About Us

Alisa Hauser

The Pipeline is comprised of content creators, sponsors, and reader-contributors. Together, we share as much news as possible, with a “hyper local” focus on the Chicago neighborhoods of Wicker Park and Bucktown.

Philin Phlash

In June of 2011, after two-plus years of weekly e-publishing (we launched a weekly subscriber-only-e-newsletter in April of 2009, using Constant Contact software), we set up virtual roots on the ‘Net, at chicago-pipeline, with the assistance of Jason Hinkle of Very Simple.

CeCe Carroll

In July of 2011 we published We’re in the Neighborhood, an 84-page printed booklet featuring many of the people and businesses in the area which inspire and inform our weekly content.  On December 1, 2011, we published Celebrate! Wicker Park and Bucktown, a magazine co-published in collaboration with Our Urban Times.

Find Celebrate! here.

There’s a lot of bad news out there, and stories that could be sensationalized. We prefer to stay focused on unique and interesting people and places and events, of which there is no shortage in the diverse neighborhoods of Wicker Park and Bucktown– speaking of which, if you’d like a story assignment, or would like to join our team, send us an email or call 773-960-3997.

Joe, Special Projects

Nandika Gervais

Note: We differentiate sponsored from non-sponsored news.  We do not accept food, services, etc. in exchange for editorial coverage, or if we do, it is clearly noted as such.

• Alisa Hauser, Publisher, Reporter
• Philin Phlash, Roving Photojournalist
• Nandika Gervais, CAPS/Community/Linkypoos columnist
• Caitlin ‘CeCe’ Carroll, Fashion, Theater, Music, Social Media, Etc.
• Joe Rubin, Special Projects
• Jason Hinkle, Pipeline website design

READER FEEDBACK:

Kristin and the rest of the folks at WPCH

Hi Alisa,
I have been meaning to send you this email for a while now. I just wanted to say thanks. My fiancee and I moved to Bucktown two years ago from other Chicago neighborhoods. I have to admit I wasn’t a big fan of the ‘hood for the first few months. I lived closer to Western than I had realized when looking to buy our home (so much traffic noise), and the area right outside our house was a lot ‘grittier’ and crime ridden and griffiti ridden than I had expected it to be or realized that it was.

Fast forward two years later. I love Bucktown for what it is. I still have my qualms with some things (which I try to be a part of making better). But honestly, one of the biggest factors that has made me love Bucktown is the Pipeline, and the sense of community it creates in my inbox every week. It gives me ways to get involved and keeps me up to date on what’s going on with my neighbors. You all do an awesome job. I don’t think I can say thanks in a big enough way for all the heart that you clearly put into it.

Keep up the amazing work! You are a real asset to our community.

Cindy H.

Following is feedback that we posted on our blog.

Hi Alisa,
The new look is terrific. Your creation just keeps getting better and I look forward to it each week. You are probably not aware but my wife and I bought a XXXX company

]in XXXX last June and now reside in XXXX. We still have our properties in Wicker Park and the many friends we made there over the past XX years. The Pipeline helps us maintain the connection. I am receiving it at my old email address. Please update to XXXX@gmail.com and keep up the great work. I hope it has become financially rewarding to you! With your creativity and drive you deserve the success.
Best wishes,
Ron

Hi,
Thanks for the mail. I’m reading your newspaper. It’s a really cool idea and i bet everyone must love it.
Hope you are doing great and keep up the good work.
Jorge

….Also, been meaning to tell you that after following Pipeline for a good while now, the weekly edition has evolved into a really informative and entertaining news source. The design & edit flow is casual and the range of photos of folks from all walks of the neighborhood is truly awesome. It is a lot of fun to see so many people smiling! Well done!
Mike

Alisa,
I’ve been reading the Miner column on LEN and the comments. Saw you come up therein, and detected the burnout feeling. I hope you power though. Your newsletter is great, and I always enjoy reading and browsing it …
All best,
Mike

Alisa,
Infinite thanks – excellent article.
Doug

Hey Aly:
Add me back please. I’ve missed your Pipeline.
Heidi

Alisa,
I get a lot of email, and I barely read any of it, but I always read The Pipeline. Thank you!
Sarah

Alisa-
Just a short “Thank You” for all the work you do in putting together the Pipeline.
Your column is well written and informative. I really look forward to reading it to learn what is going on in Wicker Park.
Jim

Alisa,
Thank you for making the PIPELINE a source of communication for the Wicker Park / Bucktown area. This online news source has made me aware of people and places in our community that were not familiar to me. Recently, I was in one of the Chase branches in the area and the teller recognized me from an article which you had written about our store. Thank you again for your dedication and I hope you continue providing the residents and business people of Wicker Park/Bucktown with information on which they can depend.
Ken

Alisa,
I just wanted to send you a quick note to say that I thoroughly enjoy The Pipeline. Keep up the good work!

Kathy

ADVERTISER FEEDBACK:

“We had 30 new sign ups last month. It could have been our mailer, but you are the only local place that we choose to advertise. And I told you that I will continue to advertise with you as long as you do the Pipeline. You know more about the neighborhood than I do, and I’ve been here 20 years!”– A local gym owner, upon renewing for the seventh time

“We had a lot of people come to our show. I am guessing some of them heard about it from The Pipeline. Keep up the good work. We really appreciate what you’re doing in helping us get the word out on a local level” — A local gallery

“Yes, we’d love to renew again. Send me an invoice.” — A local shop