December 5 - 11, 2022

Chatting about boxing.

Cover

Story: Local Gifts

StreetWise Vendors are entrepreneurs, so it's fitting that we use this Holiday season to promote other independent businesspeople. We have pored through lists of artisans at local craft markets, looking for Chicago makers of unique items at various price points that you, the reader, can use as gifts, or in your holiday entertaining. The Holidays are also a time to promote shopping in Chicago neighborhoods. In addition to independent markets where you can find locally-made gifts, we list several venues that were assisted by a $2 million grant from Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection; a portion of COVID Recovery money was given to 17 neighborhood chambers of commerce and community development organizations to activate vacant spaces.

Voice of the Streets (Op-ed)

Karen Daiter, co-chair of the Tree Team for the Climate Reality Project, Chicago Metro Chapter, discusses the eco-readiness of the CTA.

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, opin ions, or positions of StreetWise.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Eat, Drink, Be Merry!

Chicago Cabaret Professionals host annual holiday cabaret and fundraiser Chicago Cabaret Professionals will host Merry Measures, its annual holiday fundraiser, at 7:30 p.m. Decem ber 5 and 6 at Davenport’s Piano Bar, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave. This year, 28 diverse cabaret artists will take the stage. Every year, the group selects a charity to support, so this year, “We wanted to recognize that Chicago has one of the largest concentrations of Ukrainians in the U.S., to honor their contributions to the city for over 100 years,” producer Laura Freeman said. Net proceeds from ticket sales and a raffle at each performance will be donated to UNICEF USA to ensure that the children and families of Ukraine have access to safe water, nutrition, health care, education, and protection. General admission $20, plus a twodrink minimum; tickets available at davenportspianobar.com and at the door. Must be 21+.

The Power of Voices!

Holidays/Hanukkah a cappella

You hear them every year. Over and over again. Take a break from the Christmas radio station and let the beauti fully blended voices and golden harmonies of Chicago a cappella singers lift you into the clouds with soaring sa cred music and lesser-known holiday songs, plus a few classics that will make you want to sing along! “Holidays a cappella” will feature Christmas music in seven languages, and “Hanukkah a cappella” will include a repertoire from over 25 years of the group’s performances. “Holiday a cappella” at 8 p.m. Friday, December 9, at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 115 E. Delaware Place, and 4 p.m. Sunday, December 18, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1400 Chi cago Ave., Evanston. “Hanukkah a cappella” at 8 p.m. Saturday December 10, at Congregation Rodfei Zedek, 5200 S. Hyde Park Blvd., and 8 p.m. Sunday, December 11 at Congregation Sukkat Shalom, 1001 Central Ave., Wilmette. Tickets $35+ at chicagoacappella.org

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Mrs. Claus! A Holiday Musical Chicago Kids Company’s holiday classic celebrates the 23rd year of “Mrs. Claus! A Holiday Musical.” Christ mas is around the corner, and Santa’s list is missing! Join Mrs. Claus and the Elf Class of 2022 as they try to find it in time to save Christmas. “Mrs. Claus! A Holiday Musical” was written in 1999 by Jesus Perez and features original songs by Paige Coffman. Daytime performances will be at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., through December 23, and at the Stahl Family Theater, 5900 W. Belmont Ave. from December 6-23. Individual tickets range from $15-$20; kids under 2 are FREE. Group rates are also available. Tickets can be purchased at chicagokidscompany.com/mrs-claus

A Choral Celebration!

A Chanticleer Christmas

The beloved, Grammy-winning men’s chorus brings its “rich, intricately blended sound” (Washing ton Post) to its signature holiday celebration, 7:30 p.m. December 6 and 7, at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St. Following their history of mixing past and present, the Chanticleers will make a candlelit entrance singing Gregorian chant, move on to Renaissance music, then to new arrangements of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Merry Christmas, Darling,” popularized in the 1970s by The Carpenters, and close with a medley of Christmas spirituals. Tickets $39+ at cso.org/perfor mances/22-23/scp-specials/a-chanticleer-christmas/

A Joyous Commute!

CTA Holiday Train and Bus

Santa and his sleigh ride on an open-air, flat bed rail car, with passenger cars outlined in thousands of lights. Find them on the CTA Red Line December 6, 8 & 10; the Purple Line December 7 & 9; the Pink Line December 13-14; the Blue Line December 15, 16 & 17; and the Yellow Line December 20. Santa waves from the roof hatch of the lit-up Holiday Bus. Ride it December 6 on the #74 Fullerton route; December 7-8 on #66 Chicago; December 9 on #126 Jackson; December 12 on #12 Roosevelt; December 13 on #62 Archer, December 14-15 on #49 Western/Express; December 16-17 on #3 King Drive; December 20 on #79/79th Street; De cember 21 on #28 Stony Island; December 22 on #29 State Street and December 23 on #J14 Jeffrey Jump. Exact times at transitchicago.com/holidaybustracker

Compiled by Sarah Linde & Suzanne Hanney

Patrick: What’s happened to boxing, fellas? If you were to offer me a million dollars to name 5 active boxers off the top of my head, I would fail. Re searching, I would remember some names, but it’s still very different from the old school. Russ, what’re you thinking?

Russ: Boxing’s not the same as it was back in the '60s, '70s, and '80s. I remember when boxing came on regular TV. I mean, we got to see all the good fighters go at it. Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Jimmy Young, George Fore man, and Mike Tyson.

Patrick: You’re jogging my brain. How about some of the more current with Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, Alexis Arguello, Felix Trini dad, Pernell Whitaker, and Ju lio Cesar Chavez?

Donald: Man…y’all are taking me back. Shoot, I got Sonny Liston, Emile Griffith, Floyd Patterson, Ernie Terrell, and Vicente Saldivar. Man, tons of good boxers. There was no such thing as a bad fight it seemed. For the most part, anybody standing in the ring with an opponent had a chance to win. Of course, there is al ways a favorite and, on occa

sion, promoters would set up a tomato can to get beaten to a pulp by the favorite in order to build his record, to set him up for a fight against a better op ponent…but, usually, a good fight was had.

John: Now, I know we’re all focused on the good fighters we remember from the good ol’ days, but we have to re member gambling and boxing has always been a thing. I have to imagine that every fight— especially in Vegas—has some thing going on in the gambling arena. If so, this makes it tough to know that all of the fights I’ve witnessed have been com pletely legitimate.

Patrick: Good point, John. There’re so many things that could affect a fight—over/un der on rounds could affect the boxers themselves, threats— including factors that could alter a fighter’s ability to, well, fight. Drugs, etc., could be used to disorient or de-ener

gize a boxer. Or, even, things could be used to “up” a fighter’s drive and energy. It’s the reason I don’t bet—even a soda—on fights now. Obviously, those tactics were probably used then, but knowing these things alters the almost-naïve viewing of the fights.

Russ: I’ve thought about that, and I can believe it. That said, I think talent can override anything. Someone like a Ro berto Duran, Thomas “Hit man” Hearns, Marvin Hagler, Evander Holyfield—these guys I feel would triumph over any thing. If threatened, I feel they would ride it out and be okay. If their systems were compro mised, they’d be able to over come and still work it out.

Donald: Of course, there’s al ways that when it comes to sports—any sports—but with the whole betting thing, that’s definitely a factor as well. Per haps we’ve just adjusted our view of our bet.

Russ: You’re right, Don. And sliding away from that, the problem is that there just don’t seem to be many good, com petitive fights. At least not like in the olden days. My favorite fight of all time is Ken Norton versus Larry Holmes, a.k.a. The Easton Assassin. 15 rounds of nonstop action that Holmes eventually won.

Patrick: Mine would be any Sugar Ray Leonard fight! Pick one.

John: All his fights were good. Good call.

Russ: Boxing could come back, fellas. We have a few bodies out here—Tyson Fury, Canelo Ál varez, Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr.—so we could be all right. If nothing else, there’s still a few boxers holding court.

Any comments or suggestions? Email pedwards@streetwise.org

Rashanah Baldwin

Vendors Russell Adams, John Hagan and Donald Morris chat about the world of sports with Executive Assistant Patrick Edwards.

Locally-made Gift ideas

Respect Nail Polish

Proceeds from sales of the Respect Nail Polish Trio ($30) benefit YWCA Metropolitan Chicago and its mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Polishes are handmade in partnership with Rooted Woman, whose founder, India D. Williams, hit the pause button on her professional life for a six-month period in which she regained her health and cre ated a community of women who value self-care. The nail polishes are non-toxic, gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and are made in small batches, which may account for slight variations in color. Respect Nail Polish is available at the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Y Shop, a place where consumers can make great purchases with their hard-earned dollars while helping make real positive changes in the world: the “Power of the Purse.” Harnessing the powerful force of consumerism to empower local communi ties. yshop.org/products/respec-nail-polish-trio

romer skin care

Romer Skin Care founder Lauren Rome now lives in Chicago (after moving from the East Coast) with her husband. A woman on the go, she tried count less skin products, but nothing seemed to work. She spent a year of research and education with experts, pored over every single ingredient that went into her products, and went through multiple iterations with chemists. At the end of this journey, she discovered the truth. The best skin is achieved by simple ingredients and a consistent routine. Products include moisturizers, masks and cleansers, too. romerskincare.com

Kindred Woodworks

Naturally grown handcrafted beauty - unique wood jewelry is made with no stains, paints, or dyes – just the natural beauty of the wood, finished with locally-sourced beeswax and oil. As the owner says, "It’s my belief that when we cut down a tree, bush or a shrub – the very life force of the oxygen we breathe – that we should give it a better fate than the burn pit, the woodchipper, or the trash. And I aim to honor even the smallest of pieces, a small portion of each tree's life by making tiny pieces of wearable art, showcasing Nature's worth.” www.etsy.com/shop/KindredWoodworks

Health & Jewelry

a. favorite design

The mission at a. favorite design is to encourage long-distance warm fuzzies through snail mail. All its goods are handmade at their Northwest Side, brick-and-mortar store, some using an old-fashioned letterpress printer. Find Chicago Flag or Drink Local coasters ($9), white reindeer against Wedgwood blue Chicago skyline with the mes sage “I believe in lots of things, including Santa” ($6), and 2023 planners, such as fabric-bound in chambray or flax, 8.25" x 10.25", with custom gold-stamped details and monthly and weekly sections for note-taking. Items are available 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday & Saturday at 4432 N. Kedzie Ave., through se lect stores and wholesalers across the U.S. and online at afavoritedesign.com

Bromero cards

A fascination with adult coloring six years ago led to crafting opportunities and Bromero Cards for Ricky Burton-Romero. Bromero’s cardmaking style ranges from clean and simple to magnolias for a matrimonial lifetime of happiness ($8); to a tex tured chrysanthemum and the expression “Fall is Proof That Change is Beautiful” ($8.50) for encouragement; to a simple "Joy to the World" ($7.50) for the holidays. Ricky also enjoys ink blending and modern, Japanese-style coloring with Copic pens. Bromerocardsonline.com

Twentysome design

Sadie Teper is the founder and designer of Twentysome Design, a lady-powered feminist stationery and gift brand. Sadie’s design background enables her to create bright and colorful hand-lettered designs that empower and inspire others to spread the message of positive change, while encompassing some cheeky wit and femi nist fun. Her holiday collection includes both Christmas and Hanukkah cards – as well as stickers, prints, pins, buttons, and postcards. Everything is hand-lettered in bright and fun colors. To do good by design, over 5% of profits annually are donated to deserving organizations. Past recipients include Planned Parenthood, EMILY’S List, National Network of Abortion Funds, Black Futures Lab, and others. www.twentysome.design/collections/winter-holiday

Twenty Thou

Twenty Thou was the number of handmade jewelry pieces Nicold Pittman set out to make in order to take down her burdensome student loan debt. After seeing people ask strangers on the internet for money, “I realized I was pretty resourceful and didn’t need charity, but a business!” More than a decade ago, Pittman began to monetize her hobby. Initially, she used beads. Now, the Chicago-based, user experience archi tect by day spends her evenings as a metalsmith, working in copper, brass, sterling silver, gold-fill and rose gold-fill, along with leather, fabric, beads, precious and semiprecious stones. "I’m not a Caged Bird" earrings $75 (pictured); "Motherland" Curb Chain Bracelet, $65 at twentythou.com

Paper goods Jewelry

StreetWise vendors are entrepreneurs, and so we are promoting other Chicago independent makers of innovative products, from varied cultures. by Suzanne Hanney, & Judi Strauss Lipkin

big fork brands

Big Fork Brands combines its founder’s Iowa upbringing and Chicago culinary experience to create what Esquire magazine called “the best new food in America”: bacon-infused sausage and hot dogs, as well as burger and hot dog sauces, pork sticks and keto/paleo-friendly pork jerky. Big Fork products start with Heritage hogs raised outdoors (without antibiotics) by small, independent, family farmers in Iowa. Nitrate-free and hardwood-smoked, their bacon is ground together with pork, a little pure brown sugar and sea salt. Then, the sausage or hot dog is naturally encased and smoked using a combination of hickory and applewood hardwoods. Big Fork Sausage comes in 8 smoky flavors: Hickory & Applewood, Aged Cheddar, Maple & Brown Sugar, Cracked Black Pepper, Chicken & Bacon, Spicy 3 Pepper, Portabella, Bacon & Ale. 5-Pack of 5 Best-Selling Flavors $59.99. bigforkbrands.com

Present tense

TASTY TREATS

Working and eating in bars and restaurants isn’t what it used to be and isn’t even close. Now you are entertaining at home and Present Tense can assist you – with bottled cocktails to go, cocktail classes, private catering ("we bring the party, including cocktails, to you!"). Derek, a former bartender at Spiaggia and Blackbird says, “we curate beverage experiences to help people come together and live presently.” www.presenttensebar.com

slow cooker spice blends

As two busy moms, Meg Barnhart and Jane McKay loved the Zen-like effect slow cooking had on their lives. With their desire to help home cooks create scratch meals to fit their busy lifestyles, they have created a line of globally-inspired, premium salt-free, non-GMO spice blends using recipes for the slow cooker and the instant pot. Each spice packet contains a budget-friendly meal for 4-6 people. yshop.org/products/slow-cooker-spice-blends

Soothsayer hot sauce

Soothsayer Hot Sauce is natural, and made in small batches with a commitment to Its Chi cago hometown heritage, from produce suppliers to design artists, to printers. Its three fulltime flavors are “Omen,” a traditional jalapeno garlic; “Perdition,” an orange habanero; and Harbinger, a roasted red pepper and manzano with a lingering backburn. Another example is “Malort Face”: ghost peppers and grapefruit that washes over your palette in waves of bit ter, sweet and heat – much like the city’s changing seasons. Soothsayer works with bands in Chicago and the national punk scene to develop themed, limited-run hot sauces such as Direct Hit!, Less Than Jake (both with Fat Wreck Chords), World’s Scariest Police Chases (A-F Records), Typesetter (Black Numbers) and Nervous Passenger (Artistic Integrity). $10 at soothsayerhotsauce.com

Stewarts' cheesecakes

Quality cheesecakes made by passionate people. Co-founder Cameron came from a fam ily of amazing cooks and cheesecake lovers. His grandmother and aunt were caterers, his uncle owned his own restaurant - but he really craved the cheesecake his dad made - and then crafted his own great recipe. Since June 2019, Cameron and his wife, Susan, have pro vided quality desserts for every occasion – from Apple Cranberry Crumble to Pumpkin Pecan Streusel to Bourbon Maple Pecan to Salted Caramel and Mocha Cappuccino and more. You can buy individual cakes or special holiday two- or four-packs. www.stewartscheesecakes.com

Alt-J

volition tea

Chicagoan Annie Xiang founded Volition Tea to amplify the voice of tea farmers who fight the high-yield mindset and usage of chemical pesticides. Single-origin, loose-leaf teas range from Oregon-raised herbal Chamomile Blossom (with the flavor of wildflowers, honey and mint, $13), to Wulong Black Jade Gardenia, cultivated by an Agriculture Department retiree who avoids pests by manual weeding. “Delicate & Refreshing Box” ($32) includes Green High Mountain Dragon Well, Green Lu’an Melon Peel, Wulong Raw Jade and Wulong White Jade; “Robust & Funky Box” includes White Colorful Peony, Wulong Big Red Robe, Red Red Jade and Black Girl Village Raw Pu’er ($32). www.volitiontea.com

zimt bakery

TREATS

Zimt Bakery, a Chicago-based, woman-owned and operated bakery, “was born out of the #BakersAgainstRacism social movement of 2020 that called bakers far and wide to raise money for social justice causes.” Alina Tompert, Baker in Chief, says that Zimt means Cin namon in German and that the cookies are made from recipes that have been passed down in her family for four generations. There are many varieties of Platchen, Including fall flavors, Lebkuchen, Oma’s Best, Honeybee and Teatime. The signature buttery soft cookies, crafted with the season's best offerings, are complemented with housemade fillings featuring locallysourced and organic fruits of the season, and a host of warm, comforting spices. www.zimt.com

Band of Gold

Band of Gold is an indie aromatherapy studio based in Chicago. It makes small-batch, allnatural candles and organic aromatherapy products. All products are custom blended with 100% organic essential oils. Some of their candles are - Wonder Woods, Moon River, Bonfire, and Salt Cave, with gift sets available as well. www.etsy.com/shop/bandofgoldchicago

home goods

tiny chicago Music scene

Did some Chicago music spot play a significant role in your life? A romantic rendezvous, may be? Or a place where someone significant asked you an important question? Get yourself a B&W memento of it at blacknailstudiochicago.com/shop, where artist Maura Walsh’s Tiny Music Scene Project is an outgrowth of a book project she started at the beginning of the pandemic. Walsh set a goal of drawing 200 music spots and donated over half the profits – more than $37,000 – to the Chicago Independent Venue League (which permanently lost zero music spots to COVID). Now, with 170 venues drawn, Walsh has paused the project, to ask a question about the remaining 30: where are the BIPOC- and women-owned spaces? Elastic Arts, The Wild Hare and Singing Armadillo Frog Sanctuary, Original Mother’s, Old Town School of Folk Music on Armitage, Aragon Ballroom, NEO, and more, $20.

Afray ceramics

This is a small-batch, Chicago potter, jewelry designer & candle maker. Allison, the owner, makes everything from mugs and bowls to essential oils. There are also embroidered mirror compacts (pictured), shell earrings, heart studs and mini daisy earrings. "As an art major without a concentration, I signed up for Ceramics 101, hoping to find my place in the art world. I knew from the first few minutes of class learning to make pinch pots that I had found a piece of myself. I have been working with clay for 8 years now, and I feel incredibly lucky to have this creative outlet in my life. The studio is where I go to feel whole and make sense of the world. Being able to share my work has brought so much more joy to my life than I had ever expected.” www.etsy.com/shop/afrayceramics

Bright Endeavors

Bright Endeavors lights the way toward strong families and bright futures for young moms aged 18-24 and their kids. In August, this social enterprise of the non-profit New Moms moved to expanded headquarters, where the phthalate-free soy candles are hand-poured by the young moms during a 16-week job training program, for which they are paid a stable, living wage on their way to their chosen careers. 100% of the proceeds support New Moms’ mission to empower the young women. New Moms also offers academic coaching, transi tional and permanent supportive housing programs in Chicago and Oak Park. Try Invigorat ing Juniper Berry/Fir/Cedar Leaf or Comforting Cardamom & Clove candles, 4-oz. $13 and 8-oz. $30; or Holiday Gift Tin bag with 4-oz. Almond Berry Galette, Holiday Citrus and White bark Pine, $22. brightendeavors.org

Ruth Nathan's

Ruth Nathan’s is a purveyor of fine face masks, matching bow ties, pocket squares and lapel flowers made for the “urban peacock, who dresses as a form of self-expression and delight.” The name honors the owner Nicole Brown’s grandparents: Ruth and Nathan (he was a tailor!) from Greenville, Miss. They are all handmade from premium fabrics, are bold and unique (a truly thoughtful gift) and create a reputation for well-curated style. There is a bow tie tutorial on their website for those who need to learn or remember, too. ruthnathans.com

GiveAShi*t is a Chicago-based charity that has teamed with StreetWise and local artists and musicians to make limited edition, hand-screened designer T-shirts. 100% of profits from every T-shirt sold goes to StreetWise and StreetWise vendors: more than $200,000 over the last seven years. GiveAShi*t is a venture of Daily Planet Ltd, a Chicago-based, full-service video production company that creates and edits videos, animations and motion graphics for broadcast and web. Scott Marvel, president of Daily Planet, founded GiveAShi*t after he met a man asking for change. Marvel brought the man some clean T-shirts before a job interview, but the man thought he was supposed to sell them to make money. Marvel was inspired to ask musicians and artists to donate designs; Jon Langford donated a few, as did Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. Marvel handscreens the designs in his Norwood Park basement. To shop and learn more, please visit giveashirt.net

Fashion Giveashi*t

Africa international house

Deck yourself out this season to benefit Africa International House, a center in Hyde Park that exposes and educates all peoples to the individual works and collective contributions of African cultures. Green-and-red Christmas beads come as a necklace ($28) or bracelet ($12). There’s also a Kente stole (Merry Christmas/Happy New Year, Happy Kwanzaa, or Greek-let ter to wear over an upcoming graduation gown, $24). Find links to local merchants and a full line of bracelets (Trade Beads, $42, Silver with African Amber, $275), earrings, masks (Liberian Passport, $48; Pende Bone, $95) and wood figures. www.aihusa.org/giftshop

Wisdom comes from a multidimensional approach to life, and Parker Durban takes a simi lar approach to its outerwear and accessories. They are classic, modern, or sophisticated, as the occasion demands, seamlessly fusing style, comfort and quality. Double-breasted trench vest in Italian signature cotton garbardine, hand crafted in Chicago, features a custom silk lining, vegan leather collar, D-ring belt, in tan, burgundy or navy, $349. You can be the power broker – or the peacemaker -- bringing people together, in the boardroom silk tie, pocket square and cufflinks (pictured). From a distance, they look purple, but they are pre dominantly blue, with touches of red, $55 at parkerdurban.com

Jessica Elaine

Photographer Jessica Elaine Tampas developed the idea of a business creating beautiful, feminine caftans during COVID. “I wanted to make something that was flattering, easy to wear, and most importantly, something that inspired me to get out of my sweatpants!” She worked with a pattern maker to create her own cut, which comes in four sizes and two lengths. In Belgium, she found beautiful fabrics: paisleys, linens, cotton, gauze and custom embroidery. These elements are ethically sewn by women in the heart of Chicago. They will take you from beach or swimming pool to evening with ease. Midi-length pink cotton gauze with pockets, Santorini .02 $350; embroidered neckline Harbor Island .02 $495. ShopJessicaElaine.com

Sin Titulo

Sin Titulo [“no title” in Spanish] is “dope apparel for dope Latinas,” a collective founded in August 2020 by sisters Irais, Diana, and Itzel Elizarraraz. Their brand objective is curating cultural and social justice designs for causes they back, such as the “Fruits of My Labor Con versation” about cultivating mental health therapy in Black and Brown communities. Find tote bags inscribed “More Latina lawyers” and “Pay Women Athletes,” $15; and T-shirts: “More Latina Lawyers,” “More Black Lawyers,” $35 and “Keep Your Laws Off My Body,” “Therapy for Black and Brown People,” “More Therapy Spaces,” all $40. sintituloshop.com

Hazel Ray

Hazel Ray are “damn fine leather goods,” made in Chicago. Not boring leather bags. Bold. Vibrant. Handmade. Beautiful and functional. They last longer than other leather bags and get better with age. Backpacks, shoulder bags, crossbody bags, wallets, and accessories, too. Caitlyn, the owner said, “Hazel Ray was one of my matriarchs. She led a good life, fought through it all and never left the house with a purse that didn’t match her shoes. She used to encourage us to “'get something nice for yourself.'” www.shophazelray.com

Fashion Parker durban

SHOps + Markets

December 9-11

WinterGlow at The Salt Shed

5-10 p.m. Fri, Noon-10 p.m. Sat & Sun at 1357 N. Elston Ave.

Browse eclectic handmade gift options from an array of artisan vendors, with items ranging from jewelry to vintage clothes, home goods, and more. Then, stop by the cold weather beer garden, or enjoy hot cock tails, make s’mores in the riverfront fire pits, or just enjoy the views. All ages welcome. $6 on Eventbrite.

December 11

Chicago Artisan Market

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

at Morgan Manufacturing, 401 N. Morgan St. Meet the makers of the best of the Midwest in food, fashion, home goods, and art in a festival holiday pop-up in Fulton Market, and learn how they make their products. Nearly 2 out of 3 businesses at this market are women- or minority-owned. As the mar ket’s organizers say, “Nearly every successful busi ness starts small…” $8 at chicagoartisanmarket. com. Or shop local 24/7 online at ArtisanDaily.com

December 11

Workshop 4200 Holiday Market

10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 4200 W. Diversey Redeveloped property adjacent to a former Marshall Field’s warehouse at the intersection of Hermosa, Logan Square and Avondale neighborhoods now has more than 30 artists of all kinds. www.workshop4200.com

December 17 & 18

Renegade Craft Fair

11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Morgan Manufacturing, 401 N. Morgan St. Ever since Renegade’s first market here in 2003, Chicago has gained a reputation for turning out hun dreds of local and small businesses and for creating community and creativity. Peruse 170+ curated art ists; shop small, do good. $0 to $12 suggested entry at renegadecraft.com

December 17 & 18

Randolph Street Market

10 a.m.-5 p.m. at 1341 W. Randolph St. (Plumbers Hall)

Three-floor indoor venue in the West Loop features 125+ antique and vintage dealers, artists, fashion de signers, food makers, and so much more. Market bar features bloody marys, beer, wine, champagne, mar garitas, mimosas, breakfast goodies and lunch food. $10 General Admission, $5 seniors, students, mili tary, first responders, at randolphstreetmarket.com

December 18

Windy City Made Noon-6 p.m. at the Stan Mansion, 2408 N. Kedzie Blvd. Holiday art and vintage market features local artists and makers in glamourous backdrop that looks and feels like a holiday party. More than 50 Chicagobased small businesses will offer jewelry to floral art, small-batch soap, trendy mid-century barware, win ter candles, and more. Limited complimentary park ing is available at 2323 N. Albany, one block east of Kedzie and a half-block south of Fullerton, at Dar win Elementary School. FREE admission with code “RSVP” on Eventbrite, or $5 at door.

Weekends through December 18

State Street Holiday Market at 35 S. State St.

Get all your gift shopping done in one place. Holiday pop-up will feature a variety of wares from small busi nesses and local artisans on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., in partnership with Chicago Loop Alliance. This pop-up includes art activations from 2-231 S. LaSalle St. and is one of 25 across the city funded with a $2 million grant from the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Pro tection (BACP) using Recovery money. FREE. loopchicago.com/events-state-street-holiday-market

November 1-December 24

Chicago Fair Trade Holiday Pop-up at 1457 N. Halsted St. (New City Market, right next to AMC Theater) Shop 30+ Chicago Fair Trade, ethical vendors who work with artisans from around the world. You'll find jewelry, fashion, sophisticated home goods, season al décor, toys, fair trade chocolate and coffee, deli cious food, comfy warm socks, fashionable clothing and accessories, and more. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Mon days, through December 24. chicagofairtrade.org/holiday-pop-up-shop/

November 18-December 24

Christkindlmarket

at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.

The Christkindlmarket Chicago is the most authen tic traditional holiday market outside of Europe, of fering unique vendors, food and drink; family-friendly events & intercultural activities. Since 1996, a subsid iary of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest has hosted the market as a FREEadmission event. Sun-Thurs, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri-Sat, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., December 24, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. www.christkindlmarket.com/chicago-vendors/

November 18-December 31

Winterland at

Gallagher

at 3635 N. Clark St.

Way

Like Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza, Winterland is in spired by an outdoor market that dates to 16th century Nuremberg, Germany. In the shadow of Wrigley Field, en joy roaming carolers and stilt walkers, ballet performances, Instagramable photo ops, unique food and drink, holiday movies, an ice skating rink, and more. Mon-Thurs, 3-9 p.m., Fri-Sat, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Dec 24 & 31, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 26-29, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. www.christkindlmarket.com/wrigleyville-events/

November 26-December 31

Live Love Shop Rogers Park

Spend $150+ at independently-owned stores in Rogers Park and receive a $50 rebate. Spend $200+ and receive a $75 rebate from the Rogers Park Business Alliance (RPBA). Find comics, wines and charcuterie, theatre and movies, Chicago-made items, board games and more; or dine at local restaurants. Download the form at rpba.org/ live-love-shop and return by Jan. 6, 2023. RPBA was one of 17 community development organizations that shared a $2 million Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection grant to activate vacant spaces: The Howard Street Makers Studio, 1609 W. Howard St., and 1531 & 1631 W. Howard St.

November 1-December 31

GREEKTOWN HOLIDAY SHOPPER’S REWARDS

Halsted Street is lined with blue and white lights and Greektown windows feature karavákia, traditional illumi nated boats by local artists. Earn a $50 Visa gift card for shopping or dining there by December 31; details at greek townchicago.org/greektown-offers-shoppers-rewardprogram-for-the-holiday-season. Get in the holiday “spirit” with a Metaxa Greek brandy cocktail tasting December 15 at Artopolis Café (306 S. Halsted St.) including live music by Hellenic 5. Stop by anytime from 5-8 p.m.

December 9-January 9

Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society

Holiday Housewalk for Healthy Kids

Every ticket to this online tour of four homes in Oak Park and River Forest helps children and adolescents access needed healthcare, dental and behavioral health programs via the OPRF Infant Welfare Society and its Children’s Clin ic, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016. Learn the history of Oak Park / River Forest homes on the "walk," their family traditions and more. Host a viewing party or watch during a cozy night at home. Tickets $55 at childrenscliniciws.org

Weekends through February 12 Winter Bryn Mawrket

at Bryn Mawr Historic District, 1040 & 1052 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Makers and artists from across the city offer gifts for every one on your list, from self-care products to apparel. Winter Bryn Mawrket is one of 25 pop-ups in previously vacant storefronts across the city facilitated by a $2 million City grant to local community and economic development or ganizations. Fri, 3-7 p.m., Sat & Sun 1-5 p.m. www.edgewater.org/events/winterbrynmawrkets

Various Days through December 30 Englewood Marketplace

at 1122 W. 63rd St. This artists’ market is a cooperative venture between the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce and 63rd Street Reimagined, a local artists’ collective. Look for body products, bath bombs, lotions, craft candles, oneof-a-kind handbags and jewelry. The chamber was one of 17 community development organizations across Chi cago that shared a $2 million City grant to activate vacant spaces. December 16, 17, 18, 23 and 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; December 24, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. gechamber.com

Through December 31

The Buddy Shop

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues-Sun at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. A collaboration between the Public Media Institute and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), the Buddy Shop features work by 200 artists, makers, and small businesses from across the city. Its se lection ranges from "The Pizza for Everyone "cookbook by Crust Fund Pizza, to "Beyond Heaven: Chicago House Party Flyers Vol. III" by Almighty and Insane Books, to 90sstyle "Fall into the Gay" T-shirts by Body Conscious, to a Loop Tote by Buddy MFG. ChicagoCulturalCenter.org

CTA lags in emission reduction op-ed

Is the CTA Charging Forward or falling behind? While the CTA led the way in 2014 by introducing the first electric bus in revenue service and later committing to a zero-emission fleet by 2040, we now lag behind other major cities in actually convert ing to a zero-emission fleet.

Austin and Seattle already committed to not purchasing new diesel buses. Beginning in 2023, the Maryland Transit Admin istration prohibits by law any new contracts to procure nonzero-emission buses.

Los Angeles is aggressively electrifying their fleet, with the Metro G line already fully electric and another 150 electric buses coming in 2024, followed by 450 additional electric buses each year from 2027 until their entire fleet is electric by 2030.

OF THE STREETS

New York’s 2020-2024 Capital Program includes $1.1 billion for 500 electric buses with 470 buses hitting the streets between 2025 and 2026. Five of their bus divisions are being equipped with state-of-the-art charging stations at multiple locations. Even Chicago’s suburban transit agency, Pace, contracted for 20 new electric buses in 2023 for a fleet less than half the size of CTA. Where is Chicago?

The Bipartisan Infrastructure law provides S1.6 billion to help transit systems across the country convert to low or zeroemissions fleets. Yet, the CTA only secured $29 million of these funds. Rather than going electric now, the CTA plans to pur chase 500 new diesel buses through 2026. This plan to replace close to 30% of CTA’s 2022 fleet of 1,874 buses with loweremission diesel buses misses the opportunity to really charge forward and go zero-emissions.

According to recent documents, the CTA is planning on charging forward by relying on diesel, including these new buses and overhauling up to 880 of its existing diesel buses. The FY23 Five Year plan mentions replacing 208 of its articulated buses with e-buses, with no other detail on how many buses and what years these electric buses will be procured.

This replacement plan is not found in any other CTA docu ments and has an unspecified time frame. In the CTA Bus Fleet Management Plan submitted to the Federal Transit Authority, CTA states that between 2023-2026, the CTA will have 140 articulated, 60-foot electric buses and 57, 40-foot standard, electric buses. Even with these “updated’ numbers, Chicago continues to lag behind other major cities.

While the new diesel buses, with all the health risks of diesel, are better than their toxic predecessors, diesel will continue to pollute our city until 2034 or later. Older diesel buses emit the equivalent greenhouse gases of 30 cars. The 500 diesel buses from their fleet will continue to spew approximately 30,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. That’s a lot of green house gases.

The CTA proudly highlights the sustainability of its exist ing diesel bus fleet operations to limit car congestion, but hides what it is doing, or not doing, to reduce its fleet's own damag ing impact on global warming. The CTA claims its slow uptake on purchasing bus orders is due to manufacturing capacity, but clearly this is not slowing down other cities. It seems the CTA is letting other cities charge forward while Chicago is falling behind.

Karen Daiter is an at-large leader and co-chair of the Tree Team for the Climate Reality Project, Chicago Metro Chapter. The Climate Reality Project is former VP Al Gore’s worldwide organization to com bat climate change. The Chicago Metro focuses on replacing fossil fuels with renewables and supporting natural solutions that absorb carbon dioxide. Its projects include electrification of transportation, preservation of trees, promotion of solar energy and climate action plans at city, state and federal levels.

Online sources: https://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/6/Charging_Forward_Report_2-10-22_(FINAL).pdf

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $1.6 Billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to Nearly Double the Number of Clean Transit Buses on America's Roads | FTA (dot.gov) https://www.masstransitmag.com/bus/vehicles/article/21277567/ fta-announces-recipients-of-more-than-16-billion-in-funding-for-clean-transit https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/cta-receives-29-million-bus-electrification

Controlled human exposure to diesel exhaust: a method for understanding health effects of traffic-related air pollution | Particle and Fibre Toxicology | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)

by Karen Daiter

CTA photo

StreetWise exists to elevate marginal ized voices and provide opportuni ties for individuals to earn an income and gain employ ment. 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.

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

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

Powwow

Harry Potter’s best friend

Herb of the carrot family

Goblet feature

Major employer

Animal shelter

Junked car’s worth?

horses