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We all want to get really nice things for cheap. So what if I told the ladies out there that you can get an amazing hair cut for $15 (guys, you can get it for even cheaper!)?
My clean, classy $15 hair cut!
No, not at Hair Cuttery or at that hair training school down the street, but that you could get a really awesome hair cut by trained professionals with a load of experience and it won’t cost you $50 to $90. Hard to believe, right?
In need of a simple, classic hair cut to reshape the style I already have (lots of layers in my very fine hair), I searched around on Yelp only to find upscale hair salons ready to charge me $75 + for something that should never cost so much. Maybe if I was getting hair extensions, an updo or the latest Kate Gosselin `do, I would be willing to shell out my hard earned cash, but not this time. This time, I needed to keep it clean, simple and classy.
Bello Hair Studio caught my eye with it’s unique reviews: People said that it was a hidden gem of hair salon for a great price, and they were right.
I know that MCH has been really quiet for a couple of weeks now, but rest assured that it’s not going anywhere! Part of Making Chicago Home is (and making Chicago home) is finding a job and a new place to live, which is what I am doing now!
Sorry for the lack of updates, but I will be back early next week!!!
Dev :o) xx
Preservation Chicago took a different approach to its list of most endangered buildings – the “Chicago 7″ – one of its efforts to raise public awareness of the threats facing some of Chicago’s most at-risk architectural treasures. Instead of focusing on seven buildings, PC decided to look back at the tragedies, tribulations and triumphs it has faced and lessons learned.
Executive Director Jonathan Fine led the lecture at the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s lunchtime lecture series to reflect on the 21 buildings they have either lost or saved.
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- TRAGEDY: The Old Mercantile Exchange Building, 1927
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- TRAGEDY: Charitable Eye & Ear Infirmary, 1931
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- TRAGEDY: Farwell Building, 1927, 660-664 N. Michigan Ave.
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- TRAGEDY: Hayes-Healy Center, 1929
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- TRAGEDY: Hotel Dana, 1891, 666 N. State Street
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- TRAGEDY: The Goodman Theatre, 1925, 120 S. Columbus
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- TRAGEDY: Michael Reese, Kaplan Pavillion, 1955, 31st King Drive
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- TRIBULATION: Grant Park, 1835
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- TRIBULATION: The Rosenwald Apartments, 1929, 4618-4646 S. Michigan Blvd.
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- TRIBULATION: Harper Theater and Shops, 1913, Harper Ave./53rd St
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- TRIBULATION: Pilgrim Baptist Church, 1890, Indiana/33rd St.
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- TRIBULATION: Southside Masonic Temple, 1921, 6400 S. Green
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- TRIBULATION: Julia C. Lathrop Homes, 1938, Clybourn/Damen/Diversey
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- TRIBULATION: Prentice Pavillion, 1975, 251 E. Huron
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- TRIUMPH: Cook County Hospital, 1913, 1835 W. Harrison
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- TRIUMPH: East Village District, 1883-1920
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- TRIUMPH: American Book Company Building, 1921, 320-324 E. Cermak
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- TRIUMPH: Milwaukee Avenue Commercial District, 1877-1929
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- TRIUMPH: 444 N. LaSalle St., 1930
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- TRIUMPH: Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church, 1888, 4100 S. Martin Luther King Dr.
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- TRIUMPH: Richard Nickel House, 1889, 1810 W. Cortland
Click through the gallery above to learn more about the buildings. To learn more, please visit Preservation Chicago, Landmarks Illinois and Chicago Landmarks Commission.
Dev xx
Last week Vaudezilla Productions put on a show at Skokie Theatre called “Schtick With Us: A Vaudeville Burlesque”.
The show’s premise was that Public Access Channel 45 was bleeding money and needed to raise $600,000 during their annual pledge drive to keep alive. Your regular characters were in attendance: A has-been-child-actor-turned-idiot-Jersey-Shore-look-a-like as the pledge drive’s host; his disgruntled ex-wife/manager; an overbearing corporate overseer; a goofy clown who ends up saving the day and a charismatic TV station manager who tries to keep everything from going kaput. Honestly, the play part didn’t do much for me.
But schtick with me…
If you’re like me you enjoy a good improv or sketch comedy show, but can’t help cringing at the forced zaniness of some of the bits, or the hackneyed quirkiness that passes for characterisation. I was therefore pleasantly surprised by Cupid Has a Heart On: A Musical Guide to Relationships at the Io Theater.
The ratio of enjoyment to cringing is weighted heavily in enjoyment’s favour (read: I was laughing nearly the entire time…and I am a tough audience).
The cast of Cupid has a Heart On, The Cupid Players
It’s not that the show avoids clichés: many of the familiar tropes and characters are in attendance, from those endless variations on small genitalia jokes, to extravagantly bitchy girlfriends that your friends love to hate. In the end, it doesn’t matter. Cupid is musical revue, with singing so energetic and songs so irresistibly catchy that you find yourself smiling (and laughing!) from beginning to end.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Lucky for us Chicagoans we have a village, and a darn good one at that, who really cares about the children.
Sunday I had the pleasure of meeting the good people who dedicate their time, energy and resources to making sure young Chicagoans eat delicious, wholesome food; learn about nutrition, sustainability, and seasonality; and engage in environmental stewardship.
Melissa Graham and Purple Asparagus spearheaded (pun intended) this Chicago Sustainable/Educational Meet & Greet held at the Logan Square Kitchen.
After being introduced to all of the organisations and individuals making a difference in our community, Chartwells served up the winning winning school lunch from Healthy Schools Campaign’s 2009 Cooking Up Change event, seen below:
This meal cost less than a dollar per person to produce and comprises a chicken and veggie jambalaya, spicy cornbread and a cucumber and tomato salad. None of the school lunches in my high school looked like this!
I love meeting new people and getting to know Chicago better. A couple of weeks ago at the ugly Christmas Sweater Party, I met the dynamic funsherpa people who are always trying to fuel your fun in the Chicago area!
When Anton of funsherpa asked if he could interview me for the blog, I was so honoured! Of course I sat down with him and we chatted about sub-zero temperatures and why I love Chicago!
You can find the interview here!
Thanks to funsherpa and Anton for wanting to feature me! :o)
Dev xx
Yesterday Improv Everywhere hosted their 9th annual No Pants Subway Ride. The thing was a global affair and you can see updates on how it went on the Improve Everywhere site.
I never dreamed that I would actually run into a group of brave people sporting only their undies, especially since I didn’t take the L at all yesterday. You can imagine my surprise when I ran into a group of people around 3pm at the intersection of Belmont and Clark.
These kids deserve props. May I remind you that the temperature yesterday only reached 19 degrees!
From L. to R. in the photo: Bruce Sawyer, 20; Zack Corneoius, 21; Eric Dargeon, 18; John McCombs, 19; Aric Austermann, 21; Laura Sokolowski, 19.
According to the group, Sokolowski organised them together.
Dev xx
At 1200 W. Belmont (intersection of Belmont and Racine) there stands a BP gas station with barely functioning pumps. The digital screens are broken, it takes at least seven tries for the machine to read the zip code you punch in and the gas pumps start to leak petrol as soon as you take the nozzle off of its hanger.
It’s a mess.
I hate going there but it is closer to my place than other gas stations, so I suck it up.
A couple of days ago I stopped by to find this sign on the pump with a ‘friendly’ message from one of my fellow Chicagoans:
The hand-written message underneath reads, “Please use some of your profits to replace these shi**y old pumps.”
Amen!
Dev xx
As 2009 winds down, I’d like to reflect on how the year has been for Making Chicago Home. As you may or may not know, this baby blog was born on the 19th of February when the first post was proudly displayed.
Since then, MCH has covered everything from ballets to bad pizza, cat circuses, spaghetti wrestling, butchering, fashion and Chicago parades. It has been quite a ride.
One great find of 2009: Frushi from Orange
In the new year MCH hopes to grow and mature, and we hope you will be around to see the good things we find.
Alas, there are still things that I did not get to do in Chicago during 2009 that I hope to do in 2010. Please take the time to read over the list and let me know which things you think would be cool. I am going to keep readers updated about the items on the checklist.
1. High-five Mayor Daley. I know this one is a long shot, but can’t a girl dream? :-)
2. Indulge in a cupcake three-course meal. Meatloaf cupcakes for dinner, Swirlz cupcakes for dessert. Cupcakes are all the rage and I think it might be possible to make a whole meal out of it. I want an appetiser, entree and dessert three-ring cupcake circus.
3. Go to a show at TimeLine theatre. What’s cooler than the theatre? How about a theatre that “presents stories inspired by history that connect with today’s social and political issues”? Ever since I had the pleasure of Artistic Director PJ Powers speak about the creation of this theatre company, I kicked myself for not going sooner.
4. Take the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour. I know, I know. Everyone and their brother has done this tour. But I still haven’t and I love architecture. Shame on me.
5. Adopt a cat from Felines, Inc. I was a proud older sister to a handsome cat named Tiger for 17 years until he passed away last January. He died soon after I arrived in Chicago. It was tough but I think I am now ready to open my heart up to a new kitty-in-need. Felines Inc. has done remarkable work since 1977, and Executive Director Abby Smith cares so much about the fur balls that it will make your heart melt.
