Video: Quest for LGBTI respect in South Africa
By Jiayan Jenny Shi Matshidiso Mofokeng is a lesbian feminist and soccer player in South Africa. Living in a patriarchal society, Mofokeng has experienced discrimination because of her sexuality. Now she is a member of Chosen FEW, a lesbian soccer team that works in sports to end homophobia and other forms of discrimination. Photo at […]
A prescient entrepreneur rides the solar-power wave
By Urvashi Verma The anticipated ending of the 30 percent Investment Tax Credit for solar power installations caused a record-breaking boom in the solar industry last year. Now that the credit has been extended until 2021 sales are expected to surge again as both electric utilities and consumers take advantage of the federal incentive before […]
The Remedy brings smiles to ‘L’ riders at the Lake Stop
By Manasi Kaushik The Remedy, a Chicago-based musical group from the South Side, performs at the Red Line’s ‘L’ stop to bring hope, happiness and joy to the lives of people.
Chicago sommeliers enjoy the taste of growing popularity
by Kara Voght On a balmy February Sunday, the Second City Sommeliers, a group of expert wine service professionals, transformed West Loop’s City Winery into a sommelier’s training ground. In one corner, tables hosted wines made from the same grapes grown in different regions, testing a sommelier’s ability to distinguish geographic influences. In another, a […]
Jewish community leaders say Devon Avenue is ‘dormant,’ not ‘dead’
By Nicole Cardos Business owner Avrom Fox said his religious bookstore Rosenblums World of Judaica is a social gathering spot. “We have everything that one needs to celebrate the entire Jewish life cycle, from birth to death and all the holidays in between,” Fox said, adding that there are also books for those interested in […]
Fed raises interest rates as expected
By Yingcong (June) Fu The Federal Reserve’s policy makers raised the federal funds rates rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday as expected, following their two-day meeting. The federal funds rate–the rate that banks charge each other for overnight loans–was increased to a range of 0.75 percent to 1 percent. It was the third quarter-point […]
Evanston’s European style bakery attracts customers for decades
By Yingcong (June) Fu Noah Plotkim, a resident of Evanston, has been coming to Bennison’s Bakery twice a month for ten years to buy his favorite donuts. “I think it’s the best bakery in Evanston for sweets,” Plotkim said. Bennison’s Bakery, located at 1000 Davis St. in Evanston, has been there since 1938. With an […]
Respect brings home care to the 21st century
By Rachel Newman Ross Kimbarovsky’s elderly grandfather was living independently in his Chicago home when he developed a rare form of cancer. Kimbarovsky and his mother were his grandfather’s primary caretakers, but as his condition worsened, it was clear that they couldn’t do it alone. Their hope quickly turned to frustration when they turned to […]
Business inventories rise in January, signaling economic growth
By Katherine Hyunjung Lee Business inventories for manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers in January increased a seasonally adjusted 0.3 percent, after a 0.4 percent rise in December, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. Auto inventories posted the sharpest rise — up a seasonally adjusted 2.4 percent. Economists said a broad increase in […]
Explosive Ulta Beauty will open 100 more stores
By Beixi Xu Gina Torres, a Chicagoan who works in Home Depot, just finished shopping in Ulta Beauty’s North Avenue store. “I am a fan of the store, and I get my cosmetics here, today I got my new eyeliner,” said Torres. “I live not far from here, only three to five miles. I usually […]