A Tour of Uptown


Hi Everyone, Liane here.

For the past few weeks we have been constructing asset maps of the neighborhoods we live in. From this asset map we then develop the route for a guided tour so we can showcase our neighborhoods to the students living elsewhere. Today we were in Uptown.



It was such a nice day to spend outside, as long as you stayed in the sunshine! There are so many fantastic organizations and neighborhood associations working to address various social issues going on in the area. I was very impressed by all of the efforts happening to make for positive changes to happen without pushing people out by pricing them out!

Sadly, the issue of violence is still a very serious one in this neighborhood. A new approach for raising awareness about peace and non-violence is an art installation project known as Ten Thousand Ripples.  The installations are always half of a Buddha face. It is to symbolize the emergence of peace in the area.We got the chance to view one of these pieces during our tour!



A presentation about the Ten Thousand Ripples installation located at Uptown's Tattoo Parlor on 4441 N. Broadway Ave.
 

This particular Ten Thousand Ripples installation is located at one of the longest running tattoo parlors in the area. The shop serves as one of Uptowns cultural centers, and is a perfect host for one of these installations because it sits on such a heavily used stretch of sidewalk. Many people pass by this beautiful sculpture on a daily basis!

Here are a few different perspectives of the installation:

Our last stop on the guided tour of Uptown was to the garden located behind the Uptown Public Library. This unique area had one of the coolest things I have seen in a while, a storytellers throne!

The Storyteller's Throne in the Uptown Public Library Garden.

Before today, the only thing I really associated with Uptown was Al Capone hanging out at The Green Mill during his glory days. Now I know how much this neighborhood has to offer, and will definitely be back very soon!

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After the tour was over, a few of us decided to head down to Eataly at 43 E. Ohio St. to check out their Nutella Bar.....

The Nutella Bar at Eataly.

I went with the Brioche with Nutella spread, and $4.20 later, I had my Nutella fix satisfied. It was a little unsettling knowing that you could buy a jar of Nutella for the price of one of the cheapest things on the menu. However, it is definitely something any Nutella fan should experience while in Chicago.

Until next time!