I wanted friends, cocktails, a place to work with wi-fi, handmade goods, a bar in which to watch Mad Men, and to meet new people and see old friends. Hard edged, but welcoming and spacious, proud, boastful, but friendly. I came to Chicago fresh off of South by Southwest, a little frayed and frantic, and was steadied by the sense of adventure and comfort the city offered. I spent a few moments at an do-it-yourself gallery in Pilsen, which is fast becoming the neighborhood for artists, but I still haven’t managed to get a real sense of it (next time!). When your sandwich is ready a sweet old lady at a cash register behind a window rings you up. You order your sandwich from a Deli counter, and then peruse imported Italian specialties, bulk spices and fresh cheeses. There are several fine provision shops which also serve sandwiches, including J.P. This area is refreshingly uncrowded and still full of meat and food suppliers, which harken back to Chicago’s not-so-distant past as a hub of stockyards and meat processioning plants. The West Loop, which is directly west of downtown Chicago, features two things I love: art and food. A vegetarian specific restaurant has to be really good if I am to like it and Handlebar definitely passed the test! Besides, who doesn’t like a bike themed restaurant? To recover from all my walking and shopping I had dinner at Handlebar, which as spectacular vegan and vegetarian options for dining and a beautiful Bloody Mary on offer. The Blue Line feels like a streamlined cocktail bar from the 20s, making it the perfect Mad Men environment. Lucky me, not only do they show Mad Men every Sunday (“With sound!” they are pleased to advertise), but also feature Mad Men drink specials, like $6 Manhattans. I was also lucky enough to stumble upon The Blue Line, which is literally right under the Blue Line stop, and the answer to one of my needs that weekend: a place to watch the season premiere of Mad Men. Since Chicago is a big city, I thought I would break down my discovery by neighborhood, though be forewarned, it is very Northside heavy. In late March I got to spend several days there and found that the city offered me exactly what I needed and didn’t even know I was looking for. It is frustrating and fantastic, both familiar (if you enjoy and know how to navigate big cities) and totally strange. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and Chicago is a sprawling, complicated, segregated city. I loved it then, but that was 10 years ago. Before the fall of 2011, the last time I visited was in 2002 when I drove across the United States in twice in one summer. I have had the opportunity to visit Chicago several times over the past year and I found a city that I could easily get into *almost* as much as New York (okay, enough already).Ĭhicago took me by surprise. I mean, if I didn’ t think New York was the best, what would possible justify paying the high cost of living here?Ĭhicago has a reputation as the United States’ “second city,” which seems unwarranted, because Chicago is very much its own city with a very particular history and very strong city pride. It is run by the ever-inspiring Amy Cuevas Schroeder, who was also the mastermind behind Venus Zine, and is full of advice for creative people in all fields interested in (or in the process of) nurturing a micro-business.Īs someone who has adopted New York as my home I will admit that I am a more than I little chauvinistic about other cities in the United States. Read my first column: Dear creative person: It is time to shift your thinking about money about how financial empowerment is creative empowerment and please join the conversation!Īlso, spend some time checking out the rest of the DIY Business Association’s website. If you are a creative person who wants to make a living at your creation and there’s a part of you that wants to run away screaming as soon as you hear the words “finance” or “money” this column is for you! So, it is with great pleasure that I announce the debut of my bi-monthly column for the DIY Business Association, the Creative Money Maker, which will be full of financial advice that feels good for creative people. A girl has to pay for those shoes somehow! Over the years I’ve gained a whole bunch of skills when it comes to combining creativity with logic and strategic planning, especially around money. Even if you read this blog regularly you might not know (yet) that I have a secret life as a arts administrator with a love of numbers, finance and fundraising.
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