Here is the link to the Ebola timeline:
Here is a link of a World Cup Stadium timeline I did for Mike Reilley for the Red Line Project:
JOUR 363 Video Final
Inaugural Great Chicago Fire Festival Falls Short of Expectations
Link to Chicago Neighborhood Populations via Google Fusion Tables
Chicago’s Redmoon Theater and the City of Chicago partnered up to commemorate, rebirth and renew the event that brought together the Windy City stronger than ever – the Great Chicago Fire.
An estimated 30,000 people gathered together along the Chicago River on Saturday to witness the spectacle that proved to be a little less entertaining than desired.
The crowd grew anxious and loud chanting “we want fire!” as torches began to ignite the homes shortly after nine-o’clock. The crowd began to clap with excitement before quickly falling silent due to the flame dying out.
Ultimately, long delays and electrical issues caused by heavy rainfall prevented the houses from igniting or burning down at all that night.
The Great Chicago Fire Festival was highly anticipated to reenact burning homes from the tragic fire that involved Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern in 1871. Originally following the expected burning homes, a firework spectacle show was to follow to celebrate how far the city has gone to become was it is today.
The festival kicked off at 4 o’clock in the afternoon with crews still putting on finishing touches on three homes floating along on the Chicago River. The crowd was beginning to build and were able to enjoy the presence of food trucks and performances from artists representing their neighborhoods through performances.
“We’re really excited,” said Latin dance group coordinator Ivelisse Diaz. “We’re excited and we’re honored to bring the African-Puerto Rican culture out here downtown. It’s really big representing for Humboldt Park.”
The City of Chicago had teamed up Chicago Park Districts to bring the public kiosks, food, crafts and much more from 15 different neighborhoods around the city. The presence of the different neighborhoods was primarily to show how Chicago rebuilt itself from the ashes and how everyone sees that in daily examples of every day life. The theme was solidarity and resilience of the rich Chicago history.
Though the technical issues preventing the burning of the homes disappointed the majority of spectators, some kept a positive outlook on the event and what it tried to represent.
“I’m just really happy about the fact that it’s a community event,” said Aashna Saan. “I’m from India we don’t have things like that going on down there. Even though the fires didn’t go off, I’m still glad his event happened and that everyone is here.”
The Great Chicago Fire festival has had a budget of two million dollars, with the city pitching in 350-thousand dollars. The rest has come from fundraising and corporate support. In addition to the staggering amounts, there were six months of full out preparation ahead of time for this event.
Observing the event was also Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Pat Quinn, as well as actor Martin Sheen, who’s campaigning for Quinn’s re-election bid. Despite the failed performance, Emanuel has indicated that he wants to continue the event and plans to see it again next year with a potentially increased budget.
Despite the failed fiasco on the river, the Great Chicago Fire Festival concluded with a breathtaking fireworks show. With necessary changes and adjustments, the city and the Redmoon Theater are keen on bring the festival back next year better than ever.
Audio Interview: Hawaii Story
Here is the link to the interview on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/gubala-1/hawaii-story
Photoshop Images: Edited and Unedited
Chicago: America’s Most Dangerous City?
It becomes quite alarming when more than half the country thinks that Chicago is America’s most dangerous city.
A recent poll done by YouGov last week, found that over half of Americans believe that Chicago is more dangerous than any other metro city in the United States. The perception, with 53 percent identifying it as dangerous, does not match the actual reality, which proves that Chicago’s crime rate is significantly decreasing.
Statistics prove that the YouGov poll contradicts overall crime trends in Chicago. Police say that the murders in Chicago were down 7 percent. The Chicago Police Department has also indicated that the city’s homicide rate is at its lowest point in 50 years.
In an interview with Politico, Rahm Emanuel was quick to crack down Chicago’s high murder rate reputation. “The narrative is: We’re the murder capital. Not close,” the Chicago mayor said. Emanuel is continuously backing against suggestions that violence in his city is out of control, proving with new statistics that the violent crime rate in Chicago is heavily dropping.
When asked about perception of crime in Chicago, Emanuel was also quick to reply that he is most concerned with the opinions of his city’s residents about the safety of their communities.
Emanuel laid out recent statistics, proving that violent crime – in particular, homicides, are down in 2014. Chicago Police Department statistics show that homicides from the beginning of 2014 through the end of July are down 7 percent from that time period in 2013, and 20 percent from that period in 2010. Murder levels are at their lowest level since 1963, according to the report, leading Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy to say Chicago “is the safest it’s been in 50 years.”
Illinois also became the 50th state in the nation to issue concealed weapons permits, which also led to Chicago crime rate dropping.
The Washington Post reports that since Illinois started granting concealed carry permits this year, the number of robberies that have led to arrests in Chicago has declined 20 percent from last year, according to police department statistics. Reports of burglary and motor vehicle theft are down 20 percent and 26 percent, respectively. In the first quarter, the city’s homicide rate was at a 56-year low.
The YouGov poll published last week may indicate that over half of Americans believe in Chicago being the most dangerous city in America, however factual statistics prove that is not the case.
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