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Entries tagged as ‘Chicago’

True Star Program Gives Chicago Youth a Chance

March 12, 2010 · Leave a Comment

True Star

The True Star Foundation program gives Chicago students hands-on experience in the media arts, including magazines and radio.

Since the Fall of 2004, the True Star Foundation has been working with Chicago youth to teach them skills in journalism, marketing and publishing. The nonprofit organization that provides a creative outlet in the form of literary and professional development programs for youth.

ChicagoStorytelling’s Stephanie Williams, Cicely Teal and Essence McDowell spent time with the students, True Star’s founders and others to see how the program is making a difference in the kids’ lives.

Categories: Chicago · News · Streets · media
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Chicago Comedians Polish Their Craft

March 11, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Comedians from all over the Chicago area perform at "Your Sunday Best" open mic night at Schubas. (Photo by Andy Kahn)

Each week Schubas holds Your Sunday Best – an open-mic comedy night – in the small upstairs bar reached by an inconspicuous staircase in the front of the downstairs establishment. The North Side bar has faithfully played host to the event for more than a decade.

ChicagoStorytelling’s Andrew Kahn, A.Jay Wagner and Lars Weborg spent a night watching some of the Windy City’s aspiring comedians, who are not only performing for an audience, but also for each other.

Audio Slideshow: Hear the comedians tell their stories in their own words.

Categories: Art · Chicago
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Chicago Cab Drivers Chase the American Dream

March 10, 2010 · 2 Comments

Story, photos and video by Morgan Ottier, Kara Schawk and Mary Beth Weissmueller

There are 9.6 million people in the Chicago metropolitan area. In a city of this size, it is often easy for people to overlook the stories behind the faces they only have short encounters with each day – including Chicago cab drivers.

Over the course of one night, ChicagoStorytelling’s team traveled five miles in three taxis and learned the stories of three immigrants driving those cabs … and their chase for the “American Dream.”

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Categories: Chicago · Maps · News · Streets
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Chicago’s Dumpster-Diving Treasures

November 22, 2009 · Leave a Comment

NYC Bagel Dumpster Photo

This dumpster behind N.Y.C. Bagel at 1001 W. North Ave. shows how much food can go to waste. (Photo by Sachi Yoshitsugu)

Audio Slideshow: Chicago’s Dumpster-Diving Treasures.

Research shows that the United States spends $1 billion a year disposing of food waste.

Just walk down any alley behind Chicago restaurants, bars, grocery stores and bakeries, and you can see for yourself.

ChicagoStorytelling’s Nico Hagopian, Sachi Yoshitsugu and Alexis Pelayo did just that in reporting on food waste and “dumpster diving” — also known as freegans — who dine on what others toss into a dumpster.

Categories: Chicago · Food · Health · Streets · photos
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