Yikes! This car - more orange than yellow - parked on Leland the other day makes this announcement from Ald. Gene Schulter's email blast of January 30th very timely indeed: "The City of Chicago is currently offering:
- 50% off penalties for tickets issued before January 1, 2007 when you pay your tickets in full.
- Fee waivers on boot, tow, and storage fees on a previously booted vehicle if your vehicle is no longer in the City's possession.
- Default fee waiver if you previously defaulted on a payment plan.
These offers end on February 14, 2009. If you can't pay in full, the City of Chicago also offers payment plans including a hardship plan. For more information, please visit the Department of Revenue website."
News from WAMA:
A concerned reader writes in:
(click to enlarge)
With so many dog owners in the area, we thought it wise to point out that every Saturday, between 3-6pm, Wild Pug welcomes all well-behaved dogs (along with, presumably, their equally well-behaved owners). Dogs get free treats, owners need to pony up for theirs. Click here for some photos from past events.
A reader writes in:Information sought on 2 Uptown blogs
The attorney representing Wilson Yard developer Peter Holsten in the lawsuit filed against him by Fix Wilson Yard has subpoenaed Google seeking information about two Uptown blogs.
News-Star learned that the blogs in question are Uptown Update and What the Helen. Each blog was notified by e-mail that they had been subpoenaed as third parties through Google and that they have until Feb. 4 to file a motion to quash the subpoena. Both blogs are maintained anonymously and neither is affiliated with Fix Wilson Yard.
In December, the Uptown community group Fix Wilson Yard, which claims to represent more than 2,000 Chicago residents, filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago and Holsten Real Estate Development.
The residents' lawsuit alleges numerous abuses on the city's part in the creation, planning, implementation and funding of the Wilson Yard TIF district and the corresponding Wilson Yard Redevelopment Plan.
Although News-Star was not able to get a copy of the subpoena at press time, Holsten's attorney, Tom Johnson, confirmed on Monday that Google was served with a subpoena asking for the names of the blogs' account holders. "We did issue a subpoena to Google," Johnson said. "The subpoena asks for all the information for two particular sites that Google has."
Both blogs are on the Web through Blogger, the hosting service of Google, the Internet giant known best for its search service. Johnson said the subpoena asks for ownership information of the blogs. Uptown Update is an active blog that has gained popularity as a clearinghouse for information about the neighborhood. What the Helen was active during the 2007 aldermanic election and has not been updated in over a year.
Both blogs have been highly critical of 46th Ward Ald. Helen Shiller. Shiller's supporters and detractors often debate the alderman's policies and neighborhood issues in both blogs' comments sections.
Johnson said the subpoena is not asking for the e-mail addresses or personal information of those who leave comments on the sites.
Holsten said that he was not aware that Google had been subpoenaed by his defense attorney for information about the blogs. "I tend to stay off the blogs," Holsten said "They can get pretty nasty."
Andrew Pederson, a spokesman for Google in Mountain View, Calif., said that he was not familiar with this particular subpoena. Google regularly receives subpoenas seeking information for a variety of reasons related to blogs hosted on Blogger.com.
Pederson said that unless third parties notify Google that they plan to quash subpoenas, Google must comply with subpoenas and turn over the information sought.
As a condition of using Google's services, bloggers must agree to the terms of Google's privacy policies, which include the disclosure personal information and the content of communications. Google is required to do so "in order to comply with any valid legal process or government request," according to Google's privacy policy. Such conditions include search warrants, subpoenas, statutes and court orders.
Attorneys for Fix Wilson Yard plan to file a motion to quash the subpoena before the Feb. 4 deadline.
In a comment filed to News-Star by e-mail Tuesday, members of Fix Wilson Yard said, "The First Amendment protects our freedom of expression against suppression by the government. It is this right which has allowed for America's most liberating movements and social change. How dare they harass individual citizens for providing forums where people can voice their opinions. This is an absolute outrage. We are confident that our motion to quash the subpoenas will be successful and the judge will see right through this. It is just unfortunate that we have to spend money on frivolous actions by the defendants when our resources are so limited."
Update: Gapers Block has picked up on the story: "Uptown Throwdown, By Ken Green. Uptown Update, the highly popular blog that has become a thorn in the side of Ald. Helen Shiller, particularly over the fate of the Wilson Yard Project, has been subpoenaed by the attorney for the yard's developer, Peter Holsten. Holsten is being sued by a group called Fix Wilson Yard, which opposes the project in its current state. Another area blog, the apparently defunct What The Helen, has also been subpoenaed."
Update #2: The WindyPundit also has a story on this: "Free Speech Department:
Google Subpoenaed Over Anonymous Blogs In Connection With Controversial Chicago TIF Project"
Update #3: The Marathon Pundit is now following this saga.
Update #4: Tom Mannis at The Chicago News Bench has an analysis of the events unfolding. Check it out here.
Update #5: And Chicagoist joins in, too.
Well, that didn't take long, did it?
Questions plague plans for Uptown's Wilson Yard: Project has moved slowly, amid lawsuits that say its funding is illegal and questions over whether it will help community
Read the story here. Comments are open.
Wilson Yard lawsuit goes to court on May 5
News from Unique So Chique at Wilson and Magnolia:
Here is a great view from 1923 looking north on Sheridan towards Wilson. The only buildings that remain today are the Uptown Baptist Church on the left and the Sheridan Plaza Hotel building on the right. The building that stood where McDonald's now stands housed a bowling alley, drugstore and cafeteria. (photo: Library of Congress)
From Clarendon Park Neighborhood Association:
"The meeting has been scheduled with the Maryville developer. At this meeting they will present their initial design ideas, and explain their construction schedule and proposed uses for the site. The community will have an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns. The meeting will take place next Wednesday, February 4th, 7pm at the Clarendon Park fieldhouse. The fieldhouse is located at Sunnyside and Clarendon. It is imperative we have a strong neighborhood showing for this event if we want the developer to take our concerns seriously. Please take the time to attend."
A reader directs us to the Uptown page of the Chicago Housing Bubble website, which includes this gem: "[Wilson Yard] has become the biggest government blunder in the history of government blunders (well, not really, but it's still pretty big)."
We were interested to read the figures on Uptown condo sales figures, which seem to be holding their own. No gains, but small losses, unlike the double-digit figures reported in other parts of the country. Uptown single-family homes and 2-4 flats, on the other hand... not such good reading.
We'd be interested in knowing how Uptown's percentages stack up against other parts of the city.
Celebrate the Year of the Ox in Uptown this weekend: Saturday, January 31, noon - 1 p.m.
From Metromix: "Annual celebration of the Lunar Chinese New Year starts with traditional dragon and lion dances and Kung Fu demonstrations. Floats and bands proceed through the neighborhood from Argyle Street to Sheridan Road, south to Lawrence Avenue and north on Broadway to Argyle Street." In past years, the parade has started at the el station on Argyle.
"This is Vee on behalf of Kahawa House Coffee Lounge inviting the Uptown neighborhood to our bi-monthly Kahawa Creative Espressions Night. It's free. We want Uptown to showcase its artistic skills on the open mic and to start enjoying their Thursdays. It is BYOB as well.
We have sandwiches and drinks and encourage people to try the Barack o' Caramel; it's delicious. The event itself is on Thursday, January 29th, 2009. Our address is : 838 W. Montrose. The number is 773-275-3700. The past events have been successful and we want to keep them coming.
We also have a tax specialist who will do taxes at the coffee shop!! She has been doing them for over 20 years and will get you your money!! Call or come in for more information."
Many who attended the Crime Safety meeting last summer were impressed by Alternatives, Inc., whose representative spoke of the need to help area kids to keep them out of gangs. If you're someone who wants to help in that effort, Alternatives is seeking a few Uptown citizens to commit to becoming a tutor for this pilot program. Click on the flyer for a larger version. 
Anyone else remember the Truman Parking meeting in March 2008 when CTA President and Uptown resident Ron Huberman thrilled the crowd by admitting the Wilson L is a disgrace, and promised renewed retail and rehab? The following news item makes us wonder if we'll ever see it now....
"Chicago Transit Authority President Ron Huberman will be appointed the new head of Chicago Public Schools, a source close to the matter is reporting. A formal announcement is to come as soon as Tuesday, by Mayor Richard M. Daley, sources reported."
Read the entire story here.
The next 23rd District Court Advocates monthly meeting is Tuesday, January 27 (fourth 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).
If you want to see Ald. Shiller's campaign finance reports over the years, go to Helen's Money, where it's all laid out for you. A reader reports that the latest D-2s are now public, and he found some fun stuff there."Ald. Shiller's campaign finance report for June - December 2008 just hit the state campaign disclosure website. If you search for her report and click on itemized contributions, there are a couple fun donations:
Target, 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403
$1,000.00, 12/3/2008 Individual Contribution
Citizens for Shiller
That was probably the $1000 they meant to use for a 'Coming Soon' sign.
Walsh Construction, 929 W Adams, Chicago, IL 60607
$1,000.00, 1/20/2008 Individual Contribution
Citizens for Shiller
Wonder how they felt about this when they pulled their equipment from Wilson Yard because they weren't getting paid.
Also of note as I skimmed the thing:
Nick's Uptown (Kimmick Corp), 4015-17 N Sheridan, Chicago, IL 60613
$500.00, 11/24/2008 Individual Contribution
Citizens for Shiller
I guess you can host Fix Wilson Yard fundraisers, and have your aldermanic cake too.
And the most curious contribution:
Quick Turnaround Services - a crisis management firm
http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_qy8rv7
Quick Turnaround Services Inc, , 2246 W 24th St, Chicago, IL 60608
$200.00, 11/21/2008 Individual Contribution
Citizens for Shiller"
A reader writes:
"I have been watching and waiting to see what was going to happen to the buildings on the west side of the street at Foster and Broadway for many, many years. This property contains an apartment building (1310 W. Foster) and the large site of the old Piser Funeral home across from the CVS.Foster-Broadway LLC has been paying the taxes on this empty eyesore and now these buildings have been vandalized and tagged with gang symbols, but similar to your "4621 N. Broadway article," no one cleans it up. After all these years of looking at this abandoned building, the business community, Uptown Chamber, and Alderman need to force a clean-up or development of this property.
Why is this being neglected? Is Chicago willing to let it sit as long as the taxes are being paid?After some research with the Cook County Assessor and Treasurer, there are 8 parcels owned by Foster-Broadway LLC which is a combination of buildings and parking lots. Even with the absence of good parking in Uptown, I would think the owner could make some money even renting the spaces.
In any case, I am interested if anyone in your reading audience knows what is going on with this site and hopefully by posting these concerns, perhaps we can raise some awareness that some one needs to do something about this real eyesore in our community."
Update: "I was able to locate the following information on this property at 5206-44 N. Broadway. It looks to be newly listed on the market for 76 days advertised as 18.5 lots for $469,900 each or total of $18.5 million, listed by Jameson Realty."
There’s a new online game with an Uptown theme, on… http://mmneighbors.com/. (Look on the top right corner for the button.)
The Uptown Chicago Mistake Hunter Game : Compare identical Uptown Chicago pictures to see if you can find the mistakes in the copy. (If you look closely, Alderman Shiller can be spotted in one of the photos.)
Thanks, Magnolia Malden Neighbors!
Outside the Loop radio gives Uptown Update and "passionate" Uptowners a tip of the hat this week for "so much participation that it's crazy!" Give it a listen here. It's all interesting; the Uptown segment starts around the 19:30 mark.
Calling Uptowners with long memories or a good knowledge of Uptown's history!
"The Nelson Algren Centennial Committee is planning to celebrate the author’s 100th Birthday on March 28th in his old stomping grounds of Bucktown/Wicker Park.
However, we know from our research that this iconic Chicago author lived, worked and socialized in other neighborhoods as well.
That’s where Uptowners (at least those with long memories) come in! We know that somewhere around Broadway and Montrose was a location for a notorious “established permanent floating card game” (props to Guys & Dolls) that attracted cops as well as “characters” including Algren. Anybody who can supply the “inside skinny” on this is welcome to contact us, confidentiality assured.
Also, in 1924 there was something called the “Uptown Arrows” basketball team, for which Nelson was record-keeper. Again, anyone who can clue us in on this is invited to contact us.
For more information about the Committee and the man we celebrate, contact http://www.nelsonalgren.org/."
We often hear from readers and new residents who want to get involved with CAPS, but don't know when and where their beat's meetings take place. A reader let us know that events schedules, including CAPS meetings, are now online at the Chicago Police website:
- Click here for the 20th District
- Click here for the 23rd District
Although many of Uptown Update's readers felt the recent article about "Two Uptowns" in the News-Star was spot on, Business Partners had a different take on it. They sent a Letter to the Editor that's printed in the current News-Star:Regarding News-Star's editorial "A Tale of Two Uptowns" (January 15, 2009), we urge you to consider the following developments, all south of Lawrence Avenue: the attractive redevelopment of The Phoenix (Borders Building), the landmark Uptown Bank Building, the newly redeveloped Uptown Broadway building and The Riviera Office Building, MDT's award-winning rehab using green technology, Agami Sushi, Alma Pita, Magnolia Café, Café Too, Pegasus Players, Black Ensemble Theatre, and unique entertainment venues like The Spot and the Tattoo Factory Gallery. Consider also brand new businesses like Fontana Grill, Light Speed: Chicago and Kahawa Coffee House, and the scores of sustainable businesses that have operated in Uptown for decades. We could go on and on.
We acknowledge that there are safety concerns to be actively addressed, and this is happening through CAPS and the newly formed safety committees. Is there a lot to do? Of course. But to divide the community as you describe does not serve any of our businesses or institutions well. We need to build on Uptown's strengths and work together proactively to enrich the business community.
The board and staff of Uptown United and Business Partners, The Chamber for Uptown
Sad to say, we've been getting quite a few emails about gunshots early this morning. A reader writes:
"There were 8-9 gunshots fired in the alley next to 1462 W. Leland. The shots occurred after a loud altercation, then the gunshots, followed by screaming. I placed a 911 call and they noted that several people from the neighborhood had also called."
Anyone know any more details?
As in previous years, the City of Chicago is offering free tax preparation for families earning less than $45,000, and individuals earning less than $20,000. There are several Uptown sites:
- Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson
- North Side Credit Union, 1011 W. Lawrence
- McCormick Boys & Girls Club, 4835 N. Sheridan
Check here to find the hours of each site. The program runs January 24 through April 15.
The final episode of the final season of "ER" will have a scene shot in Uptown, on Leland between Winthrop and Broadway. It marks the second time the show has used the beautiful vintage rehabbed Clover Building as a setting. Filming will take place on January 30th, so residents in the surrounding area should be prepared for some traffic and parking disruption from very early in the morning throughout the day.
FROM STNG WIRE REPORTS
The Huffington Post has picked up on the story of the TIF's waste, secrecy and cronyism:
"Change Comes to Washington, Will it Come to Chicago?
On the eve of the inauguration of Barack Obama to be the 44th President of the United States, a group of citizens met in a theater in Uptown, Chicago to demand accountability from their government. The city that gave the United States a leader who called for change is seething with citizen anger over a laundry list of corruption, cronyism and crooked deals. They are wondering if the change that is hopefully coming to Washington can ever take place at their doorstep."
It's a in-depth look at the whole TIF mess and ends with this: "Who is watching the store when so much tax dollars are being offered to private businesses? Yes, change is coming to Washington. And if the citizens of Uptown who are organizing and supporting Fix Wilson Yard have their way, change will be coming to Chicago. And soon."
Read the entire article here.
The student journalists at Medill have done another story focusing on Uptown and the progress of FixWilsonYard:
Wilson Yard Activists Get Day in Court with City Hall
by Ellen Thompson, Jan 20, 2009
Real estate attorney Thomas Ramsdell and co-counsel Champ Davis, representing the nonprofit Fix Wilson Yard, told a group of more than 100 Uptown residents at the Annoyance Theater Monday night that their landmark suit will go before a judge on May 5. At that time the counsel will also seek a preliminary injunction to halt development at the former Wilson Yard site.
Read the entire story here.
Well, we did it again. As of today, we passed the 1,000,000 visitor mark on Uptown Update and we couldn't have done it without our loyal readers. You have proven that there is a need for information in Uptown...information that is not being made available by the powers-that-be. With your help, we will continue to bring you the latest information on your neighborhood and stories that our mainstream media and elected officials choose to ignore. We've only just begun...
Those of you who were hoping for the supper club from the owners of "Club Lucky" to open in the basement space of the newly renovated Uptown Broadway Building, we have bad news: they have pulled out. The folks who wanted to open a wine bar have also pulled out. We are told there is one restaurant/bar in very early talks for part of the ground level space of the building, but as you know, deals fall through. That's why we are asking for our readers to contact any business they would like to see in these spaces, for example, "Kuma's Corner." All of the info needed is in the spec sheet above (click to enlarge). And just in case any business is leery of opening up here since they assume it's in the 46th Ward, please note this building is in the 48th Ward. We also hope our Uptown Chamber is actively searching for businesses to locate in these spaces as well..jpg)
A reader sends in the following photos and writes:
UU Note: If you want Kuma's to locate in Uptown, click here and send them an email.
A reader sends us her photos from this weekend at Montrose Harbor. Check out the folks in the background snowboarding! How many other neighborhoods in Chicago have that? You can check out more snowy Montrose Harbor photos here.
If this aerial photo from the 1930's doesn't take your breath away, not much will. Click to enlarge and enjoy. Check out a higher resolution version here, suitable for framing. (photo: CTA)
This view has changed quite a bit since 1988. This shot is looking down from the Wilson L platform towards where the infamous currency exchange/strip mall now stands. Does anyone remember this view? It looks like a large parking lot stood on the corner at this time.
The folks from Fix Wilson Yard want to remind residents that you can still reserve a seat for the presentation by the FWY attorneys at the Annoyance Theater on January 19. Doors open at 7pm for cocktails and conversation. A $10 donation reserves your seat. The Annoyance Theater is located at 4830 N. Broadway. More info at www.fixwilsonyard.org
Check out how the view has changed at Lawrence and Broadway from the early 90's (above) to today. We sure don't miss that blue siding covering the now beautifully restored Riviera Building.
