukee Avenue Art Festival this weekend. The avenue will be teeming with art and artists and interested onlookers. Here are just a couple of exhibits that Chicagotalks.org is going to check out. If you have suggestions, add them below!   On July 29, 30 and 31st, check out madpalX & eyeball kid at 2515 N. Milwaukee Ave. for their opening event around  7  or 8 p.m. This is artists Nancy and David Bechtol’s latest work. . Nancy is a contributor to the Chicagotalks Flickr Photo Group. You can be part of that group, too. You can check out these sites for more about these two artists :www.absolutearts.com/nancybechtol  www.artslant.com/global/artists/show/32212-nancy-bechtol http://www.printmakerschicago.com/search.asp   Art Patch Project  is a great project that helps young people connect with art instead of violence, as well as creating unique, affordable and political art. The Art Patch Project is growing into an exhibition force and it will be tested out this weekend at the Milwaukee Avenue Art Fest Friday through Sunday. They will be located at 2747 N. Milwaukee Ave., one block north of the Logan Square Blue line “L” train stop in the parking lot of Pierre’s Bakery. Volunteers will be screen printing art patches and giving them [...]

Weekend “Don’t Miss These at MAAF” Alert

]]> /2011/07/26/weekend-dont-miss-these-at-maaf-alert/feed/ 0 Explore the Walkability of 2,500 Cities in the United States on Walk Score /2011/07/24/explore-the-walkability-of-2500-cities-in-the-united-states-on-walk-score/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed /2011/07/24/explore-the-walkability-of-2500-cities-in-the-united-states-on-walk-score/#comments Sun, 24 Jul 2011 05:00:37 +0000 Chicagotalks /?p=15515 Explore the Walkability of 2,500 Cities in the United States on Walk Score. Walk Score is a number between 0 and 100 that measures the walkability of any address. Walk Score Description 90–100 Walker’s Paradise — Daily errands do not require a car. 70–89 Very Walkable — Most errands can be accomplished on foot. 50–69 Somewhat Walkable — Some amenities within walking distance. 25–49 Car-Dependent — A few amenities within walking distance. 0–24 Car-Dependent — Almost all errands require a car.   Related articles New York Rightfully Takes Over Top Spot on Walk Score (streetsblog.org) San Francisco, Oakland Most Walkable Cities In Nation By Walk Score Rankings (PHOTOS) (huffingtonpost.com) Seattle is nation’s sixth-best city for walking: Walk Score (bizjournals.com) America’s Most Walkable: For those with thin-skinned soles and… (curbed.com)

Explore the Walkability of 2,500 Cities in the United States on Walk Score

]]> /2011/07/24/explore-the-walkability-of-2500-cities-in-the-united-states-on-walk-score/feed/ 0 Don’t Get Burned When You Need Your Cool /2011/07/23/dont-get-burned-when-you-need-your-cool/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed /2011/07/23/dont-get-burned-when-you-need-your-cool/#comments Sat, 23 Jul 2011 21:15:12 +0000 Chicagotalks /?p=15511 The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers to be especially cautious of air conditioning scams.  In the last 12 months, there have been 403 complaints filed against heating and air conditioning companies, compared to 341 in the previous 12 months, an increase of 18%. Inquiries are up as well, there have been 64,407 inquiries for this past 12 month period, compared to the 50,492 for the previous 12 month period, an increase of 27%, according to the BBB. “When searching air conditioning companies, hiring the first company you call or not getting all the details in writing are some common mistakes made by consumers” says Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “Often scammers will count on offering ‘free’ air conditioner tune-ups or cleanings, but end up recommending much more costly repairs than needed.” The BBB recommends the following tips when searching for an air conditioning company: Research company background and licensing. Visit www.bbb.org for the Business Review of any company you are considering. This can provide information on its reputation and history of complaints. Ask if its employees are licensed and insured. Compare prices and service packages. Get at least three estimates for any [...]

Don’t Get Burned When You Need Your Cool

]]> /2011/07/23/dont-get-burned-when-you-need-your-cool/feed/ 0 Overheated? Call 311 for Cooling Information /2011/07/22/overheated-call-311-for-cooling-information/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed /2011/07/22/overheated-call-311-for-cooling-information/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:05:24 +0000 Chicagotalks /?p=15492 Please make sure that all your neighbors know they can call 311 if they need help cooling off or if you would like someone to make a “well-being” check. If you live in the 26th Ward, Ald. Maldanado’s office will arrange to drive anyone in the 26th Ward to Trina Davila, a cooling center, until this heat wave breaks? Trina Davila Cooling Center 4357 W. Armitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60639 312-744-2014 Cooling centers are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday, they will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. We are establishing a pick-up & drop-off service tomorrow. Here’s the schedule: call 773-395-0143 now, or before 9:30 am tomorrow pick-up between 10am-11am pick-up to return home will be 4pm Have them call our ward office at 773-395-0143. We are open between 9am and 5pm.    

Overheated? Call 311 for Cooling Information

]]> /2011/07/22/overheated-call-311-for-cooling-information/feed/ 0 Motown Movie Showing in Grand Crossing /2011/07/22/motown-movie-showing-in-grand-crossing/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed /2011/07/22/motown-movie-showing-in-grand-crossing/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 05:00:42 +0000 Chicagotalks /?p=15395 Come for some serious business, but come back for the fun. Legal aid clinic at Greater Grand Crossing Library located at 1000 E. 73rd (Corner of 73rd & South Chicago) on July 25. Then, film screening: Standing in the Shadows of Motown. This film brings The Funk Brothers together again to tell their story in an unforgettable reunion. function scro11me(f){f.contentWindow.scrollTo(0,0); } from Everyblock.com

Motown Movie Showing in Grand Crossing

]]> /2011/07/22/motown-movie-showing-in-grand-crossing/feed/ 0 Steal a Deal at Wicker Park’s Sidewalk Sale /2011/07/22/steal-a-deal-at-wicker-park-sidewalk-sale/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed /2011/07/22/steal-a-deal-at-wicker-park-sidewalk-sale/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 05:00:30 +0000 Chicagotalks /?p=15342 Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce Presents Summer Sizzle Sidewalk Sale July 23-24th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Steals, deals, and markdowns, from over 40 of your favorite Wicker Park and Bucktown stores! The Sidewalk Sale kicks off the weekend of Wicker Park Fest, “one of Chicago’s best street festivals” as hailed by the Chicago Tribune. You won’t want to miss the first of our two summer sidewalk sales in Chicago’s hippest shopping district.  Wicker Park Fest draws over 55,000 people and this shopping event offers local retailers the opportunity to showcase their merchandise, sales, and samples. Arrive early for the best deals or stop in later to beat the heat and visit dozens of specialty shops. Full details about the event are available at: http://on.fb.me/SummerSizzleSidewalkSale. Check there for a list of stores that are participating. Where: The Streets of Wicker Park and Bucktown: Division St., Milwaukee Ave., Damen Ave., and North Ave.

Steal a Deal at Wicker Park’s Sidewalk Sale

]]> /2011/07/22/steal-a-deal-at-wicker-park-sidewalk-sale/feed/ 0 Feds Say Illinois Cannot Ask Medicaid Recipients Income, Residency Information /2011/07/21/feds-say-illinois-cannot-ask-medicaid-recipients-income-residency-information/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed /2011/07/21/feds-say-illinois-cannot-ask-medicaid-recipients-income-residency-information/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:23:00 +0000 Chicagotalks /2011/07/21/feds-say-illinois-cannot-ask-medicaid-recipients-income-residency-information/ Benjamin Yount reports that on disagreements between the Federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMS) and Illinois legislators procedures aimed at preventing fraud.

Feds Say Illinois Cannot Ask Medicaid Recipients Income, Residency Information

]]> /2011/07/21/feds-say-illinois-cannot-ask-medicaid-recipients-income-residency-information/feed/ 0 Not Your Typical Street Fair on Milwaukee Avenue /2011/07/21/not-your-typical-street-fair-on-milwaukee-avenue/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed /2011/07/21/not-your-typical-street-fair-on-milwaukee-avenue/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 05:00:22 +0000 Chicagotalks /?p=15347 Transforming empty storefronts and spaces into art galleries, the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival’s Visual Art Committee (organized by AnySquared Projects) has been gearing up to shape this year’s festival into an exciting event. Galleries at the festival are free to visit. Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival (MAAF) runs on Friday July 29,  from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31 from noon to 11 p.m. Many galleries will host openings on Friday July 29, so be there or be square. MAAF is not the typical street or art festival. This year there will be more than 30 curated art exhibits and activities which will showcase over 250 artists along a mile stretch making the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival a truly unique experience. This year’s visual art offerings showcases a variety of themed exhibitions/pop-up galleries in empty storefronts and spaces as well as participatory arts activities along Milwaukee Avenue roughly between California and Kimball. There was  three successful benefits, which raised money for the building and display materials for the festival galleries. Right now, and for the coming weeks, curators, artists and volunteers from the art committee are busy clearing and cleaning storefronts and empty spaces as well as building and painting [...]

Not Your Typical Street Fair on Milwaukee Avenue

]]> /2011/07/21/not-your-typical-street-fair-on-milwaukee-avenue/feed/ 1 Citizens Utility Board | Fighting for Illinois Consumers /2011/07/20/citizens-utility-board-fighting-for-illinois-consumers/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed /2011/07/20/citizens-utility-board-fighting-for-illinois-consumers/#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:38:20 +0000 Chicagotalks /?p=15392 Sitting, sweltering, or perhaps you’ve got the air-conditioner running, have you thought about your utility bill for this month? We can’t do much about the heat wave, but the Citizens Utility Board and the information on their website can help you lower and control your energy use and costs. The “Energy Saver” provides  free online tools to put energy saving ideas into practice and then gives you reward points when your bill shows savings. It is easier to see and do than it is to explain, so check it out for yourself. There is a cellphone saver site, too, where you can analyze one of your own recent cellphone bills and see how you can save. Get “light smart” and try out the discount program on CFL bulbs. CUB is a citizen advocate group that fights unfair energy cost raises and promotes saving energy. Do you have a service complaint that your utility company is just ignoring? Use their hotline. So, don’t just stew in the heat, or chill out — check out the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) site and start saving energy and money. Related articles Cool Your Energy Bills When Temperatures Rise (chicagotalks.org)

Citizens Utility Board | Fighting for Illinois Consumers

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