So i was writing this long winded "me" blog (yes i realize a blog is essentially about me but this was more than usual about me) when my internet at the starbucks wouldnt work. Thankfully I decided not to publish that awful article and instead talk about the previous week.
The past six months of being unemployed made me forget the ritual that is commuting here in Chicago. Every morning, Monday through Friday, millions of hard working Chicagoans strap on their messanger bag (or in my case backpack), stop by their local coffee shop for an injection of caffine and maybe a breakfast item (I enjoy an iced coffee and the occasional bagel, but trying to be a healthier eater so protein bar and banana for me) and then wind their way to their favorite bus stop or el station to head into work. Then the adventure begins. Will my train/bus be on time? what's the traffic like on the LSD (applies to buses only, LSD= Lake Shore Drive) Will I get a seat? Also the unknowns will happen, like say a homeless person sitting next you in your business suit (or a rich lady in a fur coat in the winter, that's my favorite scene) Or a methhead chatting on his phone with his friend on how to get more drugs from the state to fulfill their habits (true story...)
The commute can either be a dreadful experience or a fun game, depending on how you look at it and your attitude towards public transit. If you just roll with the punches and take your eyes off your ipod/iphone/blackberry/newspaper for a while and look at your surroundings you can watch a parade of humanity entering/exiting your train to the Loop - in my case in the opposite direct to Evanston. It can be a great way to start the day or end the day.
So I started this ritual again. It is something I have to get used to as I have not had a steady schedule for the last six months, but I am slowly getting over that. I find comfort in the routine of going to work, grabbing my cup of joe and a copy of the RedEye (a free newspaper that is basically 20 percent AP news articles, 30 percent ads for lincoln park and wrigleyville bars and 50 percent celebrity gossip, I MUST know what the people from the Hills are doing these days!) and settling in for my 30 min ride on the El.
On another note, this weekend kicks off several street festivals across the City. Most noteable is May Fest in Lincoln Square. I am told it is Germanfest in May so I plan on checking it out on Sunday this weekend and grab a beer, brat and maybe some local band on stage. Chicagoans get out and enjoy the city, and other readers of this blog I encourage you to explore something about where you live, post a comment here if you want to talk about what you like about your city in the summer.
With you always,
Craig
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
The Official Start of Summer
The end of May is an exciting time. This is the time of the year the days are consistently warmer, you notice the sun is staying up longer and the blossoms of spring fade to the warm shades of green that signal summer is beginning. Nature isnt the only cue that I get that summer has begun. Driving home from the lakehouse today, I was cruising along Lake Shore Drive and noticed the beach houses are open, lifeguard stands are up and the harbors are crowded with a parade of boats ranging from the dingy to the yachts signal summer has arrived in Chicago.
Soon hot humid days will allow us the convenient excuse to drop everything and cool off at the beach. Ice cream at 1 in the afternoon will be a relief to the sweltering sun and we will be wishing for the cooler days of fall. Under the relief of old trees in the various neighborhoods, neighbors will be assembling to enjoy a block party or a backyard bbq filling the air with that wonderful smell of raw flesh meeting hot coals. Summer is a great time of the year (well every time of the year in Chicago is good, they all have their bad parts too). This summer I would like to make sure I enjoy the outdoors on the weekends I am here (the other weekends will be spent at the lakehouse...). I want to hit a couple of block parties too, enjoy bands outside the way God intended and I would like to attend something at the Pritzker Pavillion this summer too.
Whew! summer is going to be busy, but fun, so come join in the festivities, only a few more months before fall and then winter set in and we are all dreaming of the sweaty days of august!
Thank you to those that serve to protect my freedom and this country, Happy Memorial Day! My respect for the armed services is always high, today especially!
With you ,
Craig
Soon hot humid days will allow us the convenient excuse to drop everything and cool off at the beach. Ice cream at 1 in the afternoon will be a relief to the sweltering sun and we will be wishing for the cooler days of fall. Under the relief of old trees in the various neighborhoods, neighbors will be assembling to enjoy a block party or a backyard bbq filling the air with that wonderful smell of raw flesh meeting hot coals. Summer is a great time of the year (well every time of the year in Chicago is good, they all have their bad parts too). This summer I would like to make sure I enjoy the outdoors on the weekends I am here (the other weekends will be spent at the lakehouse...). I want to hit a couple of block parties too, enjoy bands outside the way God intended and I would like to attend something at the Pritzker Pavillion this summer too.
Whew! summer is going to be busy, but fun, so come join in the festivities, only a few more months before fall and then winter set in and we are all dreaming of the sweaty days of august!
Thank you to those that serve to protect my freedom and this country, Happy Memorial Day! My respect for the armed services is always high, today especially!
With you ,
Craig
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Back to the Grind.
So Monday was my first day at work. After sleeping oh about an hour total Sunday night, I got out of bed, shaved, showered and headed out the door to my first commute in 6 months. This commute was different. Heading in the opposite direction than most of Chicago, my commute is a quick 20-30 minutes by CTA train to the North. My quiet empty CTA car was a welcome sight in the morning sun. Clear skies and sunshine greeted me on my first day to work.
Switching trains at the Howard station, I soon arrived to Evanston City Hall. The mountain of paperwork they gave me 10 days prior was filled out, so HR was a breeze then it was off to my floor. Evanston Civic Center is an old Catholic girls school, so while it sounds nice and historicy, in reality it creates a lot of chaos for a government. So my office space is a little 7'x9' space carved out of a larger room that is the community development department. I get a window and all that goes with an office, desk, chair, guest chair and drafting table. File cabinet and shelves are there for added decor. This is my space, and it's organized. The most organized office in city hall as far as I can tell! The former General Planner was very meticulous I have a big order to fill in that department, so I am at a good start as it is, lets hope it doesnt get too wild on my part!
I settled into my new space as good as I could (dropped bag, found pen and paper, logged onto computer...) and then was paraded around the city hall to meet every person in every department. Let me say, everyone I have met at the City is super nice, but I will not remember their names, heck I dont even remember my secretary's name (the department shares a secretary...) right now, hopefully i will get that down this week...
Anyways, the job is good, it's slow right now, but I think I will do great in Evanston, I have to remember this job is a job that doesnt have a timeline, the last person was there 6 years... I can build a career out of this one and slow down a bit. The slowing down part is the hard part!
With you,
Craig
Switching trains at the Howard station, I soon arrived to Evanston City Hall. The mountain of paperwork they gave me 10 days prior was filled out, so HR was a breeze then it was off to my floor. Evanston Civic Center is an old Catholic girls school, so while it sounds nice and historicy, in reality it creates a lot of chaos for a government. So my office space is a little 7'x9' space carved out of a larger room that is the community development department. I get a window and all that goes with an office, desk, chair, guest chair and drafting table. File cabinet and shelves are there for added decor. This is my space, and it's organized. The most organized office in city hall as far as I can tell! The former General Planner was very meticulous I have a big order to fill in that department, so I am at a good start as it is, lets hope it doesnt get too wild on my part!
I settled into my new space as good as I could (dropped bag, found pen and paper, logged onto computer...) and then was paraded around the city hall to meet every person in every department. Let me say, everyone I have met at the City is super nice, but I will not remember their names, heck I dont even remember my secretary's name (the department shares a secretary...) right now, hopefully i will get that down this week...
Anyways, the job is good, it's slow right now, but I think I will do great in Evanston, I have to remember this job is a job that doesnt have a timeline, the last person was there 6 years... I can build a career out of this one and slow down a bit. The slowing down part is the hard part!
With you,
Craig
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Whats in a Neighborhood?
Andersonville, Edgewater, Lakeview, Rogers Park, Albany Park, Wicker Park. The list goes on and on in the City of Chicago. Carved out of the 77 wards in Chicago, the 228 defined neighborhoods might as well be their own village or town, their name alone sounds like it. I often will be talking to a friend and mention I'm in oh say Andersonville, and they think I went out of town for the weekend.
Truth be told, the history of Chicago's neighborhoods has a lot to do with segregation. Chicago was a melting pot of settlers during the great immigration in the early 20th Century. So little settlements within the city were built, catering to the ethnicity of that particular area. To this day we have Chinatown, Little Italy, Ukrainian Village, Little Vietnam, etc. The neighborhood mix may be different today but the neighborhood seems to be keeping their heritage in the forefront.
I bring this up today as I sit in the Starbucks in Andersonville. I have been spending a lot of time in this commercial district lately because it has great restaurants and shops and is near my house, within walking distance at least. Originally a Swedish settlement on Chicago's far north side, Andersonville is this great collection of locally owned restaurants and shops that while some would say is trendy, I feel is more genuine than some of the other "trendy" neighborhoods in the city. There is still a presence of Andersonville's history. The American Swedish Museum has a big location along Clark Street, with their water tower painted as the Swedish Flag. There is a Swedish deli and variety of restaurants that serve the ever popular winter beverage Glogg, a hot mulled wine that I find repulsive but Chicagoans love because it warms and intoxicates at the same time, a much needed feeling during the bitter cold winters here.
And so my neighborhood exploration of Chicago begins in familiar territory. Andersonville is a must stop for those coming to the City that want to see true Chicago. Favorite restaurants include Tapas Las Ramblas, Hama Matsu, Ann Sathers (for their famous delicious, insulin-required cinnamon rolls), Reza's for their authentic presentation of Mediterranean food and the Hopleaf with their vast selection and knowledge of Belgium beer and delicious Belgium food.
There is something for everyone in Andersonville, and on a sunny mild May Sunday it's a good day to explore Clark Street and all that it has to offer.
With you,
C
Truth be told, the history of Chicago's neighborhoods has a lot to do with segregation. Chicago was a melting pot of settlers during the great immigration in the early 20th Century. So little settlements within the city were built, catering to the ethnicity of that particular area. To this day we have Chinatown, Little Italy, Ukrainian Village, Little Vietnam, etc. The neighborhood mix may be different today but the neighborhood seems to be keeping their heritage in the forefront.
I bring this up today as I sit in the Starbucks in Andersonville. I have been spending a lot of time in this commercial district lately because it has great restaurants and shops and is near my house, within walking distance at least. Originally a Swedish settlement on Chicago's far north side, Andersonville is this great collection of locally owned restaurants and shops that while some would say is trendy, I feel is more genuine than some of the other "trendy" neighborhoods in the city. There is still a presence of Andersonville's history. The American Swedish Museum has a big location along Clark Street, with their water tower painted as the Swedish Flag. There is a Swedish deli and variety of restaurants that serve the ever popular winter beverage Glogg, a hot mulled wine that I find repulsive but Chicagoans love because it warms and intoxicates at the same time, a much needed feeling during the bitter cold winters here.
And so my neighborhood exploration of Chicago begins in familiar territory. Andersonville is a must stop for those coming to the City that want to see true Chicago. Favorite restaurants include Tapas Las Ramblas, Hama Matsu, Ann Sathers (for their famous delicious, insulin-required cinnamon rolls), Reza's for their authentic presentation of Mediterranean food and the Hopleaf with their vast selection and knowledge of Belgium beer and delicious Belgium food.
There is something for everyone in Andersonville, and on a sunny mild May Sunday it's a good day to explore Clark Street and all that it has to offer.
With you,
C
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Last Day
Well the time has come. My time has been served, I am ready to join the working world again! During this time I have been able to assess my spending habits, pay down debt and create a new budget to live on. It has been lean times for the most part, but I am lucky to have those around me that supported me in my time of need. Whether it was the occasional dinner or staying in with me to hang out because I didn't have the money to go out on the town, I found out who my true friends were during this time and it has not been forgotten.
While it is not the most ideal situation, and I was depressed about being laid off, gained weight, etc; I feel that this was a way of me really being able to step back, access my life and see where i really wanted to go. The door was open, I could do whatever I wanted and I feel in the end landing the job at the City of Evanston was the best thing to happen thus far. I am able to have a career I can grow into while being able to take time to focus on me personally. The last nine years I was so concerned about getting the best grade or getting into the right program or finding the right job and then working as hard as I could at that job so that my career was set. Well that paid off for sure, I have had some amazing experiences in the last 9 years, but I never really took the time out for me. Focusing my life on health - both mentally and physically - and becoming better at my hobbies, namely rugby are what I want right now in my life. I will be able to accomplish this now. Yes I could of been doing all of this while I was laid off but lets be honest, my mind was racing on the uncertainty of my life and well I just kind of shut down and revert to comfort zones like ice cream and fast food when that happened.
So Monday is a new day a new era in my life. I have a new job a new apartment and a new attitude about my career and how it affects the way I live. I am returning to old habits, ones that I cultured in Denver, going to the gym, losing weight, getting fit and healthy. Eating well, reducing my drinking and being active 5-6 days a week (this doesn't involve the gym but being out and running or biking or throwing the rugby ball around count as active too) are things I am incorporating back into my life. No cable in the house, heck even no internet helps that too. Summer is the good time to bring all of these habits back and get ready for the fall/winter.
It is fitting the last day of unemployment is rainy. It was a rainy/snowy day the day I was furloughed, triggering the last six months of searching. I look forward to what the next few months and years bring, and I hope you all will join me on my journey through the discovery of Chicago and through the travels I take outside the city. Thank you all for reading my blog this week and stay tuned for more adventures. I am enjoying my last day of unemployment, reflecting, relaxing and preparing for the work week ahead.
With you always,
C
While it is not the most ideal situation, and I was depressed about being laid off, gained weight, etc; I feel that this was a way of me really being able to step back, access my life and see where i really wanted to go. The door was open, I could do whatever I wanted and I feel in the end landing the job at the City of Evanston was the best thing to happen thus far. I am able to have a career I can grow into while being able to take time to focus on me personally. The last nine years I was so concerned about getting the best grade or getting into the right program or finding the right job and then working as hard as I could at that job so that my career was set. Well that paid off for sure, I have had some amazing experiences in the last 9 years, but I never really took the time out for me. Focusing my life on health - both mentally and physically - and becoming better at my hobbies, namely rugby are what I want right now in my life. I will be able to accomplish this now. Yes I could of been doing all of this while I was laid off but lets be honest, my mind was racing on the uncertainty of my life and well I just kind of shut down and revert to comfort zones like ice cream and fast food when that happened.
So Monday is a new day a new era in my life. I have a new job a new apartment and a new attitude about my career and how it affects the way I live. I am returning to old habits, ones that I cultured in Denver, going to the gym, losing weight, getting fit and healthy. Eating well, reducing my drinking and being active 5-6 days a week (this doesn't involve the gym but being out and running or biking or throwing the rugby ball around count as active too) are things I am incorporating back into my life. No cable in the house, heck even no internet helps that too. Summer is the good time to bring all of these habits back and get ready for the fall/winter.
It is fitting the last day of unemployment is rainy. It was a rainy/snowy day the day I was furloughed, triggering the last six months of searching. I look forward to what the next few months and years bring, and I hope you all will join me on my journey through the discovery of Chicago and through the travels I take outside the city. Thank you all for reading my blog this week and stay tuned for more adventures. I am enjoying my last day of unemployment, reflecting, relaxing and preparing for the work week ahead.
With you always,
C
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Traveling for the Year
So I have spent the week talking up Chicago but I haven't really spent much time talking about what I plan to do for traveling for the year. Now that my new job is virtually zero travel, save for the occasional convention, my travel will be primarily for fun. 
With summer comes the biweekly road trip to Angola, Indiana to enjoy the sights and sounds of summer on Lake James. My family bought a condo along the
lake in 2002 and I only enjoyed this amenity for a short time before I moved off to denver for a period of 3 years. The lake is about a 3 hour drive from the Chicago area and is a great way to get aw
ay without breaking the bank for the weekend. Sun, boating, swimming, and eating good food are always on the agenda. If you want to tag along this year let me know!
Beyond that I have trips planned to Denver - sometime in july/august and then again when my good friend Christy has her baby! Usually these trips involve catching up with friends and hitting up my old haunts along Colfax Avenue. Again if anyone wants to join me on these excursions I would gladly be host, Denver is a great town to visit, even better if you know the local places to go! This trip I plan on going the Museum of Contemporary Art and walking around downtown looking at the new development that has been occurring. It's funny, when I moved to Denver it was the largest city I had ever lived in. I thought it was this amazing vibrant place (having previously lived in rural Indiana and then Muncie, Indiana for four years...). Now after living in Chicago for two years, I am struck at how vacant and small the city is. Everything in Denver seems, quiet. I like that about Denver though, it was so approachable when I first moved there and I grew into loving the city. I wonder how I would of fared if I moved to Chicago right after college...
Also on the books for the fall is a trip to Washington DC. I have frequent flier miles used for a ticket I purchased for the inauguration but couldn't get there due to funding issue (aka I got laid off.) So i plan to be in DC for the September 11th Holiday. I haven't been to DC in years, since I was a kid really. I am looking forward to seeing how DC has changed both in my mind and physically. I remember falling in love with the metro subway there as a kid. I would find reasons why we should use the system and my parents would oblige for the most part. It was thrilling! DC is where I started becoming a transit nerd.
That's all my travel plans for now, if I have the time and money I would like to get to Seattle to see my friend Dan, and a trip to LA to see my buddy JJ. We will see, gotta see how far my salary goes first after bills and such before I commit to trips.
Sunny and warm in Chicago today, enjoy your day!
With you,
C
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Rainy Days
Chicago isn't all sunshine and mild weather as I have been enjoying the past few days. We have days where the clouds don't go away and the rain (or snow) seems to be an endless drizzle. These days could make the toughest person just want to stay in their bed. I say we fight back! Chicago has some of the greatest indoor activities in the world. From world class art to an indoor oasis and an never ending parade of live entertainment, there is something to do on sunny and cloudy days in the city.
One of the greatest indoor activities is the Art Institute of Chicago. This expansive museum has grown over the years, but it is set to open it's newest wing this weekend. The Modern Wing, designed by famed architect Renzo Piano, will add 264,000 sqft of space to the Art Institute, adding nearly 30 percent more space to the facilities. This weekend is free! go stand in line and see it, I plan on stopping by myself to gawk at the art and the new building. What makes this an exciting addition is that it departs from traditional art museum structures in that it is drenched in glass allowing patrons to enjoy art in natural light as well as taking advantage of some spectacular views of the City of Chicago and Lake Michigan.
Traditionally art museums have become these caves of collections, forbidding any natural light into their spaces for fear of ruining artwork. UV Rays are not friendly to art over time and to prevent any of this, architects have created solid fortresses banning any light at all entering the building save for some small spaces here and there. Piano solves this problem by creating a "flying carpet" structure seperate and floating above the glass box that now houses the modern collection of the Art Institute. This structure will shield direct rays of light from entering the building, thus protecting the millions upon millions of dollars of collectable art from being damaged.
I am excited to see this new wing, it will be a great departure from the traditional museum approach in that I wont feel like I am exiting a casino after an all night bender at the blackjack tables, squinting my eyes at the light, even on a cloudy day. I look forward to experiencing this new addition myself, and catching other parts of the museum that I have yet to get to.
Other rainy day activities:
Catch the new Oceanarium at Shedd Aquarium! Reopening May 23, the Oceanarium at Shedd is an amazing collection of dolphins, penguins, sea otters and beluga whales overlooking Lake Michigan. There is also an amazing collection of water creatures from around the world.
Head to the Field Museum. In their timely fashion, the Field Museum is showcasing Pirates right now...
One of the most popular museums in Chicago is the Science and Industry Museum I enjoy this building because it is the ONLY structure left from the 1893 Columbian Exposition, the great planning and design experiment that jumpstarted the City Beautiful Movement in the United States. Highlights to this museum include the only German U boat captured during WWII and the Coal Mine.
The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago is a great collection. The Building is tucked behind the Water Tower on the Mag Mile, one of the oldest structures in the City of Chicago that survived the Great Chicago Fire.
It's Wednesday today, so all of the shows in the Theater District are having Matinees. Visit Broadway in Chicago to get your tickets!
Lots to do, lots to choose from, lots to enjoy on days that are rainy and aren't the best for enjoying the outdoor Chicago. So even if you don't live in the city and happen to be visiting and it's raining, you now know there is a wealth of experiences out there that dont involve walking the streets and seeing the sights... just have to make it from your hotel to the cab to the entry of any of the indoor activities I have listed.
Enjoy today!
With you,
C
One of the greatest indoor activities is the Art Institute of Chicago. This expansive museum has grown over the years, but it is set to open it's newest wing this weekend. The Modern Wing, designed by famed architect Renzo Piano, will add 264,000 sqft of space to the Art Institute, adding nearly 30 percent more space to the facilities. This weekend is free! go stand in line and see it, I plan on stopping by myself to gawk at the art and the new building. What makes this an exciting addition is that it departs from traditional art museum structures in that it is drenched in glass allowing patrons to enjoy art in natural light as well as taking advantage of some spectacular views of the City of Chicago and Lake Michigan.
Traditionally art museums have become these caves of collections, forbidding any natural light into their spaces for fear of ruining artwork. UV Rays are not friendly to art over time and to prevent any of this, architects have created solid fortresses banning any light at all entering the building save for some small spaces here and there. Piano solves this problem by creating a "flying carpet" structure seperate and floating above the glass box that now houses the modern collection of the Art Institute. This structure will shield direct rays of light from entering the building, thus protecting the millions upon millions of dollars of collectable art from being damaged.
I am excited to see this new wing, it will be a great departure from the traditional museum approach in that I wont feel like I am exiting a casino after an all night bender at the blackjack tables, squinting my eyes at the light, even on a cloudy day. I look forward to experiencing this new addition myself, and catching other parts of the museum that I have yet to get to.
Other rainy day activities:
Catch the new Oceanarium at Shedd Aquarium! Reopening May 23, the Oceanarium at Shedd is an amazing collection of dolphins, penguins, sea otters and beluga whales overlooking Lake Michigan. There is also an amazing collection of water creatures from around the world.
Head to the Field Museum. In their timely fashion, the Field Museum is showcasing Pirates right now...
One of the most popular museums in Chicago is the Science and Industry Museum I enjoy this building because it is the ONLY structure left from the 1893 Columbian Exposition, the great planning and design experiment that jumpstarted the City Beautiful Movement in the United States. Highlights to this museum include the only German U boat captured during WWII and the Coal Mine.
The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago is a great collection. The Building is tucked behind the Water Tower on the Mag Mile, one of the oldest structures in the City of Chicago that survived the Great Chicago Fire.
It's Wednesday today, so all of the shows in the Theater District are having Matinees. Visit Broadway in Chicago to get your tickets!
Lots to do, lots to choose from, lots to enjoy on days that are rainy and aren't the best for enjoying the outdoor Chicago. So even if you don't live in the city and happen to be visiting and it's raining, you now know there is a wealth of experiences out there that dont involve walking the streets and seeing the sights... just have to make it from your hotel to the cab to the entry of any of the indoor activities I have listed.
Enjoy today!
With you,
C
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
What the H*%L is an urban planner?!
Many of my friends have expressed their excitement and relief that I have finally obtained employment in the past week. However when they ask what my job is (General Planner for the City of Evanston), the first two questions I get are:
1. Where is Evanston?
2. What is a General Planner?
This might be a bit more boring blog than the past but I feel it's a great opportunity to help my friends and family understand what I do and why I have such great passion about. And a chance to learn something more about the Chicago Region!
To address Question 1.
Evanston, IL is a city of 75,000 people situated approximate 8 miles to the north of Chicago, Illinois. Evanston and Chicago share city boundaries and it is the first suburban city to the north of Chicago. Evanston has a great downtown with many new high rise condos and a new shopping district. The neighborhoods of Evanston are less dense than Chicago's but still are compact and urban in nature, what you would find in most small cities across the US. What I love about the city is that it is a suburban city in the truest sense but it still kept the urban grid and is continuing to develop itself as an alternate urban lifestyle than that of living in downtown Chicago which to many could seem overcrowded and too expensive.
Evanston is connected to the City of Chicago through Metra and the CTA El System's Purple Line. The Purple Line Express runs from Evanston to Belmont non-stop during rush hours affording residents of Evanston a quicker commute to the Loop. This affords ME the opportunity to commute to my new job via transit and I dont have to move closer to get there. I am a reverse commuter now. Emptier trains and seats aplenty I will get to travel in style compared to the cramped chaotic mess that is the southern trek to the Loop.
Evanston has some interesting aspects to it. It is the epicenter of the Prohibition Movement in the United States. This was thanks in part to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union that was founded in Evanston in 1874. Evanston is also the main home to Northwestern University.
In short, my new job working for the City of Evanston will be exciting. How does a city that is landlocked and mostly built up develop in new and exciting ways for the 21st Century? How can we increase tax base without compromising quality of life for its current citizens? Are there ways to improve transit in the city? All kinds of new possibilities are out there and Im looking forward to the future.
On to Question 2, What the H*&L is an Urban Planner?
Lets first start with what the H&*L is urban planning? Urban planning deals with the built environment from the smallest project and smallest town all the way up to an entire state or nation. Planners help guide development in hopes to help cities understand their infrastructure needs for the future and to physically layout how a city will develop over time. In the Chicago region the most famous plan is the 1909 Plan of Chicago, developed by Evanston resident Daniel Burnham. This plan still shapes the City of Chicago today and gave us places like the Mag Mile, the Lakefront Trail, Congress Parkway and Notherly Island. Planners are visionaries, not in the sense they see and know the future, but they help try to determine the future of development. We had our missteps, Urban Renewal and the Federal Interstate System and Euclidean Zoning, some would say these were successful projects and theories, but modern planners are now having to deal with their long term effects on the urban spaces they invade and control.
Transit Oriented Developments, Urban Regeneration, Form Based Zoning, Traditional Neighborhood Developments, Smart Growth Strategies and Sustainable Communities are new development trends for planners of the 21st Century. We are striving to reconnect American society with itself after decades of seperate land use and segregation of neighbors from one another. The societal desire for these changes has led to a dramatic shift in the profession in previous years. Increases in gas prices, more concern for the environment, even obesity are factors that play into my profession.
How does a house or a development or a city affect someone's health? How does a city with all its cars and people and waste become more of an advocate for Mother Nature? These are just some of the issues and questions I will be dealing with as a planner for the City of Evanston. We are not the final designers or engineers but we help guide the development into what should be the right direction. Part sociologist part scientist part designer part analyst, a planner is someone to guide the built environment.
thanks for reading today's post, I know it is long winded and geeky but this is what I love about my job. It lets my inner geek come out and play!
Enjoy the day today guys, the weather in chicago is sunny and mildly warm, only a couple more weeks of this before the humid and 90 degree weather sets in!
With you,
C
1. Where is Evanston?
2. What is a General Planner?
This might be a bit more boring blog than the past but I feel it's a great opportunity to help my friends and family understand what I do and why I have such great passion about. And a chance to learn something more about the Chicago Region!
To address Question 1.
Evanston, IL is a city of 75,000 people situated approximate 8 miles to the north of Chicago, Illinois. Evanston and Chicago share city boundaries and it is the first suburban city to the north of Chicago. Evanston has a great downtown with many new high rise condos and a new shopping district. The neighborhoods of Evanston are less dense than Chicago's but still are compact and urban in nature, what you would find in most small cities across the US. What I love about the city is that it is a suburban city in the truest sense but it still kept the urban grid and is continuing to develop itself as an alternate urban lifestyle than that of living in downtown Chicago which to many could seem overcrowded and too expensive.
Evanston is connected to the City of Chicago through Metra and the CTA El System's Purple Line. The Purple Line Express runs from Evanston to Belmont non-stop during rush hours affording residents of Evanston a quicker commute to the Loop. This affords ME the opportunity to commute to my new job via transit and I dont have to move closer to get there. I am a reverse commuter now. Emptier trains and seats aplenty I will get to travel in style compared to the cramped chaotic mess that is the southern trek to the Loop.
Evanston has some interesting aspects to it. It is the epicenter of the Prohibition Movement in the United States. This was thanks in part to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union that was founded in Evanston in 1874. Evanston is also the main home to Northwestern University.
In short, my new job working for the City of Evanston will be exciting. How does a city that is landlocked and mostly built up develop in new and exciting ways for the 21st Century? How can we increase tax base without compromising quality of life for its current citizens? Are there ways to improve transit in the city? All kinds of new possibilities are out there and Im looking forward to the future.
On to Question 2, What the H*&L is an Urban Planner?
Lets first start with what the H&*L is urban planning? Urban planning deals with the built environment from the smallest project and smallest town all the way up to an entire state or nation. Planners help guide development in hopes to help cities understand their infrastructure needs for the future and to physically layout how a city will develop over time. In the Chicago region the most famous plan is the 1909 Plan of Chicago, developed by Evanston resident Daniel Burnham. This plan still shapes the City of Chicago today and gave us places like the Mag Mile, the Lakefront Trail, Congress Parkway and Notherly Island. Planners are visionaries, not in the sense they see and know the future, but they help try to determine the future of development. We had our missteps, Urban Renewal and the Federal Interstate System and Euclidean Zoning, some would say these were successful projects and theories, but modern planners are now having to deal with their long term effects on the urban spaces they invade and control.
Transit Oriented Developments, Urban Regeneration, Form Based Zoning, Traditional Neighborhood Developments, Smart Growth Strategies and Sustainable Communities are new development trends for planners of the 21st Century. We are striving to reconnect American society with itself after decades of seperate land use and segregation of neighbors from one another. The societal desire for these changes has led to a dramatic shift in the profession in previous years. Increases in gas prices, more concern for the environment, even obesity are factors that play into my profession.
How does a house or a development or a city affect someone's health? How does a city with all its cars and people and waste become more of an advocate for Mother Nature? These are just some of the issues and questions I will be dealing with as a planner for the City of Evanston. We are not the final designers or engineers but we help guide the development into what should be the right direction. Part sociologist part scientist part designer part analyst, a planner is someone to guide the built environment.
thanks for reading today's post, I know it is long winded and geeky but this is what I love about my job. It lets my inner geek come out and play!
Enjoy the day today guys, the weather in chicago is sunny and mildly warm, only a couple more weeks of this before the humid and 90 degree weather sets in!
With you,
C
Monday, May 11, 2009
End of an Era.
Well I am happy to report, my forced vacation is coming to a close. On Monday May 7 around 5:21PM I got the news that I have been officially hired! I am now the General Planner for the City of Evanston. I will get into more details about my postion in the coming blog posts but I wanted to take this time to talk more about what this blog is going to be.
I started this blog when i worked for a private consulting firm that took me to various places around the United States. Said travel afforded me frequentl flier points which allowed me to travel to other destinations for pleasure. I love to travel, I love experiencing new places and people and sights and sounds. Now that my new job will require less travel it is up to my own time to seek out this hobby. Therefore, OTPIMG will be a blog not only about traveling but about the city that I call home and I love dearly, Chicago. Chicago, the Windy City, City of Broad Shoulders... City of Adventure?!? We shall see.
Spring in Chicago. Nothing evokes bigger smiles than those three words to winter weary Chicagoans. Gone are the 40mph winds and blowing snow and -12 degree days BEFORE the wind chill factor. Gone are the endless days of clouds and the dread of having to put on 12 layers to go outside to walk the dog. Yes Spring in Chicago is a life altering time. The Lakefront Trail that saw only the most dedicated runners and bikers during the winter sees the return of weekend and week night warriors back, jamming from end to end. Another Cubs season starts. Will this be the year? Many are hopeful, most are just wanting a good hot dog and cold beer and a winning day at the park.
Beaches are open, trees are in bloom, every sidewalk is crammed with people rushing to accomplish their daily tasks so that they can go soak in the bit of sunlight left in the ever longer days. Downtown, the Mag Mile is flush with flowers, even in this economy, enticing people to stroll, not sprint, past the stores and maybe buy an item or two. River boats are back schleping tourists around boasting our awesome buildings and amazing feats of engineering that is the Loop. Yes folks, spring is here and in full swing in Chicago.
What have I done for my adventures lately? Well to be honest, not much. I just got this new job, so my life has kind of rebooted, much like the city itself does every year during this time. I have a new apartment, which I will post pictures of soon. I have a new job, and I have a new lease on life. I enjoy my career as an urban planner and I hope to be the best urban planner for the City of Evanston in the coming years. It is my chance to shape a small city of 75,000 into a shining example of how suburban satellite cities can be just as exciting and urbane as the economic powerhouses they surround. That is my adventure right now folks, figuring this out. Stay tuned, more to come in the following days, I hope to post at least every other day while working but this week you will get a post every day.
With you always,
C
I started this blog when i worked for a private consulting firm that took me to various places around the United States. Said travel afforded me frequentl flier points which allowed me to travel to other destinations for pleasure. I love to travel, I love experiencing new places and people and sights and sounds. Now that my new job will require less travel it is up to my own time to seek out this hobby. Therefore, OTPIMG will be a blog not only about traveling but about the city that I call home and I love dearly, Chicago. Chicago, the Windy City, City of Broad Shoulders... City of Adventure?!? We shall see.
Spring in Chicago. Nothing evokes bigger smiles than those three words to winter weary Chicagoans. Gone are the 40mph winds and blowing snow and -12 degree days BEFORE the wind chill factor. Gone are the endless days of clouds and the dread of having to put on 12 layers to go outside to walk the dog. Yes Spring in Chicago is a life altering time. The Lakefront Trail that saw only the most dedicated runners and bikers during the winter sees the return of weekend and week night warriors back, jamming from end to end. Another Cubs season starts. Will this be the year? Many are hopeful, most are just wanting a good hot dog and cold beer and a winning day at the park.
Beaches are open, trees are in bloom, every sidewalk is crammed with people rushing to accomplish their daily tasks so that they can go soak in the bit of sunlight left in the ever longer days. Downtown, the Mag Mile is flush with flowers, even in this economy, enticing people to stroll, not sprint, past the stores and maybe buy an item or two. River boats are back schleping tourists around boasting our awesome buildings and amazing feats of engineering that is the Loop. Yes folks, spring is here and in full swing in Chicago.
What have I done for my adventures lately? Well to be honest, not much. I just got this new job, so my life has kind of rebooted, much like the city itself does every year during this time. I have a new apartment, which I will post pictures of soon. I have a new job, and I have a new lease on life. I enjoy my career as an urban planner and I hope to be the best urban planner for the City of Evanston in the coming years. It is my chance to shape a small city of 75,000 into a shining example of how suburban satellite cities can be just as exciting and urbane as the economic powerhouses they surround. That is my adventure right now folks, figuring this out. Stay tuned, more to come in the following days, I hope to post at least every other day while working but this week you will get a post every day.
With you always,
C
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