Education is a community effort for Lovett Elementary

African Americans in Chicago’s North Side Schools have made significant gains in Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) scores from 2004 to 2008. Joseph Lovett Elementary School in western Logan Square and the surrounding community could serve a model for success in elementary education.

The percent increase in African Americans meeting or exceeding ISAT scores for 40 Chicago’s North Side schools is 53.9 percent from 2004 to 2008, according to analysis of data collected in Chicago Public Schools Office of Research, Evaluation and Accountability research data.

Lovett Elementary at 6333 W. Bloomingdale Ave. is made up of 89.9 percent African Americans. It could be a model example of the gains that African Americans have made in ISAT scores.  The percent increase of African Americans meeting or exceeding ISAT scores was 75.3 percent, from 2004 to 2008.


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The ISAT is administered to students in grades three through eight and tests reading, math, science and writing.  Science and writing are administered only in certain years, but reading and math are tested all six years.

Behave! Chicago's queer burlesque queen

Brian C. Janes/ Ms. Bea's flickr

I sat down Thursday night for sushi with “The Great Chicago Fire,” Ms. Bea Haven. Haven is the producer of Girlie-Q, Chicago’s only all-queer burlesque troop, that performs on the city’s Northwest Side.

So, why burlesque?

My then-partner started directing queer burlesque shows in Chicago. I was not in the show because I was too nervous to take off my clothes. I didn’t want to do it, I wanted to read some sexy poetry or something like that. They were like, "Here’s burlesque. This is what we’re doing. Go."

Recession may be good for print media

When times are bad, Northwest Siders say books and reading are things they won’t do without.

In an informal poll of about ten people at the LincolnVillage shopping center in West Rogers Park Thursday afternoon, Northwest Side residents said that if they were to lose everything due to the economy they would take advantage of free options to entertain themselves.

Mexican Muralist Oscar Romero

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NOTES:

A video profile for Medill methods, the very first I have ever done (as if that wasn't obvious).

Congress Theater's beauty is on the inside

Tenants of the Congress Theater complex don’t have to go far to work. Many of the employees who set up for shows such as the upcoming “Stimulate This! Tour” live right in the building.

These employees devote their days to setting up for shows and fixing the constant problems that arise in a nearly century-old building, said Max Wagner, who handles community relations for the 83-year-old theater.

“The place was largely ignored for the better part of 50 years,” Wagner added. But no longer. The new management has plunged millions of dollars into The Congress. Most of the improvements are not directly related to entertainment, and include much-needed infrastructure upgrades in the form of new bathrooms and a re-tuned ventilation system.

North Side arts groups band together in hard times

For the Lifeline Theater, in Rogers Park, Gov. Pat Quinn’s $1 billion in budget cuts came as a serious blow.

In the midst of the economic downturn, as consumers cut back on entertainment and other discretionary spending, “We realize we do not have a stable product. We’re not selling widgets here,” said Allison Cain, Lifeline managing director.

Quinn’s 50 percent cut in state spending for the arts in 2010 to $7.8 million,  will mean Lifeline will need to reduce its operating costs and band together with other local theater groups to save money.