This is a single-tiered fountain with a pool. It is located in the Polonia Triangle, in the…read moreChicago's Polish section. The fountain was constructed in 1998 as part of the city's public fountain program, but it looks much older. It has definitely seen better days, but I am glad that at least it is operational. It provides a soothing flow. The fountain is named after novelist, Nelson Algren, who lived in the area and is best known for his novel The Man with the Golden Arm, which won the first National Book Award in 1950. You will find a plaque on the ground around the fountain with a quote from one of Algren's essays, Chicago: City on the Make. It reads, "For the masses who do the city's labor also keep the city's heart." The fountain is made of black iron and has a pool that is about 9 feet in diameter.This is definitely not a destination piece and most viewers will be transiting the Triangle.

"For the masses who do the city's labor also keep the city's heart" reads the inscription around…read morethe Nelson Algren fountain located on the Polish Triangle, near the Division street Blue Line Stop. This is a quote from Chicago: City on the Make, which sums up this city better than anything I have ever read. This review is not for the uninteresting design of the fountain that is a favorite amongst pigeons and the homeless. It is for the idea. One of the turning points of Algren's masterpiece, The Man with the Golden Arm is when Frankie Machine drunkenly crashes his automobile into the triangle, where fountain is located, paralyzing his wife. Division street, especially the portion between Ashland and Damen was the focal point of this novel, and mentioned in some of his other works. It is also located only a few blocks away from his long time residence on Evergreen street.

We had a very fun experience, Rick is informative and entertaining. The property is such an oasis…read morein the city, the food was amazing and I highly recommend a tour.

Wonderful tour with Rick and his gardener. We had plenty of time to explore and ask questions and…read morethe margaritas were delicious. Highly recommended.

The office in the 44th ward in Chicago for Bennett Lawson has improved greatly. The office used to…read morebe a little rude but the new office personnel has really gotten much better. They seem to be genuine and care about each person that comes in which was different then before. What a great change they made.

Jesus, Jessica Papp is so rude. I just went in to the office to suggest something that I thought…read morewould help the neighbor, and she just was incredibly rude and dismissive to me. I don't know what I did to deserve it.

It has become a tradition to come, meet friends, drink a beer, eat a thuringer and enjoy…read more Crowds can be large on nice days but for the most part everyone is relaxed and happy. Sunday afternoon is a great time for families.

Maifest is one of my least favorite fests in Chicago, but it's close to home so I find myself here…read moreevery year. The problem with Maifest is it is so insanely crowded. There is a thin row of standing tabletops, and other than that, there's just lots of people congregating on the (closed off) street. There is only one food stand offering sausage, pretzels, sauerkraut, etc. There is also only one beer stand offering one type each of domestic or import, the latter being $2 more. Expect long lines as there is only one tent for each. Music is lively and gets the crowd pumped. I'm always surprised how many pregnant women and babies are there; I get nervous they will get pushed or trampled. And definitely expect at least a little beer to get spilled on you, as a lot of the songs call for lifting your beer in the air, and you're surrounded by drunk people... #gross Overall, come for a beer, explore the neighborhood, and don't expect too much, otherwise you're sure to be disappointed.

Full disclosure -- I am on the Board of Directors of the Chamber and have been so for several…read moreyears. I also own a boutique in the Bucktown area. I cannot say enough good things about the Chamber or the people who run it and make it a lively resource for the businesses in Wicker Park and Bucktown. From the networking events to the new member luncheons, the sidewalk sale to the SummerFest, the WPBCC gets it done and makes it happen. The Executive Director and her office staff are truly committed to really promote the area and the business that make up Wicker Park and Bucktown. They handle all sorts of complicated community situations with grace and aplomb. Dealing with the aldermen, the business owners, and the residents cannot be fun or easy but they make it look like a cakewalk. The Chamber orgazines all kinds of media outreach opportunties, from internal e-newsletters to aggressively distributed literature about the local cultural and shopping opportunties. The Chamber provides a liason to the city's governmental offices as well; I met Mayor Daley as a Chamber representative to discuss the area's overall curb appeal and how the city could help to spruce it up. That was rad! I would recommend any independent business to join this Chamber and get involved. I can definitely say my business has been positively affected by my association with the Chamber, and I plan to stay an active member as long as my shop is open. I heart the Chamber!

Wow. Still amazed by what an exceptionally cool and different kind of festival the Chamber put on…read morethis weekend with Wicker Park Fest. Rather than cramming lots of overpriced kebab vendors into a tiny space and forcing us to buy tickets, it was all about the music and mercifully cheap. Great job.

On Halloween, I decided to dress up as a firefighter while I went out with some of my friends in…read morethe Wrigleyville area. While we were walking, we bumped into the firefighters at engine 78 and they were kind enough to take a picture with me. I just wanted to say thank you for being open to taking this picture of me, they were really nice even after coming back from a job. This really made me appreciate all that firefighters do on a day-to-day basis.

Dear Chicago Fire Department Engine 78,…read more You are our heroes! Thank you from all of our hearts for saving the day! We were treated so incredibly kind and with so much compassion! We will be forever grateful! What an absolutely incredible group! Big thanks to Lieutenant Dave, Engineer Mo and the other 3 amazing firefighters who helped us! Jessica Kelly

Walking into Smith Park, the only thing that led me away from the assumption that I was crashing a…read morereunion was that I paid $5 admission. Ukrainian Days, in a nutshell, is a giant family picnic in the park. That is if your family is all Ukrainians. I've been to Ukraine a couple of times before. And the country itself is not that friendly to outsiders. Not that the people are especially surly or anything, but the rate of English being spoken - even in the tourist industry - isn't very high (except in Kiev). The closest someone can get to this experience in Chicago, besides going to the consulate downtown, is this festival. The amount of English that I heard in the over an hour I was there could best be described as "a smattering." Even the stage announcements, let alone the acts, were in Ukrainian (completely without English translation) and even the youngest people in the crowd seemed to grasp what was going on. I, however, never quite did. Thankfully, those in the service sector of this mini-economy (just trying to keep the analogy going, I mean the people working the booths) spoke enough English to let me know the borscht was vegetarian. And it was good. And it was a $1. Sadly, the best festival food I've had all summer was a cup of warm borscht (perfect for carrying around the festival). It was just like grandma used to make (even if she was Lithuanian). The food vendors were all spectacular, in fact. Shokolad brought a large menu, including rich deserts, and two other vendors offered authentic Polish and Ukrainian fare (including the ever tempting vereneky). Though sadly, the lines for each of the food vendors were enormous and there's a reason why - there wasn't much else to do. The few merchandise stalls there were seemed to be an afterthought. And the only interesting one I saw was one selling CDs from the old country. You know, to listen to if you get tired of sitting around a picnic table and talking to your closest relatives or listening to live Ukrainian folk music from the festival stage. And Heineken and Miller beers were only $3. At least that makes it better (or more bearable) than an average family reunion.

I think that now that they have decided on a date and have stuck to it, closest to Ukrainian…read moreIndependence Day August 25th, the fair has been a success. Yes, it is a fest catering mainly to the Ukrainian community but all are welcome to attend. After all, the Ukrainians have been in this area for decades and as I recall at West Fest, I don't remember hearing any Ukrainian or Polish or Spanish spoken for those residents that have been a part of West Town for longer than the newly arrived discoverers of this now trendy neighborhood. The people that attend this fest are family yes, but the vast majority of these folks are simply related by common ethnic backgrounds and most likely attend the same church or bar. Americans or anyone else are certainly welcome, your money is green and will be heartily accepted. So, please partake and enjoy the wonderful ethnic dancing, singing and general merriment of the Ukrainian community here in Chicago. And as the other poster noted the $5. admission charge, West Fest charges the same $5 admission fee, what's he squawking about?

First time I have been here not as a teacher or student and it was ok. I guess I remember it being…read moremore interactive. It was a good quick walk from Lincoln Park Zoo.

Its definitely not the biggest or grandest of Chicago's museums, but they have a lot of good…read moreinformation, interesting exhibits and a staff that cares. I'd recommend a visit.