WJI Times Observer

Family Businesses Struggle to Survive Economic Hardship

From the richly colored tapestries in the display windows to the thick cloud of a curry aroma floating in the air, the culture found around 28th and Lexington resembles South Asian life in many ways. But unlike the booming market of the second-most populated country in the world, the streets of Little India, like many corners of town, are dotted with many empty storefronts and For Rent signs. Full story

Street Acts Survive on Energy

Jimmy Carpenter wears a white mask, a black tuxedo suit and a red tie, he is one one of a large group of Chicago-area performers who pay the city $100 for a two-year license to entertain Chicagoans and tourists alike. Full story

Drummer Follows Own Beat

He pounds out a steady rhythm. "Boom, t-tap, boom, t-tap, tap, boom!" Leaning into his drums, his mouth is less than an inch from the microphone, and he's singing a tuneless song. "I love Wal-Mart. Yes, I love Wal-Mart." Full story

Chicago Streets Come Alive - Video

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WJI Students Take Manhattan

Rebecca High and Andrew Terpstra (rear) enjoy a street festival in Manhattan.

Amanda Thomason, Katie Quill and Tim Devaney stroll through Manhattan.

Marilette dela Cruz, Josiah Ryan and Tim Devaney purchase food from a street vendor in New York.

Marilette dela Cruz visits a food vendor along Sixth Ave.

Ann Osborne and Margaret Francois pose together in Manhattan

Andy Specht and Instructor Michael Longinow take in NYC.

WJI deputy director Kim Collins (left) and Tim Devaney, Elbert Chu and Josiah Ryan gather in NYC.

Terpstra, dela Cruz, Collins, Ryan, Jeffery Scott and Esperanza Urbaez huddle in NYC.

WJI students catch sights in New York City.

Longinow instructs WJI students in Rockefeller Center in New York.

WJI summer convergence class meets at Rockefeller Center in New York.

Media Professionals, Scholars Take Centerstage at WJI

Kenneth Irby teaches the fundemantals of photography

Kenneth goes through a group exercise with the students

Author Eric Mataxas discusses his new book

Jon Tobin discusses what its like to be executive editor of Commentary

Steven Arciari takes questions from the class

CNN's Sizemore teaches video production fundamentals.

Filmmaker Andrew Hunt discusses art and faith.

Stetson lectures students on media bias.

Veteran Editor Pulliam shares lessons on the news industry.

Michael Longinow sends students out on assignment.

WSJ's Paul Glader dishes on business journalism.

Manny Garcia encourages students to seek truth through investigative reporting.

Rev. Robert Drake inspires WJI during chapel.

Anthony Bradley explains the Christian worldview.

First Things magazine editor Joseph Bottum opens up on the writing process.

Cash for Guns Program Warmly Welcomes All Kinds...Of People

Exchange nets 987 guns, one grenade and questionable results in the Bronx.

Abandoned. Hardly hidden, it was nestled behind a car tire. Anthony's pulse quickened, his eyes nervously darting. No prying eyes. He scooped up the snub nose, suddenly feeling endangered. The cold frame matte black with dark wood grip panels. His stroll quickened urgently. Full story