YoChicago Visits Sheridan Park

YoChicago's Joe Zekas stopped by the Sheridan Park section of Uptown recently. Joe got a chance to chat with a resident at Wilson and Magnolia. YoChicago also has some great Uptown photos here, as well as some more YouTube videos here.

Time Magazine: Gentrification- Not Ousting The Poor?

An interesting read at Time Magazine here.
Also, check out The New York Sun's "Gentrification Can Attract Minorities"
Update: Our thanks to "Mr Holmes on Clarendon" for coming across these articles.

More Vacant Storefronts On Wilson

The 1300 block of West Wilson is looking bleaker. The space formerly occupied by Nicholas Pappas Attorney at Law is now vacant, along with Lakeview Art & Gifts. That brings the total vacant storefronts in this beautiful building to 4 out of 5 spaces. American Family Insurance occupies the far western-most space. If there is a business you would like to see in this space, email the company and forward this post to the respective party.

Sheridan And Irving Demo Has Begun

Demo work has begun on the Thorek Hospital owned building at Sheridan and Irving. This building was in relatively good condition, but according to the Alderman's office, it is being demolished to make "green space" until Thorek decides what they want to do with the property. Let's hope they are able to fill the spaces in this development (if that is what they end up doing) better than the newer building at Broadway and Irving. "For RENT" signs have been up for a long time now with no takers.

TIF Funded Graeme Stewart Park Update

As seen this evening at Broadway and Sunnyside.

Former Sheridan Plaza Hotel Is Crumbling

We have noticed scaffolding around the perimeter of the former Sheridan Plaza Hotel (at Wilson and Sheridan) for almost 2 years now. This is the same building that lost a large chunk of terra-cotta from the southwest corner in recent years (you can spot the new bricks on the right side of the photo). We hope the building can be saved but upon further inspection, most of the ornamentation has seen better days. We spotted workers high up top today repairing large sections of brick and terra-cotta. The gargoyles at the top have since been covered in a protective netting to keep them from crumbling.

Question Of The Day: What Happened To The McJunkin?

Here is a quick question for all of you Uptown history buffs. In all of the old photos of the McJunkin Building at Broadway and Wilson we have seen, there was always a "McJunkin" in large letters on the corner of the building near the top. This was covered up in recent years. Does anyone know why? Inquiring minds want to know. Notice how the building looked in the 1970s in the photo below. (Image courtesy Haargis)

Bank Of America Nearing Completion

We stopped by the Riv building today to check on the progress and spotted new Bank of America signage wrapped around the building. We imagine opening day is imminent.

Cause I'm The Tax Man

T'was the night before Cook County's big tax increase. Read all about it at the Chicago Tribune.

Note: Larry Suffredin cast the swing vote on Todd's tax increase. Suffredin was endorsed by our incumbent (and up for re-election) Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky ... and our beloved and dedicated ward alderman, Helen Shiller. Mary Ann Smith tossed her support behind him, as well.

Construction Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

The only way to get a good view of the Wilson Yard site, unless you live in neighboring Buena Pointe, is from the L. We got a quick shot of the site today. We will let our readers be the judge of whether construction has begun or not. It appears that most of the activity is taking place at the site of the low-income and senior housing, and not the site of the Target which can be seen in the lower photo with the pile of rubble on the left side. Target Corp said they would have more information on the Wilson Yard location at the end of this month. Whoops, the month is almost over.

From Crains:
“We are currently still working through the agreements (related to the Wilson Yard project),” the spokeswoman says Friday. “Our real estate team let me know that we'll likely be able to give additional details/updates towards the end of June.”

And in case you have forgotten:
* Costs to deliver 98 units of low income senior rental apartments has increased to $337,000 per unit - nearly double the area median sales price for 1 bedroom, 1 bath condos over the past 6 months.
* Costs to deliver 80 units of low income family rental apartments has increased to $447,000 per unit - greatly exceeding the area median sales price for 2-3 bedroom, 2 bath condos over the past 6 months.

You Know It's Not An Election Year When...

Ald. Helen Shiller decides to not show up for the GLBT Pride Parade. Readers have told us that they saw several local aldermen in this year's parade, but no Helen. We remember just last year, she was a no-show, but the previous year, just before the election, she proudly marched next to Alderman Tom Tunney. Coincidence? We think not.
Update: It appears that it all depends on where you were standing at yesterday's Pride Parade if you caught a glimpse of the Alderman. We have heard of several Helen sightings on Halsted, but none on Broadway.
Update #2: We now have photographic proof that the Alderman was in at least part of the parade. A reader sent us the above photo showing the Alderman sitting on the back of a Sebring convertible at W. Bradley Place and Halsted. Whether or not she ducked out after this photo was taken remains to be seen.

Uptown / Andersonville Bike Tour Sunday

Sorry for the late notice, but we just found out about a free Uptown & Andersonville bike tour around the area today. Big Shoulders Realty does a bike tour every month of a different area of Chicago. Their website says:

Our next tour is of Uptown and Andersonville. We will be meeting at the gates of the Graceland Cemetery at 4001 N. Clark Street at 1:00 PM Sunday June 29, 2008. Please note, we are unable to bike through the cemetery, but its importance to the area cannot be overlooked so we will begin our tour here.

New Plans For Corner Of Clark & Lawrence

A reader noticed that the "For Sale" signs have disappeared from the ever-changing lot at Clark and Lawrence, and a zoning amendment sign is placed there instead.

Apparently a four-story building with 12 units of residential & 15 parking spaces, plus ground floor retail, is planned. We think this is much more reasonable than the original plan, which called for a six-story building (19 units of residential & 24 parking spaces), dwarfing everything else in the area.

Mini Corn Dog Eating Contest At Crew

Nathan's in Coney Island has its annual hot dog eating contest, but Uptown does them one better. Nothing says "Independence Day Traditional Fun" like stuffing mini corn dogs in your face as fast as you can. Come to Crew, 4804 N. Broadway, on July 5th, to see good old All-American gluttony in action. Click on the image above for more details.

(Uptown Update's personal favorite prize is 3rd place: More Mini Corn Dogs!)

First-Time Homebuyer? Be On TV

"My First Place," an HGTV show, is looking for first-time homebuyers to showcase. Each week the show "looks at all the trials and tribulations of bidding on and buying that elusive first home."

You've gotta be within 90 minutes of downtown Chicago and be closing by September. If this sounds like you, and you want to piss off Couraj and buy a condo in Uptown, click for more details on how to apply.

CPNA Needs Neighborhood Watch Volunteers

Clarendon Park Neighborhood Association is looking for volunteers to promote safety in their neighborhood:

We are working hard to recruit a diverse group of people from the Clarendon Park neighborhood to commit to walking around the neighborhood in small groups in the evenings (6-9pm) for "positive loitering"-- simply being outside and present to both learn more about all our neighbors and to promote everyone's safety.

Many of us already spend time outside in the evenings, some people need some extra organization to do so. We are developing a schedule that will, hopefully, ask for a committment of one or two times a month at the most.

We need more volunteers! If you are interested in participating in this project, please send your name and email/cell phone contact to: cpneighborhoodwatch@gmail.com

Chase Park Fundraiser Coming August 16 And 17

(click image above to enlarge)
Note: Nick's On Wilson, The upcoming 7-Eleven on Wilson, Crew, BodyFit, Uptown Recording and other Uptown businesses are sponsoring this event that takes place August 16 and 17 at Chase Park on Clark between Leland and Lawrence. All proceeds to benefit Chase Park to build a new playground and replace existing equipment. Volunteers for this event are still needed. Please contact Devin Ball at 847-677-8273 to volunteer your time.

Parks Group Pushing Montrose Soccer Field

By Steven Chaitman - Chi-Town Daily News

A park advocacy group is threatening continued legal action unless the Chicago Park District cleans up an abandoned soccer field construction project at the south end of Lincoln Park and pursues an alternate site for the field.

The district agreed two years ago to allow the Latin School to construct a field near its campus at West North Boulevard and Clark Street. The field was partially finished when Protect Our Parks sued to stop the deal earlier this year.

As a result of the lawsuit settlement, the project was halted. The district says it is also required to reimburse Latin School for $2 million in construction costs.

Protect Our Parks argued yesterday that the $2 million should be spent on a new field at Montrose Harbor.
"One look at the space available in this location should make it totally obvious why any new soccer field construction belongs there and why the present construction site in south Lincoln Park is completely inappropriate," POP president Tom Tresser said yesterday at a news conference. Continue Reading

Broken Promises? Challenger Park

In 1992, Challenger Park -- running along the east wall of Graceland Cemetery -- was dedicated. The Tribune wanted the empty area that was originally there converted to Cubs parking. The neighbors wanted a park.
Ald. Shiller promised: "The Cubs get to use the lot for parking 20 percent of the year. During the rest of the year, the area will have four half-court basketball courts, soccer fields, and, in the winter, an ice skating rink."
Uptown Update took a drive along the soccer field / basketball courts / skating rink last week to see how they turned out. Promises kept?

State Senator Steans Comments On Uptown Gang Violence

A reader received this response from State Senator Heather Steans in regards to Uptown's gang violence:

"The gang violence is clearly a significant (and perhaps more worrisome a growing?) problem. A number of us Senators got included in the capital plan significant dollars to address crime prevention issues in high crime areas (this plan has passed in the Senate, but not yet in the House – I am hopeful that at some point in the near future we will get a capital plan passed since the State is in dire need of one). It is clearly a key issue in any community, and I would like to be helpful in any way I can be. I have scheduled going to all of the upcoming beat meetings in Uptown (I haven’t seen a date yet for the next beat meeting for 2314, which I believe is the beat for Leland and Dover/Beacon – if you know when it is please let me know). My Chief of Staff – Jen Walling who is copied on this email – is keeping my updated on these meetings. I would also be happy to meet with you and/or others who share your concern in advance of the beat meeting to get your sense of what is or is not being done to address the problem. Let me know if you’d like to do this, and we’ll get it scheduled. My phone is 773-769-1717 – if I am not there Jen can schedule for me.

Thanks for your time and involvement on this – safety is clearly fundamental to a strong community, and I very much believe that active resident involvement helps enormously."

Best,

Heather Steans

Ginkgo Community Gardens On Kenmore

YoChicago's profile of Kenmore Avenue made us think of the Ginkgo Organic Community Gardens there, so we went by yesterday and sat for a spell in this quiet little secret niche at 4055 N Kenmore. If you want to get involved, or just enjoy the serenity, click on the link for more information.

Shop Local and "Family Fest" This Weekend

The latest email from Business Partners reminds us that this Saturday, June 28th, there's a lot brewing in Uptown:

The Shop Around is a neighborhood wide sidewalk sale. Local businesses will set up shop in front of their stores and offer specials and sales from 10am to 7pm.

The Family Fest is a free event in the parking lot at Lawrence & Winthrop (kitty-corner from the Aragon Ballroom) from 11am to 3pm. It will feature a petting zoo, jumping jacks, local arts and crafts vendors, performances, demonstrations, a safety fair and more!

In addition to the many businesses participating in the Shop Around (click on the link, it really is quite astonishing), Unique So Chique tells us:

"Along with the Uptown ShopAround, we are doing an outdoor sidewalk sale with TONS of product that we are drastically needing to move. The discount will be anywhere from 50%-75%. CASH ONLY!!"

So spend an hour or two in the community this Saturday, taking advantage of some of the good things we've got.

Call To Action! Write The CHA About The Gangs

The "Open Letter From A Scattered-Site Housing Resident" below certainly hit a nerve. This is what readers have told us:

• The owner of the housing is the City of Chicago and it is managed by Housing Resource Center, a division of Hull House.
  
• The managers of the HRC property in question are Stephen DeWhite and Serie MacDougal (Updated)
  
• These sites have a long, long history of mismanagement -- and were and still are havens for drug dealers.

So what can we do? WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!

We suggest a snail mail or email to those listed below, reproducing the "Open Letter." If enough of us make noise, maybe we can get someone -- anyone -- to address this ongoing, tedious and dangerous problem.

Jerry Williams
Vice President of Housing
Housing Resource Center
Administrative Office
1030 W. Van Buren
Chicago, IL 60607

Lewis A. Jordan
Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Housing Authority
60 East Van Buren
Chicago, IL 60605-1207

The Hon. Richard M. Daley
Mayor, City of Chicago
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street
Room 406
Chicago, IL 60602
Fax: 312-744-8045

*UPDATE: The mayor does not have an email address. The Mayor's office only accepts faxes or mail.

Superintendent Jody P. Weis
Chicago Police Department
3510 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60653

CHA, Couraj And The Same Old Song

A reader made us aware of a series of articles that Raymond Coffey wrote in the Sun-Times about Uptown nearly ten years ago, detailing the problems and roadblocks to revitalization.

The one below is deja vu all over again:

The CHA scattered site housing was being used by drug dealers and the residents were afraid. The property manager, HRC (which Coffey links with Shiller), did nothing. And Couraj (led by Denise Davis) jumped up and down and yelled, "Bigots! Yuppies! Property Values!" And then they pulled out their favorite one-trick pony and cried (wait for it.....) "Police Brutality"!

It would be funny if it weren't so sad. Hasn't nine years of living with this "same old - same old" situation been long enough?

Uptown drug busts fuel battle - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: Uptown drug busts fuel battle

Red Line Closed Wilson To Thorndale

A reader alerts us that the Red Line is closed in our area. He had to exit at Addison and overheard a report that someone was hit by a train at Wilson.

The Tribune says: "Northbound train service along the CTA Red Line was shut down Tuesday afternoon between the Wilson and Thorndale Stations after firefighters had to pull a person off the tracks, officials said."

If you're planning on taking the Red Line today, keep refreshing the Trib's link for updates.

UPDATE: "Northbound train service on the CTA Red Line was temporarily shut down Tuesday afternoon for more than a mile after a train hit someone on the tracks, officials said. The person's condition was unknown, and it's unclear how that person ended up on the tracks. The incident occurred about 2:30 p.m. on the northbound tracks at Wilson Avenue and Broadway, said Catherine Hosinski, a CTA spokeswoman. Service along the northbound Red Line was shut down between the Wilson and Thorndale stations, but has since resumed, she said."

Open Letter From A Scattered-Site Housing Resident

We received the following post from a CHA scattered-site housing resident who requests anonymity, for reasons that will be made clear as you read this letter:

As a CHA resident, I'm writing this email so I can give the residents of Uptown a view inside of what I and others go through on daily basis. I can't give out my name for fear of the safety of my family and other residents where we reside.

The problems that we're having are the gangs and drug dealing in and around the place where we reside. I've attended several CAPS meetings and I'm afraid to speak up because I don't know who may go back and say anything to the gangs. One of the main problems is a family who resides in the building has allowed the gangs and drug dealing to go on in their apartment, and management hasn't done anything to remove them. The address where we reside is 4440 and 4500 north Magnolia.

As I'm writing this email, the gangs decided to have a barbecue inside of our yard and none of these guys live here. I'm afraid to say anything to them for fear of my safety and that of my children. The property has been used to stash drugs, hide gangbangers and other dangerous things. The tenants live in fear because management has turned a blind eye to our complaints and done nothing to ensure our safety.

At 7:13 am, Sunday, June 22, my family and I woke to the sounds of a loud boom only to discover that someone had let some fireworks go off inside of the front entrance of our building. I know other residents are having that problem, but just imagine it going off inside of the place where you and your family live.

Please let the residents of Uptown and posters on uptownupdate know that there are some CHA residents that are a part of the solution for the safety of Uptown and NOT the problem of Uptown.

Okay, readers, what can we do to convince the management of these buildings to address and solve this situation?

YoChicago Experiences "Tour de Kenmore"

Joe Zekas of YoChicago has a video tour of Kenmore as he drives between Irving and Montrose (with a brief detour that takes him to Buena, Sheridan and Montrose). Pretty fun to see the scenery from the dash-cam, and to hear Joe's commentary. He compares and contrasts the days of Kenmore being "Desolation Row" to how it is today. Check it out here.

Shots Fired Last Night At Dover And Leland

It was a busy night last night. Our friends at the "Uptown Crime Blotter" were busy keeping up with the activity in the neighborhood. Several residents also emailed us to give us updates on the shootings near Leland and Dover.

A reader writes in:
"Eight shots fired last night at Dover and Leland. A white Bonneville 4 door car driving towards a blue 4 door sedan coming the other way - blue car containing 4 African American males. Shots fired from both cars. The blue car sped south down Dover with bullet holes throughout and turned east on Wilson. The other white car, also shooting, was a larger car that headed west towards Clark. Three of the 4 people in the blue car were hit and treated at Weiss. They drove themselves to Weiss and were followed by a police car who saw them at a high rate of speed down Wilson."

Another reader added:
"They are still searching for the weapon which should be on the 4600 block of Dover! Please check around your cars and in your yards - we certainly do not need another loose gun on the streets!"

CTA 'BusTracker' Now Tracks Lawrence And Montrose Buses

If you are a frequent rider of buses, as we are, you will be delighted to hear that the CTA's bus tracker system expanded today to include some major northside buses, including the 78 Montrose and 81 Lawrence. We didn't see the always-late 36 Broadway, but hopefully it will be added in the future.
Check out www.ctabustracker.com
We found the "bus location map" to be most useful. This is a great system and we have to hand it to the CTA and Ron Huberman. Now, about those long vacant Wilson El storefronts...

Over The Uptown Rainbow

A reader just sent us a great pic of the rainbow many of you may have seen this evening in the neighborhood. This particular view is from the "Sheridan Grande" near Sheridan and Gunnison. Enjoy.

Up In the Sky ... It's A Bird ... It's A Plane ...

We saw skywriting (advertising skymailme.com) all over the place this weekend. It inspired one of our readers -- okay, it was Irish Pirate -- to create his own version of what's happening in the skies over Uptown. Click here.

Good News About Stash

From the comments:

"HE'S HOME!!!! Jeff and I got a call this afternoon from a vet - someone found Stash - all the way down in the LOOP!!!

A good Samaritan named Todd was coming home from work when Stash came right up to him and started nuzzling his leg, so he brought him home. He and his girlfriend Hillary took him to the vet, and they scanned his microchip and found us!

After almost a month and a half missing, he's sickly skinny and his whiskers are singed off - but he's healthy and he's home. Thank you so much to everyone who helped and loved us through this - the outpouring of support from the community was overwhelming, and will never be able to say thank you enough."

Short Fuses In Uptown

We've been getting a lot of e-mail lately saying, "What are those BOOMS I hear all evening?" Since gunfire's not exactly been an unknown event around here lately, readers -- and we -- have been a bit on edge, wondering if it's time to make yet another 911 call.

I've been hearing a lot of big bang-type noises recently - many more than before. Each time I jump because I think they're gunshots, but I realize they could very well be fireworks (these aren't the multiple-pop-type fireworks, more like one big bang). I've noticed a bunch of kids doing fireworks in the alley by me, and when I watched them and heard the noise I realized that what I had been mistaking for gunshots was really fireworks. Could you please post something on how to tell if what you're hearing are fireworks or gunshots, or pose the question to the group?

So how 'bout it, readers? How do you tell the difference?

In Need Of Pampering?

We just heard about a spa that recently opened in Uptown. It's called "Le Petite Spa" and is located at 4058 N. Sheridan, just a block north of the Sheridan El stop. Check it out if you are in need of some pampering or know someone who is.

Wilson Yard: 20 Years In The Making

We were surprised to learn from a long-time Uptowner that the Holsten/Shiller partnership that's bringing Fabulous Wilson Yard to Uptown goes way, way back. One hand's been washing the other practically since the alderman took office, back in the days before Wrigley Field had lights, and Rick Astley and Belinda Carlisle topped the charts. Check out this Sun-Times article from March 13, 1988:

Uptown hotel is now SRO

With a lot of cooperation, the Norman Hotel has been redeveloped as Uptown's largest single-room occupancy building. The Norman Apartments will include 66 sleeping rooms with mini-kitchens, 77 studios, and 11 one-bedroom apartments. Sleeping rooms with private bath will rent for $240 a month, studios for $285 to $300, and one-bedrooms for $400 a month. (Prices are subject to change without notice.)

Developer Peter Holsten of Oakwood Development; Alderman Helen Shiller (46th); a downtown banker, and a neighborhood investment center all pulled together on the project at 1325 W. Wilson. "I already have a waiting list for these SRO units," Holsten said.

And on November 14, 1991, when the Inspiration Cafe opened at 1319 West Wilson:

During opening ceremonies, landlord Peter Holsten tore up next month's rent check. ... Contributions can be mailed to Shiller 's ward office at 1138 W. Montrose, 60613.

Junk Feud

We had to laugh when we saw this furniture ensemble with a note attached reading: "Returning your Garbage - Stop dumping in our yard." Our own Uptown Hatfields and McCoys!

Where did the junk causing the feud end up? In the middle of the new and beautiful landscaping at El Pollo Loco. Nothing says "Welcome to the Neighborhood!" like a ripped couch and a couple of nasty mattresses.

Crime Blotter from "Inside"

There are some real Einsteins and Eagle Scouts living amongst us. Be careful out there!

‘Gimme your watch’
A 51-year-old was walking June 12 at 5:30 p.m. on the sidewalk on the 900 block of W. Sunnyside when he was approached by a group of five men. One asked “Are you straight?” and then the men started punching and kicking him in the head and body and one yelled “Gimme your watch” before they ran away. The victim was treated and released at Weiss Hospital.

Man, 28, spray paints building, goes into bar for drink
While watching the surveillance camera at 1140 W. Wilson, Nick’s Uptown Bar, observed a man spraying down a building with a can of spray paint. The man then threw the spray bottle into a flower pot at 1136 W. Wilson and went into Nick’s Bar for a drink. Witnesses observed this, called police and the man, 28, of the 4400 block of N. Racine, was arrested. His hands and pants had red paint on them at the time of his arrest.

Battery
A 24-year-old from the 1000 block of W. Lawrence was arrested for punching a 31-year-old several times in the face June 10 on the 800 block of W. Waveland. A gang affiliation to the Spanish Cobras street gang was cited. The victim was treated and released at Thorek Hospital. The attacker has a July 28 court date.

Mother punches daughter in face twice
A 50-year-old mother of the 4600 block of N. Sheridan became enraged June 6 at 8:40 a.m. when she learned her daughter, 13, had borrowed $5 from a McDonald’s security guard, 1004 W. Wilson, in order to take the bus home to get to school and retrieve her house keys. She then punched the girl in the face twice with a closed fist. She tried to punch a third time but the girl and her stepfather, 58, exited their vehicle and the woman drove away. A police officer was flagged down at 1050 W. Wilson and the child was taken to Ravenswood School, 4232 N. Paulina. The mother then came to the school where she was arrested for domestic battery and issued a June 16 court date. The mother made an excited utterance to officers saying, “I was just trying to teach her a lesson.”

Driver flashes gun in traffic dispute
A business owner, 38, was driving June 8 on the 4600 block of Broadway when he became involved in a traffic altercation with a man driving a Nissan. The driver, who was in his 20s and had a large Afro haircut, flashed a gun and then drove away when the owner pulled out cell phone and called 911.

Scooters stolen
A blue 2003 Yamaha parked on the street was stolen on the 900 block of Lakeside Place June 9. Also, a 1998 Kawasaki was stolen June 9 also on the 900 block of W. Lakeside Place.

Girlfriend steals $500
A 64-year-old disabled man of the 4500 block of N. Sheridan Road said that on June 4, his occasional girlfriend, 50, who stays with him sometimes, took $500 cash from his drawer as he slept and departed before he woke up the next morning.

Financial dispute leads to choking
An argument about the finances of a grandmother occurred June 9 at 7:53 p.m. on the 900 block of W. Montrose Ave. During the argument, a man, 42, who allegedly took the grandmother’s bankcard and ID, became angered then put his hands around the neck of a woman, 35, and said, “I’m going to choke the sh-t out of you.” The victim called 911 and left an open line. The dispatcher heard a loud man’s voice in the background and sent out emergency responders. The woman suffered an asthma attack during the choking and was treated at Weiss Hospital.

Mechanic attacked at Hotel Chateau
A mechanic, 41, was walking down the hallway of Hotel Chateau, 3838 N. Broadway, June 1 at 3 a.m. when he was stopped by two known offenders who punched him, knocked him down, kicked him and then removed $200 from his pocket. The attackers, of 3838 N. Broadway, 45, and 24, are related.

Gun pulled on taxi driver
A taxi driver, 28, picked up a fare in Evanston June 8 at 2:20 a.m. and drove the man to 4200 N. Broadway. Then, instead of paying, the rider pulled out a gun and told the driver to hand over his money. The driver instead jumped out of the cab and ran away. The rider also ran away then.

Bike robber taped
A man taking a bicycle was videotaped in the act June 9 at 7:21 p.m. at 4950 N. Marine Drive. The camera shows the offender enter the building, walk to the bicycle storage area, look at the bikes, open the door, put on a helmet and drive off on a bike that was not his. The lock to the room was later found damaged.

Motorcycle stolen from street
A 2008 Suzuki motorcycle was stolen June 8 on the 5000 block of Marine Drive.

40-50% Off At Unique So Chique

Unique So Chique, at Wilson and Magnolia, is having a big sale through the end of June. Customers can get 40-50% off ALL RETAIL (excludes consignment pieces or tea and tea accessories). While you are there, check out their great menu and get a bite to eat.

Wilson El Platform 'Patch Job' Needs Attention

A reader writes in:
"These photos are from this morning at the Wilson Red Line El Stop. The half hazard(ous) attempt to patch up the deteriorating el stop is sickening. Is this the way our tax dollars are being spent on public transportation? This needs to fixed IMMEDIATELY before someone injures themselves!"