NATO protesters March through the South Loop

This group wanted the United States out of the Philippines.

Sunday May 200, 2012—Well it happened. We finally had the protest march down S. Michigan Ave. that we were told was coming. If you were following things on Twitter, you would have seen moment by moment updates as the marchers got closer and closer to our neighborhood.

Smaller than expected
Perhaps not as big as expected, (some estimated the marchers numbered 3,000) but it was noisy and boisterous. Just about every cause and/or grievance was on display. There were anti-war protesters, those in support of WikiLeaks whistleblower Bradley Manning, a small sampling of protesters out today. Hard to discern a cohesive message among all the groups, but that didn’t seem to matter to those involved in the march to Cermak. There was a strong police presence during the entire march with officers on foot, riding bicycles, and in motor vehicles.

Police officers on bikes line up along Michigan Ave.

Loud but under control
The protesters were at times loud, some of the signs held high were profane, but overall things never seemed to get out of hand. Before the protesters arrived at Cermak to rally and listen to speeches, the Chicago Sanitation Department was on the job cleaning the streets. Street sweepers and garbage trucks assembled, seemingly out of nowhere, and started cleaning up.

What was your impression?
It seemed like an amazingly smooth operation to us. What was your perspective? Please share your thoughts here.

Nothing “Old” about Old St. Mary’s School in the South Loop

Oldest in the City
For residents of the South Loop, Old St. Mary’s Church on S. Michigan Ave. is a local landmark. But did you know that OSM’s is the oldest Catholic congregation in the city? The congregation formed in 1833 (as Saint Mary of the Assumption) and the original church was located on the south side of Lake St. In 1846, the church established the first Catholic grammar school in Chicago.

Establishing Roots in the South Loop

Snow boots neatly arranged outside a preschool classroom

When the church relocated (after many years at various city locations and a history that includes the Great Fire of 1871) to 1500 S. Michigan Ave. in 2002, young families in the emerging South Loop wanted their children to have access to a faith-based education. In 2004 Old St. Mary’s School opened its doors, with Barbara Spaniol-Smith as its first principal and teacher. The first preschool had 18 students. As the South Loop grew, so did the young families attending OSM’s church. With that growing population, the need for a new and larger school became necessary.

A Complete Elementary School
In the summer of 2010, construction of a new school began. It was completed in time for the 2011-2012 school year. According to current Old St Mary’s School principal, Mary Lee Calihan, the school now serves 259 students. Grades include preschool through sixth grade. According to Calihan, additional grades will be added each year until the school is a complete elementary school through the eight grade. The school has a five-year plan that includes knocking down the old school facility south of the church to build more classrooms and creating a junior high.

Modern Facilities

Students learn weather-related vocabulary words

We took a tour of the OSM’s facilities at 1474 S. Michigan Ave. recently. The school is bright, clean, and technologically up to date. Each class is equipped with SMART interactive white boards and students have access to laptop computers. As of this writing, the school is working on producing its own student-lead TV news program, in a small studio located at OSM’s.

Neighborhood School

OSM’s aims to be a vibrant part of the South Loop and encourages its students to give back in service to their community.OSM’s is a neighborhood school with approximately 75% of its students within walking distance, according to Calihan.

For more information on OSM’s, please visit their Web site and find them on Facebook. Below is the mission statement from OSM’s school Web site.

Our Mission

Old St. Mary’s Catholic School is dedicated to educating the children of its growing parish by:

• Providing a solid foundation in the Catholic faith, within the context of a challenging academic program, one that takes advantage of all of the cultural opportunities available in the city around us.
• Complementing the role of the family in nurturing a strong sense of dignity and self-worth in each child.
• Developing an appreciation in every child of their connection to others by fostering a sense of concern and a commitment to service.
• Encouraging habits that build strong minds in healthy bodies and that nurture secure and poised individuals who will be ready to meet the challenges of the present and future.

Foot Fitness Coming to South Michigan Ave.

 
We’re not exactly sure what Foot Fitness might be, but a quick Google search brings up several Foot Fitness centers in Detroit, Michigan. Those centers are occupied by Podiatrists. The new “office” will be located near the 800 block on S. Michigan Ave. Maybe we’ll learn something about Foot Fitness at this morning’s State of the South Loop meeting.

The Chicago Marathon: It’s Back!

The 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon (its official name) will take place this Sunday, October 9. If you’re traveling in and out of the South Loop, it’s best to leave early and come back late. Expect traffic detours, to accommodate the race, to cause some minor headaches. According to marathon organizers, 45,000 runners are registered for the 26.2-mile road race. There are runners from all 50 states and 109 foreign countries participating this year.

South Loop Drama
We love watching the Chicago Marathon as the runners come through the South Loop. With barely two miles left in the race, things can get pretty dramatic on S. Michigan Ave. around 18th and 16th streets. From 16th St., we saw last year’s winner, Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya, run by looking like he was running a 5K, not a marathon. Wanjiru died last May after falling off of a balcony in his home in Nyahururu, Nairobi, Kenya.

Weather Watch
The weather is expected to be warm with the temperature to be in mid-60s when the race starts at 7:30 a.m. It could reach 80 by noon, but it won’t be anything like the 90 degrees experienced in 2007 when 3 ½ hours into the race organizers canceled the event. Over 300 people were taken away for medical treatment on that day.

Course Race Views
We like to watch the race from 16th and S. Michigan. Where’s your favorite spot to watch the Marathon? To find a spot to watch the race check out the course map by clicking here.

Tribute Restaurant to Open July 7

Tribute, the new restaurant at 800 S. Michigan Ave., featuring “contemporary Armerican fare,” is set to open on Thursday, July 7, 2011. South Loop Connection will get a sneak peek at this new eatery on Wednesday. Check back on Thursday for reviews and pictures.

Pita Heaven Opens on S. Michigan

Pita Heaven at 1250 S. Michigan Ave. opened rather quietly last week. After much anticipation, those who’ve had the opportunity to eat there are bound to think it was worth the wait.

Chicken dinner special; the oven potatoes are perfection.

According to their Web site, Pita Heaven “brings authentic Eastern Mediterranean cuisine to downtown Chicago.” We’re no experts on Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, but all the menu choices seemed appealing to us. We sampled the chicken pesto panni with lettuce, tomatoes, pesto sauce, mozzarella cheese, and grilled peppers. The portion was more than ample and the ingredients were fresh and tasty. We also sampled a chicken with pita special. Again, the portion was generous and the chicken was flavorful and carefully prepared. A big shout out for the oven potatoes, which are as good as any you’ll find this side of Greektown.

Pita Heaven offers dine-in, delivery, and carry-out service.

Pita Heaven offers dine-in, delivery and carry-out service. The interior is comfortable and nicely appointed. The fireplace is a nice touch; it will surely be the place to be on a chilly winter’s day…or maybe a not-so-warm day in June!

For a complete look at their menu, please click the link or visit their Web site.

13th and Wabash Continued

Obstruction Moved
The truck flatbed that was blocking the south-facing stop sign at S. Wabash and 13th has been moved to the east side of S. Wabash near 14th. We put in a call to 311 yesterday and we’re happy to see they made sure the truck was moved.

What we're seeing on S. Wabash these days

What's the 311?
South Loop Connection still hasn’t been able to get any information on how long the water main work will take. The signs say call the 311 operator for information, which we did this afternoon. The 311 operator was very polite, but the work seemed to be as big a surprise to her as to us. She checked with her supervisor, but she was not able to provide any additional information.

"Work on S. Wabash and S. Michigan"

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Timing is Everything
The timing couldn’t be worse for the restaurants along S. Wabash offering alfresco dining, just when the weather is finally getting nice. We called Gioco, but there was no one available to speak with us before this piece was posted. Zapatista’s had their answering service on.

There is also sewer work going on along Michigan Ave., which seems to be another surprise to most of us.

Around the South Loop: Volume 13

Seasons Change
When the seasons change, many of us have certain touchstones that remind us we’re entering the warmer months. For me, the French Open tennis tournament is my unofficial beginning of summer. Around the South Loop, the "unwrapping" of the fountain at Trevi Square on S. Michigan is another. This morning I noticed  bubbling water was flowing out of it. A beautiful sight; I always try to walk by Trevi Square during the summer just to gaze at the fountain and the beautiful courtyard.

The fountain at Trevi Square on S. Michigan Ave.

What signs or touchstones do you have that say summer is upon us?

"South Loop pics"

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Free Admission to Art Institute on Weekdays Through February 4, 2011

The Art Institute of Chicago at 111 South Michigan Ave. has instituted free weekday admission during normal museum hours through February 4, 2011. If you work in the Loop, you can actually visit the museum during your lunch hour or on your way home.

You can view Georges Seurat's famous painting for free during weekdays

A Chicago mainstay and real treasure, The Art Institute is one of the best museums of its kind anywhere in the world. Always a world-class museum, the opening of the Modern Wing last spring only burnished its reputation. As cool as the Modern Wing is, I always find myself wandering over to the Impressionist exhibit. It's one of the best in the world and includes major works by Degas, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Cassatt, and many others. One of the most famous, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges-Pierre Seura was once owned by a resident of Prairie Ave. during the late nineteenth century!

Jitish Kallat’s Public Notice 3 is exhibited on the main staircase.

A new exhibit of note is right in plain sight on the steps of the Grand Staircase. Jitish Kallat’s Public Notice 3 is a reproduction of a speech given by Swami Vivekananda on religious tolerance at one of the many world congresses held during the 1893 World's Columbian Exhibition. The original Art Institute building housed these special congresses. The words from the speech are spread out on the staircase steps in the colors from the United States’ Department of Homeland Security alert system. This is the first instillation of a work by Kallat, an artist from India, in the United States.

A listing of the World's Fair "congresses" from an 1893 publication

If you enjoy the visual arts, there are some great exhibits in the Modern Wing. Check the short video below for a taste of what's in store. For a complete list of all the exhibits, be sure to check the museum Web site.

Columbia College Buys Johnson Publishing Building on Michigan

Johnson Publishing Company has announced that they've sold their building headquarters at 820 S. Michigan Ave. to Columbia College Chicago. The publishing company's most famous publications include Jet and Ebony magazines.

Johnson Publishing has been at 820 S. Michigan Ave. since 1972

Although the exact cost of the sale has not been revealed, it is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $8 million. Johnson Publishing plans on leasing the building for 18 months before moving elsewhere. Like many publishers, Johnson has gone through a period of downsizing and restructuring.

Around the South Loop: The Day After the Big Wind

The empty building just south of Trevi Square is boarded up after high winds knocked out the windows yesterday

Close-up of workman boarding up the empty building

I'm glad I wasn't in a Smart car yesterday.

A street light on the ground at 1601 S. Michigan

Construction continues on the new school foundation at Old St. Mary's

Strong Wind Damages Building on S. Michigan Ave.

Chicago Winds
If you were outside yesterday or today, you know it's windy out there. The evidence of the blustery days is all around us: stray garbage cans, leaves blowing into building lobbies every time a door is opened, and flowers on my balcony...that aren't mine!

Walking around the city today, I noticed the winds weren't keeping folks inside. State St. was as busy as normal as was the rest of the city. Getting closer to home I spotted a building in the 1500 block of S. Michigan Ave., that had been boarded up for years, was damaged by the strong winds. The front window was smashed in, breaking the glass and twisting the metal framing. Check out the pictures and video below to see the damage.

The view of the damaged building from the west side of S. Michigan Ave.

Shoppers were out in force along State St. in spite of the high winds today.

Pizza Night with a Twist at South Loop Wine Cellar

What's more American than Friday pizza night?
South Loop Wine Cellar at 1442 S. Michigan Ave. is hosting a wine and pizza pairing this evening (October 22) from 7-9 p.m. The cost for this event is $10 per person. Pizzas courtesy of Doreen's Gourmet Frozen Pizza. Each pizza will be paired with a different wine. Wines and Pizzas will be available for purchase.

To learn more about South Loop Wine Cellar, visit their Web site. To read an article on owner/proprietor Amy Garman, click here.

Around the South Loop

Progress at the new Firestone service center,  at S. Wabash and 16th, seems to have picked up.

True Rock Ministries, 16th and S. Wabash,  is having a "Harvest Community Day" on October 23, 2010.

When you look south on Michigan Ave. near 16th St., it's hard to believe the Marathon was just yesterday; the city did a great job cleaning up.

Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya Wins thee 2010 Chicago Marathon!

Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya won the 2010 Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:06:23. He beat Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia, by only 19 seconds.See the video below for Sammy and Tsegaye running down S. Michigan Ave. in the South Loop.



Check back for some Marathon highlights.

"Thank You" 2010 Bash Volunteers

That was the message last night at the Greater South Loop event at South Loop Wine Cellar 1442 S. Michigan Ave. For those who volunteered at this year's Bash on Wabash, the reward was wine, sangria, quesadillas, and some good conversation with friends and neighbors from the South Loop.

South Loop residents mingle at South Loop Wine Cellar.

The food and wine was provided by Weather Mark Tavern and South Loop Wine Cellar respectively. For more information on the Bash on Wabash or other events happening in the South Loop, visit the GSLA Web site.

Friends and neighbors catch up

South Loop Community Church Dedicates New Building and Celebrates 10 Years in the South Loop

South Loop Community Church is dedicating their new facility on Sunday October 3, 2010.

South Loop Community Church will be dedicating their new church building at 1347 S. State St. this Sunday October 3, 2010. The church will also be celebrating ten years of ministry in the South Loop. Worship is at 10:30 a.m. with an all-church luncheon following.

Inside SLCC's new church building

For most of the ten years that the SLCC has been in existence, they have held church services at Sherwood Community Music School on S. Michigan Ave. The new church building is just two blocks west of the old location and convenient to most public transportation.

Church entrance at 1347 S. State St.

 For more information on SLCC, please visit their Web site.

Video of Fire at 1326 S. Michigan

Helicopters are still circling overhead as the fire continues to burn. Check out the video footage below taken today at approximately 7:00 a.m. You can hear the wind blowing, which is making it harder to put out the blaze.

South Loop Market Expands

South Loop Market is at 1720 S. Michigan Ave.

Growth in the Midst of a Depressed Economy

In recent years, the economic outlook hasn't been too rosy. Recently we reported WineStyles closing its doors, while other small businesses in the South Loop and elsewhere are struggling. So it was great to see South Loop Market expand its size and selection.

The deli counter has been expanded.

Bigger and Better Selection
Located at 1720 S. Michigan, the South Loop Market has become more than just a convenience store. Offering just about everything from soup to nuts (literally), the new expansion has increased its original size by at least a third. The deli counter is more robust and the beer and wine inventory has also increased. There are plans to quadruple the wine selection, which will be ideal for those last-minute purchases when guests drop in unannounced.

The South Loop Market will be carrying organic produce.

Organic Produce
In addition to the beer and wine expansion, just about every other grocery category is being expanded as well. South Loop Market has beefed up their coffee and dairy selections, as well as added brand-new items like couscous, and a line of organic produce.

To find out what your neighbors are saying about the South Loop Market, click here. And please feel free to let us know what you think.

Signs in South Loop corrected

City corrects signs
Remember those South Loop history signs that popped up all around the South Loop on S. Michigan Ave.? They were a nice idea and they were displayed in beautiful wrought iron frames, often near bus stops south of Roosevelt Rd.

Do you also remember, if you read the signs, that the text just ended abruptly without completing the thought and without any punctuation? Well, the signs have been corrected and now when tourists read them, they won't be laughing behind our backs. Seriously, we're glad they're fixed and we thank our Second Ward Alderman's office for following up on my post from September 24, 2009.