by Tim Lambrecht 
Yellow Jacket moves to Brady Street If you noticed the corner of Arlington and Brady Streets seems brighter lately, youre right. The building at 1237 E. Brady had fallen into disrepair. Jennifer and Todd Rau purchased the duplex, a residential structure, with the intention of relocating their Yellow Jacket vintage clothing store from Humboldt and North Avenue. Because the Brady Street building had been built in 1893 and was an example of the eras style, certain rules for renovation had to be followed. The second floor apartment had no heat at all, and the first floor needed to be opened up to allow for clothing, changing rooms and customer comforts. The final touch was to give the whole building a new paint job, and what color? Yellow, natch. Jennifer says the response so far, has been great. All of her regulars have come to check out her new store and there is great walkin business off the street. The newly renovated two-bedroom apartment upstairs is currently vacant, but is ready for occupancy. The original Yellow Jacket was opened in September, 1996. Jennifer and Todd also have a store in Chicago
Au Bon Appetit Mediterranean Restaurant has closed its Brady Street location, and is now located at 219 N. Milwaukee Street .
New bump-outs have been installed at the four corners of Brady and Astor Streets. Lets hope this measure makes things safer for pedestrians on one of the streets most dangerous intersections. New pedestrian crosswalk signs, a lower speed limit and increased fines for motorists have done little to slow down traffic
Election night at Cass Street School was an eventful one. With voter turnout in the area at approximately 75percent, the school ran out of their 1400 allotted ballots. The City Election Commission had to print up more ballots to meet the demand
Astor Street Performing Arts Center along with Pink Banana Theatre and Insurgent Theatre present the Mis- Directed Holiday Film Festival. The film festivals intention is to illustrate and satirize the abuse and commercialization of the holidays and to encourage filmmakers and songwriters to create short films and songs based on this theme. Application forms may be picked up at the Brady Street Pharmacy or online at www.pinkbananatheatre. org or www.insurgenttheatre.org. The competition will begin around the holidays and will wrap up in Spring with an award ceremony at The Times Cinema on March 25. $200 prizes will be awarded in various categories
If youre looking for some unique handmade craft items, youll want to attend the Tamarack Community School Holiday Fair & Open House, December 2 from 10 am to 5 pm. There will be handcrafted gifts from more than twenty artists, as well as music, a puppet show and a raffle. There will also be information sessions and tours of the schools classrooms. Admission is free, but there are charges for some activities. The Tamarack School is located at 1150 E. Brady Street
Im putting together a list of things going on around Brady Street for New Years Eve. If youd like to be listed, or you have a story idea, call Tim at 374-7772. Happy Holidays!
Riverwest Currents online edition – December, 2006