The Status of American Democracy: Part One

Just your friendly reminder to please check out our NEW (maga)'zine! We've added a new group page, which is linked below. So, please join!!!



VIEW A NEW TOMORROW No. 26 (August 2008)

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Thanks for your encouragement and support!


Nick showing off his hula-hooping skills on the Wii Fit. This would be far better if I had a video of him. I guess there's tons of those kinds of videos with girls on YouTube. God Bless YouTube...


The first streetfair I'll feature is Puerto Rican Days in my neighborhood. A festival for the overworked and underpaid. It's a decent time with a carnaval, art fair, music, and great Puerto Rican food.


A shot of the art fair portion from a distance...


Angela tending to her new garden. There's spinach, carrots, tomatoes, and many other veggies for the BBQ


Karli, Andy (looking good), Rosie, Tennessee, and Mike Nummerdor at Wednesday BBQ


Noah, SME, and Nick at the BBQ


Gracie, Tennessee, Brent, and Katie at the BBQ


You crazy hipsters riding modern versions of the old fashion bikes with the bike wheel in front and little wheel in back...


Here's the second streetfair I'll feature this week. It's the Old Town/Wells Street Art Fair. It's for the overpaid and underworked of Chicago. Favorite quote of the day: "The economy is getting really bad. I mean, I can't take cabs everywhere I want anymore. But, now that I know that the train station is by my house I take that. You wouldn't believe how much cheaper it is to take the train than it is to buy gas and pay for parking and all." from Paris Hilton-esque qirl. (for those who live outside of Chicago, trains are $1.75, gas is $4.50, parking is generally $20+).


Cool shot. Not sure why they all have white shirts on. Must be a wealthy version of a gang.








This is the crowd listening to Flock of Seagulls. The stage was set up in a terrible location. It was in a small parking lot behind a bar. So, we couldn't even get back to see the band because there were so many people. But, I certainly heard the rock!!!


See if you can spot the happiest girl at the fair!


Strange bug I found at the Sedgewick Brown Line stop.

Once again, please check out our NEW (maga)'zine and join the NEW Group page, linked below!



VIEW A NEW TOMORROW No. 26 (August 2008)

SUBSCRIBE To A NEW TOMORROW blog

**NEW!!!** JOIN our (maga)zine group

VISIT A New Tomorrow's MySpace Profile Page

Thanks for your encouragement and support!

xoxo,

Mike Kraus

Shameless Self-Promotion

Just wanted to make sure my friends saw I posted another zine. To view it, go to the links at the bottom.



View A NEW TOMORROW No. 25 (February 2008)

View A NEW TOMORROW No. 26 (August 2008)

Visit A New Tomorrow's MySpace Profile Page

Thanks for your encouragement and support!

Mike Kraus

The Moment That Sweet Nectar of BBQ Sauce Touches My Lips

Graffiti pasted up near my apartment. I think this is my favorite type of graffiti and I'm not opposed to it being posted on boarded up buildings and construction sites.


They whitewashed the graffiti wall next door to my apartment and started on another design. The new image is looking nice. It's a neighborhood theme with the city skyline and the Humboldt Park boat house. I'll take some pics of it when it's finished.


Karli, SME, and Frances at the wednesday night BBQ.


So much meat, so little time. Rumor has it that the BBQ is at Brent/Angela/Evan's place tonight. Is it true?


Here's Canstruction 2008. Basically, the concept is for organizations to design something creative or artistic out of cans, which are later donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Good cause. This is the CTA train.


For my sister, this is the "We Can Do It" lady.


OH MY GOD! IT'S THE STAY-PUFT MARSHMELLOW MAN!!!


This one was my favorite this year. They won last year when they shouldn't have, so I don't feel bad about them not winning this year.


Nothing like a cup of tea


Marina City. They did a real good job on this one. It even has the House of Blues and Hotel complex on it. In fact, there's even a little car jumping from the parking garage into the river.


Well executed, but almost identical to last years winner. Nice try guys...


I wish I could watch them make these.


This should have received an engineering award.


JAWS!


This is a real nice sculpture that won. It was a bit of a surprise, but it's well executed and well designed. I like the use of labels that give the water texture. Even the sail is done to perfection.


If this doesn't play to the home crowd, nothing will. What says Chicago more than Deep Dish pizza and an Old Style?


333 Wacker at night


Horner Park sky at twilight


RIBFEST!!! Leslie and Andy came down from Muskegon to celebrate. Too bad it was the rainiest weekend I've ever been in Chicago. There were so many T-storm, tornado, and flash flood warnings and watches. There was even a tornado that hit the south suburbs. Craziness. But, Megan's friends band, Alternative Roots, played the festival and all. It was still a good time between the rain.


Hecky's Rib Sandwich. I should buy stock in this company.


What's ribs without a side of corn. Kinda disappointed they weren't selling their baked beans this year.


This is what it's all about. Although, don't go to where this guy cooks. The Fireplace Inn is a terrible yuppie joint that sells average food for swanky prices.


Megan rocking out at the Savemore. Thank god they had A/C.


Leslie plotting to grind Andy


Frances and Leslie's club dance photo watching Alternative Roots


Leslie

That's it from Chi-town. Still doing the ol' job hunt. Some leads here and there. But, nothing too wonderful. So, if you hear anything, drop me a line.

xoxo,

Mike

Things Are Back To How They Are Suppose To Be!

THE 2008 STANLEY CUP CHAMPION DETROIT RED WINGS!!!

Good Times While They Lasted

France, Noah, Megan and I went to Sticky Rice for some good curry


Frances and Noah


We moved the shindig over to the Savemore and hung out with Jason.


Obligatory stupid faces


Looking human again


Went to the Do Division Festival. Here's Mucha Pazza (sp?). Everyone says they like them, but I found them to be very boring very quickly. The concept: We are hipsters that dress up in old marching band uniforms and play all your favorite marching band songs from high school. I expected something a little more cleaver with all the effort that went into the costumes and instruments...


It was a nice day though...


Some things never change. This could have been taken yesterday or 1000 years ago...


People milling around the Cafe Gilato (sp?) parking lot


I love these carnie food stands at festivals


The Wicker Wash has been turned into a club. Inside, they had a DJ and lights and all. If you can't make money washing cars, just sell beer and dance!


Megan and I went for a walk and discovered the Bohemian National Cemetery where Mayor Cermak is buried. This is their old water tower.


This is the crematorium with a grave in front of it that says "mother." Who's mother wouldn't want to be the most prominent grave in a national cemetery?


This was the coolest part about the cemetery. About 1/3 of the graves had these old pictures on them printed on porcelain or something.


It's weird just popping up on another Kraus. I doubt they are related even if there was a Charles Kraus in the family. I believe he was born and died in Rozellville, Wisconsin. But, I did have quite a bit in Chicago. They weren't Bohemian though. Yet, there's is a Catholic cemetery across the street and I can see a relative of mine accidently buying a plot at the wrong cemetery and upon discovering this fact saying, "Ahhh, screw it!!"


If you've ever been to my place, Cherry House, in Grand Rapids you probably remember this fellow. It was the statue across the street in the tiny triangle park where the bums drink. This is to celebrate the Spanish-American War. The plaque in Grand Rapids is hilarious in a historical context because it talks all about how the US "liberated" Cuba and has a picture on a Cuban woman on her knees before an American soldier. Through our modern eyes knowing the US installed and supported a brutal dictatorship there which lead to the Communist revolution and the never ending embargo, it's a funny piece of history.


Creepiest... Porcelain... Picture... On... A... Grave... Ever... It's a picture of the woman buried at this site in her own coffin. This was the best picture her family had of her? Yikes!