Erik Island | Staff Writer + Photographer

Erik is a native Chicagoan who moved to Logan Square in 2006 and fell in love with the neighborhood. An illustrator with a self-published children's book, he also enjoys writing, filmmaking and exploring the city. Follow Erik on Flickr and check out his children's book.

Erik Island

Is Egg Nog a No-Go for You? Try Coquito — Extending the Holiday Season in the Neighborhood

January 3, 2020 by Erik Island Filed Under: Neighborhood

Homemade Coquito, also known as the Puerto Rican egg nog, is a flavorful part of Logan Square’s holiday tradition. Here are a few places to try it.

Crampus Holiday Market Returns to Emporium to 'Experience Periods with Dignity'

December 16, 2019 by Erik Island Filed Under: Neighborhood

Get your holiday shopping on at the annual holiday market and support female empowerment by helping menstrual products get to the homeless community at the same time.

The Logan Square Chamber of Commerce Offers a Taste of the Neighborhood

October 21, 2019 by Erik Island Filed Under: Neighborhood

If you’re looking for an opportunity to schmooze or you’re a business person looking to make new contacts, then The Logan Square Chamber of Commerce is a great resource.

‘Discarded Karma:’ One Person’s Trash is Another Person’s Treasure

October 11, 2019 by Erik Island Filed Under: Neighborhood

The Logan Square custom of offering up and reusing free swag via social media is not only neighborly—it’s also responsible.

New York City Artist Brings His ‘Suckadelic’ Toys to the Neighborhood

September 18, 2019 by Erik Island Filed Under: Arts + Entertainment

If you’re looking for some funny, counter-culture-kitsch, check out The Sucklord during his ‘Old Style’ Art Gallery tour Sept. 21 at Galerie F and Logan Arcade.

‘Here Comes the Sun’: One Company Wants to Expand Solar Power in Logan Square

September 3, 2019 by Erik Island Filed Under: Neighborhood

Eric Heineman, CEO of Windfree Solar, is enthusiastic about solar power. And he’s eager to convert as many houses in Logan Square as possible.

Chicago’s Mural Registry: Preserving The Art of Logan Square

August 26, 2019 by Erik Island Filed Under: Neighborhood

Can The Chicago Mural Registry help Logan Square preserve its cultural heritage? Some artists are open to the idea of registration—though guardedly.

E-Scooters in Logan Square: The Learning Curve

July 1, 2019 by Erik Island Filed Under: Neighborhood

No matter what your opinion of e-scooters and electric bicycles are, they’re here to stay (for now). But the good news is that, in time, things will get better. Like with pedaled bicycles, there will eventually be a standard of road etiquette.