Neighborhood Journal: Bridgeport-Chinatown-McKinley Park

09/05/2024

09/04/2024

The Chicago-based brewing giant sent a memo to employees Tuesday saying it will stop linking executive compensation to employee representation and scrap supplier diversity goals.

09/02/2024

In Illinois, big money is inundating politics at a pace that virtually puts government offices in the Land of Lincoln up for sale.

08/24/2024

Hook your spot now—registration is open for Chicago’s Top kids' fishing derby, the event everyone’s been waiting for! With all the excitement, who knows? We might just make history as the best kids’ fishing derby in the entire country—and it won’t cost you a dime! 🎣✨

Get ready for a splash of excitement on September 21, 2024, at the McKinley Park Lagoon, as the Steve Demitro  Fishing Derby celebrates its 5th year of being Chicago’s Best Kids …

08/23/2024

CHICAGO — One person was shot and injured after someone opened fire at a South Loop diner where Democratic National Convention delegates were eating. The shooting happened just before 3 a.m. Friday…

08/22/2024

08/22/2024

Rent prices are out of control. How much longer will people be able to afford housing.

08/21/2024

Your Community, Your Stories – Unfolded in the “Neighborhood Journal!” More and more readers and connecting with the Heart of their Neighborhood and – Our readership is skyrocketing. These recent numbers do not include our website which has an even higher amount of viewers. Thank you!!!

08/21/2024

Should colleges after promoting an area of study be required to forgive their tuition to their graduates who can’t get a job in the area they received their degree in?

Instead of having taxpayers pay for student debt by loan forgiveness, a growing number of people are holding the opinion that colleges should be held accountable for the employability of their graduates, particularly in fields they actively promote. And want colleges be required to forgive tuition for graduates who are unable to secure a job in the area of study in which they earned their degree. A growing number of people believe colleges have a responsibility to accurately represent the job prospects of the degrees they offer. When institutions heavily market certain programs as pathways, students often take on significant debt with the expectation of a strong return on investment. Often that promise doesn't materialize, these graduates are left with substantial debt sometimes in the 6 figures and few job prospects, leading to financial strain and frustration. Many believe that if colleges were required to forgive tuition under these circumstances, it would create a stronger incentive for them to align their programs more closely with actual job market demands. Your thoughts?

08/20/2024

Recent 9th District Crime Stats.

08/20/2024

The oldest newspaper in America. Their front page yesterday. Thoughts?

08/20/2024

Too many businesses in our community closed in the last several years. Hopefully this trend reverses.

08/19/2024

Anyone get a glimpse of the B1 Bomber that flew over Chicago this afternoon? If not, not to worry the skys will be filled with military aircraft this week.

08/19/2024

CTA trains and platforms near O'Hare are being cleaned up for the DNC, but some escalators on the Orange Line have been out of order for over two months.

08/18/2024

More renters now less home ownership. The peak home ownership was in 2020. The peak renters was in 2015.

08/17/2024

Scoop the P**p: A Tale of Civic Duty and Doggy Doo

Ah, the great outdoors! There’s nothing like a morning stroll through the neighborhood, basking in the glory of fresh air and nature. Birds chirping, the sun shining, and—oh wait, what's that? A landmine of the canine kind right in your path. You know what I'm talking about, that steaming pile of dog p**p that some poor soul (probably you) will eventually step in. And so, dear reader, we must address a topic that plagues sidewalks and shoe soles alike: picking up your dog’s p**p.

Let’s face it, no one gets a dog thinking, “You know what I’m really looking forward to? Scooping up Fido’s daily dumps.” But like taxes, laundry, and the mandatory "How’s everyone doing?" in Zoom meetings, it’s just one of those unavoidable duties of life. You could say it’s the price we pay for the unconditional love of our furry companions.

So why, you ask, should you bend down and scoop that p**p?

1. The Health of the Nation (or at least the neighborhood)
Believe it or not, dog p**p isn't just an eyesore; it’s a biohazard. One gram of dog f***s can contain over 23 million f***l coliform bacteria. I’ll spare you the science lesson, but let’s just say these bacteria are not the kind you want hanging around your favorite coffee shop. By picking up after your dog, you’re doing your part to keep the community healthy and free from unwanted… contaminants.

2. Karma’s a B*tch (and she steps in it too)
Ever notice how the universe has a funny way of balancing the scales? That time you thought, “It’s just one little p**p; it’ll be fine,” and walked away, only to step in someone else’s dog’s business the very next day? Yeah, that’s karma with a capital K. Picking up your dog’s p**p is like insurance against karmic payback.

3. The Judgy Eyes of Fellow Citizens
If you've ever “forgotten” to pick up after your dog, you know the shame of making awkward eye contact with a neighbor who saw the whole thing. There’s a reason they call it the stink eye. It’s that subtle look of disdain that says, “Really? You’re just going to leave that there?” Even worse, the passive-aggressive comments like, “Oh, don’t worry, I’m sure it’ll magically disappear.” No one wants to be the subject of community gossip for something as avoidable as a stray turd.

4. The Power of the P**p Bag
Let’s give a shoutout to the humble p**p bag, the unsung hero of responsible dog ownership. Sure, it’s not glamorous. It’s basically a tiny trash bag for tiny (and sometimes not-so-tiny) turds. But in your hands, it’s a symbol of civic pride, a badge of honor. That squishy warmth in the bag? That’s the feeling of a job well done, my friend.

5. Because It’s the Right Thing to Do (Duh)
In a world full of chaos and uncertainty, picking up after your dog is one of the few things we have control over. It’s a small act of kindness to your fellow human beings, a gesture that says, “I care about this community, and I care about your shoes.” Plus, if you don’t, you might just find yourself the star of the next viral video titled “Worst Dog Owner Ever.” And no one wants that.

So next time you're out walking your dog and the inevitable happens, don’t look around to see if anyone’s watching, don’t pretend you didn’t notice, and for the love of all things holy, don’t just kick some dirt over it. Pull out that trusty p**p bag, scoop it up, and strut away knowing you’ve done your civic duty. Your neighbors will thank you, the environment will thank you, and your shoes will remain blissfully p**p-free.

Remember, a cleaner community is just a p**p scoop away!

08/16/2024

In 1968, the Democratic National Convention came to Chicago, to the old International Amphitheater in Canaryville. It was a time of war, a time when young men were sent to fight in far-off lands, and those who opposed the war gathered in the streets. The protesters were many, their voices loud, their hearts full of anger and hope. But the city’s streets were not theirs to take. The police and the National Guard came with their clubs and their tear gas, and the city turned into a battlefield. The clashes were brutal, the kind that leaves scars on a nation’s memory. The images were broadcast live, and the country watched in horror as Chicago burned in the heat of summer.

Now, as the city stands on the edge of hosting another Democrat convention in 2024, the memories of '68 linger like a shadow. The times are different, but the air is thick with the same tension. Protests are expected, the kind that come with anger and fear. We can only hope that this time, the streets won’t run red with the past’s violence.