28 April 2010

An Obstacle Course

I am an avid walker. However, getting around on two legs is getting just as challenging as traveling on four wheels during road construction. On North Ridge, between Devon and Pratt, heavy equipment has reduced the sidewalks to rocky sandboxes. Due to the torn - up pavement, I have had to forgo Dominick's as my local grocery shopping destination. Devon Market is part of my contingency plan until the project is completed. But even then, I have had to use a detour because the sidewalk in front of the now - shuttered Hollywood Video has also been torn up.

Jackie

23 April 2010

Customer Lost in Translation

The other day, I came home to find a stack of sale circulars from a local Hispanic grocery store. The entire flyer was printed in Spanish. I am assuming that this business wishes to reach a Spanish - only customer base because, they failed in their attempt to lure me (a non - Hispanic) into the store. The ad was automatically destined for the trash!

I appreciate the diversity that exists in Chicago and the unique character of its ethnic neighborhoods, but this all - Spanish mass - mailing limits the demographic of the people who will walk in the door. In addition to Spanish - speaking recipients, the flyers landed on the doorsteps of those whose primary language isn't Spanish (I among them). In my case, the ad went from my doorstep to the paper shredder. And whenever I see a store sign printed in a language other than English, I immediately assume that the owner welcomes customers who only speak that specific language. As a result, I dismiss the business as a regular destination for me and spend my money at one that is more inclusive.

Jackie

20 April 2010

Teen Is No Snitch, Takes Killer's Name To His Grave - WBBM 780 - Chicago's #1 source for local news, traffic and weather

Teen Is No Snitch, Takes Killer's Name To His Grave - WBBM 780 - Chicago's #1 source for local news, traffic and weather

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This, clearly, illustrates what Chicago Police and communities are up against in the battle against street and gun violence. The code of silence lives on, in death.

Jackie