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Elaine Coorens

With a professional background that includes advertising copy writer, corporate manager in advertising/marketing/manufacturing for multiple industries, international newspaper editor/publisher, needlework designer and retail shop owner as well as IT consultant and programmer, Elaine can "speak" in many "languages." A native Chicagoan, her passion for all things community is what led her to become a local author, historian, tour guide and now Editor/Publisher of Our Urban Times. She authored Wicker Park From 1673 Thru 1929 and Walking Tour Guide.

Stories from Elaine Coorens

City business licensing destroys small businesses: Part One -- Logan Square Kitchen

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
05/17/2012
MurraySpace

As he stood in Logan Square Kitchen (LSK), 2333 N. Milwaukee Ave., Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced, on Apr. 17, that a new ordinance would streamline business licensing, making it faster and easier for businesses to be legally operational in Chicago. On May 16, Zina Murray, Logan Square Kitchen's owner, announced that she will close her doors on June 28.

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Meet the multi talented Jeff Award winner Tammy Mader

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
05/14/2012
TMaderSonLike so many in the area, Tammy Mader is a multi-talented Logan Square resident. In her case she is the the Director and Choreographer for Drury Lane Theatre's Hair Spray as well as being mom to two young children.
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Size doesn't matter for Sistler's "Trouble" in Firecat Projects

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
05/11/2012
LimitedEd

While Nicholas Sistler's miniature paintings prove that size does not matter when it comes to drawing the observer into a painting, they also prove that they can mesmerize the viewer into lingering and exploring. Sistler's Trouble in Tony Fitzpatrick's Firecat Projects, 2024 N. Damen, is a full blown installation as theatrical as the paintings themselves.

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Current politics reminiscent of the Rostenkowski era

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
05/11/2012

Dan Rostenkowski, "a local boy" form Noble Square, was one of Chicago's long time politicians. He began his 18-term run as a US. Representative in 1959 and was at the zenith of his power as the House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman from 1981-94.

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Claiming innocence, 10th District State Rep Derrick Smith refuses to testify and to step-down

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
05/11/2012
DerrickSmith

Derrick Smith, Illinois' 10th District State Representative, refused to testify at a special investigative committee of the House in Springfield on Thurs., May 10, which was convened to determine what action might take against him because of the indictment against him for bribery. In addition, he continues to refuse to step-down or step-aside from his current seat and professes innocence.

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Mindy Segal reopens HotChocolate and receives James Beard Award

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
05/10/2012
MSegal

"I needed a change," said Mindy Segal on Wed., May 9, as the last tasks on the renovation list got ticked off before the reopening of Mindy's HotChocolate restaurant and heavenly pastry haven, 1747 N. Damen, on Thursday.

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CIMM Fest 2012 beats previous three years and faces new challenges

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
05/01/2012
WeatheredChiDavidov

While the 4th Annual Chicago International  Music and Movie Festival (CIMM Fest) was the most successful that they have produced, the creators are meeting a new challenge according to Josh Chicoine, Co-Executive Director.

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Is Steve Jensen a masked man on a white horse?

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
05/01/2012
SteveJensenDrvng

Steve Jensen doesn't ride a white horse. He drives a black SUV. He doesn't wear a mask. He wears a baseball cap. But, like the Lone Ranger, Steve Jensen cares about his "territory" and the right of people to live in a clean and safe environment.

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John McNaughton and Tony Fitzpatrick meet outside Firecat Projects

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
04/28/2012
NaughtonFitzpatrick

Long-time friends director/writer John McNaughton and multi talented Tony Fitzpatrick stopped for a photo op outside Firecat Projects, 2124 N. Damen, during the opening reception of Nick Sistler's terrific new show, Trouble, Fri. , Apr. 27.

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Hogwarts or Pritzker?

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
04/27/2012
BurningBook

Flames erupt from the book each time it's opened. A smoke cloud rises from a can, hanging around  before disappearing. Pennies float on water. This must certainly be a wizardly school…Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, perhaps.

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Emanuel trying to push through Infrastructure Trust despite concerns over a possible repeat Parking Meter debacle

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
04/24/2012
Emanuel

Update:
After lengthy debate, the ordinance passed. Here is other coverage before vote:
WTTW-Carol Marin with Aldermen Arena and Moreno the night before.
After vote:
WTTW, Huffington Post and CBS News

In an attempt to avoid another Parking Meter debacle, a vote on Mayor Emanuel's Infrastructure Trust ordinance was postponed in City Council last week.
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Krush night club on Elston Ave. may be headed for deleterious impact hearing

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
04/20/2012
Krush

Initiated by Mayor Daley in 2010, the Deleterious Impact Ordinance (DIO) was established to make it easier for neighborhood residents to shut down liquor establishments that threatened public safety and quality of life. When Bucktown resident Carey Weiman opened Krush night club at 1675 N. Elston,

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Emanuel's speed camera ordinance passes amid confessions

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
04/19/2012

Mayor Emanuel's ordinance for automated speed cameras to be placed around schools and parks passed in the full City Council meeting Wed., Apr. 18. Basing their votes on enhancing children's safety in Chicago, some of the aldermen apparently used discussion time to "confess" their own speeding transgressions for which they were caught.

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Erin Martin did perform on NBC's The Voice -- Live!

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
04/10/2012
EMLive

UPDATE:
Erin was eliminated from competition.

"Walk like an Egyptian" was Erin Martin's song on Cee Lo Green's team, Mon., Apr. 9 on NBC's The Voice. Her entrance was dramatic as she was wheeled in a charriot "drawn" by "hunky" guys in white and gold togas.

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Uncertain whether Wicker Park's Erin Martin will be on NBC's The Voice live Monday

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
04/09/2012
EMHospitalIn a phone conversation on Friday, Erin Martin, a Wicker Park resident, was obviously not well but she said, "I have to be on the show Monday."
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Approaches and consequences for neighborhoods when private-public spaces get religion

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
04/07/2012

While Portage Park is not in Our Urban Times' coverage area, the Portage theatre story is a tale that we can all learn from. The theatre in Portage Park and church in Wicker Park have been going through struggles for survival. Both will have major consequences that will impact their respective neighborhoods.

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After 120 years, artists and the Wicker Park community are about to be banned from St. Paul's Church building by Love Holy Trinity Blessed Mission

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
04/07/2012
6membersLHTBM

There was hope among some when six members from Love Holy Trinity Blessed Mission (LHTBM) were present in the public meeting hosted by the Near NorthWest Arts Council and 1st Ward Alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno

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Proactive attempt for consensus about sidewalk cafes and streetscape on Division was successful

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
04/05/2012
MorenoListens

Balancing economics and environment on commercial streets is a challenge that puts many community stakeholders on opposite sides of an issue.

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Businesses, residents, organizations and alderman united to force sidewalk café to replace tree fencing

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
04/05/2012
MorenoAnthOwnrs

Fences severed from their moorings around tree pits in front of Anthem at 1725 W. Division on Mar. 27 were re-installed by the evening of Mon. Apr. 2.

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Two meetings scheduled to address Congress Theater activities

By: 
Elaine Coorens
Date: 
03/30/2012
CongressLSMkt

Two meetings are scheduled regarding Congress Theater operations at 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Logan Square. One is being called for Sun. Apr. 1, at 2 p.m. in the theater by the venue's owner Eddie Carranza. The second is a hearing in City Hall under the Deleterious Impact/Public Nuisance Ordinance on Apr. 17, 11:30 a.m. in the Business Affairs and Consumer Protection meeting space on the 8th floor.

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