OPINION: Tradition and the arts at odds in first-generation families

By Antoinette Isama For us first-generation Americans, the unremitting pressure that accompanies our career choices comes as no surprise. It’s an integral part of the “American Dream,” the future that immigrants imagined for not only themselves, but also for their children born and raised in the United States. It’s been going on for generations, parents […]

Live lit alive and well around Chicago

Hopleaf mic

By Elizabeth Elving Chicago’s literary scene is brought to life in venues all over the city, every night of the week. Below is a map of some of the city’s most popular weekly and monthly live lit events. Included are open mic nights In One Ear, North Side Story Club and Urban Sandbox, reading series Tuesday […]

Green restaurants: Serving up sustainability and savings

By Jasmine Sanborn Businesses like Piece Brewery and Pizzeria and its sister restaurant, Brobagel, serve up mainstay menus in Wicker Park as they have for 13 years. Environmental sustainability is another cornerstone built into the business model. “The main thing, we already had built in [is] we brew our own beer. There is less distribution and we […]

VIDEO: The coach

By Mathias Meier In a neighborhood widely portrayed as a hub for drug trafficking and street violence, one coach is making a difference. Mathias Meier takes us to Little Village and the basement of a community church where boxing and dreams collide.