Chicago Gives Thanks: Local Politicians, Activists, Artists & More Share What They're Grateful For

Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It?s one that everyone in our country celebrates. It?s a time to reflect on all of the things we have to be grateful for. When I was the 4th Ward alderman, we held a Thanksgiving dinner. It?s a tradition I still hold dear and I will attend this year.

Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Chicago Public Schools CEO

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful of every mother and father and every grandparent and family member who do the tireless work of caring for our children every day. From Clay Elementary on the South Side to Ebinger Elementary on the North side and all the hundreds of schools in between, I am incredibly grateful to every single teacher and staff member who help to create small miracles in our classrooms. I give thanks for my family - for their health, support and love. And, to Chicago - from its iconic stature to its die-hard sports fans and unpredictable weather - I am truly thankful for being welcomed as one of your own.

Tammy Duckworth, Congresswoman-elect

At this time of year it is especially important to be grateful for the the members of our Armed Services who are overseas or recovering in our Veterans and military hospitals. This year the men and women of my former BlackHawk helicopter company are deployed and will not be able to spend this time with their families. I am so thankful to be serving my neighbors in Illinois' 8th Congressional District and to spend Thanksgiving with my friends and family.

Jake Nickell, Threadless founder and chief community officer

Coffee and pastries. I like to grab one every morning from Brothers K in Evanston before I hop on the train to work. I usually go for the chocolate croissant made be Bennison's Bakery. Soooo good. Of course there's my amazing wife and kids and dogs too... and all the amazing people and artists I get to work with through Threadless... but MAN, that croissant!

Miss Alex White & Francis Scott Key White, White Mystery

White Mystery is thankful for freedom, hotdogs, pizza, vinyl records, tape cassettes, 5am karaoke bars, friends, family, and the generosity of people around the world who support rock'n'roll. <em><a href="http://www.hideoutchicago.com/event/170903/">White Mystery plays the Hideout</a> on Nov. 24.</em>

Karen Lewis, Chicago Teachers Union president

I give thanks that the ugly truth about school reform is being spoken. I give thanks that Chicago is starting to have honest conversations about race, class and clout. I give thanks that the poorest, most vulnerable children have the voice of the adults who work with and love them every day speaking loudly and clearly on their behalf. I give thanks that people are horrified that 160 of our schools have no library and that 92 elementary schools are without playgrounds. I give thanks that people in Chicago know that there are only 432 social workers and 250 nurses for 400,000 students. I also give thanks that people across the country recognize that Chicago's so-called reform miracle is an illusion and that the architects of this dismal experiment are now exposed for the snake oil salesmen they really are. I am grateful for the hard-working, committed public school educators who do this job because they believe that education, rather than training, is the key to our students going on to live productive and creative lives. I am honored by the parents of our students who hold their heads high, raise their children with dignity and hope and work with their teachers to ensure their children get everything they deserve.

Ameena Matthews, "The Interrupters" star and violence interrupter

I'm thankful that the creator has given me the voice to make peace and not war. I'm so thankful for family as we grow through ups and downs, we still have the gift of life.

Jerome McDonnell, WBEZ "Worldview" host

I am thankful for Chicago-area kids like 12-year-old Jonah Reardon, who for an <a href="http://www.troop14.info/">Eagle Scout project</a>, is raising awareness about PTSD in returning veterans such as Jason Moon, a musician and veteran who, in turn, travels across the country playing concerts and donating the proceeds to help other trauma-affected veterans. I am thankful that people are coming together, inspiring each other, and helping others heal.

Sheila Quirke, Mary Tyler Mom and HuffPost blogger

I am thankful for this man that I wish I never had the need for, but, alas, did. This is Dr. Stew Goldman, neuro-oncologist at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. My daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor known as papillary meningioma at just 20 months old in March 2007. She did not survive, but she did live until three months after her fourth birthday. Under the care of Dr. Stew, Donna got the chance to grow up just a bit. That looked fairly unlikely soon after diagnosis. We are grateful to Stew and his team at Lurie's for giving us the time we did have with Donna, and ensuring that our wish for quality over quantity was respected. There are many jobs associated with life and death, but perhaps none fit that more completely than a pediatric neuro-oncologist. 50% of children diagnosed with a brain tumor will die. Yep, life and death. Stew handles his responsibility with grace, humor, and compassion. He speaks with his patients, the little ones from infants to teens, in language they understand and that doesn't scare them. He has the kindest eyes you could ever imagine. When he tells you that the treatment is working, you see his joy and it is real; when he tells you your child will die, you see his pain and that is real, too. Donna thought he was better than Santa Claus. I tend to agree. This year, as in every year since 2007, I am grateful for Dr. Stew Goldman and for everything he does for children and families living with childhood cancer. As my Dad would say, he is a prince among men, a gentleman and a scholar, a real gem. Chicago is lucky to have him.

Ashley C. Wheater, Joffrey Ballet artistic director

I am grateful to Chicago for many things. As artistic director of the Joffrey Ballet, I am especially pleased that the city has embraced our company. Though the Joffrey had its beginnings in New York City, Chicago provided us with a permanent home. We are honored to be a part of this robust cultural community. Chicago is a big city with a heart. I love to explore the neighborhoods and have a total stranger say ?hello.? In just five years, I have made rich and lasting friendships. I have lived in many cities, and find Midwestern hospitality to be refreshing. People ask me if I mind the winters. I <em>love</em> coats, scarves, hats and gloves?winter doesn?t phase me. <em><a href="http://www.joffrey.org">The Joffrey's "The Nutcracker"</a> runs Dec. 7-27 at the Auditorium Theatre. </em>

Mark Messing, Mucca Pazza band leader

I?m thankful that all my band mates promised to wash their uniforms before New Year?s Eve. And for the school bands at Monroe Elementary, Hibbard Elementary, Drummond Elementary and Wells, just to name a few recently resurrected music programs. Very thankful for a recently discovered winter escape in the Fern Room at the Garfield Park Conservatory where you can hang with ferns that were around when the dinosaurs were here. Super, duper thankful that the Bloomingdale Trail is ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN. Extremely super, duper, ridiculously thankful that the Turkey is soon to become our National Bird, just as Ben Franklin had wanted. Over-the-top thankful for uniquely Chicago phenomena like Alderman Joe Moore?s participatory budget program, West Town Bikes, Inspiration Kitchens, The Rebuilding Exchange, Rumble Arts Center, The Hideout, DrumFace, Asrai Garden, Friends of Kimball Park, Mark Nagy Instrument Repair, Co-op Image, Occupied Chicago Tribune, all the people growing onions, beets and lettuce (but not Brussels sprouts.) <em><a href="http://www.emptybottle.com/show/3191054/">Mucca Pazza plays Logan Square Auditorium</a> on Dec. 31, New Years' Eve.</em>

Richard Cotovsky, Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co. artistic director; Preston Birch, actor

<strong>Richard Cotovsky</strong> is of course thankful for being able to still share time with his 85 year old mother and 2 sisters and 2 neices. Beyond that he has eternal thanks to his partners at Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co. who keep the ship afloat in a city that has a plethera of dynamic theaters and a great community to support that. Living in the City of Chicago that has such a colorful history and such a diverse selection of restaurants and bars in order to search for the perfect burger, burrito and dive atmosphere to wollow in. He is thankful to live in a city with such a variety of weather that he can look forward to 2 weeks of mild weather in January followed by a temperature drop to 80 below with the windchill and 24 inches of snow. He is thankful that he has found a way to balance his career as a pharmacist with his career as an actor. I could name specifics but I'd leave some out and others would sound cliche but to thank The City of Chicago that allows so much to thrive covers it all like a blanket. <strong>Preston Birch:</strong> "I'm thankful for Chicago?s TV, film and theater community, it?s filled with a diverse and interesting group of people who are very talented, hardworking, which makes this business fun. I am also thankful for the many cool relaxing hang out spots after a long day like the Black Duck Tavern and Grill in Lincoln Park. The biggest thanks of all goes to being able to enjoy Chicago?s beautiful skyline that can be seen from miles away on a clear day." <em><a href="http://theroyalgeorgetheatre.com/shows.php?s=55">"Superior Donuts"</a> continues through Dec. 9 at Royal George Theatre.</em>

Chet Haze, singer

This Thanksgiving, I'd have to say that I'm thankful for a number of things. I am thankful for my family, friends and fans. I'm thankful for Niketown on Michigan Avenue, Wrigleyville, lobster spring rolls at Japonais while eating on the river walk, and the giant steaks served by the one and only Mo at Gibsons! I'm very thankful for good health and my education at Northwestern. God Bless America!

Margaret Hicks, Chicago Elevated owner, tour guide extraordinaire and HuffPost blogger

The Chicago thing I'm most thankful for? The Pedway! It might seem a little sad to you, but the Pedway is my very best friend. When we hang out in the summer, the Pedway keeps me nice and cool. When we hang out in the winter, the Pedway keeps me so warm and cozy. Sometimes I'll just hang out with the Pedway when I want a little peace and quiet, we'll just hang together, we don't even need to say anything to each other. Sure, the Pedway has it's darker moments, when it's filled with half-eaten cheeseburgers and strange odors, but sometimes I'm filled with half-eaten cheeseburgers and strange odors and the Pedway still loves me, no matter what. Me and my Pedway, best friends forever.

Dave Jennings, Music Box Theatre general manager

I am thankful for my friends. I am thankful for the health of those in my life who are healthy and the resolve and power for those who are not. I am thankful for the wonderful energy of Chicago. This Midwestern city is more forgiving and supportive than our coastal counterparts and will allow anyone the creative space to carve out their own niche?whether they are studio artists, filmmakers, actors, or musicians. The energy in this city is palpable in every neighborhood and on every street. I am thankful my fourth great year in Chicago. I am thankful for my good luck, for Lake Michigan, for bike lanes and lakefront running paths, completing the 2012 Chicago Marathon, improv shows at CIC Comedy Theatre and The Annoyance (please see ?Messing With a Friend? on Thursday nights at 10:31pm), offbeat storytelling nights like ?Here?s The Story? at Stage 773, Chicago?s film community, Lady Gregory?s whiskey book, Au Cheval?s menu, the Bad Apple?s burgers and tap selection, and a neverending list of places to go and things to do.

Summer Girlfriends

Summer Girlfriends are thankful for all the venues that have given us a home to play our music at loud volumes, Superior Street Studios, for housing all our stuff, Busy Beaver Buttons, for always making our buttons at the very last minute before a show...without complaint, Stella Blu Clothing and Ethan D'Ercole for making all our merch look cool, Tom of Shake Shop for always keeping our instruments in working order, Boiler Room, for giving us our weekly PB&J fix, rope lights & glitter, for bonding on tour because we survived the drive through the Holland Tunnel, for laughter, for Chicago Summers, for friendship, and most of all, we are ultimately thankful for the two years we have had together and the many more adventures to come. <em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/555926467758017/">Summer Girlfriends play a benefit for CHIRP Radio</a> at Lincoln Hall on Nov. 29.</em>

Joe Erbentraut, Huffington Post Chicago editor

The more time I spend in "faraway" lands such as New York and Los Angeles, the deeper my gratitude grows for the city I call home: Chicago. Ours is a city where hype doesn't matter. It's a city full of nose-to-the-grindstoners who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty and chase their dreams. And I'm endlessly inspired by the many, many people working every day to make our city, flaws and all, a better place. I'm thankful for Woolly Mammoth's ever-changing inventory of incredible taxidermy, Cafe Mustache's goat cheese-and-basil croissants and Big Chicks' distracting art collection. I'm thankful for people who care enough about our city's mental health clinics to sleep on the streets. I'm thankful for teachers. I'm thankful that "Showgirls the Musical" happened here. Finally, I'm thankful for all of the city's animal shelters for working so hard to rescue homeless pets.

Justin Barbin, Chicago Hooked photographer and HuffPost blogger

I'm thankful for the photogenic landscape of Chicago. My job is a lot easier thanks to how gorgeous and active our city is through each passing season. We have the lakeshore and beaches to the east, the eclectic collection of architecture in each neighborhood, the never-ending series of festivals and concerts, the unbridled creative spirit of the artistic community, and most of all the warm-hearted people that inhabit our one-of-a-kind city. Thank you Chicago for being so beautiful inside and out!

Jeffrey Mauro, host of Food Network?s "Sandwich King" and "$24 in 24"

First and foremost I?m highly thankful for my wife Sarah and son Lorenzo who support and tolerate my new career and all the odd c-list flotsam that comes with it. I?m thankful for the amount of accessible and amazing food available within walking and/or very lazy driving distance to my home in Elmwood Park (Johnnies, Alpine, Burger Boss, Massa). I?m thankful to Chicago, which I was born and raised in and extraordinarily proud to call home. I?ve lived in LA, spend a boatload of time in NYC and hands down, Chicago is the most authentic, heartiest and most importantly, funniest city in the country. I?m totally thankful that I am able to still be able to play in a rock and roll band with my friends, and have the balls to actually call ourselves? ?Tony Fantasia? (we play the Elbo Room 11/30). Oh, I am thankful for Stella Fontanella cheese, just like Chicago, it?s strong, funky & complex and best of all, you can?t even begin to find in NYC.

Elysabeth Alfano, Fear No Art/The Dinner Party creator and HuffPost blogger

I am thankful that I live in a city where people get stuff done, artists create with few barriers and entrepreneurs flourish with relative support. Chicago is a city of people who make things happen with the general community enthusiasm of, ?You got this. Full steam ahead! Don?t look back.? I am grateful for this genuine energy and I am certain that I could never have started either of my TV-Web Series Fear No ART or The Dinner Party in any other city. As a small example of how Chicagoans see the world and champion the underdog, when the skies dump several feet of snow on us each Winter, I pull out my cross country skies to go where I need to go and do what I need to do. No one ever watches me glide by and says, ?What the...?!?? Everyone always says, ?Yep, there she goes!?

Ameya Pawar, 47th Ward Chicago alderman

I am thankful for the men and women of the 47th ward Streets and Sanitation team. They worked so hard with our ward superintendent Erick Norton to ensure a successful transition to grid garbage pickup. Whether it's twenty below or 100 degrees, they are out in the ward serving our community.

Scott Bradley, About Face Theatre artistic associate

Ah Chicago, you brutish beast with the tender heart! I thank you for nurturing such a fierce and diverse litter of queer voices who are blazing new roads in art, film, music and performance. I'm thankful for Joe Shanahan and Metro and About Face Theatre, who champion and support the city's new daring performing artists. As a denizen of Andersonville, I'm thankful for the apple pie with caramel sauce at Taste of Heaven, for Taste of Lebanon's lentil soup, for the always affordable freshness at Edgewater Produce, and for giving my husband and I a safe street to walk down hand in hand. <em><a href="http://www.steppenwolf.org/Plays-Events/productions/index.aspx?id=578">"We Three Lizas" runs Nov. 30-Dec. 23</a> at the Steppenwolf Garage.</em>

Bilal Dardai & Megan Mercier, Neo-Futurists co-artistic directors

<em>Megan Mercier:</em> I am thankful for Chicago's unrivaled architecture, museums and cultural events that make the getting out of a warm bed and braving the fierce winter winds worth my while. <em>Bilal Dardai:</em> I'm thankful for the stories you find in every inch of this city. And if you haven't yet found the story of one particular inch, somebody else will, or has, and they'll spend years spelunking the caves of that story. And when they finally emerge they want to share that story with you, as if Chicago is engaged in a noble attempt to achieve collective consciousness. Also, I'm thankful for the pizza. <em><a href="http://www.neofuturists.org/">The Neo-Futurists</a> begin their "Best of 2012" series of their acclaimed "Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind" Nov. 30.</em>

DiDa Ritz, RuPaul's Drag Race contestant

I'm thankful for all my success and more to come! Happy Thanksgiving to my DiDDles!

Dave Stieber, CPS teacher and HuffPost blogger

I am thankful that I teach students who inspire me to do what is right, which as this school year has and is showing means standing up to people who are trying to privatize, close, and dismantle public schools in the interest of making profit for themselves. I am thankful that the students I teach in Englewood understand the concept of privatization and they know privatization does not help them or their community.

Lauren Widor, Cramer PR

Coordinating unique events year round in Chicago is what I?m grateful for. Having an event to look forward to and watch unfold every season is quite exciting! Although the winter months can prove to be harsh at times, it?s Chicago?s eccentric events that help defrost my colleague Scott Cramer and I. <em>Berlin Nightclub plays host to the 6th annual Vogue for Tots, a vogue off competition hosted by celebrities like the contestants of RuPaul?s Drag Race, Ab Soto and more, on Thursday, Dec. 13. </em>

Kim Bellware, Huffington Post Chicago Associate Editor

This year, I'm really thankful the city has been boosting the bike infrastructure: new parking spots, dedicated lanes, buffered bike paths and now on Dearborn, traffic signals for bikes! Each year businesses like Rainbow Cone, Myopic Books or Out of the Past Records remain open and thriving, I'm extra-grateful. Not just to keep the chain stores at bay, but to to help give a neighborhood character and a sense of place. I'm thankful for my editors--literally New York to L.A.--who are whip-smart, excited about their work and most importantly: kind. I'm especially thankful for my my HuffPost Chicago partner-in-crime, Joe; his laugh makes it impossible to have a bad day. I'm thankful for my mail carrier who always tells me to "Have a blessed day," for my neighbors who share food, entertainment and workloads, and I'm really thankful that this one police officer on my block--so far--hasn't busted me whenever I scale the rooftop of my building to get a good look at the beautiful city we share.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/22/chicago-gives-thanks-loca_n_2175331.html

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