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

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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

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STREETWISE: WE’RE MORE THAN A MAGAZINE

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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


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.


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.


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


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


“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.


“It’s amazing what has happened to me because of Twitter. It’s an adventure right now.”

— ANNMARIE WALSH, above,holdinglipbalmandhercellphone,anLGRumor2


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


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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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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