The Chicago Journal

5 Meaningful Ways to Participate in Giving Tuesday in Chicago

Edward Anderson Edward Anderson on December 4, 2023

In a world that often revolves around consumerism, Giving Tuesday emerges as a beacon of altruism, urging individuals to redirect their focus towards philanthropy. This annual event, occurring on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, has become a global movement, encouraging people to contribute to charitable causes and make a positive impact in their communities. Originating in 2012 from the collaboration between the 92nd Street Y in New York and the United Nations Foundation, Giving Tuesday stands as a powerful antidote to the shopping frenzy of days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Understanding Giving Tuesday:

Giving Tuesday represents more than just a day on the calendar; it embodies a spirit of generosity that transcends borders. It’s a call to action, a reminder that even small contributions can create significant change. In the heart of Chicago, a city known for its diverse and vibrant community, numerous events and opportunities await those eager to participate in the global movement of giving.

Events and Organizations in Chicago:

  1. Cradles to Crayons, Chicago: Bundle Up for a Cause

Amidst the brisk Chicago winters, you have the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children through Cradles to Crayons. This organization, committed to assisting children living in poverty, welcomes your support in providing winter gear, ensuring these young individuals have the essentials needed to thrive in challenging conditions.

  1. Irish American Heritage Center: Warmth for Migrants

Extend your generosity to migrants facing Chicago’s chilly temperatures by participating in the Irish American Heritage Center’s coat and cold-weather clothing drive. Your donations of new or gently used winter clothing will contribute to providing warmth and comfort, helping newcomers adjust to their new environment.

  1. PAWS Chicago: A Purr-fect Way to Give Back

For those with a soft spot for animals, PAWS Chicago offers a unique opportunity to blend philanthropy with furry companionship. After making a donation at The Shops at North Bridge holiday pop-up, take a moment to capture a snapshot with an adoptable pet. If you miss the pop-up, mark your calendar for PAWS Chicago’s appearances at the Holly Jolly Lodge, featuring adorable and adoptable dogs on select dates.

  1. Radio Flyer: Spreading Joy Through Play

Step into the world of childhood wonder with Radio Flyer, the iconic children’s transport store. Your purchases until 8 p.m. not only bring joy to your household but also contribute to spreading happiness in the form of donated products to Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Join the cause and support play for hospital patients and their families.

  1. United Way of Metro Chicago: Nourishing Families in Need

Addressing the basic need for nourishment, the United Way of Metro Chicago invites you to make a difference by contributing to its holiday meal box initiative. Your donation, whether $25 for a family of four or other available options, ensures that families in need can share a festive meal during the holiday season.

Takeaway:

As Giving Tuesday unfolds, the opportunity to be a force for positive change in the Chicago community beckons. Regardless of the scale of your contributions, whether big or small, each act of kindness creates a ripple effect of compassion, resonating throughout the diverse neighborhoods of Chicago.

Waterton’s Acquisition of Alta Grand Central: A Transformation in Chicago’s South Loop

Jason Robinson Jason Robinson on December 4, 2023

The Waterton Purchase

In a significant real estate move, Waterton recently acquired the Alta Grand Central apartment community located in Chicago’s vibrant South Loop. This transaction, while cloaked in secrecy regarding the exact purchase price, represents a momentous step in Waterton’s property portfolio expansion.

Waterton, renowned for its strategic investments in the real estate market, has once again demonstrated its commitment to growth and excellence. The acquisition of Alta Grand Central not only strengthens Waterton’s presence in the dynamic Chicago market but also underscores its capability to identify prime real estate opportunities.

The Property Details

The Alta Grand Central property, which was completed in 2020, is situated at 221 W. Harrison St. Its architecture and design command attention, with two imposing 14-story buildings that are emblematic of modern urban living. With a total unit count of 346, it offers a diverse range of living spaces, creating a vibrant and thriving community within the heart of Chicago’s South Loop.

A Community in Demand

Waterton recognizes that Alta Grand Central primarily appeals to a specific demographic: workforce residents engaged in the healthcare, public service, and consulting sectors. This demographic is drawn to the South Loop area, and Waterton’s acquisition of this property signals a strategic understanding of market demands and trends.

The housing options at Alta Grand Central are diverse, catering to the varied preferences of its residents. From cozy studios to spacious one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and even three-bedroom floor plans, the property ensures that residents find the perfect space to call home.

Modern Amenities

One of the standout features of Alta Grand Central is its modern amenities, designed to enhance the living experience of its residents. These include spacious coworking areas for the modern professional, providing a dynamic environment for remote work and collaboration. The indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge offers stunning views of the city, creating an ideal space for relaxation and socializing. The well-equipped yoga studio promotes a healthy lifestyle, and secure bike storage facilities cater to the needs of environmentally-conscious residents. The property also boasts a refreshing pool, a rooftop spa for relaxation, and electric vehicle charging stations, showcasing a commitment to sustainable living.

The Previous Owners

This exciting acquisition was made possible through the purchase from a joint venture between Chicago-based D2 Realty and Atlanta-based Wood Partners, as reported by Crain’s Chicago Business. The previous owners’ collaboration in this venture adds an intriguing layer to the property’s history, highlighting the complexities of the real estate market and the strategic thinking that led to its development.

Waterton’s acquisition of Alta Grand Central is a testament to the company’s vision and commitment to enhancing urban living. This investment aligns with Waterton’s mission to provide high-quality living spaces and innovative amenities to meet the needs of today’s discerning residents.

Hallmark released two separate movies that are too alike

Nicholas Alexander Nicholas Alexander on January 24, 2023

…

Hallmark is renowned for being equally predictable as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, although being less extravagant.

Online humor says that the central figure in Hallmark films is typically a career-driven someone who visits an old town for the holidays.

They meet an old flame there and are compelled to choose between their careers and their newly discovered love for the simple life.

In the end, they leave their professions.

Recently, two Hallmark films were singled out because their storylines were nearly identical.

The Sister Swap movies

Last year, Hallmark released two films: Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday and Sister Swap: Christmas in the City.

Real-life sisters Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Ashley Williams played the same roles in the Christmas-themed tales of both films.

The Sister Swap movies, which contained some of the same dialogue and scenes but different perspectives and angles, were edited by the same person, Kristi Shimek.

Read also: Henry Cavill breaks news, he won’t return as Superman

Summaries

The plot descriptions for the Hallmark Christmas movies may be confusing to some due to how similar they are.

Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday’s plot summary is as follows:

“Jennifer and Meg Swift are two sisters wanting to find a new sense of purpose.”

“During the Christmas holidays, they decide to swap homes and end up discovering what they both truly need in life.”

If you open a different tab and search for Sister Swap: Christmas in the City, the same synopsis will pop up.

Discovery

The 2021 Hallmark movies were discovered by Dan Harmon, the man behind Rick and Morty and Community.

He shared his discovery on Instagram and wrote:

“Okay. I don’t know how to start or finish discussing this so we should start discussing now and take our time,” wrote Harmon.

“There are two Hallmark movies called “Sister Swap.” One is called Sister Swap: Christmas in the City, the other is Sister Swap: Hometown Holiday.”

“So we thought oh cool it’s a franchise and there’s a sequel, which Sister Swap do we watch first? Well HERE’S THE THING. Both Sister Swaps are released in 2021.”

“They are not sequels.”

“Both Sister Swaps are the same story, about sisters – played by real sisters, who have to swap… cities.”

“It should be noted that the sisters AND the cities AND the MOVIES are, so far, indistinguishable. It’s not like one is a hillbilly and the other is a millionaire, that doesn’t matter, we don’t go to Hallmark for conflict.”

Read also: DC update: Shazam and Wonder Woman uncertain of future

“The crazy thing is that we also don’t go to Hallmark for experimentation on this level. Nothing in the description of the movie says “here’s the thing everybody.””

“The descriptions of each movie are honestly mostly excited that two real life sisters are playing sisters.”

“We found an article called “how to watch the Sister Swap movies” and got so excited and then it turned out to be instructions on how to find Hallmark on your streaming service.”

“I can’t keep talking about this, we just started watching, I can’t spend all night posting about it.”

“We keep going back and forth between the movies.”

“The same conversations are happening in each one but there’s no “Rashomon” or “Peep Show” angle, the dialogue in each version is identical but the scenes are cut differently because I assume they just had different editors.”

“In one of the movies, one of the sisters has a full flashback about her relationship with the other sister.”

“In the other sister’s movie, you don’t get a different version of the same flashback. You just don’t get a fucking flashback in that one.”

“In both movies, they spend 1 minute trying on hats but in ONE of the movies, they also try on glasses.”

“We’re freaking out and I can’t keep typing about it I will come back later i fucking love Christmas though.”

An explanation

More than 33,700 people liked Dan Harmon’s tweet, and in the comments, fans analyzed it and shared their own theories.

One user claimed that she and her partner had completely “fallen into the rabbit hole” after being inspired by his post to see the movies.

The movie’s lead actor, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, saw Harmon’s post and added, “HERE for this,” with laughing emojis.

Williams-Paisley explained:

“We wanted to do something outside the box for the genre but also stay in the genre, and my sister came up with this brilliant idea of two films that take place in the same time frame and sometimes overlap.”

“[And] it took us years to figure out the puzzle, and then, Hallmark finally let us DO IT.”

The explanation provides a unique viewpoint on the direction, and the Sister Swap movies’ unusual style will probably help them gain a huge cult following.

Reference:

Hallmark is being mocked for releasing two nearly identical Christmas movies

Blanchet House struggles to find footing with insurance rates

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on November 14, 2022

Blanchet House is a Portland-based non-profit social services organization, but like many others, it suffers from the effects of inflation.

According to employees, the non-profit organization faces a growing need with rising costs, disrupting their operations.

Blanchet House

The non-profit organization was founded by students from the University of Portland in 1925.

The students founded the Blanchet House with the encouragement of their priest, who urged them to take to the streets and help people.

Initially, it began as a fraternity called the Blanchet Club, named after Oregon’s first pioneer Catholic priest, Reverend Francis Norbert. Blanket.

The club found a building to perform its services and eventually named it Blanchet House.

Read also: Apple to see iPhone 14 models shipment setback

The situation

The executive director of Blanchet House, Steve Kerman, points to the state of the economy as a source of problems.

“Goods and services are costing us more, and part of that is insurance,” said Kerman.

“It takes a lot of insurance to operate, to do what we do – housing and meal services – and those costs are going up about 20 percent.”

Additionally, Scott Kerman revealed that Blanchet House has enough private money to make ends meet but is worried about the rest of the community.

“What I’m really trying to do is just speak up for the non-profits in our community who have been doing extraordinary work under exceptional and unprecedented circumstances and are dealing with the financial challenges as a result.”

Factors

According to the Northwest Insurance Council, many factors explain the rate hike.

President Kenton Brine said recovery from recent fires and rising repair costs are among the rate hike factors.

“I know that insurers are doing their best to keep cost increases as minimal as possible,” said Brine.

“But inflation and these other cost increases can’t help but begin to show up in premiums that people pay for – home, auto, and business insurance in Oregon.”

Read also: Lyft announce plans of workforce layoff

Policy solutions

The president of the Northwest Insurance Council recommends seeking a policy, suggesting that there is still competition for coverage in places, including downtown Portland.

“Then do other things that you can to try and reduce your risk. If you can protect windows from being smashed, try to do that,” Brine offered.

“If you can keep flammable materials and debris from piling up outside your business in an alley, try and prevent arson – all those things help make you a better risk for insurers to insure.”

According to Brine, crime’s impact is still hard to overlook. 

“It’s certainly going to be helpful if local leaders try to attack the crime problem more aggressively,” suggested Brine.

“And as crime rates go down and people aren’t experiencing as many claims, you’ll see insurance rates stabilize.”

Reference:

Portland non-profits struggle with rising insurance rates

Community to receive its long-awaited movie after Peacock picks up the project

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on October 6, 2022

Community is a much-loved series that aired between 2009 and 2015 and has always carried the tagline “Six Seasons and a Movie” since its second season.

Seven years after the end of the series, Community finally got the green light for a feature film.

In mid-2022, news surfaced of a possible upcoming movie, but no one knew when it would come.

On September 30, it was finally revealed that it had been picked up.

The news

The internet exploded when several stars started posting the prophetic phrase “And a movie” online.

It was revealed that Peacock commissioned a film about the underdog study group Greendale, founded by Dan Harmon.

The announcement revealed that the original cast members would be returning.

Joel McHale, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Gillian Jacobs, Ken Jeong, and Jim Rash have been confirmed to return as Greendale saviors.

Original cast members Yvette Nicole Brown and Donald Glover have yet to be confirmed to return.

Comedy legend Chevy Chase may not return as Pierce Hawthorne after the fourth season’s fallout, but anything is possible.

Behind the scenes

Aside from the film, Peacock managed to secure non-competing rights to air the sixth season of Community.

Susan Rovener, president of NBCUniversal’s entertainment content and streaming, shared her enthusiasm for the project, saying:

“‘Six seasons and a movie’ started out as a cheeky line from Community’s early seasons and quickly ignited a passionate fan movement for this iconic, hilarious, and cool (cool, cool) NBC comedy.”

“We’re incredibly grateful that 15 years later, we are able to deliver fans this promised movie and can’t wait to get to work with Dan Harmon, Andrew Guest, Joel McHale, Sony, and our partners at UTV to continue this epic comedy for Peacock audiences.”

Six seasons and a movie

The Community Movie has gotten more attention since Dan Harmon said it was possible to make it work, and Joel McHale’s tweet from Sept. 30 confirmed that it may be on the way.

McHale tagged his co-stars Peacock, Sony, Community and Gillian Anderson (accidentally because Gillian Jacobs didn’t have an account) and posted a photo with the hopeful words, “And a movie.”

The full line was first said by Abed Nadir (Pudi) in the second season episode, Paradigms of Human Memory.

The episode took a take of the “clip shows” trope in older shows, which usually recycle old clips to save money.

Instead, in Paradigms of Human Memory, they showed new clips of past events.

In one of the clips, Abed disguises himself as Cape (from the titular TV show) and accidentally spills Jeff Winger’s (McHale’s) lunch.

Jeff yells, “The show’s gonna last three weeks!” To which Abed replies: “Six seasons and a movie!”

The phrase became a rallying cry for community fans around the world, especially when the show was temporarily canceled after its fifth season.

Yahoo managed to pick it up and fulfill half of the prophecy.

Progress of the film’s development over the years

Community creator Dan Harmon said a movie would be made as early as 2016.

Over the years, he’s regularly updated his fans and hinted that a movie is in the works.

In August of this year, Harmon announced that he had pitched a Community film, and Peacock seemed interested.

Although he founded Community, Dan Harmon is only on board to write the film and serve as its executive producer.

He is joined in the role of executive producer by Joel McHale, Andrew Guest, Russ Krassnoff, and Gary Foster.

The film hasn’t found a director yet.

Reference:

Community is finally getting its long-promised movie

Community fans receive the news they waited years for: a Community movie

Edward Anderson Edward Anderson on August 29, 2022

Community creator Dan Harmon has for years expressed his intention to deliver on his promise to give fans a film that closes the story.

The Wrap news agency revealed that Harmon has already outlined a story for the film and that negotiations are underway.

The update

Community news first surfaced when he promoted the sixth season of Rick and Morty, which premieres September 4 on Adult Swim.

During the promotion, he provided an update on the Community movie.

“Conversations and agreements are happening,” said Harmon.

“There’s a story – who knows if we’ll end up sticking to it, but it was something we had to compile in order to take it out and court various venues.”

“And now, negotiations happen.”

Dan Harmon also said the film was not a question of “if” but “when”.

“When you put the percentage chances together, it’s like you have to account for maybe the world blowing up or another virus happening.”

“But as far as the industry is concerned, this is a matter of when and not if, for sure.”

Dan Harmon’s caution

Although fans are understandably excited, Harmon revealed he was hesitant to get fans excited, saying:

“That’s probably enough that’ll make people mad when [there’s nothing] a year from now.”

“It still doesn’t mean there’s going to be a movie tomorrow. It means there is definitely going to be one.”

The Community creator shared how extremely careful he was.

“The fan that Instagrams every day about ‘Community,’ how can you tell them, ‘Yes, it’s definitely going to happen, but it may be between one and eight years from now’ — which is how the industry works, especially when you factor in pandemics and whatnot.”

“It just feels like psychological torture, from a fan’s perspective, to keep looking into the backseat of a station wagon and saying, ‘Who wants McDonald’s?’ And to just keep driving down the freeway.”

“I don’t want to be guilty of causing that sensation. It just takes so long sometimes.”

Six seasons and a movie

While there’s no guarantee the movie will be released anytime soon, the updates are a step in the right direction.

“Six seasons and a movie” has been the fan community’s rallying cry ever since Dani Pudi’s Abed mentioned it in Season 2.

The quote has been a mantra for Abed and fans alike ever since, especially since the NBC show canceled it and the show moved to Yahoo! Screen, where it aired its final season in 2015.

The final episode of the series ended with an intertitle that read “And a movie.”

The headline prompted people to post the popular #SixSeasonsAndAMovie hashtag.

In 2020, Dan Harmon and the cast of Community (Joel McHale, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Gillian Jacobs, Jim Rash, Ken Jeong, Yvette Nicole Brown and Donald Glover) hosted a virtual reunion where they had a table read and a Q&A session.

During the session, everyone expressed a desire to make a film.

References:

Dan Harmon: Community movie is now “matter of when and not if”

‘Community’ movie is outlined and being pitched, Dan Harmon confirms

JetSet’s NFTMagazine.com Drops One of the Most Sought-After NFT Projects to Date – The Paper Boyz

Jason Robinson Jason Robinson on June 25, 2022

In the face of highly competitive industries, entrepreneurs and enterprises may find it daunting to take center stage, dominate respective trades, and distinguish themselves apart from a plethora of ventures that promise to deliver top-notch products and quality services. However, a significant number of established authorities owe much of their successes to their passion-driven spirit to revolutionize. One of them is the brilliant founder of NFTMagazine.com, JetSet, also known as Josh King Madrid.

Triumph amid adversities may have become a long shot these days, but JetSet continues to prove that success is within arm’s reach so long as one pours their hearts into their crafts. As he collaborates with a prodigious mobile app animation artist Edgar Vehbiu, the creative personality behind Angry Birds and FIFA Mobile, they are bound to send waves of changes across the NFT realm through establishing their brainchild, the Paper Boyz.

Rapidly rising as one of the most anticipated and sought-after NFT projects to date, the Paper Boyz is a collection of 3,650 NFTs designed explicitly for those who want to get ahead in the digital space. People from all walks of life who continue to strive for excellence may find this NFT project a promising launching pad toward greatness. Whether one is a newbie, degen, or an expert, the Paper Boyz shakes the industry, opening many doors of opportunities for go-getters across the world.

Without a doubt, the Paper Boyz has risen to popularity because of its unrivaled ability to propel NFT holders to impressive heights. As a matter of fact, It grants lifetime access to everyone who joins its premium Discord community while helping its holders stay up-to-date on the latest news and potential opportunities within the NFT world. In addition, the Discord channel also grants access to expert-led courses, software bots, and more, enabling holders to learn the ropes of NFT.

Proving to be an unstoppable force in providing opportunities to thousands of holders under its arsenal, the Paper Boyz also grants access to the largest invite-only NFT Conference in the world this October, the NFTMag Con 2022, to be held in Miami. JetSet reveals that the event will have over 4,000 attendees from around the world, with over 40 speakers ranging from NFT founders, high-level entrepreneurs, marketers, investors, and sales trainers to top motivational speakers. The conference charges every participant with a ticket valued at $2,450, but holders of the Paper Boyz NFT can attend and participate in the event for free.

Armed with big plans for the future, NFTMagazine.com aims to expand the horizons of the Paper Boyz NFT to continue catering to the needs of different holders across the globe. Above anything else, it also hopes to kickstart a passion-driven spirit for success among those looking to get ahead both in the industry and in life.The Paper Boyz will be released on July 1, 2022. The pre-mint community is quite large, but only 3,650 NFTs are available. The Discord channel is open to those who are interested in joining.

Kris Adams and Marketplace.City Work to Revolutionize Local Governments, Community Organizations, and Small Businesses Across the Country

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on May 31, 2022

The most well-intentioned public servants often find themselves elected to local office, seeking to bring positive change to the communities they love. Once elected, these well-meaning community leaders run into a lack of time, funding, and institutional prowess that commonly prevents them from fully meeting their constituents’ needs.

Kris Adams has seen this problem first-hand. He knows local governments and municipalities should have access to the best services at the best value for their constituents. This is why Kris partnered with Chris Foreman to have access to a platform that connects public servants with scalable technologies and solutions.

As the internet expands beyond computers and smartphones to include nearly every device we use, Marketplace.City is here to bring cutting-edge tech to even the smallest municipalities. It helps governments source, validate, and procure technology solutions to bridge the gap between small-town budgets and big-city amenities. Marketplace builds coalitions based on needs, identifies funding opportunities, and creates relationships with service providers.

“Our mission is to simplify the process for local governments to source, validate, and procure new technology, so that governments can be responsive to their constituents and focus on their core mission to serve those constituents,” said Foreman. “Our products are developed with input and feedback from our partner cities, and we are committed to delivering valuable tools at no cost to government partners.”

Marketplace.City was launched to bring local public servants together with scalable service providers through coalitions. They work with any town, city, or country government to optimize resources and provide constituents with the most services and best value. Marketplace.City collaborates with Chief Technology Officers, Chief Information Officers, City Managers, and elected officials.

“For more than a decade, I have built coalitions between governments, non-profit organizations, community groups, and other stakeholders throughout the United States,” said DDA Associates co-founder Kris Adams. “In that process, I identified a disturbing common thread. Localities consistently lack the institutional knowledge and established processes to procure services in a way that provides the best value for their constituents. Too often, these communities have an antiquated system with pre-approved winners for proposals. This leads to rampant mismanagement of taxpayer funds, mistrust of local leadership, and loss of opportunity for growth and prosperity.”

“We will continue to grow as we help the most forward-thinking communities identify and capitalize on the relationships that will help them best serve their current and future stakeholders,” he added.