Coming from a former Lakeview resident, I must say that I feel much more at home in the Ukrainian Village. Not only is the rent significantly cheaper, but the eats, bars and shops around the area are much more to my liking. Being right between Division Street and Chicago Ave., it’s super easy to pick a direction, walk to it, and find a plethora of choices for shopping, eating and drinking. Say for instance, the local neighborhood dive bar: Tuman’s. When I lived in Lakeview, I would journey over to meet my friends at Tuman’s to have some drinks and bar food. The place is great, with great beer specials, outdoor seating and amazing food, how can you go wrong? Plus, anyone and everyone is welcome there, unlike many other bars around town. All along Division are amazing boutiques that suit my taste (but maybe not my wallet’s taste) where you can find the trendiest hand-made clothes and jewelry in so many of the different stores. My favorite is Penelope’s, a cute little boutique with blue walls, hip clothing, shoes and jewelry for both men and women. Now it comes down to food. Any type of food you want, well, you’ve got it. I don’t even know where to begin with the great places. But I will say, be sure to stop by Milk and Honey on Division, or the Bleeding Heart Bakery on Chicago Ave.

Technorati Tags: Ukrainian Village, Tuman’s, Division St., Chicago Ave., Penelope’s, Milk and Honey, the Bleeding Heart Bakery

Sitting and working at home has become increasingly difficult as the noises of incessant fly-byes could wake the dead. I can’t help feeling like I’m in the middle of a war zone as the sound of war crafts permeates the air, and the echoes ricochet off of the skyscrapers downtown. Not to mention, it’s giving me a tremendous headache.

I know there are many people who are in awe of the planes, their expert pilots and the stunts they exhibit in midair. I, however, am not wowed by any of this. In fact, I’m rather disgusted by the whole thing. Perhaps, that’s just a symptom of the roaring headache induced by steady zipping and rumbling of stealth bombers, blue angels and all of the other machines I’m subject to these days during these incessant fly-byes.

If it were simply the sounds of the planes themselves, perhaps I could just convince myself that I was spending some quality time on a landing strip at O’Hare. But, unfortunately, the mighty roars of war crafts are too much for many city creatures to comprehend. And when I speak of city creatures in this instance, I’m speaking of everything from house pets to parked cars.

Every time one of those brawny technologically advanced pieces of aviation swoop past, my cats become hysterical and at least ten car alarms go off on the street. And yes, I can hear car alarms, even on the 24th floor of my apartment building. Personally, I’m ready to abandon ship for the next few days to avoid any more of the incessant fly-byes, but I don’t think my cats would be terribly pleased with my absence. So, I guess I’ll just stick around and complain.

Posted by: Conci N.

Technorati Tags: Chicago, IL, The Chicago Air and Water Show, Outdoor Festivals

As is to be expected every year, the time for the air and water show is here. I’ve never been terribly fond of outdoor festivals, but there are some that I like better than others. For me, the air and water show ranks right up there with The Taste of Chicago. Actually, I think it’s worse.

Why do I think it’s worse? For many reasons, actually, one of which is the noise. I live less than a mile away from North Avenue beach, and just down the street from the Oak Street Beach. So, every plane that flies to impress passes my 24th floor apartment, and the noise is not only distracting, but also disconcerting.

I suppose I’m just not terribly fond of the idea of flaunting our nation’s air and firepower around to incite terrified awe in spectators. Perhaps, I’m looking at the whole thing all wrong. I mean, I know that we should be proud of the US’s technological superiority, but particularly in time of war, it somehow seems inappropriate. Like we’re not only flaunting our power, but also recruiting the spectators of our equipment in action to be killers or be killed.

I’m kind of quirky, though. I don’t like fireworks because they sound like explosives…well, they are explosives. I don’t like the air and water show because it’s basically a parade of military equipment. And, I don’t like parades because they’re generally designed to invoke awe in spectators for things that are not necessarily awesome or awe worthy.

Posted by: Conci N.

Technorati Tags: Chicago, IL, Chicago Air and Water Show, Chicago Festivals

Obviously, no one really thinks about there being such a thing as urban wildlife. But the fact is, there are plenty of strange animals and bugs flying around the city. I suppose I’m just talking about this because in the last few days I have seen quite a few little animals and critters running and roaming around the city lately.

My whole contemplation about urban wildlife started a on Monday when I saw one of the strangest and creepiest looking bugs I’ve ever seen just chilling outside my window. Let me tell you, I was sure glad that that little fellow couldn’t get in. It seemed like he (well, maybe it was a she…I wouldn’t know) had pincher antennas, was mostly green and just really creepy looking. It probably doesn’t help that I have an innate aversion to all bugs and slight arachnophobia.

The other urban wildlife encounters I’ve had in the last week were not nearly as icky. As I was driving down Milwaukee Avenue, between Division and Augusta, a little baby rabbit, ran across the street. Actually, I was a bit worried for the bunny’s safety, but it’s not like there’s much I can do to ensure its well being, except avoiding it on the road. But, who knows if the next driver will be so careful.

My final urban wildlife experience this week, was outside of my friend’s house in Humboldt Park. My friend’s landlord places food out for the neighborhood stray cats, but the resident raccoons (who seem to live in the tree in front of the building) are usually the only animals eating that food. These raccoons are quite large, since they’re fed regularly, but they’re also not afraid of humans…at all. In fact, they’ll sit and watch you, approach you and everything. It’s kind of strange, but as urban wildlife, they are accustomed to humans. Anyway, it’s good to take notice of the wildlife in your area, but probably inadvisable to touch any of it…even if it may seem friendly – no one wants to have to get a stomach full of shots to make sure they don’t get rabies.

Posted by: Conci N.

Technorati Tags: Chicago, IL, animals in Chicago, Chicago Wildlife