Paul Biasco
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journalism • publishing • drpizza.mx
Articles by Paul Biasco
Unique Design X, la nueva feria de arte en la Ciudad de México, regresa por segundo año consecutivo
La feria satélite más reciente que se suma a las festividades de la semana de Zona Maco, Unique Design X, debutó el año pasado con una presentación ferial y un “parque de objetos” en la Plaza de la República en la sombra del Monumento a la Revolución, con rieles y rampas cuales los visitantes y el público podía andar en patineta.
Unique Design X, Mexico City's newest art fair, returns for second edition
The newest satellite fair to join the festivities of Mexico City's Art Week, Unique Design X, debuted last year with both a fair presentation and an “object park” on Plaza de la República in the shadow of the Monument to the Revolution, with bespoke rails and ramps that visitors were welcome to skateboard around.
As US tariffs loom, Mexico City's art scene looks to the future
There is perhaps no better place to be in early February than Mexico City for the capital’s Art Week. Zona Maco, arguably Latin America’s most important art fair, runs from 5 to 9 February—its satellites Material and Salón Acme take place from 6 to 9 February—drawing collectors from around the country and globe. But this year gallerists will have to contend with US President Donald Trump’s impending import tariffs, combined with a globally lacklustre market, could put a damper on sales.
Mexico City's Zona Maco fair offers something for everyone
Now in its 23rd year, Zona Maco (5-9 February) is technically one fair, but in practice it is more like four different fairs under one roof at the sprawling Centro Citibanamex. Its main section for Modern and contemporary art, subdivided into four sectors, is the largest, with 133 galleries from nearly 30 different countries this year.
Mexico City's art scene looks to the future
There is perhaps no better place to be in early February than Mexico City for the capital’s Art Week. Zona Maco, arguably Latin America’s most important art fair, runs from 5 to 9 February—its satellites Material and Salón Acme take place from 6 to 9 February—drawing collectors from around the country and globe. But this year gallerists will have to contend with US President Donald Trump’s impending import tariffs, combined with a globally lacklustre market, could put a damper on sales.
A huge park outside of Mexico City serves as a climate-adaptation model
Editor’s note: Paul Biasco first wrote about the Lake Texcoco Ecological Park for Ensia in early 2020. Here, the author revisits the park as it’s set to open to provide an update on the progress. It’s unusually dry in this former lake bed in the Valley of Mexico. It hasn’t rained in weeks, and typically temperate Mexico City is in the midst of a heat wave. Residents are planning for a “day zero” situation, with water shortages impacting nearly every part of the city.
Chicago galleries eat up restaurant reservation app to buoy business
Visitors to the Museum of Contemporary Photography can reserve a time slot via Tock. The “new normal” of life during the pandemic has forced businesses into an innovate-or-else mentality. The changes that galleries have put into place, specifically with the reservation systems, have not only presented a way to keep clients and visitors coming through the doors, but have also led to improvements in the gallery experience, according to some owners.
As Americans go back to work, these are the 9 riskiest jobs to have in the middle of the pandemic
More icon Three evenly spaced dots forming an ellipsis: "...". Close icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification. A TSA officer wears a protective mask while screening travellers at Orlando International Airport. Paul Hennessy / Echoes Wire/Barcroft Media via Getty Images As more people go back to work as states ease their public health orders aimed to stem the spread of the coronavirus, some occupations are riskier than others.
All the things George W. Bush said we should do to prepare for a pandemic that Donald Trump ignored
caption George W. Bush, Donald Trump source Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images, Saul Martinez/Getty Images In 2005, President George W. Bush unveiled an ambitious $7.1 billion plan to get America ready for a possible pandemic. “A pandemic is a lot like a forest fire,” Bush said.
All the things George W. Bush said we should do to prepare for a pandemic that Donald Trump ignored
caption George W. Bush, Donald Trump source Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images, Saul Martinez/Getty Images In 2005, President George W. Bush unveiled an ambitious $7.1 billion plan to get America ready for a possible pandemic. “A pandemic is a lot like a forest fire,” Bush said.
All the things George W. Bush said we should do to prepare for a pandemic that Donald Trump ignored
In 2005, President George W. Bush unveiled an ambitious $7.1 billion plan to get America ready for a possible pandemic. "A pandemic is a lot like a forest fire," Bush said.
What to do if someone in your apartment building has tested positive for coronavirus
caption Commonly-touched surfaces, like elevator buttons, can harbor infectious levels of coronavirus, which is why it’s important to wipe these surfaces down regularly. source Getty Images The coronavirus pandemic has apartment dwellers concerned that they’ll be infected by a neighbor. But there’s no reason for residents to panic, according to infectious disease experts who spoke with Business Insider.
What to do if someone in your apartment building has tested positive for coronavirus
caption Commonly-touched surfaces, like elevator buttons, can harbor infectious levels of coronavirus, which is why it’s important to wipe these surfaces down regularly. source Getty Images The coronavirus pandemic has apartment dwellers concerned that they’ll be infected by a neighbor. But there’s no reason for residents to panic, according to infectious disease experts who spoke with Business Insider.
What to do if someone in your apartment building has tested positive for coronavirus
Getty ImagesCommonly-touched surfaces, like elevator buttons, can harbour infectious levels of coronavirus, which is why it’s important to wipe these surfaces down regularly. The coronavirus pandemic has apartment dwellers concerned that they will be infected by a neighbour. But there’s no reason for residents to panic, according to infectious disease experts who spoke with Business Insider.
What to do if someone in your apartment building has tested positive for coronavirus
The coronavirus pandemic has apartment dwellers concerned that they'll be infected by a neighbor. But there's no reason for residents to panic, according to infectious disease experts who spoke with Business Insider. Residents of the building, building management and the infected person can help keep the risk low by following the Center for Disease Control's guidelines as strictly as possible. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Instead of a new airport, Mexico might build one of the world’s largest urban parks
Can the 30,000 acre Parque Ecológico Lago de Texcoco in Mexico City restore the water systems of the region and serve as a model for others around the world? [Photo: courtesy Iñaki Echeverría]
Will Mexico City's massive new park be a climate adaptation paragon for other cities?
This article originally appeared at Ensia. Walking along the edge of a seasonally dry lakebed on the eastern outskirts of Mexico City, there is near perfect silence except for the occasional airplane that flies overhead. These planes flying out of a nearby airport are a reminder of the estimated $13 billion international airport that had been planned and partially constructed on top of the seasonal wetlands native to this place.
Nike Training Club Opening in Lincoln Park
LINCOLN PARK — Nike is opening its first ever Nike Training Club in Lincoln Park Monday, which will be a retail store and workout studio dedicated to women's fitness. The two story storefront at 833 W. Armitage Ave. will feature women's closing and workout gear on the first floor and a workout space on the second floor.
Mexico City Is Proposing to Build One of the World's Largest Urban Parks
Walking along the edge of a seasonally dry lakebed on the eastern outskirts of Mexico City, there is near perfect silence except for the occasional airplane that flies overhead. These planes flying out of a nearby airport are a reminder of the estimated US$13 billion international airport that had been planned and partially constructed on top of the seasonal wetlands native to this place.
Mexico City's galleries overcome growing pains as the city's art scene booms
Lulu retains its original 100 sq. ft gallery space even after expanding in 2016. Courtesy of Lulu Mexico City’s Lulu and Lodos galleries were in their infancy when it seemed nearly every travel writer in the world turned their eyes on the city around five years ago, calling it the next “in” destination. With the tourists came the international art crowd and while the two project spaces were still forming their identities, they were suddenly cast into the spotlight of the international art scene.
Who Loves Travel Advisors the Most? It's Millennials, Not Boomers
A comprehensive survey of travelers found that it’s baby boomers — not millennials — who are more likely to bypass travel advisors in favor of going online to book trips. Travelport Global Digital Traveler Research 2019, which mapped travel preferences according to age groups, turned a common assumption on its head, finding that younger travelers are more likely to consult with travel advisors and tour operators for assistance in booking.
Avondale’s Former Polish Nightclub Maryla Polonaise Slated To Become Apartment Complex
AVONDALE — A developer is looking to tear down the sprawling Avondale building that once housed popular Polish nightclub Maryla Polonaise to build apartments in its place. Developer Stanislaw Pluta needs a zoning change to build the complex at 3188-92 N. Milwaukee Ave. Pluta’s zoning attorney Mark Kupiec and architect John Hanna pitched about 20 neighbors on the proposal at a community meeting Thursday evening held at Federico Elementary School, 3223 N. Springfield Ave.
This Brewer Is Making ‘Radical’ Beers Out of Mexico’s Forests
For decades the Mexican beer identity has been dominated by light lagers—synonymous with beaches, umbrellas, and lounge chairs. These days, a new generation of independent brewers is emerging and trying to break free from the Coronas and Modelos. As one brewer quickly realized, however, Mexico’s craft beer scene is doing little more than following American trends.
Travel Advisors Address Growing Demand for Pet-Friendly Vacations
While increasing numbers of travelers are reluctant to hit the road without their pets, doing so brings formidable challenges, including a lack of verified and updated information on pet-friendly travel options and airline guidelines. As a result, pet-focused travel advisors are stepping in to fill the information void and meet the demand to bring dogs, cats, hamsters, and even snakes on vacation and business trips. “They are your family.
Mexico Tourism Marketing Gap Leads Ex-Board Staffers to Launch New Company
Staff members of the closed Los Angeles office of the Mexico Tourism Board have regrouped by forming Studio Jungla, a destination marketing company they hope will mitigate damage from Mexico’s decision earlier this year to decimate the government’s tourism marketing arm.
As workers cottages get demolished, one Chicagoan tries to document the historic homes
Eric Nordstrom, 42, is obsessed with the Chicago workers cottages. Over the last five years, the owner of the architectural antique shop Urban Remains in West Town has witnessed and meticulously documented hundreds of demolitions of the quaint building. The traditional workers cottage is a one-and-a-half story building with a gabled roof, decorative cornices, and subtle ornamental elements representing its neighborhood.
Travel Advisors Scramble to Find Alternatives for Caribbean-Bound Clients
Summer 2019 has been one of turmoil for travel advisors focusing on the Caribbean, stemming from last-minute cancellations to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico as well as the abrupt change in U.S. travel policy to Cuba. Since early June travel advisors have been dealing with fallout from the highly publicized tourist deaths in the Dominican Republic and a policy change from the Trump administration, which immediately stopped cruise ships from sailing to Cuba.
Military Veterans Launch New Careers as Travel Advisors
When Manuel Padilla first signed up for a travel advisor training program geared toward military veterans, he thought things would be easy, considering he spent 10 years in the Air Force followed by a lengthy career in aviation. The knowledge needed to become a successful travel advisor required a much greater understanding of the world than he realized. However, less than a year after launching his own company, Padilla’s independent travel agency, Kwik Escapes LLC, is finding its groove.
Suburban Dad's Immigration Tale Perfectly Pairs With Mezcal
restaurants & bars Juan Peña escaped a dangerous Mexico City neighborhood to become Plainfield's friendly neighborhood mezcal importer, among other things. By Paul Biasco, Patch Contributing Writer Jul 7, 2019 3:00 pm ET | Updated Jul 7, 2019 4:04 pm ET Mezcal importer Juan Peña.
Travel Advisors School Affluent Clients on the Great American Road Trip
While packing the bags, rounding up the kids, and cramming into the station wagon for a road trip has been a thing of American lore for generations, it’s not a vacation choice normally associated with sophisticated, well-heeled travelers. A growing number of travel agencies are seeking to change this by putting together versions of classic domestic road trips designed for globetrotters accustomed to upscale amenities and customized experiences.
College Tour Planning Is a Growing Niche for Travel Advisors
There’s a growing specialty for travel advisors to consider: college tour planning. With the cost of higher education sometimes rivaling the cost of purchasing a home, there’s increasing demand for assistance in getting an in-depth look at prospective schools. “Not many of you would go and spend a half million buying a house just by looking online.
Mexico Tours and Activities Operators Feel the Pain of Tourism Board Demise
Manuel Rodriguez was born in Tulum and spent the latter half of his 50 years in the Caribbean paradise pioneering tours ranging from scuba diving adventures to trips to Mayan ruins as the destination mushroomed into a global phenomenon. Now Rodriguez, owner of Tulum Diving and Travel, finds the boom has suddenly turned into a bust, largely because of drastic cuts to the Mexico Tourism Board, which shuttered all but four of its 21 international offices and slashed marketing budgets.
Travel Advisor Recruits Participate in Host Agency Boot Camps
Host agencies are trying to come up with programs to combat some key challenges: recruitment of younger travel advisors to replace those who are retiring and to ensure that the next generation receives adequate training. Bill Coyle, director of education and programs at host agency KHM Travel, said it seems like a lot of people are looking to make a career change, especially if it involves traveling.
The Story Behind Chicago’s Own Queso Fresco Is a Story of Immigrant Triumph
Salty, crumbly, queso fresco dusts the velvety dark enchiladas de mole at Pilsen’s family-run 5 Rabanitos. It accents thousands of tacos as they fly out of Wicker Park mainstay Big Star’s kitchen. And it’s a key addition to the avocado cucumber salad at the swanky downtown spot Barrio. You might take this delicious finishing touch for granted. But the company behind the cheese at Chicago’s most popular Mexican restaurants has a deeply rooted, important story to tell.
Adventure Travel Specialists Take Customers Beyond the Beach
Specialists in adventure travel are seeing massive growth as clients are seeking out alternatives to the traditional beach resort vacation. “Every year we have more clients and more travelers who are willing to stay away from resorts and who want to be active and enjoy the outdoors,” said Emmanuel Burgio, president of Blue Parallel, a luxury boutique travel agency in Potomac, Maryland, founded in 2003.
Keeping Aztec farming traditions alive in Mexico
Xochimilco, Mexico City - Pedro Capultitla remembers when he was a child, running through his family's black pastures, a string in hand and a kite gliding above. Canals, canoes and native flora surrounded the ancient patch of farmland. Soft beneath his feet, the fields felt like home. Three decades later, Capultitla stood on the canal-edge of his family's chinampa, a man-made island formed for crop growing. Chinampas date back to pre-Hispanic times in Mexico City's Xochimilco neighbourhood.
Travel Advisors Work in Mysterious Ways to Put Discovery Into Vacations
With Instagram, travel planning websites, advice from oh-so-well-traveled friends and Google, the experience of discovering a new place is often lost during the intensive planning process for the perfect trip. Putting back that sense of discovery is behind the growing concept of mystery travel, one where travel advisors keep trip details a secret from their clients until departure.
The Must-Have Items Travel Pros Always Take on the Road
While top travel advisors are adept at preparing their clients for stress-free trips, including advice on what to pack, how do they ensure their own needs are met while on the road? Skift reached out to veteran travel advisors to get some insight into what essential items they themselves never leave home without. Many of the advisors told us they focus heavily on packing tech devices, while others sway more toward old-school items like supplies for thank you notes. Our favorite tip of them all?
Signature Travel Network Bootcamp Emphasizes Agent Earnings, Not Airport Codes
Recognizing that time is of the essence for many young travel advisors seeking to maximize their earnings, Signature Travel Network’s new Embark training program is designed to help novices do just that. The program, which takes a year to complete and is designed for those with less than one year of experience, is part of Signature University, the consortium’s web-based education platform.
Frankfurt Looks to the Past in Order to Build Anew
Walking down the cobbled streets of Frankfurt’s DomRömer Quarter, or “new old town,” feels like taking a stroll through the set of a medieval village or even the set of the wizardly world of Harry Potter's Hogsmeade. The difference here is that people actually live in the center of what is being described as a “Disneyland for tourists” by some—and a grand urban experiment in architecture by others.
Travel Advisors Warn U.S. Clients to Get Ready for Real ID Deadline
A simple drivers license might not be sufficient to board U.S. domestic flights and trips to U.S. territories such as the Virgin Islands starting in the fall of 2020, and although the deadline may seem far off for now, some travel advisors are warning their clients to start thinking ahead.
Rail Tour Operator Rocky Mountaineer Targets Cruisers Through Agent Sales
Travel agents have proven vital to the success of Rocky Mountaineer, so much so that the luxury Canadian rail tour operator recently launched a training program to help agents better sell what is often a misunderstood mode of travel. Executives with Rocky Mountaineer, which operates four rail routes through Canada, estimate that about 80 percent of all travelers on their tours book via agents across the world.
Luxury Agents Try to Combine High-Level Service With Street-Level Experiences
How do luxury travel agents balance the need to please upscale clients seeking a taste of street culture and local flavor in exotic destinations while also ensuring safety and a high level of service? The answer is research, global connections, and experience.
Tzell Travel Advisor Turned Eric Clapton and Pink Floyd Into Fans of Her Tour-Planning
The magic of a live Pink Floyd show may have seemed like a seamless burst of energy on stage, but the work behind the scenes to pull off the spectacular involved more than 100 people. How those people — the band members, crew, technicians, promoters and endearing taggers-along — traveled across the country in unison nearly 25 years ago was a monumental task in itself.
Meet Chicago’s Steak Master: Gibsons Chef Has Cooked 1.7 Million Perfect Slabs Of Meat
If you’ve ever eaten at Chicago’s Gibsons Steakhouse, chances are chef Moises Padilla cooked your steak. After all, he’s cooked more than 1.7 million during his time at the Downtown location of the acclaimed steakhouse. When he first heard the number, Padilla said he was shocked. Time crept up on the 50-year-old. “I said, ‘oh my god, I can’t believe that,’” Padilla said. “Chef told me.
Police union: 'Sham trial and shameful verdict' for Van Dyke
The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police blasted the jury verdict finding Jason Van Dyke guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated battery in the shooting of Laquan McDonald -- a sentiment shared by many members of a Far South Side neighborhood where many police officers live. In a statement issued Friday, the state FOP -- based in Springfield -- decried the ruling. "This is a day I never thought I'd see in America, where 12 ordinary citizens were duped into saving ...
Saving Mexico City's Art Deco Treasures
One year ago—September 19, 2017—a massive earthquake rattled Mexico City, toppling dozens of buildings and damaging thousands more. The neighborhoods of Condesa and La Roma, home to some of the most excellent examples of Art Deco architecture arguably anywhere in the world, were hit hardest. While many structures throughout the city, including historical buildings, remain damaged and vacant, two Art Deco treasures—Edificio Basurto and El Moro—are already on the road to recovery.
Viator's Travel Agent Program Gets Mixed Reviews
Viator, the TripAdvisor-owned company that is the leader in online tours and activities, is seeking to expand further with a push to get travel agents to book through its platform. The move has paid off so far, said TripAdvisor spokeswoman Laurel Greatrix, adding its commission-based program for travel agents booking tours and attractions has contributed to doubling the number of such bookings taken through TripAdvisor year-over-year.
Travel Agents Get a Dose of the Sharing Economy Through Sabre Deal With Booking
Travel agents won’t have as much credibility as they want with their customers unless they that they have a complete view of lodging markets in terms of rates and accommodation types. That’s one of the reasons that Sabre, a global distribution system provider, is testing with 10 to 20 travel agencies implementation of its recent agreement with Booking.com to bring millions of hotel and apartment listings onto its its distribution platform.
Logan Square Neighborhood Association
***Attention runners, registered now before is too late! We are acting locally. LSNA is currently working with over 40 of our member groups (churches, schools, and other non-profits) to assure that we uphold the values of love, restoration, connection, culture and empowerment in this barrio as an example to other neighborhoods in this city and country. LSNA is unabashedly, 100% pro-immigrant. We know and love our neighbors.
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