Carol Welch, U.S. Coordinator of the United Nations Millenium Campaign.

After 47 years, the Uptown Snack Shop Closed By Sara StromerEditor-in-Chief

The Uptown Snack Shop was a staple of the neighborhood for 47 years until it closed forever on Feb. 25. The building, which sits on the corner of Broadway and Leland, is to be redeveloped with condos on the second floor and all-new storefronts. The building owners will not renew the leases under their

original terms for the tenants once the renova-tions are made.

Brothers Alex, Pete and Ted Phillos have co-owned and worked at the restaurant since it opened in 1959. They immigrated to Chi-cago from Greece and worked at a restaurant for three years before saving enough money to open the Uptown Snack Shop, accord-ing to Alex. And business was booming ever since. Three days before his business closed, Alex explained, “We are the best place in the neighborhood, because we have good food

at a good price. A good price for working people. People are very satisfied here.”

The menu offered typical diner fare along with more quirky selections such as a jelly-stuffed omelette, but the restaurant’s long-time waitresses, fellow patrons and the Phillos brothers themselves are what loyal customers miss the most.

Maria Barnes, owner of Uptown Bikes and regular customer since she moved to Chicago fifteen years ago says, “I loved all the people there. It was a real neighborhood joint.” She says that before she went vegetar-ian, her favorite dish was the patty melt. Now, however, she says her favorite menu item is the strawberry shake.

Jeanie Grabbe agrees. Grabbe, who has lived in Uptown for thirty years and worked at the Ace Hardware across the street for 18, all the while a loyal Uptown Snack Shop cus-tomer, agrees. “A whole lot of people feel that a part of us left when they closed. There were a lot of regulars. A little bit of Uptown history is gone. It was a landmark.” Grabbe also believes that the service was exceptional. “I loved the people there. The brothers treated everyone kind. If you had money or if you had no money, they treated everyone the same.”

Since the Snack Shop closed, Grabbe has stopped drinking coffee. “Nobody makes it like Teddy. I would just walk in,

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UptownExchangEOne copy per person

Smoking Ban Enforcement Page 3 VP Schoop Resigns Page 3 GEAR Up faces the Ax Page 4

The Uptown Snack Shop was open 47 years.

Military Recruiters Roam Free at Truman College administrators conflicted over restricting access. Page 4

United Nations Speaker Visits Truman

Uptown Snack Shop Says Goodbye

Uptown NightlifePage 7

» Continues, pg. 2

Carol Welch, U.S. Coordinator of the

United Nations Millennium Campaign, was the keynote speaker at a conference presented by the Truman chapter of the American Asso-ciation of Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC) on Feb. 17, 2006.

The conference was attended by more than 300 people and consisted of students and faculty from colleges citywide, as well as members from public and private organiza-tions. Truman’s international student body mixed with experts from around the world to discuss gender and women’s issues.

The program began with a panel dis-cussion concerning the Women’s Global HIV/AIDS Crisis. Panel speakers included Kathleen Norr, Director of the UIC Global Health Initiative, Nanette Benbow, Director of the Office of HIV/AIDS Surveillance at the Chicago Department of Health, Michael McColly, Instructor at Northeastern Illinois University and Frances Slutas, Health Educa-tion Programs Director for the Lithuanian Mercy Lift organization.

Benbow presented the audience with sta-tistical information concerning the magni-tude of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Benbow stated that “40.3 million people are living with the HIV/AIDS in the world and 5 million people are infected every year.” Benbow added that

21,936 AIDS and 9,455 HIV cases have been reported in Chicago since the epidemic began in the 1980’s.

Norr discussed her project that detailed working with women to promote contracep-tion, called “The Botswana Project.” Norr also spoke of the results of mobilizing health workers for HIV prevention in Malawi, which

brought peer education to adults in the com-munity.

Other speakers included Frances Slutas, a member of the Lithuanian AIDS center, explaining her role in the education of Lithu-anians in HIV/AIDS awareness, and

Issue# 3 The premier news source for Truman College and the surrounding community

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“I loved all the people there. It was a real neighborhood joint.”

Uptown Snack Shop Continued from Page 1

and he would have my coffee waiting there ready for me every morning.” Adding that she raised her family in Uptown, she says that the Phillos were kind to her children, too. “If my kids came by, they would sometimes give them a free donut. That’s the kind of guys they were. Tell me, where else can you find service like that?” Grabbe continues, “Sometimes my boss has to get here at 5 a.m. Teddy knew what days those were, and without even having to ask, would walk over here at 5 a.m. with break-fast ready for him. He would just walk over here and deliver my boss’ breakfast. Where else are you going to find service like that? Nowhere. No place will ever have service like they did.” Alex Phillos was worried about what would happen to his regulars. “We have a lot of older people who come here. Where will they go? The young people can afford to go somewhere else, but for the old people, this is their place.” Grabbe insists that she won’t find another place in the neighborhood that can compare

to the Uptown Snack Shop. Barnes says that there is another pancake house up the street, “and it looks nice, but I haven’t gone there yet. I’m still grieving.” As a result of the restaurant’s closing, fulltime waitresses Karen Davis and Sandy Napier lost their jobs. “Of course I like work-ing here. We were blessed with good custom-ers. We see trouble on the street, but there’s never been trouble in here. Once people come in here, they show respect,” said Davis a few days before the restaurant closed. “I’ve been working here for 18 years, and Sandy’s been here for 14. I don’t know what we’re gonna do after this, but we’re both long-time honest, hardworking people. We should be able to find something.” Though they don’t know what they will do next, Davis is certain of one thing. “These guys are the best bosses anyone could ask for.

I’ll never find bosses like this again, that’s for sure.” Both employees and customers agree that the Uptown Snack Shop’s closing is just another sign that Uptown is changing. Wearily, Alex Phillos admits that he is disap-pointed with the situation. He says that the brothers, all in their late sixties, are “ready to retire, I guess. We wanted to sell the business and keep it a restaurant, you know, so that someone else can make a good living. But they (the landlord) won’t let anyone stay.” Alex has noticed the shift in the neighbor-hood and says that it appears to be getting better, but he doubts it will compare to the old neighborhood. “In the ‘60’s it was better. There was more work. The Uptown Theater was still open, Goldblatt’s was up the street, and there was always something going on. Now there is nothing to bring people here.” Alex explains that while the condos and new stores are nice, they do not draw people to the neighborhood or contribute to a sense of community like the old businesses did. “We all kind of knew it was going to happen,” says Barnes of the changing neigh-borhood. An example of how long-time busi-nesses can be shut down by landlords who want to redevelop, she says “They didn’t own the building they were in, and that’s the sad

part. We (Uptown Bikes) are lucky to own our building.” Grabbe, however, says, “they were dedicated tenants. They shouldn’t have been forced into retirement.” The building owner “shouldn’t have done it,” she says. “They could have let them stay open. They’re just hurting the little people.” Dana Kmetty, a co-worker of Grabbe’s, chimed in, “They’re pushing out the lower class. But they don’t have to push everyone out just to make condos.” Adam Stolberg, a member of the Advance Management investors group who now owns the building, said “We’d love them to stay. In fact, we offered them a place in the new building once it’s rehabbed. We gave them the opportunity, but unfortunately values will go up, and they won’t be able to afford the increase in rent.” “You know how much that place meant to me?” Grabbe asks as she takes down a framed photo displayed on the wall behind the reg-ister. “This is how much those guys meant to me.” Once a daily sight for Grabbe and their many regular customers, the photo is of the three smiling Phillos brothers wearing their white aprons, standing behind the grill counter of their restaurant as they had for 47 years.

United Nations Speaker Visits Truman Continued from Page 1

Micheal McColly, a yoga teacher for people diagnosed with AIDS, explaining the cause for writing his book, “The After Death Room: Journey into Spiritual Activism.”

Following the panel discussion, concur-rent sessions included: Globalization,Women and Work, Female Genital Mutilation, Little Girls Positive: Black Adolescent AIDS and the Politics of U.S. Prevention and Latina Perspectives in Higher Education.

Sarah Murray, assistant for the Legal Assis-tance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago, attended the session, “Los Hombres Son Asi: Gender Discourses and the Teachings of Vio-lence in Colombia.” Murray believes that the most informative aspect she learned in the session was that, “It (domestic violence) is less repressed. More people are speaking out against it.”

Murray also attended the session titled “Trauma and Testimony” with speakers Dr. Rebecca Saunders and Dr. Aisha Fofana Ibra-

him. Saunders lectured on post-traumatic stress disorders and about distinguishing trau-matic memory from narrative memory.

Ibrahim discussed the effects of war in Sierra Leone on women in the region. According to Ibrahim,”600,000 people were killed in the war, and 100,000 were mutilated, by having their hands and legs amputated.” Ibrahim spent time with the women, gaining informa-tion and an understanding of their plight as they told their stories from the war.

Dr. Patti Renda and Jane Wagoner, Instruc-tors at Wright College, hosted the session, “Global Perspectives, Faculty Mentors, Fami-lies and Culture,” in which they discussed diversifying faculty members, so that students can see someone like them in positions of authority.

Dr. Renda explained that one of the most popular questions she gets asked is “Don’t you think it is difficult being white with all the issues of multiculturalism?” In response

Renda says, “I still think I benefit from being white. There are still societal structures in place that give me privilege otherwise.”

Claudia Moreno, a student at the Uni-versity of Chicago, attended the session and believes its highlight was the racism discussion. Moreno said, “I liked the session because of the racism issues addressed. I already knew the difficulties of deconstructing racism. There is even racism within the races. Deconstructing the issue within the culture, or even globally, is a bigger challenge.”

Keynote speaker Carol Welch, discussed the U.N. Millennium Campaign’s approach to ending world poverty. The Millennium Campaign was created so that leaders across the globe would commit to taking measures to eradicate extreme poverty by the year 2015, following eight goals.

In addition to the Millennium Campaign, Welch has also served on the Executive Com-mittee of the Jubilee 2000 campaign. Jubilee 2000 was an international coalition move-ment in over 40 countries calling for cancella-tion of third world debt by the year 2000.

Nadia Swerdlow, Assistant Dean of Instruc-tion at Truman College, believed the work-shop with the biggest response was “Female Genital Mutilation.” Swerdlow stated, “A lot of people came to me and said they didn’t know it was going on in the world. They

wanted to help and they just needed to know how.”

Swerdlow believes the response to the conference was positive, and was pleasantly surprised at the students’ contributions. Swerdlow recounts, “Everyone got to talk, and the students were not nervous about con-tributing, and that was the thing that that really struck me.”

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One of the speakers at the AAWCC Conference.

A look behind the counter at The Uptown Snack Shop.

GEAR UP Program Faces the AxDespite Looming Federal Cuts, Truman GEAR UP Continues MissionBy Marcello GrigoloStaff Writer

Truman Enforces Smoking BanIt’s Nuts to ButtsBy Carli SovichStaff Writer

Photo by: Liberty Cabael

Love it or hate it, the city of Chicago’s ordinance banning cigarette smoking within 15 ft. of public building entrances to public buildings took effect Jan. 16, 2006. In the wake of this ordinance Truman College has recently stepped-up enforcement of the smok-ing ban.

Although the ordinance applies citywide, each public building is responsible for enforc-ing the smoking ban on their property. The city will issue a ticket of $500 to the non-compliant building or institution responsible for enforcing the ban.

For the first month after the ordinance passed though, some teachers and students felt enforcement at Truman was lax. Many people were still found smoking within the 15 ft. barrier between Truman entrances and designated smoking areas. Franklin Reyn-olds, a teacher of communication arts and skills at Truman, claimed to have seen many people, including security guards, breaking the ordinance.

On Feb. 20, Reynolds sent an email to Truman administration concerning what he saw as a lack of enforcement. Since then, the administration has taken extra measures to uphold the new laws. Efforts include recently

posted yellow signs stating “Smoking per-mitted 15 FT from this point at yellow line,” also, bold yellow lines now mark the sidewalk in front of the west entrances to show exactly where the ban applies.

At Truman the security department, headed by Ira Hunter, is in charge of ensuring that the new rules are followed. When asked his opin-ion of the smoking ban, Hunter said, “It’s my job to enforce it, regardless of my feelings.” Hunter has instructed his staff to make peri-odic rounds to monitor non-smoking areas. He aims to enforce the new ordinance with communication and patience. He stated that “Truman is a community”, and “communities run because people communicate. Security is trying its best to make our community aware of the new regulations.”

Although Hunter wishes to avoid disciplin-ary action, if someone is found consistently to disobey the ordinance he will be reported to the Dean and a disciplinary hearing could follow. When asked to respond to Reynolds’ comment of security guards allegedly disobey-ing the ordinance, Hunter stated that the claim may or may not be accurate.

Many faculty members feel very positive about the changes happening becuase of the smoking ordinance. Reynolds’ exclaimed, “It’s

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), a federally funded program aimed at helping low-income and minority students prepare for college may be eliminated under President Bush’s 2007 Budget that proposes reductions of more than $3 billion in education spend-ing.

Karen Sandler, Director of School/College Partnerships and head of Truman GEAR UP, is not overly concerned with the pro-posed cuts. She vows that the work started at Truman will continue regardless of whether or not Bush gets his way on the budget. “I’ve worked with many of these kids for five years,” says Sandler. “We’re not about to stop now, for Bush or for anyone else.”

Truman GEAR UP works with students from Arai Middle School in Uptown and Senn High School in Edgewater. The program endeavors to help students raise academic achievement by tutoring and matching them with mentors. Additionally, GEAR UP pro-motes college exploration and shares financial aid information with students.

Camille Griffin, Truman Student Gov-ernment Association President, volunteers as a GEAR UP Leader and runs many of the weekly program meetings. She first became involved in GEAR UP after noticing a real need for positive role models and leadership in her neighborhood.

Griffin lives in Uptown and feels a per-sonal connection with the young people in the neighborhood. “I’m involved in GEAR UP because I love the kids and because I want to help out,” says Griffin. “I know its sounds corny, but I really want to help these kids to realize their dreams.”

Patrick Heard is a second-year student at Truman and volunteers as a GEAR UP Youth Counselor. He has been involved with the program since 2000 and has mentored students at Arai Middle School. Heard, like Sandler, remains optimistic about GEAR UP’s future, but he recognizes how hard it would be to continue helping students with-out funding.

“We have a lot of obstacles to overcome as it is,” says Heard. “I’m not saying we couldn’t get it done without the government’s help, but it would be hard.”

Earlier this year, U.S. Secretary of Educa-tion, Margaret Spellings, defended Bush’s pro-posed cuts in education to a skeptical Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education. Spellings suggested that a $1.5 billion plan to extend No Child Left Behind to high schools will offset the elimination of GEAR UP and similar programs.

Congress will debate the details of the president’s budget and vote on a final appro-priations bill by September 30, the end of the federal fiscal year.

Change, labor tensions characterized tenureBy Ben GoldbergerStaff Writer

VP Schoop Resigns

a fantastic idea that will only get better with enforcement.”

Professor Aguila of the English Department is a smoker, yet feels that the ban does not infringe on smokers’ rights. “I’m still allowed to smoke,” she said, “I just have to move away from the door.”

Students seem optimistic about the ordi-nance as well. Kendrich Smith, a current Truman student, thinks it is a good idea. “The ban makes smoking less convenient so people will think twice before lighting up.” A smoker himself, Smith has found alternatives to standing out in the cold, such as smoking in his own car.

Abbie Felscher, a student and non-smoker, thinks there should be a $100 fine for anyone caught breaking the ban. However, Fleischer does not see the smoking ban having an imme-diate influence on whether people smoke or not: “Maybe ten years from now cigarettes will not be socially acceptable.”

Chicago is not alone in imposing a city wide smoking ordinance. Washington D.C., New York, and Dallas are four other major cities which have recently constituted smok-ing ordinances. Readers can learn more about the “Clean Indoor Air Ordinance” at Cityof-Chicago.org.

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A student stands behind one of the new painted lines that restrict smokers.

One of the speakers at the AAWCC Conference.

GEAR UP Director Karen Sandler, Along with H.S. Student co-ordinator Robert Wallace and Parent co-ordinator Shalonda Peterson

Truman College Vice President Dr. Michael Schoop announced his resignation, effec-tive April 28, 2006, to become President at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio. Schoop’s decision ends eight years of service at Truman, first as Dean of Instruction, then VP of Student and Academic Affairs.

Schoop presided over many changes at Truman, including the development of studio classrooms equipped with comput-ers, combining traditional instruction with current technology. In May, 2001, Schoop, in tandem with a committee, created a plan for student assessment reports, an area of concern for Chicago City Colleges and its accreditors.

“I’m sad to see him go,” said Alexis Steinkamp, a graphic designer for Truman College. Steinkamp said Schoop is admired for his “big picture” approach. “He believes in Truman (and) the ability to change students, education, each other, maybe even change the world for the better,” said Steinkamp.

His send-off at a campus-wide meeting announcement included a standing ovation. Tony Johnston, Director of Truman’s Tutor-ing Center and an active member in the Cook County College Teachers Union, said that,

despite “our differences over union issues, I admire him as an educator.”

Some were not so cordial at the depart-ing VP’s moment of honor. Earl Silbar, a union steward and GED teacher at Truman since 1983, chose not to stand for the ova-tion. “He’s a good corporate warrior,” said Silbar, who was one of three union stewards to whom Schoop first explained dramatic class size increases and the closing of over 30 ESL courses. Silbar claimed this contradicted earlier statements Schoop made about the importance of small class sizes for student retention.

Schoop slated some courses with low enroll-ment for closing without giving a clear defini-tion, said Silbar. An anonymous Truman staff member called him “slick” and described

him as “good at talking around questions he doesn’t want to answer.”

Whether Schoop was admired or disliked, Truman College is moving on and the search for a new VP is underway. An advertisement is being drafted, according to Clifton Truman Daniels, Truman’s Director of Public Rela-tions. The position will be posted in places like the Chronicle of Higher Education, and administration and faculty will network in a variety of ways, according to Daniels.

Schoop feels he “grew up” at Truman, Dean of Instruction being his first college adminis-trative position. Helping students and staff solve problems is an area of great personal satisfaction, said Schoop. He also said he is pleased that he knew when to “step out of the way” and let projects happen.

Despite the change in title, Schoop says his job change will be “somewhat of a lat-eral movement.” Schoop will have to make regular public appearances, something not required of him at Truman, but he will have roughly the same number of reporting sub-ordinates.

Dr. Schoop’s resume includes a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in English Lan-guage and Literature and a B.A. from the Uni-versity of Chicago. While at the University of Maryland, he taught a variety of English classes, including rhetorical theory and pro-fessional writing. He also taught English con-versation in Japan, worked in international real estate and managed a custom florist.

In 2000, at the age of 21, Adam Brendt, a Truman student whose name has been changed to protect anonymity, was still uncer-tain about what he wanted to do with his life. So he enlisted in the Army for four years. At the time, he craved a life of discipline and new experiences. The Army promised him all that and more.

During his first four years on active duty, Brendt was stationed in Texas and South Korea before being ordered to the Califor-nia desert for more training. Then, in Feb. 2004, a few months before he was to go off active duty, Brendt got the bad news—his unit would be going to Iraq.

The Army extended Brendt’s tour of duty for one year and sent him to Camp Cuervo in eastern Baghdad. “When we were told that we were being deployed to Iraq, I got angry,” says Brendt, “and so did a lot of the other guys in my unit, but there was nothing we could do about it.”

Brendt enlisted in the Army after much soul-searching, but recalls military recruiters first approaching him in high school. “At the time, I didn’t trust the military,” says Brendt, “so I refused to join.” After hearing recruiter pitches, he finally joined.

At Truman, military recruiters dressed in fatigues typically cruise the first-floor halls in search of new recruits. Unlike college repre-sentatives or other vendors, who are restricted to the area directly outside the student lounge,

military recruiters seem to enjoy consider-ably more freedom of movement. Recruiters, usually in pairs, openly mingle with students between classes, particularly in and around the Middle College.

Jose Gerena, Director of Student Activities, admits this is a problem. But he insists there are no specific City Colleges guidelines for restricting military recruiters’ access to stu-dents. “We (Truman) can’t impose our own set of guidelines,” says Gerena. “Truman’s policy has to be consistent with all the other City Colleges.”

Brenda Weddington, Dean of Student Services, is unaware of any problem regard-ing military recruiters. “Frankly, I’ve never seen them (recruiters) wandering the halls,” says Weddington. “However, if it’s true that recruiters are roaming the halls and harassing

students, then something has to be done to correct that.”

Weddington plans to investigate the allega-tions, but adds there are guidelines for military recruiters and that it is Jose Gerena’s responsi-bility to inform recruiters about them. When asked for a list of the guidelines, Weddington instead produced a vendor application, which did not include any specific guidelines for recruiters.

According to information obtained from the City Colleges District Communications Office, the administration of each individual college is responsible for developing and enforcing guidelines for recruiters.

One Army recruiter, who wishes to remain anonymous, claims no one at Truman has ever informed him about any guidelines restrict-ing his freedom of movement. He has been

recruiting at Truman for a year and says that he uses common sense when deciding where to go on campus.

Richard Reardon, theater instructor with the Middle College, has witnessed military recruiters routinely hanging in and around the Middle College talking to students. According to Reardon, several of his own students have enlisted for military service and frequently take phone calls from their recruiters during class.

“A lot of these (Middle College) students believe that their only hope is the military,” says Reardon. “Recruiters know this, and they prey on these kids and promise them the world. They’re like foxes in a henhouse.”

Alesha Rogers, 18, is one of Reardon’s students, a senior, due to graduate in April 2006. She recently enlisted in the Army for four years after meeting with recruiters at the Middle College. She wants to become a parole officer, but says she is not ready for college. “I want new experiences and I want to get out of my neighborhood (Rogers Park),” says Rogers. “I hate where I’m at now. There’s nothing good for me here.”

Camille Griffin, Truman Student Govern-ment Association President and member of the Army of None, a counter-recruiter move-ment, blames the administration at Truman for not giving recruiters clear parameters. “Everybody (in the administration) is scared that the government will cut funding for Truman if the recruiters are somehow con-fronted,” says Griffin. “They just continue to bow down to the military and it’s wrong.”

Brendt believes that military recruiters are only doing their job, but is wary of their methods. “Recruiters are smart guys and they know to go after the most vulnerable kids,” says Brendt. “Students should know that recruiters will tell you anything to get you to enlist. After you’re in, you realize that they were just selling you.

Military Recruiters Roam Free at Truman College administrators conflicted overrestricting accessBy Marcello GrigoloStaff writer

Simply BeautifulA Look at Local Beauty SalonsBy Mekea WilliamsonStaff writer

Sleek hairstyles are not just for Hollywood anymore, as Uptown shows off its trendy flair when it comes to fabulous hair. The neigh-borhood hosts salons that cater to ethnic hair, such as Queen Braiding and Hair Salon located, at 1019 W. Wilson Ave. and Vision of Beauty, located at 1021 W. Wilson Ave.

Tanya Sutton, a stylist from Vision of Beauty, says that ethnic hair is unique because “it can hold anything, any kind of way you want it to be done.”

Cosmetologists are no longer known as beauticians these days – their titles have evolved into hairdressers or stylists. Teresa Cox, a licensed hairstylist since 1982 and owner of Teresa’s Hair Affair Salon, explains. “A cosmetologist is someone who does hair and total care of the hair, but also does feet and nails.” Cox continued saying, “a beauti-cian is looked as a ‘kitchen’ beautician – some-one who does hair at home on the stove. They don’t know too much about taking care of hair or sanitation. Many don’t have a license.”

Cox specializes in ethnic hair. “I prefer more natural styles for clients,” she said. “Some ladies here in the salon keep up with the latest styles, but we suggest what hair care is necessary.”

Pat Yeboah, licensed cosmetologist for 10 years and head stylist at Queen Braiding and Hair Salon, said “We (women of color) abuse

our hair and have a lot of hair loss, because of the chemicals.”

Yeboah and Cox both agreed that in addi-

tion to the style, consumers need to be more concerned about the health of their hair. “Anyone can copy a style, but a professional

will take the time to maintain the care of it,” said Cox.

“I look for experience and someone who can look at my face and tell me what style will go instead of just giving me anything,” said

Truman student Yardley Nivose. Sharing the same sentiments, Rosemary

Harper, staff member of Truman, said she wants a stylist who knows enough to do her hair right.

Carol Gibson, stylist at Vision of Beauty, has been in the business for 10 years and believes a faithful clientele comes from teach-ing clients how to manage healthy hair.

Queen Braiding and Hair Salon offers not only a stylist, whose work ranges from braids to natural styles, but also a barber for the men.

Salons also provide a place for conversa-tion and relaxation. Cox said, “This is where they (clients) hang out and talk on Friday night.” Salons and barbershops have become so popular that even top-selling movies have been made about the comfortable social set-ting.

Vision of Beauty plays gospel music, and some secular music as a way of creating a positive environment.

Cosmetology continues to grow as a profes-sion, and Truman offers cosmetology courses for those interested in learning how to create magnificent appearances. For more informa-tion, call the cosmetology department at (773) 907-3995.

In addition to the style, consumers need to be more concerned about the health of their hair.

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FEATURES 4

Camille Griffin stands in front of her counter-recruitment display.

Children are also part of the regular clientele at the local salons.

A local stylist with a client.

No More Cigars at the BarChicago’s Smoking Ban PassedBy Julianna WaloStaff Writer

Cell Phone EtiquetteTechnology Causes Shake-up of Traditional Manners

By Daniel MackEditorial Page Editor

mired in controversy, since it prohibits smok-ing in all restaurants and work places, and within 15 feet of public entrances. All bars, taverns and restaurants with bars can obtain a permit to allow smoking until July 2008.

Those who do not smoke tend to support this new law. No longer do they have to worry about undesired second-hand smoke creeping into their personal space. Families with chil-

The classic coffee and cigarettes fix will no longer be an option in Chicago’s restaurants and diners. Some will miss this ritual, while others will rejoice over this new trend sweep-ing across the nation.

In December 2005, the city of Chicago passed a law enacting a smoking ban in all restaurants, bars and public entrances. The new ban has many citizens and businesses

» Continues, pg. 6

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EDITORIAL 5

Dominique Irvin, a Starbucks Coffee baris-ta, reluctantly takes her confused customer’s cell phone from her hand. The caller on the other end vaguely describes the drink she wants. Irvin confirms the order, hands the phone back to her customer, and finishes the sale. This scene is one of many different situations in which the presence of a cellular phone trumps long-standing ideals of good manners.

Cellular phones, once used only by high-profile businessmen who frequently worked away from their desks, are now carried by elementary school students, senior citizens, and almost everyone in between. On one hand, cell phones can be used for a number of good reasons – to report an unexpected delay, to get faster emergency service, to con-nect friends and family throughout the world, and to get directions if one is lost.

But the law of large numbers dictates that there will be a number of negative uses as well. Ringing phones in movies and churches, as well as loud phone conversations in restaurant

lines and public transportation vehicle often leave many people annoyed.

Driving while using a cell phone can be dangerous. According to a study by The New England Journal of Medicine, drivers who use cell phones while driving are four times more likely to crash than those who do not. Since they are not fully focused on the road, these drivers are more inclined to run traffic signs and lights, which can be haz-ardous for pedestrians as well as other drivers. Use of a cell phone while driving has proved to be such a distraction that forty states have either passed or proposed laws restricting their usage while behind the wheel.

Service sector employees like Irvin face communication challenges with customers. Despite the fact that retail employees often face rude customers, they must maintain pro-fessional courtesy as part of their job. Truman history major Jerry Hendricks worked in retail at the start of the cell phone boon. “I would have a customer approach me for help, and as I went to answer their question, they would

start talking on their phones,” he recalls. “It made it harder for me to complete the sale, and customers would complain that they couldn’t find anything.” Irvin adds that cus-tomers occasionally stay in line while reading the menu over the cell phone instead of get-ting out of line, which slows down service for everyone.

People who ride public transportation are often bothered by riders who insist on having loud cell phone conversations, there-fore sharing the inner details of their life with the entire train. Hassan Christian, who com-mutes to work on the CTA, says that such conversations “are always the loudest on the train. People who sit next to each other don’t yell, so why should they (cell phone users)?”

Many people often forget that cell phone microphones are very strong, so yelling into the phone is not necessary.

Those who do not carry cell phones have their reasons involving etiquette too, with over-use being a major reason why. A Truman student who goes by Chika says, “I prefer to talk to people eye-to-eye – it guarantees my availability and focus to that person. A cell phone would make me acces-

sible 24-7, even at times when I don’t want to be bothered.” Being available around the clock results in people using their phones in places and situations where they would not normally accept a phone call.

Cell phones can be helpful if they are used correctly. But like all things in the world, they have their time and place. There will always be exceptions, as emergencies can and do come up, but if a conversation can be con-sidered neither important nor urgent, perhaps it should be saved for a private setting. This way, everyone wins: Retailers can work more effectively, everyone can enjoy their three feet of personal space in peace and intricate details of life are not shared for an audience consist-ing of anyone close enough to hear.

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A local stylist with a client.

dren can now be free to enjoy any restaurant they like without having to worry about their children being forced to breathe in the toxins from cigarettes.

Also, people will not have to worry about the odors getting into their clothes. Ssebu-nya Kasule, adjunct social science teacher at Truman, says, “I really don’t like the smell, it stinks. You go to a party, and you smell like cigarettes the next day. Increasingly I’m becoming intolerant for reasons I don’t understand.”

On the other hand, smokers have lost their right to smoke anywhere but outdoors or in their home. Some people are upset because they will no longer be able to smoke and drink at the same time when they are par-tying. Others are worried that the new law will negatively impact late-night businesses throughout Chicago.

Tom Gallios, owner of Smoke Dreams on Broadway and Wilson, said, “I think the smoking ban in bars will kill business in Chicago. We are a drinking and smoking town, why change what has been happening for a hundred years? If the bars are not earn-ing, how can they be expected to pay Daley’s taxes?”

Smoking is no longer just a personal choice as it once was. As a social smoker, I often feel the need to ask the non-smokers around me if it is OK to have a cigarette, even if I am outdoors. It seems ridiculous, but people do get offended and annoyed. On the other hand, I am also a mother and do not like anyone smoking around my child.

America is supposed to be a free country, so what exactly is the meaning of freedom in this situation? Is it freedom to smoke where I please or the freedom to breathe fresh air? I think banning smoking in places such as bars and clubs, where people go to have a good time and are likely to drink alcohol, sends a mixed message because alcohol also has nega-tive effects. I think it is reasonable to let the smokers have a cigarette with their drink.

No more Cigars at the Bar Continued from Pg 5

TRUMAN COLLEGE

On Feb. 17, 2006, Truman’s AAWCC Chapter (American Association of Women in Community Colleges) hosted a women’s conference that was attended by close to 320 faculty, staff, students and community mem-bers. The conference raised nearly $6000 for the Truman AAWCC scholarship fund, and eight scholarships were recently awarded to Truman women.

At the all-day conference, concurrent work-shop sessions were given by Loyola, Chicago State, Triton, University of Chicago, CARE, Heartland Alliance, Amnesty International, numerous City Colleges, the University of Illinois and many others. Topics ranged from genital mutilation and crimes against female refugees to global HIV issues and local col-lege advising support of women. The keynote speaker was Carol Welch, U.S. Coordinator of the United Nations Millennium Campaign.

The response to the conference was over-whelmingly positive, and everyone surveyed asked that we have another conference this upcoming year. One of the greatest aspects of the conference was that almost a third of the participants were City College students, and many comments were made by outside participants that our students were articulate, thoughtful and impressive contributors to the day’s discussions.

Though the AAWCC usually devotes its energy to scholarship fund raising for Truman women, this year, we agreed that we wanted to represent larger issues of women’s rights and freedoms as well. I proposed a confer-ence on “Women’s Global Issues: Education’s Responsibility in Ensuring Rights and Prog-ress” to the officers of the AAWCC, and they unanimously supported this idea.

I believe my motivations are like many women’s reasons for getting involved in wom-en’s issues, and the reason is that is my own personal experiences have brought me here. My commitment to the conference, and the reason I came up with this particular focus, was deeply personal.

First, I was born to parents who fled World War II, came to this country with nothing and were traumatized by the loss of home, family and everything they knew. As the daughter of blue-collar immigrant parents, growing up in the 1950s offered me few options. This was because most girls born then had little encouragement to be anything other than a future wife, mother or airline stewardess.

None of these options suited my rambunc-tious, tomboyish and overly brainy nature, and I realized that every force around me

was trying to keep me within those limited roles. I see myself in the young women I teach today, and I am acutely aware that, in fact, not much has changed. I find that many of my female students have very little sense of their own power. Many still live within a cultural or social environment that denies them their potential. I wanted the conference to give voice to what we have had to overcome to live actualized lives.

Second, there were some critical events that lit a fire in me, and which made me understand that women face hostility and an impingement of their rights as human beings throughout much of the globe.

One event in particular stands out. A few years ago I attended an all-day celebration of one particular African country’s “libera-tion.” However, just the day before, I had

read a feature article in the New York Times about the women of that same country. The article reported that women there still could not attend school, that the murder of wives and daughters was legally sanctioned and that genital mutilation was the norm.

Even worse, the article cited clear evidence that both military sides in the battle for “liberation” had systematically raped local women, often doing so by first breaking these women’s arms and legs. Those who survived would then face rejection by their families and towns, and a life of abject poverty. Addition-ally, some girls were sold into the slave trade, often by fathers who justified this as a neces-sary evil for support of the larger family, aided by the attitude that a girl’s life was worth very little in the end anyway.

Having just read the article the day before I attended the “liberation celebration,” what struck me was that the suffering of their women was not acknowledged once during the celebration. All of the speakers were men, all of the musicians were men and there were only a few women from that particular African country in attendance, all of whom remained silent in the back of the room.

I thought, how can I support and celebrate a country when half its population is degrad-ed, terrorized and abused and limited to only a small role in the life of the country while completely denied freedoms? I realized then, I could not.

I knew very little about the greater world and its women, and I set out to educate myself. I learned that there are amazing move-ments throughout the world to ensure that women everywhere are given their birthright as human beings – the right to live a life that is fulfilling, that allows them to live up to their innate potential, and to contribute fully to their community.

I learned that the numbers of women throughout the world, including the U.S., who have no hope of this is staggering. I also learned that these issues are rarely made part of global peace and economic growth issues.

I knew then that many of the students I taught had most likely experienced crimes against women, that colleges like ours are

filled with such women and that rarely do we as educators make this an important issue. Like the rest of the world, we overlook these issues. I wanted the conference to put light on the role of education as a key force in ensuring women’s rights and progress.

Many of my students at UIC and here at Truman were women from across the globe. At UIC, where I was involved in teacher train-ing, I would often hear comments such as: “My Chinese women students are so quiet! What’s their problem?” The ignorance of many of my fellow instructors as to why a woman, who was raised in an environment where she was silenced on every level through intimidation and abuse, might be “quiet,” was astounding.

I became interested in how women struggle in college to overcome a lifetime of being silenced, and who suddenly are being told to speak and think for themselves. I believe strongly that educational institutions need to address the specific needs of female stu-dents in this regard. Some of the workshops discussed these issues directly, and our own Truman advisers addressed it particularly.

Finally, I had one more personal inspira-tion. I very much wanted four-year schools and two-year schools to come together, in order to see that we share common needs. Many times, two-year schools are seen as nothing more than “feeder schools.” We “feed” students to the four-year schools, and the incredibly qualified and committed fac-ulty we have in community colleges, as well as the commitment on the part of administra-tions to provide the best possible opportunity for students to succeed, are ignored.

It is, in many ways, a patriarchal attitude. Community colleges are the “women” who give “birth” to the children, and we should be silent and should expect very little support and acknowledgment from the big “male” four-year schools, who are in the end, the “real” schools, with power and influence.

The conference did bring together an incredible group of people from many dif-ferent colleges, and we did find our common ground. Because of this event, numerous col-laborations have occurred, including invita-tions for two- and four-year participants to visit each others schools, with the potential to build strong partnerships in support of women’s success. I was most happy that the excellent faculty and students we have, who can compete with the best at any four-year school, were recognized and heard.

One of my favorite poets, Muriel Rukhey-ser, wrote: “if one woman told her true story / the whole world would break open.” In the end, I hoped that in the conference we could tell our stories and break open possibilities for each other.

An economy can not exist without all of its members contributing, nor can any coun-try grow without all of its population being educated and free. I invite all readers to share their thoughts with me, and we will see how AAWCC can help support our commitment in the future. Thank you for letting me tell my story, and I would be honored if you told me yours.

EDITORIAL

AAWCCThe Whole World Would Break OpenBy Nadia SwerdlowAssistant Dean Of InstructionGuest Writer

6

TRUMAN COLLEGE

“We wanted to repre-sent larger issues of women’s rights and freedoms.”

Guest Editorial

After reading Sasha Hank’s article, “Communication Break-down,” I felt relieved to know that I was not the only one that was confused about the whole situation. With the uncertainty still surrounding parking, a lot of students – myself included – have lost lots of trust in Truman. Students’ cars were towed and their bikes were fenced in; additionally, at the start of this semester, students were told that there was no more space in the lot and directed out without being provided an immediate alternate solution. There have also been rumors that a mall will be built in place of the lot. Until solutions start to materialize and communication improves, I will be very disappointed.

Weronika Cieslinska

I have found that the library is often disrespected by stu-dents, through loud talking, eating, or drinking. Making mat-ters worse is the fact that the library staff does nothing to solve the problem. It would help if everyone signed in and presented their Truman ID. In the evenings, young kids use the computers, making students wait to use one. Again, the staff avoids this.

I once noticed that two people were in the restroom smoking and acting suspiciously. It worries me that these children could end up in the restroom with these people. I told a security guard, who took care of the situation.

As an ESL student who moved closer to campus in order to have better access to the library, I would appreciate it if these issues were handled better. The learning environment would be much better for it.

Alexandru Lelutiu

It is a constant disappointment having to deal with the cur-rent parking situation. I knew this would be a problem because of the school’s location, but hunting for a spot is very frustrat-ing. Lack of parking spaces can affect class attendance.

Despite separate faculty/student lots, it is tough to find a spot. This is a top college in the city, so this issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible. In the meantime, finding alternate transportation seems to be the best approach. Some professors are giving students extra time to refill the parking meters, but if the school can fix this problem, it would be great for everyone involved.

Noli Gonzales

Letters to the EditorEDITORIAL

I am responding to the article “Vending in Chicago” by Mekea Williamson. The article presents an example of a strong indi-vidual pursuing her dream. It is admirable to see Marta Gonzales outside with her vegetables every day. I remember an exchange with her; when I asked if she was bothered by the snow, she answered, “No, I am not.” I believe Gonzales is among many immigrants seeking a better future.

Immigrants have to face many struggles and limitations. However, they never give up because they know that they will achieve their goals. As an immigrant, I also want to pursue my dreams, and Gonzales’ story is an inspiration.

I want to congratulate Uptown Exchange for reaching out to Gonzales. She is a very determined woman. Thank you for giving readers Gonzales’ experience.

Kriscia Arana

Regarding Prateek Sampat’s article, “Security,” I support the Student Government Association’s ideas to revamp security. The display of IDs can help deter security problems. Many people come and go at Truman, but IDs are rarely requested.

One evening, a guard approached everyone in the computer lab and requested IDs. One person’s ID showed that he was not validated for the semester and was asked to leave. I felt safe knowing that he ensured that everyone in the lab was a current Truman student.

I suggest that Uptown Exchange include a regular SGA sec-tion to announce projects, issues, and updates. It would provide easy access to students looking for updates.

Alicia A. Perez

After reading Abebi Pendleton’s “Teacher’s Arrest Provokes Conflicting Reactions,” I’ve become more aware of social respon-sibility. Although Pendleton didn’t get Mosier’s opinion, she did offer different points of view. Some feel William Moiser should get a second chance, others feel he should not return.

Although I feel that what Moiser did was unfortunate, his actions will not negatively influence students, as nobody will want to emulate him. He could still be a good teacher, but his influence outside of the classroom will be affected. He would have a hard time given his situation, and would likely find that several people in the Truman community won’t respect him. I think it would be best for him to seek employment else-where.

Elzbieta Biedziuk

Letter Response

In order to maintain journalistic integrity, The Uptown Exchange is independent of any outside influence, includ-ing the school administration and the SGA. This ensures that our coverage is unbiased.

Sarah StromerEditor-in-ChiefUptown Exchange

The Uptown Exchange needs letters to the editor for feedback concerning this issue.

Topics and ideas that weren’t covered?Complaints or concerns about this issue?Are there things you would like to see in

future issues?

Please send questions, concerns, and comments to

Benjamin Ortiz at bortiz@ccc.edu

Please include name and phone number or email with subject “LETTERS TO THE EDITOR”

7

Uptown is changing, and local nightlife is accommodating these changes. No matter what your taste, you can be sure to find a watering hole that suits your needs.

The emphasis is on a “country atmo-sphere,” at Carol’s Pub, says Carol Harris, owner for 34 years. With more seats at the bar than at tables and a jukebox packed with yesterday and today’s country music, Carol’s lives up to its country billing. Located at 4659 N. Clark, Carol’s offers a variety of weekly events, including country karaoke on Thurs-day nights. The main attraction, however, is the house band, Diamondback. A treat for country fans and non-country fans alike, they play from 9 p.m. until closing on Friday and Saturday nights, and there is no cover charge at Carol’s.

The rest of the week, Carol’s provides a laid-back place to hang out and soak up the unique country atmosphere or a place to cap off the evening, as it is open late (until 4 a.m.; 5 a.m. on Saturdays). The menu offers typical bar fare such as burgers and hot wings. Every Monday Carol’s offers specials on drafts, domestic beers and pitchers. Jager Bombs and Red Bull and Vodka are available as well.

“Sophisticated” is how Michael Roper describes the crowd at his bar, the Hopleaf, located at 5148 N. Clark. The Hopleaf pri-marily caters to the slightly older crowd. However, beer enthusiasts of all ages (over 21, anyway) can be found sampling their huge selection of beer from around the world. There is no Budweiser or Miller at the Hopleaf, instead there is a wide selection of micro-brews and Belgium beers, in addition to other specialty drinks such as Mead.

Wooden floors, tables and booths and soft lighting give the Hopleaf a comfortable, cozy feel. The Hopleaf provides a private atmo-

sphere, with seating in the back room and near the entrance, and booths in the front room, near the bar.

The menu at the Hopleaf offers far classier (and pricier) options than a typical bar menu. The specialty at The Hopleaf is mussels. Appetizers such as the Scotch Egg and Duck Salad sandwiches are offered, along with a variety of other entrées and salads.

Colm Treacy, owner of T’s Bar and Restau-rant located at 5025 N. Clark, says that it is “eclectic.” Tall tables and chairs are first to capture your attention and the dim lighting provides an intimate setting.

With a chef always on hand, and boasting the best burgers in Chicago, T’s offers a menu that is changed four times a year. Entrées such as Blackened Cod and Pastas are a step above the usual pub grub. Wine is offered by the glass or bottle, a variety of beers and popular mixed drinks are available as well.

A Night Out In UptownBy Mike Cruz Jr.Staff Writer

The staff on hand is friendly and on time with your order, but allow for some delay on the weekends as this is their busiest time.

T’s also offers the opportunity to raise money for charity. A patron can rent out the place for free and host a party to benefit a charity of choice. Options include selling shots to your guests and then donating all of the proceeds or taking 10 percent of T’s intake for that night and donating that. According to Treacy, T’s raised over $57,000 for different charities last year.

Over at 4015 N. Sheridan is Nick’s Uptown. No dining here, only drinks. Nick’s offers a venue for the younger crowd. Popular drinks include anything with Vodka, Jager Bombs and Jameson’s, according to owner Nick Novich. “I come for the music,” said 21-year-old college student Juan Leala.

Open until four in the morning, seven days a week, Nick’s offers live music every Friday and Saturday night with no cover charge. A big-screen television is available as well as a pool table, but “people are attracted to the music,” says Novich.

Music is played in a separate room, but the bar is easily accessible. For singles look-ing to meet other singles, this is the place to be. Nick’s is best suited for large groups of friends, as this is not the place for a quiet ending to the evening. The music is loud and the atmosphere is lively.

Across the street at 4000 N. Sheridan is the Holiday Club. It is similar in some ways to Nick’s, but with a more casual crowd. The usual mixed drinks and beers are offered here, as well as a decent menu. It is a little quieter when compared to other bars in the neighbor-hood, but not too quiet, as there is still loud music, especially in the back room, which features a second bar and a dance floor.

There is a pool table located in the front room of the Holiday Club and there never seems to be a line to get in. There are plenty of young and single twenty-somethings but there is definitely a good mix of different ages. “The setting is definitely the biggest draw for me,” said 23 year-old college graduate Kevin Peterson.

Uptown is full of possibilities, especially if you want to make a night of it!

TRUMAN COLLEGE

Above: A look inside Nicks Uptown Top Center: Exterior view of the Holiday Club Right: A birds eye view at the inside of the Hopleaf.

A R T S 8

“For singles looking to meet other singles, this is the place to be.”

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Looking in at T’s, from the street.

Chris Dekoker is typical of most college kids. He enjoys hanging out with friends and playing video games, and dislikes schoolwork. Unlike most college kids who go out on Friday and Saturday nights, however, Dekoker enjoys cutting and splicing his 16mm film project, untitled as of this writing. A similar dedica-tion arises from many of the other students at Chicago Filmmakers (CF), a not-for-profit media arts organization, where Dekoker is a student.

At CF, students like Dekoker come to learn cinematography and the practice of film making. Sometimes, their commitment to a project renders all other things unimportant. “I love film, and unfortunately, life gets in the way,” said Dekoker.

This is the kind of enthusiasm lacking in the film business, according to Patrick Friel, program director at CF. “It is increasingly common now for film to be a commercial vehicle, especially in Hollywood,” said Friel. “Many of the students here truly enjoy what

Chicago Filmakers Offer Local Film Workshops and ScreeningsBy Joseph Hernandez Arts & Calendar Editor

After three and a half years in the Uptown community, the Jane Addams Hull House Center for Arts & Culture will close its doors at the end of April.

The Hull House currently operates at two locations in the neighborhood: the Arts Center across from Truman College and a community center at 4520 N. Beacon. The Center for Arts & Culture offers art classes combined with displaying international art exhibits. As the Arts Center closes its doors, it will begin to expand its art projects integrated into local schools as well as the community center.

“We’re very sad to close the Arts Center,” stated Louise Smith, Director of the Center in Uptown, at a recent exhibition opening.We’ve loved being part of the neighborhood and serving the art community here.”

The Arts Center is allegedly closing its doors due to lack of funding to keep the exhibition space, as the Center channels all revenue back into social-outreach programs.

When asked to comment on the neigh-borhood losing so much art focus, Smith remained optimistic: “The north side commu-nity has excellent programs allowing people to express themselves,” referring to the Old

A Farewell to Arts Uptown’s loss of the Jane Addams Art Center By Mike PremerStaff Writer

they do, and we are more than happy to help them find their way.”

Started in 1973, CF was created “for art-ists to make films outside the mainstream marketplace, to distribute and exhibit this work, as well as to build audiences and to increase media attention for it,” according to its web site. What started as an artist-run movie screening series has evolved into an organization that hosts two yearly film festi-vals in Chicago, screenings of unknown and local films and offers film making classes.

CF hosts the Onion City Experimental Film and Video Festival and Reeling: The Chicago Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival. The Onion City Festival is the lesser known of the two. Entries are all experimen-tal short films from around the world. “I feel that there’s a lot more work that goes into short films,” said Brenda Webb, executive director of CF, “There is less time and more pressure to prove yourself.”

The Reeling festival is the crown jewel of CF. “We are proud of the work that goes into (Reeling),” said Webb. An annual event that is held in November, Reeling showcases the best work done in gay and lesbian films around the world, ranging from documenta-

ries to short films to feature films. “We get so much work from around the globe that it is a Herculean task to pick the best,” said Webb. The festival consists of 50 screenings shown in eight days. “It’s a shame that we can’t show everything we get,” said Friel, “The work we do show, though, is definitely the best in class.”

When not working on the festivals, CF sponsors film screenings at venues throughout Chicago, such as the Chicago Cultural Center, as well as at the CF facilities themselves. CF runs the gamut in the films they show; local work is highlighted, often with the directors and artists involved attending the screening. “There is so much untapped talent here in Chicago. Who ever said Hollywood was the film mecca?” said Webb.

“Our main goal is to promote public aware-ness and appreciation of film as a form of personal expression,” said Friel. “Our classes are great for experienced filmmakers to refresh themselves on technique, and new filmmakers definitely hit the ground running.” Classes include screenwriting, learning the use of 16mm and digital video cameras, and editing techniques. Each class has a final project for all the students that puts what they learned into practical application.

CF is located at 5243 North Clark Street and is open to the public.

Town School of Folk Music on Lincoln, and Gallery 37 as well as theaters in the area.

The Arts Center operates as a community center, offering classes in photography, ceram-ics and adult and children arts and crafts, as well as a gallery to exhibit projects.

The community center located on Beacon focuses on more intensive social programs, including Child Development services, Housing Resource Center and small business development as well as numerous additional community services.

The Hull House expansion will bring local schools art programs by integrating an art class into the curriculum at the new Uplift-Arai school located at 912 W. Wilson. “Our main purpose is to bring arts to the under-served community,” explains Smith.

As the closing date nears, the Arts Center is taking full advantage of the remaining time, drumming up as much attention as possible to make the last month at the center finish

with flair. Art exhibits will continue to open and run through April and offer a variety of events the final week starting April 22, giving the community an opportunity to experience the culture of the Arts Center one last time.

Jane Addams originally founded the orga-nization in 1889 in an attempt to serve the vastly growing lower class immigrant com-munity of Chicago. Today the Jane Addams Hull House is one of the largest non-profit organizations in Chicago. Its mission since its establishment has been to improve social conditions for under-served people and com-munities through programs advocating public policy reforms, according to the organizations publications. Jane Addams is best remem-bered for her impact in Chicago neighbor-hoods and her dedication and passion for her work with social outreach.

TRUMAN COLLEGE

TRUMAN COLLEGE

A R T S 9

The Jane Addams Hull House will con-tinue to furnish ser-vices to the Uptown community through its programs, however the gallery and classes which inhabited the cozy storefront across from Truman College will stop and make way for some new devel-opment at 1136 W. Wilson.

“We’ve loved being part of the neighbor-hood and serving the art community here.”

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A look into the Jane Addams Hull House Center for Arts & Culture.

Scratch Your Way Into A JobTruman Offers DJ WorkshopBy Mike Cruz, Jr.Staff Writer

On a Saturday afternoon at Truman College, a classroom of four students and one disc jockey (DJ) became familiar with the turntables and turned up the volume.

The Continuing Education pro-gram at Truman offered its first of three DJ workshops, priced at $40, on Saturday, Mar. 4. Those who attended were given an intro-duction to DJ equipment, basic terminology and a little history.

Students also had the opportunity to put the basic DJ skills they learned into practice. Beatmatching and beats per minute (bpm) were just two of the topics covered and practiced at the three-hour workshop.

The instructor, Ben Goldberger, a.k.a. DJ Mercedez Ben, is a student at Truman and works in the Tutoring Center. DJ Ben began his career in 1995, when he played a basement party in Columbus, OH. “I played inbetween two big shots at the time: Titonton Duvante and Charles Noel, a.k.a. Monochrom.” said Goldberger. The positive

experience he had at that party pushed him to get better.

Goldberger’s first experience with the turntables was in 1994 when a friend showed him how they worked. Like his own first time on the turntables, his teaching technique involves allowing the students to experiment with the equipment and simply have fun. “I wanted people to get friendly with the equipment, know what’s needed and how to plug it in,” said DJ Ben.

Joy Walker, Truman’s Webmaster and Dean of Career Programs, was intrigued with the idea of adding the DJ workshop to the Continuing Ed. program. Walker later

added, “(I’m) just excited to have something with popular appeal.”

DJ Ben was happy with the out-come of the first class, and looks forward to

instructing future DJ workshops. Each workshop is a one-day only

course and meets for three hours. Accord-ing to the course description, not only are students exposed to DJ equipment and termi-

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!Every semester we offer affordable advertising space in our newspaper. There are four different ad sizes available; 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and Full page. For more

information, call Benjamin Ortiz at (773) 907-4376

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nology, but also to the experience of listening to music in a new way.

The DJ workshop is only one of the many non-credit courses offered by Truman’s Continuing Education program, which are open to everyone. For more information on these courses visit the Truman College web site or contact Joy Walker in room 2230.

UptownExchangE

TRUMAN COLLEGE

Ben Goldberger is the instructor for the DJ workshop.

A R T S 10

“I want people to get friendly with the equipment”

EVENTS CALENDARA R T S11

“Cradle Of Man”, come’s to Victory Gardens between March 24 and May 7, 2006 starring “Sex In The City’s”, David Eigenberg. A comedy, “Cradle”, is set in Africa near the mankind’s birthplace, where two couples meet and their various interpersonal crises surfce as their lives come apart, their bodies come together-hilariously. Tickets are $35-$40 and shows will be held Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 PM; Saturdays at 5 and 8:30 PM; Sunday at 3 PM. Pre-views are also offered March 24-April 2 and will cost $25-$30 and there will be performances Tues-Sat at 8 PM; Sun at 3 PM. Press opening will take place Monday, April 3, 7:30 PM. Matinees are offered April 19 & 26 at 2 PM and cost $35 with a $5 discount for seniors. Victory Gardens is located at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., in Chicago. For more information ortickets, please call (773) 871-3000 (tty: (773) 871-0682) or to purchase tickets on-line log on to www.Ticketweb.com

The world premiere of “Sita Ram”, a dern musical adaptation to a two millenia plus Hindi epic about Prince Rama, a young royal with super-natural powers who finds out that his love Sita, has been abducted by the evil ten-headed Demon King Ravana featuring the voices of Chicago Children’s Choir, the traditional correography of Natya Dance Theatre and musical genius of Grammy nominee Jai Uttal. Performances will be limited to three weeks and will last May 16-April 2, 2006 with pre-views March 16 & 17, 8 PM and Press and Gala opening March 18 at 7 PM and performance at 8 PM at The Lookingglass Theatre Company at 821 N. Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Regular performances running through April 2, are scheduled Wed. at 7:30 PM; Thurs. at 6:30 Pm; Fri. at 7:30 PM; Sat. at 3 & 8 PM and Sun.at 3 PM. Exception: Show time Sun., March 19 is 7 PM. Tickets cost $20-$58 and go on sale January 24, 2006. For tickets or information please call the Box Office at (312) 337-0665 or stop by Tues.-Sat. 10-6 PM. You can also purchase tickets on-line at www.lookingglasstheatre.org

Ensemble members Raymond Fox and Tracy Walsh bring us “The Old Curiosity Shop”, an adaptation to Charles Dickens tale pitting good against evil. Young Miss Nell Trent and her dying grandfather flee debt, avarice and the vile treachery of literature’s legendary villain, Mr. Quilip. Tickets cost $20-$58 and are on sale beginning April 4, 2006 at 10 AM. Performances will run through June 11 and are scheduled as follows: Wed. at 7:30 PM; Thurs. at 6:30 PM; Fri. at 7:30 PM; Sat. at 3 and * PM; Sun. at 3 PM. To buy tickets please call the Box Office at (312) 337-0665 or stop by Tues.-Sat. 10-6 PM. You may also purchase tickets online at www.lookingglasstheatre.org

The Lookingglass Theatre Company will feature Joey Slotnick and Lauren Katz’s comedic genius in the slapstick humor of “Slotnick & Katz”, July13-July 30, 2006. Previews will be held Thurs. and Fri. July 13-14 at 7 PM and Press Opening is Sat., July 16, 8 PM. The Gala Opening wll be hosted on Sun., July 16,6 PM. Performances run through July 30: Wed. at 7:30; Thurs. at 6:30 PM; Fri. at 7:30 PM; Sat. at 3 and 8 PM; Sun. at 3 PM. Tickets cost $20-$58 and begin selling on Tuesday, June 13, 10 AM. For any additional information please call the Box Office at (312) 337-0665, stop by the Lookingglass Theatre Com-pany at 821 N. Michigan Avenue in Chicagoor visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org.

“Kiff Simmons: Re:Pair And Imperfection” will feature local metal artist Kiff Simmons’s 27 works of art fashioned from broken, unuse-able or “imperfect”, jewelry made by 18 well-known Chicago jewelers. The venue will take place between March 25 and May 28, 2006 at the Chicago Cultural Center and will be free of admission. The Chicago Cultural Center is located at 78 East Washington Street in Chicago. Those interested or in need of more information may call (312) 744-6630 (TTY:(312) 744-2947 or visit www.chicagoculturalcenter.org.

Those who wish to make magic in the kitchen are encouraged to enroll in classes with the World Kitchen in the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, 66 E. Randolph Street, Chicago. All World Kitchen classes are $30 and require pre-registration, which begin March 8. Reservations for all lasses can be made by phone, on-line or in person. Call (312) 742-TIXS(8497), visit www.G37centerforhearts.org , or viit the box office at Galley 37 Center for the Arts, 66 E. Randolph ST., Chicago. Classes offered by World Kitchen include “What In The World Is This”, a course specializing in diciphering mysteries encountered at ethnic markets and the uses of exotic produce, making the unusual, the deli-cious. In addition, the extavaganza will offer “Viva Mexico”, in which you’ll learn to make a Mexican fiesta, shop around local ethnic markets and cook authentic dishes to ring inthis year’s Cinco de Mayo. “Layers Of Flavor” will teach you to create great dishes using pre-made dough-from appetizers to desserts, as well as main dishes, you’ll find that cooking doesn’t have to be flaky!

Award-winning Visual and Perfromance Artist Nick Cavebrings “Nick Cave: Soundsuits”, an exhibition featuring tribal ceremonial costumes from around the world sculptured so that when their wearer moves, they rattle and sound accordingly. Over 50 soundsuits will be on display at the Chicago Cultural Center in part of a new exhibition at 78 E. Washington Street, from April 22 through July 9, 2006. There will also be a video presentation utilizing the soundsuits, along with related fabricated artifacts. Admission to the exhibition is free. For more information please call (312) 744-6630 (TTY:(312) 744-2947 or visitwww.chicagoculturalcenter.org