BUCKTOWN Bucktown is known for its trendy, inventive restaurants, its fashionable shopping district, and its residential architecture. The neighborhood began in the 1800s as a Polish working-class ward particularly known for its goat herds. Over two centuries Bucktown developed into an artistic, bohemian hub, eventually evolving through the gentrification process to become one of Chicago’s hippest neighborhoods. This evolution began to attract a new, affluent professional generation. Many of the old residences were restored or torn down and replaced with contemporary single-family homes. This modern mix of progressive ideals and the wealth of young urban professionals turned Bucktown [...]

A CULTURE OF BODYSNARKING AND SELF-HATRED I’d like to share these photos of female athletes taken by Howard Schatz in 2002. I’d like you to look at the variety of their bodies. What is your initial reaction? Does your opinion change after learning each woman is in peak physical condition? I feel like these images have been thrown around a lot lately. I don’t know why they suddenly resurfaced, but, to me, their timeliness seems profound. I’ve been reading a lot of articles lately that discuss body image, particularly for women. In fact, I’ve seen a [...]

INSIDE AN INJURY One week ago I sprained my ankle. We were running this beautiful, mysterious trail edged by aspen and pine trees in the inner basin of the San Francisco Peaks. I had never tried trail running, and just as I was getting cocky, just as I thought, “I’m amazed I haven’t tripped yet…” my notoriously weak ankle gave way. It made a hideous sound, a sort of crunching pop that makes me sick even as a memory. I’m not used to hurting myself, to propping my leg up on a pillow and sitting still for a [...]

FEATURE ON CAFE MARIE-JEANNE IN HUMBOLDT PARK Café Marie-Jeanne is one of Humboldt Park’s best-kept secrets. At first glance it doesn’t look like much; the outside is a quiet, unassuming storefront, the inside is a simple dining room with a bar along one wall. However, the food is another story altogether. Whether you’re stopping in for a morning coffee, grabbing drinks with friends, lingering over brunch, or on the prowl for a hearty dinner, Café Marie-Jeanne has one of the tastiest—and most fascinating—selections in the neighborhood. Nothing about the café is ostentatious; come as you are and enjoy the [...]

FEATURE ON ELAWA FARM IN LAKE FOREST Elawa Farm is one of Lake Forest’s hidden gems. This working gentleman’s farm was built in 1917 by one of Chicago’s most distinguished families and is a rare example of an American estate farm—designed purely for pleasure and not required to turn a profit. The land was acquired by the City of Lake Forest in 1998, thus providing the general public access to the stunning grounds, gardens, and historic buildings. The farm presents an incredibly unique opportunity for those interested in gardening, healthy lifestyles, and historic preservation. After undergoing complete restoration, Elawa [...]

ART ENCOUNTER: MAKING ART ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE Most people have heard the adage, “Does life imitate art, or does art imitate life?” The very fact that mankind still feels the need to debate and explore this concept argues that, though some may call it trite, the need for creative expression is just as valid now as it was two thousand years ago. When we see ourselves represented in art we feel a blend of validation and unity, finally understanding that we are both unique and part of something bigger. Bringing art inside the home is a form of self-expression. [...]