WGN Channel 9 - "Chicago Is..." - "Wicker Park" (1979)

Here's an installment of "Chicago Is...", one of a series of public affairs interstitials from WGN Channel 9, this time spotlighting Wicker Park on Chicago's Near Northwest Side, as hosted by Beverly Griffith of the Old Wicker Park Committee (2215 West North Avenue) (also associated with the Wicker Park Neighborhood Council). (This was broadcast after an edition of Bugs Bunny & Friends.)
(TECHNICAL FONT NOTE: The lower-third is still in the old-style Chiron version of the News Gothic Bold font, before its replacement with a newer CG system later in the year.)
In this brief travelogue, Ms. Griffith goes into the general area and its boundaries, the large homes located therein (many dating back to the Columbian Exposition of 1893), who founded it (Charles and Joel Wicker, in 1870, as a gift to the city), its growth after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the changes from World War I, its decline during the Great Depression, its recent comeback from an influx of newer-generation professionals, community groups such as that she's part of, a restoration of the homes in that section, and the changes in demographics over the years. Among its more famous residents was the pianist Ignace Jan Paderewski.
Opening voiceover over Bugs Bunny bumper by ??, and on segment opening itself by Clif Mercer.
A WGN Community Affairs Presentation in Association with The Chicago Public Library. (music at beginning and ending is an especially jazzy version of "My Kind of Town" - anyone know what version specifically?)
"Wicker Park is a microcosm of Chicago."
This aired on local Chicago TV on Monday, September 10th 1979 at about 3:58pm.
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The MCCTv (FuzzyMemoriesTV) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose primary mission is the preservation and display of off-air, early home videotape recordings (70s to early 80s, mostly) recorded off of TV (in Chicago or other cities now too); things which would likely be lost if not sought out and preserved digitally. If you have any old 1970s videotapes recorded off of TV please email: [e-mail] Even though (mostly) short clips are displayed here, we preserve the entire broadcasts in our archives - the complete programs with breaks (or however much is present on the tape), for historical preservation. For information on how to help in our mission, to donate or lend tapes to be converted to digital, please e-mail [e-mail] Thank you for your help!

[@Tomovox_PAMS_Radio_JIngles]

This has that classic WGN feel stamped all over it. What a fantastic find and post!

[@RusstheTroubadour]

The announcer was Clif Mercer. Garry Meier did an impression/ impersonation of him as "Cliff"

[@wmbrown6]

We know on the segment itself, Mr. Mercer was the announcer, but who V/O'd the intro as the Bugs Bunny bumper was shown?

[@misstee101]

Beautiful neighborhood back in the day.

[@SuperTony1968]

I remember Chicago Is…….. right before WGN sign off.

[@royalsfan]

I'm already falling asleep

[@ohjoy6]

What a cool neighborhood. Hope it still looks as charming.

[@byronbenguche]

Wicker Park is gentrified now but it's still beautiful

[@marietarallo3403]

I used to work in Wicker Park.

[@wmbrown6]

Seeing this, it reminds me a bit of the "Big Apple Minutes" WNEW Channel 5 in New York used to run.

[@2000Majicman]

I remember WNEW. WPIX. WWOR TV Living in New York City

[@darrylh1971]

Do you remember seeing the "Chicago is..." shorts following WGN airing movies as well?

[@Ayadayadaada]

1:07

[@m.r.keller9642]

Yes, because Beverly Griffith could afford to live in Wicker Park with that wealthy, high-profile gig.