Pies on the Rise in Chicago

A classic chicken pot pie made by Hoosier Mama Pie Co. in Chicago. (Photo by Audrey Leon)

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Audio Slideshow: Charlie Trotters To Go pastry chefs give a behind the scenes look to their pies.
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By Audrey Leon, Ally Clark and Britni Day

Of all the pastries to become in vogue this year an old familiar dessert is poised to knock cupcakes off their public pedestal, pies.

Should the CTA reinstitute A/B service?

If you ride the L, then you probably have ideas on how to improve the CTA’s aging rail service. The Chicago Reader’s Ed Zotti offered his opinions, now offer yours. Listen to the audio podcast and then vote in the poll below.

For more information on A/B train service, click here.

Gapers Block redesign in the works, Huff says

Gapers Block publisher Andrew Huff speaks to a graduate journalism class at DePaul University on April 4, 2011. (Photo by Mike Reilley)

By Audrey Leon

The man behind the hyperlocal website GapersBlock, Andrew Huff, spoke to journalism students at DePaul University and discussed several topics including the site’s impending redesign.

Must-have journalism traits

Anyone can be a writer but it takes a special kind of person to be a journalist. However, to be a web journalist? You’ve got to be Superman.

Mashable’s Vadim Lavrusik lists eight traits tomorrow’s journalists should have, ranging from business savvy to web programmer and multimedia storyteller.

Journalists will have to get used to wearing different hats and going it alone for the long haul.

Lavrusik is correct that journalist – especially those entrepreneurial ones who decide to create and manage their own websites – must learn to be businessmen and women. Knowing ad rates for your site as well as your competitors (know thy enemy as EmediaVitals writes in this article) will allow you to keep partially funding your site and its mission.

The Year in Review

It’s the last day of 2010 and there’s no better time to take a look back at the year that was.

Earlier this month, I compiled my Top 10 albums of 2010 for Chicago music news website LoudLoopPress.com. So on here I’d like to unveil my top 10 concerts of 2010.

I’ve been an avid concert-goer for many years before deciding to do it (semi)professionally. There’s nothing better than watching an artist make art. It’s simply thrilling.

Without further ado…

Audrey Leon’s Top 10 Concerts of 2010.

Getting to Know Chicago’s Lincoln Park

As a journalism student at DePaul, I get many opportunities to start new online ventures. The latest is my forray into blogging at Chicago Now.

Audrey enjoying some Beef Donburi at Nada Tea and Coffee House.

As a Lincoln Park resident, I will be writing about inexpensive and hip places around the area. This can be anything from food, entertainment, shopping and beauty.

Catch my last couple of entries here at 2400 North/1200 West (the title, a nod to Chicago’s grid system).

I have already profiled select spots located on North Lincoln Avenue and West Fullerton Avenue. So if you are in need of a good taco or cheap eyebrow waxing, head on over to 2400 North/1200 West!

Wicker Park Fest Roundup

On July 31 and August 1, the Wicker Park neighborhood held its annual block party. This year’s lineup was filled with popular musical acts such as the Chicago groups Cap’n Jazz, The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, the Hood Internet and Local H. Out-of-towners such as Mission of Burma, Baroness and Torche were more than welcomed at the festival.

Boston punks Mission of Burma perform live at Wicker Park Festival in Chicago, Illinois on July 31, 2010. (Photo by Audrey Leon)