Cycling In The Winter

We've talked about cycling before. But how is your winter cycling going, are you a seasonal cyclist? With the New Year coming are you making any cycling resolutions? (If Minneapolis can cycle in winter, so can I).

Amanda Yang owner of Clear the Path Outfitting, a Chicago women start up for commuter cyclist clothing, is nice enough us some winter cycling tips:

What are your top winter biking gear recommendations for women?

it is possible to stay super warm and still look chic and sleek! i recommend a cape....when the roads get super slippery, i try to wear my puffiest coat, so that when i slip and fall i don't get hurt. :)
my rule of thumb is to keep your core warm first. the rest of your body will warm up soon after. then, remember your fingers and toes! they'll get frost bite easier in sub zero weather, so take an extra moment before leaving to grab those gloves and warm socks.

1. gloves: these may seem like overkill, but they're what i wear. they keep your hands super warm and also give you the flexibility to break on a dime 

2. scarf: i wear this pretty much november to april every year on my bike. it's a huge scarf that doubles as a poncho. it breathes and is 

3. thick & thin socks: think thin is in when it comes to socks. double up on socks if you have to. i recommend wearing one or two pairs of smartwool socks. 

4. flexible boots: make sure when you decide to wear your cute winter boots that they're flexible enough to handle your stride.

5. sunglasses: in the winter, the snow really reflects on your eyes. i recommend wearing some sun glasses to break up the wind. any cheapy fun pair will do!

Congratulations on starting Clear the Path Outfitting! How are you feeling about it so far? 

it's been amazing, but it's also been a ton of work! we're working so hard to get out some new designs and to also increase and promote an active lifestyle in our communities. one thing that has been really cool was being featured in the redeye and (upcoming in 2014) in fastcompany!

Do you have any secret bike pathways? (don't worry, we won't tell) 

heheh. you can definitely share. i really think sharing any tips and tricks you have is the best way to get other people involved in cycling. my favorite path is the north shore trail that goes all the way up to the botanical gardens. it's not a secret, but it's still my favorite path. another pathway i love is the Lincoln/Wells from the NorthWest to downtown. another favorite is halsted going from the north from broadway all the way south past china town into pilsen. this ride has transformed into something spectacular and safe in the past few years. what was once a drive through pot holes and scary fast cars has now has buffered lanes and feels really safe and secure.

Lastly, what's your favorite thing about Chicago? 

my favorite thing about chicago is the lakefront. we're so lucky to have a city close to water. it's refreshing and really puts the mind at ease. i also love the pace of the city. the energy of everyone around me keeps me motivated and focused to keep going. everyone is here to do something big. it's a great environment to keep you inspired.

Thanks Amanda! Your practical tips and links to gear are really motivating to keep cycling in subzero degree weather! Good luck with your new company!

If you need another motivator to bike in the winter maybe you could try one of these pollution fighting high-tech bikes!

Holiday and Homelessness

Especially around the holidays it seems that an awareness towards homelessness goes up.

But this is an entire new level of awareness, have you heard of the homelessness tour in Seattle, Sub-Urban Experience?

For $2,000, you can spend three days and two nights exploring Seattle's homeless culture.

The tour, officially called "Sub-Urban Experience," is the creation of 62-year-old Mike Momany, who says he's been living in Seattle for over 40 years. A self-proclaimed entrepreneur and West Coast nomad, he claims he decided to give homelessness a shot starting last August after Seattle's rising cost of living became more than he could afford.

(via The Atlantic Cities)

In case you would rather volunteer to serve the homeless here are a list of places the Greater Chicago Food Depository has listed on their site:

North Side

BREAKING BREAD (A MINISTRY OF LASALLE ST. CHURCH), 1111 N. Wells St., is a soup kitchen that needs volunteers on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to help with food preparation, serving, and clean up. Volunteers will be required to do some lifting, stretching and bending. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator below to find out about volunteer openings.

Minimum age: 18. Maximum group size: 4.

Contact: Marianne Pytel walsgooger@aol.com 312-376-0118

BREAKTHROUGH URBAN MINISTRIES, 402 N. St. Louis, is looking for volunteers in its food pantry to drive to various grocery stores to pick up food donations, stock the storage area with delivered food items, and deliver fresh produce to seniors at the residential facility across the street. Volunteers are needed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at various times.

Minimum age: 16. Maximum group size: 10.

Contact: Tonisha Daniel freshmarket@breakthrough.org 773-346-1743

DEBORAH'S PLACE, 1532 N. Sedgwick and 1456 W. Oakdale, is a supportive housing organization with meal service for tenants (please note, this is not a soup kitchen). Help is needed Sunday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sedgwick location, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Oakdale locaation. Volunteers will prepare, serve and clean up from meals for 25 to 30 tenantsand will need to be able to stand, carry and serve food. Volunteers may choose to bring food or help prepare the food that is planned for the day. A volunteer orientation is held once a month from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is required for all volunteers at both locations. Volunteer requests for holiday meals (Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve/Day) are first come, first served. It is recommended to inquire about availability for these meals in August.

Minimum age: 18. Maximum group size: 2-3 for lunch; 4-5 for dinner.

Contact: Laurie Respass, lrespass@deborahsplace.org 773-638-6579 or visit our website.

HARVEST FOOD PANTRY - VINEYARD CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF EVANSTON, 2495 Howard St., is a pantry that is looking for volunteers on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. to help with food preparation and distribution. Volunteers will assist with greeting patrons, preparing and serving snacks, bagging produce, filling grocery bags, moving stock, helping patrons select items, set-up and clean-up.

Minimum age: 12. Maximum group size: 6.

Contact: Lisa Haskin, harvest@evanstonvineyard.org 847-328-4544 ext. 2468

MERCY HOME/FRIENDS FIRST MENTORING, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., is a community based mentoring program that needs volunteers to share a few hours with a young person. Mentors will meet two or three times per month for one year, and are matched with a child of the same gender. You are encouraged to do fun, free activities throughout the city. Complete staff support and supervision is provided. Volunteers are required to attend an info session, and participate in an interview, background check and training. Just a few hours can make a lifetime of a difference to a child. Contact us for mentoring and volunteer opportunities.

Minimum age: 21. Maximum group size: 1.

Contact: Dee Yelvington volunteer@mercyhome.org 312-738-7552

ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY SOUP KITCHEN, 4827 N. Kenmore Ave., has opportunities for service on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please note that this site does not have opportunities for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or weekends. We are currently seeking volunteers for the week before Christmas and the first three weeks of January. Volunteers assist with food preparation, set-up, serving the meal, and clean-up. This site is unable to take volunteers for court-ordered community service. Volunteers between the ages of 14 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. Please note that this site is only accessed via stairs.

Minimum age: 14. Maximum group size: 15.

Contact: www.stcuptown.com

THE SALVATION ARMY - IRVING PARK, 4056 N. Pulaski Rd., is a food pantry seeking help during food distributions on Tuesday and Thursdays fom 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m., for administrative work on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 pm., and to assist with occasional special events. Volunteers must be able to lift 10 pounds, must go through a background check and bilingual Spanish speakers are preferred.

Minimum age: 21. Maximum group size: 3-4.

Contact: Jonathan Herron jonathan_herron@usc.salvationarmy.org 773-685-7676 x206

Iglesia Evangelica Emmanuel, 5016 W. Armitage Ave., is a food pantry that is seeking volunteer help on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30am-2:00pm from July 1 through August 13. Volunteers are needed to assist our program by transporting clients to and from the agency for field trips. Volunteers will need to have good people skills and have a CDL License and a clean driving record. Experience with driving a school bus is also required.

Minimum age: 21. Maximum group size: 1.

Contact: Jenny Perez iee5018@sbcglobal.net 773-490-1985


South Side

CANAAN MBC PANTRY, 6659 South Harvard, is a food pantry that is requesting volunteers to help restock shelves, sorting food, administrative duties, filing client records, loading/unloading food, and assisting with heavy cartons/bags for elderly and disabled clients. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays. Volunteers may be asked to do some lifting, stair climbing, data entry and filing.

Minimum age: 13. Maximum group size: 5.

Contact: Claire Callahan canaanvolunteers@gmail.com

CHATHAM-AVALON MINISTRIES, 8601 S. State St., is a food pantry that is seeking volunteers to help unloading food and stocking shelves on the first Wednesday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. Volunteers will need to be able to lift 20 pounds or more.

Minimum age: 18. Maximum group size: 4.

Contact: Anna Horton 708-557-4747

CHOSEN TABERNACLE MINISTRIES, 4310 South Champlain Ave., is a food pantry that is looking for volunteers to provide administrative client intake and to oversee food as clients choose food products from their "choice based" pantry distribution model. Volunteers are needed on Thursdays from 12 p.m to 3p.m. Volunteers will need to able to stand for at least 30 minutes.

Minimum age: 18. Maximum group size: 10.

Contact: Pastor Sandra Gillespie sandygill526@yahoo.com 312-749-8991

CHRIST LIFE CHURCH CHICAGO, 8056 S. Harper Ave., is a food pantry seeking volunteers to help during food distributions every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Some lifting is required.

Minimum age: 18. Maximum group size: 4.

Contact: Gabriel Olu oluwakotanmi@gmail.com 773-443-6307

HYDE PARK KENWOOD FOOD PANTRY, 1169 E. 56th St. (side door of 5600 S. Woodlawn), is seeking assistance with their Saturday food distributions from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Volunteers will help to set up the distribution area, pack grocery bags and cases of food and carry them to the recipients, organize/clean the pantry storage area and take inventory after the distribution. Volunteers must be able to climb up and down the stairs while carrying groceries, arrive on time, and treat recipients with respect and friendliness.

Minimum age: 12. Maximum group size: 6.

Contact: Jan Deckenbach jdeckenbach@press.uchicago.edu 773-702-7034

MERCY HOME/FRIENDS FIRST MENTORING, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., is a community based mentoring program that needs volunteers to provide one-on-one mentoring. This includes doing fun, free activities with an assigned child of the same gender, with complete staff support and supervision. Volunteers will meet two or three times per month for one year. Volunteers are required to attend an info session, and participate in an interview, background check and training. Volunteers choose the type of child they wish to mentor.

Minimum age: 21. Maximum group size: 1.

Contact: Mary Ann Pilet volunteer@mercyhome.org 312-738-7552

TRCDO - HARVEST FOR THE WORLD, 1415 W. 104th St., is a food pantry that is seeking volunteer help on Fridays and Saturdays. Volunteers are needed to pack food bags, give food to clients, take the food to clients' cars, and remove from storage areas. Volunteers will need to have good customer service skills and be able to lift bags of about 25 to 30 pounds.

Minimum age: 18. Maximum group size: 6.

Contact: Lynn Munson 773-881-7710

Top Urban Planning Graduate Programs

In this recent post we talked about continuing education, but what about starting your education? Where did you go to school? 

Planetizen wrote out a list for the top planning graduate programs in 2012. The school that came in first place was Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Urban Studies and Planning. 

The rest of the list:

2. Cornell University
3. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
4. University of California, Berkeley
5. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
6. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
7. University of Southern California
8. Georgia Institute of Technology
9. University of California, Los Angeles 

10. University of Pennsylvania

I wonder if this has changed at all for 2013-2014 school year. I also wonder where University of Illinois at Chicago falls as that is the school that most of the local Chicago planners went to! It would be beneficial to see school ranking by specialization within the department itself.

How did you feel about your urban planning program?

Public Art

The Bean:

And selfies:

 

The Field - Sydney Australia art festival.

And selfies

The Sky Mirror - Rockefeller Plaza

And selfie:

Why we love the cloud and reflective art in general from Prosthetic Aesthetics:

It is this projection of our own distorted body onto the surface of the sculpture that makes work such as... Cloud Gate so appealing.... shiny, curved, and we see ourselves in them.

This visual Prosthetic channels the viewer’s world into three kinds of narcissism: of the individual (reflections of the individual’s body), of the collective (reflections of a distorted cityscape), and of the mind’s construct (reflecting the sculpture itself).  The massive success of the “Bean” suggests that this is what the public really wants to experience – a shiny, distant, and distorted version of itself.

Bloomingdale Trail

I haven't heard anything about the Bloomingdale Trail for a while. 

It has been retitled the 606:

The project is named for the 606 zip code prefix all Chicagoans share, reflecting the park and trail system’s role as a community connector. The 606 name also evokes a connection to the site’s transportation history, a play on the tradition of using numbers to name rail lines, highways and other transportation corridors.

It seems the only way you can be involved at this point is by donating. But when I tried to research on how it was being funded I was confused:

Preliminary estimates put the total cost at $91 million. The team has already raised $46 million towards completion of the project, including $43 million in public funds and $7 million in private donations. The 606’s unique plan presents significant, creative donor recognition opportunities, and charitable gifts of all sizes will fund at least one-third of total project costs.

Anyone else confused?

It is estimated to open August 2014, can't wait!