The Dock At Montrose Beach Opens May 1 For Summer

Luke from "The Dock at Montrose Beach" tells us that they are opening for the season tomorrow, May 1 at 11:00am till 10pm. They have also some new items on their menu including calamari and grass-fed burgers. You'll be able to enjoy live bands starting Memorial Day weekend (along with extended hours and brunch on the weekend from 9am-11am) with reggae bands every Wednesday after that. Check out their Facebook page for more info.

Drum Roll, Please! Bongo Room Opens This Morning

Very excited to hear, via its Facebook page, that Bongo Room North is opening its doors this morning at 8!  The windows of the storefront at 5022 North Clark have been shrouded in brown butcher paper since we first heard the news that it was coming, back in February.  Now the wait is over.

So there's yet another place in Uptown to try for great breakfast, lunch and brunch.  You can see what's on the menu here.  Two caveats -- it closes at 2pm, and no reservations are taken, ever.  We welcome Bongo Room to our community and look forward to eating there soon.

Update:  Eater Chicago has an interview with the owners and a photo of the interior.

Yard Sale Today At Tree House Humane Society

Attention, bargain hunters!  Tree House Humane Society, 1212 W Carmen (just a couple doors west of Broadway) is having a Yard Sale today from 9am 'til approximately 4pm.  Come by for some good buys and know that 100% of the money you leave behind goes to the kitty cats.  Tree House is a no-kill cageless shelter dedicated to sick, injured and abused stray cats.

Al Fresco In Waiting

It may feel like a typical Chicago March as April draws to a close, but rumor (and Tom Skilling) has it that we'll see the 60s, 70s, and maybe even the 80s this week.  Seeing all these outside seating areas set up along the 4800 block of Broadway gives us hope that "frost warning" will be a distant memory until November.  We are so ready for outdoor dining!

"Thank You" From Alternatives

From Jessica Paulsen at Alternatives, Inc.:

"As we wind down National Volunteer Week, we wanted to reach out to Uptown Update and share thanks from Alternatives, Inc.  We appreciate the many neighbors and friends in Uptown that have supported our programs and services by volunteering their time.  Since we began our 2011-2012 program year in July, our amazing volunteers have already invested more than 5,000 hours of their time at Alternatives, Inc.

That’s not even including the incredible service provided by the eight full-time AmeriCorps members that provide crucial support for young people in our programs every day.  From providing photography instruction that led to our Uptown Photo Show, to offering guidance as young women conduct research on community issues, and much more, our volunteers are essential to the positive work we do with the community’s young people.  THANK YOU!

To learn more about getting involved, email us at volunteer@alternativesyouth.org."

Uptown United Sponsors "Day of Service" ...

Uptown United is sponsoring a second annual Day of Service for Uptowners on June 9th:

"Join your friends and neighbors for a day of volunteering with Uptown's wonderful nonprofit organizations. You'll serve a meal to our community's hungry, perform outreach to those in need, help local non-profits spruce up their buildings for summer and much more!

All volunteers will first meet at the Institute of Cultural Affairs, 4750 N. Sheridan.  After an initial meet and greet, volunteers will disperse to the nonprofit organization they're volunteering at.  Unless otherwise stated below, volunteers should expect to be at their nonprofit for no less than 2 hours and a maximum of 4 hours."

Volunteering opportunities happen between 9am and 2pm, and activities are as varied as packing bag lunches at Inspiration Corp., painting cabinets at the ICA Building, serving lunch at the Preston Bradley Center, and gardening at various locations, to name just a few. You can read more about it and sign up to volunteer here.

... Followed By Love Boat Themed Pub Crawl

If the glow of volunteering isn't enough, how about the glow of alcoholic libations from nine different Uptown watering holes?  Uptown United/Business Partners are sponsoring a pub crawl right after the Day of Service, and all volunteers will get 15% off the price of the crawl.  It's the first annual Love Crawl, with a Love Boat theme, and costumes, and is "to celebrate Gay Pride Month right here in Uptown. This event will be co-sponsored by Brotherhood of the Phoenix, Windy City Times and Stella Beer with great deals on drinks at 9 local Uptown bars including: SoFo Tap, The Spot, Nick's Uptown, Bar of Buena, Annoyance Theater, Uptown Lounge, Fat Cat, Crew Bar and Grill, and Big Chicks!"

You can find out more information about the crawl, which goes from 2pm-9pm, here.  Registration is at Crew, 4804 N Broadway, and there will be two trolleys and a costume contest.  Space is limited, so sign up early.

Mmmm, can't wait to see trolleys full of Julie McCoys, Gophers, Captain Stubings and very special guest stars Charo and Florence Henderson rolling through the 'hood.  Don't come as niece Vicki, though.  She was a show-killer.

"Pecking Order" To Open Early Summer

Last February, chef Kristine Subido announced that she would be opening a new restaurant in the Montrose/Clark area.  We've been looking forward to finding out more about it.

Well, thanks to Grub Street Chicago, now we know more details.  Pecking Order will open in the early summer at 4416 N Clark (we are sad to realize that Fishpond, the Filipino restaurant that's a little of everything, will be closing and Pecking Order will be taking over the site).  The website says that it will specialize in "chicken every which way," and Grub Street adds:

The heart of Pecking Order, as announced a while back, is chicken marinated in Subido's mom's marinade (including soy sauce, sugar, garlic and vinegar), which you can order grilled, roasted or fried. Sides will include "Saucy Tots" which she describes as "a Filipino poutine" with tomato gravy over housemade tater tots, garlic rice, adobo-stuffed rice puffs, or housemade (by Mama Subido) pickles.

To that signature lineup she's now added a selection of sandwiches on pandesal bread, the primary bread of the Philippines, similar to Mexican bolillo rolls, with fillings such as chicken, housemade pate, pickles and fried egg. And she's planning salads with brightly-flavored ingredients like mango, jicama, and calamansi (a Filipino citrus) dressing. There will be beers and alcohol and non-alcohol punches, and Halo Halo, the traditional fresh fruit and shaved ice dessert.

Read the entire article here.  You can follow Pecking Order on Facebook, too.   We look forward to stopping by in a couple months.

UU Note:  Isn't it funny, and cool, how a pretty sad block perked right up when two dilapidated warehouses got turned into the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center?  The store right across the street got a really nice facelift; three condemned buildings were razed; and now a new restaurant with an accomplished chef is opening. Very nice to see it all coming together, and we hope to see more of the same.

Wow! Sheridan Red Line To Get Major Rehab

A press release from the 46th Ward Aldermanic Office:

Alderman Cappleman, 46th Ward Applauds Funding for Sheridan Red Line Station

April 27, 2012 (CHICAGO) – 46th Ward Alderman James Cappleman commends Senator Durbin, Congresswoman Schakowsky, Congressman Quigley, Governor Quinn, and Mayor Emanuel as they announced today that the Sheridan station is slated to receive approximately $17 million for major renovations.

Alderman Cappleman stated, “The key to any thriving urban neighborhood is safe, clean reliable public transit. With the Sheridan Red Line station renovations, we’ll increase public safety, create a more attractable area for economic development, and reduce the number of cars on our crowded streets. Additionally, this plan will bring many needed jobs to Chicago.” He added, “The Sheridan Redline Stop is one of the northern stations that has needed improvements for a long time. These renovations will help residents, business owners and Cubs fans alike.”

The Sheridan Station renovation is a part of a $1 billion overhaul that includes federal, state and local funding sources for the Red Line from its northern end to the 95th Street station. The complete reconstruction of the Wilson station and upgrades to the Lawrence stop are a part of this investment, which includes several individual projects to improve stations, tracks, viaducts, and power and runs from this year to 2015 that includes federal, state and local funding sources.

The funding breakdown for the $1 billion overhaul is:

• $702 million in State funds from the Illinois Jobs Now program
• $256 million in federal funds 
• $44 million in local CTA and City funds

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In other CTA news, the Sun-Times has a tentative schedule for rehab of stations on the Red Line and the resulting closures:

• Argyle will be closed for six weeks, starting Aug. 24.
• Lawrence will be closed for six weeks, starting Oct.14.

WCFW Spring Clean, Bike Tuneup, & Plant Exchange Tomorrow

click to enlarge

Problem Buildings Update

920 Cullom

Ald. Cappleman's latest newsletter gives updates on some 46th Ward problem buildings and what's going on them. It's really good to see some action being taken; fingers crossed that most or all disappear from the list within the year.

• 920 W Cullom: This long-vacant building is currently in housing court and a potential buyer has been identified. The interested party had an attorney present at the last court hearing and a sale could be completed by the next court hearing, which is June 14th. Plans for the building would be to return it to a six- or seven- unit rental.
• 4639 N Broadway: This mixed-use building was already in housing court for code violations and criminal conduct when it became the site of a high-profile standoff with police last December. More recently, the lending bank obtained full ownership rights to the property through foreclosure. The tenant involved in the standoff was evicted and Cedar Realty, acting as property manager and broker, is marketing the property for sale. Interested parties should contact Cedar Realty at 312-929-1840. The building will next be in housing court on August 2nd for case management and update on the sale of the property. 
• 1001 N Leland: This troubled mixed-use property, previously owned by Sam Alexander, was recently foreclosed on by United Central Bank. The bank is currently cleaning up the property, while securing and maintaining the vacant spaces, with plans to market the building for sale in the near future.
• 3927 N Clarendon: The owners of this building recently obtained a permit to convert the property from an SRO building into a 6-unit rental. Approval for this project was obtained by the former Alderman, but work is just beginning now. Improvements to the adjacent properties may come in the future.  [UU Note:  This is the long-empty vintage greystone on Clarendon just south of Irving Park, where Broadway and Clarendon diverge.]
• Lawrence House and 4526 N Sheridan: Both properties are named in a federal foreclosure lawsuit that was filed at the end of January. The foreclosure case will be in federal court later this month for a hearing on the appointment of a receiver. The Lawrence House was also recently in Housing Court where the owners stated that an offer had been made on both buildings and a sale was possible. The next hearing for Lawrence House will be June 7th for case management and an update on the foreclosure and potential sale. 4526 N Sheridan will again be in housing court on July 26th.

More information can be found here on Alderman Cappleman's website.  If you would like to participate in being a court advocate for one or more of these cases (downtown at the Daley Center), please contact the alderman's office.

Chill & Grill Coming This Summer

Technically, this isn't in Uptown, but it's a couple blocks south of Irving Park, so we'll take full advantage!  If you're a devotee of good food, you'll probably enjoy the Chill & Grill Festival on June 9-10, featuring Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; Chicago Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard; and our own Hearty Boys, among others.  There will be a kids area, live music, cooking demonstrations, restaurant tastings, and more.  Check out the website at www.bhgchillandgrill.com for more information.

Time Out Chicago: 4 Reasons To Rent In Sheridan Park

Time Out Chicago: Sunnyside Mall

By Doug McGoldrick
Time Out Chicago

Uptown doesn’t have the best rep, but we predict it’ll pay to put down roots in Sheridan Park—the stretch of the neighborhood bounded by Lawrence Avenue to the north, Montrose Avenue to the south, Clark Street to the west and Racine Avenue to the east. Here’s why.

The Red Line’s getting a revamp.
Expect the Lawrence and Wilson Red Line stops—between a 5- and 15-minute walk for Sheridan Park residents—to follow in the spiffed-up tracks of the North/Clybourn station, as part of $1 billion in state and anticipated federal grants dedicated to renovating the Red Line. Lawrence should be bright and shiny by early next year: CTA president Forrest Claypool recently announced it as one of seven stations whose face-lift will begin this summer. Though no timeline has been announced for Wilson (public hearings are slated for sometime this summer), officials are calling for a complete gut and rebuild of the 100-year-old station.

A new alderman—the first in 24 years—is fighting crime.
In the past three months, Uptown logged fewer police-reported crimes than even Lakeview. According to the Chicago Police Department’s ClearMap crime summary on April 18, Uptown was 27th in overall crime among Chicago’s 77 designated community areas, with 1,087 crimes in the past 90 days; Lakeview was 20th with 1,542; the Loop was 14th with 1,732. Skeptics will say fewer crimes are reported in Uptown because fewer cops patrol the streets, but 46th Ward Ald. James Cappleman seems dedicated to improving the ’hood. Among his accomplishments: spurring a four-month undercover drug investigation that netted 18 arrests. Continue Reading

Maryville Public Planning Charrette Set

Got an opinion on what the future of Maryville should include?  It was announced last month that a community meeting would be held to help form guidelines for future developers of the site.

And now there's a date.

"Maryville Public Planning Charrette @ Clarendon Park Community Center, 4501 N. Clarendon. Tuesday, May 8th, 7pm.

This meeting is an opportunity for public discussion about community interests and concerns over future potential development at the Maryville site (Montrose and Clarendon). 

There is currently no specific proposal being considered."

If you have strong opinions, come to the meeting.  You can comment here all you want, but if you don't tell your brilliant ideas to the people who count, where it counts, when it counts, it all means bupkis.  So mark your calendar for May 8th and show up in person if you want to help make a difference.

Uptown Part Of New Garbage Pick-Up Plan

image courtesy of BGA.gov

Most of Uptown will be part of the first wave of the new grid-based system of City garbage pick-up that will begin later this year.  According to the Sun-Times, 

Five North Side wards have been chosen as guinea pigs for a change Mayor Rahm Emanuel hopes will save the city $60 million a year at the risk of alienating homeowners and aldermen — by switching from a ward-by-ward to a grid system for collecting Chicago’s garbage.

Last summer, Emanuel asked consultants to “develop a route system” for garbage collection that creates an “equitable workload for drivers” without regard to ward boundaries. The goal was to bring Chicago’s $225-per-ton cost closer to the $135 per ton spent in other major cities. ... Now, the city has chosen five North Side wards to be the first to take the plunge: the 40th, 46th, 48th, 49th and 50th.

Most businesses, and buildings of five or more units, pay for their own private waste services, so the new grid system won't affect those.   For the entire Sun-Times story, click here.

Missing Man In Uptown

Update: Some good news! A reader writes: "I was pretty sure I recognized the missing person, Harry Linsky. When I called the number listed on the website the police told me he'd been found yesterday."

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From the Tribune:

"Police are searching for a 65-year-old man who is on medication and went missing last Tuesday from the North Side in the city's Uptown neighborhood. 

Harry Linsky was last seen in the area of the 4600 block of North Sheridan Road. Police said he suffers from schizophrenia and takes medication. Police described Linsky as a white man, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 143 pounds. He has blue eyes and brown hair and a light complexion, police said. 

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact police at 312-744-8266."

"Dine Out For Life" On Thursday

If you're planning to dine out on Thursday, April 26th, we urge you to consider choosing a restaurant that's participating in the 19th Annual Dining Out For Life fundraiser, which collects money for AIDS service organizations.  There are over 75 restaurants participating in the Chicago area, and the best part is that you don't have to give out of pocket -- the restaurants donate a portion of their day's profits to this worthy cause.

Last year Chicagoans raised more than $125,000 and this year the goal is $150,000.

Restaurants in Uptown that are generously participating are:

• Anna Maria Pasteria, 4400 N Clark (dinner)
• Baker & Nosh, 1303 W Wilson (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Ceres' Table, 4882 N Clark (dinner)
• Crew Bar & Grill, 4804 N Broadway (lunch, dinner)
• Magnolia Cafe, 1224 W Wilson (dinner)

You can see all participating restaurants and read more about Dining Out For Life here.  Bon appetit!

Update:  "‎Crew Bar + Grill is a Diamond Sponsor of Dining Out For Life and is open for lunch, happy hour, dinner and late-night. Crew will have donation envelopes available which enters each donor of at least $10 into the Dining Out For Life city-wide drawing. Donations will also enter you into a special CREW-ONLY drawing for some great prizes including a Party at Crew for 25, Cubs tickets and an AppleTV. In the past, all the raffles have been done in the evening. But this year, they are available during lunch too, and we have two special LUNCH-ONLY prizes -- a two hour Happy Hour at Crew for 10 people and a $25 Crew gift card. Hope to see you tomorrow at Crew Bar + Grill."

Safety Town Hall Meeting Wednesday

From Ald. Cappleman's latest newsletter:

46th Ward Town Hall on Safety.  Tomorrow night at 7:00PM, please join Alderman Cappleman, 20th Police District Commander Moy, and 19th Police District Commander Kenny to discuss public safety issues in the 46th Ward.  Town Hall will be held at Stockton Elementary, 4420 North Beacon.

A Rare Opportunity

It's not Uptown Update's usual policy to publicize political fundraisers.  24 candidates running for three aldermanic offices in 2011 cured us of that inclination.

But there's an exception to every rule, and the "perk" associated with this fundraiser is so cool that we feel we would be remiss if we didn't make our readers aware of the opportunity.  The perk:  A tour of the Uptown Theater.   Citizens For Cappleman is holding a fundraiser celebrating the alderman's first year in office on May 17th at Fat Cat, and the price of admission includes a tour of the long-shuttered theater.

All the current members of Team UU are lucky enough to have been inside the theater at various times, and each of us found it awe-inspiring.  We wish the same experience for everyone in Uptown, whether it be this tour or another opportunity.  We hope the glimpses we are able to get now are just the "before pictures" that we can at some point compare with the "after pictures" of a fully restored and functional Uptown Theater.

For information about the fundraiser and the tour and how to purchase tickets, click here.

Invitation To Reading Of New Play At Cornerstone

Living Homeless in Chicago

A new way to look at the news! Come see a staged reading of a new play based on the lives and stories of homeless people who are in residence at Cornerstone Community Outreach, a homeless shelter in Uptown. (Running time approx 45 minutes)

PUBLIC PERFORMANCES /STAGED READINGS:

• WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25th, 5:00 pm
  Cornerstone Community Outreach
  4628 N Clifton Street
• THURSDAY, APRIL 26th, 1:30 pm
  Columbia College Chicago
  1104 S Wabash 

ALL ARE WELCOME! Please come - find out more about the lives and stories of homeless men, women and children, and participate in the creation of a new theatre script. We would love to hear your feedback!

Watch the Game Tonight At Crew

From Crew (4804 Broadway):

It took another overtime to settle game 5 between the Coyotes and Blackhawks. Captain, Jonathan Toews, scored the winning goal. Now the series comes back to Chicago for game 6. Game time is Monday night at 8:00 pm. Watch the game with sound at your official Blackhawks Bar.

All Flatbread Pizzas: 1/2 price
Double Absolut Mango and Ruby Red Margaritas: $6.75
Labatt Blue Bottles: $3.00
Blackhawks Specials: $1 off selected items

Lawrence / Broadway Activity

A lot of inquiries from readers like this one:

"Do you know what happened at Demera last night or this morning?  When I drove past this morning on my way to work, I saw 2 police cars with lights flashing and yellow crime scene tape around the entire front of the restaurant.  It looked like the windows were out.  Was there a fire?"

A couple members of Team UU were out in that area around 3am and didn't notice anything unusual.  Anyone know what happened?

100 Years Ago On Argyle Street

Thanks to the website Silent Beauties, dedicated to the silent screen era, we have 3 minutes and 45 seconds of "Mr. Flip" -- shot at Essanay Studios in 1909, probably where the parking lot for St. Augustine College is now.  It stars Ben Turpin and was directed by "Broncho Billy" Anderson. According to Silent Beauties, it's the first movie to feature the classic pie-in-the-face gag.

Help Plan Public Art For Summer

click to enlarge

The Buttercup Advisory Council, Arts and Events Committee (former Sheridan Road Task Force, Temporary Public Art Committee) would like to invite you to participate in a series of community planning charrettes. There will be a workshop where we will develop ideas for art projects that address the topic 'Winds of Change: Sailing to a better future'. Everyone is invited to participate in the workshops. No prior art making experience is needed, although artists who would like to be project leads are encouraged to participate. Just bring a smile and a good attitude.

The artworks planned in these workshops are slated to be installed Summer/Fall 2012, on Sheridan Road between Lawrence Avenue and Foster Avenue. Please note that we will not be making any art during the planning charrettes, just developing ideas for art projects.

Workshop Date: May 5th, 2012
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Place: Uptown Art Center at Preston Bradley Center (Peoples Church)
941 W. Lawrence Ave. Chicago, IL. 60640

Bark In The Park On May 5th

It's back, for the 18th year!  The Anti-Cruelty Society's Fundraiser and 5K walk, "Bark In The Park," takes place on May 5th at Montrose Harbor, where thousands of dogs and owners will congregate, starting at 9am.  It's $35 to register to participate in the walk -- you can do so here.  If you can't walk, sponsor a walker and help ACS continue its good work.

In addition to the 5K walk, activities include agility courses, demonstrations, product samples from small business sponsors, Animal Intuitive Denise
Zak, a family fun tent—plus free snacks, souvenir photos, 50/50 cash raffle, and much more. Dogs (and owners) who are socially adept are welcome to come enjoy the day.  Go to this link to register to join in the fundraising 5K and get more information about the event.

UU Note: If you know someone who volunteers at Anti-Cruelty, you can talk to them about signing up to help out on this fun and furry day.

Annoyance Theater Leaving Uptown?

Could be.  WBEZ's Onstage/Backstage says:

Mick Napier and Jennifer Estlin revealed on Eight Forty-Eight that they're looking for a new location for the theater, which turns 25 this year. "We're actually looking at a fourth phase for the Annoyance; we're looking at the possibility of moving again," he told host Tony Sarabia. "We're always up for changing, not only artistically though, but also where we're at, and we've done that throughout the time."

Bummer if it's true.

Montrose Dog Beach Needs Volunteers

Photo courtesy of Xetark, at Flickr

With so many people expressing opinions about Montrose Dog Beach recently, there are some volunteer opportunities opening up so you have the chance to put your enthusiasm into action.  From the Mondog website:

"Long-time Mondog Co-Chairs Beth and Sheri have decided its time to step down from the Mondog Board, and make way for someone new.  Joining the Mondog Board is a great way to not only support the Dog Beach, but to work to keep it a great place for everyone.  If you have some ideas for making Montrose Dog Beach better, or just want to become more involved in the Dog Beach, now is the time!  We need people to help with everything from planning clean ups and education events, maintaining the web site and social media, fundraising, planning improvements, you name it, we need it.  Contact Mondog today and let us know how you'd like to help."

Recycling & Shredding On Saturday

click to enlarge

A reminder that in addition to being Clean & Green Day, it's also an opportunity to bring your old electronics, eyeglasses, CFL light bulbs, American flags, etc. for disposal and recycling.

You can also bring paper for shredding.

If you have unopened personal care items (lotions, toothpaste, shampoo), you can bring them, too, and they'll be distributed to the clients of Care For Real.

The 46th/48th Streets and San office is located at 5853 North Broadway, just south of the Broadway Armory.

Bike Race At Montrose Harbor On Sunday

Bill Barnes of XXX Racing-Athletico writes in to say:  

"I'm a long-time reader, and a member of the XXX Racing team. I wanted to give you a heads up, that this Sunday, the 22nd, we'll be hosting a Bicycle Race near Montrose Harbor (Simonds and Lawrence, to be exact). You can find information about it here.

Information about closures: The course itself (map on the link) will be closed to traffic, and traffic will be unable to go further East than the parking lot entrance on Wilson. Keep in mind this lot is still open, and access to the dog beach is still possible.

We'll have traffic marshals and pedestrian traffic marshals to ensure everyone's safety (as well as our furry friends' safety). There will also be snacks for the dogs near the entrance to the dog beach, which is close to the start/finish area of the race. We encourage anyone interested to come out and spectate or even better, come out and race!"

From the website:  "Online registration is available and highly recommended.  At noon there will be a free race for children, and all participants will receive a medal."

It's Record Store Day

It's a nationwide celebration of small locally owned businesses, still selling vinyl in an era of MP3s and downloads.  Shake Rattle & Read (4812 N Broadway) is participating in Uptown, as are Laurie's Planet of Sound in Lincoln Square, Village Records in Roscoe Village, and several stores in Lakeview.  You can read more about Record Store Day here.  Ric Addy has posted on Shake Rattle & Read's Facebook page that "In Celebration of Record Store Day - Sat. 4/21/12 - we will be offering 25% off used Vinyl Lp's, 45 rpm's, CD's and music books and magaines! Noon till 6pm."

Clean & Green Saturday

Spring Clean and Green is this Saturday, April 21st.  Many block clubs are taking part, and all three Uptown aldermen are working with the community to help give our neighborhood a good spring cleaning.  Here are the events we know about -- got one we haven't listed?  Please send it to us and we'll add it to the list.

• Buena Park Neighbors will hold its spring Clean and Green on Saturday, April 21st.  Come on out and join in the fun. We will meet at Dollop Coffee and Tea at 10am and spread out from there to pickup the neighborhood and work a few neglected parkways.  At noon, when we're through, join your fellow workers for fellowship and conversation at one of our local establishments.
• Truman Square Neighbors will meet at 9:30 at Aster Playlot, 4639 N Kenmore, and work on the neighborhood until 11am.   There'll be coffee and donuts, and gloves and flats of flowers for planting will be available.
• Lakeside Neighbors (LANA) will meet at 9:30am at the Peace Garden next to 920 Lakeside.  Coffee, donuts and water will be provided.
• If you live in the area around Margate Park, you'll have a chance to channel your inner Tom Sawyer and help paint the Margate Pedestrian Tunnel from 9am to 1pm.  Meet at the west end of the tunnel; all supplies will be provided.  Contact Joseph Trendl for more information.
• Graceland Wilson Neighbors (GWNA) will meet to clean-up and beautify the neighborhood at 9am.  Meet at the Sunnyside Mall.  Supplies provided. 
• Clarendon Park Neighbors says: "Meet us at the Clarendon Park Fieldhouse (9am-11am) to pick up tools and trash bags (and a doughnut!). We will spread out throughout the neighborhood to pick up trash, rake, sweep, and do other clean-up tasks that need to be done. Please bring tools, if you have them, and gloves. Children encouraged!"
• [NEW] Beacon Block Club will do clean-up from 10am-noon.  Meet at the Beacon/Lawrence Triangle at 10am to get things rolling. 
• [NEW] Winona Foster Carmen Winnemac Block Club will meet on April 28th for a spring clean-up, plant exchange and bike tune-up.  More details closer to the date.

What A Difference

Constructing the elevated tracks over Montrose, 1897, looking north.

Wayne Johnson posted on UU's Facebook page about a site featuring "Forgotten Chicago Ephemera," Calumet 412.  It features an amazing photo showing the construction of the concrete footings for the L tracks over Montrose. You can see the pointed top of the Sheridan Park Station in the background on the left. It stood just about where the Wilson Men's Club is today.

UU Note: It is listed as Evanston (Broadway) and Wilson on the Calumet 412 site but it was actually a few blocks south of there.

Update: Thanks to commenter "Edgewaterite" for citing the correct location as listed in Bruce G. Moffat's book "The L."

More On The Lawrence House Sale

A few weeks ago, it was announced that the Menetti family would be selling off its rental properties in Uptown and Rogers Park, all of which are in housing court and a few of which are in foreclosure.

Here's another article, this time from Midwest Real Estate News, with details of the pricing.  We're rolling our eyes at the descriptions (oh, if only Lawrence House could accurately be described as "senior housing" once again), but it does give a more complete description of the number of units and what the Menettis are asking for them.

The two Uptown rental properties are: 

• The 376-unit Lawrence House, a 12-story elevator building at 1020 W. Lawrence Ave.  The largest property in the collection is listed individually for $10 million, or $26,596 per unit.  Lawrence House currently operates as senior housing, serving a large market of renters seeking clean, affordable and well-located apartments.
• The 102-unit Sheridan View Apartments at 4526 N. Sheridan Road.  The seven-story building offered for sale by Essex Realty at a price of $3.75 million.  Built in 1926, the vintage brick and stone building has been well maintained by current ownership, and is operated under Class-9 tax status.

"Opulent Decay"

This gorgeous photo of the Uptown Theater is called "Downstaging Uptown" and was taken by Eric Holubow as part of his photo exhibit at the Cultural Center entitled In Decay — Stitching America's Ruins. The Reader just came out with an article about the exhibit, which reads in part:

My grandmother grew up in Uptown and used to spend her Saturday afternoons going to the Uptown Theatre, where she’d spend ten cents on a vaudeville show and talkie picture. When she stood in front of Holubow’s photograph Downstaging Uptown, she said, “Oohhh, the lobby was so beautiful! It was like a palace with gorgeous frescoes and marble floors. Mies van der Rohe said ‘less is more.’ But in these kinds of theaters, more is more.”

The photo exhibit runs at the Cultural Center, daily including weekends, 78 E Washington, through July 7th, and it's free.  The Reader article is here.

Montrose Harbor Boat Rescue

If you heard helicopters earlier this afternoon, this is why (and those two guys are darn lucky there was a helicopter in the area):

Two boaters were rescued after their boat capsized in Lake Michigan near Montrose Harbor Wednesday afternoon. The Chicago Police Department Marine Unit pulled the men out of the lake around 2:50 p.m. 

It is not clear how long the men were in the water, but they are expected to be OK. Both men were hanging onto their small sailboat about a quarter mile off of a fishing hub at Montrose Harbor when they were pulled out of the water. According to police, the boat did not have any communications devices and neither of the men had life jackets. The sole 911 call came from a news helicopter that saw the boat overturn and alerted authorities. 

Read the rest of the story and see photos at ABC7's website.

Dog Owner Identified In Montrose Dog Beach Attack

From the Tribune:  "Chicago police on Tuesday launched an internal investigation against an officer whose pitbull killed a small dog at the Montrose Beach dog park last month, the department said. Its animal crimes team cited the officer, a five-year veteran, for failing to report that his dog bit another animal within 24 hours of the incident, which occurred March 17."  The article goes on to say he has been relieved of his police duties while the investigation is ongoing.

Second City Cop addressed the attacking dog's owner in its blog:  "Seriously? It's a Animal Bite Card, maybe a Damage to Property report. A civil suit wouldn't be out of the question, but minimally involved. And now your career is on the line? Not to mention the beating the Department is going to take in the media and in the minds of citizens who are just going to see another asshole copper thinking they're above the law and, truth be told, common decency."

It should be noted that the 19th District police officers passed out hundreds of flyers and went to the media to try to identify this guy.   While nothing will bring back the small dog who was killed right in front of his owners (every pet owner's worst nightmare), at least now they have an answer to who owned the dog that did this and who should rightfully pay the very extensive vet bills incurred.

UU Note:  Sadly, this sort of incident has happened before, as recently as 2010.  We were reminded of by the reader who witnessed the previous attack.  Very sad for all involved.

More Of The Same On Clifton

More drug dealing on Clifton? You be the judge. Doesn't look like the "security" provided by Cornerstone Community Outreach is intimidating this guy much.

GWNA Block Club Meet & Greet On Thursday

From Graceland Wilson Block Club 

Please join us this Thursday for a fun evening at the Driftwood. Meet your neighbors and share ideas on making our neighborhood a great place to live!

Thursday, April 19
6:30 to 8:30 PM
Driftwood—1021 W. Montrose 

Think hanging out with neighbors at a bar is cool? It gets even better! Join or Renew your membership for $20 and get a free drink!

Let’s use the power of our block club for public safety, great parks and retail. Please forward this invitation to your neighbors.

Can’t make this event but want to become a member? Please email gwna13@gmail.com. Thanks!

Mickey D's Tax Day Special

You probably already know that quite a few chain stores and restaurants have Tax Day Deals to lessen the sting of writing those checks to the IRS and Springfield.  You can find a list of them all over the web, but most don't have locations in Uptown.  There's one that does:  McDonald's.  According to Free Things To Do In Chicago,

"Participating McDonald’s locations are offering up a great deal on Tax Day, April 17th 2012! Buy a Big Mac or Quarter Pounder at menu price and snag another one for a friend for only a penny! Make sure to call ahead to see if they are participating….

Last Day To RSVP

Today's the last day to RSVP for the Gangs Awareness Seminar that will be held at Truman College on Thursday evening.  We've been to a few and came away a little more knowledgeable about what's going on our our streets and in our city.  Click here for the flyer.  You can RSVP by calling 773.334.4066 or emailing Lori.Trier@cookcountyil.gov.

There's an article in today's Sun-Times about a new strategy the CPD is utilizing to help get a better handle on the gangs:  "[The 24th District Police in Rogers Park] completed a “gang audit” in February to get a better picture of gang territory, gang membership and gang dynamics of the area. Similar audits are being done across the city. Rogers Park provides a snapshot of how police districts are tailoring gang information to their unique problems."

And Then They Were Gone

We've been watching since last Thanksgiving, when the city declared the three storefronts at 4415-4423 North Clark "Off Limits."  Earlier this month, the demolition process began.  As of last week, all that remains is a big pile of rubble and some scaffolding.  An ignoble end to three buildings that were 90 to more than 100 years old, but their glory days were long gone, and we hope to see something better replace them eventually.

We took a look at the 1928 city directory, and in those pre-Depression days, that part of Clark was bustling!  That one block was home to a restaurant, two grocery stores, a cigar retailer, a meat market, an awnings dealer, a shoe repair shop, numerous car garages (both for parking and repair), an automobile repainter, an auto wrecker, a cigar maker, Chicago Architectural Bronze Company, Faber Instrument Company, and a drugstore.  We hope to see its fortunes improve back to the days when it was a vital retail corridor.

Learn What's Happening At Chase; Meeting Thursday

Seafood Garden Evicted

We're not exactly sure what happened at Seafood Garden on Argyle, where we enjoyed some good meals, but a reader sent in this photo of a sign on their door, and it sure doesn't look good.  Sorry to hear about it.

If you bought a deal through LivingSocial or YouSwoop to eat here, you probably want to take a look at the refund policy and contact customer service.

Landlord/Property Manager Workshop Tuesday

click to enlarge

One Person Seriously Injured In Fire At 4300 Marine

In this picture sent in by a reader, the circled area shows an enlargement
of the blown-out windows in the unit where the fire occurred.

According to readers and the Tribune, there was a fire shortly after 5pm today in one unit of the condo building located at 4300 North Marine. One person was left in serious to critical condition from smoke inhalation, and the damage was limited to one unit. According to witnesses, the fire department arrived on-scene quickly and put out the fire quickly. The unit where the fire occurred was on the sixth floor.

The Tribune story is here. There are several photos of the fire shared by a reader on UU's Facebook page.

Dock Workers Needed

If you're looking for summer employment, the Dock at Montrose Harbor is looking for servers, hostesses and busboys.  Take a look at its ad in Craigslist, here, and show up in person today between 11am and 4pm to apply.  Good luck!

Colonel's A-Comin'

A reader writes:  "Sorry for the bad quality of the photo attached, but I was coming home tonight and went past the strip mall at Lawrence and Sheridan where JJ Pepper's is.  I wasn't too surprised to see that the coin laundry there had gone out of business.  I was very surprised to see the posters in the window announcing what is going to replace it."

Our first thought:  Wonder why they didn't take over the empty KFC building at Buena and Broadway, which is already fitted out as a restaurant, rather than retrofitting a laundromat? 

Actually, this could be very good news for the area if it's a KFC franchise, because franchisees have to meet and maintain certain standards set by the KFC office.  There's a hefty franchise fee ($45,000) and start-up costs ranging from $1.3million to $2.4million.  In short, the franchise owner has a very big interest in making sure the store makes a profit and is professionally run.

(By contrast, the former Popeye's at Wilson and Broadway wasn't a franchise, but was independently owned.) 

Time will tell how this all plays out.

A Chance Encounter...

Photo courtesy www.guzer.com

Ah, nothing says romance like Megadeth, black pentagram gauges, and an empty bathroom stall.

From the Sun-Times:

If you’re the guy with the red mohawk and “viper piercings” who attended the recent Megadeth/Motorhead concert at the Aragon Ballroom, there’s a woman with blue hair and black biker boots who has something for you: A Baby.

At least that’s the woman’s claim in a recent anonymous posting on Craigslist’s “Missed Connections” section. In the post, which has since been removed from the website, the woman says she’s trying to track down the man who fathered her unborn child in a bathroom at the Aragon.

Recognize the description? Read the entire article here. And let us know if we need to break out the cigars, you dog, you.

CSJ: Lawrence Avenue In Search Of Identity

One of the street identifier proposals for Lawrence Avenue. via CDOT

by Patty Wetli 
Center Square Journal

Though ground hasn’t yet been broken on the Lawrence Avenue Streetscape, the Chicago Department of Transportation and 47th Ward Office are already reviewing proposals for the project’s finishing touch: community identifiers.

These markers, planned for the east and west ends of the streetscape, will serve as gateways to the spruced-up stretch of Lawrence. “It’s a way to show what the area’s known for or what it’s going to be known for,” says Ernie Constantino, director of constituent services for the 47th Ward. Continue Reading

Drive-By Shooting At Clarendon & Bittersweet

photo via Google Streetview

And right on cue with the discussion of cracking down on gangbangers....

"A man was wounded this afternoon in an apparent drive-by shooting in the Lakeview neighborhood on the North Side.  The shooting happened about 2 p.m. near the intersection of Marine Drive and Irving Park Road, said Police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli. No description of the vehicle was available."

That's what the Tribune says.  But it's not quite accurate.

A reader writes:  "The story identifies it as Irving Park and Marine, but my wife and seven-month-old son were out walking the dog at this time, at it happened at Clarendon and Bittersweet.  Thankfully they were a half a block away, after passing the spot of the shooting a minute earlier. 

This shit keeps up, Buena Park neighbors needs to form its own vigilante squads.  Can't believe my seven-month-old was that close to a drive by shooting in the middle of the day."

What did Rahm say, "a cancer on the community"?  We can't agree more.

Shut Down Gang Haven Convenience Stores?

Mayor Rahm is on a roll!  And we can't agree with him more.  Getting rid of havens for gangbangers is aces with us.  Frankly, we're not as concerned about the gangbangers' right to be comfortable as we are our own right to walk around our neighborhood without seeing shootings and drug transactions.  From the Sun-Times:

With Chicago’s murder rate up 60 percent over last year, Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday launched a coordinated crackdown aimed at shutting down liquor and convenience stores that serve as magnets for crime.

“These locations often harbor drug dealers and street gang members and become a cancer on the community,” the mayor told the first graduating class of police recruits since he took office. “By taking aggressive enforcement action, we can send a clear message that the streets of Chicago belong to the children and the law-abiding residents of Chicago — not drug dealers and gang bangers.”

Until now, Emanuel said the city has relied on consumer complaints before moving to suspend or revoke the licenses of liquor and convenient stores. Under the new and coordinated approach, City Hall will no longer wait for a major incident, such as a shooting, to trigger enforcement action.  Read the entire story here.

We can think of at least one place, and more like three, that could easily be shut down in Uptown using the new guidelines, and the community would be much better for it.

Mayor Emanuel Proposes RICO-Type Gang Laws

From the Sun-Times:

"As murder skyrockets in Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is calling on the General Assembly to pass a law to target gang members with federal-style racketeering cases.[...]

“We cannot fight criminal gang violence alone and need additional tools to go after gangs in our city and throughout Illinois,” Emanuel said in a March 30 letter to Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago).

The bill was narrowed to focus only on gang activity — and doesn’t apply to political corruption or white-collar crime. It allows racketeering prosecutions of anyone participating directly or indirectly in gang activity through violent crimes, gun and drug crimes or collection of illegal debts. A conviction would carry a prison term of 10 to 30 years, along with a fine of up to $250,000."  Read the entire article here. 

 What do you think?