This video is currently in the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts as part of the Gentrification of Brooklyn group exhibit.
MoCADA
The Gentrification of Brooklyn: The Pink Elephant Speaks
February 4, 2010 – May 16, 2010
80 Hanson Place
Brooklyn, NY 11217-1506
Categories: urbanisms
Tagged: gentrification of brooklyn, mocada, spec boogie
My first job was at a co-op. I had… um, gotten into… um… a little trouble as a teen and was referred to the co-op by my counselor at the Holton Youth Center in Milwaukee. Outpost Natural Foods hired me at fifteen years old with zero work experience, a nose piercing, dark lip-liner and baggy jeans. They were a godsend. After two years as a cashier and customer service representative helping to sign shoppers up to become owners of the co-op I had tons of confidence and a knack for fighting off colds with homeopathic remedies.
More recently, and without dark lip-liner, I’ve taken to visiting The Riverwest Co-op on my visits to Milwaukee. Their motto? Food for People, Not For Profit. Housed in a tiny storefront, packed to the brim with foodstuffs, produce and even a cafe, it’s something I’ve wished for in Chicago for years.
Looks like I got my wish with the recently opened Dill Pickle Co-op.
While the price points were more comprabable to Whole Foods than Trader Joe’s and their membership program is a little more expensive that I would like, Dill Pickle is definitely providing a good service. It is unfortunate that a community owned grocery store’s prices must be so much higher than those of large corporations; makes it hard for even a middle-class family to shop there these days. Still, the cost for bulk items is reasonable and once the growing pains are done, we may be able to see some of the prices come down.
Does your neighborhood have a co-op? Where is it? Worth the visit?
Categories: midwest is best · small change · urbanisms
Tagged: dill pickle co-op, outpost natural foods, riverwest co-op
I was stranded at work last night and decided to walk around the neighborhood while I waited on husband dearest to rescue me. The snow was coming down pretty fast so I decided to warm up a block into my little stroll at Open Books, a new independent, not-for-profit bookshop in the heart of River North. Super cozy and filled to the brim with books on every subject under the sun, it was the perfect little oasis to watch the flakes come down.
Open Books doesn’t just sell books– they teach folks how to read them. A literacy program for children and adults is in the same building. If you’re looking for a good volunteer opportunity in Chicago, they have an orientation coming up in March. Sign up here. If you’re looking for a great read and are sick of going to Borders or Amazon, buy local and shop here.
Hardcovers were around $8 and softcovers, $5. I got a new copy of Black Betty by Walter Mosely and am so looking forward to settling down with a cup of tea and Easy Rawlins tonight.
Open Books
213 West Institute Place
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 475-1355
Categories: seen on the street · urbanisms
Since I was fifteen, when the paper version of the NYT was being delivered to my dad’s house, I’ve started Monday mornings with Metropolitan Diary. The paper version has been replaced by the app on my iPhone, but I still wake up looking forward to the city anecdotes at the start of the work week. Reading them leaves me with a warm and fuzzy feeling about urban living and I go about my day on a happier note. An entry from yesterday’s edition got me thinking about gardening; yes, even in twenty degree weather.
The Balcony
Their balcony is nice, but very small.
It overlooks the East River and all
it can hold is two chairs and four plants in pots.
He likes to tend the plants and spends lots
of time out there; often his wife is in the kitchen when
she will call him, and he replies, “I’m in the garden.”
James M. Shea
This is an ideal time to scope out sales and close-outs for container gardening. Do some sketches and see where you can fit some plants on your balcony or the windowsill in your kitchen. Plant stands are super cheap at thrift stores and a lot of outdoor gardening gear at home goods stores is being offered at deep discounts right now. I’m sure they’ll go even lower after Christmas. Thinking about how great you’ll feel sitting on that porch or balcony come June with a cold beer and flowers all around may just get you through the winter.
Categories: pretty stuff · urbanisms
Tagged: balcony garden
I can’t spell. Every time I have written Chicagoian on this very blog, my husband has gone behind me and edited it to the proper Chicagoan. I swore up and down that I had the correct spelling and that he was in the wrong, so I googled. And found The Chicagoan Magazine, a short-lived counterpart to the still-trucking-along New Yorker.
Pretty much forgotten after its eleven year run, historian Neil Harris recently wrote an award-winning book about the magazine. From the press release: “Urbane in aspiration and first published just sixteen months after the 1925 appearance of the New Yorker, it sought passionately to redeem the Windy City’s unhappy reputation for organized crime, political mayhem, and industrial squalor by demonstrating the presence of style and sophistication in the Midwest.”
Harris’ book is perfect for the Chicagoan or urbanophile in your life this Christmas.
Oh, and… Chicago has nothing to prove to New York. Thanks.
Categories: midwest is best · urbanisms
Tagged: the chicagoan magazine
The last time we visited God’s Hill City Farm, it was the last warm day of fall and the plants in the backyard were resplendent in their glory and ready to harvest. Would you believe that they are still picking fresh greens every day, now, in the first week of severe winter weather?
With a new hot house and lots of TLC, God’s Hill City Farm will be able to keep up their growing throughout the season. If you have questions or want to learn more about urban farming, email godsil.james@gmail.com.
Categories: urbanisms
Tagged: god's hill city farm, james godsil, milwaukee, milwaukee renaissance, urban farming, urban hot house
Cool Hunting has two city guide videos worth checking out. Baltimore has been on my must-visit list for a few years and this video, along with Anthony Bourdain’s time with Felicia “Snoop” Pearson from The Wire on No Reservations, makes me think I should get there sooner rather than later.
Oakland was their next stop. I’m extremely dismayed that no people of color were profiled in the video. Hoping they do better with upcoming cities.
Categories: seen on the street · urbanisms
god's hill city farm
These photos come from God’s Hill City Farm in Milwaukee. This farm is located in my dad’s backyard and he’s been out there most every morning and evening in season since 2006. Inspired by MacArthur Genius Will Allen over at Growing Power, where he is a board member, Father Dearest started his urban farm to give a home to worms. It is like a worm homeless shelter, if worms needed one. Yes, I said that.
god's hill city farm
“Give a worm a banana peel and they’re at the drive-in with a cute gal, a sexy movie and a 40,” Dad says. His mission is to make sure the worms are happy in his compost bin and they return the favor by pooping very serious nutrients into the soil, which in turn, gives Dad delicious arugula (the choice of bourgeoise everywhere), basil, raspberries, tomatoes, kale, potatoes and the like.
rain barrels at god's hill city farm
You can learn more about starting your own backyard farm at Milwaukee Renaissance. Spring is just around the corner ( we can pretend, can’t we?), and you can start composting and gathering your worms ’round right now. Dad would welcome any questions at godsil.james@gmail.com.
Categories: urbanisms
