Street performer brings music, joy to Lincoln Park
By Xufei Geng Families and children at the Lincoln Park Zoo are greeted daily by a street musician who sings, plays the guitar, and shares small children’s instruments so that her young audience can participate in the music. Nancy Namest began performing in Lincoln Park following the death of her long-time partner, and says the […]
Chicago vintage clothing store caters to offline shoppers
By Xufei Geng In Chicago, US#1 Vintage Clothing is known for its unique items, each with its own history and story, acquired over the owner’s 40 years as a vintage collector. In the age of online shopping, the store is decidedly offline, and owner Dominique Darabi intends to keep it that way. Photo at top: […]
Fulton Market road construction vexes businesses, customers
By Xufei Geng The up-and-coming neighborhood Fulton Market is famous for its many restaurants and retailers. However, nowadays, the neighborhood is undergoing a road construction, which brings lots of inconveniences to the customers and make it more challenging for the small businesses. Small business owners hope customers will still choose Fulton Market. Photo at top: […]
Dave’s Records: For The Love Of Vinyl
By Xufei Geng Record Store Day, held on April 22, was a big day for record collectors to celebrate as vinyl stores across Chicago held a big sale. It is easy for people to experience the record culture in Chicago, and Dave’s Records is one of the stores people can explore. Dave Crain, the owner, […]
Cyclists use pedal power to make a difference for the homeless
By Jiayan Jenny Shi and Xufei Geng Mas Contractor, owner of the non-profit Bike4Life bicycle shop in Logan Square, learned long ago the power of helping others. “My grandfather used to always say you need to help one person in the world,” Contractor said. “If you can help one person, then you did your deed.” Two years […]
Too many reasons not to go home
By Xufei Geng Jingwen, 23 and Chinese, has been working with her parents in Johannesburg for the past seven years. Her parents came to Johannesburg in 2004 and now own a small restaurant in Chinatown. In 2010, Jingwen quit school and went to Johannesburg to seek more opportunities. Now she is dreaming of going back […]
Domestic violence victim: I will never stop fighting for them
By Xufei Geng The first thing a visitor to John Panko’s Evanston home might notice are two drawings his daughter did for him when she was four years old. Although 10 years have passed since his daughter produced those drawings, Panko says he still remember every detail about them. “This is me, that is her. […]
