Chicago.com
These days there is a lot of talk about going “local,” and with due cause. There is plenty to be said, both from an economic and an ecological standpoint, about the good done by choosing to consume food produced close to your home. But there is another kind of “local” that hasn’t been getting enough attention. Shopping locally. All over the city of Chicago there are small “green” businesses that help support your community and your planet at the same time. By choosing to do the majority of your shopping within walking distance of your apartment, you are not only saving the cost of a CTA ride/gas money(AND CO2 emissions), you gain a better understanding of our beautiful city.
Take the Edgewater neighborhood for example. Though mostly known for its relationship to Loyola University Chicago, it is also a hamlet of sustainable businesses. In under 3 square miles, Edgewater contains several businesses with green rooftops, delicious vegetarian restaurants, and even a green car rental program. If you live in Edgewater, and don’t know about these places, here is a short list.
First of all, there is the lovely (small but variety packed) grocery store, True Nature Health Foods at 6034 North Broadway. This mostly organic grocery store hosts a farmers market on Saturdays during the summer. They also grow some of their own produce (weather permitting) on their roof.
Another green roof company is Uncommon Ground, a restaurant and lounge at 1401 W Devon. One of two in the city, this location not only offers a fabulous selection of drinks at the bar, but they also host hoards of Chicago’s musical artists. Like True Nature, Uncommon Ground also holds a weekly farmer’s market (on Fridays). However, even better than True Nature, if you volunteer at one of Uncommon Ground’s sustainable workshops, you can actually get a chance to see their roof and check it out for yourself.
Another great green restaurant is Alice and Friends at 5812 North Broadway. This non-for-profit restaurant will not only fill you with both delicious food and with a sense of satisfaction that your little indulgence of eating out went to a good cause.
Here is one business you have probably already heard of, I-Go. If you can’t shack the urge to get out of the neighborhood, think about joining I-Go. This car sharing program is actually based in Edgewater! The owners of the organization began with the ecological mission to reduce the average number of miles traveled by cars in Chicago. By making it easier for Chicagoians to not own a car, many Edgewater locals have switched to only renting a car when they really need one.
This is just a short list of places to get you started shopping locally in one neighborhood. Start walking around your neighborhood today, get some exercise, and see what you can find!
We filmed our most recent Chicago.com neighborhood tour in the heart of Wicker Park/Bucktown. If you’re not familiar with this part of Chicago then check out our video soon to hit the website and take the trip “Chicago.com style.”
One of the highlights of shooting the first webisode of 2010 was getting the chance to work with Lacey from www.poorlittlerichgirls.com. Lacey, myself, and the rest of the Chicago.com crew got to stomp around town, ending our evening at a brilliant show at Double Door. That’s when the fun really started.
A huge event was being hosted at Double Door by Thrillist, a web-based company that specializes in what’s hot in your town. On Thursday, Thrillist paid homage to New Orleans (Go Saints!) and Mardi Gras. Sheffield’s catered some truly authentic spicy Cajun grub. Jugglers, stilt walkers and other Mardi Gras themed tomfoolery like beads, masks, and face painters mixed among the crowd of unsuspecting bar-hoppers. Thrillist sure knows how to throw a party. For more of Thrillist’s events visit www.thrillists.com.
Double door is a hot joint located at 1572 N Milwaukee, right in the heart of Wickerpark/Bucktown. Everyone behind the bar was cool and attentive and made sure our drinks were strong. The layout of the place is perfect for an intimate date, or a crazy concert like the one we were at. There are two different rooms with the main stage area upstairs and a downstairs lounge that is a super chill spot perfect for getting away for that one on one conversation. Upstairs and down, the artwork and décor can only be described as “Vinnie approved” That is if you like paintings of big naked ladies, which I do.
Phil Kosch, the talent buyer for Double Door was awesome enough to give us a pre-event tour of the 16 year old venue and briefed us on former bands that played there like The Stones, The Killers, Kid rock, and Local H. The list goes on and on. Sure this place has big names but they also have the best showcase of local talent I have ever seen. Brian Huebner, the manager of this killer establishment showed the whole crew at Chicago.com and www.poorlittlerichgirls.com a kick ass time and thanks to him, we were able to get some back stage interviews with that night’s lineup: Papadosio, Fifth World, Mojo, and the Bayou Gypsies. If you are looking for a complete listing of the events and upcoming shows go to www.Doubledoor.com or give them a call at (773) 489-3160.
Fifth World - “The Sensei of Soul” kicked in their set with some sounds that psychedelically challenge your brain with a funked out chill. They combine electronic instruments and computers that deliver a unique sound and distinct flavor. Asif Wilson was a treat on the ears during his solo on the keyboard. Keep your eyes and ears out for this up and coming bright minded group. I am sure we will be hearing a lot more from these cats. Check out their site “Before the Fifth World” at www.fifthworldmusic.com.
Papadosio is original, timeless, and extremely weird! Their music is a cross between rock hop, enya, and jazz. They are a cool group of dudes that performed some super relaxing music. Their song “The Lack of Everything” showed me what euphoria must be like…very enjoyable to say the least. Check out upcoming shows and tour dates for Papadosio at www.papadosio.com.
Mojo and the Bayou Gypsies – Let me start out by saying Mojo is one talented guy. They had my “hands -a- clapan” and my “feet-a-tappin.” The amount of fun and energy they produced was spectacular. We were lucky to get a couple moments to interview Mojo and the Gypsies and find out some band tour dates and what lies ahead for this bunch of Bayou’s. What a group of characters. I’d go out for a beer with these guys any day. Greg from ‘Fiddler,” you rock that violin. Simply awesome. You can see them at www.redhotmojo.com
Also co-hosting the event was Imerman Angels. They are a great not-for-profit organization providing one-on-one cancer victim support, connecting cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers. If you or anyone you love has been or is currently being affected by cancer, please check out their website. One of their main goals is to partner people fighting cancer with other cancer survivors. One-on-one relationships create the opportunity to ask personal questions and get support from someone who is uniquely familiar with their experience. The service is absolutely free and helps anyone touched by any type of cancer, at any cancer stage level, at any age, living anywhere in the world. Please check out this site and consider making a donation to this awesome organization www.imermanangels.org.
Stay posted to Chicago.com/videos for more behind the stage footage and in depth band interviews coming soon!
Italy is known for “Slow Food” by means of local produce, farm raised animals, and eating healthy meals cooked at home. Well, things are a changing, and perhaps not for the better? I’m not sure, you tell me! Minister Luca Zaia of Italy gave the final go ahead for creating the “the McItaly burger,” containing Italian beef, Asiago cheese and artichoke spread. This is to help the thousands of farmers facing the consequences of the worst economic crisis since 1929. McItaly will bring to the Italian farmers three million and 448 thousand Euros (4.8 million) of additional income per month. It will also enable McDonald’s clients to eat a healthy burger and made with ‘Made in Italy’ products. I hope this will convince them to switch their concepts on the crap they serve us in America and choose a healthier and better quality food. Don’t get me wrong. I love a good beef sandwich, but I’m not really sure “I’m lovin it.”
The first McDonalds to try this “McStereotypical idea” was in Rome’s historic center near the Spanish Steps. Every burger will bear the highly coveted seal “Under the patronage of the Ministry of agriculture and Forestry” The Opposition Democratic Party was none too happy about a government endorsement that is usually seen on museum exhibits and cultural initiatives is now being slapped on a cardboard piece of crap.
I don’t think that this program is going to stop at Italy. Be on the lookout for the new “McChina burger,” with two all beef eggrolls special sauce, lettuce, cheese served on a sesame seed wonton. You think a corporation that rakes in billions of dollars every year can come up with something a little more creative than the “McItaly burger.” Creative or not, the new burger in the first week sold over 100,000 and Zaia says they aren’t stopping there. Soon to be readily available in the 392 Italian restaurants is a new burger featuring smoked bacon and grilled onions, as well as an “all-Italian ingredient salad.”
If you lost a ton of money on the game, there is still good news, Superbowl Commercials– the battle of the advertisers to come up with the most memorable and effective commercials. They make us sing, they make us laugh and they hope we remember their product. Here is a list of my favorite Superbowl commercials.
Vinnie’s favorite Superbowl commercial picks.
1. Mars Inc. – Mars’ Snickers ad, featuring Betty White as a football player, was my favorite part of an underwhelming first quarter. Betty White’s self-deprecating humor is phenomenal. At any age she will always be my “Golden Girl”. This definitely was the first memorable commercial of the Super Bowl, and even more credit for leaving an impression that lasted the entire game.
2. Google Inc. – Google won me over in 60seconds. It told a compelling love story without utilizing graphics, crazy camera tricks, or hell, even an actor. Yet it grabbed the emotions and showcased how Google is a tremendous part of our lives. Anyone in the ad game should have learned something from Google’s tactics keep it simple, efficient and effective
3. Homeaway.com – This was a hysterical remeeting of the Griswalds, the family we all remember from the famous National Lampoons vacation films. This commercial snatched my attention and made me aware of a company I had never even heard of. Plus, the site itself seals the deal. I logged onto homeaway.com, which continued the ad’s momentum with a well-done and funny introduction. Ads exist to leave an impression and cause an action. This one accomplished both. The fact that I – and many others – visited homeaway.com right after it aired proves it only takes “one funny ad.”
4. Denny’s Inc. – OK, that screaming chicken was creepy. I enjoyed watching Denny’s multiple ads. “Nanerpus” F’N rocks! Plus Tues from 6am-10 am we all get free breakfast and I just might participate.
5. Frito-Lay Inc. – I could not turn my head without seeing a Doritos commercial. Besides a boring first-quarter commercial featuring a guy and a dog, and a not-funny commercial in which a guy lays inside a Doritos-filled coffin watching television during his own funeral, the one I ABSOLUTLEY LOVED was the little kid that slaps the guy in the face and tells him “don’t touch my mother and keep your hands off my Doritos.” Classic!
My crap list.
1. GoDaddy.com – Didn’t we see these Danica Patrick commercials last year. Seriously? For real? How desperate of an ad could they come up with? Hey “GoDaddy” I love a massage between two beautiful women as much as the next guy (probably even friggen more than that guy) but we’re in the middle of a game. Give us a commercial with substance or at least have a wardrobe malfunction and then take the heat for it.
2. Anheuser-Busch Co. – I hesitate to include Anheuser-Busch on my crap list, so I will start this on a positive note. First; I loved the Bud Light commercial that ripped off the television show, “Lost.” I also really enjoyed the Bud commercial where the whole community came together to make a human-bridge so a truck can cross and make its beer delivery. But there also was the painfully long Budweiser commercial featuring the friendship between a calf and a Clydesdale. It was neither funny nor heart-felt – what the hell was Bud thinking? Anheuser-Bush is also to blame for the Michelob commercial featuring Lance Armstrong. Beer commercials are at their best when they make people laugh – not when they try to show us a disingenuous lifestyle of the average beer drinker. This ad, unfortunately, took the latter approach and wasted the endorsement of Armstrong, who by the way is pretty friggen ridiculous. While Anheuser-Bush had some hits, it wasted too much of its more than 5 F’N minutes of Super Bowl ad time.
3. CBS Broadcasting Inc. –, Oprah Winfrey and Jay Leno, David Letterman. Where was Conan? CBS – could have done so much more with the talent that was on that couch. “It makes me sick.” In the words of Abe vigoda “it was never personal.”