Catherine Rigod

It's Time to Get Crafty, Depart-ment Style
It's that time of year again when our pocket books decrease and our closets get filled with gifts for giving. So, why not this year steer clear of big guys in brand names, and head for the individual artisan, and you can find them all under a single roof at the DEPART-ment. It's one-stop shopping — the crafty way. Items such as clothing, wallets, art and more are for sale, and are displayed on familiar racks and wall-hangings so you can still sift through the mad-holiday rush. Note to shoppers: this is cash only joint, so put the plastic away this time. If you forget your green, ATMs are located inside the building. Crafty shopping commences Dec. 1st.
Wednesday November 29 2006Business/Shopping 

Get Your Competitive Design Out DWR-style
Design Within Reach North Avenue is holding their third annual furniture competition, MODERN + DESIGN + FUNCTION: Chicago Furniture Now. So, if you think your Mid-Century Modern idealism is top notch and you have found a new way to turn heads with that sway-back chair you made, this contest is for you! Up-and-comers will be judged by a panel of 25 local Chicago architecture, art, design and fashion experts. The deadline in January, 12.
Monday November 20 2006Arts/Architecture 

Urban Renewal and Ugly Ducklings for Humboldt Park
Remember the ugly duckling tale? Well it looks like there is a new beauty swimming in the pond of urban renewal. Though the process took over 10 years to come to fruition (ahem), The Harold Washington Housing Co-op in Humboldt Park was developed by Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation and local builders. Fannie Mae Foundation thinks the new site is brightening up the neighborhood too, and have named the co-op 2006's "most impressive overall housing benefit" in the country. [via]
Friday November 10 2006City Life/Cultural 

A Sad Slow Burn - Historic Chicago Building Ablaze
Tonight, Chicago lost another one. While sitting in the library at Columbia College cramming for a midterm, I noticed I smelled smoke, but somehow chalked it up to a photocopy machine in over-drive. Two seconds later, the entire school was evacuated. The fireball that turned the historic Louis Sullivan Wirt Dexter Building, built in 1887, and the former home to George Diamond's Steakhouse into ash, is a sad showing for Preservation Chicago.
Tuesday October 24 2006In the News 

RESFEST's Anniversary - Film Fest. the Chicago Way
It's the big number 10 for the RESFEST group and this year the pioneering film festival is kicking things off at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art. This global event offers such visuals as the documentary Rock the Bells from Paris, to graphics and animation in State of the Art showing in Lima, and let's not forget the after- parties rolling in Jakarta. What you can't make it to all these cities? It's ok, Chicago will be screening A Decade of RESFEST: 10 Seminal Short Films so you can catch up on all the past-production and playback.
Thursday October 19 2006Film 

Walk, Bike, Ride, Go! - It's World Carfree Day
Who needs a car when you have public transport, a bike or a fine pair of working legs? Today is World Carfree Day. Folks in more than 600 cities across the globe will participate in getting where they need to be, without getting behind the wheel. Give it a try!
Friday September 22 2006Transportation 

How's Your Pirate-Speak These Days?
Ahoy Matey! It's time to tap into your swashbuckling side! What do you mean, you aren't hard-wired to say, "argh!", at any given moment? Well, today you get to practice it's International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Of course, I've been told they prefer to be called "Buccaneer-Americans".
Tuesday September 19 2006Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Is it Payday Yet?
For all the accountants, corporate controllers, payroll personnel and the people who love them, it's officially National Payroll Week! Whether you take that direct-deposit for granted or you feel payroll is the most important department in your company, join in on the financial fun! To raise awareness, Citibank is hosting a series of financial workshops at Columbia College Chicago.
Wednesday September 6 2006Offbeat/Misc. Events 

City by the Bay to Match the City by the Lake
When it comes to urban planning and forward-thinking, San Francisco is turning to Chicago for inspiration. "When you walk the streets of Chicago, it enlivens the spirit," said SF Mayor Gavin Newsom. San Francisco environmental and architectural groups are touring the city to emulate everything from the "greening" of our rooftops to our wrought-iron gates. The two cities seem to have a give-and-take approach to architecture: a June Sun-Times story described the redesign of the North Ave. bridge as a "mini-Golden Gate."
Monday August 14 2006Arts/Architecture