After a storm passes, the low clouds over Stickney hold the city's light and glow faintly orange all night, and the village goes as quiet as it ever gets. Urban Roots Inc. is out under that sky, plowing drives, opening walks and doorways, and putting salt down while the snow is still soft enough to move. Chicago winter gives back exactly what you put into it early; snow left alone turns to rutted ice and stays that way for weeks. The work gets done by dawn so the first thing anyone sees is clear pavement and a path to the door. A small mercy, repeated all winter, and worth every early hour.