History in North Park

Most Chicagoans probably know singer-songwriter Steve Goodman best for "Go Cubs Go," which blares over the loudspeakers at Wrigley Field following a Cubs victory.  But the greater music world recognizes Goodman, who lived here at 5116 North Monticello Avenue, as the composer of a number of folk and country-tinged jewels, including the "City of New Orleans."  He won two Grammy Awards during his career.  A lifelong Cubs fan, Goodman began playing guitar at the Old Town School of Folk Music when he was 16 years old.  He died of leukemia in 1984 shortly before the Cubs made their first playoff appearance in 39 years.  Fortunately, he still has not missed a World Series championship.

Officially known as the Frederick Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center at 5039 North Kimball Avenue, most people just call this school "Von Steuben."  It is named for Friedrich Wilhelm Von Steuben, who was inspector general and major general of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.  Von Steuben alumni include Lynn Sweet, longtime Chicago Sun-Times political reporter and the Sun-Times' Washington D.C. bureau chief; Rosalyn Bryant, silver medalist in the 4x400-meter relay at the 1976 Olympic summer games; former professional basketball player Howie Carl; broadcast journalist Ash-har Quarashi, who once worked for CNN and now works for WTTW; and longtime Chicago sports radio personality Les Grobstein.