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Politics
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 By James Ginderske
Lights out tonight...
Trouble in the heartland
Got a head on collision
Smashing in my guts, man
I’m caught in a crossfire
That I don’t understand...
– “Badlands,” Bruce Springsteen
Rogers Park and Edgewater non-profit service providers face a historic gutting of their State of Illinois funding, cuts that if implemented will fundamentally alter daily life for thousands of people in need within those communities.
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Editorial
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 Like others in the very diverse coalition of progressives who came together around the last presidential election, members of the LGBT community worked tirelessly for real change. Many of them, including a large number from our neighborhoods, attended the inauguration day ceremonies last January 20 with justifiably high expectations that true equal rights were in the offing.
It looked like the the government’s regressive policies toward full civic participation by gays and lesbians would finally be freed from the reactionary grip of a fundamentalist Christian minority who held undue influence for eight long years. Our Constitution’s shining promise of freedom and justice for all, it seemed, was finally at hand.
During the past few months, however, as states struggled with the question of gay marriage rights, there was a palpable sense of uneasiness over the Obama administration’s apparent refusal to weigh in. Their continued inaction on reversing the military’s outdated policies added to the disquiet.
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Theater
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 By Laurie Grauer
“I’m starting to believe this show is cursed,” sighed Wayne Shaw, co-founder of Ludicrous Theatre and the director of its current show “Lilith”. “I consider myself to be an agnostic, but now even I’m starting to think someone up there really doesn’t like the fact that we’re doing this show.”
At the time of our interview, “Lilith” had been in the rehearsal process for a little over six weeks. During that time Shaw was forced to cast a new female lead, fire his choreographer, replace all of his dancers, re-choreograph all of the show’s musical numbers and change the entire tone of the play.
Opening night was now three weeks away, and the new cast was struggling to learn their lines as well as their new dance moves. “If I can pull this off” Shaw muttered as he stared at the ground, “I will be an f-ing genius.”
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Community
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 By Francis Scudellari
Rogers Park’s annual Artists of the Wall Festival completed another successful weekend on June 20 and 21 as local residents displayed their unrivaled and colorful creativity to decorate the concrete bench that runs along Loyola Beach from Morse to Pratt.
The event is organized by the Loyola Park Advisory Council and the money it raises is used to fund several park programs throughout the year.
It was a family-friendly two days of fun and sun (and a few clouds) at the neighborhood’s jewel of a lake front. The event welcomed both new and experienced painters of all ages. Adding to the festivities, there was a children’s craft tent and eight live bands who rocked the park from a stage nestled within Lynn Takata’s recently rehabbed Windform sculpture.
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Community
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 By Rebecca Marsilii
In these uncertain financial times, we are all looking for ways to save a dollar, even on our wine. And let’s be honest, we’ve all lost a gamble on a value bottle or two.
The question at hand: Is there such thing as affordable, quality wine? The answer is yes, but instead of taking a guess on an attractive label at an attractive price, here are a few tips on how to begin avoiding the dreaded bottle of unpalatable, cheap wine.
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