Early Voting Has Begun;An Invitation From 46th Ward Democrats

A reminder and an invitation:

"Early voting runs through March 15, 2012.  The 46th Ward’s early voting location is Truman College at 1145 W. Wilson in Chicago.  Early voting hours are 9AM to 5PM, Monday through Saturday.  You must bring a government-issued Photo ID with you to early vote.  For more information on early voting, visit www.ChicagoElections.com or call 1.312.269.7900."

You can also vote at Broadway Armory Park in the 48th Ward, 5917 N Broadway, Monday thru Saturday, 9am-5pm; or Welles Park (47th Ward), 2333 W Sunnyside, 9am-5pm Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays from 9am-3pm.  You do not have to live in a ward to vote at its polling place.

And an invitation:

"Please join Alderman James Cappleman, Democratic Committeeman Tom Sharpe and other 46th Ward Democrats for our pre-election “Meet the Candidates” Night at The Spot Restaurant at 7PM on Wednesday, March 7th.

At this event, which is free and open to the public, you can meet the Democratic candidates running in the upcoming March 20th Primary.  We will also have a presentation from representatives of President Obama’s re-election campaign about how you can help the President’s campaign this year.

This promises to be a fun evening, with free appetizers and drink specials at one of Uptown’s best gathering spots. Here are the details:

46th Ward Democrats “Meet the Candidates” Night
Wednesday, March 7th, 7–8:30PM
The Spot Restaurant, 4437 N. Broadway – Chicago
Free Appetizers and Drink Specials!

To RSVP or for more information contact Sean Tenner: Sean@The46thWard.org

46th Ward Democrats will be selecting candidates at every level of government – from the White House to the Court House – in the March 20th Primary.  Come meet the candidates who are running to serve you and learn how to help the President!"

Celebrate Leap Day At Subway & Get A Cookie

More details on Facebook.

Things That Go Boom In The Night

Last night at 10:30pm, there was an "insanely loud" boom heard by many residents, accompanied by a flash of light.  Posters on our Facebook page narrowed it down to the alley between Malden and Magnolia, south of Lawrence.  It sounded like a transformer exploding, except no one's reported any lights out.

Anyone have any further information?

Update from a reader:  "I saw on your Facebook page that folks were wondering if the loud 'boom' they heard was a gunshot or a transformer.. It was a transformer--I live on Malden and it was in our alley. There was actually a small fire for a few minutes, I was going to call the fire department but I heard a girl calling in the alley alerting them to the fire so I didn't have to call it it. By the time the fire department got there the fire had gone out and then later a utility truck came to work on it. Just wanted to update you on that!"

Discounts Tonight At Broadway & Lawrence

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Short Stacks For A Good Cause

Close enough to Uptown for us to plug it for charity.  Let Phil Vettel of the Trib explain what's going on at IHOP on Tuesday:

"Tuesday is IHOP's annual National Pancake Day celebration, and once again, the chain will be giving away a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes — yes, free — to all comers from 7a.m. to 10p.m.  What IHOP asks in return is that you consider, just consider, making a donation to support the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

Show up from 7 to 11 a.m. at the 3760 N. Halsted St. location, and you'll catch an appearance by Hannah Smith, more formally known as Miss Illinois.  Free pancakes. A good cause. A woman who actually owns a tiara. What more do you want?"

You can read more about it at IHOP's website.

Another Chapter For The "Sam Alexander Building"?

And by "chapter," we mean "Chapter 7" or "Chapter 13."

Ah, slumlords.  The beautiful vintage building at 1001-1017 W Leland (just west of Sheridan), aka "the building with the faces" or the "Sam Alexander Building," has suffered greatly over the last decade due to an owner who neglected it so much that the building ended up in housing court for more than six years.

Four years ago, all tenants left due to the blight the landlord's inactions had caused:  unsanitary conditions (tarps tacked up on retail tenants' ceilings to stop rainwater from flooding the place) and shoddy repairs (windows that were glued into place and blew out onto the sidewalks during a windstorm).  Two years ago, the bank foreclosed on the owner's corporation.

Now it looks like the building itself has a new owner.  At least that what we gather from "Notice of Abandonment" posted on the doors of the building by a Homewood bank, calling for anyone who may have left items inside to retrieve them.

What's next for the building?  We don't know.  We hope it's still salvageable and that the previous negligent owner didn't do enough damage to ruin this Uptown classic.

Stay tuned.

When Pere-y Met Snowy

photo by Rick Remington

What happens when Uptown's two favorite birds -- the peregrine falcon and the snowy owl -- meet in a cage match?

A reader found this link and says, "This is a great narrative for those of us who are thrilled with this year’s Snowy Owl invasion.  At last count, I believe there have been 8-9 Snowy Owls who made Montrose Harbor and North Lincoln Park their temporary home-away-from-home this winter.  This is the tale of one of them."

Given the number of falcons and snowy owls in Chicago this winter, we're not sure the encounter happened in Uptown, but it could have, and the photos are thrilling, even for those of us who don't normally give (sorry) a hoot.

Peregrine And Bear It

Witty title and great photos from a reader who caught a glimpse of two of Uptown's most fabled residents last week:

"I live a few doors south of the Riv on Racine and occasionally see one of Uptown's celebrated raptors perched on a tree branch in our woodsy courtyard.  (I've also stumbled across their crime-scene leftovers — decapitated pigeons — from time to time.)  I've been trying to photograph them from my third-floor home and, this past week, two of them paused long enough nearby for me to snap off a few shots before they rocketed off.

I don't have the best gear in the world and wish I had a better telephoto lens, but these turned out alright.

There are two birds here:  the one facing right is one (wondering if this is Stan, the patricidal son I've read about?), and the one facing left are another falcon (perhaps a recently hatched juvenile?).  I know absolutely jack squawk about avian species, so couldn't tell you who's who here.  I just think it's immensely cool that the fastest creature on earth is Uptown's unofficial mascot and helps cull the pigeons fattened up by Pigeon Lady near the Lawrence CTA station."

McJunkin Building Corner Restaurant Space Now $125,000

You heard that right. We posted the listing for 4570 N. Broadway back in 2009 when we first came across the restaurant space for $325,000 and that includes a liquor license. The price has now dropped $200,000 and as one of our commenters mentioned, it has room for a patio. A nice restaurant would certainly help revitalize that stretch of Broadway and the foot traffic from Target would be great for any business. Do you know any restauranteurs looking for a space with great potential? Forward them this link.

Oscar Night At Crew -- Drink, Dine & Dish

Band's Van With Instruments, Equipment Stolen

Hey, keep an eye open for a dark green Dodge Ram extended length van, license plate L669821, and give 911 a call if you see it.  Seems Uptown band Carbon Tigers had it stolen from the 4700 block of Dover on Thursday, and it was full of their equipment, worth about $30,000. Ouch.

You can see a photo of the van (with "The Country Church" in faded lettering on sides and back) and all the stolen equipment on the band's website.

You can read more about the story on NBC Chicago ("Band's Van, Gear Stolen in Uptown") and on ABC7 ("Band's Van with Instruments Inside Stolen").

Soul Food Coming To Clark?

We've seen enough of Jackie Taylor to know that when she something is going to happen, it generally happens. So if she says the BET Cultural Center will be opening a soul food restaurant across the street from the new theater [4450 N Clark], we're pretty sure we'll be enjoying cornbread and fried okra there at some point in the future.  With the great soul food restaurants of Chicago closing, one by one, a new one would be a welcome treat.

Watch her in this Chicago Now video, talking about the new restaurant, the new theater, who she wants to star there, and how she feels about doing a tribute to Whitney Houston at the BET.

We did cringe to hear interviewer Chris Jones talk about the theater and never once mention the name of the neighborhood it's located in.  According to him, it's on a "moribund" block somewhere between Wrigleyville and Andersonville. Oy.

Verrrrrry Interesting

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Okie-dokie, we're getting more information about the specifics of the merger of Police Districts 19 and 23.  Now, bear in mind that this map is "proposed" and dated as of last December.  It may have changed by now.  But this is what was on the table two months ago.

• As of March 4th, the 23rd District will be known as the Town Hall 19th District.
• Beat 2311 will now be called Beat 1913.  Its borders remain unchanged.
• Beats 2312 and 2313 are merging, into new Beat 1914.
• Beat 2322 will merge with the half of Beat 2323 that is north of Irving Park, creating new Beat 1915.

This is what we hear from the reader who sent us the map:

Here is a "proposed" map of the new 19th District.  I'm not happy about the city doing this. Hopefully the beat guys stay close to the beat and don't wander too far west which is not technically against the rules.

Believe me, people don't always make room for police vehicles responding to emergencies. It's not always easy to go fast to high priority calls when drivers are oblivious to the world around them.

"Pull to the Right for Sirens and Lights" needs to be heeded more so than ever with these new larger districts."

The beats for all of the new Town Hall 19th District are below.

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Nom Nom Nom

Hankering for a Samoa or Thin Mints?  You're in luck:  According to the schedule put out by the local Girl Scout Council, there will be cookie sales at Jewel (Montrose & Broadway) between 11am and 5pm:

• Saturday, February 25th
• Saturday, March 10
• Saturday, March 17

The Girl Scouts have been getting a lot of flack lately, everything from being boycotted for allowing transgender kids to participate, to some silly legislator in Indiana claiming they are a "tactical arm of Planned Parenthood."  Buy accordingly.

23rd District Gets A Lot Bigger on March 4th

According to Second City Cop, the 19th Police District will merge with the 23rd District effective Sunday, March 4th.  The new Town Hall station at Addison and Fremont will be home base for the new larger district. We don't know who the commander will be, how CAPS will work, or what the new beats will be.  We'll let you know as soon as we find out ourselves; or if you know anything more, drop us a line or put it in the comments.  The transition is sure to be a little rocky, so give it a couple months for the dust to clear.

Neighborhood Nights Comes To Broadway & Lawrence

From Business Partners' latest newsletter:

Come out and enjoy a bit of Historic Uptown on Tuesday, February 28th, 2012 from 6PM-9PM

Alderman Osterman is back in Uptown and making this 'Neighborhood Nights' in the 48th Ward one of the best!  Many of our neighbors at the intersection of Lawrence and Broadway are staying open late and having great deals on Tuesday the 28th for anyone who comes by between 6:00 and 9:00 pm. We expect the neighborhood to be packed! Here is some of what you can enjoy in Uptown on Tuesday:

• From 9- Midnight at the Uptown Lounge at 1136 W. Lawrence Avenue you can enjoy an Open Mic night hosted by ExPats Theater Company while drinking $3 Domestic Bottle Beer and $4 Call Cocktails.
• Demera Ethopian Restaurant at 4801 N. Broadway is offering a free Sambussa appetizer with the purchase of a meal (good for Feb. 28th only).
• Caravan Restaurant and Lounge at 4810 N. Broadway is giving away a free dessert with the purchase of an entree.
• Broadway Grill at 4800 N. Broadway will have a great deal on chicken salad sandwiches with a soup for $5.00, plus any piece of pizza with a drink is only $3.50.
• Carmela's at 1206 W. Lawrence has a special where 2 tacos with a side of rice and beans is only $5.00.
• Crew Bar + Grill at 4804 N. Broadway will have their famous Beergaritas for $4.25 and $1 Tacos.
• Shake Rattle and Read at 4812 N. Broadway will be offering 30% off all in-stock merchandise between 6:00 - 9:00 PM.
• Annoyance Theater at 4830 N. Broadway is offering 2-for-1 tickets at the box office for anyone who mentions "Neighborhood Nights."
• And Green Mill's Deep Blue Organ Trio hits the stage at 9:00 PM and plays until 1:00 AM.

Keep checking back with us for updates at: http://uptownbusinesspartners.com

Take A Wine Flight At Fontana

Just the remedy for winter chills.  Fontana Grill (1329 W Wilson) is offering wine flights for two, as well as an appetizer, for $15 (regularly $30.95) on Groupon.  It's a "Best of Groupon 2011" encore offer, and you can buy it for the next three days. 

Better hurry to redeem it, though:  Expiration date is March 27, 2012.  Click here for details and to purchase it.

Miso Asian Kitchen Coming Soon On Broadway

Miso Asian Kitchen, 4449 N. Broadway

Not much info on this besides what we can gather from the sign, but you can look forward to a new option for Asian cuisine at 4449 N. Broadway. The restaurant doesn't appear to be open yet and no date for opening was posted. A website (www.misoasiankitchen.com) is listed on the signage and as of now, the link is not active. We will keep our eye on this, but look forward to welcoming Miso Asian Kitchen to the neighborhood soon!

UU Note:  This is the former location of Chinese Connection, which had a "Business For Sale" sign in its window for the past few months.

Family Game Night Thursday At "The Game Room"

Community Open House at Sharp As A Tack’s THE GAME ROOM!

Sharp As A Tack would like to extend a warm greeting to the Uptown Community! As a company focused on playing with purpose, we’re looking forward to being a great fit in the neighborhood at our new home – The Game Room, at 4727 N. Clark.

Our first act as a new organization in Uptown is to get to know the surrounding community. So we’d like to extend an invitation to all Uptown families to the first of many community family game nights – on Thursday, February 23rd, from 5-8pm.

Our only rule: EVERYONE PLAYS! So roll up your sleeves and come on down for a night full of fun at The Game Room!

A little bit about us: Sharp As A Tack is an educational organization that uses screen-free games to help kids improve their cognitive development skills. What do we mean when we say cognitive development? I’m glad you asked! We use over 200 games to focus on different developmental skills that children need and adults sometimes overlook – skills such as processing speed, critical thinking, attention and focus, memory, creativity, and social and emotional skills.

Our before, during, and after-school programs were all developed with the goal of getting kids to think more critically and creatively – helping them develop how to think so they can be successful in school, in their communities, and within their families. Our passion for quality programming extends to the specialty workshops we host at The Game Room – from the Young Authors and Young Inventors series to our professional development workshops for educators.

We believe that by sharing unique perspectives and working toward a common goal, we can create an environment where students feel safe to take risks – fostering innovation, growth, and positive change. But that all starts with a strong foundation in the community, and that’s what we hope to build here in Uptown.

To learn more about Sharp As A Tack and our program schedule at the game room, please visit www.sharp-as-a-tack.com.

Fire Last Night At Agatite & Sheridan

According to CBS2 and readers on our Facebook page, "A fire broke out overnight in a high-rise building in the Uptown neighborhood. Something caught fire in a hallway in the prewar high-rise at 4423 N. Sheridan Rd. The fire broke out at 3:15 a.m. and was brought under control a short time later."

You can read the rest of the story here, but thankfully there is no mention of any injuries.   If you have any further details, please post them in the comments.

Update:  Here's the Tribune story.

Update:  A commenter says:  "The resident that was taken to get medical assistance from this building lost his cat. He believes that the cat got out when the EMS team came. HAS ANYONE SEEN IT? Its a white and gray long-haired cat, its name is Buffy. I am unsure if Buffy is wearing a collar - but more than likely scared. If you see the cat, please post a reply to this message or email me at cwagener@comcast.net."

Be Part Of Buttercup Park's Rebirth

Greetings!  Buttercup Park Advisory Council invites you to attend the first quarterly meeting of the new year on Saturday, March 10, 2012, 10am-Noon, at the Margate Park Fieldhouse, 4921 N Marine Drive.

Agenda to include but not limited to:

• Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Plans
• Fund-raising and donation opportunities
• Election/Re-Election of officers (if you would like to be on the ballot, please respond to gudsmile2@yahoo.com by March 5th)

All are welcome! 

Become a part of transformation...Let's create a space that all can play...relax...reconnect and rejoice in!

46th and 48th Ward Events This Week

A reminder that there are two meetings this week to find out what's going on in your community and/or shape what happens:

• Wednesday, the 46th Ward Town Hall meeting will focus on transportation -- everything from information about the Wilson station to making the ward more bike- and pedestrian-friendly.  It's at Truman College, in the cafeteria, 6pm-8pm.
• Thursday, the 48th Ward will have its first meeting about its Master Plan, which will put into place plans on 11 topics:  Arts & Culture   | Community Engagement   | Economic Development   | Education   | Environmental & Health   | Housing   | Public Safety   | Social Services   | Sheridan Rd. & Lakefront   | Social Services   | Transportation | Youth & Recreation.  You can help guide the 48th Ward to achieve its goals.  The meeting will be at Senn High School, 5900 N Glenwood, at 7pm.

Uptown is finally getting the transparency and community participation we have asked for for so long.  It's an exciting time.  Be part of it.

Shelter Expands Its Services To Include Daytime Support

We've already seen a massive change around Lawrence and Sheridan since the REST shelter closed last autumn and Northside Housing took over its space and its clientele.  Much less loitering outside, and a new theater moving into the Preston Bradley Center on the same floor where REST had its offices.  We recently received this press release:

Outreach and Engagement Daytime Support Center Coming to Uptown.
North Side receives $250,000 Award from Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS)

North Side Housing & Supportive Services (North Side) was recently awarded $250,000 to develop and operate a Day Support Center in the Uptown community.  In December of 2011, North Side took on the huge task of operating a 50-bed interim housing program, formerly ran by the well-known Uptown agency, REST.  The Day Support Center will have a team of case managers, a director, nurse practitioner, clinical services and a number of other programs and services available for participants.  Our goal is to go the extra mile to help improve the quality of life for Uptown residents in need.

"We are delighted about received the grant," Neal Mueller, Director of Programs and Operations shared.  "We believe the center will be an integral community resource and look forward to working in a concerted effort with other Uptown agencies and institutions, Alderman Cappleman, the residents, and other community stakeholders."

It seems to us that giving people a place to spend the night, then putting them back out onto the street at dawn, with nothing to do except wait to line up for a bed that evening, isn't a productive way to encourage them to change their lives, and doesn't create a healthy community.  We are happy to see that North Side's clients will have a place to spend their days.

We're also happy to see that some hard-to-get government funds are being used to reward North Side for the job they're doing.  It was, after all, lack of governmental and private funding that caused REST to go out of business.  We see this as another sign that Uptown is moving in the right direction.

Agami Joins Savored

A reader writes in with this tip:

"Just sharing that Agami restaurant has just been added to www.savored.com, which is a website I use that allows you to take 30% off your bill when you make reservations through their site.  It only costs $10 per reservation, and the 30% covers food and drink, so you always get your money back and then some."

Check it out at https://savored.com/chicago/agami-contemporary-sushi/

Graceland Wilson Neighbors General Meeting & Board Elections

If you live in the area surrounded by Broadway, Malden, Montrose and Wilson, mark your calendars:

"You’re invited to participate in the Graceland Wilson Neighbors general meeting & board elections.  The following people have expressed an interest in serving on the board. If you’re interested in serving on the board and have been a GWNA member for at least six months, please send your name and bit of background on your area of interest to Max Reising, gwna13@gmail.com.  All residents living within the GWNA boundaries (Montrose to Wilson, Malden to Broadway) are welcome.

Potential Board for Elections:

• Chris Korn, President
• Carolyn Lewis, VP-1 (Truman College)
• Katharine Boyda, VP-2 (Communications & PR)
• Max Reising, Treasurer
• Secretary, Open

Committee Chairs also serve as board members:

• Julie Emerick, Community Gardens
• Dean Winn, Transportation & Wilson El Station Renovation
• Pat Reuter, Communications & PR
• Aleasa Green, Family & Kids
• Public Parks & Spaces, Open
• Public Safety, Open

NOTE: We’re also looking for someone slightly tech-savvy to help run the blog and newsletter (it pretty much runs on its own via hosted WordPress and Mailchimp, so anyone who even barely knows what those two things are is qualified). If you’re interested, please email gwna13@gmail.com.

WHEN: Thursday, March 8 from 7:00-8:15PM

WHERE: TBD (we’ll send out a reminder notice when we have the location nailed down).

See you there!"  You can read more about GWNA here.

Uptown Firehouse On The Chopping Block?

From CBS2:

"Major budget cuts being planned for Chicago’s Fire Department could lead to fewer firehouses, fewer firefighters, or both.  The choices facing Mayor Emanuel’s new fire commissioner aren’t pleasant, CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports. [...]

Merging slower houses like Wilson Avenue in Uptown with others would reduce the number of fire houses and firefighters on duty the same way the ranks of police officers and police stations have been cut."

Anyone who lives near Wilson and Racine will undoubtedly take issue with the statement that Wilson is a "slow house."  We realize the city is broke, but cutting back on fire services seems draconian and dangerous.

In particular, we disagree with closing a firehouse that is mere blocks from two concert venues -- the Riviera and Aragon -- where thousands regularly gather, and where there are hopes of another venue re-opening within the decade.  We also question the wisdom of closing a fire station that serves a large community college, as well as a neighborhood that has so many turn-of-the-century residential hotels that now provide housing for the disabled and elderly.

What to do?  Read the article to see what Ald. Nick Sposato, himself a Chicago firefighter, is saying.  It wouldn't hurt to drop a line to Ald. Cappleman and Mayor Emanuel (click their names for their contact information) to let them know how you feel about retaining Uptown's fire station.

This is Chicago... communities that don't make noise don't get noticed.  It'll take five minutes to send an email, and it may make a huge difference.  

Argyle Street Eatery On LivingSocial For Half Off

Today's LivingSocial deal is an Argyle Street favorite:  Seafood Garden.  Pay $15 and get $30 worth of food and drink.  Seafood Garden is located just west of Sheridan on Argyle and is easily overlooked by tourists, so you won't wait forever for a table.  We at UU have eaten there several times since discovering it last autumn and enjoy the food and atmosphere.

Read more about it and purchase it here.  You have two days.

Job Seekers Workshop Sponsored By Rep. Feigenholtz

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) is hosting a workshop for job seekers on Saturday, March 3 from 10:00am to 2:00pm in the auditorium of Weiss Memorial Hospital, located at 4646 North Marine in Uptown.  The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the Chicago Workforce Center are facilitating the workshop.

IDES will share resume preparation and networking tips, key interviewing skills and how to handle commonly asked questions during an interview, followed by a workshop by the Chicago Workforce Center entitled “Empower Your Job Search with Social Media and Networking” to help job seekers of all skill levels learn how to use social media in the job search process.  Attendees will also learn how to use online databases, such as Illinois Work Net and Illinois Job Link, to find jobs matching their specific qualifications and skills.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Feigenholtz’s constituent services office at (773) 296-4141 or sara@staterepsara.com.

Free Concert at Uptown Baptist This Tuesday

The Liberty University Wind Ensemble will be performing at Uptown Baptist Church (UBC) on Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00 PM. The Liberty University Wind Ensemble has toured throughout the Eastern United States, from Vermont to Miami, and from St. Louis to New Orleans. The ensemble is comprised of approximately 57 college students studying a variety of majors at Liberty University.

This concert will be a benefit for UBC’s Project Elevate. A love offering will be taken at the end of the evening.  The church is located at 1011 West Wilson.  Free parking is available at Stewart Elementary School, located south of Wilson on Kenmore Ave.

Celebrate Mardi Gras In Uptown

A few places to laissez les bons temps rouler this Tuesday without stumbling too far from home:

Man Critically Injured In Fire

Shortly after 7am today, a fire broke out at the vintage residential building located at 1217-1219 West Lawrence (just west of the Bank of America/Riveria Theater building on Broadway). It was out by 7:40, but the top floor unit was badly damaged and very sadly, a resident suffered very critical injuries.

According to NBC5, "Firefighters saw a man waving from a third-floor window and raised a ladder for him to climb out, Fire Media Affairs said. Before he could, he fell back in the apartment and firefighters had to climb up the ladder to bring him down. He was taken in “very critical” condition to Weiss Memorial Hospital with smoke inhalation and burns, according to Fire Media Affairs."

Twelve other residents were displaced.

What a tragedy.  Please keep the injured resident in your thoughts (and prayers, if you are so inclined).  There is additional coverage in the Tribune and in the Sun-Times.

Who Ya Gonna Call?

Credit: Brooke Collins, City of Chicago

Press release from the City about a new strategy for Graffiti Blasters. Seems clear to us -- the more graffiti an area calls in, the faster it'll get taken care of.  So put 311 on your speed dial or use the web to request removal.

CITY GRAFFITI BLASTERS DEPLOY NEW STRATEGY TO REDUCE OPEN REQUESTS FOR SERVICE

Streets and Sanitation Graffiti-Removal Crews Blitz Wards to Increase Productivity

Similar Strategy to Used by Tree Trimming Crews has Reduced Backlog by 25%

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Department of Streets and Sanitation announced today that graffiti-removal crews are now using a new method of “blitzing” neighborhoods using a ward-based grid system to improve efficiency and increase productivity.  The system is the same method used by the department’s tree-trimming and tree-removal crews that has reduced a backlog of open requests for service by more than 25 percent over the past three months.

Starting last week, graffiti-removal crews have responded to requests for service using a ward based grid system in which the crews “blitz” the areas with the most open requests.

They now each visit four wards a day to address the outstanding calls for service in a tight geographical area.  They are the same wards that forestry crews visit on the same days.   Additional graffiti and forestry crews are available for emergencies and other priority situations.

In just the first week of the new system, graffiti-removal crews visited a total of 18 wards and blasted more than 1,000 pieces of graffiti from buildings and other structures, and painted over another 1,400.

In addition to being more efficient, the “blitz” method significantly reduces the amount of time and expenses associated with fuel and vehicle maintenance that occurred when crews used to drive around from one location to the next. The new plan allows for a “blitz” in each of the city’s 50 wards every 13 working days.

48th Ward Master Plan Kick-Off

From Ald. Osterman's latest newsletter:

"I am pleased to continue efforts for the 48th Ward Master Plan, a community planning process that will develop a shared vision for the future.  I hope that you will consider joining one of the 11 topical committees that will guide this process.  Click here to sign up for a committee.  Please join me for the master plan launch meeting on Thursday, February 23 at 7:00pm at the Senn High School Auditorium (5900 N Glenwood)."

It's a great way for 48th Ward residents (and future residents, after remapping) to have a voice in how the ward progresses.

Ribfest Back For A Third Year

Hey, look what we stumbled across!  A special events page for the 2012 Windy City Ribfest.

It's very preliminary right now, but two things:  Uptown will host our third consecutive annual street festival, and be sure to note the dates: Friday to Sunday, July 13-15.

Door-To-Door "Utility Department" Scammers Are Here

That door-to-door thievery ring the police warned about yesterday?  It's here.

We've had several readers write in to say fake Com Ed workers have knocked on their doors in Sheridan Park, and CPNA sent out a warning to its residents that "Water Department" employees have knocked on doors in Clarendon Park.  These people target primarily the elderly, but they say they are utility workers, talk their way into your home, and carry off money, jewelry and other small items.

We can't stress enough --

• don't let any unexpected workers inside your home
• don't buzz anyone in you don't know
• call 911 if someone tries to get into your place using this ruse.

Here's one story from a reader:

"I just wanted to let you know my upstairs neighbor came down and told me about this possibly dangerous scammer/intruder.  He said the guy knocked on his door this afternoon, told him he was from Commonwealth Edison and he needed to check his utility bill so he could give him a discount.  My neighbor said all he did was come in and look around. I told him he was more than likely "casing the joint."  But, my neighbor is a student so all he really has is books.  Maybe the flapper should try reading them, instead of scamming!!!  He described the intruder as black, short (between 5'3 and 5'5) and wearing a ComEd jacket.

We do have a "buzz-in" doorbell system and even though I have no idea how he got in, we both know how ineffective that buzz-in system can be when people just let others walk in with them.  The sad part is:  he had to get thru TWO doors to get into my "section."  We have a main door that requires a key and buzzer AND the buzzer is connected to your phone.  The second entrance has a manual buzz-in system and requires a key to get in it too.  But they BOTH have intercoms connected to them.  So SOMEONE had to LET this flipper-flapper in!  JUST TELL EVERYONE TO BE CAREFUL."

Beat 2313 -- Take A Look At Those Stats!

click to enlarge

Wow.  Our minds are officially blown.  A reader writes in with this great piece of news:  "I was curious about something, so I went to the CLEARmap page on the CPD website. I think it's worth noting that for the past three months, Beat 2313 [bordered by Montrose, Wilson, Broadway and the lake] has almost the lowest crime of all the beats in the entire city.  277 out of 285 beats.  Don't believe it?  See for yourself."

Good news indeed!

Magnolia Cafe Featured On LivingSocial

Such a deal!  Spend $20 at LivingSocial and get $40 worth of dinner or brunch at Magnolia Cafe (1224 West Wilson).  It's good through August, so think balmy summer nights or spring Sunday brunches.  You have two days to buy it, but why wait?  You can see the deal at LivingSocial.

Scamming Senior Citizens

click to enlarge

This scam targeting seniors hasn't moved to the 23rd District, but it's all around us and will no doubt move into Uptown if the cops don't arrest these guys first.  Warn your elderly neighbors about letting anyone they don't know into their home.  And if anyone comes to your door pulling this scam, politely say "no" and dial 911 pronto.

Inspiration Corporation Needs Your Help

Diane Pascal of Inspiration Corp writes in:

I’m wondering if you could please let your many readers know that we need four strong, healthy volunteers to help us load up a van with furniture so that we can take it to a new apartment building we are purchasing (our first!) in Washington Park, on the south side.  This would be a great chance for people to get involved in helping homeless Chicagoans move off the street!

Details are:
Wednesday, Feb. 23
9 am-11 am

If anyone is interested, please contact:

Diane Pascal
dpascal@inspirationcorp.org
Vice President of External Relations
Inspiration Corporation
4554 N. Broadway, Suite 207
Chicago, IL 60640

Tel (773) 878-0981 ext. 204

BOOM Scouting Out Sites In Uptown

"Boom," a development company known for its retirement communities geared towards the LGBT population, is scouting out locations in Chicago and according to Curbed, the three top spots are Andersonville, Lakeview, and Uptown. Read more here

Shake Rattle & Read Celebrates 46 Years With Sale

2012 marks Shake Rattle and Read's 46th year in Uptown, and to celebrate this momentous anniversary, EVERYTHING in stock at Shake Rattle and Read will be 46% off ... that is 46% off the already low prices offered every day!

This anniversary is so big that Shake Rattle and Read has decided it can only properly be honored if they give away the store, so for 3 full days: Friday Feb. 17th and Saturday Feb. 18th, Noon to 6pm; Sunday Feb. 19th, Noon till 5pm, every book, record, CD, anything in stock, is nearly half off!

Uptown Historical Valentine's Trivia

Jun Fujita, who was employed as a Chicago Daily News Photojournalist, “was the only photographer to photograph the Chicago St. Valentine’s Day massacre and was known by Al Capone.” (St. Valentine’s Day Massacre photo (graphic violence),  Al Capone photo)  For a time, he was the only Japanese news photographer in the country.

Jun Fujita was also “a silent film actor at the old Essanay Studios Chicago and worked his way up from minor roles to later star in a two reel movie in 1915 called Otherwise Bill Harrison, before the movie industry moved from Chicago to Hollywood.”

“Jun Fujita's contribution to American society was recognized by the United States Government by an act of Congress. Then Senator from Illinois, James Hamilton Lewis, introduced a Senate Bill which was passed granting Fujita honorary American citizenship at a time when Asians were denied American citizenship by naturalization due to their race.”

“Fujita was cremated and his remains were interned in an unknown plot in Chicago's famous Graceland Cemetery, probably in the Japanese section.” Link to quotes above.

Thank you to David Stratis for the above.  You can also read about Uptown's connection with the St. Valentine's Day Massacre here.

"The Interrupters" On PBS Tuesday Night

Watch The Interrupters Preview on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE.

The documentary "The Interrupters" will be on PBS's Frontline Tuesday night at 8pm.   It's about the work Ceasefire does in Chicago, and as many Uptowners know, Ceasefire is in Uptown now.  While the documentary doesn't deal with our area specifically, it provides a window into how Ceasefire operates.  For more interviews and information about Tuesday's airing, click here.

More About The Lawrence Streetscape

Transit's trending this week with Uptown aldermen: Ameya Pawar gave an interview to Grid Chicago about transportation issues in the 47th Ward.  He talks about the timeline for the Lawrence Streetscape/ Road Diet (between Clark and Western), and also about plans for Mariano's and the Metra Station at Lawrence and Ravenswood.  You can read it here.

46th Ward Town Hall Meeting At Truman Next Week

From Alderman Cappleman's latest newsletter:

46th Ward Town Hall Meeting
When: Wednesday, February 22 from 6pm to 8pm
Where: Truman College, cafeteria (1145 West Wilson)

Please join Alderman Cappleman and your fellow 46th Ward neighbors for the first 46th Ward Town Hall of 2012.  The theme for this meeting is transportation.  We will be discussing

• the Wilson El Station
• making intersections safer, and
• making the ward a better place for bicycling.

Representatives from Bike Uptown will discuss what they are working on in the ward and how you can be involved.

Multi-Media Sunday

We're catching up on our overstuffed email box today, so today's posts will be a multi-media experience, including some very different videos, each showing a different side to life in Uptown.  Diverse indeed.

copyright:  Jerry Goldner

The first:  Our famous snowy owl, part of a huge influx of snowy owls who are hanging around the Midwest this winter.  Here is WTTW's show segment featuring them, including video and photos by Jerry Goldner, who has provided Uptown Update with nature photos over the years.  See the Montrose Harbor owl in his (her?) glory.  You'll have to click here for the photos, videos and descriptions.