Devon Avenue

Also known as the Indo-Pak Community or the Desi Corridor.

The New Cabrini

Cabrini Green, once Chicago's most notorious neighborhood, has undergone some changes starting in 1995, with the demolition of the housing projects for low-income and welfare residents. The plan was to create a "mixed-income" neighborhood, with rich and poor living side by side. Has it succeeded? Others talk about their own experiences, past and present.

Cobbler, Cobbler, Mend My Shoe

So goes the first line of an old Mother Goose rhyme (here's the rest of it). Gus of Hyde Park Shoe Rebuilders, is a genuine cobbler and I met him today at his shop. Here he is amidst his cobbling machinery and stacks of shoes awaiting his attention. Gus is originally from Greece.

Snow on the Prairie

Bobolink Meadow, Chicago.

KAM Isaiah Israel

The first Jewish settlers in Chicago organized Kehilath Anshe Maariv in 1847. Isaiah Israel is the second oldest congregation, founded in 1852. The two merged to form KAM Isaiah Israel Temple in 1971. The temple is on Greenwood and Hyde Park Avenue. The Weiss Museum of Judaica is also located here. Click here to find a better view of this byzantine-inspired building. Today is the first day of the Festival of Lights--if you celebrate, Happy Hanukkah!

The Bell Ringer

Nolen works for The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign in my neighborhood grocery. Who's ringing the bell at yours?

Sunshine Elsewhere

Illinois Street. Walking downtown between the buildings where the sun always seems to be where I'm not...

First Snowfall

Jackson Park, Chicago.