August 23 - 29, 2023

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Arts & Entertainment Event highlights of the week!

SportsWise

The SportsWise team predicts the upcoming NFL season.

Cover Story: StreetWise's 31st Anniversary StreetWise celebrates its 31st anniversary by asking our vendors: "What does StreetWise mean to you?"

From the Streets

The Chicago Housing Authority hosts a "trunk party" for over 170 youths going to college this fall.

The Chicago Housing Initiative (CHI) is seeking an ordinance that would create a transparent waiting list for affordable housing in Chicago.

Deeply Rooted Productions has launched a $15.6 million capital campaign to build a premier training and performance space -- an international home for Black dance -- in Washington Park's State Street Corridor.

The Far South Community Development Corporation has extended its Far South CDC Marketplace through December 23, with the addition of five new Black-owned small businesses, alongside four returning ones.

The Playground

DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of StreetWise.

Dave Hamilton, Creative Director/Publisher dhamilton@streetwise.org

Suzanne Hanney, Editor-In-Chief suzannestreetwise@yahoo.com

Amanda Jones, Director of programs ajones@streetwise.org

Julie Youngquist, Executive director jyoungquist@streetwise.org

Ph: 773-334-6600 Office: 2009 S. State

Chicago, IL, 60616

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Compiled by Kyra Walker, Dave Hamilton & Suzanne Hanney

Literal Street Art!

Chalk Howard Street

The nonprofit Rogers Park Business Alliance hosts Chicago’s only chalk art festival. Chalk Howard Street returns to transform the street surface into immersive canvases by national and local 3D and 2D chalk artists, along with new and returning entertainment and vendors, on Saturday, August 26, from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., along Howard Street between Paulina and Ashland east of the Howard Red Line ‘L’ terminal. This year, Chalk Howard Street will offer a limited number of street squares to individuals, families and groups who wish to draw their own chalk art. Each square is priced at $25 and includes a supply of chalk. To register and purchase street squares in advance, visit chalkhowardstreet.com

Cookies & Conflict: An OCWW Poetry Reading

Poetry for All!

The Off Campus Writers Workshop presents an in-store discussion and poetry reading with writers featured in its new anthology, "Meaningful Conflicts," 5:30-7 p.m., August 23, at The Book Stall, 811 Elm St, Winnetka. FREE with registration on TheBookStall. com. "Meaningful Conflicts" features the work of 27+ award-winning writers, taking readers on a multi-genre ride through a universe of discord and disputes. This anthology was crafted, edited, and produced by the members of the Off Campus Writers’ Workshop, one of the country’s longest continuous writing workshops.

Breaking Into Song!

'Trapped In A Musical'

In a mostly ordinary small town filled with mostly ordinary people, every so often one of the townspeople finds themselves trapped in a musical. They never know what’s coming because it’s up to the audience what happens next. The audience picks what the show will be like – main characters, plot, everything. They’ll be as ordinary as the crowd makes them, in this hourlong musical. Tickets $25 on secondcity.com

Back To Black!

Noir City Chicago

Noir City Chicago returns August 25-31 at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., for a celebration of the heart of Hollywood’s noir movement with “Film Noir in 1948.” Films include “Call Northside 777,” based on a true story about a reporter in the 1930s who gets an assignment from his editor based on a classified ad. “If anyone has information about the death of Officer X, please call Northside 777.” Another highlighted film, “Chicago Deadline” starring Donna Reed as a girl who gets killed on the South Side. A reporter investigating her death gets hold of her diary before the police do, and interviews the men she was involved with. Tickets $9+. Full schedule, tickets, passes and more information on musicboxtheatre.com

Ruler Slap!

'Late Nite Catechism'

It’s like Loretta Young meeting Carol Burnett and Whoopi Goldberg. Call it part late-catechism class, part standup routine, August 26 at 5 p.m. and August 27 at 2 p.m., at the Greenhouse Theatre Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Take part in Sister's class as she takes you back to the days of Latin mass, meatless Fridays, and reminds you about that good old ruler across the knuckles. Tickets $37+ on greenhousetheater.org

Best In Show!

Great American Dog Show

Dog lovers will want to go to McCormick Place, 2301 S. King Drive, for a decades-old tradition returning August 25-27. Whether you want to meet and interact with 100+ American Kennel Club breeds, are interested in learning about the latest trends in dog care, or watch a world class competition, this is the place. The Great American Dog Show is a fun outing for the whole family. Tickets $25 on greatamericandogshow.com

A Legendary Tale!

Russ Goeltenbodt: Celebrating 100 Years of Tail Gunner Carl Carl Goeltenbodt was born 100 years ago in Germany, and at age 3, emigrated with this family to the U.S. to escape rising political unrest. In "Celebrating 100 Years of Tail Gunner Carl (one of the greatest generation)," his son Russ and musical director Sami Scot tell the story of how he grew up, fell in love, and defended his new country against the nation of his birth. The play is 7 p.m. Saturday, August 26, at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. Tickets are $25 at skokietheatre.org or 847.677.7761.

Musical Melting Pot!

Orquesta El Macabeo

Puerto Rican group Orquesta El Macabeo returns to Chicago after five years to present its newest material August 26 at 8:30 p.m. at Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, 4048 W. Armitage Ave. The band is more than a punk metalhead group playing their parents’ music. They’re a brassy salsa ensemble of high-caliber precision and darkly humorous lyrics sung in an atypical way. Tickets $10+ on segundoruizbelvis.org

Scream! Scream! Scream!

Japanese Horror Fest

Celebrate Japanese horror with spooky Suntory Highballs, gory mochi donuts, visceral drag performances, and more, August 25 & 26 from 6-10 p.m. at the Logan Theatre, 2646 N. Milwaukee Ave. Attendees will also receive a Vampire Hunter D artwork poster from local artist Eric Kozlowsky to take home. 21+ to enter. Tickets $50+, more information on japaneseartsfoundation.org

Membership Denied!

‘Gay Card’

Just because Pride month is over doesn’t mean the LGBTQIA+ community no longer exists. The Pride Arts Center presents “Gay Card”: Logan Kaplan starts college with the mindset that because gay people are awesome, he will be too. His college roommates disagree and take his gay card. Determined to prove them wrong, Logan embarks on a quest to earn his gay card, only to end up lonelier than ever. August 24-September 24 at The Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway. Tickets $20+ on pridearts.org

Making predictions about the nfl

John: We’re getting ready to talk about the NFL for 2023! We will start off with Russell Adams. What’re your predictions?

Russell: In the AFC South, I am thinking Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans. In the North, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and on the bottom for sure, Cleveland Browns, depending on the defense from their former No. 1 pick, the 125-million-dollar man, pass rusher Myles Garrett. In the East, it'll be tough, but there's the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, New England Patriots, and finally the Miami Dolphins. In the mighty, mighty West, Kansas City Chiefs, the LA Chargers, Denver Broncos and at the bottom, the Las Vegas Raiders.

As far as the NFC, in the East, Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders and New York Giants. In the South, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers. In the West, it’s easy: San Fran 49ers, LA Rams, Seattle Seahawks

and Arizona Cardinals. And last, but not least, the East, the mighty Bears’ division: point blank, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.

John: No Super Bowl remarks yet?

Russell: I will let you know at a later date.

John: Donald, how about you?

Donald: Predictions are hard, something we need to all stay away from concerning the NFL, which has a major league number of teams, and all of them have their pluses and minuses. I pick the same, the same is gonna happen, defensive-wise this year. It’s gonna be the same winner that won this year.

John: So, it’s going to be Kansas City over Philadelphia?

Donald: Yes.

John: As far as my predictions, in the AFC West, I like Kansas City, then the Denver Broncos. They have improved this year with new head coach Sean Payton, who told USA Today that his predecessors “had done one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL.” Then I’ve got the LA Chargers and the Raiders. In the AFC North, I’ve got Baltimore beating out Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and then Cleveland in the cellar. In the South, Jacksonville overtakes Tennessee, then I got Indianapolis, and Houston. And in the East: Buffalo, the Jets, Miami because of injury issues for its quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. He suffered multiple concussions last season and admitted in April that he considered retiring. The New England Patriots will be bringing up the rear. They haven’t been the same since QB Tom Brady departed.

In the NFC North, Detroit by default, then Minnesota,

Green Bay to beat the Chicago Bears, who have not improved enough to get out of last place. In the West, I got San Francisco, Seattle, the LA Rams and Arizona, who I think will be the worst team in the league. In the South, I got New Orleans, even though they need a quarterback: I don’t know about Derek Carr [who just moved to the Saints from the Raiders this year] -I have no faith in him. Next, I have Carolina, Atlanta, then Tampa Bay. In the NFC East, Philadelphia, the odds-on favorites; Washington, Dallas, who won’t make the playoffs; and the Giants.

As far as the Super Bowl, I have the same two teams as last year. I got Kansas City to beat Philadelphia.

Have an idea or suggestion for future SportsWise topics?

Contact Editor Suzanne Hanney at suzannestreetwise@yahoo.com

Rashanah Baldwin

Vendors (l-r) Russell Adams, John Hagan, and Donald Morris chat about the world of sports.

StreetWise Turns 31: What Does StreetWise Mean To You?

Everyone struggles with something. Whether it’s a mental or physical disability, poverty, homelessness, or all of the above, they’re still a person. StreetWise works with those who are suffering from poverty and/or homelessness, and gives them a job. Potential vendors go through training at the StreetWise office, 2009 S. State St., by Vendor John Hagan Jr. on Tuesdays and Vendor A. Allen on Thursdays.

Vendors purchase the magazines for $1.15 and sell them for $3. It’s optional for customers to give them tips. Vendors use these funds for things such as clothes, food and housing. These vendors span the city, from Glencoe in the northern suburbs to downtown. We met with a few vendors to get an answer to the burning question, “What does StreetWise mean to you?”

Keith Hardiman, who sells magazines at Starbucks, 200 N. Michigan Ave., says that StreetWise is, “A lifesaving experience. I’ve become my own boss and gotten clean from addiction. The people have helped me tremendously. It helps me help others, and I can never go hungry.”

Something else he said that made me feel good about their work is how Keith is part of the community. He’s had bad days and he’ll go home. But when he returns the next day his customers say, “I haven’t seen you, where have you been?”

A. Allen noted that he is part of StreetWise Writers’ Group, and so as he writes more stories for the magazine, his new location at Mariano’s, 5201 N. Sheridan Road, is starting to flourish as people are reading his work and getting to know him. Allen is proudest of the column he wrote about meeting Tina Turner as a child. He wants to do more of the same, because he is starting a book. The new location is closer to where he lives. He moved from his old location at Chicago Avenue and Franklin Street during the pandemic because people started to work from home. “Ít was like a ghost town.”

Allen is a field supervisor, (like Hagan), so he notes that his job is to train vendors, to motivate them to stay at their spot

and not to let panhandlers run them away, to be persistent, to show up every day. “Rebuilding a location takes me back to the basics of what I have been teaching people in orientation. I have to apply them to my life. Not only do I teach the theory, but I have learned that it is practical. It does work, if you work it."

Troy Owens, whom I met at Wrigleyville said that, “StreetWise has been around for a while. It’s a job. It offers employment and housing. They do a lot of great things and keep up with the times. Since many people don’t carry cash anymore, StreetWise has created a Venmo for people to purchase magazines.”

I also sat down with one of the liveliest vendors I met. He comes into the office and jokes around, but at the end of the day, he still gets his job done and makes money. Adrian, who also goes by "Dré," says that StreetWise is, “a job. It’s companionship and friends. StreetWise is my family and I’ve been here since they first opened. My family knows when I’m in the house ’cause I’ll make some noise.”

Hagan says that, “StreetWise is empowering. I can make money, gain an identity, and pay my bills.” He also says that he “tries to keep in shape so I can avoid having issues with selling magazines and walking around. Keep up your image to make sure people want to buy from you.”

Michael Bryant says that StreetWise is “A way to make an income. Also have something to offer people. It’s a way to tell people what’s going on, stuff you don’t see in mainstream media. All the festivals included. Every year we get a festival guide to tell you all the festivals happening in Chicago. Festival guide is our No. 1 seller.” His spot is near the CVS at Madison & Canal streets.

“StreetWise is having independency,” says Sam Sanders. “I'm very grateful for StreetWise. I get to meet people from all walks of life. I get a broadened spectrum of people, both good and bad."

by Kyra Walker

Keith Hardiman

John Hagan, Jr.

Michael Bryant

Adrian (Dré)

A. Allen

“StreetWise is a way to support myself,” says Sean Williams, whose late wife introduced him to StreetWise.

“She thought I’d be better selling magazines since I’m unable to work a regular job. I am physically able-bodied, but I am intellectually disabled. She tried selling magazines herself but found she couldn’t stand, because of her spinal injuries. She passed back in 2012, but that’s why I was able to stay in our apartment, because I was able to make extra money selling magazines.

"I am moving to a new apartment, a studio. I did actually find the apartment on my own, but the StreetWise staff helped me fill out the application for the apartment and contact my sister, who helped me with a down payment and co-signed for me, because I have never been able to afford an apartment on my own. I would never have been able to find the apartment without the StreetWise social service staff. The building was purchased by a new owner who wanted to do a renovation. They told everyone they would have to move when their leases expired. I used to be in Rogers Park, but now I am in Edgewater.

“StreetWise has given me really wonderful experiences, not just in earning money, but in interacting with people. Because of my disability, you can see why I wouldn’t be able to have regular sorts of jobs that would involve customer service or so-

cial interaction. I sell in downtown Evanston outside Colectivo Coffee and World Market."

"The best thing that has happened to me between this year and last year is that the magazine has more news about what is going on around in the city – the 'Barbie' movie, the concert guides. The magazine has gone up in price; it used to be $2 and now it’s $3, so that’s a little more money. People are starting to give a little more money, we are getting out of that pandemic hold. Things are getting better slowly but surely, but it’s working. As long as we keep trying and pushing hard, we can make it better than the year before. I sell at all the sporting events, concerts," says Vendor Danny Davis.

A vendor who wanted to stay anonymous says that, “This isn’t a job, it’s a nonprofit I take part in. StreetWise is a lot to me. I’m not in a good place mentally, but when I had a nice area to sell magazines in, those people were supportive. StreetWise is having a means to support myself.”

A donor visiting StreetWise said that “People bring extra things that they can’t use. Just because they’re homeless doesn’t mean they’ll take anything. I bring things that I don’t need that others can use.”

-Suzanne Hanney contributing

Danny Davis

Sean Williams

Sam Sanders

CHA hosts 'trunk party' to equip students with college necessities

by Suzanne Hanney

Amid thumping DJ music and an overhead marquee scrolling the message, “Congratulations CHA graduates! Investing in the Power of Potential,” the Chicago Housing Authority hosted a “trunk party” August 3 in the United Center East Atrium for over 170 of its youth who will be starting college this fall.

There was pizza and Pepsi, congratulatory words and caring advice from adults, ranging from CHA’s Chief Executive Officer Tracey Scott to former CHA graduate and current high school teacher/coach George Beecham, to Molina Healthcare Senior Growth and Community Engagement Specialist Erika Hannah. Then, wearing T-shirts and sweatshirts from their respective schools, the students stood in line to receive dorm room furnishings: a laundry basket, sheets, towels, a lamp, a free laptop and even free internet service.

Besides the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC), Illinois State University at Normal, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Northwestern University and other colleges in-state, students will be attending schools all over the nation: the University of Southern California (USC), Spelman College, and more. While CHA youth may receive financial aid to pay for tuition, their families still face out-of-pocket expenses. The 13th annual Take Flight College Sendoff was designed to close that gap and was made possible through corporate support. It was hosted by Springboard to Success, the nonprofit partner of CHA.

Demarion Brown, who plans to study entrepreneurship at UIC, said that his high school grades at Johnson College

Prep, 63rd and Stewart, were only so-so until his senior year, when he made all A’s. He became more serious about his life when he developed angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma, a rare soft tissue cancerous tumor on his leg, in June between junior and senior year. He had surgery to remove the tumor, he has scans every three months, and he is cancer-free.

“A lot of people get cancer, and a lot of people get sick,” he said. “I thought I would be one of those people who get cancer and get sick. So, God made a miracle for me to get cured. It was all God’s plan.”

Brown wants to bring some kind of sports business back to his Washington Park neighborhood. He loves basketball, football, baseball, hockey and soccer, mostly as a spectator. Family members said he excels at fantasy football and predicting real game outcomes.

As a result of the party, Brown met Angela Parker, a former resident of Altgeld Gardens on the far South Side who started Ryan's Cleaning Services 14 years ago. Parker promised Brown a $2,500 stipend each semester until he graduates. “God blessed him; I am going to bless him,” she said.

Mikhyla Appling has a similar goal of going into sports medicine, with undergraduate premed at Spelman College. “Sports is something close to my heart and I like helping people, so why not put them together?” Appling said she moved all over the South Side before finishing at Kenwood Academy.

Left: Erika Hannah, senior community engagement specialist at Molina Healthcare, distributes sheets to Briana Keeton. Center: Demarion Brown with Angela Parker. Right: Izbayo Chantal and Shawnell Sims-Ceballos met at the trunk party and both will attend will both attend the University of Southern California (Suzanne Hanney photos).

“The biggest barrier [to overcome] was breaking out of my shell, being shy in terms of talking to people and making new friends,” she said. What helped her was “being pushed by my elders and people I look up to. Things like Socratic seminars, discussions, being pushed to talk more and present in front of my class, then using those skills to make new connections.”

Also planning to go into sports medicine was Ciara Haynes, who grew up in Bronzeville and was No. 3 in her class at Noble Academy on North Ogden. She will be attending Northwestern University.

Izbayo Chantal and Shawnell Sims-Ceballos both plan to attend USC, and met for the first time at the trunk party. Chantal attended Chicago Math and Science Academy, and plans to major in business administration. Sims-Ceballos was a scholarship student at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, WI and will major in legal studies, with the goal of becoming an attorney.

Briana Keeton grew up in Englewood and graduated from Perspectives Charter School’s Rodney D. Joslin campus on Cermak Road. The obstacles she overcame were “poverty, being an African American female on the South Side of Chicago. I felt like I could do it, but there were moments I wanted to give up. My support team – family and school – pushed me forward.” Keeton will be majoring in fashion design at the University of Memphis.

Beecham and Hannah both shared that they were firstgeneration college students.

Beecham was raised by a single mother, “so I was motivated very early to become an example for those in my community.” He graduated from Amherst College in Massachusetts in 2018, and now he teaches biology and helps coach basketball at Chicago Bulls College Prep, his alma mater, where he played point guard. He is also a West Side landlord in partnership with CHA, “doing my best to provide quality housing to people in the city.”

“Embrace the journey. Be proud of yourself. It took a lot to even get here,” Hannah said. “Get out of your comfort zone. Meet new people. Talk to your professors. Connect with a mentor as soon as you can. Enjoy new activities. Seek support early and often. You do not want to struggle.

Proposal could create transparent affordable housing waitlist

by Suzanne Hanney

Brittany King was a 19-year-old student at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale when she had a stroke in 2009. King came home for rehab and signed up for the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) waitlist before getting her degree in 2015. She was pregnant in February 2019 when she moved into an Evanston property, where her baby, Lauren, was born a month later. Because of domestic abuse issues with the baby’s father, she moved out.

That’s when King learned that moving to Evanston had bumped her from CHA’s list.

“The point is, it’s not transparent. We could solve the issues of being bumped off and not knowing or just knowing your status in general,” King said at a press conference hosted by the Chicago Housing Initiative (CHI) this summer around an ordinance CHI wishes to introduce in September or October. The proposed Accountable Housing and Anti-Discrimination Waitlist Act would create a transparent, centralized list of applicants for CHA and other affordable housing, along with their specific needs, such as accessibility. Applicants would be able to pinpoint just where they are on the list, and how long a wait they might have.

The proposal would require the City of Chicago Department of Housing (DOH) to develop a centralized online waitlist portal on its website and to establish multiple registration sites: at community organizations, shelters, nursing facilities and city agencies. Callers to the City’s 311 services line could also receive sign-up information.

Chicago City Council Housing and Real Estate Committee Chair Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th ward) termed himself “proud to stand” with CHI regarding the proposed ordinance, which he said had sufficient support among the 50 alderpersons. Advocates said in prepared material that the ordinance is a public policy solution drawn directly from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s “Blueprint for the Soul of Chicago.”

According to the proposal, the DOH found a 120,000 affordable housing unit shortfall between households in need and availability. It also cites a 4.3-year average wait time for a CHA unit. “We can no longer allow the system to deny housing. We want to ensure that no one in the

Mikhyla Appling (Suzanne Hanney photo).

create affordable Deeply rooted dance aims to create community hub

by Suzanne

Deeply Rooted Productions, umbrella for Deeply Rooted's Dance Education programs and Special Projects and operating in conjunction with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, has launched a $15.6 million capital campaign to build the Deeply Rooted Center for Black Dance and Creative Communities. More than $13 million has been raised to date, so that Deeply Rooted needs an additional $2.4 million to complete the campaign.

City of Chicago is unhoused. Housing is a human right,” Ald. Sigcho-Lopez said.

Sigcho-Lopez said that recipients of federal and City of Chicago housing money, such as the Low Income Housing Trust Fund, would be required to file quarterly reports regarding the number of people they had accepted or rejected, and the basis for denial.

Housing suppliers would have 10 days to reach applicants, who would also have 10 days to accept an available unit. Applicants would be allowed to reject up to three units before being moved to the bottom of the waiting list.

The 33,270-square-foot facility at 5339 S. State St. will transform a vacant property in Washington Park’s State Street Corridor into a premier training and performance space, an international home for Black dance. The state-of-theart space will include dance studios, a black box theater performance and rehearsal space, a costume and set design shop, offices, meeting rooms, and a garden for community gatherings. The opening is projected for late 2024/early 2025.

Rooted in traditions of American and AfricanAmerican dance, storytelling, and universal themes that spark a visceral experience and ignite an emotional response in diverse audiences worldwide, the Dance Theater collaborates with nationally renowned choreographers across the spectrum of modern, ballet, and African dance.

“We envision the Deeply Rooted Dance Center as an international cultural destination and multigenerational community hub,” said Executive Director Makeda Crayton. “Among our goals are to expand opportunities for artists and access to arts experiences on the South Side; contribute to the economic revitalization of the Washington Park community; develop youth for careers in the arts and beyond; and increase programs, revenue, and audiences for South Side-based dance and community organizations.”

“The Deeply Rooted Dance Center will respond to the need for artists to have a space in which they can see themselves authentically and connect intergenerationally to the shared experiences of

others within the dance community—locally, nationally, and globally,” said Artistic Director Nicole Clarke-Springer. “Deeply Rooted’s professional company will flourish in such an environment as they teach, choreograph, and mentor young dance students, who in turn will see themselves manifested within each company member daily in rehearsals and other activities."

Since the Reva and David Logan Foundation and the Arts Work Fund provided initial funding for this undertaking in 2018, crucial support has been provided by:

• $5 million from the Chicago Department of Planning and Development as part of its Chicago Recovery Plan/Community Development category.

• $3 million from Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity as part of the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital program.

• $500,000 from Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice, and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the maximum grant for the Together We Heal Creative Place Program.

Most recently, Deeply Rooted has a $2 million grant from the nationally-known Mellon Foundation to build upon its artistic vision and dance legacy, invest in staff capacity and infrastructure, and support the growth of its funding base and organizational visibility. deeplyrooteddancetheater.org

Hanney

A street view rendering of the Deeply Rooted Dance Center by Johnson and Lee Architects.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez discusses possible city ordinance to streamline affordable housing waitlists at City Hall press conference (Suzanne Hanney photo).

Far south CDC market showcases black business

by Suzanne Hanney

The nonprofit Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) has extended its Far South CDC Marketplace through December 23. With grant support from The Coleman Foundation, Far South CDC is showcasing five new Black-owned small businesses alongside four returning Marketplace vendors. The Marketplace is located at 837 W. 115th St. and is open noon-6 p.m. daily, although participating vendors manage their own hours. For more information, visit farsouthcdc.org/marketplace or call 773-831-7107.

The shops offer everything from designer clothing and accessories to household goods, natural beauty and skincare products, handmade wood carvings, candles, fresh roasted coffee and more.

“One of our major program areas is assistance for small businesses, ranging from webinars and workshops to helping business owners access state and federal grants and other resources. Our Marketplace is an extension of this ongoing work to support small businesses across the region,” says Far South CDC’s Chief Development & Innovation Officer Florence Hardy.

New businesses include: Aries Rising (1), a lifestyle brand that explores soul-driven vision and purpose. Offerings range from handcrafted resin journals to an expanding clothing line, flavorful teas and transformative digital coaching services to empower individuals on their personal journeys of self-discovery and growth. theariesrising.com

Body and Soul Experience (2), an aromatherapy and scented candle company specializing in holistic remedies to reduce anxiety and depression through candles, journaling, meditation and candle-making sessions. bodysoulexperience.com

Gifted Hands Quality Care (3), workwear scrubs for healthcare and daycare staff.

Javez Java Coffee Roastery (4), an independent roaster using only high-quality beans, to provide customers with well-balanced coffee. Notes range from spicy to nutty, fruity to earthy. javezjava.com

Vessels of the Paut Neteru (5), which honors and shares the ancestors’ way of life, with a large selection of Adinkra symbols and ebony wood objects, handmade in the U.S. and Africa.

Returning vendors are: Chic T Boutique (6), an affordable, upscale women’s clothing and accessories boutique that also customizes Crocs and T-shirts. chictboutique.com

Cosmic Creole (7), a holistic health service aiding the mind, body and spirit through medicinal plants. cosmiccreole.com

Max Candle Co. (8), holistic healing through aromatherapy, with soy and beeswax blended scented candles in reusable containers. maxcandleco.com

Simply Stuff (9), clothing, shoes, accessories and handbags for every occasion from business meetings to family outings, with different brands and styles to fit any lifestyle.

The Far South CDC Marketplace is the first storefront for many of the participating small businesses. The pilot Marketplace launched in November 2022 and was funded by the City of Chicago’s Small Business Storefront Activation Program.

Far South CDC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides strategic community-building services to residents and businesses in Chicago’s Far South Side neighborhoods and across south suburban Cook County. The organization is a voice and advocate for economic, environmental and social justice. farsouthcdc.org

To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the

Last week's Answers

How StreetWise Works

StreetWise exists to elevate marginalized voices and provide opportunities for individuals to earn an income and gain employment. Anyone who wants to work has the opportunity to move themselves out of crisis.

StreetWise provides “a hand up, not a handout.”

All vendors go through an orientation focusing on their rights and responsibilities as a StreetWise Magazine Vendor. Authorized vendors have badges with their name, picture and current year.

Vendors purchase the magazine for $1.15 and sell it for $3 plus tips. The vendor keeps all of their earnings.

Buy the Magazine, Take the Magazine

When you buy the magazine, take the magazine, and read the magazine, you are supporting our microentrepreneurs earning an income with dignity.

New vendor orientation is every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at 2009 S. State St. Find your nearest vendor at www.streetwise.org