Civil Unions Bill Passes Illinois House

The dedication and hard work of State Rep. Greg Harris (13th District - including Uptown) led to a historic civil unions bill (SB1716, "Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act") passing through The Illinois House of Representatives this evening.

"We have a chance today to make Illinois a more fair state, a more just state, and a state which treats all of its citizens equally under the law," Harris said on the House floor.

Earlier in the day, a Senate committee, pushed by Sen. Heather Steans (7th District - including Uptown) and others, attached the civil unions bill to an unrelated Senate bill and subsequently passed it out of committee on a 6-2 vote. Since the House went on to pass Harris' bill, though, it's expected that the Senate will vote on the bill on Thursday.

Read more about it at Gay Chicago Magazine, NBC Chicago or Chicago Tribune.

Better yet, if you are happy about this legislation, contact your local representatives - Rep Harris and Sen Steans to say thank you! It's really the only neighborly thing to do.

Out Of Control Guest At Wilson Men's Club

A reader sends in the following pic and info:
"The police just called for a taser unit (around 3:40pm) for an out of control guest at Jay Bomberg's Hotel & Spa (aka Wilson Men's Club) at Wilson & Clifton."

23rd District Court Advocates Meet Tonight

Tonight is the first meeting of the 23rd District Court Advocates in their new location, the new police station at 850 West Addison. We urge you to join them. If you can make even one court case a month, it can make a huge difference: your silent presence in the courtroom tells the judge, the attorneys, and even the defendant that this is a case that the community is concerned over. The meeting is tonight at 6:00-6:30pm. Generally, cases that are followed by the court advocates are at 26th/California or Skokie.

Hardest Working Man In Uptown Also Sex Offender

A reader sends in the following info:
"Pretty sure you've already spotted this since it hit the Sun-Times but a resident of Cornerstone homeless shelter on Clifton was very busy this fall gathering signatures for Rev Meeks and Rahm Emanuel's tenant to run for Mayor.

The Sun-Times article says he collected over 7000 total signatures. Based on personal experience, paid petition seekers can get paid from $1 to $3 for each valid signature gathered for a candidate. The guy probably had a pretty nice payday. Shockingly, Cornerstone hasn't seen Mr. Arthur Hardy, Jr since before Thanksgiving which is about the same time he probably got paid.

Worse for Uptown, this guy is a repeated convict, and a non-compliant registered sex offender according to the Tribune.

I hope you can run this asap with a request for any readers who spot him to call 911, as a non-compliant sex offender he would be picked up by CPD for arrest and a probation or registration hold immediately.

Would be nice if Cornerstone got their act together enough to not let registered sex offenders stay at their facilities across from Truman's Day Care, or down the block from their own shelter for homeless families with kids."

May We Suggest A Sensor On This Viaduct?

Engineers installed sensors in a CTA viaduct at Sheridan & Devon to determine whether or not they are safe for the L passengers who pass over them everyday. Our bridge at Broadway and Leland should be another top candidate.

Read more at the Tribune

How Sad Is This?

In reading the Trib story about yesterday's shooting, one line jumped out at us:

"Pamela Norwood, a clerk at a nearby Payless shoe store ... has worked at the shoe store for about a year and said violence has always been customary."

Right across from the alderman's office.  A block from a brand new project that cost tens of millions of dollars and was touted as the salvation of Uptown.

For this woman who's worked there for the past year, "Violence has always been customary."

Let's add this truism to Helen Shiller's legacy of failed social innovations:  Ignoring violence doesn't stop it; it makes it worse. 

The person who is supposed to be leading this ward:

• won't acknowledge the violence, even when murders and shootings happen right across the street from her office
• won't admit that the residents she's supposed to represent are right to be scared ("What is it about this particular video that caused such great fear in so many people?")
• won't meet with the concerned community (remember "Run, Helen, Run"? remember "This isn't your college campus, sweetie"?)
• won't admit that street rioters carrying bricks and clubs are guilty of anything more than "attempted fisticuffs"
• won't attend CAPS meetings or send representatives ... unless the mayor's around for a "very special" joint CAPS meeting that none of the regular CAPS facilitators are notified about, right before a close election
• has a son who makes his living by suing police officers, including those working in her own ward

Please, guys, make a commitment to vote in February for the candidate of your choice, and make it someone who has the experience and knowledge to start reversing the trends that Helen "Violence Is Not My Issue" Shiller has ignored for far too long. 

You know that old saying about "lead, follow or get out of the way"?  After 24 years of putting a check in the box that reads "none of the above," she's finally getting out of the way.  No matter what the weather or your schedule is like in February, make yourself a promise - right now - that you'll vote and elect a leader for the 46th Ward.  Someone who won't accept that "Violence has always been customary."  Someone who cares enough, and knows enough, to start reversing the terrible pattern of nightly drive-bys and mid-afternoon gunfire at Wilson and Broadway.  Someone who's willing and able to lead.

Shots Fired This Afternoon, 2 Shot Near Truman College

A lovely afternoon with guests at the UU household... suddenly interrupted by seven shots fired nearby, around 3:50pm. Sounded like it was around Wilson & Broadway, although that's just a guess. Anyone else got any more info? Please add it to the comments.

Update: via Chicago Breaking News:
2 Shot Near Truman College in Uptown
A 17-year-old male and a 19-year-old male were hospitalized after being shot this afternoon near the Truman College campus in the city's Uptown neighborhood, officials said.

Paramedics responded to 1145 W. Wilson Avenue about 4 p.m., said Chicago Fire Department Chief Joe Roccasalva. The Truman College campus is listed at that address.

Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Daniel O'Brien said the shooting occurred on the 1000 block of West Wilson after someone with a gun fired into a crowd who then ran away.

The 17-year-old was shot in the left shoulder and left leg and was taken in serious-to-critical condition to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. The 19-year-old was shot in the right shoulder and was taken in fair-to-serious condition to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, officials said.

Chicago Neighborhoods, By The Book

Mary Schmich's column in the Tribune today mentions Explore Chicago: Eat. Play. Love. Our Neighborhoods. "The city deployed researchers to 77 Chicago communities in search of cool things to do and see, then hired Al Solomon, former Tribune travel writer, to write essays about each neighborhood.  Download for free on lulu.com.  Or buy the colorful book, a great gift for Chicago explorers."

The Uptown section is only two pages long, but has some great quotes:

• "Uptown is a community emerging from a time warp, fifully and at times grudgingly."
• "This is one of Uptown’s more intriguing districts, where apartment buildings and handsome greystones share streets with century-old mansions, many fully restored and some awaiting a little tender care."
• "... Annoyance Theatre, which somehow balances drama, improv and martinis."

Thank you to the reader who brought this to our attention this morning.

What A Difference Windows Make

A sharp-eyed reader caught a glimpse of a familiar building on Wilson under the L tracks from the movie "The Package" starring Gene Hackman. The movie was made in 1989 so this stretch of Wilson looked quite a bit better back then, not boarded up and covered in graffiti like today. Check out the view below we are all accustomed to today, another decrepit, CTA-owned retail space in Uptown.

Ald. Shiller Pontificates On City Issues

Ald. Shiller was a guest on a panel of 3 on WBEZ who shared their thoughts on the mayoral race and city issues. Listen to the discussion that took place at Petro's Restaurant in the Chicago loop here (click listen to the story at the top).

Book Signing At Borders Today

From our friendly Uptown Borders store:

Ever wonder what it is like to publish your first novel? Kathryn Simpson can share that story with you as well as her debut novel, The Farmer’s Story this Saturday, November 27, from 2-4pm.

Set in the American Midwest at the start of the 21st century, a family shattered by heartbreak decides if pride and fear will outweigh forgiveness and their faith in one another. From a southern Illinois farming community to St. Louis and Chicago, the farmer will try to honor his wife's dying wish and reconcile with his estranged, adopted children. The Farmer’s Story explores how the journey to reconciliation can strengthen each of the ties that bind us.

Stretching throughout Thanksgiving and the holiday season, The Farmer’s Story is the perfect warm page-turner and one of the best self-published novels I’ve read to date. Join us November 27, 2010 2:00 p.m. at 4718 N. Broadway Avenue, your Uptown Borders.

-Nicholas Taylor

Gunshots On 4600 Block of Winthrop

Quite a few readers are reporting between 6 and 10 shots fired on the 4600 block of Winthrop around 1:30 Saturday morning. 

The concert at the Aragon had just let out, and several readers reported loud groups of Latino youths yelling and congregating in the parking lot of House of Prayer shortly before the shots were heard, although it's not known if these two incidents were related.  Police were on the scene very shortly.

Damn, we're so sick of this.

Update:  A reader says, "I walked down my street today to see if I could see where the shots were fired.  There was a ton of dark tinted car window glass all over the sidewalk in front of the parking lot at House of Prayer (east of Iyanze).  The CleanSlate guy I was talking to said it means that the shots came from inside someone's car, so it must have been a drive-by.  Still pretty freaked out about my 10-shot wake-up call."

And Now For An Important Message...

Lakeview Activist And Shiller Supporter Turns 80

A reader sends in the following info and link:
"One time 46th ward aldermanic candidate and Lakeview community activist Charlotte Newfeld turned 80 this week. She is one of Ald. Shiller's staunchest supporters and according to this article, she is throwing her support behind Don Nowatny. Interesting."

Read the Windy City Times article by Joseph Erbentraut here
photo by Hal Baim

48th Ward Window Vandal Caught

via Chicagoist:
"Admir Susic, 40, was arrested for the 48th Ward office damage, and charged with two counts of felony criminal damage to property on Nov. 13. He was caught at 5:15 a.m. throwing a piece of concrete at the PNC Bank, 5247 N. Broadway St. Susic allegedly admitted his guilt and said, “Words to the effect of he was fed up with the banks and government since 2001,” according to a CPD spokesman."
photo courtesy Sun-Times

Cappleman Rallies Support For Civil Unions

via Windy City Times
photo and story by Joseph Erbentraut

Need Stocking Stuffer Ideas?

We heard from Christine at The Center for Yoga and Meditation:
"The Center for Yoga and Meditation at 1352 W. Wilson Ave is the place to go this year for great stocking stuffers!

Gift Certificates:
$10 1 hour foot massage
$5 (yoga, meditation, or gong bathe classes).

Call or text 847.687.3688

Happy Holidays, Uptown!"

Clout St: Orr Calls For TIF Timeout

by Hal Dardick
Cook County Clerk David Orr today called for a timeout on creating controversial tax increment finance districts that retiring Mayor Richard Daley has relied on to spur economic development during his tenure.

Orr wants the moratorium to last at least until Daley's final term ends in May and hopes a comprehensive review of TIF districts can be done in the meantime. It’s not clear, however, if any new ones are wending their way through the city approval process. Attempts to get comment from Daley’s administration were not immediately successful.
“TIF Districts are supposed to generate economic development where it otherwise would not occur,” Orr said. “They were not created to be a rainy day fund or a safety net when the economy went sour. Too often, Chicago’s policy has been to collect millions in a piggy bank and decide how to spend it later.” Continue Reading

So What Do You Think About The New Dominick's?

So now that we're no longer wondering when the new Dominick's will be in business, the Grand Opening has come and gone, the lines have become manageable, what do you think of the new store?

Readers say they like the wine selection and prices.  We pretty much love the olive bar.  What's your take?

Update:  Some information about the opening and the store from Dominick's press release:  "In honor of Veterans’ Day, a trumpeter from Loyola University played the national anthem for the crowd of neighbors, business and civic leaders who gathered for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the store. Continuing its legacy of giving through partnerships with non-profit organizations, Dominick’s made a contribution to Care For Real. The center supports the community by providing food, clothing and counseling services to those in need.

The new Dominick’s is nearly 55,000 square feet, over 15,000 feet larger than the old store. It is a ground-up replacement for the store built in 1978 on that site. The store has several environmentally friendly features, including energy saving refrigeration cases, native landscaping that requires less water, a cool roof that reduces the urban heat island effect, and other energy saving and environmentally friendly features."

Ladies & Gents, Meet Your New Alderman

As of 4:04pm, there are ten candidates who've turned in nominating petitions in the 46th Ward. They are: James Cappleman, Michael Carroll, Marc Kaplan, Andy Lam, Caitlin McIntyre, Don Nowotny, Molly Phelan, Befekadu Retta, Diane Shapiro and Emily Stewart. Not sure if there's still time for more, but we'll keep our eyes on the Board of Elections website for any latecomers.

Update:  Two more dark horses, filing late.  Say hello to Janice V. Thomas and Scott Baskin.  The filing period is closed, so we've got an even dozen candidates in the 46th Ward.

This is unofficial, and there may be challenges and invalid signatures. A full official slate will be released in December.

All we have to say is: Gerald Farinas, Jesse Wilson, Denise Davis... you coulda been a contendah!

Uptown Not Violent Enough; Cops Transferred To South & West Sides?

That's what inside talk, and now an article in the Sun-Times, says:

The districts with the lowest numbers of 911 calls and "RAP" events were on the North Side and Northwest Side, including the Foster, Town Hall, Albany Park, Jefferson Park, Monroe and Wood districts.

The police officer who told us this would be happening says:  "Your readership needs to contact their respective Commander, The Chief of Patrol and Aldermanic contenders. Why should hard-working, tax-paying citizens not get the police service that we deserve?"

Here's their contact information - and a reminder that this decision is being made by the brass, NOT by our local command.  Be polite and express your reasoning for opposing this decision. 

• Superintendent of Police Jody P Weis - 312-745-6100
• Chief of Patrol Ernest P. Brown - 312-745-6210

• 23rd District Commander Kathy Boehmer:
  

  23ehotline@chicagopolice.org; 312-744-8320
• 20th District Commander Lucy Moy-Bartosik:
  

  CAPS020District@chicagopolice.org; 312-742-8714

• 48th Ward Alderman Mary Ann Smith: 773-784-5277; info@masmith48.org
• 46th Ward Alderman Helen Shiller:  773-878-4646; ward46@cityofchicago.org

Streetscape Update

From Ald. Gene Schulter's weekly email newsletter, sent out on Friday:

The streetscape project on Clark is almost complete.

• The stamped crosswalks should be completed by Tuesday.
• The fall planting is almost finished.
• The trash receptacles, bike racks, and remaining signs will be finished next week.
• The street identifiers will be completed by the week after Thanksgiving.

A wrap up punch list will be generated and completed. All spring plantings will take place in April 2011. Please keep in mind that this schedule depends on the weather.

More Petition Intrigue

A couple readers tell us that Marc Kaplan (famous, or infamous, round these parts for his work with COURAJ and CopWatch, and, oh yes, for being sued by a police officer for encouraging local youths to file false claims of police brutality) had someone out and about soliciting signatures on aldermanic petitions today.  Yup, attempting to follow in the footsteps of his close ally, Ald. Shiller.

Man, this race just gets more and more fun! Monday is the last day for potential candidates to file their nominating petitions, so we'll be watching extra closely to see who's in, and who's not.

Private Camera Security

From the Action Uptown blog, maintained by the 48th Ward Aldermanic Office:

"Security cameras can protect your home and business. They deter crime from occurring and assist in solving crimes that have occurred. Now the City is working with citizens to tie their private security cameras into the City's 911 call center, run by the Office of Emergency Management and Communication (OEMC).

Exterior surveillance cameras tied into OEMC can be accessed during an emergency to provide first responders with information pertinent to the situation. Alderman Smith utilized this program at the public schools in the 48th Ward to great success. If you already have security cameras, or are thinking of installing security cameras, click on the brochure below or call OEMC at 312-746-9111 for more information."

Truman Construction Update

We received this in email from a reader about the construction schedule at Truman College. We don't know who was interviewed, but appreciate the information provided.

"It hasn’t been easy for people to pick their way around the obstacle course around Truman College’s construction (and it has been even worse for the residents of the 4400 blocks of Racine and Clifton and the 1100 block of Montrose for the past couple of years). Since the College hasn’t been telling us much of anything beyond one-week projections (and we’re paying for the work), I posed some questions — here they are, along with the answers that were kindly provided:

Q: What is the current target date for completion of major construction?
A: December 6, 2010.

Q: With winter weather nearly upon us, is the landscaping to be completed in spring, or will there still be an effort to do it yet this year?
A: Planting will be completed in the spring.

Q: When is the sidewalk reconstruction along Wilson Avenue anticipated to be completed?
A: December 6, 2010.

Q: When will the sidewalks through the former Racine Mall be opened for pedestrian through-traffic?
A: We hope to open them January 1, 2011 if all goes as planned.

Q: With extensive pedestrian traffic to and from the Wilson Red Line stop from residents in the 4400 blocks of North Racine and North Clifton, and the 4300 block of North Kenmore, many of us have been curious if there will be passage available for us through the new McKeon Building — particularly during inclement weather. Since we are unaware of the internal layout of the building and the College’s policy regarding neighborhood residents’ passage, can we anticipate clear passage through the building?
A: College and City Colleges administrators are still discussing this. The main issue is security, the concern that people who do not live in the neighborhood and are not simply cutting through the building will have access to offices, bicycle storage, etc.

Q: Will there be passage provided from the College’s campus beneath the CTA tracks to the Aldi and Target stores in the Wilson Yard development?
A: There are plans to build a walk, but they are independent of our project. The property in question belongs not to Truman but to the CTA. The alderman's office may be able to provide more information."

Positive Loitering Tonight, 7-8 PM Sheridan & Leland

from the Uptown Chicago Commission...

Button up your overcoat! Please join your neighbors for a final evening of Positive Loitering from 7-8 PM at the corner of Leland and Sheridan. Although the evenings have turned cooler, our friends at Inspiration Corp and Cafe Too! have graciously offered to provide hot coffee and tea to keep you warm. A fresh batch of puppy treats from Soggy Paws will be available to keep your canine companions happy and a supply of hand warmers to keep your fingers toasty.

The event is being sponsored by the Uptown Chicago Commission and all are encouraged to attend. As always, the police are aware of our efforts and encourage neighborhood participation.

CTA's Holiday Train To Be In Uptown This Weekend

From the Going Public blog:

"The CTA holiday train will be at the Wilson stop on Saturday at 12:48 p.m., 3:28 p.m., 5:49 p.m. and 7:54 p.m.  It will be at the Wilson stop on Sunday at 1:20 p.m., 3:46 p.m., 5:39 p.m. and 8:10 p.m.  Here’s the link for schedule and request for holiday train photos."

Some awesome photos from last year are there, too, including the one to the left.  The Holiday Train will be back on the Red Line on December 15th and 17th.

Free Afternoon Jolt At Starbucks Through The Weekend

Buy a Starbucks Holiday Drink between 2pm and 5pm today through Sunday and get another drink of equal or greater value for free.  More about it here.

Disney School Parking Closed?

A reader asks:  "Have you heard anything about what is going on at the parking lot behind the Disney school at Clarendon and Belle Plaine? There are signs posted all over that the business that manages the parking lot was closed by order of the city of Chicago. Just wondering whether they are still collecting money for that lot and if so, where it's going. The signs appeared in the last couple of days."

And Now There Are Six

Diane Shapiro, the 46th Ward's Republican Committeeman, filed her petitions to run for alderman yesterday at 10:03am.  We can't find an election website for her (we took this photo from the 46th Ward GOP site), so please let us know if you come across one.

Update:  Steven Chereska has filed to be the third candidate in the 48th Ward to a submit nominating petition.  Phil Bernstein remains declared, but has not yet turned in petitions.

Book Signing At Borders

From our local Borders at 4718 N. Broadway:

"Interested in books about true crime with Chicago ties? Answering yes means it lies in your best interest to check out Maureen Hughes, author of The Countess and the Mob: The untold story of Marajen Stevick Chinigo and Mafia lord Johnny Rosselli this Friday the 19th from 4:30 – 6:00 & Saturday the 20th from 2:00 – 4:00 at Borders in Uptown at 4718 N. Broadway.

Maureen Hughes was first introduced to Countess Marajen Chinigo in the 1980s in a hospital room in Champaign, Illinois. Assigned to provide personal security to the Countess, Hughes knew few details about the woman she was protecting.

As Hughes shares the fascinating story she uncovered after conducting three years of research and in-depth conversations with friends of the Countess, she unveils a time period where mobsters, presidents, celebrities, and countesses all mingled among dark, captivating secrets.

Check out her website at http://www.countessmaureen.com/ and visit Borders Uptown to pick up your copy this Friday and Saturday!"

Chivas & Crew & Bears (Oh My!)

The first place Bears travel to Miami for a Thursday night game against the Dolphins. Watch the game at Crew. Game time is 7:20 pm. We will be raffling Bears items during the game.  Thursday is extra tasty with a visit from Chivas Brand Ambassador, Ross Graham, to Crew. Ross will be sharing his knowledge and sampling Chivas products during the game.

Pray for a high score, because Papa Ray's is offering a discount the day after every Bears game equivalent to the number of points the Bears scored.  Details here.

Broken Windows: Not Just A Theory Anymore

At CAPS the other night, police mentioned that someone's car had been broken into, and the only things in plain sight were two library books.  Just a reminder, don't leave anything in your car.  Unfortunately, as this reader says, 'tis the season for break-ins.  If you happen to see someone walking down the street looking into parked cars, call 911.

"Two more car windows were broken out overnight Tuesday into Wednesday along Hazel.  This time they were parked directly in front of 4278 Hazel despite two big lights on that building and being under two street lights on that corner.  There have also been windows broken out of cars almost daily along Broadway, especially between Buena and Montrose.  This really has become a daily problem in this area as you can see by the broken glass along the curbs and sidewalks everywhere!"

They Fought The Law (And The Law Arrested 'Em)

A reader forwarded us some further information about the shooting that happened at Sheridan and Argyle last week.  Paraphrasing:

The victim is a Black P-Stone gang member from the Southeast Side; he was shot in the foot.  The shooting occurred along the eastern border of the area that the Black P-Stones somehow believe belongs to them. Two people were arrested for their part in the shooting, a white female and a black male who live on the 4800 blocks of Kenmore and Winthrop.  They were arrested on Battery/ Aggravated Handgun charges.  The case is now in the active stage of prosecution.

College Journalist Reports On Aldermanic Forum

A student journalist from Columbia College was at the latest UNC Candidate Forum; this is how it went.
 

Byline:  Ali Balgooyen

Three 46th Ward Alderman hopefuls gathered in an open forum to convince residents they are the best candidates for the job.

Emily Stewart, Andy Lam, and Berekadu Retta meet at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday night at Nick's Uptown to discuss how they would unite the 46th Ward to get rid of gang violence, create real budget reform, and fix transportation within the ward.

"I think it’s time for someone to stand up and get something fixed," said Lam. "I consider myself a fixer. I am not a politician, I am not lawyer, I’m not a worker in government, I am just an everyday guy like you."

Lam talked about fixing gang violence by installing more cameras around the ward, especially in high crime areas.

"Some might worry that big brother is watching us all the time," said Lam. "The idea is not to steal anybody's identity or stalk people, the idea is when we have more cameras crime tends just to go down."

One way Stewart plans to reduce gang violence and crime is by creating a new budget for the 46th Ward.  It's real budget reform that is going to bring additional police to our streets in the future," Stewart said.

Stewart said one thing that was absolutely necessary for the city of Chicago is to restructure pension funds for current employees of the city.

"That is not a popular decision, but I am not about popularity," Stewart said. "I think if we restructure pension funds for current employees we are going to protect ourselves from insolvency."

Retta said if he was elected he would concentrate his efforts to improve transportation, especially the Wilson Red Line stop.

"Every public facility should be accessible but Wilson is not," said Retta. "That is something we are going to have to work with right away."

One way he would make the Wilson stop more accessible is by having the Purple Line stop there. "It happened there many years ago, we need to get those things back," Retta said.

Retta has already turned in his petitions to the Board of Elections. Stewart and Lam said they plan to file their petitions before the November 22nd deadline.

The last day to register to vote is Monday, January 24. Voting will begin Tuesday, February 22nd in 2011. 

A Red Letter Day

Here's something to mark in your calendar, from the Chicago Board of Elections website:

Monday, May 16, 2011:  Term of office begins at Noon for Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer and Aldermen.

Anyone want to start planning the party now?

"A Noted Budget Expert"

Now we know why Ald. Shiller has famously said "Crime is not my issue."

Apparently she wears too many other hats to have time for petty concerns like safety.  Let's see, there's coffee and fish farm maven, Olympics fact-finder, restaurant designer, and now "budget expert."  Read her comments on the latest city budget here. 

Those of us who are paying 71-74% of our property taxes to support Ald. Shiller's own distinctive brand of urban planning (remember the $350K per unit rental housing?) may beg to differ with that assessment.

As for the continuing shootings and gunfire, we guess that's just the price residents have to pay for having a noted "budget expert" representing us.

Shots Fired Near Sunnyside Mall

We've gotten 2 reports from residents, one saying they heard about 6 gunshots near Magnolia & Sunnyside and moments later, a better description, 5-7 shots being fired near Dover & Sunnyside from a black Oldsmobile Aurora (model pictured) with damage to the left front fender. Both reports are from 9am. Stay vigilant and call 911.

Update from an eyewitness:
"I heard the shots, heard tires squealing and saw the same car speeding down Beacon toward Wilson. I thought the shots were fired from Beacon into the mall, but maybe the shots were fired on Magnolia or Malden and the car made its getaway up Beacon. At the time, there were still kids walking up Beacon to Stockton School. I also saw a Mom and child running into the Uptown Hull House to get out of the way. Sadly, I also saw another mother and child pause and then just keep walking to school as if nothing happened. I called 911 and two police cars responded in about 2 minutes."

Support Teachers At Senn High With Raffle

Funds raised from this raffle will support the Senn International Festival and Local School Council grants to teachers.

We are using the funds raised to provide grants to teachers for activities that benefit the students directly. Teachers are donating their time to provide "extra" programming to kids who could not otherwise afford these activities. The kinds of extra projects that the LSC funds are:

* Sending a music class to see an opera at the Civic Opera.
* Sending a French class to a hands-on cooking lesson at the Alliance Francaise.
* Providing an English class with "their own" fiction books and a special reading group, to turn students on to reading

The price of the tickets is $10 for four chances. Please post the attached flyer and this email. To purchase tickets, community members can contact me at crh_2@yahoo.com or (773) 293-7515. I can either bring the tickets directly or mail them out. The drawing is on December 13th. More information on Senn High School is located at www.sennhs.org.

Free Holiday Wreath Program For Uptown Businesses

 From Uptown Business Partners:

"The holiday season is near and its time to brighten Uptown's commercial corridors.  Uptown businesses located in the SSA#34 district can participate by hanging a Season's Greetings Wreath on the door or window of your business.  Each wreath will be hand decorated by individuals from Uptown schools, senior centers, churches, block clubs, and other organizations.  There is no fee for the wreaths."

Order Form & Eligibility Information Here

Tree Watch 2010

Reports are coming in of new trees being planted in parkways all over Uptown. We thought that tree planting had been cut from the city's budget for the remainder of 2010, but obviously not. Two LONG empty spots in front of Wigs & Hair in the 4600 block of Broadway were even planted. Three cuts were made in the previously barren sidewalk in front of Godfather Pizza and Sheridan Park Food & Liquor for new trees. Oh, happy day.

Five In (And Five To Go?)

We're aware of five candidates who filed their petitions to run for 46th Ward Alderman on Monday.  Befekadu Retta is shown at the left; the others are pictured here.

Was that it, or will there be more?  Deadline for submitting petitions is November 22nd.

If you are a candidate, please let us know and send a picture when you file!

Reminder: Final UNC Candidate Forum Tuesday Night

click to enlarge

Monsters Of The Mozzarella

Here's a reason to cheer for the Bears: 

Every week for the rest of the season, Papa Ray’s (4757 N Sheridan), Home of the Monster Slice, is offering an incredible deal the day after the Bears game.  Papa Ray’s will match the Bears final score with a percentage-off discount the following day on all orders using the word “Monster.”  Yesterday, the Bears scored 27 points, so all orders today using the password “Monster” will receive 27 percent off.  Valid at both Uptown and Logan Square locations.

Check out Papa Ray's website for the menu and how to order.

Art Gallery/Artist Exchange Open House

Nice to see a haven for local artists open its doors. There's an Open House on Friday for all neighbors (Facebook invitation is here). "Strictly Locals" is located at 4866 N. Clark, just south of Ceres' Table and just north of Rainbo Village.

"We're opening a new gallery/artist exchange in the Andersonville/ Uptown neighborhood. Strictly Locals takes the idea of artists renting retail space to display and sell their product and has elevated the concept to a living and breathing artists’ exchange catering to the Chicago art community. Artists will rent wall space, jewelry cases, shelf space or just plain floor space. Strictly Locals will support the artist with sales staff, marketing, branding, promotion and education.  We'll also host a number of events, classes, shows, and performances.

Strictly Locals opens its doors on Monday, November 15th, with a Open House scheduled for Friday, November 19th."

Alder-Mania!

Today was the first day for candidates in the February city election to file their nominating petitions downtown.  And it was the place to be!

As the political website Early and Often puts it, "Looking like fans lined up waiting for concert tickets, aides to candidates looking to file petitions when the doors opened camped out Sunday night."

Here's the photo roll call.  We'd love to hear if other candidates were there.  If you're a candidate who filed today, send us a photo and we'll run it.  Petitions can be submitted until November 22nd.

Don Nowotny
(photo courtesy Gay Chicago Magazine)

James Cappleman (right)
(photo courtesy Gay Chicago Magazine)

Michael Carroll
(photo posted by Michael on Facebook)

Molly Phelan
(photo courtesy Gay Chicago Magazine)

Update:  According to Early and Often's Real-Time Filing Tracker, petitions have been filed by (in order of filing):  Don Nowotny, Michael Carroll, Molly Phelan, Befekadu Retta, and James Cappleman in the 46th Ward; and Patrick McDonough and Harry Osterman in the 48th Ward.

Update 2:  Gay Chicago Magazine has its article online:  Candidates line up to file for City election