The Graceland West Community Association had some questions about Wilson Yard (don't we all?), so they had a dialogue with Don Hohenadel from Planning and Development. Let's just say that our eyebrows shot into our hairline several times while reading Don's answers.

Besides the fact that the people who are paying for this "project" are forced to go to the city for information about it, rather than hearing about it from the developer or the person who supposedly represents our concerns, we are appalled to hear that a nail salon and a Subway are being touted as answers to Uptown's retail blight.

And that, supposedly, Peter Holsten's name was forged on the infamous "Section 8 housing" document and no one really has any answers about why or how the forgery came to exist (in fact, no one seems to care, not even a little bit).

And that despite the fact that a legal commitment - on Holsten company stationery! - was signed (or not signed) by Peter Holsten, Don seems to think no such commitment exists.

Read it all for yourself:

Seen at Wilson and Clifton.

A reader sends us these pics showing the "display cases" at Aldi on Broadway now displaying a rendering of the development and an ambitious timeline for completion. Curiously enough, still no official "Target Coming Soon" sign at the site. We love how the low-income housing is referred to as simply an "apartment building."

A reader sends us this photo taken this past week of Uptown before landing at O'Hare Airport. Can you spot Wilson Yard and the site of the future Truman College Parking Structure?

Contributions made to Citizens for Gregory Harris

Holsten Mngt as Agent for Bryn Mawr-Belle Shore
1333 N. Kingsbury
Chicago, IL 60622 $1,000.00
6/6/2007 Individual Contribution

Wilson Yard Development LLC
1333 N Kingsbury Street
Suite 305
Chicago, IL 606427039 $1,000.00
7/26/2008 Individual Contribution

YoChicago recently toured the "Water Color Condos" at 4150 N. Kenmore, just next to Buena Circle Play Lot. Check out the tour above.

Seen today on the concrete barricade at Montrose and Kenmore surrounding Wilson Yard.

Next time you call the Alderman's office, make sure you congratulate her assistants on their 5% pay raise, at at time when everyone else is cutting back to make ends meet. Our thanks to Hugh at the "Broken Heart." Read the entire post here.
Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving to all of our readers!

From Chicagoist:

"Nick's On Wilson and Nick's Uptown are sponsoring a fund drive called "Holiday Inspiration,” where monetary gifts or donations of clothing, canned goods, educational toys, school supplies, books, tools, etc., will be rewarded with a complementary "holiday spirit" of the donor’s choice. Proceeds from the drive will go towards The Inspiration Cafe and Community Building Tutors, non-profit organizations also part of the Uptown community."

We have heard from several readers that there has been a sewer collapse at Kenmore and Winthrop (near Kenmore and Wilson). We have also heard that Winthrop will become TWO LANES (instead of one way) starting Monday. We would appreciate any pics or info readers in the area have to offer. Our Uptown infrastructure is crumbling all around us, but it's great to know that the TIF is being used in such wise ways in our neighborhood.

Update: Someone "in the know" tells us that this was a water main break and not a "sewer collapse" as reported by someone in Ald. Shiller's office.

Seen today at Dearborn Grocer, 918 W. Montrose.

By Dimitrios Kalantzis, photo by Frank Pinc
Contributing Reporter, News-Star

The room is uncomfortably warm, almost humid, and two bunk beds and a mattress on the floor take up most of it. As they talk about losing their apartment and becoming homeless, Anthony Hernandez, 25, and his wife, Judy Espinosa, 27, walk around their temporary home in Uptown, a 10-by-13-foot room in the Sylvia Center, picking up their four children's errant toys and clothing.

On the dresser, overflowing with the things Hernandez couldn't afford to put into storage, a television plays on mute for 3-year-old Anthony Gabriel, who occasionally wanders out of the room and into the hallway, only to be hauled back in by his mom.

Two blocks away, on Broadway Street and Sunnyside Avenue, a major housing development is underway, which will offer more than 80 rental units below market rates for families like the Hernandez'. Holsten Development Corporation broke ground last month on the Wilson Yard site, although criticism of the years-old project continues, with one local group threatening litigation against the city in an effort to stop the project altogether. Continue Reading

Passing by the Wilson Yard site this afternoon we noticed way more activity on the housing side (above) versus the Target side (below).

A friendly reminder from the folks at WAMA:
If you have been down Wilson lately, you have surely noticed the Christmas decorations hanging in the trees. There are still several businesses that have not hung their decorations. It is imperative that those businesses do so as soon as possible as the WAMA folks are going to be decorating the trees that do not have businesses nearby. We here at Uptown Update look forward to seeing Wilson once it is fully decorated. A big thank you to WAMA for stepping up the plate and organizing this.

KAHAWA HOUSE
838 W. Montrose
(between Clarendon & Hazel)

December 4th 2008
6:30 pm -8:30 pm
Featuring the best young wordsmiths
Chicago has to offer.
Come, kick back, and enjoy the coffee
as you watch the best wordsmiths in town
show off their trade…or…show your own skills…

It’s BYOB, so add some kick to your cocoa!
Bring your friends and your bottles!
**ALSO IF YOU SPEND $5 BUCKS OR MORE
YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN GREAT PRIZES**
Your host of the evening: Ra

A reader writes in to tell us about "Walk Score," a site that helps homebuyers, renters, and real estate agents find homes in great neighborhoods. The area around Broadway and Lawrence scored a 98 out of 100! Check out the map here.

From Truman Square Neighbors:

"While performing construction today on the curbs along Leland Avenue (Kenmore through Winthrop), a gas line was ruptured. Peoples Gas is repairing the break.

If you live in this area you may need to relight the pilot lights on your stove. If you do not have an auto-igniter on your water heater and furnace you will also need to light those pilot lights.

People's Gas has advised this is not an emergency if you address the issue soon, but If you do not relight your pilot lights, your unit/house will slowly fill with toxic carbon monoxide gas.

Additionally, if you have a neighbor you feel would not get this note, please pass this important safety information onto them -or- if a neighbor has already left for Thanksgiving, try to contact them to see if they have someone who can address the pilot light(s) in their unit/house for them while they are away."

Tribune Staff Report

Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis on Saturday unveiled a citywide gang-enforcement strategy to root out crime in gang-infested neighborhoods and reduce the city's soaring homicide rate.

Leo Schmitz, the Police Department's acting commander of gang investigations, will lead a gang enforcement unit of about 400 officers who will target violent neighborhoods where gang activity occurs. Putting the gang-response units under a central command is a critical part of the restructuring because warfare often crosses jurisdictional lines, Weis said.

The new organization will allow for a quicker exchange of information and resources and enable officers to better target neighborhoods where gangs are prevalent, Weis said.

"All city gang teams will fall under one leader, creating a leaner, more agile operation," he said, calling gang activity the most serious threat in Chicago.

Weis estimated there are 75,000 gang members in Chicago, a group responsible for more than 50 percent of all killings. There have been about 474 homicides in Chicago this year, a nearly 20 percent spike from 2007.

UU Note: The graphic above comes from www.chicagogangs.org which is an excellent resource to educate yourself about the gangs that infest Chicago and Uptown. Check out a detailed map of northside gangs here.

If you haven't checked out www.chicago-l.org, you're missing out on a lot of great CTA related history. Did you know that where the McJunkin Building now stands, train tracks once ran in a big loop? Check out the photo above from 1914. Just about where Ald. Shiller's office now stands, there was a small train station (see more detailed photo below). Street cars also used to zip up and down Broadway (as seen in the photo) when it was known as Evanston Avenue. Back in the top left section you can see the Wilson Yard shops that burned in 1996. Way back in the left corner you can see the St. Mary of the Lake's belltower which is still here today.

By Jeanna Bryner, Live Science.com/ MSNBC
The mere presence of graffiti doubles the number of people littering and stealing in a neighborhood, new research suggests.

The results, which are detailed in the Nov. 21 issue of the journal Science, support and expand on the so-called broken windows theory, which forms the backbone of many crime prevention programs in major cities such as New York.

The theory suggests that signs of disorder, such as broken windows, graffiti and litter, can open the door to individuals breaking other social norms and rules. In New York's "Quality of Life Campaign," adopted in the mid-1990s, city filth, including graffiti, street litter and signs of vandalism, were removed. And petty crime rates did drop. Continue Reading

By Peter Sachs
Chi-Town Daily News

As soon as this summer, residents living near Truman College in Uptown could have a chance to take classes at the school’s swimming pool.

Every few years, waves of interest ripple through parts of Uptown about opening up the swimming pool at Truman.

Truman spokesman Clifton Daniel says several people have asked him about the pool in the last week.

“Interest in the community percolates up every once in a while,” Daniel says. Continue Reading

A reader writes in:
"Well, I’m not sure if you can do this, but tonight I found a really cool black cat out in front of our place on Malden and Leland. He or she has these huge paws with six toes and is super friendly. We heard him meowing out in front, and when I went out to investigate he came right to me. He/she isn’t afraid of us at all, but is really sweet and friendly. He’s a bit on the thin side. We’re loath to send such friendly cat to the shelter since it may be someone’s pet. If you can post a quick blurb, that would be great. I also put up a posting on craigslist." (note: the photo shown is not the cat in question)

Check out how they decked the streets (and halls) back in 1955 in Uptown. Thanks to WAMA and the donations from residents like you, our streets should have similar spirit this year. We hope that the SSA#34 has sufficient funds for decorations next holiday season. (photo: CTA)

EveryBlock recently noted some "interesting" property transfers on the west side of Broadway between Montrose and Sunnyside (Wilson Yard):

• 4458 N. Broadway St. 4458 N. Broadway St. transferred ownership
  Transaction recorded on October 20, 2008.


• 4458 N. Broadway St. 4458 N. Broadway St. transferred ownership
  Transaction recorded on October 20, 2008.


• 4458 N. Broadway St. 4458 N. Broadway St. transferred ownership
  Transaction recorded on October 20, 2008.


• 4458 N. Broadway St. 4458 N. Broadway St. transferred ownership
  Transaction recorded on October 20, 2008.


• 4458 N. Broadway St. 4458 N. Broadway St. sold for $989,000
  Transaction recorded on October 20, 2008.


• 4458 N. Broadway St. 4458 N. Broadway St. sold for $6,675,000
  Transaction recorded on October 20, 2008.

Can anyone make heads or tails of why property is just now being transferred? And in excess of $7,500,000?

A reader writes in with a reminder for everyone:
"Wanted to let you know that our neighbors car had the window smashed out and items were stolen from inside their car on 11/18/08. It was during the night while people were sleeping. The car was not on the street and in their parking spot next to the building.

Please advise Uptown residents to beware and not keep items in cars.

Specifically this occurred in the 800 block of Ainslie. I am not sure if there were multiple incidents or just this one car. A police report was filed."

Almost a year after a fire tore through several units in the Gill-Park Co-operative at Broadway and Grace, we thought we would stop by to see if the units had been repaired. Nope. Plywood and charred markings are still easily visible on the outside of the building after almost a YEAR. Any guesses as to why this hasn't been repaired? Does anyone know if people are living in the boarded-up units now?

We heard from the Stop Labor Ready plaintiffs: "I hope you can post these agreements documenting the community's victory in preventing a day labor service from opening in Uptown. Here are the fully executed Standdown Agreement and Agreed Order of Dismissal without Prejudice. Sweet! Thanks to all; the team did a GREAT job!"

A reader writes: It's come to our attention that the construction at Wilson Yard is in violation of the following City ordinance. Would you please alert the community to notify the City if they see construction outside the hours of 8am and 8pm? People have been instructed to call 911.

11-4-2835 Construction, repair or demolition equipment.
(a) No person shall use or cause the use of any mechanical equipment or tool operated by fuel or electric power in building, construction, repair or demolition operations between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M. within 600 feet of any residential building or hospital.
(b) The limitation of this section does not apply to any construction, demolition or repair work of an emergency nature or to work on public improvements authorized by a governmental body or agency.
(c) This section may be enforced by designated employees of the departments of buildings, consumer services, fire, public health, revenue, streets and sanitation, transportation and zoning, who are authorized to issue citations for violations. (Added Coun. J. 7-26-06, p. 81473, § 1)

A reader tipped us off that Uptown's own Suzanne Elder (and daughter Sophie) appeared on an NBC Nightly News report this week about a possible cure for Type 1 diabetes. Check it out here.

Have you ever considered turning your pet's picture into a Christmas Card?

Nadine Williams of www.Pet-Portraiture.com is well-known for her multicolor prints, reminiscent of Andy Warhol. A Soggy Paws Santa Photo session includes one sitting with Santa and Nadine and a photo printout of 1 of the digital pictures. Nadine will then follow up with you to provide multiple options for cards, postcards, and more. Her prices are affordable and her work is impeccable!

Suggested Donation: $10 for Soggy Paws Santa Sitting.

All proceeds from Santa Sitting will benefit Chicago Canine Rescue and Lakeshore Animal Shelter.

Soggy Paws Uptown
1148 W Leland Avenue
Sunday, NOVEMBER 23, 12pm-3pm

Well over a year after we first noticed the lack of artwork in the Aldi display cases, it has finally made its debut. We are sure the students at Uplift School worked hard on these 3 panels that are now displayed on the Broadway side of Aldi.
There is also a panel that explains how the artwork came to be through a collaboration with 7th grade students from Arai (Uplift) and "Changing Worlds," a nonprofit educational arts program.
There is also more good news. The three northern-most display cases on Broadway are now filled with Aldi advertising. These cases had been sitting empty for a year and a half and had been covered in graffiti. Why they did contain advertising till now is a mystery, but as we said, "better late than never."

We know Uplift School likes to think it's "unconventional" and was born when some of Ald. Shiller's Couraj buddies took over Joan Arai School. So this is what readers get when they click on the link to "Uplift" on the alderman's web site.

Kind of gives all sorts of new meaning to the name of the school.(Pssst! Maggie! Time to show you read this site. Change the link, 'kay?!)

Update: The "Home -> Issues -> Education" page has been updated since this morning and the link has been changed to the more proper, yet so much more boring, Uplift page from Chicago Public Schools. However, the "Home -> Resources -> Education" page still links to Uplift's Girls Gone Wild in See-Through Lingerie page.

Maggie, you might want to take a look at the source code for that page as well. No need to thank us; as you know, that's our job, to point out the problems that can be changed here in Uptown. Thanks for paying attention.

Now, about that goofy Wilson Yard housing plan.....

Update #2: While you're in update mode, you might want to reconsider the link to the Prologue School. Folks we know at Lycee Francais tell us Prologue is no longer at the Irving Park address and possibly no longer in Uptown at all.

All the new construction in Wilson Yard isn't only for the new Target that's allegedly coming our way. Ald. Shiller recently announced that the Target would open in 2010, and the housing before that. You can see the construction cranes working on the foundations of the 100% low-income housing right now, at Montrose and Broadway. FixWilsonYard has said that the lawsuit will be filed in November, and it can't come a moment too soon. If you haven't donated yet, please consider doing it now. (Tax deduction for 2008, too.)

Today the Tribune tells us that "The Chicago Transit Authority is negotiating with potential corporate sponsors for naming rights at some rail stations as a way to bring in new revenue."

So, who should sponsor Uptown's rail stations? The "Helen Shiller Done Deal" Lawrence stop? The Febreeze "Not the Smelliest In Chicago Anymore" Wilson stop?

Hooray, an empty Uptown storefront bites the dust. Looks like broasted chicken is coming to Rayan Plaza (the strip mall at Clark and Montrose).

From the SSA's latest mailing: The Nominating Committee of the SSA #34 Advisory Commission continually seeks interested, capable people to serve on the Commission. The Commission's role as defined by Ordinance is to recommend the scope of services, budget, tax levy, and service provider to manage the SSA. To be eligible, an individual must be a property owner or a lessee (residential renter or business tenant) within the SSA boundaries. An application can be found on the Uptown United website.

Click here for Duties and Application Form. For more information, contact SSA #34 Administrator Wally Rozak at 773-878-1064 or ssa@uptownunited.org or Gina Caruso, Assistant Commissioner in the Chicago Department of Planning & Development at 312-744-8280 or gina.caruso@cityofchicago.org.

Update: Sadly, the body was ID'd Monday as that of the Northwestern student, Trevor Boehm, who'd been missing for a week. Read about it here.

----

Too, too sad. On the morning of Zhya Jacobs's funeral (information on services here), another body was found in Lake Michigan.

From the Tribune: "A body was pulled from Lake Michigan this morning on the North Side. The body of a man was spotted in the lake just before 7:30 a.m. in the 4500 block of North Simonds Drive near Montrose Harbor, police said. The man was removed from the water and was being taken to the Stein Institute. He has not been unidentified and it was not known how he ended up in the water."

Well, it's official. In its most recent mailing, the SSA Commissioners explained their decision not to decorate Uptown for the holidays this year:

"At its October meeting, the SSA #34 Advisory Commission voted to forego holiday decorations this year. In the past two holiday seasons, the SSA funded the installation of live balsam wrap, bows, and/or wreaths on a selection of streetlight poles in Uptown. The Commissioners felt that, given the unknown effect of the economic downturn on the property taxes collected to fund the SSA coupled with concerns of inadequate coverage throughout the area, it was prudent to not spend the upwards of $20,000 tax dollars and instead revisit the possibility of holiday decorations in 2009. Also, the Commissioners have been approached by the community to consider reallocating more of its 2009 budget and any of its 2008 carryover to activities related to public safety [note from UU: those are blue light cameras they're referring to]."

UPDATE: The folks at WAMA tell us that donations will be accepted through NOVEMBER 23. Simply stop by Unique So Chique at Wilson and Magnolia and leave your donation for holiday decorations.

From Wilson Area Merchants Association:

"WAMA needs the Uptown Community to help decorate for the holiday. Since SSA is not going to provide the funding, WAMA is going to decorate for the Uptown community and merchants. We do, however, need assistance to fund this venture. Please bring a check with any amount of donation you can give to Unique So Chique next to Starbucks by Thursday, November 20th. Even $5 per household will help make Wilson Avenue beautiful for the Holidays.

"Checks can be made out to WAMA (Wilson Area Merchants Association). Unique So Chique is open the following hours to drop off donations: Tuesday – Friday 12-6, Saturday 10-6, and Sunday 10-5."

"Thank you in advance for your help. If we work together, we can make Uptown an inviting place to visit for the holidays. This benefits everyone who lives here. Donations need to be received by Thursday, November 20th, so that decorations can be up by Thanksgiving."

Seems when Chicago TIFs make amendments to their original plans, the Department of Planning and Development publishes the changes in the "Legal Notices" section of the paper. (Click on the image to see a larger version of the First Amendment to the Kostner Avenue TIF.)

Did anyone see any legal notices published for the many, many amendments made to the original Wilson Yard plan? (You know, the one with theatres, mixed-income housing and community input.)

Enquiring minds want to know.

From the owners who brought Crew to Uptown: "We Have our License! After a long, long labor, we have finally "delivered" our newest baby, Wild Pug. She is 3100 sq. feet long and her weight is impossible to determine. Just like a newborn, the Pug has a lot of growing to do. Wild Pug will begin with a soft opening tonight, Saturday, at 5pm. DJ Steve Henderson will be providing the music, and our staff will be ready to serve you. Sunday we will open at 3pm, so you can stop by after the Bears vs. Packers game at Crew."

Got transit gripes? The Lakeview Booster says "The Regional Transit Authority, the funding well for all area public transit agencies, including the CTA, is continuing an unprecedented outreach effort this month. The second round of public hearings will be held from Nov. 10 through 19, and everyone and anyone is invited to weigh in. The hearings will cover the transit system's 2009 budget and address long-awaited capital investment needs. The North side hearing will take place Monday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. at Truman College (room 1176), 1145 W. Wilson."

As some of R3's clients may know, Richard Flack, the owner/operator of R3, has had to temporarily close the salon to get treatment for facial skin cancer. He's feeling better and looking forward to getting back to work with his doctors' blessings, but he's gotten mixed opinions about whether or not the disease may have returned. He asked us to let our readers know that the salon will reopen Saturday. Of course, we wish him the best, both in his health and business.

"So, all of that to say I am feeling ready and able to re-open, but there is a great deal of “unknown” at this point. If the cancer is indeed regressing and continues to do so, then everything is business as usual. If it is not regressing and decides to reverse course again, I will need to shut right back down to have some pretty major surgery.

"After much consideration, I have decided that the best course to take is to share this information with you and simply move forward with positive hopes. If I must shut down again for the surgery, then that is out of my control, but in the interim I can take care of my valued clients and make sure you are all looking great and beautiful for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday with your families.

"As such, I will be re-opening this Saturday the 15th at 10am after my early morning dermatologist visit. For now we will take appointments through the Wednesday before Thanksgiving which should allow some flexibility for everyone to get on the books before the holiday and for me to schedule the surgery, if it is necessary to have it, after the holiday and minimize cancellations and impact on the business.

"I thank you all very much for your understanding and support.

"Cheers! Richard Flack"

Of course, the block club at which she'll be making an appearance is in the Lakeview portion of 46th Ward. On Tuesday, November 18th, Ald. Shiller will be the featured speaker at the Belmont Harbor Neighbors Association's monthly meeting, and is expected to answer constituents' questions about the city budget shortfall, proposed fees for waste containers, and what's happening with dormant building sites.

We're sure the alderman is disappointed that this scheduling conflict precludes her attendance at Beat 2312's CAPS meeting that same evening.

A reader alerts us: Most folks don't realize that Truman College has a huge swimming pool that has not been used for years. Why not open up this pool, a community resource paid for by taxpayer money, for adult swimming? This issue was brought up last spring and received a lot of positive reaction.

Ald. Shiller and the Chicago Park District will be meeting soon with Truman College to discuss opening the long-closed swimming pool. If you want to see Truman open the swimming pool for the general public, NOW is the time to contact the 46th Ward office and let them know.

You can also send a copy of your email to Greg Harris at greg@gregharris.org asking his support. Phone # 773-878-4646, speak with either Ms. Odell or Ms. Blaise, and/or email ward46@cityofchicago.org. Happy swimming!

If you're looking for an excuse for some facial hair, this fundraiser, organized by an Uptown resident (and Uptown Update reader), is a great excuse -- use your follicles for charity! The kickoff was Thursday (today), but you can still join in. Go to the website for details.

Even if you don't want to, or can't, sprout whiskers, you can sponsor someone's mustache, just as you would a walk-a-thon participant.

Now in its third year, the annual Mustaches for Kids fundraising event in Chicago combines an in (on?) your face concept with a commitment to raise money for Chicago public schools. M4K growers compete to sprout the sweetest 'stash in four weeks' time while soliciting the most pledges and donations to the campaign. The official growing season will end on December 13th with a final judging at Stash Bash 2008, but there is no set deadline for fundraising. You can support the campaign by donating to M4K's Chicago growers, or make a general donation, directly supporting teachers' independent requests for classroom aid, be it new desks, books or a photocopy machine.

Several readers wrote in that work is now underway at the former currency exchange at Wilson and Clark, with groovy orange lights being installed today. We don't know if the store has a tenant yet -- the lights seem pretty specific -- but we're hoping to see the space in this beautiful old building occupied soon. Anyone know what may be going in?

If you've got questions or concerns about the police or safety in Uptown, this is a chance to speak to the Commander about them in an informal setting.

By LORRAINE SWANSON, Editor

Sequels are often less exciting than the original. Monday night's sequel to last summer's town hall public safety meeting in Uptown proved to be anticlimactic. At July's first town hall meeting, more than 400 Uptown residents packed the Truman College cafeteria after a rash of neighborhood shootings. Only half as many attended the follow-up meeting on Monday night. Attendees were asked to sign up for working groups to address public safety in Uptown.

Read the entire article here. And here are Greg Harris's meeting minutes that he sent out via email:

UPDATE from the reader who notified us about the dog: "Dog and owner were reunited late this afternoon. When you see a number of neighbors take time out from their busy day to accomplish this happy ending, it's a testament to how caring and responsive our wonderful community is. Thank you all."

A reader writes in:

"Dog found around 8:00am today, Thurs., Nov. 13 on the 4300 block of Kenmore with no collar, tags or chip. Female - all black around 40-50 pounds. Friendly. Call 773 525 XXXX for more info."

We've heard some interesting tidbits from folks in attendance at Tuesday's Uptown Business Partners luncheon with Alderman Smith at Crew. Alderman Shiller made an appearance shortly before the luncheon ended and enlightened the crowd with these facts:

1) Wilson Yard won't be "Cabrini Green." She said it will be built for those earning 60% of the median income in Illinois, which for the area is around 100% of the median income for families. She conveniently forgot to mention that only 21% of the tenants would fall into this category, and since Section 8 and CHA have first priority, it won't be anything close to that. (Language in blue type added - our mistake, we left it out when we transcribed the email.)

2) HALF of the retail space at Wilson Yard is already leased. We wonder to whom? Actual retail shops who might bring business here from outside the ward? Or social services agencies?

3) The housing will be finished BEFORE Target opens in 2010, which directly contradicts the original plan, which had the housing as the third and final component.

You heard it here first.

... north of Foster Avenue, at least.

We keep hearing rumors that SSA #34 won't be putting up holiday decorations in Uptown this year, although we haven't heard anything official yet. We're hoping Uptowners don't have to go to Andersonville for holiday spirit.

November 12, 2008
FROM STNG WIRE REPORTS

An Uptown bank branch was robbed Wednesday morning. A man who implied he had a weapon robbed a bank on the 4700 block of North Clark Street about 9:17 a.m., according to police News Affairs Officer Daniel O'Brien. That bank is a North Community Bank branch, according to FBI spokeswoman Cynthia Yates. After making his demand, the man fled with an undetermined amount of cash, O'Brien said. FBI agents were on the scene as of noon, Yates said, but further details were not immediately available.

CHICAGO (STNG) ― The body of a 34-year-old Uptown man was found floating in Lake Michigan Tuesday afternoon.

Police responded about 1:10 p.m. to the lake after a jogger spotted the body near 300 West Montrose Avenue and called 911, according to News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli. A Chicago Fire Dept. scuba crew pulled the body from the water, and he was taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital.

Zhya Jacobs, of 720 W. Gordon Terrace, was pronounced dead at Weiss Memorial Hospital at 2:47 p.m., a Cook County Medical Examiner's office spokesman said.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

Belmont Area detectives are investigating.

A reader just forwarded us this email with wonderful news:

Dear Concerned Citizen,
I am pleased to inform you that Dearborn is in the process of having a fence installed at our Montrose store along with extra lighting. We appreciate your patience while we get the plans approved and secure the permit to proceed with the work. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Alex G. Olejniczak
Vice President of Operations
Dearborn Wholesale Grocers
773-579-4487

Feast your eyes on these letters from the police department discussing the Wilson Yard development and its impact on Uptown. They don't sound too supportive of the development, but you can judge for yourself. One of the more interesting parts mentions that because of the "homeless and career criminals...police resources will be stretched beyond present capacity." Yikes.

Shake Rattle & Read owner Ric Addy writes in to tell us about the fun display in his store window at 4812 N. Broadway:

"For our Thanksgiving window this year we present: "Hunter's Nightmare"
Where the turkey and all the vegetables have forks and knifes and are about to begin their Thanksgiving dinner. Lots of people stopping by to take photos of this!"

According to YoChicago, the 18 unit development slated for 4421 N. Clark is now on hold due to the economy. The developer is hoping to reevaluate the market in spring and go from there. Read the entire post at YoChicago here.

From David Roeder's column today:

LABOR NOT READY: Labor Ready Midwest Inc. has scrapped plans to move into a couple of storefonts in Uptown at 4830-4 N. Sheridan. The plan was controversial with neighbors, who organized against the company's application for a special use zoning permit.

Uptown residents hired the land use and real estate tax law firm Gordon & Pikarski for the fight, which included a suit challenging the city Zoning Board of Appeals decision to grant the permit. Partner John Pikarski said Labor Ready now has the advised the neighborhood it has no intention to proceed. Company spokeswoman Stacey Burke could not be reached. She told a local paper, the News-Star, that the new office was temporarily scrapped because of the slow economy. If it later wants the location, it probably will need another permit.

Uptown Ald. Helen Shiller (46th) vigorously backed the labor agency, but neighbors didn't like the crowds it would bring in proximity to a YMCA and two elementary schools. Would Shiller back Labor Ready again now that she stuck her neck out for nothing?

A reader writes: "You published a story a month or so ago about the building at Irving and Broadway being renovated. I have been watching it since I live behind it. They have just finished the new roof and are pouring concrete. New windows went in last week (though it looks like at least one was cracked on installation). Most interestingly, they were hanging a Dunkin’ Donuts sign today!"

For those who are missing our Uptown neighbor, Studs Terkel, there'll be a tribute to him next week. From the Trib:

A who’s who of Chicago theater will assemble Monday at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company to pay tribute to the late Studs Terkel. The theater will present a free staged reading, with music, of Derek Goldman’s adaptation of Terkel’s primer on death and dying, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken."

Cultural luminaries taking part include David Schwimmer, Steppenwolf artistic director Martha Lavey, Tribune writer Rick Kogan, Victory Gardens artistic director Dennis Zacek, folk singer Michael Smith, director Joyce Piven, and an array of Steppenwolf ensemble members and actors, including K. Todd Freeman, Robert Breuler, Tom Irwin and Alan Wilder.

Tickets are available to the public, beginning Wednesday, from the Steppenwolf box-office at 312-335-1650.

Seen today in front of the world-famous Wilson Men's Hotel at Wilson and Clifton.

So who was there? Please use the comments to talk about the meeting. If you have photos, please send them in.

Residents in the 46th Ward can only watch in wonder and awe.

The 65-bed REST shelter in Edgewater lost its home, and Ald. Mary Ann Smith's office addressed the situation with her Zoning and Planning Committee and kept the ward's residents in the loop. In her ward report, she explains the temporary solution reached.

• Transparency of the process.
• Input of the residents.
• Meeting with surrounding block clubs.
• Conditions that the shelter must meet.
• Public meetings to discuss the situation.
• Information about what's happening, as it happens.

All things the 46th Ward is sorely lacking when it comes to discussing homelessness -- or anything else -- with Ald. Shiller.

In a longer email to the residents about the same issue, Ald. Smith writes: "Consider taking responsibility for a designated trouble spot in your neighborhood where homeless are congregating. Providing access to better resources, but then enabling the same unacceptable behavior to continue, is unacceptable. By having community commitment to reporting and noting where problems are developing, we can get at them earlier. You can get involved by getting this information to us directly, to your block club, or to CAPs."

We at Uptown Update wonder how long it will be before Ald. Smith is called a hateful, elitist yuppie gentrifier.

It seems to our untrained eyes (and the shock absorbers of our car) that the resurfacing of the Uptown portion of Lake Shore Drive is just about complete. The difference between the smooth new surface and the pockmarked mess from last winter is remarkable. "Our" section of LSD makes the area south of Irving Park seem shabby. It's not often we get bragging rights over Lakeview's infrastructure, but this is one of them. It may have taken a while to get "the most deteriorated section of the roadway" (according to CDOT Commissioner Thomas Byrne) taken care of, but the new surface was worth the wait.

The Beat 2311 CAPS meeting, usually held on the first Tuesday of the month, was postponed last week due to the election. Jami, the Beat Coordinator, would like to remind everyone that the date of this month's meeting is Tuesday, November 11th, at Truman College, 7pm.

Next month the meeting will be held on the regularly scheduled first Tuesday.

Reminder that tonight is the second Uptown Town Hall meeting. 6pm at Truman College.

This meeting is happening because residents like you and me asked for it. And -- unbelievably -- some of our elected officials heard us and did something about it. Thank you, Sen. Steans and Rep. Harris, for listening. We're not exactly used to it.

Lots of good things came out of the first meeting this summer, and smaller meetings have built on those suggestions. Please come tonight to hear what's been happening and let your voice be heard. It's not often we're given this chance.

Shouldn't every house have an anatomically correct gorilla climbing the walls? Tell us where this guy calls home.

Some local bragging rights: He's the work of Uptown-based sculptor John Kearney, who has sculptures all over the city, including Oz Park, the Aon Building, Lincoln Park Zoo, and more. His work has been the subject of two previous "Where Am I Located"s: the Hull House Gorilla and the Goudy School pumas.

Watching the gas prices fall on the car wash sign has become a pleasurable pastime. Yesterday we were in the western 'burbs and saw most stations there with comparable, or even higher, prices. Enjoy it while it lasts, folks!

Sigh.

Already the results of a poorly-written referendum on which only a small, cherry-picked percentage of Uptowners were allowed to vote is being taken as gospel about "what Uptown residents want." From Progress Illinois:

Referendums aimed at bringing more affordable housing to two lakefront Chicago communities passed by wide margins this week. In Uptown, 66 percent of voters approved their measure, while 68 percent voted in favor of the Bronzeville version. So what's the next step?

Update: The original post has been amended to read:

*CORRECTION: While this post initially reported that "66 percent of voters" in Uptown favored the referendum, only certain Uptown residents had the opportunity to vote on the measure -- specifically those living 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."

Uptown was featured in a "Cheeky Chicago" post. It highlights what most Uptowners already know, but it's nice to see it in print every now and then, isn't it? Read all about it here.

A reader writes in:
"Not sure if you’ve heard this from anybody yet. But last night (Thursday) at about 9:30 pm there appeared to be a huge drug bust of some sort in the building 2nd south from Sunnyside Mall on the west side of Magnolia. There were literally 10 unmarked police cars and one marked K-9 unit taking up the entire street from Montrose north to the building. They busted down the front door of the building and started screaming “POLICE, SEARCH WARRANT." It happened pretty fast, they all pulled in together and they all jumped out of their cars at once and stormed the building, I was very startled. Anyway, this is one of the problem buildings in the neighborhood, so hopefully there is progress being made behind the scenes with these issues that many Uptowners are concerned with."

Read the entire inspection for this 4409 N. Broadway restaurant here.

We here at Uptown Update, along with countless residents who live near Montrose and Sheridan, are frustrated with the lack of action to get the REQUIRED fencing installed around the Dearborn Wholesale Grocer's parking lot at 918 W. Montrose. The lot has turned into the most popular hangout for drinking, urination and defecation in Uptown. A little birdie tipped us off with the name of the Zoning Supervisor who did have a small meeting with Dearborn in August, but as you can see from the pics, nothing has happened. We encourage our readers to give Zoning Supervisor Michael Tinerella a call at 312-744-5777 and ask him why there is still no fence around this lot, and why Dearborn has been able to skirt this city law for so long.

A frustrated reader writes in:

"I live on Agatite and I have an issue of immediate concern that may affect individuals in the neighborhood. I have been parking in the lot owned by the Sisters of Marysville for nearly two years. I have a valid parking permit that is displayed in my window. Last night I parked my car along the fence line on Agatite as I have many times before. However, my car was towed this morning even though the car was not blocking the turn around. I called Helen Shiller's office to complain and spoke to Denice Davis, who informed me that you could not park along the fence line. There are no signs to this rule, and Davis stated she will be going out today to put up "temporary" no parking signs (a day late and a dollar short for me). I have included photos taken this morning at approximately 10 am that show there are no "no parking" signs. In addition, on the back of the permit, they indicate individuals cannot park along the fence line that borders Clarendon (there are even no parking signs posted there). I have included photos of these slots as well, and as you can see these cars were not towed (but I would assume they are fair game). If you could let the good folk out in Uptown know about these new parking restrictions that Shiller has decided to impose without notice to the public.

As an afterthought, I suggested to Davis that we meet to discuss the larger issues concerning parking (for example the face there are no parking lines painted in the lot) and the fact that the lot is too crowded due to Shiller's over issuance of parking permits. Davis dismissed this as not of pressing concern to the neighborhood, and suggested that the residents could raise money themselves to paint new lines. Davis's arrogance concerning this situation was simply stunning.

Please consider posting something about this on the blog, as the word about the indiscriminate towing needs to get out."

Read all about this great Uptown watering hole at Sheridan and Irving Park here.

By Zach Wilmes
ChicagoTalks.org

Nov. 6, 2008 - Gentrification affects different neighborhoods in different ways, and Uptown's experience is certainly unique. While many residents around Chicago watch their cost of living increase as public housing is demolished to make way for luxury developments, Uptown is embracing a different strategy.

Wilson Yard, the large piece of vacant land on Broadway that sits between Montrose and Wilson, will combine low-income housing with senior living and a sizeable commercial space that will house a Target and several other stores. But not everyone's happy.

The proposal has drawn criticism from many in the community who feel that Uptown is taking on too big a burden by taking in many of Chicago's displaced, often people forced out of public housing projects like Cabrini Green.

"It sucks it all gets dumped on Uptown," said Nikki Parks, a waitress who has lived across from Wilson Yard for three years. Parks says Uptown is no longer as dangerous as it used to be, but it still has its problems. And while reaching out to less fortunate citizens is commendable, she says, it isn't likely to improve the area. Adding another low-income development to an area that already has several is not the way to go about it, she said. "It doesn't work when it's concentrated -- it's still segregation," Parks said.

But Yvonne Odell, assistant to Ald. Helen Shiller (46th), disagrees.

"It's not going to be the Friendly Towers or some halfway house," said Odell. "It's not subsidized housing." Odell said that people get the idea that because some of the development is reserved for low-income residents, the neighborhood will deteriorate. By saying that, "You're scaring people into thinking that crime is going to come to the neighborhood," she said.

In a press release, Shiller wrote, "The housing at Wilson Yard is not public housing. It is not high-rise housing. And it bears no resemblance to the high-rise housing that has been torn down by the [Chicago Housing Authority]." Continue Reading

We've just seen how devious the players can be regarding the affordable housing picture in the 46th Ward. Well, here are some facts that demonstrate that the alderman's statements about the Wilson Yard Housing being "mixed-income" are untrue. We just got this from the legal folks at Fix Wilson Yard:

Despite the message coming from the Alderman's Office, here is further proof that the family housing for Wilson Yard will now be 80 units of 100% low-income housing. The document is titled "Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Extended Use Agreement", which has been executed by Peter Holsten and recorded with the Cook County Recorder of Deeds.

Fix Wilson Yard greatly needs your support in moving forward with litigation to prevent the development of the current Wilson Yard Redevelopment Plan as it focuses on a failed housing model. We ask that you sign our petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/fix-wilson-yard.html and make a donation at http://www.fixwilsonyard.org/.

This is our last chance to ensure a positive future for all in Uptown.

News-Star has a good article with details about why Labor Ready decided not to open in Uptown "at this time" and the status of the lawsuit against the company. Here's an excerpt:

The Uptown Chicago Commission raised $20,000 for a litigation fund on behalf of residents, who filed a lawsuit against the city in April. Residents charged that they were denied due process when only a few of them were allowed to testify before the zoning board. The complaint also claimed that the evidence Labor Ready presented at the hearing failed to meet the standards in the city's zoning ordinance because a professional appraisal did not take into account a Boys and Girls Club or two elementary schools located several hundred feet from the proposed Labor Ready office.

John Pikarski, an attorney with Gordon and Pikarski, is representing plaintiffs in the case. He said the lawsuit against the city is likely to be dismissed, but is subject to an agreement that Labor Ready will let the special-use permit approved by the zoning board expire in March 2009. The city's zoning code allows applicants one year to use special-use permits before they expire.

"We've known about [Labor Ready's plans to not open] for two or three weeks, but it wasn't for popular consumption until it was firmed up 10 days ago," Pikarski said.

Burke said Labor Ready's decision to delay opening an Uptown branch has nothing to do with the pending lawsuit. "This is purely a result of the economy," she said. "We'll continue to work through it as a separate matter."

Read the entire article here.

From Cityside:

News-Star sincerely apologizes to our neighbor for throwing a scarecrow over her fence on Halloween night. We're sorry that you didn't notice it laying in your back yard until Monday, when you took your garbage out. We're also sorry that you thought it was a dead body and almost wet your pants. (Didn't you notice the straw coming out of its legs and arms?) And no, News-Star did not steal the scarecrow from the Buena Park Pumpkin Fest.

"When what to my wondering eyes did appear...... but holiday ornaments, in Uptown - right here!" Wilson Area Merchants Association (WAMA) is putting out the call for business owners to invest in decorations to make the upcoming holiday season festive (and hopefully profitable). Read the previous post here. They've put out a little appetizer in the trees in front of Unique So Chique to give businesses an idea what's available. Check 'em out!

We've heard rumblings that the SSA will not be putting up traditional wreathes this year (although nothing official has been announced; it's all hearsay at this point). But there's the distinct possibility that the WAMA decorations will be the only ones in Uptown this year. Definitely something to keep in mind. We strongly urge all businesses who can afford to invest in the decorations to do so.

If you live near Lawrence and Clark, starting tomorrow you will have a new place to dine when you're craving Italian. "Monticchio" is slated to open on Thursday. The interior looks cozy and the standard Italian fare will be offered. Call 773-275-7080 for more information.

Well, well, what do we have here? Looks like a police camera has reappeared after a long absence at the corner of Magnolia and Wilson. Many residents were upset when the camera was moved so it will be a welcome sight. We look forward to seeing more cameras at Lawrence and Sheridan and on the Sunnyside Mall. Thanks to the reader who sent in this photo.

If you have any questions about the blue light program and where and when the next ones will be installed, we urge you to join the Walk & Talk with the police commanders of both the 23rd and 20th Districts Thursday evening at 7 pm.

A reader writes in with the following TIF referenda results, it looks like it was, or will be, very close:

"I worked the polls at Stockton yesterday.

The TIF Question Was...

No: 185
Yes:180

This is with a few people handing out "vote yes" flyers outside and including about 20 "provisional ballots" that had a majority yes and may not be counted."

Update: The above numbers were not the total number of votes cast, according to the Board of Election website, a total of 3,975 votes were cast on the TIF referenda.

Here is your chance to discuss tonight's election results as they are made available. Keep it civil, folks.

A reader writes in:
"Just thought I would write you about my poll experience this morning. I was voting at Lawrence House (Lawrence and Kenmore) and, as I was going through the line, a woman brought an issue to the attention of one of the judges there. The issue was that the public questions (referenda) for the 46th and 48th wards were not on the ballot. The judge was very helpful; he checked their other ballots and then called Voter Central. Voter Central, apparently after checking with their "top guy", they were told that the questions were struck from the ballot (even though the judge said they were on the ballot when he did early voting). The judge pressed the Voter Central rep. on the phone, but they stood by this story. He explained all this to the woman voter, but still encouraged her to call her voter rights number."

Are your property taxes too high?

Please join Alderman Helen Shiller, Alderman Tom Tunney and the Cook County Board of Review for a Real Estate Tax Outreach Seminar.

December 1, 2008 is the last day to file an appeal with the Board of Review for properties in the Lakeview Township. Appeal applications will be available at the seminar. You may complete and submit your appeal at this meeting. Please bring your recent property tax bill.

Please join us at this Outreach Seminar.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 19th @ 7pm
WHERE: Gill Park, 825 W. Sheridan

The student newspaper of Truman College has a great front page story on Wilson Yard. Check out the .pdf of the entire October edition here.

UCC's fundraiser sounds like a good place to nervously watch the returns. If you're on their mailing list, don't forget to bring the 2-for-1 dinner coupon from The Spot that went out with the last couple mailings.

And don't forget that Crew is also having a bash, featuring a free beer with your voting receipt and a drag queen Sarah Palin.

Update: According to the Trib, Julius Meinl (one of our favorite places) is also giving out free coffee to voters today. They're at Addison/Southport and Montrose/Lincoln.

For those of you with a Starbucks addiction (and you know who you are), there's yet another incentive to vote. Starbucks says: "If you care enough to vote, we care enough to give you a free cup of coffee. Come into any participating Starbucks on Nov. 4th, tell us you voted, and we'll proudly give you a tall cup of brewed coffee on us. It's our way of saying, thanks for doing your part. Limit one per person. Good while supplies last. Void where prohibited by law."

From the Chicago Department of Environment:

Learn how to save money and prepare your home for winter by attending one of our free weatherization fairs. The fairs showcase ways to weatherize your home using weather stripping, window plastic and other energy-saving means. You can also connect with local and state agencies that may help you save money on your heating bills. A full list of fairs and available assistance can be found at www.cityofchicago.org/Environment.

The Uptown Fair is Friday, November 14th, 3-8pm at Truman College. Click here for a flyer. There are also fairs nearby, in Edgewater and Albany Park, if the Uptown fair isn't convenient.

From the Sun-Times:

Business groups, condominium associations and aldermen on Friday dumped all over Mayor Daley's plan to charge an annual fee as high as $300 for every one of their garbage dumpsters.

Daley wants to raise up to $9 million during part of 2009 — and at least $25 million in subsequent years — by requiring businesses and condo associations to buy annual permits for their over-sized garbage containers.

This would affect all businesses, and everyone living in a building of four or more units. Isn't it fun having a city that's broke, despite the highest sales tax in the country? While the TIFs siphon off our property tax money, which goes into projects we have no input or information about?

What many have been hoping for: No Labor Ready zoning notice in the storefront at 4830 Sheridan. Perhaps they'll be back, as they claim, when the economy is better. May we suggest they select a more suitable site next time 'round?

Many of us pass by 5000 Marine Drive on a regular basis, but do you know the history of this grand building known as "The Aquitania?"

From http://www.5000marine.com/:

When Chicago Was Hollywood...

George K. Spoor's Essanay studio defined the art and success of motion picture production in the United States. As the premier studio in the premier film making city, Essanay employed the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Gloria Swanson, Wallace Beery, Beverly Bayne, Francis X. Bushman, and renowned gossip columnist Louella Parsons (as an early scriptwriter) producing silent films from the company's lot at 1345 W. Argyle as well as other Chicago area locations. Christopher Columbus landed in Jackson Park; Lawrence of Arabia plied the Indiana Dunes; the streets of Uptown and Edgewater doubled as their counterparts around the world.

New York architects Ralph Harris and Byron Jillson were commissioned to build the Aquitania Hotel to house Essanay talent and employees who flocked to Chicago for film industry work. The magnificent Georgian edifice produced by Byron and Jillson sat on a parcel of lakefront land owned by Mr. Spoor just east of his home at 908 West Argyle Street.

The Aquitania (named for the famous Cunard ocean liner) was finished in 1923, a splendid construction upon what at the time was a popular Lake Michigan beach. The building was designed to afford dramatic views for each apartment and boasted characteristically Georgian bay windows and distinctive terracotta ornamentation the likes of which are rarely found on any Chicago building of its size. Since 1949, the Aquitania has been managed as a Co-op, a form of property ownership common in New York but somewhat rare in Chicago.

Al Capone's attorney is purported to have resided in the building. Current residents are less notorious, representing a mix of old and young, long time and shorter term residents, a smattering of children and teenagers and several domestic animals ... all of whom have chosen to live in, embrace and preserve this historic, well built monument on the edge of Margate Park, one of the few buildings of its size and embellishment remaining on Chicago's lakefront.

The Aquitania, at 5000 North Marine Drive, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In honor of today's Bears/Lions game, tell us where this confused fan can be found.

We were surprised and happy to see the site of the long-closed "Mi Rancho" grocery store at 4650 Sheridan getting spiffed up. According to the sign, it's the future home of Fresh Harvest Market.

Looks like our tip last June about a new grocery store going into the location was correct. With Anadeisy Fruteria just down the street, at 4757 Sheridan, we hope this turns into a destination spot for produce. We wish both businesses the best of luck.

Well, that was quick.

A reader sent in a photo taken Friday evening of the walking path in the park along Marine Drive, between Wilson and Lawrence. Just a few days ago, two out of every three streetlights were dark, making the park a very forbidding place indeed. As of Friday night, only one streetlight is burned out, and the path is illuminated again.

Kudos and thanks to any and all who had a part in making this happen.