Category archive for ‘Huffington Post Chicago Reprints’ 
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Pedestrian Danger at Museum Campus
Imagine my surprise this past Friday when I took one of my urban hikes through my downtown Chicago neighborhood and walked right into what may be the most unnecessarily dangerous pedestrian crossing in town.
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Mold-A-Rama Madness!
Earlier this month, a visit to the Brookfield Zoo uncovered new depths of hidden obsessiveness in Yours Truly. I’ve always liked the place–it reminds me of a pancake-flat Bronx Zoo, minus the Bengali Express monorail ride through Wild Asia that I grew up riding. But there’s one thing I unfortunately didn’t grow up with at the NYC animal park: Mold-A-Rama!
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CTA Mum on New Polk Street Red Line Entrance
Yesterday, the Chicago Transit Authority opened the long-heralded Polk Street entrance to the Harrison Street Red Line ‘L’ station months ahead of schedule. If you didn’t know that, you’re not alone. Most people probably still have no clue the entrance is open.
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Who Stole the ‘L’ Stop at Washington/State?
It may be the biggest heist in Chicago history, folks, and it’s right under our noses. Or our feet, anyway. One look at this year’s new Chicago Transit Authority map uncovers the dastardly deed: someone has stolen the Washington/State Red Line station.
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It’s 10 O’Clock, Do You Know Who Your City Is?
This week I took a look at the official visitors websites of my two favorites Midwestern cities: my adopted hometown of Chicago (ChooseChicago); and Ohio’s Queen City, Cincinnati (CincinnatiUSA). In doing so, I found that size is no predictor of marketing ability. Both visitors websites fall flat in the storytelling department, among a host of other faults.
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At Home in the Flyover Zone
As I mark my sixth anniversary as an ex-pat New Yorker living in King Daley’s court, I realize this is the first New Year in Chicago that I don’t want to be anywhere else.
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Mute Impressions at the Art Institute
Attempting to recover from the prancing and pawing of rooftop hooves, I decided to spend a post-Christmas morning at the Art Institute of Chicago. Even before I checked my coat, I knew my visit would leave a mixed impression on me. As always, I expected to exit with an uplifted imagination but somewhat disappointed expectations.
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Clout Gate
Clout Gate. I’m coining the term here and now. I can’t think of any better reason than clout to explain why an Illinois governor elected on an anti-corruption platform and ending up under long-term federal investigation would think he could get away with disgraceful deeds the likes of which got Rod Blagojevich arrested in his jogging suit by the F.B.I. on Tuesday morning.
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CTA to Eject Rush-Hour Riders?
Homeless advocates believe CTA’s ‘no continuous riding’ signs are aimed directly at homeless riders, who take to the ‘L’ in droves during frigid Chicago winters in order find overnight warmth. However, today a CTA spokesperson labeled all rush-hour riders who take ‘L’ trains back to terminals in order to find seats for their morning trips downtown are violating the rule. Seriously?
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CTA’s Holiday Homeless Harassment
During the past few weeks of waning daylight, waxing chill, and growing holiday spirit, the Chicago Transit Authority has been busy installing new signage at rail terminals on the CTA ‘L’. The message on the signs is clear, and a bit ominous: they demand an additional fare from any rider who wants to depart the terminal in the opposite direction from which they arrived. Are the signs aimed at the homeless?
