Mr. Obama’s Neighborhood: Hyde Park

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: Mr. Obama’s Neighborhood
By MICHAEL Y. PARK
Published: December 21, 2008

Hyde Park hasn’t gotten this much attention since 1893, when the Chicago World’s Fair introduced the country to electricity and serial killers. But in recent weeks, this leafy, racially diverse neighborhood of stately town houses near the University of Chicago has become an overnight sensation, thanks to President-elect Barack Obama, who lives in a six-bedroom, Georgian-style house on South Greenwood Avenue.

Since Election Day, throngs of tourists, history buffs and proud Chicagoans have flocked to Hyde Park to see where the soon-to-be 44th president launched his political career. What they’ll find is a compact grid of wide, tree-lined streets that are home to a friendly mix of wealthy African-American professionals and less-affluent professors who mingle easily at the neighborhood’s wine shops, cash-checking places and university bookstores....

***

A good place to experience Hyde Park’s cross-cultural vibe is 57th Street. There are tweedy academics rummaging through the dusty shelves at 57th Street Books (No. 1301; 773-684-1300; semcoop.booksense.com), and dapper African-American families sharing deep-dish pizzas at Medici on 57th (No. 1327; 773-667-7394; www.medici57.com). Indeed, Malia and Sasha Obama have held pizza parties at this popular Italian restaurant; just refer to the menu, where new “Obama Eats Here” T-shirts are on sale for $18.

Of course, there’s more to Hyde Park than just Mr. Obama. At one end is the University of Chicago, an expansive emerald of neo-Gothic architecture and granite gargoyles. On the other, along the lakefront, is the palatial Museum of Science and Industry (57th Street and Lake Shore Drive; 773-684-1414; www.msichicago.org), a Beaux-Arts landmark with an exhibition on green homes until Jan. 4.

In between are a number of famous houses, including the Robie House (5757 South Woodlawn Avenue; 773-834-1847; www.wrightplus.org), a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece that is an icon of modern architecture. About 10 blocks north is the fenced-off estate of Louis Farrakhan, the former Nation of Islam leader.

But the most prestigious address is now arguably 5046 South Greenwood Avenue, the handsome, red-brick house where the Obamas live....

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/travel/21surfacing.html

[elleng]

1. THANKS! ;-)

My old neighborhood, thinking of visiting Chicago!

[monmouth]

2. Great post, thanks. Now a little off-topic...Last I heard Fr. Andrew Greeley

had had a nasty fall with head injuries. Have you heard any more about this? Is he recuperating? I've read many of his books and he and I used to e-mail back and forth once in a while. Just wondering...

[DeepModem Mom]

3. I didn't know that -- maybe someone else will have more info. nt

[monmouth]

4. Thanks DMM. I'm thinking he's okay or it would have been pretty

big news. Very popular (IMO), I love his Irishness and sense of humor and he writes great books.

[elleng]

5. Found this.

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2008/nov/09/local/chi-greeley-09nov09

Will keep looking.

edit: More

'His public relations contact said he's getting better and getting bored, but is in no way ready to do any interviews.'

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/working.html

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Thanks, elleng! nt

[monmouth]

7. Thanks elleng. That must have been some serious injury. The

fact he's getting bored however, is a good sign.

[elleng]

8. I thought so, mon;

like my dad eating orange I left for him in hospital years ago.