WICKER PARK — Headed to Wicker Park Fest this weekend?
You very well might see some fixtures of the neighborhood.
Here is an introduction to a few of them:
"The Parrot Man"
James Berner has owned Gretchen, an Amazon parrot for 16 years and is unsure of her age, but is confidant the feathered beauty who weighs about one-pound will outlive him.
"I take her out as much as I can, 'cause she will live longer than me," the 52-year-old plumber said during an encounter at West Fest earlier this month.
Berner said he "has no idea how old" Gretchen is but knows the parrot could live to be more than 100 years old.
Berner takes Gretchen to as many of the city's street fests as to socialize her. So far this summer, the Humboldt Park residents have already been to Do Division, West Fest, and Pride Fest.
If you stop to chat up Berner and Gretchen, who has a yellow head with a smattering of red, and blue in her wings, she might say, "Hello," or "Hi," or "Stop it," Berner said.
"She vocalizes in many different ways. She also might say, "I'm a good chicken" in Spanish ("bueno pollo") — a nod to her first owners.
Gretchen was given to Berner after her owners moved back to Puerto Rico.
Gretchen eats fruits and vegetables and kibble. Berner said her cage is bigger than his own living space.
When asked how he feels about being such a recognizable person, Berner said, "There are quite a few people that have seen her. It's not about me; it's about Gretchen. It doesn't generate a feeling of any kind, it's just what it is."
Crocodile Brunch Card Man
Brian Earl has been distributing cards promoting an all-you-can-eat $10 weekend brunch at The Crocodile every Saturday and Sunday for almost two years.
Earl can usually be found standing on a small cement island on the southwest corner of Milwaukee and Damen avenues about one-half-block north of the Crocodile, a lounge at 1540 N. Milwaukee Ave. that also serves up food.
He works every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and usually passes out a few hundred cards.
For this weekend his employer is adding extra hours for him.
"It's our biggest weekend," Earl said.
Earl, 27, has a day job at a conference center called Catalyst Ranch, where his job as a "ranch hand" is to make guests comfortable as they participate in workshops and focus groups.
"I have social anxiety and this helps me get over it on a regular basis," Earl said.
Silver Haired Man Who Sits on His Bike People Watching
David Satore said he is retired from "a bit of everything" and needs to ride his bike frequently because of a painful hip.
So he created an extra seat on his bike that makes it easier to sit as well as ride, usually in a slouching position and while it may look unusual, it is the best thing for Satore's hip.
"I could ride an exercise bike but I'm motivated to be outside in the street scene. This is a more interesting area than the Boulevard," Satore said, referring to Logan Boulevard, where he lives.
During the summer months Satore estimates he spends two hours each day at the Milwaukee, Damen and North avenues intersection where he enjoys people watching, he said.
Satore said he is "old as s---, very old, and old as the hills," but declined to give his exact age.
If you have time, ask him about alternative energy — one of his favorite topics to discuss.
"Flip Bike Man"
Travis, known as the flip bike or "glitter bike man," has been performing stunts on the streets of Wicker Park since 2009. He declined to be photographed or interviewed on a recent weekend or give his last name.
In 2009, however, Travis posed for a photograph in front of designer Anastasia Chatza at the opening of her Division Street boutique (see slideshow). He was also captured in a YouTube video (below).
Since 2009, Travis has begun wearing a sparkly glitter jacket when he cycles and his BMX bike's wheels are more colorful.
