Yoda to young fencers: Strong, the force is
By Nicole Sedivy Whether they’re using sabers or “lightsabers”, the children at Lincoln Square Fencing enjoy hitting each other with their weapons. [vimeo 158398583 w=474]
Oak Park-River Forest wrestling success goes beyond mat
By Chris Hayre Oak Park-River Forest wrestling coach Paul Collins lights up when he talks about his wrestlers’ accomplishments — off the mat, that is. He proudly and rapidly fires off the names as if he is on a time limit. Collins called Stanford University-bound senior Gabe Townsell the most talented kid he ever has […]
New SAT gets better reviews from students, but doesn’t end debate on testing bias
By Morgan Gilbard Education experts argue that the new SAT still punishes students for not being white, wealthy or male—a bleak verdict that places the majority of CPS students at a disadvantage in college admissions. The new test aligns more closely with high school curricula and eliminates penalties for wrong answers, but critics say it […]
Six rules to successfully raise venture capital for your business
By Lucia Maffei So, you have launched your own business. You’ll need money. Given this scenario, you have two choices. First, financing your company with your own resources, by scraping every penny from savings or parents’ trust funds. Second, giving up part of your business’s control by partnering with one or more venture capitalists, in […]
Growing Opportunities for Ex-Convicts in Urban Agriculture
By Anna Boisseau Antonio Henry only recently learned he likes lunchbox peppers. “They’re so sweet, you can just eat them straight,” he said of the multi-colored vegetables that he learned to grow last summer at a local urban farm. Henry is a former member of Windy City Harvest Corps, a 14-week program through the Chicago […]
Chicago’s homeless discouraged from voting in primaries
By Harry Huggins While Chicagoans line up next Tuesday to vote in the presidential primaries, those who suffer from policy and market failures will be on the streets and in shelters. In 2013, former Governor Pat Quinn signed the Illinois Bill of Rights for the Homeless, which includes the right to vote, register to vote […]
Volunteers phone bank for Asian American civic engagement
By Shanshan Wang Audio by Jenny G. Zhang Rebecca Ozaki has been trying to encourage Asian Americans to vote through phone banking, which she hopes will be effective in getting them to the polls. “Why we call is because a lot of people may not be told what difference they can have by voting in […]
Gladiator has a new attitude, ready to slay competition
By Jasmine Cannon Christ the King girls basketball team usually leans on its senior class for vocal leadership and to carry the team on the court, but younger Gladiator, Kaylesha Johnson, is making some surprise contributions. [vimeo 158264148 w=474]
“Brand Ambassador” promotion boosting profits at Express Inc.
By Poroma Pant Retailer Express Inc., citing the help from a series of successful celebrity endorser campaigns, turned in fourth-quarter earnings Wednesday that modestly beat analyst estimates. For the quarter ended Jan 30, the Ohio-based apparel chain reported net earnings of $56.1 million, or 67 cents per share compared to $41.8 million, or 49 cents […]
From the Streets to the Courts: Skyhawks wheelchair basketball helps gunshot survivors adapt
By Shen Wu Tan Video by Hannah Gebresilassie Marcus Jones was shot four times during an attempted armed robbery on April 17, 1995 on Chicago’s Southeast Side. Struck three times in the leg and once in the lower back, Jones suffered a serious injury and was devastated when doctors told him he would never walk […]