From the 48th Ward Update Newsletter:
To combat an increase in crime, Alderman Smith is working with the 48th Ward block clubs and community organizations on a number of public safety initiatives.

Last month, she hosted a "Troubled Buildings" Workshop where block club representatives and representatives of City and community agencies met to discuss how they can work together to tackle troubled buildings. Such buildings are the root of many of the public safety problems in the neighborhood.

Actionuptown.com, a community-driven website created by the Ward Office, connects neighbors to safety resources and activities in their area. From the website neighbors can learn about safety initiatives they can participate in, including Neighborhood Watches and Court Advocacy dates, and find out the locations of problem areas, troubled buildings and "hotspot" corners where illicit activity occurs.

The Ward office has printed Community Watch yard signs for Uptown. These signs, which are available from the block clubs, let everyone know the community is organized against crime and direct interested people to the actionuptown.com website.

New police surveillance cameras and additional cameras at public elementary schools, funded by Alderman Smith, will complement these efforts.

Alderman Smith is dedicated to working with police and the community to improve the safety of our neighborhood. These initiatives will enable us to be proactive on public safety and effectively use all the resources our community has at hand.

For more information on these efforts, contact Dana Fritz, dana@masmith48.org or 773-293-8413.

Read all about it at the Chicago Tribune here.
Also, read a Studs Terkel interview with Dale Eastman here.

A reader sent us the following link/video showing a great historical view of the Aragon Ballroom near Lawrence and Winthrop from reporter Cory McPherrin of Fox Chicago. Enjoy.

Well, lil' ol' Uptown was a media sensation Wednesday. It seems someone besides the News-Star discovered there's life north of Irving Park Road. We're quite dizzy from all the attention. Some of the many major media stories are linked below. If you know of any others, please link to them in the comments.

We are grateful to the reader who sent in the picture above, taken Wednesday. (Quite a change from a few days ago!) Now that Holsten may have money to pay the bills, which hasn't always been the case recently, it seems Wilson Yard was all aflutter with people and construction equipment.

We'll see how this one plays out. We've seen the heavy machinery come and go several times this year already.

• Sun-Times: Target Signs on for Wilson Yard Store


• Illinois Real Estate Journal Reports: Target Redevelopment Hits the Mark in Uptown


• CBS2Chicago: Target Signs On To Anchor Uptown Development


• Commercial Property News: Mid-America Closes Sale with Target at Wilson Yard Redevelopment in Chicago

. . . .This time about the slow zones on the Red Line at Wilson and Lawrence:

Q: "Now that the Red line subway slow zone project is wrapping up, is there going to be a focus now on eliminating slow zones that exist around the Wilson/Lawrence area (they DO exist but not on slow zone map) and in proximity to the Loyola and Granville stops?" (From Ed.)

A: "CTA crews are currently working on two slow zones around Wilson/Lawrence. The slow zones are reflected on the slow zone map as of Oct. 15 on CTA’s web site. CTA is currently looking for the funds to complete slow zone work in 2009 – including around the Loyola and Granville Red Line stations."

A reader writes in: "The police are investigating a murder on 800 West Cuyler. One officer told me that someone was beaten to death with a 2x4."

Update: WGN News confirms that the body of a Latino man between 20-30 was found. They say it's "blunt force trauma." See the report here.

CBS2Chicago reports: "CHICAGO (STNG) ― Police are conducting a homicide investigation Wednesday night after a man was found dead from apparent blunt trauma injuries in the North Side's Uptown neighborhood. An unidentified man was found dead from apparent blunt trauma at 824 W. Cuyler Ave. Wednesday, a spokesman for the Cook County Medical Examiner's office said. Investigators from the office were on the scene Wednesday night, and pronouncement information was not immediately available.

Town Hall District police responded to a check the well-being call at the Cuyler Avenue address Wednesday afternoon, but would not discuss the investigation further. Police News Affairs Sgt. Antoinette Ursitti said Belmont Area detectives were conducting a homicide investigation Wednesday, but additional details were not immediately available."

Dear Businesses and Residents,

Wilson Area Merchants Association has been hard at work to put a plan in place this Holiday that will help to bring even more beauty and spirit to Uptown this Season. WAMA will hopefully be placing beautiful ornaments on some trees on commercial streets throughout Uptown. Our association will also be requesting that business owners install white lights inside their business windows. The goal is to have a common Holiday decorations theme among all businesses in Uptown.

On Tuesday, November 11th at 6:30pm, please come visit Unique So Chique, and possibly Alma Pita, to see a viewing of the Holiday Decorations. At that time (or you may do so in advance) we will take orders from those businesses who would like to particpate in the community decorating. The cost of the decorations is anywhere between $150 and $200 per business for all decorations and lights. These are very reasonable wholesale prices. WAMA will have the ornaments delivered to one location in Uptown on November 24th where you may go and pick them up. All businesses will also be responsible for hanging their own decorations, but WAMA will be glad to offer helpful installment tips. Now, the more businesses that particpate, the greater the price break. So let's go, businesses of Uptown. These decorations and ornaments are a long-term investment. Hopefully next year we can build on the existing ornaments to add even more beauty to Uptown. So please, do not dispose of these ornaments. Save the ornaments until next Year!!!

We recommend that you stop by Unique So Chique sooner than November 11th (if you can) to place your order. The wholesaler has a somewhat limited stock and once the ornaments are gone, they are gone. We will probably be able to get similar ornaments but they may not be exactly the same. We will do our best. We look forward to seeing you soon!! Thank you.

WAMA Team (http://www.wilsonareamerchants.org/)

From Chicago Real Estate Daily:
Over the objections of a city attorney, a Cook County judge on Monday gave the Jam Productions Ltd. venture that bought the Uptown Theatre in July more time to negotiate with the city before determining whether Jam must comply with a previous court order that requires the theater’s owner to put $5 million into an escrow account. City attorney Judith Fryland argued in court that now was the best time to obtain that money to ensure the development at 4816 N. Broadway takes place. The escrow money would go back to the developer as the project is completed. An attorney for Jam, Patrick Thompson of DLA Piper, said the $5-million requirement would “thwart” the development, which is projected to cost about $40 million. Mr. Thompson also told Judge Daniel Lynch that Jam is meeting with the city’s planning department next month for further discussions on a development plan that could include city subsidies as well as state and federal funding. The escrow dispute is to go before Judge Lynch again in January.

See all the new retro streetlights lining the walking path between Wilson and Lawrence in the park? Bet they cost a bundle, and they're very nice! Well, best to admire them during daylight, because you won't be able to see much of them at night:

Of the 13 lights, eight aren't working, four are, and one can't make up its mind. We looked and it doesn't appear to be a copper wiring theft situation. They seem to be just plain burned out and no one bothered to do anything about it.

Of course, who needs streetlights in a dark park? At night? Along the path where people run, jog and stroll? That's not the Uptown way!

311 has been called. (But we can't help but think someone in the city should have noticed and corrected this, long before two-thirds of the lights stopped working.)

Screening Alert from WTTW: Gorge on leftover Halloween candy in the comfort of your own warm home and tune into Channel 11 at 9:30pm on Saturday, November 1st for a beautifully produced documentary about the Uptown Theatre.

Details: WTTW11 and Image Union present
Uptown: Portrait of a Palace

Description: Two Northwestern filmmakers tell the story of the shuttered Uptown Theatre, named one of "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1998. In exploring the landmark's past and potential future, they take you on a breathtaking tour through one of the city's most beautiful venues unused and unavailable for Chicagoans. Meet members of the community working to open the theatre's doors and change the face of the Uptown community.

According to Commercial Property News:

From our buddies at the CTA Tattler:

Here is another installment in answers to questions that I didn't have the time to ask President Ron Huberman at the last Coffee with Ron. And no, Huberman did not personally answer each of these questions. Answers were prepared by the PR staff and reviewed by Huberman.

Q: "I'd like to know what the timeline is for renovating the retail space under the Wilson Red Line station. I'd also like to know if the CTA owns the Majestic Store property at Broadway and Leland, and what the plans are, if any, to stop the deterioration of this historic building." (From Elaine.)

A: "CTA currently does not have a timeline for renovating the retail space at Wilson. Our real estate contractor, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) is working on a global review of CTA's real estate holdings. CTA owns the Majestic Store property on Broadway. JLL is reviewing CTA's real estate portfolio to determine the status of its facilities and the best use for each of them. JLL has only been on board since August 1, 2008, so their process is in the early stages."

We're getting official word from the people at StopLaborReady.org that Labor Ready has cancelled its plans to open up shop at Sheridan and Gunnison.

A contractor got word from Labor Ready that they would not need his services. They are cancelling their plans to open at this location due to the economy. Ald. Shiller's office has also received a similar call confirming the same.

Update: The News-Star has put out a "Web Extra" this evening in which Labor Ready brass says it is "delaying" the opening of an Uptown location and will revisit the idea next year, but not necessarily at the same location.

"Labor Ready announced that it is delaying its plans to open a branch office at 4830 N. Sheridan in Uptown. A spokeswoman for Labor Ready confirmed to News-Star this afternoon that the day-labor corporation had temporarily shelved its plans after word leaked out on the neighborhood blog Uptown Update.

"We changed our plans at this point in time because of the economic conditions right now," Burke said. "We'll revisit opening in the community but not this year. We'll revisit it next year."

Read the rest of the News-Star's web extra here.

"Sign Our New Petition! The original Wilson Yard petition was a huge success, garnering over 3,000 signatures. However, its language is over four years old and not reflective of the situation at Wilson Yard today. So Fix Wilson Yard has drafted a new petition and we need your signatures and those of all of your friends, family and neighbors throughout Chicago!

"Please click here, and don't forget to pass the link on."

Uptown Referenda Aimed at Changing Affordable Housing Policies
BY PETER SACHS / Education reporter, October 27, 2008 3:00PM

An Uptown social justice group has two advisory referenda on next week’s ballot related to affordable housing and how tax increment financing money could be used.

But just 11 voting precincts in predominantly low-income areas of the 46th Ward in Uptown will get to vote on the non-binding referenda. Aside from canvassing within those precincts, Northside Action for Justice, the sponsors of the proposals, is keeping a low profile on the issue. And several members of a very active group of property owners in the area did not know who put the referenda on the ballot.

Read the entire article here.

We've heard of the right hand not knowing what the left is doing, but this is ridiculous. Is it just us, or within a couple paragraphs of each other, do our "social justice" buddies contradict themselves about why only their hand-picked precincts get to vote on the referenda?

"The location of the referendum has nothing to do with the location of housing," [Francis] Tobin says. It’s a coincidence, he says, that the Wilson Yard TIF district very closely overlaps with the 11 precincts that get to vote on the referenda.

and

"We’re trying to get the voice of the people who are part of the low-income community, that’s the voice we’re trying to get heard from on the referendum, that’s why those 11 precincts were chosen," [Brynn] Byrne says.

A reader writes: "Just so there's no doubt in voters' minds, Jan Schakowsky is a major supporter of the Wilson Yard low-income subsidized housing. In fact, she likes the housing so much that she wrote two letters, one dated Dec. 3, 2004 and then this more recent one." (Click on the image for a larger, easier to read version.)

Hello All,

Concern has arisen in the Uptown community regarding the alleged progression of the Wilson Yard development as described in recent Crain's articles. Regardless of any of these articles, the Fix Wilson Yard organization has a litigation plan which in no way is altered by these reports.

Prior to the financing article, the Fix Wilson Yard group had decided to temporarily cut back on our public presentations and place 100% focus on finalizing the lawsuit. The lawsuit will be filed within the next 30 days.

The City of Chicago has been put on notice that Fix Wilson Yard intends to file a lawsuit against the City for several violations surrounding the Wilson Yard Redevelopment Plan. Please be aware, the existence/non-existence of a big-box retailer or financing for the development in no way alters the focus of our litigation.

We believe that the recent activity by the City and Holsten is a direct result of the strength of our impending lawsuit and the strength and unity shown by the Uptown community against this development. Fix Wilson Yard is monitoring the situation closely and will take any actions necessary to counter any developments as they arise. We appreciate your continued support during this brief period of "public" silence. Please know we are continually hard at work to secure the vibrant future of Uptown. We promise to keep you updated on the status of the lawsuit and how your support will be needed.

Many thanks,

Molly Phelan
Fix Wilson Yard

60's sexpot star Tura Satana will be at Uptown's own "Tattoo Factory" Thursday, October 30 from 7-11pm. Be sure to check out of screening of "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" at the Music Box Theatre on Southport on October 29 at 8pm. For more info, check out the Sun-Times article covering this event and background on Satana here.

Update: This is what Uptown Business Partners says about the event, which is also a fundraiser: We're riding on the coattails of the Tattoo Factory Gallery's event--Tura! Tura! Tura! A group art show celebrating the stunning, inspiring, and legendary icon Tura Satana, Star of Russ Meyer's masterpiece "Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" There is no fee to attend and you only need to RSVP if you plan to meet us at The Spot before the event. All profits earned hosting the event will go to Uptown's Apna Ghar, a domestic violence shelter and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a breast cancer charity. Fundraisers will include selling show posters, Faster Pussycat posters, personal donated Tura items and 20% of the money made through sales of the art. At least 20 artists will be represented and the best part? Tura Satana will be there in person! Visit http://www.myspace.com/tattoofactorygallery for more information.

While Dearborn Wholesale Foods Corporation blithely ignores the homeless population living on their property, their Montrose and Agatite neighbors cannot share that luxury. That is because where the homeless live, eat and drink, the homeless must go - as in potty. And the property owner gets to clean it up.
The unwilling recipients of Dearborn Wholesale Foods’ homeless policy are those next door neighbors who get the sh?t end of the deal. Here, one of our locals demonstrates how to use a neighbor’s dumpster to find relief. As this is a family blog, we only show her arm peeking out from the left side of the dumpster prior to her relief and the pant zip-up after her relief.

We watched with amazement this week as a man in a green vest sat in the Dunkin Donuts parking (near Broadway and Wilson), slowly but methodically, tossing individual pieces of garbage out of a black bag over the fences and onto the adjoining Kenmore Street parkway and Harris Bank parking lot. He sat next to another gentleman who was munching discarded donuts, tossing his trash around the Dunkin Donuts lot, and defecating along the Beauty Shop wall.
We presumed our green vest man was just another homeless guy until later that day when we saw him sporting a trashcan and broom in that same parking lot. Upon inquiry, we learned that he is the garbage man, hired by the McJunkin Building maintenance crew, to keep the Dunkin Donuts lot clean. When he left to go to his home down the street at the end of his shift, the garbage bag, garbage, feces and toilet paper from his morning break remained.

Buried in Friday afternoon news, where it was likely to get less media attention, was this policing bombshell. Other districts have specifically mentioned that the 23rd District should give up some staffing to other districts with higher overall crime rates. Those of us in the crime-ridden Uptown end of the 23rd District would like to see some of those excess 23rd District coppers assigned to our end of their district for a change. We notice that the realignment factors don’t take into account staffing needs for ongoing city events, such as CUBS games and massive Park District Lakefront events, which pull forces out of Uptown each and every summer.
Read the story at Fox Chicago here.

A reader sent in the following pic of an Uptown resident who appears to be napping after a recent lunch at Popeyes at Broadway and Wilson. And what better place to nap than right outside the door.

We were at Aldi's over the weekend -- the one part of Wilson Yard that's actually been started and finished. And this is what the parking lot looked like. (We didn't know Mad Dog 20/20 was still being made...!)

If this one small piece of Wilson Yard is already out of control, what will happen if and when Ald. Shiller's no-tests/no-requirements housing goes in? Remember, this "plan" isn't being financed by HUD or CHA, so their requirements for tenants aren't going to be in effect. The only tenancy tests will be whatever Holsten and Ald. Shiller dream up, and frankly, based on what the current site looks like already, we're not optimistic.

A Dimitri vodka bottle and trash collection is what greets our students and they approach the north (1000 W. Wilson) entrance to the new Graeme Stewart School green space.

As shown in the photo, someone has even removed the electrical covers on those spankin' new street lights to check out that sparkling copper wire (ready for the taking), or to make room for their drug stash, just in case a cop ever bothers to patrol this cul-de-sac.

It is beginning to look more and more like an Uptown-kind-of park every day.

Can you identify where this wall with the face peering out of it is located? This may be a toughie!

The next 23rd District Court Advocates monthly meeting is Tuesday, October 28 (last Tuesday of every month) from 6-6:30 pm. If you're interested in becoming, or learning more about being, a court advocate, please plan to attend. It's in the James O'Connor Community Room, 3608 Halsted (just north of Addison).

Court advocates attend a variety of cases, sometimes at the request of individual police commanders. Your silent presence is there to represent community interest in the case. The judge is aware when court advocates are present.

Court is during the day: morning and afternoon cases. If you have a non-traditional work schedule or can spare a day or two a month, you might want to look into becoming a court advocate. For more information, call 312-744-0064 (23rd District Community Policing).

Soooo... if you put duct tape over the name of the store, does that mean your shopping cart isn't stolen anymore? Seen on the southwest corner of Broadway and Leland. We particularly appreciate that it's locked to the bike rack -- presumably so no one steals it!

From Ald. Tom Tunney's office:

On Saturday, November 1st, from 12pm – 3pm, in the parking lot at 421 W. Belmont (just west of Sheridan Road), you can bring your paper and confidential documents for on-site shredding.

You can also bring CDs, floppy disks, hard drives, computers, shoes and clothing for recycling at this neighborhood recycling event.

A reader writes in asking for your assistance:
"I would love it if you could help us find our cat. We are really worried about her out there! Our cat got outside late Thursday night in the rain, and she has been missing since then. She is a 7-year-old spayed darker tortoiseshell kitty, a little chubby, between 13-15 lbs. She did not have her collar on when she got outside. She answers to Annabelle or Bella. Please email me if you have seen her. We live at Windsor and Hazel, so I would think that she would still be in the area, or at least I hope. We would really like to have her back home as soon as possible."

(click to enlarge)

File an appeal! You have until December 1st. From an email blast from Ald. Gene Schulter (47th Ward):

Board of Review Accepting Assessment Appeal Complaint Forms For Lakeview Township

The Cook County Board of Review has announced dates for filing assessment appeal complaints by property owners in the Lakeview township. The filing dates for property assessment appeals open on Wednesday, October 15 and will close on Monday, December 1, 2008.

Owners of homes, condominiums, townhomes, apartment buildings, and businesses may appeal their assessments to the Board if they feel that their assessment is too high. A lawyer is not required to file an appeal on behalf of residential property owners. Evidence which can be particularly help to the homeowner seeking as assessment reduction includes any of the following items.

* A photo of the taxpayer's property.
* Proof of recent sale prices of homes similar to the home of the taxpayer.
* A real estate appraisal.
* Assessed valuations of comparable properties in your neighborhood.
* Evidence of flood, fire, demolition, or structural damage.

Complaint forms can be picked up at the 47th Ward Public Service Office or downloaded here. For your convenience, complaint forms and supporting documentation can be dropped off at the 47th Ward Public Service Office until noon on Monday, December 1, 2008.

A reader sent us an interesting link that shows all of the car tows in Chicago. You can search by street or date, and according to the site, its updated twice an hour. See if you can find your street. It's hours of endless fun. www.chicagotows.com

Wilson Yard Developer Lands Financing for Uptown Project

By Andrew Schroedter, Oct. 24, 2008

(Crain’s) — After years of delays, Chicago developer Peter Holsten has finally nailed down the financing to complete his long-awaited $151-million Wilson Yard project in Uptown. The city of Chicago has already agreed to provide Mr. Holsten with $51 million in tax increment financing for the Target Corp.-anchored project on Broadway between Montrose and Wilson avenues. And Minneapolis-based Target is contributing about $33 million.

But with the credit markets in near lockdown, Mr. Holsten scrambled to piece together the remaining $67 million to finance the mixed-use project that's been slow to get off the ground. The Aldi Inc. store that opened in June is all that stands at the 5.7-acre site, formerly a massive Chicago Transit Authority train repair shed.

On Wednesday Mr. Holsten closed at least two loans totaling $40 million with community and affordable housing lenders Alliant Capital Ltd. and Enterprise Community Investments Inc., according to spokeswomen for both firms. The remaining $27 million comes from a group of lenders, including J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., and Local Initiative Support Corp., a New York-based non-profit community development organization, the Enterprise spokeswoman says.

Buena Park Neighbors' 11th Annual Halloween Trick-or-Treating will take place on October 31st... but they need volunteers to help make it happen.

Please join us in the pool room at Nick's Uptown on Sheridan on Sunday, October 26, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with some donated Halloween candy in hand. We are looking for neighbors to assist the BPN Board as we continue our tradition of stuffing 150 treat bags. The bags are given out first come/first serve at the Buena Circle Play lot. Click here for more.

If you were looking for a new place to try for lunch in Uptown, then look no further than "Fontana Grill" at Wilson and Beacon. A reader just sent us a scanned lunch menu (click to enlarge) to make your selection a bit easier. We can highly recommend the Fontana Burger and any of the pizzas.
UPDATE: Call ahead for carryout orders at 773-561-0400. Also, be sure to check out the Yelp listing for Fontana Grill here.

A tip of the hat to a fellow Uptown observer, who made us laugh with the above photo and this comment:

"Uptown's newest lake. The Wilson Yard's unintended watering hole gets larger with each rain. Maybe by December we'll have an ice skating rink."

(Of course, there's always the *cough* "ice skating rink" Ald. Shiller promised would be in Challenger Park in exchange for Cubs parking. Back in 1992. Haven't noticed that yet. Maybe that's her cunning plan... it's gonna be in Wilson Yard instead! That's the ticket!)

A letter to the editor, Inside Online, October 22-28, 2008 edition:

"In the recent Wilson Yard TIF article (Ad-hoc Wilson Yard group battles city, Holsten says Target remains interested), it was cited that Peter Scales, the Communications Director for the Office of Planning and Development, stated that the housing component had not changed since day one and he then goes on to give a startling revelation that the housing would be sold to the low-income residents. That's news that has not been heard before. Perhaps Mr. Scales should let developer Peter Holsten and Ald. Helen Shiller know this news because they have both gone on record as saying it's 100% rental.

"Reporter Miriam Cintron neglected to mention the equally startling information that each of the family units will cost approximately $447,000 to build and each of the senior housing units will cost approximately $337,000 each. I would be hard-pressed to find any new low-income housing built anywhere in the U.S. that would equal those costs, and I would hope that other members of City Council would find this alarming, especially given our huge City deficits.

"Ms. Cintron contacted me for this story and asked me if I knew Target was coming into Wilson Yard. I told her that I can only get my news the way the rest of the ward gets their news... through a blog known as UptownUpdate.com. Ald. Shiller now refuses to talk to the community about it. When a local resident used the Freedom of Information Act to get confirmation about Target's letter of intent, it was then discovered that no such letter existed. Ald. Shiller had gone on record many times stating that there was a Target letter of intent and there's not even an 'oops, sorry' when we discover otherwise.

"It's clear that residents of the 46th Ward have grown tired of the 'Chicago Way' of doing things in their ward.

- James Cappleman, Former Aldermanic Candidate, 46th Ward"

A reader writes: "The old Pizza Factory/C.W. Napkin building has a sign on the window stating that it is going to become a small grocery/convenience store." Guess the problems with the health department made it too difficult to reopen.

Update: A reader sent in the following postcard advertising that C.W. Napkin is still around and back after a "remodel." No word on whether or not it will share space with the upcoming grocery/convenience store.

Demolition is now complete at the northeast corner of Sheridan and Irving. The earlier picture was taken in late June. Nothing's there now except a lot of flat land and the required wrought iron fencing.

(We find it intriguing that a newly empty lot complies with the fencing requirement, but Dearborn Wholesale has been able to skirt this law for years now. Wonder why?)

Update: In related fencing news, the parking lot at the corner of Clark and Wilson is getting a new fence installed today.

Last night at 7:08, the Blogger system went ker-flooey and no one was able to post comments. We are told it's fixed now and comments are once again enabled on the system.

Police and residents take back the night ... While cop-monitors roll tape

By LORRAINE SWANSON, Editor

Police in the 23rd District made their presence known on the streets of Uptown during an evening walk through the neighborhood last week. About 40 residents turned out for the outdoor roll call Oct. 16 on just an afternoon's notice at the corner of Wilson and Magnolia.

For some, it was an opportunity to take the dog out for a stroll, for others, a chance to interact one-on-one with top brass from Area 3, the district commander, tactical officers, and street and bike patrol officers.

"We're going to take a walk every two weeks around different areas of the district," 23rd District Commander Kathy Boehmer told community members. "The police here really do appreciate your efforts. This is a community that doesn't keep asking, 'what will you do for us?' This is a community who comes out and supports us and asks what they can do to help. We thank you for that."

Read the rest of the article here.

There will be another Walk & Talk with the commanders of both the 20th and 23rd Districts on Thursday, November 6th. We will post details soon.

Weeks Earlier, Neighborhood Kids Saw Man Climb into Sewer

By LORRAINE SWANSON, Editor

A CSI mystery evolved in Uptown last Tuesday, Oct. 14, when the decomposed body of a man was pulled out of a sewer in the Clarendon Park children's play lot at 4501 N. Clarendon.

The gruesome discovery was made shortly before 10 a.m., when a Chicago Park District crew working on a park winterizing project noticed a manhole cover turned upside down underneath the play lot's cooling sprinklers. The body was removed by Chicago firefighters and taken to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.

"It is still an open investigation," said Officer Daniel O'Brien of Chicago Police News Affairs. "The victim is an unknown male."

Read the rest of the story here.

From ChicagoTalks.org
By Dimitrios Kalantzis
Oct. 22, 2008 - Uninsured and low-income residents of the Uptown neighborhood relying on free healthcare clinics are about to take another blow, as the Department of Public Health faces $8 million in lost revenue, according to the 2009 department budget released last Wednesday.

The Uptown Neighborhood Health Center, one of the city's largest free or reduced-fee health clinics, is located at 845 W. Wilson Ave. The clinic's future is bleaker when considering the 2009 city budget, proposed to the city council by Mayor Richard M. Daley on the same day as the department budget release.

"It's pretty grim," said Michael Crulcich, director of clinical operations for Chicago's Neighborhood Health Centers. "We're down to a lot bearer bones than we're used to."

The Uptown clinic is one of seven city-funded health centers, all located in some of Chicago's poorest communities like Englewood and South Lawndale, facing major budget cuts.

According to Daley's proposed budget, likely to gain approval by the city council, the seven centers stand to shrink by over 35 percent, losing 60 of 167 current positions, including nurses and medical assistants. Continue Reading

There are a couple kid-friendly Halloween events in the area this weekend:

Borders' Halloween Spook-tacular, Saturday, October 25, 2-4pm: Dress up the family in Halloween costumes and enter our super-cool costume contest. Gather around for creepy, crawly tales during storytimes. Then the frights and fun continue with games, activities, and more. Plus, kids get a FREE cookie with any large beverage purchase at our Seattle's Best Coffee cafe. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or other legal guardian. (Free)

Halloween Haunted House: The 20th Police District's Haunted House will serve up spooky thrills on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 24-26, from 6-9pm at 5400 N. Lincoln. Designed for children 8 years and older, admission is $2 per person. The proceeds benefit 20th District Youth Programs. (courtesy of Ald. Mary Ann Smith's newsletter)

Update: "Rep. Greg Harris - 13th District, October 23, 2008

"Uptown Public Safety Town Hall Meeting

"Following the success of the first Uptown Public Safety Town Hall Meeting in July, Sen. Steans and I have scheduled a follow up Town Hall Public Safety Meeting for November 10, 2008 at 6PM in the Truman College Cafeteria.

"This meeting will provide an opportunity for us to continue to work together on community-driven solutions to the public safety issues in Uptown. Through the formation of four working groups dedicated to the areas of: Communication, Public Policy and Advocacy, Youth Issues and Business Issues we want to take a focused approach to form community-driven solutions. These four focus areas were chosen based upon the issues raised by community members during the first Town Hall.

"The November 10th meeting will give attendees the opportunity to sign up to be involved with one or more of these working groups to address public safety issues in the neighborhood.

"We hope you can join us on the 10th of November at the Truman College Cafeteria and please share this information with your friends, neighbors and anyone who has a stake in the Uptown community.

"With strong community participation and support we can continue to make Uptown safer!"

A second town hall meeting to discuss safety issues for the Uptown neighborhood has been announced by Rep. Greg Harris and Sen. Heather Steans.

As you may remember, the first one, held this past summer, was put together at the request of residents who were concerned about the violence and who were frustrated that no elected official was doing anything to address the situation. Rep. Harris and Sen. Steans responded to the community by organizing that meeting, and have held several smaller meetings since then. This larger meeting is an opportunity to have your voice heard and to hear what has been done to build on the success of the first meeting. Hope to see you there!

It appears that Ald. Shiller, who lives just down the street from 1470 W. Carmen, has had a change of heart. Not too long ago, she was certain an SRO was the best use for this building formerly known as "Carmen Manor." Well, according to an email forwarded to us today, there are now plans for a "boutique hotel" for this vacant building to be developed by "Matan Enterprises." Mat Olson, president of Winona Foster Carmen Winnemac Block Club (WFCW) has scheduled a special block meeting on October 30 at the Methodist Home, 1415 W. Foster at 7:30pm to discuss this.

Update: Our thanks to "Wombat." If you missed this rare appearance by Alderman Shiller, you can catch it again at 12:30am and 4:30am on WTTW Channel 11. Set your DVR's.

Update #2: A link to the video clip is here.

Alert, alert! If you hurry, you can catch (@ 7pm) Ald. Shiller on WTTW's "Chicago Tonight." She is on to discuss Cmdr. Burge's police brutality charge as well as the mayor's budget with 2 other aldermen. Check it out now! We will link to the video of the broadcast once it's made available if you miss it.

The Wilson Yard site at Broadway and Sunnyside, as seen this afternoon.

By Fran Spielman, Sun-Times

Mayor Daley today denounced as a “political stunt” Assessor Jim Houlihan’s plan to siphon money away from Chicago’s tax-increment-financing (TIF) districts to help struggling homeowners pay soaring property tax bills.

Under the Cook County assessor’s so-called “circuit breaker” plan, local government agencies would establish an emergency fund that would grant up to $700 of relief to homeowners who spend more than five percent of their income on property taxes.

Houlihan suggested several ways to pay for the tax relief, including using a portion of the one percentage point increase in the Cook County sales tax and raiding excess TIF funds.

On Tuesday, Daley ridiculed the TIF idea.

“You cannot use TIF funds against state law. That’s a P.R. stunt. It’s all by state law. Everybody knows that. You can’t use TIF money for anything like that. It’s impossible. It’s like a political stunt or something,” Daley said. Continue Reading

According to this link, the lot near Broadway and Buena that used to be home to KFC and was slated for a 24 unit condo development is up for sale again for a cool $1,999,500. Any takers?

A reader writes in:
During election season, judicial candidates do not get a lot of coverage. However, these elections directly impact the safety of our communities. I am asking that you share the attached document with your readers in hopes that they make educated choices when entering the voting booth! Link for the document is here.

Update: A reader alerted us to this interactive map that shows where homeless shelters are in Chicago and what types are allocated to each particular neighborhood. Make sure to select all types of shelters on the right side in the legend.

To: 48th Ward Residents
From: Alderman Mary Ann Smith, 48th Ward
Re: Closing of homeless shelters

Dear Neighbor,

Your input and suggestions are needed with respect to a concern to our
community. The issue is homeless shelters.

Last year, Breakthrough Urban Ministries moved 30 overnight beds from the 5200
block of Ashland to the west side of the City. This summer, the Tom Seay Center
in Uptown (1000 block of Sunnyside) was closed because they lacked appropriate
zoning, resulting in a loss of 95 beds. This November 1st, the R.E.S.T. shelter
on Kenmore will close, removing another 55 beds. The only one of these shelters
in the 48th Ward is R.E.S.T. The closure is the result of ongoing financial and
management concerns.

We have been assured that the city has the capacity to move people, on a daily
basis, from gathering points to existing shelter beds. These beds also provide
counseling, treatment and other services that have never been provided through
R.E.S.T. Others argue, however, that the homeless won’t go, preferring the
outdoor cold to the danger of new locations, leading to both an increasing
impact of homeless encampment in our streets, alleys and parks, and the eventual
possibility of sickness and of freezing to death. This argument, in turn, speaks
to the necessity of a new permanent or temporary shelter location in our area.

We are a ward and community that makes decisions together – trying to listen,
talk, argue and then decide. We try to balance compassion and practicality. We
need to do that now. If you have practical suggestions or ideas about how you
can help, we would like to put them into the community conversation. Time is
short. We will discuss this at the next Z&P meeting, October 29th at 7:30. You
can e-mail us at info@MASmith48.org or write us at Mary Ann Smith, 5533 N.
Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640. Practically speaking, we need your input before
this meeting, by Friday, October 24th.

Please share this request with your block club, condominium association,
neighbors and community.

Sincerely,

Alderman Mary Ann Smith,
48th Ward

A reader writes in with the following info and comment:

Oh look! The Uptown Peoples Law Center thinks that PRISONS Should Be Places Of Law and that All Too Often They Fall Short.

Have their staff ever noticed the Uptown neighborhood in which they provide pro bono services and the criminal clients they represent? Why don’t they, including their own employee---Mark Kaplan of COURAJ fame--- believe that Uptown should be a place where laws should be followed ?

Do you think that charitable organizations outside this neighborhood really understand what they are funding?

Read "Pro Bono Week 2008" here

By Samantha Sleevi
(Crain’s) — Cole Taylor Bank has filed a $15.5 million foreclosure lawsuit on an Uptown development site, where missing developer Salman Ibrahim once proposed an 18-story condominium building.

A venture controlled by Mr. Ibrahim, CEO of Chicago-based Sunrise Equities Inc., purchased the 1.3-acre site at 4700 N. Clarendon Ave. in June 2007 with financing from Cole Taylor that was structured to comply with the Islamic prohibition against the payment of interest.

But the Pakistani-born developer disappeared in August, leaving investors with losses that could total $50 million, according to published reports. Mr. Ibrahim has abandoned the project and has either fled the country or is trying to, according to Cole Taylor’s complaint, which was filed in Cook County Circuit Court on October 6. Continue Reading

Ah-oooooo! The good-sported dogs of our community participated in the Saturday, October 18th Eighth Annual Howl-o-ween Costume Contest supporting Puptown dog park in Margate Park. 75 dogs, and over 200 canine guardians and onlookers, attended the event supported by area businesses such as the Bark Bark Club, Broadway restaurants like Crew and Fat Cat, and about two dozen other community businesses.

Proceeds totalled nearly $2,000 (corrected amount) to help maintain the park and support future improvements. Alderman Mary Ann Smith helped judge the contest, reportedly announcing it was one of her most difficult tasks given the whimsy and creativity of the dozens of dogs and dog guardians present, who all deserved prizes. She's a perennial judge and a constant supporter of all activities in the parks in her district, and promises to return next year as usual.

This was Puptown's eighth annual community event and, even in this economy, the most successful fundraiser ever. The park district funding for dog-friendly areas are limited, and our very own Puptown is one of the city's most proactive to support and maintain their park. Come by any Saturday and watch the average Joe scoop poop, sweep gravel, rake leaves, and spray disinfectant ... all a volunteer joy. But the effort to support dog-friendly areas helps keep dogs from running loose for exercise, marking our lawns and the human park areas themselves. As evidenced by our Uptown park, areas like Puptown have acted as neighborhood watch groups in areas that were once much more occupied with loitering, drug activity, and a pastiche of other crime. Kudos to the canines!

Pictured here is Chloe of Magnolia Avenue, paying tribute to all the CPD who work so hard to safeguard our communities.

Update: Another reader adds that many more photos of the dogs and owners who participated in the event are here. "Any pics bought online from this gallery will have proceeds that go directly to Puptown, so that's pretty cool, too." (Psst! Superhero Honey is #19 on the list of photos. She placed second in the best storebought costume category.)

A reader sent in this photos of "Breakaway Sports" ("It's not just a sneaker store, it's a lifestyle") at Sheridan and Gunnison (near the proposed Labor Ready storefront). Anyone got any details?

Update: A reader directed us to the website, where we see: "Grand Opening - November 1, 2008."

A reader writes in:

A reader writes in:

A reader writes in:
"Stuck my head inside the under construction location that I believe use to be a theater of some sorts on Clark street between "Classy Cuts" and "Know No Limits" gym. Construction crew told me it's going to be a furniture store. Looks like new windows and everything has been gutted... numerous full dumpsters have been taken away in the back."

According to CTA Tattler, eight new routes will be added to Bus Tracker on Monday, including two that affect Uptown: #145 (Wilson/Michigan Express) and #151 (Sheridan). As it noted, still no #22 (Clark) or #36 (Broadway) on the Bus Tracker system, but they seem to be adding an Uptown bus or two with each upgrade.

From the folks at "Fix Wilson Yard"
Come Drink With Us at Driftwood!
Thursday, Oct 23 we'll be hosting a fundraiser at Driftwood (1021 W Montrose) from 7-9pm. $15 donation at the door with some fun drink specials including $2.50 Miller Light Bottles and Smirnoff Vodka Cocktails. We hope you'll join us and have some drinks for a good cause!

From "Unique So Chique" at Wilson and Magnolia:
"Get a jump start on the holiday shopping season. We are making room for new holiday inventory and we need to move existing inventory. All retail products will be 50% off this Sunday, October 19th. The sale is for one day only from 10am-5pm and is cash only."

Good news for those of you looking for something to do this weekend, which promises to be a nice one. Magnolia Malden Neighbors is having their rescheduled block party this weekend, Saturday, from noon till 5pm in the 4600 block of Magnolia. More info can been found on the above poster.
Also, "Fontana Grill" at Wilson and Beacon is OPEN for business this evening! Please stop by this new business and show your support. They have an excellent outdoor area, great menu, and for now are BYOB pending their liquor license approval.

Sorry for the short notice on this, but if you'd like to join the 23rd District Police Commander and other officers for a short walk around Uptown, please meet at the northwest corner of Wilson and Magnolia tonight at 7pm.

A reader informed us that there's finally a zoning notice posted at the McJunkin Building about the proposed rezoning. We've been very curious to know what prompted the change and what kinds of businesses are being looked at.

This is what the notice says: "To change B1-5 neighborhood shopping district to B3-3 community shopping district to establish more kinds of businesses on property."

We're not sure whether to laugh or to be insulted that this is what passes for the legally required "description of the nature, scope and purpose of the application or proposal" in Helen Shiller's Uptown.

Wonder why only certain precincts in Uptown are being given the chance to vote on the special ballot referenda asking about adding even more subsidized housing, and preferential hiring practices in Uptown? Wonder who sponsored them?

Well, now we know at least the "who" -- Helen's favoritest friends of all, Couraj! You know, the folks who believe condos are "destroying our community", lives and families. The same folks who think CAPS and phone trees are "campaigns waged against the homeless, youth and residents of low-income housing." From the News-Star:

Northside Action for Justice, a merger of the Rogers Park Community Action Network and COURAJ - Community of Uptown Residents for Affordability and Justice - has fielded two advisory referenda on public subsidies. The first asks if the city should allocate 40 percent of TIF funds to preserve and produce affordable housing for persons at or below the community median income. Such measures would include acquiring vacant or foreclosed-upon properties, rehab projects and new construction.

A second referendum proposed by Northside Action asks voters if the city should adopt a policy in which beneficiaries of public subsidies (including TIF) with more than 15 employees should give local residents first chance to apply for jobs and certify that workers receive a living wage, including a pledge to honor workers' rights.Voters in precincts 8, 12, 20, 22, 23, 26, 32, 38, 41, 42 and 47 in the 46th Ward, virtually all of which fall within the Wilson Yard TIF District, will be asked to vote yes or no on both measures. Depending on the outcome, the social action group hopes to spur policy changes within the City Council affecting how public subsidies are allocated in redevelopment projects.

The Windy Citizen has started The Daily Daley, "a new blog from Anna Tarkov that will keep track of Chicago's first citizen, Richard M. Daley. Each day she'll be summarizing the mayor's activities and memorable quotes."

Since Richie and Helen have turned into Best Friends Forever as of late, watching Da Mare might help us understand -- if that's possible -- Helen's next moves. We've added a link at the right.

It's time to dress up in a fun costume and head over to Diversey River Bowl (2211 W. Diversey) for an evening of food, bowling, and fun. The 11th Annual Haunted Lanes Bowlathon, which will be the best bowlathon EVER, is October 23 from 7-10pm.

Tickets for individuals are $40 per person (covering shoe rental, three hours of bowling, and dinner). We are also offering a Deluxe Lane for corporations or other groups who are interested. See the website for details.

There will be a 60/40 raffle (last year's prize was over $700!) Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. You do not have to be present to win. Other fun things: Bowlathon T-shirts designed by Alternatives' youth; a costume contest; and prizes for the best and worst bowlers of the night.

To buy raffle tickets or to register for the event, contact Stephanie Demarest (773-506-7474 or sdemarest@alternativesyouth.org) or visit our website.

"Imagination Theater" has an office located at 4802 N. Broadway, #201B. Check out their website here for more info on programs available.

"R3 Salon" on Wilson at Dover has been open for just about a month now. The owner mentioned receiving a lot of business at the start, but from what we hear, he needs more people to check out his salon. So, we want to hear from you...have you been in for a haircut? Remember, if you want businesses to flourish on Wilson and are tired of the countless vacant storefronts, keep your money in Uptown when possible. Call 773-784-3333 for an appointment.

Uptown watchers may remember that Ald. Shiller leapt to the defense of "beaders" who used mini-plastic bags for their wares when the City Council considered banning the bags earlier this year. Well, turns out the City Council disregarded her championship of beaders' rights and voted today to eliminate mini-drug bags.

Guess this wasn't a slam-dunk like her strong positions on allowing chickens in homes or banning pigeon feeding.

We are told there was a great turnout tonight at St. Augustine College on Argyle for the UCC Community Safety Meeting. Representatives from Uptown block clubs gave brief presentations about happenings within their particular block club and what they are doing to make the neighborhood safer. Brandon Shephard, who rescued Baby Wilson this summer from certain death, was on hand to receive the UCC "Good Neighbor Award." Detective Jennifer Ryle, who worked tirelessly on the case to track down the mother who abandoned Baby Wilson, also received an award. State Senator Heather Steans was on hand, as well as a representative from Ald. Mary Ann Smith's office. Shockingly enough, no one from Ald. Shiller's office attended.

By Fran Spielman, Chicago Sun-Times

Motorists with disabilities in two congested lakefront wards would be forced to share the designated on-street spaces in front of their homes under a pilot program in the works tailor-made to ease the parking crunch.

Aldermen Vi Daley (43rd) and Helen Shiller (46th) want to test the concept of "shared restricted parking spaces" to reduce tension between disabled motorists with special parking privileges and able-bodied drivers who have to fend for themselves. Continue Reading

A reader sends us this pic of the north facing side of the Uptown Broadway Building. It has recently been painted a bluish-gray color and two small spotlights have been added at the top. We can only assume that some sort of mural will be added since this is prime advertising space. Stay tuned.

A reader sent us the following information, mark your calendars.
GWCA (Graceland West Community Association) will have an exclusive audience with Alderman Schulter on October 15th at 6:30pm at the Alderman's office (4237 N. Lincoln). The primary purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Wilson Yard project with the Alderman. Also, we will have the opportunity to discuss other issues of interest to GWCA.

The 4600 block of Broadway sure has seen better days. We had our hopes up that this stretch would soon be looking a lot greener with new trees in the long barren steel cut-outs in the sidewalk, but they seemed to have been overlooked. One other interesting note, we noticed that just north of these empty spots, there are NO cut-outs for any additional trees (further up by Army Surplus and Hana To Yoko Flowers). Does anyone have ideas why this would have been done and why this is not remedied?

A reader just sent in this photo of Fontana Grill's menu which is displayed in the window at Wilson and Beacon. Click the image to enlarge. We have heard that they plan to open on either Wednesday or Thursday this week. We will keep you posted. Our stomachs are already growling.

From the Chicago Tribune:

A decomposing body was pulled from a sewer on the North Side this morning, police said.

The body was discovered in the 4500 block of North Clarendon Avenue on the border of the Uptown and Buena Park neighborhoods.

No further details were immediately available.

Update: A reader tells us: "The location is in the park in the playground area near the field house. It's the sewer drain underneath where the kids play in the water on hot days. There is a large number of police there."

Update #2: "As of 1:00 p.m., police forensics is on the scene and a large section of the East side of Clarendon Park is still police taped off. Fox News is taking video so watch that news station for the official crime story and police statements."

Update #3: A reader just sent us a photo from the scene in the play lot (added above).

This weekend is the autumn Clean & Green. Can you give an hour or two to make Uptown look nicer? Contact your block club to see what activities are planned (great way to get to know the neighbors), or recruit a friend or two.

Those of you who are interested in either joining WAMA's (Wilson Area Merchants Association) board of directors, volunteering your internet expertise, or just volunteering in general, please contact WAMA at 773-512-2975, or email them at one of the addresses listed here.

So this is what last week's stealth changes were all about! Crain's reports:

City Makes Change to Spur Financing for Wilson Yard
By: Thomas A. Corfman Oct. 13, 2008

(Crain’s) — The Chicago City Council has approved a change to the subsidy agreement for the $151-million Wilson Yard mixed-used project in Uptown in an effort to make the financing more attractive to lenders.

The Daley administration has given up the right to stop payment of tax-increment financing (TIF) funds to lenders on the Target Corp.-anchored project, which is proposed for a site of a former CTA repair yard that runs along the west side of Broadway between Montrose and Wilson avenues.

The previous agreement gave city officials the right to stop payment if Chicago developer Peter Holsten violated key terms of a city redevelopment agreement, such as failing to complete construction. The agreement is to provide a $51-million city subsidy.

....Also a result of the change, the total amount of TIF assistance will be reduced by a little more than $1 million, the spokesman says.

Read the entire story here.

UPDATE: In related news, a reader writes in:

"Just having visited our local Aldi's I had to drive around 'excavating' equipment being offloaded for the WY Project. They are bringing in the big earth moving equipment which means foundations will begin to be dug, pilings poured and construction started before the ground freezes this Dec.

Shiller's 'stealth' move was ram-rodded thru the city council and now our money is securing the go-ahead for the construction of the low-income housing at WY. Everyone, take a look at what Uptown's TIF dollars are buying."

A reminder about the community Public Safety meeting to be held tomorrow evening at St. Augustine College at 7pm. Police commanders from the 23rd and 20th districts will be there, as well as Uptown elected officials. The Uptown resident who found Baby Wilson, and the police detective who located his mother, will be honored.

Today's the first day of early voting. You can go to the polls until October 30th at locations citywide between 9-5 (even Sunday mornings, downtown only) to cast your vote in November's election.

The Uptown location is the Truman College lobby, 1145 W Wilson; other nearby polling places include the Merlo Library (644 W Belmont), Welles Park (2333 W Sunnyside), and Edgewater Library (1210 W Elmdale).

Vote early! ("Often" is up to you.) And don't forget the "special" referenda that are only on the ballots in the area of the ward that already has the most subsidized housing. Gee, we wonder who put them on the ballot? And why were only certain precincts chosen to weigh in on these issues? And what does this bode for the amount of subsidized housing in Uptown?

We don't have the answers to those questions (though we do have some pretty heavy suspicions), but one thing's for sure: The Lakeview portions of the ward, as well as the alderman's own Andersonville neighborhood, have no such referenda on their ballots. Curious, isn't it?

A reader tells us: "There has been a film crew at Dollop on Clarendon the past two nights working late into the night. Not sure what film, though. " Anyone got any details?

Raymond Coffey died last week at age 79. "Who?" some ask.

He was at various times a columnist, editor of the editorial page, and managing editor of the Sun-Times, and a reporter with the old Daily News for years before that. But long-time residents of Uptown remember him for being the only mainstream media member to write about Uptown in the 1990s and look beyond the "haves versus have-nots" cliches.

He did a stunning series of articles, just before he retired in 1999, about crime and voting irregularities in Uptown, and another series in 1995 about the politicization of Uptown's local school councils.

In rereading these articles, we were struck by how much we've progressed in some respects, but - sadly - how much is still the same. Change a few names, and you'll see many of the same issues and polarizing attitudes in 2008 that he wrote about in 1999.

Godspeed, Raymond Coffey. Thanks for shining a spotlight on Uptown, and we wish you'd lived to see the changes that are yet to come.

• Mean Streets (July 9, 1999)
• Different Versions of Uptown Reality (July 13, 1999)
• Voting Irregularities in the 46th Ward (July 22, 1999)
• In Uptown, Vote Early and Vote Often (August 6, 1999)
• Cleaning Up the Mess at Truman (August 10, 1999)
• Sex Offenders Worry Residents (August 12, 1999)
• Cat's Out of the Bag in Uptown (August 17, 1999)
• Standing Up to Death Threats (August 26, 1999)
• Liquor Issue Stirs Uptown Fight (November 16, 1999)
• Uptown Drug Busts Fuel Battle (December 10, 1999)
• Letter to the Editor responding the Coffey's 1999 Uptown articles

• Uptown LSC's "Multicultural Platform" Alarms Parents (October 29, 1995)
• Got A Gripe? Don't Be Afraid to Sign Your Name to It (November 2, 1995)
• Minutes, Budget Bare School Council's Political Agenda (November 7, 1995)
• For Fired Teacher, There's No Denying Stockton School Politics (December 1, 1995)
• School Activist Setting Records - Especially with Police (April 17, 1998)
• Playing Against a Stacked Deck (August 7, 1998)

On the eve of the Chicago Marathon, Chi-Town Daily News has an article entitled Chicago's Kenyans, Ethiopians Celebrate Ties to Elite Marathoners. The reporter interviewed the owners of our own Kahawa House coffee shop, Kampen and Ajay Egesa, about their days as Kenyan marathoners and why they think Kenyans are the fastest runners. Good to see Kahawa House in the news and to learn more about the backgrounds of its proprietors.

A reminder to all dog owners: Puptown at Margate Park is holding its 8th annual Howl-O-Ween and Costume Party on Saturday, October 18th. Lots of great raffle prizes, a silent auction, and a grand prize of $300. Click here for all the details.

Pictured is Uptown's very own canine superhero, Honey, who single-handedly (er, front-pawedly?) saved us from the sinkhole on Winthrop earlier this year. Her superhero identity has been revealed!

It took months of repeated 311 calls, but this long-abandoned rusty bike frame is about to make its final journey. A reader writes: "Walking back from dinner tonight, we saw that this bike had been tagged for removal. Awesome."

With all this sudden "home improvement" in the Wilson and Broadway area, we do declare we feel quite faint. Smelling salts, anyone?

Mercy! It's Arbor Day in Uptown. Turns out the new tree near Smoke Dreams was just the first of many. This is the east side of Broadway between Sunnyside and Montrose, with trees and budding saplings and mulch and everything. New trees were also planted further south on Broadway. What a nice difference from a couple months ago.

UPDATE: There are still at least 4 barren spots left in the 4600 block of Broadway, near "Gigio's Pizza" and "Da Spot." Hopefully the tree-planters did not overlook this and will be back tomorrow.

Read all about it at Crain's here. By Thomas Corfman

A reader writes in:
"Can you please publish the link to this story in the Tribune today? At the bottom of the story is the email addresses of the writers. I have already sent them an email asking them to do a similar story on WY. I am betting a lot of your readers would like to read this and email them as well."
Read the story here.

Apologies to Joyce Kilmer, but the installation of a tree in front of Smoke Dreams -- after a year and a half of requesting it through 311 -- makes us break into doggerel.

Will the rest of Barren Broadway be getting the same treetment? We'd be grateful if it did.

Thanks to an astute reader for uncovering this great news:
Uptown Update would like to congratulate Alderman Shiller's assistant Maggie Marystone on her recent home purchase that was approved by the city council the SAME day the mysterious Wilson Yard amendment passed. Ms. Marystone paid $5,000 for the foreclosed two-flat and the sale was approved unanimously by city council (check out the link here, it is item #4). Alderman Shiller recused herself of voting on this sale. We trust Ms. Marystone will be able to afford her $5,000 mortgage on her $50,040 per year city salary (source).
(photo courtesy the Cook County Assessor)

UPDATE: A reader writes in with the following questions and tidbits:

"What’s up with the endless intertwining of the Alderman Shiller organization’s business, political, and aldermanic staffing? When the same staffers work for all three functions, how are taxpayer’s to be assured that the taxpayer funded aldermanic offices and phones are not being used for personal business and political activities?

Perhaps if Brendan Shiller wins a few more cases he will be able to afford to hire back Maggie Marystone, who functions as

1. his sometimes law clerk (2005-2007)

2. his mommy’s sometimes Citizens for Shiller political organization staffer (going back years and recently reimbursed expenses, per Shiller’s June 2008 D-2’s reports, see those here), and

3. his mommy’s current taxpayer-paid aldermanic Staffer (1998-2005 & 2007-present),

Maggie Marystone’s LinkedIn Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/maggie/marystone

This mysterious intertwining of Shiller family business, Shiller’s political organization, and Shiller’s tax payer funded aldermanic staff is just about as interesting as Bat Boy George Atkins' intertwining roles as sometimes Alderman Shiller’s $54,960 per year staffer (most recently starting 2/2008), sometimes State of Illinois Dept of Corrections contract worker, and sometimes Citizens for Shiller paid campaign advisor (going back years, recently paid $2800 under the name of “First Decade Consulting” & his own name for expenses dated 5/27/2008).

All we can say is these people wear more hats than former Ald. Dorothy Tillman!"

UCC says:

The Uptown community raised $20,000 to file suit against the City, the Zoning Board of Appeals and Labor Ready - in opposition to plans permitting a day labor service on Sheridan Road, north of Lawrence Avenue.

The related hearing has been scheduled for November 19th. There will be no opportunity for public comment or other participation, so we will not be organizing residents to attend. The judge will review transcripts of the original ZBA hearing, as well as the text of our appeal and brief. Attorneys representing both sides will respond to questions from the judge, but this legal matter is essentially a review of the written record. The judge is not expected to rule at the hearing's conclusion. We will communicate the decision as soon as we receive official notification from the court.

Update: The meeting will NOT be held on October 22nd. Rep. Harris's office informs us that the Truman Cafeteria has already been booked by another group that evening.

Please stay tuned and we will let you know the meeting date as soon as we hear that it's been finalized.

- - - - - -

From the latest UCC newsletter:

State Legislators plan follow-up Town Hall meeting

State Senator Heather Steans and State Representative Greg Harris have convened two smaller meetings since their Public Safety Town Hall meeting this summer.

Their role going forward will be to provide very visible support to public safety initiatives throughout the community. They've reached out to stakeholders who do not regularly engage in CAPS and block club activities - and are working to improve interaction on this important matter to all who live and/or work in Uptown.

Heather and Greg desire to:

• support the efforts of informed and active stakeholders,


• expand the pool of organizations working the issue,


• and let those closest to the problems of public safety set the course of action.

They will host another Public Safety Town Hall meeting on [a date to be announced shortly]. They will introduce four people recruited to work on aspects of public safety - and they will provide sign-up sheets so residents can step up and join the efforts of these working groups.

Also, don't forget UCC's Public Safety Meeting on Tuesday, October 14 at St. Augustine College. Both police commanders will attend, and there will be commendations for the detective who worked on the Baby Wilson case and for Brendan Shephard, who found Baby Wilson and brought him to the fire station.

Please help support the "Fix Wilson Yard" folks by taking the whole family to the Halloween Hoedown on October 19th.

The next fundraiser will be held on Sunday, October 19, from 1-4pm. This time it will be fun for the entire family because Fix Wilson Yard is throwing a Halloween Hoedown at Chase Park! This family fundraiser will include pumpkin and face painting, a cowboy sing-along and storytelling, and a build-your-own caramel apple station. Suggested donation is $30/family. We hope to see you there!

You can find a downloadable poster advertisement here. We encourage you to print it to post in your buildings and give to family and friends.

Log Cabin Republican? Bonkers for Barack? Doesn't matter who you support, just so you vote! Spend Election Night at Crew watching the returns. Free draft beer (to cry into?) with your voting receipt.

The same (persistent, intrepid) reader who provided the information yesterday about the mysterious, illegally-timed proposal for revising the Wilson Yard developer's agreement took to the phones again today, and was read a statement by Ald. Shiller's office. Here's the latest:

"I called the 46th Ward office yesterday and was told no one was available to speak with me regarding the finance meeting. I called again this morning at 9am and was told if I left a message someone would call me back.

"Well, no one did so I called again at around 4:30. Not sure if this has gotten out, but here is the prepared statement that was to be read to anyone calling about this issue. I read it back to the person taking the call to be sure I had it quoted correctly:

"Technical amendment that saves 4 million dollars in TIF money done at the request of banks invested in TIF notes that result in 4 million in savings." Not sure what exactly all that means; she would not clarify it for me because she was told to only read the statement to anyone who called.

"I said that another alderman's office stated the document was 50 pages long and that seemed like a short explanation for a 50-page document. She left and then came back with the info that I could go to http://www.chicityclerk.com/ and look for the entire document. (I guess it spoils the plan a little when other public officials give a little bit more information).

"I asked for info on the site of where to find it and she did not know. She also stated I could call the City Clerk office at either 312-744-6861 or 312-744-6870 to request a copy be sent to me. Don't know if this info is now common knowledge but I wanted to make you aware of it."

UPDATE: Another reader writes: "FYI, that mystery Wilson Yards amendment apparently passed City Council about an hour ago, I was watching it on the City Council video feed provided by the City Clerk's office. Looks like Alderman Burke went to more than usual trouble to mention the specific project and Shiller's enthusiastic support (or at least he went to more trouble than he did on the other 40 some items he covered)."

All this enthusiasm by Ald. Shiller and outspoken support by Ald. Burke for "a technical amendment"? We have our doubts.

We asked below: What's Going On With Wilson Yard? Well, a reader made some calls and found out the ugly, ugly answer.

"Regarding the Finance Committee Meeting and the amendment re. Wilson Yard.

"I left messages for Helen Shiller and Peter Holsten and got no reply today ... we'll see about tomorrow. Then I called Vi Daley, who is on the Finance Committee. She called me back personally about 2 hours later and told me that whatever it was passed. She said that she didn't really know what it was about, but Helen Shiller told the committee to pass it and they did.

"She said the meeting was really long and even had to be held over to this afternoon and basically through my questions admitted that she didn't even know what she agreed to. She said usually when an alderman asks for something, the committee just passes it. Nice! No wonder the city is $420 million over budget.

"Then she suggested I call Shiller's office. Instead, I called Tom Tunney's office and they put me in touch with Alderman Burke's office, who chairs the finance committee. I spoke to a lovely woman named Judy who said the actual document was about 40-50 pages long, but the amendment she had in front of her said that 'the developer has additional challenges necessitating changes of financing of the redevelopment agreement.'

"Basically, it sounds like Holsten might be getting more money from the taxpayers. I asked if I could get a copy of the document and she asked if I worked downtown and could pick it up. She said that she doesn't receive electronic versions and therefore couldn't e-mail it to me. She said that eventually they go online in minutes or journals if I wanted to wait. So, if someone wants to get a copy of the actual document to review, please call Burke's office and ask for Judy. She also said that the measure would probably pass tomorrow at the City Council meeting.

"When I spoke to Vi Daley, I said that it was really frustrating to hear that the committee would vote for something that they didn't even hear about, and that it hardly seemed like government operating transparently. Why have a Finance Committee if they don't listen to the proposals? She seemed a little uncomfortable, then reiterated that whatever she voted for, Shiller seemed really excited about it."

Readers, if you're unhappy about this classic -- and illegally orchestrated -- Machine-style political maneuver, let the mainstream media know. The list of media contacts is here.

Update: A reminder... if you're as sick of this project and its back-room politics as many of your neighbors, the next "Fix Wilson Yard" presentation is tonight (Wednesday, October 8), 7pm @ Buena Pointe, 4350 N Broadway.

Where is this mural located? Please be specific. Wow us.

A reader writes: "During these tough financial times, I wonder how many condo buildings are taking advantage of the City's Condo Refuse Rebate program? Our building has received over $2000 in rebates. Be aware it can take over a year before you see the first rebate check from the City that works. Details at this link."

This is to reimburse buildings that don't qualify for City trash removal (five or more units) and that have to pay for private garbage pick-up.

Update: December 1, 2008 is the deadline for building associations to file for the refuse rebate for 2007.

If you're in the Loop, or can be, this Wednesday (October 8th), you may want to take advantage of a free noontime lecture about our own Dover Street Landmark District. From John Holden:

I wanted to let you know that I will be giving a (free) lunchtime lecture this Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at the Chicago Architecture Foundation on the Dover Street Landmark District - it will largely be a slide show with a lots of photos of the great buildings on the street plus a talk on how and why we got a City landmark district on Dover. It should run about 45 minutes including time for Q&A. The lecture will be in the lecture room of the CAF which is just off the magnicent lobby of the Sante Fe Building at Michigan and Jackson. For those of you who are not familiar with CAF lectures, you can bring in your lunch with you and eat while you listen. Hope to see you there.

Our thanks to "James V" in the comments.
"Anyone spot the proposal to amend the Wilson Yard redevelopment agreement on today's Finance Committee Supplemental agenda?"

By David Heinzmann, Chicago Tribune
A year after disbanding the scandal-plagued Special Operations Section, Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis is launching a similar unit to fight gangs, according to internal police documents obtained by the Chicago Tribune.

In a draft memo to his command staff last week, Weis said he is even giving former SOS officers first crack at applying for the elite assignment, the document show.

Weis' plans direct that "any former member of the Special Operations Section . . . who is not subject to any serious disciplinary matters or confidential investigations [by the internal affairs division], be given the first opportunity to be selected for the new unit."

The new 115-officer unit will be called by a different name, the Mobile Strike Force, but its mission will be almost identical to SOS. Continue Reading

Gosh, it's now October 6, and there is STILL no "Public Notice" zoning sign anywhere to be seen on the McJunkin Building at Broadway and Wilson. The last we heard, the zoning change was to be filed on September 22, and a zoning sign is to be posted within 5 days of that. Has the deal fallen through? What the heck is going on? And is the city even paying attention to this?

CHAPTER 17-13 REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES
17-13-0107-C Posted Notice
... the applicant must post a notice sign on the subject property in accordance with the following requirements:
1. The notice sign must be installed within 5 days of application filing and remain in place until the date of the hearing...
3. The sign must be posted in such a way as to be plainly visible from each roadway or right- of-way abutting the property.
4. The [posted] notice must include:
(b) a description of the nature, scope and purpose of the application or proposal;

Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown is asking that question after an Uptown/Edgewater homeless shelter at 5253 N. Kenmore was served an eviction notice by the church it operated within. Read all about it here.

Also check out another Sun-Times story on the Tom Seay Center closing. From the story:
"The building is crumbling --and too expensive to fix --says the Salvation Army, and so the clients must go elsewhere. The regulars here know many of the neighborhood's condo owners, and the folks hoping for a new Target store across the street won't miss them." Read the story here.

Join the fight against breast cancer by participating in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Sunday, October 19 in Chicago at Lawrence Avenue and the Lakefront.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer unites the entire community to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate women about the importance of reducing their cancer risk, and raise money to fund lifesaving research and support programs to further our progress against this disease. Participants are encouraged to collect donations and pledges for the noncompetitive walk. For more information please visit, www.cancer.org/stridesonline or call 312-279-7376.

Looks like Fiesta Mexicana at Broadway and Lawrence is making some changes. The building's exterior is surrounded by scaffolding and the sign has been taken down. Anyone got any details?

A reader writes in:
"Someone registered in the 46^th Ward should contact, in writing, by dated fax or by hand delivery with stamped receipt, the Chicago Board of Elections before the end of Tuesday Oct 7, 2008 to ask that all voters registered at the Tom Seay center (Salvation Army) be stricken from the registered voters list. This should be done to thwart the number of voters who will vote for Shiller’s referendum. It does no good to challenge at the polling place because a polling place challenge allows the vote to go in the ballot box and if the challenge is upheld a % is removed from that voting place’s vote. It does not change the relative distribution of that vote."

Are our readers up for the challenge? The clock is ticking. The address for the location in question is 1025 W. Sunnyside. Might be worth a try.

UPDATE: The Salvation Army apparently realizes, like just about all Uptown residents (except Alderman Shiller), that the concentration of social services and low-income housing in one neighborhood isn't a good thing, and the closing of the Tom Seay Center reflects that. From the S.A. website about the Center closing: "As the homeless population has become more dispersed throughout the city, it’s clear that a new strategy is needed."
UPDATE #2: This link to the Board of Elections lists fax numbers and phone numbers you can contact regarding this issue.
UPDATE #3: Check out the sidewalk in front of the former Tom Seay Center as seen this afternoon. Something is missing.

UPDATE: Fix Wilson Yard will do a presentation about the lawsuit at this meeting.

From BPN Vice-President Ellen Susie (Buena Park Neighbors)
FYI: The next BPN General Membership Meeting is coming up

Date: Monday, October 13, 2008 at 7pm

Location: Imperial Towers, 4250 N. Marine Drive.

I just posted that the next BPN General Meeting will take place on Monday, October 13th. Please see the announcement for the particulars. What I do want to draw your attention to is:

During the general meeting, BPN will hold its annual Board elections. We REALLY do need folks to step up and come on board the Board! So if you are a resident of the Buena Park Neighborhood, we could sure use your help planning and executing our projects. As of right now, there are only 5 of us, so.... PLEASE consider joining the Board. You will be working with a great bunch of folks! If you are interested, please contact us on our general email, or drop me a line at elf13@rcn.com.

Also we are collecting donated Halloween candy at the general meeting. In tandem with our Buena Park Neighbors Safe Trick or Treating, event we also put together about 150 CAPS bags with candy and tooth brushes. The bags are handed out first come/first serve by volunteers at Buena Circle Playlot the night of Halloween. If you can spare some candy, come on by, drop some off and learn more about Buena Park Neighbors.

Also, we are looking for safety monitors for the evening of Halloween from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. if you have an interest, please contact me on my email above. Spanish speakers are really really welcome!

Forget John McCain...Alderman Helen Shiller is the "Original Maverick." A new video from "DStratis."

One of the first things we learned when we moved to Uptown was that everyone has strong political opinions, and that includes the folks who snooze in the local bus shelters. (Check out the luggage of this person we saw a month or so ago at Wilson and Hazel.)

So we know you're already registered to vote, but if you know someone who wants to vote in the November election and needs to register, there are still a couple days left to get on with it. People can register at several places:

• Downtown at the Chicago Election Board (69 W Washington) on Monday, October 6 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and Tuesday, October 7 (8 a.m. to midnight)
• Ald. Shiller's office (4554 N Broadway, Monday only, 10 - 5)
• Ald. Schulter's office (4237 N Lincoln Avenue ), regular business hours (9 - 5 Monday & Tuesday)

Mayor of a major city?

"No, no," said Daley when asked about the lack of new hires and the impact on city safety. When pressed, Daley bristled and said "It just won’t."

or...

Chairman of a respected University?

David Olson, chairman of the Criminal Justice Department at Loyola University, said there are likely several causes for the increase, including changes in police staffing ...
Read the article at the Sun-Times here.

This can only be good news for Uptown. Read all about it at the Sun-Times here:

"[Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis] Gannon suggested that Daley could wipe out the entire $420 million shortfall without any layoffs. His recipe would call for: raising taxes and fees, possibly including the Laborers Union's proposal for a $10 monthly garbage-collection fee; raiding the $500 million Chicago Skyway fund; sweeping money out of scores of tax-increment-financing districts; reducing consulting fees, and having city employees perform services that have been privatized by the city. What's wrong with the mayor taking $200 million out of the Skyway? It's a rainy-day fund. Well, it's raining, Mr. Mayor."

Skyway fund = $500M
TIF funds (total) = $800M

$1.3 billion dollars at his disposal; rising rates of violent crime, and the Mayor's attacking the police.

Ah ... it's a good day to be in Chicago.

A reader sent us the following link:
In the national web article below, Helen Shiller’s past is being used to tie Barack Obama to a Socialist extremist. Read the article here.

A reader brought this to our attention:

While passing this beautiful edifice this afternoon I noticed a sign in one of the windows with the "PUBLIC NOTICE" portion in red at the top. This sign stated that there is a request for a zoning change to allow a bar/nightclub to go into the renovated basement space of this building. Now, I know there used to be a bar in that very same space but wonder if that zoning was changed at some point for good cause. Hearsay talks of many problems with the last bar that was there such as quite a bit of violence both in and outside the space. In any case, this is the sign I saw today.

The Lawrence Red Line station (as well as Thorndale and Berwyn) will be closed this weekend, until the wee hours Monday morning. CBS2 provides information on the bus reroutes to accomodate the changes:

Ald. Shiller's son Brendan certainly has staked out his law practice specialty area. Here is his latest anti-cop suit:

Suit accuses Burnham of Using Unqualified Officer
Police Chief says Auxiliary Officer Met Requirements

A Chicago man is suing Burnham, claiming the officer who arrested him was not qualified. Brendan Shiller, a lawyer representing Joseph Ivancich, recently filed the lawsuit against the village, Burnham Police Chief Peter Belos, Sgt. Jack Daley and Thomas Gunther, a former auxiliary officer.

For more of this story, click here. We wonder if this lawsuit will turn out better for Brendan than the one a while back where he sued the police for killing a woman who - it turned out - was shot with her own gun by one of her relatives.

We hear from our friends in the Truman Square area that there have been four or five burglaries/home invasions there in the past week, even in broad daylight. Some homes were accessed by the burglars breaking into the garages, either by prying open the garage door or by means of a faulty latch.

A reminder to our readers to be especially security-conscious right now and to check your doors and locks to make sure they're working properly.

A reader sent in this photo, taken early this morning: "Caught this this morning on my way to the El. It's on the fence in front of the synagogue on the 5000 N block of Kenmore. Whoever scrawled it showed great restraint. Of all the fence posts along the front of the synagogue's property, only one was defaced. Off to call 311 now."

We urge our readers to call Graffiti Blasters to get this put on the top of their list. The defaced synagogue is Agudas Achim North Shore Congregation, and the address is 5029 N. Kenmore. It's been burglarized, vandalized and hit by anti-semitic graffiti several times in the past few years, although it's been a great neighbor and community participant. Let's do a mitzvah and return the favor by requesting that Graffiti Blasters take care of this right away.

Just a reminder that the Peace Garden in front of 920 Lakeside will start to become a reality this Saturday, October 4th. Volunteers and donations are most welcome! Click here for details.

We're so glad Northwestern's Medill J-school students are back on the beat! Adam Verwymeren, who entertained us with "TIFs for Tots" last June, has now added Mayor Daley to the roster of those explaining TIFs to us silly folks who pay for them.

Enjoy "Where Do TIFS Come From?" with Da Mare as your guide.

Uptown shelter serves its last meal, but hopes homeless will be served by mobile units
By Todd Johnson, Medill Reports Chicago

an excerpt:
Isaac Barrantine, meal program coordinator at People’s Church, increased the church’s lunch program from three to four days a week to make up for the loss at Tom Seay. The Church will begin five-day-a-week meals starting Dec. 1.

“Homelessness is a business,” he said. “There is so much need here in Uptown that our church and REST have no choice, we have to provide for these people.”
Read the story here

Target Coming to Wilson Yard
‘I told you,’ Shiller says; Alderman suggests all sides ‘lower the temperature’
By LORRAINE SWANSON, Editor

After countdown clocks and an informal neighborhood betting pool that Target would pull out of a deal to anchor the delayed, $151 million mixed-use development on the Wilson Yard site in Uptown, Crain's Chicago Business reported last week that the retailer and Holsten Development are close to finalizing a deal.

Read the whole story here, including how the ground contamination still remains, but is "acceptable" now that the hot spots have been carted away, and how Ald. Shiller insists that the project is "exactly the proposal that went in front of the City Council, the Community Development Commission and the community."

The News-Star has a story on Uptown's latest "green space":

Uptown Gets a New Park
Campus-Park Dedicated at Stewart Elementary School
By LORRAINE SWANSON, Editor

For some unknown reason, when most of the city's public elementary schools were first built in the early 20th century, someone thought it would be a good idea to put concrete all around them. But parents and staff at Graeme Stewart Elementary School, along with Ald. Helen Shiller (46th), knew they could do better for the children of Uptown.

Continue reading here.

"Shiller credited the mayor with creating the city's campus parks and for establishing a partnership with the Chicago Park District, CPS and the city."

"Daley called Shiller a 'progressive, hardworking alderman' who not only thinks of her own ward, 'but the entire city.'"

Atlanta has come up with an interesting way to combat panhandling. Would this be a good idea for Uptown?

By Kathy Lohr, NPR
Warning to Atlanta's panhandlers: Don't expect handouts anymore. City officials are encouraging tourists and Atlantans to drop coins into what look like parking meters — instead of giving directly to panhandlers.

Officials unveiled the first of these donation meters at City Hall last week. Atlanta officials, who say panhandlers are aggressive and target tourists and convention-goers, say tourists cite panhandling as a major reason they will not return. Continue Reading

Uptown's own "Magic Hedge" was featured on NPR's "All Things Considered."

From FixWilsonYard:

The top photo from 1921 shows the "Rublof and Wolack" Building which housed the "Bull Dog And Whistle" on the corner of Wilson and Clarendon. It was designed by architect Alfred S. Alschuler. The middle photo shows the detail in the building. It has since been demolished and a high-rise now occupies the corner.
Top & middle image: University of Minnesota Archives
Bottom image: Google Maps

By Andrew Schroedter
(Crain's) — The owner of La Donna Restaurant, a pioneer of upscale dining in Andersonville when it opened 13 years ago, is moving her Italian eatery about two miles north to the edge of Rogers Park.
Antonella Barbanente says a shortage of convenient parking and increased competition from a growing number of restaurants in the trendy neighborhood led her to sell La Donna's home at 5146 N. Clark St., next door to the well-known Hopleaf Bar. The transaction also allows her to cash in on the dramatic rise in real estate prices in the increasingly affluent shopping strip along Clark Street at Foster Avenue. Continue Reading