With cancer diagnosis, Near West staple William Lavicka focusing on rehabbing himself

Preservation pioneer

11/16/2011

Over the past 37 years, William Lavicka has made some big changes to the Near West Side - by keeping it the same. Starting with his own home on Jackson Boulevard just east of Ashland Avenue, he took big chunks of a block-long stretch of run-down old mansions and gave them the love they needed to thrive.
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Hotel, retail complex proposed near McCormick Place

Delayed deadlines and unclear financing raise questions about massive project

11/16/2011

A strategic piece of land just north of McCormick Place West is being eyed for redevelopment again, with developers pitching a massive new development to take advantage of convention attendees.
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A formula for success in Chicago's schools

Leadership, teachers, curriculum are the key ingredients, Brizard says

11/16/2011

There's a trifecta, Chicago Public Schools Chief Jean-Claude Brizard says, that leads to great schools - leadership, teachers and curriculum. Brizard spoke with Chicago Journal’s editorial board last Thursday about his vision for creating those great schools. Chief among them was establishing a longer school day, an initiative already begun in 13 CPS elementary schools.
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West Loop residents bringing two-wheeled revolution to Africa

Changing lives, one bike at a time

11/09/2011

One hot, sunny day last month - like so many others in Zambia - was unforgettable for Memory. As West Looper June Kirchgatter stood before a crowd of villagers and fellow Americans, the young African girl's mother stopped the ceremony and began to sing and dance.
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Randolph Street pioneer turns 20

Vivo blazed trail for rest of bustling restaurant row

11/09/2011

Walking down Randolph Street in the West Loop, hungry Chicagoans have an embarrassment of riches. Some of the best and hottest restaurants in the city have set up shop on this strip between the Kennedy Expressway and Ogden Avenue: Girl and the Goat, Maude's Liquor Bar, One Sixtyblue - and more are on the way.
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South Loop School cuts gifted program

Fioretti staffer says 'we're not giving up,' will continue fighting for expansion

11/09/2011

A month after South Loop Elementary School announced it would cuts its gifted program for kindergarten, Principal Tara Shelton announced Friday night that the school is permanently cutting the entire gifted program.
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Developers eye filling up the South Loop

Developers beginning to grab vacant properties again

11/09/2011

The property at 1712 S. Prairie Ave. that was supposed to be X/O condos but is instead a few empty buildings with badly dated banners has finally found a buyer — the joint venture of Golub & Co. and Sandz Development Co.
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Stopping controversy on Wabash

Two new traffic signals have neighbors cheering, businesses jeering

11/09/2011

A plan to install two new traffic signals on Wabash Avenue has at least one business all revved up. Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) announced in an email last week that he’s secured $650,000 to install traffic signals at the intersections of Wabash and 13th and 14th streets.
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Chicago preparing for next spring's G8 and NATO summit to overrun neighborhood

Global leaders force South Loop shift

11/02/2011

This summer, Mayor Rahm Emanuel talked his former boss, President Obama, into bringing two simultaneous meetings of the world's most powerful politicians and military leaders to Chicago for the annual G8 and NATO summits.
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Drum store aims to be best in the Chicago

Beat of his own shop

11/02/2011

Victor Salazar is the kind of guy everybody trusts. For the last 16 years, he's been selling drums and dealing expertise at Palatine's Drum Pad, earning plaudits and fierce customer loyalty. It's been a gig that's extended far beyond 9 to 5, and he's made connections with drummers for everyone from the Smashing Pumpkins to Styx to Frank Zappa.
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